Acupuncture focuses on improving the overall well-being of a patient. It is considered a subset of the overarching practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but is also utilized in more of a conventional manner involving common ailments of the musculoskeletal systems. Health complications are addressed by inserting fine needles into specified points on the body in a systematic manner.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system of diagnostics, treatments and prevention utilized for over 20 centuries. Treatments utilized under this medical system focus on harmonizing Yin and Yang – cold and hot, wet and dry, inner and outer, body and mind. This may be achieved by regulating energy (Qi), tonifying or sedating Qi, cooling or warming organs and their systems, and/or moistening or draining of dampness within the organs and body systems.
Utilization of plant parts as healing and nutritional adjuncts in treatment and prevention of the body. Multiple or individual parts of the plant may be used such as the flower, root, leaves or oils as part of the medicinal remedy. They may be prescribed as teas, tinctures, ointments, essential oils, or supplements. As there can be the potential for adverse drug reactions with prescription medication or over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, your ND will carefully review your health history before recommending a specific botanical remedy as part of your treatment plan.
A classification of medicine, first discussed by Nobel-Prize winner Linus Pauling, focuses on bringing back optimal equilibrium of the internal cellular environment by correcting imbalances and deficiencies based on individual biochemistry. It utilizes medicines such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, trace elements and fatty acids. OM takes into consideration influence of genetic factors on the physical characteristics and internal biochemical balance of a cell. NDs then look at the genetic differences and focus on finding individual patient,internal balance, also known as biochemical homeostasis.
Physical medicine includes manual therapies that may be used congruently with other naturopathic modalities or solely on their own. Treatments may include soft tissue or visceral manipulation including therapeutic massage, therapeutic range of motion or exercise therapy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulation of muscles, bone or spine, or the use of physiotherapeutic machines (ie. ultrasound, electro-acupuncture).
An avenue of medicine, dating back to the 1700s, that works on a non-toxic level, homeopathy supports the body’s own means of physical and emotional healing through stimulating our internal ‘vital force’, yielding minimal side effects. Homeopathy is based on three major principles: i) like treats like (Law of Similars); ii) the more dilute the remedy, the stronger the medicine is (Law of the Infinitesimal Dose); and iii) every illness is specific to the individual (holistic medical approach). Medicines are formulated using a variety of sources such as plant, animal or mineral substances.
Nutrition plays a paramount role in preventative health care and disease treatment. Naturopaths look closely at individual nutritional needs, dietary requirements, by analyzing current lifestyle and diet, assessing current and essential nutritional components and advising patients on the best recommendations indicated in their own unique case. Nutritional medicine can be closely paired with lifestyle counseling, orthomolecular medicine, and IV therapies as part of a patient’s overall treatment plan.
INTRAVENOUS THERAPIES / CHELATION THERAPY – Coming Soon!!!
Intravenous therapies are the practice of administering high dose medicines such as vitamins, minerals, homeopathics and/or botanicals, directly into the blood circulation of the patient. These treatments are customized on an individual basis specific to the condition, disease, or imbalance that is being addressed. Utilizing direct infusion of these medicines allows appropriate concentration and therapeutic levels to be reached during treatment. A variety of concerns may be addressed using these therapies such as chronic pain (fibromyalgia, arthritis), cancer, general anti-aging, heart disease, chronic fatigue, and much more.
Chelation therapy may be administered orally (by mouth) or intravenously. Chelation is the process of administering a medicine to bind to internal compounds, such as heavy metals, and have them excreted from the body. It may be used with individuals experiencing heavy metal loads, heart disease, auto-immunity, chronic infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, endocrine dysfunction, environmental sensitivities, and autism.
One of the six principles of Naturopathic Medical practice, preventative medicine is deep belief of the naturopathic profession. By providing education, an array of health support, and optimal health monitoring, an ND is well equipped in supporting patients to find ideal individualized balance and encourage patient understanding of how the body works. Furthermore, the ND then offers tools that patients can take away to be utilized in their everyday life to create a lifestyle that embodies prevention of disease.