Naturopathic MedicineNaturopathic Medicine

What is Naturopathic Medicine?What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care that addresses the root cause of illness or disease and promotes health and healing using natural therapies.

Naturopathic doctors are highly educated primary care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies.

What education is required?What education is required?

University Degree 4 years at an accredited naturopathic

medical schoolCanadian College of Naturopathic

MedicineBoard exams & provincial licensing

exams

What is the approach to health care?What is the approach to health care?

The approach to improving health and treating illness is comprehensive and integrative; naturopathic doctors work collaboratively with other health care practitioners to ensure the patient’s needs are met.

Its primary goal is to address the cause. The goal is accomplished by treating the

whole person: mind, body and spirit.

Naturopathic PrinciplesNaturopathic PrinciplesFirst, do no harmCooperate with the healing powers of

natureAddress the fundamental causes of

diseaseTreat the whole person through

individual treatmentTeach the principles of healthy living

and preventative medicine

Naturopathic ModalitiesNaturopathic Modalities

Clinical Nutrition

Examining the relationship between diet and health.

Treatment may include nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Naturopathic ModalitiesNaturopathic Modalities

Botanical Medicine

The use of plants for healing dates back to the beginnings of civilization and is the foundation of modern pharmacology.

Plants are used for their healing effects and nutritional value.

Naturopathic ModalitiesNaturopathic Modalities

Homeopathic Medicine

Developed in the 1700s

“Like cures like”

Minute amounts of natural substances used to stimulate the body’s self-healing abilities.

Naturopathic ModalitiesNaturopathic Modalities

Physical Medicine

Hands-on techniques for the spine, joints and soft tissues.

Hydrotherapy and the therapeutic use of heat and cold.

Light, Massage and Electrotherapy.

Naturopathic ModalitiesNaturopathic Modalities

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Balancing the flow of Chi (energy) through the meridian pathways.

The use of acupuncture and oriental herbs.

Naturopathic ModalitiesNaturopathic Modalities

Lifestyle Counseling

Physical, emotional, nutritional and environmental factors all affect our health.

Guidance to help patients make effective lifestyle choices.

A little bit of history…A little bit of history…

Naturopathic medicine dates back to the time of Hippocrates -400 BC.

The term "Nature Cure" was coined in 1895 by Dr. John Scheel of New York City to describe his own method of health care.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, naturopathy evolved and grew enormously, rivaling conventional medicine in popularity.

Natural medicine flourished until about the mid 1930's when economic and political factors shifted the emphasis to conventional (“allopathic”) health care.

Interest in naturopathic care resurged in popularity from the 1960s onward in response to high-tech care that sometimes had significant side effects (such as thalidomide).

How does naturopathic care work today?How does naturopathic care work today?

Here’s what you can expect when you go to visit a naturopathic doctor:

An extensive history will be taken A physical examination will be performed Blood work or other lab tests may be recommended An individualized plan of care will be developed for

you Visits will be scheduled to follow your progress

What does a care plan consist of?What does a care plan consist of?

Care plans stipulate the types of interventions recommended for the patient’s chief concerns.

They are developed according to a an order of therapeutics: Focus first on diet and lifestyle factors Identify and manage obstacles to healing Stimulate the healing power of the person’s body with energetic

treatments like acupuncture, homeopathy and exercise Correct structure problems with massage and manipulation Address damaged organ systems and pathologies Suppress pathology if no other course of treatment is available

Naturopathic Care in ActionNaturopathic Care in Action

A case history: Tom is a 59 year old father of two who was diagnosed by his MD with high blood pressure 18 months ago. He takes a combination medication that consists of a hypotensive agent and a diuretic. His blood pressure is still high – it ranges from 140/80 to 180/100. Tom wants to know what can be done naturally to help normalize his blood pressure.

Care Plan for TomCare Plan for Tom

Lifestyle: Stress Management, ExerciseDiet: fruits and vegetables, lots of

almonds, olive oil, pomegranate juice“Neutriceuticals”: CoQ10Traditional Chinese Medicine:

acupunctureBotanicals: Avena, Crataegus

Care Plan for TomCare Plan for Tom

Therapeutic Order Intervention

1) Diet and lifestyle Stress management, exercise, additions to diet

2) Obstacles to healing (stress) Stress management

3) Stimulate body’s healing ability Exercise, acupuncture

4) Correct structural problems Not applicable

5) Address damaged organ systems and pathologies

Botanicals

6) Suppress pathology Not applicable

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Thank You!Thank You!

Janet McKenzie, NDNaturopathic Doctor

Family Chiropractic Centre136 Young Street, Hamilton, ON

www.mynaturopath.net