The discipline of Naturopathic Medicine is regulated in the province of Ontario. It is a primary-contact discipline with no medical referral necessary for an appointment.
Naturopathic medicine is an approach to healing that focuses on patient wellness in its entirety through promoting your health and preventing disease while addressing the underlying cause of your condition. Naturopathic Doctors practice natural medicine. However, they do use a combination of traditional, modern, and scientific-tested therapies. Examples include natural remedies, herbs, massage, acupuncture, stress-relieving techniques, and nutritional counselling.
In naturopathic medicine, the goal is to treat the person as a whole. This means treating mind, body, and spirit. The main principles of naturopathy guide this approach:
- Do No Harm. This refers to the use of substances/interventions that pose minimal risk. When treating a patient, NDs focus on using safe, effective, natural substances before considering the use of prescriptions, surgeries, and other invasive treatments.
- The Healing Power of Nature. Naturopathy focuses on the natural self-healing process of the human body. They work at discovering and removing any obstacles to allow for the body to recover.
- Identify and Treat the Causes. The body will not heal unless the underlying causes of illness are addressed. Therefore, you cannot focus on simply treating the symptoms.
- The Physician as Teacher. Not only are naturopathic doctors there to assist you in your needs, but they are there to educate and teach patients.
- Treat the Whole Person. A treatment plan cannot exist only based on the current issue. When creating a plan, they consider an individual’s mental, physical, emotional, environmental, genetic, social, and spiritual elements.
- Prevention. Assist the patient with identifying risk factors and susceptibility to disease, whether heredity or from their lifestyle.
Naturopathic doctors work more personally; they develop their treatment plans and consider all aspects of a person. Studies have found that the approaches and methods used in naturopathy effectively heal numerous conditions.
Naturopath vs Naturopathic Doctor
While the requirements for these two titles vary based on the country, they are not used interchangeably because their scope of practice differs. While both can provide care that will help the body heal, the education required to become a licensed naturopathic doctor is much more. There is only 6 accredited naturopathic doctor (ND) education programs across North America.
Naturopathy vs Homeopathy
Homeopathy is the use of herbs and remedies developed from all-natural substances. At the same time, naturopathy is a health system that may use homeopathy but includes a variety of other treatments too. Thus, a naturopath can use homeopathy. However, a homeopathic practitioner cannot use naturopathic medicine.
Finding a Naturopath
At Durand Health, Naturopathy is offered by:
Dr. Julia Tolton, Naturopath (N.D.)
Dr. Julia Tolton, HBSc, ND, is a Naturopathic Doctor who received her Doctor of Naturopathy from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Her background in science and research is a cornerstone of her practice – ensuring that evidence-based medicine is the focus of all her naturopathic interventions. She is passionate about finding the balance between enjoying the indulgences in life and focusing on your health & wellness. She incorporates that approach into the plans she develops for her patients while working closely with them to ensure they get the attention and care they deserve throughout the process.
