Frequently Asked Questions
Naturopathic
What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
Naturopathic Doctors (also known as ND’s or Naturopaths) provide healthcare to people of all ages focusing on the use of natural therapies to support and stimulate healing processes. ND, Naturopathic Doctor and Naturopath are protected titles. That means that only individuals who have demonstrated the education and qualification to practice can use the title.
What kind of training does a Naturopathic Doctor have?
Similar to conventional medical training, training in naturopathic medicine requires a minimum of 7 years of post-secondary education from a recognized school before being allowed to register as a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) in Ontario. Naturopathic Doctors must have an Undergraduate degree and 4 years of Postgraduate study in Naturopathic Medicine. The medical studies include basic and diagnostic sciences including anatomy, pathology, differential diagnosis, pharmacology, laboratory diagnosis, and more. Naturopathic medical courses are also studied throughout the four years.
Upon completion of their training your Naturopathic Doctor will have 1,200 hours of supervised clinical patient care, over 4,100 hours of classroom training in basic medical science courses, naturopathic principles and therapeutics, completed licensing examinations and registered with their provincial regulatory board.
Are Naturopathic Doctors Registered/Licensed?
Yes. In Ontario, a Naturopathic Doctor must be registered with the provincial government, through the regulatory board, the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO).
Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by OHIP?
No. OHIP does not cover naturopathic services, however Naturopathic Medicine is covered by most extended health care plans. Check with your insurance company to see if our services are covered by your plan.
Is Naturopathic Medicine Safe?
The safety record for naturopathic medicine is excellent. This makes sense given the emphasis on non-toxic, natural source medicines and gentle non-invasive treatments. Side effects are rare and Naturopathic Doctors are knowledgeable about contraindications between naturopathic remedies and conventional medicines.
In addition, NDs are trained to recognize conditions that are outside their scope of practice and refer to other health practitioners when it is appropriate to do so.
What conditions/diseases can benefit from Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine can work for anyone. Naturopathic Doctors treat the whole person: physical, mental and emotional. With this approach in mind, we begin with a comprehensive assessment of every patient. This information helps us to determine and naturally treat the root cause of the imbalances in each patient. Ideally, healthy people seek Naturopathic Medicine before they develop a disease. One of the core principles of Naturopathic Medicine is prevention.
What types of conditions do ND's treat?
We treat patients who experience such health concerns such as:
- Acute conditions like colds, flu, ear infections, urinary tract infections.
- Chronic conditions like diabetes, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, cholesterol, blood pressure problems, acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc.
- Women's health concerns like menopause, PMS, pregnancy, fertility, etc.
- Men's health issues like impotence, prostate disease, etc.
- Pediatric Health issues: Asthma, ADHD, Autism, etc.
Do I need a referral to see a Naturopathic Doctor?
Naturopathic services do not require a referral from a medical doctor.
Do ND's interact with other healthcare professionals?
Naturopathic treatments are often combined with conventional medical treatments and thus NDs work with other health professionals for the good of the patient. NDs also refer patients to other practitioners including medical doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists and midwives.
Do ND's specialize?
Many NDs take additional postgraduate training in specific therapies and focus their practices on those treatments. Patients should check with individual NDs to find out more about the focus of their practice.
What happens if I run out of remedies or supplements before my next visit, do I buy more and continue taking them or stop?
Some remedies are designed to be taken for a specific length of time. Be sure to check your prescription form for proper dosing and how long you should continue to take the supplement. If no specific length of time is stated on the prescription form, continue taking until your next consultation. If you have any questions, you may also contact the clinic at any time.
Massage Therapy
What should I expect at my Registered Massage Therapy appointment?
Your Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) will assess your health issues to determine which areas of the body to focus on. You will be asked for a confidential medical history which will help your therapist form a treatment plan. Patients should dress comfortably. Clean linens are provided, in a comfortable and private setting so that patient privacy is protected at all times. You will be asked to undress to the level of your own comfort. Our registered massage therapists can work through clothing or on the skin with massage lotion. The therapist will leave the room while you undress and cover yourself on the table. You will be draped with a sheet so that only the area of the body being worked on is exposed. Always be aware that you are in control of your treatment, so if there is something you are uncomfortable with, talk to your RMT and they will modify or discontinue the treatment as per your request.
Are Registered Massage Therapy appointments covered by OHIP?
Massage treatments are not covered by OHIP, however most extended health benefit plans do cover massage provided by a Registered Massage Therapist. Check at your workplace to find out whether your benefits package includes massage therapy as some plans require a doctor's note.
How often should I receive massage therapy treatments?
This depends on your individual needs and goals. If you are in severe pain and want to recover quickly, your RMT may suggest more frequent treatments. As you progress and are pain free between appointments, your treatment frequency is reduced. Your RMT will discuss the frequency of appointments as part of the treatment plan.
Acupuncture Therapy
What is a typical Acupuncture session like?
You may be asked to change into a gown, depending upon where your acupuncture points are located. You will be asked to lay down or sit in a comfortable position. Your acupuncturist will gently mark and swab (with alcohol) the acupuncture points. Your acupuncturist will insert the needles by briskly tapping them into your body. The needle will be inserted so that it is at the appropriate depth for your body. You will relax for a period of 20 to 30 minutes with the needles in place. Your acupuncturist may alter or move the acupuncture needle in order to manipulate and appropriately redirect the body's Qi energy. At the end of an acupuncture session, the needles are removed and discarded into an appropriate biohazard container. Patients are pleasantly surprised that there is little or no discomfort when receiving acupuncture treatments.
How many acupuncture treatments will I need?
The frequency and duration of treatments will depend on the individual case of the patient. For example, acute conditions such as a very recent sports injury, may only need one or two treatments, whereas chronic concerns will require more treatments. We usually recommend treatments to be once to twice per week, but as the course of treatments continues they then become less frequent.
Is Acupuncture Painful?
The patient may or may not feel a very slight quick pricking sensation just as the needle is inserted into the skin layer. This should not be painful. When the needle goes deeper into the muscle layer, the patient should feel a slight sensation as the needle contacts the Qi. This sensation can be described as numbness, tingling, dull pressure, a type of electric shock feeling, or a sensation of heat. In some cases, the sensation travels along the meridian pathways and can affect whole areas of the body or limbs. This sensation should not be uncomfortable.
What are Acupuncture needles like?
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine needles made out of stainless steel. We use sterilized pre-packed disposable needles that are single use only. Once used, they are discarded into sealed biohazard containers.
Is Acupuncture covered by Insurance?
Acupuncture is currently covered by many extended health Insurance plans. Please check with your benefits provider regarding your specific coverage.
Osteopathy
What do I wear?
Patient's of Osteopathy may remain dressed in loose fitting and flexible clothing. You will be asked to remove shoes, belts and any items in your pockets that may interfere with the treatment.
What does a treatment involve?
A treatment involves both assessment and treatment. The therapist will take your body through rhythmical and gentle motions. This treatment is typically passive, although the therapist may ask the patient to move into different positions such as on your side, on your back, on your front and seated.
How will I feel after treatment?
The treatment does not happen when you are on the table, but rather after you have left once your body is now able to do what it needs to do and was unable to do previously. While there will be a physiological effect with every treatment, it may take many treatments for a noticeable effect to take place. It is normal for a patient to feel either no difference for the first few treatments, or to feel slightly sore for 24 hours.
How many treatments will I need?
The treatment plan differs for every person based on their body and its patterns. Treating an injury or condition may take as much time as it took to receive the injury. Generally, it is important to be more aggressive with treatment in order to get your body to a point we are both happy to maintain, therefore it is typical to have one treatment a week for the first few weeks.
Psychotherapy
What can psychotherapy do for you?
Psychotherapy can help facilitate personal growth and sustainable life changes. It can help you take charge of your life and help you deal with daily problems in a more effective way. Psychotherapy provides a safe environment for you to explore and address whatever is troubling you.
How long will I have to be in therapy?
The length of time someone is in psychotherapy depends on many factors. These include the reason for seeking therapy, motivation to change, and your unique needs. Sometimes people come into therapy for a specific symptom, like depression due to a short-term circumstance, and choose to conclude treatment when that symptom is resolved. Other times people seek support to change longer term patterns in troubling feelings, relationships, and behaviours.
How often will I go?
The frequency of sessions depends on your individual needs. Initially sessions are usually weekly and gradually as patients are ready the frequency changes to every 2 weeks.