SERVICES PROVIDED AND MODALITIES OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

Physical examination and Diagnosis:

Naturopathic Doctors are licensed in Ontario to do full physical examinations. Your first appointment will include physical examination as necessary, and review of recent bloodwork as well as any medications and supplements you are currently taking. We will also examine your tongue, facial features, and pulses from a Traditional Chinese Medical perspective. We will work towards establishing a conventional diagnosis if you have not been previously diagnosed (e.g. "bronchitis" or "irritable bowel syndrome"), a Traditional Chinese medical diagnosis (e.g. "Yin deficiency" or "Stomach Heat") and/or a naturopathic diagnosis (e.g. "adrenal fatigue" or "Liver congestion"). Recommendations for additional bloodwork or laboratory tests will be suggested as needed.

Clinical Nutrition:

Clinical nutrition is the use of specialized diets and nutritional supplements to treat specific illnesses or conditions. Food is used as medicine. Vitamins, minerals and enzymes may also be prescribed. We will review your diet and lifestyle in regards to appropriate choices for your age, level of activity, digestive strength, and balance of yin/yang/Qi/fluids in the body. An "ideal diet" will be compiled based on your primary complaints, and detailed suggestions made as to how to work towards this ideal given your specific lifestyle. Your current supplements will be reviewed and recommendations made as needed.

Biological Terrain Assessment:

The tests we perform assist in monitoring adrenal function, calcium and vitamin c levels, oxidation rates and needs for antioxidants, digestive function and bowel toxicity, acid-base levels, concentration of urine and markers for disease processes. We may also measure zinc levels and perform a saliva pH challenge. All these tests give a picture of your Biological Terrain that reflects your health potential. FOR OTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SEE BELOW.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine:

Clear blockages and balance the flow of Qi (energy/vitality) through the meridian pathways using herbs, acupuncture, bodywork and yoga.

Acupuncture is the use of very fine needles to stimulate the natural flow of energy in the body. In Traditional Asian Medicine pain is seen as a stagnation of either fluids or energy (Qi) in the body. Acupuncture fosters the flow of energy, relieving pain and even acting as anaesthetic. Acupuncture needles can also encourage the flow of arterial and venous blood, lymphatics (the immune system), hormones, neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), or phlegm by stimulating the flow of Qi. Acupuncture can relieve depression and anxiety, help alleviate infertility and other gynecological problems, relax muscles and decrease pain, and help with smoking cessation and weight loss.

In this clinic, only sterile one-time use needles are used. All acupuncture work is done in a sterile, relaxing environment, often combined with massage and/or trigger point therapy as part of the acupuncture treatment.

Botanical Medicine:

Herbs are used to support the healing of tissues and organ systems and to detoxify and revitalize the body. Plants are engaged to balance the Chinese meridian system and unblock restrictions in the flow of a clients vitality. Both western and Asian traditional herbal combinations are used in this clinic. All western and Asian herbal products we use are manufactured in North America to ensure that only organic, non-GMO herbs are included. We do not currently use any products from Asia due to continuing manufacturing problems with imported products.

Mind/Body Medicine:

Teaching of deep relaxation and mental focusing to quiet the mind and instill peace and clarity. Breath awareness, deep breathing and other breath exercises are taught to release stress and tension physically, emotionally and mentally.

Hydrotherapy:

The use of water and temperature to stimulate blood circulation, detoxification, and rejuvenation at the level of tissues and organ systems. Alternating hot and cold showers can increase red blood cell production, cold wet socks can drain sinus congestion (don’t try this without proper instruction!), and witch hazel sitz baths can alleviate hemorrhoid pain. Hydrotherapy "homework" may be suggested as part of your treatment protocol!

Homeopathy:

Homeopathy is the use of specially prepared medicines, given in minimal doses that stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Homeopathic medicines are made from plant, mineral, and animal substances that are highly diluted and potentized.
Homeopathy was developed in the late 17thC. by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It is a central system of medicine in much of Europe; Great Britain’s royal family has been under homeopathic care for over 100 years. Many European hospitals as well as veterinary surgeries employ homeopathic therapeutics. North America is just beginning to consider the more widespread use of homeopathic therapies in light of the development of highly resistant bacterial and viral strains due to antibiotic and vaccine overuse.

Counseling:

Creating a safe space for clients to share themselves and their story. Supporting awareness of the body, breath, emotions and thoughts as they relate to health and vitality. Lifestyle counseling is used to provide guidance with respect to everyday choices.

Detoxification:

It is crucial to determine how well your body cleanses itself and eliminates waste. Drainage and detoxification refer to various methods of optimizing your body’s natural elimination pathways: urination, bowel movement, perspiration, menstrual flow, hair growth, and bile production. We will assess how well your liver is breaking down chemicals such as medications, alcohol, and pesticides, how well your colon is keeping pathogenic yeast growth in check and disposing of excess waste estrogens, how well your skin breaks down oils. Hair Mineral Analysis can be used to ascertain levels of heavy metals in the body as well as the relative acidity of the body and the relative metabolic rate of elimination.

Diagnostic Testing:

We use a variety of tests to determine the cause of illness (when indicated). See below.

Hair mineral analysis to check for heavy metal toxicity and mineral status. Hair mineral analysis is considered the gold standard for assessing levels of heavy metals in the body. Anyone who has regularly worked with chemicals, solvents, cleaning solutions, or who has mercury fillings may want to assess their heavy metal levels.

Hair mineral analysis also gives ratios and patterns of nutritional minerals which are useful in assessing the body’s rate of metabolism. For example, you may be eating well and taking all the right vitamins, but still not seeing results. Hair mineral analysis can tell you if your problem losing weight is because your adrenal glands are exhausted or your thyroid is slowing down, or that your bone loss is because your body is too acidic. Depression, anxiety and ADHD often have keys in Hair mineral analysis, for example excess copper can lead to severe depressions. Elevated calcium and a reduced potassium level in the hair have been associated with antisocial personality patterns. Hair mineral patterns are excellent for assessing unexplained fatigue.

Fecal analysis for parasites, yeasts, bacterial infections, beneficial bacteria and the susceptibility of these pathogenic organisms to certain pharmaceutical or herbal medicines (to determine treatment effectiveness).

Comprehensive Stool Analysis to provide information about digestion of nutrients, absorption of nutrients, elimination efficiency, levels of necessary healthy bacterial flora versus pathogenic flora, markers of immune function, markers of inflammation

Hepatic Detox Profile to assess the function of the liver and how much toxic load it is exposed to and its ability to excrete toxins.

Salivary Hormone Testing to assess the actual tissue levels of hormones (blood levels are not as useful in assessment). Saliva hormone tests are useful for uncovering hormone imbalances that may be causing unpleasant symptoms, or to see what your normal balance of hormones is if you are symptom free. We test saliva for cortisol, DHEAS, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. We assess adrenal function, female hormonal imbalances, male hormonal imbalances

Estrogen Metabolism Ratio (Urine Test) is done to assess and even predict susceptibility to breast cancer and other hormonally related disorders

Food Sensitivity/Allergy Testing can be done to determine which foods are aggravating your condition due to an antibody/immune response.