Naturopathic Medicine

• arthritis and chronic pain
• hormonal imbalances (PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, infertility)
• menopause
• prostate disorders
• allergies and asthma
• diabetes
• cardiovascular disease
• fatigue
• depression and mood disorders
• fibromyalgia
• weight loss
• digestive disorders
• immune disorders
• cancer

Clinical nutrition is the use of a healthy, individualized diet plan along with specific vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to correct dietary imbalances, treat specific conditions, and stay healthy for a lifetime.

Diet and nutrition are the foundation of good health. Learning to make healthy dietary choices is an integral part of both the treatment and prevention of illness and chronic disease. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, eczema and chronic digestive concerns are just a few of the many conditions that are related to improper or poor nutrition.

Dietary supplements are concentrated forms of beneficial nutrients typically extracted from plants. They are meant to “supplement” a healthy diet and lifestyle to prevent chronic disease. They are useful in allowing a patient to receive higher dosages of these nutrients than what they might be able to obtain or absorb from natural foods.

Current research initiatives have been focused on developing newer, safer, more effective, and optimally dosed products, and this field will only continue to grow. Many patients find it difficult to decide which supplements they should be taking, and have concerns as to whether they will interfere with their medications.

Our Naturopathic doctor will help you develop your supplement protocol so that you will be taking the minimal amount of products most effective for your specific health concerns and will not interfere with your medications.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical system that has diagnosed, treated, and prevented illness for over two thousand years. Methods of diagnosis include your health history and examination of the tongue and the pulses to determine weaknesses or imbalances in the organs and in the entire body system.

TCM can be very effective at treating many different kinds of diseases and is based on the theory that energy and blood must be strong and flow freely in order for the body to function optimally. If there is stagnation or accumulation of Qi (life energy) and blood in different areas of the body then this can cause dysfunction and pain (e.g. headaches, muscle/joint pain, menstrual pain, etc). The different aspects of TCM and acupuncture focus on removing these blockages, strengthening weakened organs, and balancing the interactions between organs to rebalance qi and optimize health.

Acupuncture itself is the insertion of very fine, sterile, steel acupuncture needles into specific points to move Qi and blood. Insertion of the needles goes unnoticed by some, and to others feels like a small pinch followed by a sensation of tingling, numbness, ache, warmth or heaviness. In our office we use only disposable needles, which are discarded after one use. With the patient’s consent, a low-voltage electrical current may be applied to some needles in order to further stimulate certain points (termed electro-acupuncture).

Scientific studies and our experience have shown acupuncture to be an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions – from anxiety to injury recovery and tense muscles to hormonal support.

Acupuncture may be used for many different health conditions including:

• Stress / Anxiety / Depression
• Muscle & Joint pain
• Addictions
• Weight loss
• Fertility
• Hormonal disorders, including menopause and PMS
• Diabetes, including loss of sensation

Preconception care aims to optimize the nutritional status and health of both parents before they try to conceive.

“PRE” CARE + “PREGNANCY” CARE + “POST” CARE

The obvious goal of any fertility program is to achieve pregnancy and grow your family.  The “Plus” of the Fertility Plus program includes the extensive before and after healthcare treatments to accompany your desired pregnancy.  Your preconception health can help or hinder your chances of conception, your potential for miscarriage, and maintaining a trouble-free pregnancy.  Postpartum care continues to provide valuable support and natural treatment options to help the body recover physically, improve breastfeeding success and avoid postpartum depression.Why is preconception care important?Preconception care aims to optimize the nutritional status and health of both parents before they try to conceive. Preconception care can improve your chances of conceiving and giving birth to a healthy child. This includes couples with fertility problems and specific pregnancy issues including recurrent miscarriages.

THE FOCUS OF FERTILITY PLUS TREATMENTS INCLUDE:

1 Preconception Health

• Dietary Analysis and recommendations
• Tongue and Pulse Diagnosis (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
• Acupuncture
• Natural Cycle Monitoring
• Hormone balancing—testing options discussed
• Whole body health analysis (digestion, sleep, energy, stress)
• Stress management

2 Detoxification and Rebuilding

• Detoxification questionnaire
• Detoxification testing options
• Initial cleansing and nutrition modification
• Liver detoxification enhancement
• Drainage detoxification of reproductive organs
• Continued detoxification as necessary

3 Male Fertility Factor

• Dietary analysis
• Research-based nutritional supplement programs
• Detoxification questionnaire and treatment plan
• Acupuncture to enhance sperm count, motility and morphology 4 ART Support
• Fertility enhancing foods
• Fertility enhancing supplements
• Acupuncture treatments
• Stress management techniques
• Herbal medicines are often avoided during IUI/IVF treatments

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR VISITS

First Visit: Your initial visit is approximately one hour and allows us to understand where you are now on your fertility journey and what has lead up to this point.  This includes your medical history, lab and test results, medications, supplements, dietary intake, menstrual cycle patterns, stress levels and current stage of reproductive health or treatments.  Initial treatment recommendations will begin on the first visit.

Second visit: Your second visit involves a more detailed treatment plan and an acupuncture session if desired.  Acupuncture sessions often continue once weekly depending on the individual and provide the chance to discuss any questions or concerns at the beginning of the sessions.  This ongoing support and counseling are helpful to most women and men during such an emotional time.  The majority of women and men report acupuncture treatments to be very relaxing and therapeutic both physically and mentally.

Follow-up visits: After the initial 2 visits have a treatment plan in place, most women/couples continue with weekly acupuncture sessions (6-10 sessions which can be repeated later on).  If acupuncture is not part of the treatment plan then monthly follow-ups are recommended to monitor the cycle and to monitor the cycle and modify treatments as necessary.

Homeopathy was developed in Europe over 300 years ago and is a form of energetic medicine based on the Law of Similars – the application of very minute doses of a substance is used to treat symptoms that would be provoked by large doses of the same substance. These minute doses are typically of plant, animal or mineral origin, and are used to stimulate the body’s innate self-healing abilities.

Homeopathy is an energetic therapy that does not interfere with medications or dietary supplements.

Biotherapeutic Drainage is a treatment method aimed at supporting the body’s natural routes of elimination and enhancing the cellular function of the organs and tissues within the body. This is a very gentle and deep acting way to re-balance, heal, and restore the body. The remedies are homeopathic preparations in that they contain minute amounts of the actual plant or mineral used. The remedies are safe, non-toxic, will not interfere with other medications, and have a gentle yet deep-acting effect.

More and more health conditions are being linked to stress, lack of exercise, and poor lifestyle choices. Naturopathic medicine addresses all aspects of health, including mental/emotional factors.

Certain aspects of your lifestyle including stress management, daily routine, and physical exercise may be able to affect your health in very significant and positive ways.

Our Naturopathic doctor will help you identify patterns or behaviours that may be detrimental to your health, and teach you ways to improve your overall well-being.

Is the application of water to help your body fight diseases and recuperate from ailments. It strengthens your immune system, improves circulation, increases toxin elimination, and supports the overall health of your body. Hydrotherapy, applied from a naturopathic context, can be done in many different ways. Some naturopathic therapies include hot and cold wraps, alternating hot and cold showers, sitz baths, and warming sock treatments.

In our clinic, we use a combination of many modalities, and hydrotherapy can be a gentle naturopathic technique for patients to apply at home.