Naturopathic Medicine

What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathy is a philosophy and practice of healthcare that is effective, safe and founded on holistic principles.  It is a distinct system of healthcare that draws on both scientific knowledge and long-standing traditional wisdom.

Naturopathic doctors study conventional medical sciences – such as pathology and pharmacology - but are also trained in a range of alternative modalities outlined below:

berries.jpgClinical Nutrition
Dietary adjustments may be used to improve general well being, maximize nutritional status, treat a certain health condition, or detoxify the body. Nutritional supplementation may be recommended to treat an ongoing health concern or prevent future problems.

ginkgo leaf and cap.jpgBotanical Medicine
Naturopathic doctors use herbs in several different ways: Tincture formulations made in the clinic specifically for the individual needs of the client, High quality, encapsulated herbal products Herbal poultices or baths Herbal teas, creams, and salves

Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathy is the use of minute doses of natural substances to stimulate our self-healing capacities. This is one of the most gentle yet effective forms of medicine.

acup stock 2.jpgAcupuncture
The naturopathic doctors at Acacia are licensed to practice acupuncture. Treatment entails the insertion of fine gauge sterile needles into various points on the body. Treatment length varies, but usually lasts 15 to 40 minutes. Repeated visits are necessary for long-term change in health concerns.

Physical Medicine and Hydrotherapy
physical ther.jpg Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of water in varying temperatures to stimulate change in circulation and nervous system tone. Other forms of physical medicine such as massage, naturopathic manipulations, exercise, and stretching may be incorporated into your treatment.

meditating woman.jpgMind-Body Medicine, Counselling, and Lifestyle Counselling
Health happens in mind and body.  A naturopath’s goal with each client is to help them make healthy life choices in order to increase self-reliance and resilience. Mind-Body medicine and brief counselling can help clients through change or provide insight into themselves or their current situation.  Seeing and understanding ourselves is key to undertaking positive change.  If deep psychotherapy is indicated, our Naturopathic doctors will refer to in-house counsellors or other trusted professionals in the community.

 

The following principles of naturopathic medicine are the fundamentals of care for the naturopathic doctors at Acacia:

  • Do no harm. At all times patient health is paramount. Thorough case-taking, physical examination (when necessary) and careful diagnosis are precursors to successful and safe treatment. Only established, safe therapies and substances are used. Side effects are rare and the possible interactions with conventional medicines are well understood.
  • Treat the whole person. Naturopathic medicine recognizes that the harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual (mental, emotional, physical and spiritual) is essential to achieve well-being. Health concerns are not reduced to very particular problems but are examined in the context of an individual’s overall situation.
  • Treat the cause. Symptoms often appear as the cause of sickness. However, all illnesses have underlying causes that must be identified and removed before complete recovery is possible. There may be environmental, dietary, genetic, mental, or emotional factors acting simultaneously and impairing the systems that normally keep us healthy. The goal is not to suppress or simply remove symptoms but to understand them for what they are: a body’s attempt to correct a problem, or a sign of underlying concerns. By treating the underlying causes, rather than the surface symptoms, significant health improvements can be achieved.
  • Work with the healing power of nature. Inside all of us lies the ‘wisdom of nature’ (vis medacatrix naturae) that may, when given the opportunity, help us attain a balanced state of health.
  • Teach healthy living. An emphasis is placed upon personal responsibility for health. A naturopathic physician can make significant contributions to an individual’s health - in the short-term and the long term – by acting as a guide and source of information. Helping people learn how to take better care of themselves is an important part of naturopathy.