FAQ
Q.
What can I expect on the first visit?
A.
Your first visit will be one hour long and will include a full history, screening physical exam and naturopathic assessment.
Q.
Do I need a referral from my medical doctor? How do I make an appointment?
A.
No, you don’t need your medical doctor’s referral. You simply call the office and request an appointment.
Q.
Is it covered by OHIP?
A.
Naturopathic medical visits are not covered by OHIP, but are covered by most extended health care plans. Be sure to check your plan; many people have coverage that they are not aware of.
Q.
What kind of education do naturopathic doctors require?
A.
Naturopathic Doctors require a minimum 3-year undergraduate university degree with prerequisites similar to conventional pre-med requirements. The naturopathic medical program is a 4-year program and currently the only accredited college in Canada is the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. The training includes bio-medical sciences, diagnosis, naturopathic principles and therapeutics, including one year of supervised clinical experience. Graduates must pass North American licensing examinations before registration is granted to practice as a Naturopathic Doctor (ND).
Q.
Are Naturopathic Doctors regulated in Ontario?
A.
Yes, the Ontario government began regulating Naturopathic Doctors under the Drugless
Practitioners Act in 1925. Naturopathic Doctors are currently trained, examined, licensed and regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) in Ontario and other provinces.
Q.
My insurance plan only covers visits to a licensed and registered naturopathic doctor. Do you have a license and registration and what does this mean?
A.
Yes, I am both licensed and registered to practice Naturopathic Medicine in the province of Ontario.
A license is a license to practice naturopathic medicine, in the same way that your medical doctor has a license to practice medicine. Registration simply means that the naturopathic doctor has registered themselves with the naturopathic governing body: The Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy - Naturopathy.
When looking for a naturopathic doctor, make sure to ask if the person is both licensed and registered, as both are required to legally practice as a naturopathic doctor. If you are unsure, call the Board (416.866.8383); they exist to protect the public and will be more than happy to tell you if the person you are considering is licensed and registered. Do not be afraid to ask questions; you have the right to be informed!
Q.
What types of conditions can Naturopathic Medicine treat?
A.
Some chronic conditions that can be treated with naturopathic medicine are: asthma, allergies, arthritis, menopause, low sex drive, enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy), conditions of overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, mild- moderate anxiety, mild-moderate depression, eczema, psoriasis, acne, low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), high thyroid function (hyperthyroidism), chronic diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue (tiredness), poor sleep, chronic nasal congestion, heartburn, poor digestion, PMS, difficult menstruation, excessive menstruation, amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), infertility (both men and women), ADHD, ADD, chronic recurrent colds and flus, chronic infections, abdominal pain, polycystic ovarian syndrome, headaches and migraines, sinus problems, neck and back pain, the negative effects of stress on the body,
Some acute conditions that can be treated with naturopathic medicine: colds, flus, throat infections, coughs, sinus infections, yeast infections.
Q.
What types of conditions can Bowen Therapy treat?
A.
Bowen Therapy can also treat a wide range of conditions including muscle and joint pain, neck pain, back pain, night sweats, asthma, digestive problems and temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) problems.
