Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. Naturopathic doctors strive to identify and treat the root cause of disease and promote health and healing using natural therapies. Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body and unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Naturopathic medicine involves therapies that are gentle, non-invasive, and designed to support the body’s own healing mechanisms. These therapies include: clinical nutrition and food sensitivity identification, homeopathy, acupuncture, botanical (herbal) medicine, physical medicine, and lifestyle counselling.

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are primary health care providers who have completed a minimum of seven years of post-secondary education. NDs are required to complete three years of pre-medical university education followed by four years at an approved naturopathic medical college. Following graduation from the naturopathic program, candidates must successfully complete the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX), which consists of two sets of North American board examinations, as well as written and practical provincial licensing examinations in order to practise naturopathic medicine in the province of British Columbia.

Naturopathic doctors work in partnership with other regulated healthcare providers to ensure that patients receive the most comprehensive and effective care possible.

Your first visit is 75 minutes long and will involve a thorough intake and a physical exam. During this time the doctor have a chance to obtain valuable information about your current health, your medical history and your lifestyle. This information will then be used to create a custom treatment plan that is tailored to you as an individual. Follow-up visits are approximately 20-30 minutes in length.