What Can Naturopathic Medicine Do For You?

If you've ever wondered if there is a research backed natural approach to that pesky health symptom you've been trying to overcome – this post is for you.

If you've ever wished there was someone who's got the education and done the research who could guide you through it all and save you time researching the internet – this post is for you.

If you've ever just wanted a clear explanation of what naturopathic medicine is and what it can do for you – this post is definitely for you.

Being a health professional and an entrepreneur comes with a lot of small talk, it's part of the turf. From professional networking functions to meeting and greeting with friends and family, eventually it comes... the dreaded “So, what exactly is it you do anyway?" Everyone asks eventually – and usually, I lose them if I try to explain what I do beyond helping people with their health using diet, lifestyle, and natural medicines. So here we go with a glimpse into the bigger picture of what it is I do.

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is actually more of a philosophy and an approach toward health care rather than a single therapy. Three of the principles at its core are that it:

1. Believes that the body has the ability to heal itself and our role is simply to encourage and support that process.
2. Endeavours to uphold and teach the foundations of healthy living and preventative medicine.
3. Prioritizes the identification and treatment of the root cause of illness rather than its symptoms first.

Therapies used vary substantially with ongoing training and specialization of practitioners, but the basic naturopathic education includes: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulation, and lifestyle counselling. Naturopathic doctors are often considered the "general practitioners" of natural therapies.

While we don't prescribe drugs and surgery, it doesn't mean patients can't benefit from both naturopathic and traditional medical treatments simultaneously. Personally, I use both and am grateful for the options! I encourage my patients to do the same. In fact, naturopathic doctors work best in consultation with your medical doctors and health care team to address your health concerns, communicating and referring back and forth as needed.

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Who does Naturopathic Medicine help?

Naturopathic Medicine as an approach can be used for addressing all health concerns - from pediatric to geriatric, from acute to chronic, and from the physical to the psychological. But, as with anything, there are some instances it works better than others. In particular, I find naturopathic medicine is particularly good at helping the following types of patients:

• Those seeking prevention and wellness strategies.
• Those with an ongoing range of symptoms that they have been unable to resolve on their own or with the help of other healthcare practitioners.
• Those who have already been diagnosed with an illness and want to add a natural aspect to their care.
• Those who are looking to improve quality of life while living with serious or chronic illness.
• Those desiring to minimize side effects of drugs, surgery or conventional treatments they are also taking.

Who do I help, specifically?

In short, Newfoundlanders, as I run my practice in St. John's, NL. To get started as a patient, you must see me in person, at the clinic, at least once. That said, my follow up consults happen both in person and online.

While I run a general practice and see everyone from kids to grandparents, I have a particular interest and experience in treating:

• Women's health concerns
• Digestive health concerns
• Hormonal health concerns
• Chronic pain concerns

I help my patients learn to use diet, lifestyle, and natural medicines to help them find relief so they can start enjoying the body they live in!

Now, I'd Like To Hear From You!

I try end every post with some discussion questions... because that's where the best conversations can happen!

What questions do you still have about naturopathic medicine? How it could help you? How has it helped you?

Leave a comment below and let me know! I will endeavour to answer every one. Thank you so much for commenting and sharing your thoughts!

Kindly,

PS - If you know someone who you'd like to share this post with or that it might help - please do!

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