Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Doctors use individualized treatments to initiate your body’s own healing strength. The result is a safe, effective and long lasting treatment that enhances your body’s resistance to disease. For a holistic approach to health, lifestyle is considered extremely relevant to most health problems. Your naturopathic doctor will help you identify risk factors and make recommendations to help you optimize your physical, mental and emotional environment.
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of primary health care that addresses the root causes of illness, and promotes health and healing using natural therapies.
Therapeutics
Gentle, non-invasive techniques are used to stimulate the body’s inherent healing capacity. A variety of treatment modalities may be used.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
TCM includes acupuncture, as well as the use of botanical formulas and dietary changes to eliminate disease and balance body functions. Acupuncture refers to the insertion of sterile disposable needles through the skin into underlying tissues at specific points of the surface of the body. Sometimes moxa (a concentrated herb), or cupping therapy that employs suction over the skin may also be used to help stimulate the body’s energy. Botanical formulas may be given in the form of pills, tinctures, herbal extract powders or decoctions (strong teas) to be taken internally or used externally as a wash, poultice, salve or fomentation.
Diet and Nutrition
Individual diets and nutritional supplements are recommended to address deficiencies, treat disease processes and promote health. The benefits include increased energy, more efficient gastrointestinal functioning, improved immunity and increase general well being.
Botanical Medicine
Botanical or Herbal Medicine is a plant-based medicine using teas, tinctures, capsules and other forms of herbal preparations to assist in the recovery from injury and disease. These compounds are also used to boost the body’s immune system and prevent disease.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathy, developed in the 1700’s, is based on the principle of “like cures like”. A remedy is selected, which in its crude form would produce in a healthy individual the same symptoms found in a sick person suffering from the specific illness. Minute amounts of natural substances (plant, animal or mineral-based) are used to stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal, as the aim is to change the body’s energy levels that lie at the root of disease. Homeopathy is a powerful tool and affects healing on both a physical and emotional level.
Physical Medicine and Hydrotherapy
This includes the use of hands-on techniques such as soft tissue and spinal manipulation. Hydrotherapy refers to the use of hot and cold-water applications to improve circulation and stimulate the immune system.
