Frequently Asked Questions About Naturopathic Medicine
Many people coming to naturopathic medicine for the first time have a lot of questions.
Here, Dr. Sheila answers some of the most common ones. If you have questions, you may find your answer here.
If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out and book a FREE 15-minute consultation.
No, we’re different. However, we do receive similar training. A student at a naturopathic college will take many of the same courses as a medical student – biology, anatomy, toxicology, pathology, physiology, etc. We also offer treatments for similar health concerns. The primary difference between a medical doctor and a naturopathic doctor is the approach to medicine. Naturopathic doctors focus on the gentlest, most natural health solutions, while medical doctors lean more toward pharmaceutical medications and more invasive treatments.
In general, naturopathic medicine follows six primary tenets.
First, Do No Harm – we use the most natural, least invasive therapies available
The Healing Power Of Nature – we promote your body’s inherent ability to heal itself
Identify And Treat The Cause – we treat the root cause of your symptoms whenever possible
Doctor As Teacher – we educate you on how to improve your health
Treat The Whole Person – we consider every angle of your health and what’s influencing it
Prevention – while treatments for illnesses is important, we focus on overall health and prevention
The answer to this question depends on what sort of health issues you’re facing. Dr. Sheila may recommend treatment options to address your symptoms, but the main focus of naturopathic treatment is to address what’s causing those symptoms in the first place. As a result, naturopathic treatment sometimes takes longer than conventional medical treatment, but the goal is to resolve your health concerns on a more permanent level.
Naturopathic doctors are considered to be general practitioners, so as a result they can offer treatments for most health conditions.
Yes, absolutely. Alternative medicine sometimes has a reputation for being unscientific, but naturopathic doctors are firmly grounded in science. There is a growing body of peer-reviewed scientific research showing naturopathic modalities to be effective treatments for a wide variety of health conditions.
If you’re skeptical of naturopathic medicine, Dr. Sheila may be the best option for you. As a registered nurse, Dr. Sheila operates in both the medical and naturopathic fields.
Unfortunately, no. However, it is covered by most extended health benefits programs. Contact your benefits provider or HR department to find out what the extent of your coverage is.
Yes, if you have the proper credentials. First, you need to attend an accredited naturopathic college and hold a doctor of naturopathy degree. Next, you need to be licensed. In Ontario, naturopathic doctors are licensed by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. The college maintains a register of everyone licensed to practice, which anyone can view. They also have a list of people known to be practicing without a license, so it’s a good idea to check the register and see if your naturopath is legit.
No, not exactly. Naturopathic doctors are trained in the use of homeopathy as a treatment, but we aren’t specifically homeopaths unless we hold an additional certification. Likewise, a homeopath may use homeopathy as a specialty, but they aren’t considered naturopathic doctors unless they also hold a doctor of naturopathy degree.
“I was a nurse for 12 years,” says Dr. Sheila, “but I was always looking for something more. It wasn’t as fulfilling as I hoped it would be. After starting to struggle with burnout – a common problem with nurses – I turned to naturopathic medicine as a career option. I’m grateful for my training as a nurse, but naturopathic medicine is much more fulfilling and in line with my values”
Yes, absolutely. Naturopathic doctors will frequently collaborate with medical doctors, and a variety of other healthcare practitioners as well. In some cases, your medical doctor’s treatment may be more effective than a naturopathic doctor’s, especially in particularly life-threatening cases. In that case, your naturopathic doctor can offer treatments geared toward minimizing the potential side effects.
No, only medical treatments for cancer have been proven effective. However, naturopathic doctors can still play a supportive role in your cancer care. In this case, the focus is on keeping your body strong enough to withstand chemotherapy, surgery, or other treatments, and to help you recover from it. Dr. Sheila does not currently work with people suffering from cancer, but she is more than willing to offer qualified referrals to other naturopaths.
Contact Dr. Sheila
Do you have a question you don’t see here? If so, book your FREE 15-minute consultation to get your answer.
During that consultation, you’ll have the chance to sit down with Dr. Sheila in her relaxing Yorkville clinic.
She’ll answer any questions you may have, address any concerns, and in the end you’ll walk away with a better understanding of how naturopathic medicine can help you.
Contact Dr. Sheila to book your appointment today.