Frequently Asked Questions
Who should
see a Naturopathic Doctor?
What
you can expect on your visits with a Naturopath?
How many
times should I expect to see a
Naturopathic Doctor in order to get better?
What
should you bring to your first visit?
What
is the difference between a Naturopathic Doctor and
a Medical Doctor?
How are
Naturopathic Doctors trained?
What
are the types of treatments that a Naturopathic Doctor
would use?
What
conditions and illnesses do Naturopathic Doctors commonly
treat?
Is Naturopathic
Medicine safe?
What
is the cost to see a Naturopathic Doctor?
What
are the benefits of Naturopathic Medicine?
Who
should see a Naturopathic Doctor?
Anyone from newborns to the elderly can benefit from
Naturopathic Medicine and at Natural Terrain we encourage
preventative medicine for the entire family. All health
conditions can benefit from naturopathic treatments.
What
you can expect on your visits with a Naturopath?
The initial consultation is a thorough intake covering
your chief concerns in detail, as well as reviewing
your medical and family history, general lifestyle,
exposure to environmental hazards, stress levels, personal
goals, diet, sleep habits, energy etc. In order to have
a complete assessment, a complaint oriented physical
is also included in this visit. This visit takes approximately
1 hour and 20 minutes and will require that some forms
be filled out. During this visit a personal treatment
plan will be initiated to facilitate your healing process.
Follow-up visits are required to further tailor and
customise this treatment plan based on test results
and additional information (e.g. diet diary, basal body
temperature, pH assessment, etc.).
How
many times should I expect to see a
Naturopathic Doctor in order to get better?
Every individual is different. The number and frequency
of follow-up visits will depend on the severity of your
condition, how long you have had it, your vitality and
your dedication to getting better. Subsequent visits
are extremely important so that your Naturopathic Doctor
can monitor your progress, update your treatment protocol
and discuss any concerns as they come up. Take the time
to get better now. Look at it as an investment in your
health for years to come.
What
should you bring to your first visit?
You should bring your most recent blood work and other
relevant testing you may have had done. Also bring a
list of current medications and supplements (including
brand names and dosages), as well as the completed Health
Questionnaire (which you can download from the Home
page of our website)
What
is the difference between a Naturopathic Doctor and
a Medical Doctor?
Both are Doctors trained to diagnose the same conditions.
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) complete 3 or 4 years of
pre-med training (usually achieving a bachelor's degree)
and then have 4 years of training at an accredited naturopathic
medical college. NDs must successfully complete North
American and provincial board exams prior to being granted
licensure. NDs in Alberta and Yukon are in the processed
of becoming licensed.
Medical Doctors use pharmaceuticals and surgery to treat
patients and relieve symptoms, while NDs use a multi-faceted
non-drug, non-surgery approach to your health care.
Using the most advanced technology available for diagnosis
and treatments, NDs look at the patient's health history
and lifestyle and treat the individual using methods
such as supplements, nutrition, herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture
and other non-drug alternatives. NDs work with you to
make healthy lifestyle changes in order to prevent chronic
disease.
How
are Naturopathic Doctors trained?
Naturopathic Doctors take a minimum of three years
premedical studies at university, followed by four years
of specific training at a recognized college of naturopathic
medicine. The education encompasses basic medical sciences,
naturopathic philosophy and therapeutics, and 1500 hours
of supervised clinical experience. There are six accredited
naturopathic medical schools in North America:
• The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
(Toronto, Ontario)
• Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine
(New Westminster, British Columbia)
• Bastyr University (Seattle, Washington)
• National College of Naturopathic Medicine
(Portland, Oregon)
• Southwest College of Naturo- pathic Medicine
(Scottsdale, Arizona)
• University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic
Medicine (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
Graduates from these institutions receive a Doctor
of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree or diploma. In
regulated (licensed) provinces and states across North
America, graduates must also pass rigorous standardized
licensing exams approved by the North American Board
of Naturopathic Examiners to qualify for practice. In
Canada, NDs are regulated in British Columbia, Manitoba,
Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Legislation is pending in
Alberta, Nova Scotia and Yukon.
Be aware that there are people in Alberta and Yukon
representing Naturopathic Doctors who do not have the
appropriate education or belong to a regulating body.
Dr. Bjorndal and Dr. Mason-Wood are properly trained
and belong to both the Alberta Association of Naturopathic
Practitioners and Canadian Association of Naturopathic
Doctors. They are recognized by insurance companies
for coverage.
What
are the types of treatments that a Naturopathic Doctor
would use?
Preventative Medicine – a comprehensive assessment
of an individual's health risks including diet, exercise
and stress. The Doctor will then provide preventative
health protocols for the patient to follow.
- Nutritional Medicine – using dietary protocols,
nutritional advice and supplements to heal and repair
the body.
- Botanical (herbal) Medicine – NDs are professionally
trained herbalists and know both the historical uses
of plants as well as the modern pharmacological mechanisms
- Homeopathic Medicine – small amounts of natural
substances are used to stimulate the body's self-healing
abilities.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine – includes the
use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
Hydrotherapy – the use of water (varying temperatures)
to facilitate the healing powers of the body.
- Lifestyle counseling – counseling, nutritional
balancing, stress management and cognitive-behavioural
therapy are used to help patients heal on a mental/emotional
level.
What
conditions and illnesses do Naturopathic Doctors commonly
treat?
Naturopathic Doctors treat virtually all acute and
chronic conditions. Many patients visit an ND when they
feel that they have exhausted their options, and are
extremely surprised (and grateful) to find that the
ND can greatly relieve not only their symptoms but also
help to remove the underlying cause of disease.
Many others see an ND as a pro-active approach to their
lives. These people are not suffering from chronic conditions,
but want to optimize their health and wellness and are
making an effort to improve their lifestyle in a variety
of ways.
Is
Naturopathic Medicine safe?
Naturopathic Medicine as a primary health care profession
is unusually safe, as indicated by malpractice data,
insurance statistics and favourable safety records.
Natural does not mean harmless, so skill and knowledge
are required as with any diagnosis and treatment of
health conditions.
What
is the cost to see a Naturopathic Doctor?
Good health is an investment. Invest now and it will
pay an immediate return to your quality of life. When
you consider how important it is to maintain your car,
it's considered smart to spend money on maintenance
and upkeep. It lengthens the life of your car and keeps
it running efficiently. You certainly do not want your
car to breakdown going up a steep hill. If you would
do that for your car, wouldn't you do it for yourself?
You are worth it. Give it a few months and you will
be amazed at the return-on-investment.
At the present time, Alberta or Yukon Health Care do
not compensate for visits to a Naturopathic Doctor.
However, most extended health insurance plans will cover
visit fees up to $1000 per year. A detailed bill will
be produced so you may be reimbursed for the amount
that your insurance provider offers. Call your insurance
company and find out if you are covered to see a Naturopathic
Doctor today!
The Alberta Association of Naturopathic Practitioners
has a suggested rate of $125 per hour. Individual Doctors
may vary their rates according to initial visit fees
and follow up fees. Call the Doctor’s office to
speak to our receptionist about our fee schedule.
What
are the benefits of Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Doctors offer a variety of treatment
options and will usually combine 2 or 3 types of treatment
that will be most effective for your condition. The
goals of a Naturopathic Doctor are to understand the
individual health needs of each patient, to treat the
underlying cause of the condition (rather than cover
up symptoms) and to restore normal body function by
enhancing the body's own healing abilities.
For example, if the red “warning” light
is flashing on your car dashboard, you wouldn’t
disconnect the wires so that you don’t see the
red light (ie like taking medication for a headache
instead of finding out why you have the headache in
the first place). Instead, you would pull over, look
under the hood and see what the actual problem is. It
makes sense to approach your health in the same way!
Therefore, naturopathic Doctors must focus their efforts
on understanding the unique needs of each patient. As
a result naturopathic treatments are highly individualized.
Patients are involved in their health program and learn
to make effective, educated self-care decisions which
can prevent future health problems.
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