Methodology 

A consultation typically begins with a lengthy patient interview, focusing on lifestyle, medical history, emotional tone and physical features, as well as a physical examination.  Naturopaths do not necessarily recommend vaccines and antibiotics, and may provide alternative remedies.   Your XYZ-Wellbeing practitioner will take time with you, and set up a customized health management strategy.

Follow-up visits may range from 30 to 60 minutes, although this will vary, depending on patient needs.  Your XYZ-Wellbeing practitioner will teach you about managing your condition and your general health and wellbeing, and setting your health goals.  Your XYZ-Wellbeing practitioner may obtain diagnostic tests to assist in determining health status, will take the time to carefully and fully assess the root of the problem, and bring in a new arsenal of treatments and insights.  Naturopaths do not wait for a disease to emerge...they work to head it off before it happens.

The past 30 years has seen an extraordinary increase in consumer demand for safe, effective and cost-efficient natural health care.²  Naturopathic medicine has emerged as the health care profession best suited to meet this demand.  Naturopathic medicine offers safe, effective natural therapies as part of a vital part of health care systems in the 21st century.  Since Naturopathic practitioners are trained in the art and science of natural health care at accredited medical colleges, integrative partnerships between conventional medicine and Naturopaths are becoming more available, and this cooperation makes more effective therapies available to consumers.  It increases patient satisfaction in their relationships with their care providers.  More people are recovering their health by adding naturopathic medicine to their health care options.

CHOICE...it makes all the difference in the world.

Application 

Among the most common ailments and body systems/functions that Naturopaths treat and focus upon are:

• Chronic Pain
• Digestive Issues, Digestive Health, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Nutrition and Weight Loss, Obesity
• Allergies and Respiratory Conditions
• Heart Disease, Heart Health and High Blood Pressure
• Fertility Problems
• Menopause
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Cancer
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Fatique Syndrome
• Mental Health and the Unmedicated Mind
• Rest, Sleep and Relaxation

Since naturopathic medicine's philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of the disease, symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body, and unfavorable lifestyle habits.  This form of medicine emphasizes that disease is a process rather than an entity.  Treating both acute and chronic conditions, naturopathic treatments are chosen based on the individual patient, their physiological, structural, psychological, social and spiritual environments and factors.   It is this approach, philosophy and training of naturopathy that sets it apart from other forms of health care.

There are typically three types of patients that seek a naturopathic practitioner:

1. Patients that are looking for disease prevention and health promotion strategies;
2. Patients that have a range of symptoms that they have been unable to address on their own, or with the help of other medical practitioners; and
3. Patients that have been diagnosed with an illness and are looking for alternative treatments.

Naturopathic medicine is very effective in improving quality of life for those with serious and life-threatening illnesses.  It is used extensively and effectively for those patients that are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments with the aim of minimizing side effects to drugs, surgery or conventional treatments.  Stimulating the healing power of the body and treating the root cause of the disease, for many patients, is the difference in approach, and provides a new perspective and awareness.  In addressing health care in this way, many patients with chronic illness have found tremendous benefits.

America's Use of Naturopathy³

In a national survey on Americans' use of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM*), published in 2004, just under 1% of the 31,000 surveyed respondents had used Naturopathy.  These respondents reported that they used it because they:

1. Believed that naturopathy combined with conventional medicine would help (62%)
2. Believed that conventional medical treatments would not help (53%)
3. Thought naturopathy would be interesting to try (44%)
4. Thought that conventional medicine was too expensive (28%)
5. Were referred to naturopathy by a conventional medical professional (17%)

*CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.  Complementary Medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and Alternative Medicine is used in place of conventational medicine.  Some health care providers practice both CAM and conventional medicine.⁴

Today, more people than ever before are seeking and benefiting from naturopathic medicine and the number of naturopaths is growing at record rates to accommodate this increased demand. Naturopaths provide leadership in natural medical research.   Having naturopathic practitioners, XYZ-Wellbeing finds itself well positioned in health care.  With more research supporting therapies used by our practitioners, and the public demand for greater choice and increased access to more natural approaches to health care, we are poised to make the transition from "alternative medicine" to "mainstream" medicine.

If you haven't experienced the benefits of naturopathic medicine for yourself, take the time to regain control of your health by making an appointment with an XYZ-Wellbeing Naturopathic Practitioner.  It's easy!  Call us or chat with us right here online!