Naturopathic medicine trains primary health care providers (Licensed Naturopathic Doctors) in the diagnosis, treatment and continued care of acute and chronic health conditions. This natural medical paradigm seeks to address the root cause of disease or dysfunction and considers the patient as a whole; body, mind and spirit. Naturopathic medicine is by nature individualized in its care of patients, understanding that every patient is different and requires individual consideration when treating and prescribing. Naturopathic doctors use the following to help treat their patients:

• Lifestyle Counselling: Sleep, Diet, Stress, etc

• Nutritional Therapies and Supplements: Vitamins, Minerals, etc

• Botanical (Herbal) Medicines: Plants

• Acupuncture and Asian Medicine

• Physical Medicine Therapies: Massage, Cupping, Trigger Point Therapy, Muscle Work, etc

• Homeopathy; Specific remedies prescribed on an individual basis

Naturopathic medicine is guided by 6 core principles that each doctor takes an oath to honour before graduating.

• First, to do no harm

• Treat the root causes of disease; rather than symptom suppression alone

• Teach the foundations of healthy living and reinforce preventative medicine; doctor as teacher to teach empowering principles for healthy living

• Heal the whole person through individualized treatment; treat the physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors of illness

• Prevention; treat now to prevent chronic disease later in life

• Support the healing power of the body; the vis medicatrix naturae; by identifying & removing obstacles to health while supporting the body's natural healing capability

Does insurance cover naturopathic medicine and do naturopathic doctor bill insurance directly?

Naturopathic medicine in not covered by provincial health care at this point in time. Whether this will change in the future remains to be seen. NDs spend anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes with their patients, sometimes only seeing 4 to 8 patients in a full working day, so provincial coverage as given to MDs may not be a sustainable vision.

At this time, many insurance plans will offer coverage of naturopathic medicine each year, but the plan you or your workplace has purchased can vary. To know if you personally have coverage, you must call your insurance company, give them your plan number, and they will let you know if you do, and in what amount.

This naturopathic clinic can bill certain insurance providers directly.

Why should I pay for my healthcare?

In the end, this is your choice. Health is something you can invest just as you do anything else, and the pay off will serve a happy, healthy lifetime to come. See the above question for discussion around affordable and free naturopathic care.

Historically doctors in China were paid to keep their patients healthy, and as soon as one became sick, the doctor was no long paid because they weren't doing their job effectively. We now live in society where preventative medicine and living well & healthy takes a back seat to hectic schedules and "getting things done".  It can be hard to readjust the perspective that health is worthy of investment, but it pays dividends.

Some smart tips for making a happy investment:

• Meet or communicate with the ND beforehand (some offer a free meet and greet) to see if their style and personality is one you want to work with.

• If your ND does not ask, tell them about your budget and indicate that this includes supplements, any lab testing and follow up visits. Your ND should be able to adjust treatment plans, keeping them efficacious, but lower in cost.

• Ask around about the comparative cost of supplements. If a natural pharmacy carries the same brand for less down the road, consider whether it is less or more costly than getting the supplement at your ND's office.

• Stand up for yourself and your ideas about your treatment plan. While the doctor has the medical training, you know your body, your budget and your abilities so your voice should be heard.

What are some good resources to learn more about naturopathic medicine?

The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges

• For more information about what naturopathic medicine is, how naturopathic doctors are trained, how naturopathic colleges are accredited and how to begin your educational journey in naturopathic medicine.

The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors

• For more information on how to find a licensed naturopathic doctor in Canada, details on the regulation of naturopathic medicine across Canadian provinces, Naturopathic Medicine Week and events across Canada, resources for Canadian NDs.