Actually, next week is Naturopathic Medicine Week, but we’re celebrating all month!
We’ve been helping people in the Georgian Triangle for 18 years now. Almost two decades! In that time, we have had the privilege of touching the lives of over 7000 patients.
Yet, for all that progress, we still meet people every week that don’t know who we are or how we help.
In celebration of Naturopathic Medicine Week, we’re getting back to basics. By answering FAQ’s, debunking myths, and outlining the problems we solve, we hope to change that.
Please pass this info on to someone you think we can help. We all love our job and can’t wait to do more of it!
Myth: “Naturopathic medicine is not evidence-based”
Actually, there is plenty of evidence to support the natural and complementary therapies used by ND’s. New studies are published all the time in peer-reviewed journals, and many show positive findings. If you’re looking for evidence, there is no shortage. Last week, for example, we looked at the evidence to support IV vitamin C as an effective treatment for seasonal allergies.
FAQ: What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a comprehensive approach to health care. Naturopathic Doctors (ND’s) are trained to diagnose and treat various acute and chronic conditions. Our main objective, however, is to find and treat the underlying cause of your health concerns.
ND’s follow a series of principles that guide their approach to helping you improve your health:
- Primum non nocere – first do no harm, effective health care with the least risk for all patients.
- Vis medicatrix naturae – healing power of nature, respect and promote self-healing
- Tolle causum – treat the cause, identify and remove causes.
- Docere – doctor as teacher, educate the patients, inspire rational hope, encourage self-responsibility
- Treat the whole person – each person is unique with their own factors affecting their health
- Health promotion is the best prevention – STAYING well is just as important as GETTING well.
Solution: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Studies show that between 13-20% of Canadians are affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) at any given time.
Here’s the tricky part: this syndrome is rarely a result of a pathological problem. There’s usually very little to point at and say, “There’s the cause.” As a result, conventional medical intervention often falls short.
Upwards of 50% of people suffering from IBS end up seeking out complementary and alternative care. Why? Because the root cause of the symptoms is most often functional in nature – something is out of balance. Uncovering and repairing functional imbalances in your biochemistry and physiology is what naturopathic medicine is all about.
Healthy Living Tip: Get Out in Nature!
Yes, getting outside in nature is actually good for you. And no, this isn’t your mother saying, “get some fresh air!” This is the increase in doctors actively prescribing time outdoors as a treatment.
And if you can couple nature with exercise? Then you’re really getting somewhere! A local group of health enthusiasts is doing just that. Check out Primitive Patterns–they’re offering outdoor exercise classes all summer.