Therapies and Services


Naturopathic Medicine

 

Naturopathic Medicine offers non-invasive therapies with fewer complications and side effects. The following are services available: 

 

Asian Medicine/Acupuncture

Using Asian botanical formulas, acupuncture and dietary suggestions.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a technique derived from ancient China thousands of years ago. It involves the insertion of thin sterile needles through the skin at specific points on the body, which are located along specific channels or pathways called meridians, to alleviate and control pain and other symptoms. For additional effects, acupuncture can be combined with electrical current or moxibustion (heat and herbs) to stimulate or re-align the body’s electrical fields.

It is based on the theory of balancing the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”) or vital energy by puncturing the skin at specific locations called acupuncture points. This in turn will promote and restore health.

What to expect during an Acupuncture session?

Acupuncture may be performed while sitting, lying on the back, or lying on the front on a table. The insertion of the needles goes unnoticed by some, and/or may feel like a small pinch followed by a sensation of tingling, numbness, warmth, ache, or heaviness. Some people feel Qi moving at a distance from the point of insertion. The needles remain in place for 15-20 minutes. Some people notice relief of symptoms or feel more energetic in the days following treatment. Most people are very comfortable during the sessions and even look forward to them.

What conditions benefit from Acupuncture?

Acupuncture can benefit many medical conditions from neurological, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal to mental and emotional conditions as well. Please visit the World Health Organization website for an extensive list of conditions for which acupuncture is considered appropriate.

Acupuncture Side Effects:

Acupuncture is safe, effective and free from adverse side effects. A sense of relaxation and well-being often occurs during and after treatments. A common side benefit is that while undergoing therapy for one ailment, other problems may resolve as well. This demonstrates the importance of balancing the vital energy or Qi of the entire individual.

 

Botanical (Herbal) Medicine

 

Using plant substances as medicine.

 

Botanical medicine uses the integrity of the whole plant as opposed to single isolated components in pharmaceuticals that usually have side effects. The organic nature of botanicals allow them to be compatible with the body’s own chemistry, therefore, botanicals are effective with few toxic side effects (note: this varies amongst plants). Plants are used in different forms from tinctures, teas and standardized extracts to creams, ointments, and poultices. 

 

Clinical Nutrition

 

Using food and nutritional supplements as medicine.

Better health and nutrition are connected. Naturopathic doctors assess your dietary habits for nutritional deficiencies and provide dietary suggestions and/or nutritional supplementation for better health.

 

Homeopathic Medicine

Using remedies according to “The Law of Similars” to help stimulate the body to heal itself and re-establish balance.

 

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a system of medicine developed in the eighteenth century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Unlike conventional medicine where drugs are given to work against the body and its symptoms, homeopathic remedies work with the body to help stimulate the body to heal itself.

 

In medicine, there are two basic ways for treating ill health a) the way of opposites; and b) the way of similars. Consider a patient with a cough. The way of opposites is to use anti-cough drugs that suppress the cough. The way of similars (homeopathy) is to give a medicine to help the body recover from the cough. A homeopathic substance that will cause a cough in healthy persons can cure a similar cough and restore health in the ill patient.

 

Uniqueness is important in Homeopathy. For example, conventional medicine treats all coughs alike. In homeopathy, how you distinctively express the cough is important to your treatment, as are the other symptoms associated with your cough. All of the symptoms you experience are important to help your Naturopathic doctor select the correct homeopathic medicine for you.

 

To help your naturopathic doctor identify the appropriate homeopathic medicine, accurate observation and reporting of your symptoms is essential. Here are topics that you can think about before your homeopathic visit:

 

• unusual symptoms and the characteristics of your illness
• the pattern of your symptoms and the cause of your illness
• anything that makes your symptoms better or worse (other than drugs)
• your level of energy and what effects it
• how your energy changes during a normal day
• your body's response to weather
• your sleep position and patterns
• recurrent dreams
• foods that you especially like, dislike, or that effect you
• your thirst and fluid intake
• your bodily functions (menses, elimination)
• your personality

 

Homeopathic medicines are made from plant, animal or mineral products, which are highly diluted so there is no chance of toxicity. The remedy prescribed is in the minimum dosage required to allow healing to take place. After taking the homeopathic remedy, your symptoms may become worse before they improve. The worsening is usually a good sign that the medicine is working in order to restore your health. If this occurs, please contact your Naturopathic doctor.