+ What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a form of primary care medicine that integrates modern scientific knowledge together with natural medicine and therapies. Naturopathic Doctors harness the innate healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. Symptoms are not treated in isolation, but are instead used as guides back to the underlying dysfunction, which can be treated in order to restore function and regain health. Licensed Naturopathic Doctors (NDs), like myself, are educated at a doctorate level, formally trained in medical sciences, and legally licensed primary care physicians. NDs in British Columbia have a large scope of practice which is strictly regulated. Naturopathic Physicians continuously hone their skills, and deepen their knowledge base through mandatory continuing education.

+ What are the advantages of Naturopathic care?

Naturopathic medicine emphasizes patient education, the establishment of healthy behaviours with regards to eating, exercising, and thinking, and disease prevention. Most patients find there are three main benefits to seeing a Naturopathic Physician: prevention-oriented medicine; effective alternatives to invasive therapies (surgery, IVF) or drug therapies that are causing side effects; or conditions for which the conventional medicine system has no known cause or concrete diagnosis (unexplained infertility). By empowering patients to lead healthy lifestyles, Naturopathic Doctors are able to help patients prevent illness in the first place, and reverse the signs of illness - arguably the most cost-effective approach to preventing chronic disease and morbidity, and increasing life expectancy. Naturopathic Medicine advocates for introducing gentle therapies first, and engaging aggressive treatment measures only when medically necessary. Treatments are continually re-examined in light of progress and setbacks in order to provide the most effective and efficient interventions.

+ How many visits will I need to resolve my health concern?

Depending on your health concern, overall health status, and therapeutic interventions suggested, the number of visits needed to see an improvement and/or achieve resolution can vary. After an Initial Consultation, I typically see patients for a follow up visit within 2-4 weeks. After that, treatment frequency ranges depending on your treatment plan prescribed in order to address your concerns. Some health concerns require more frequent check-ins where I will see patients weekly, biweekly, or monthly, while other concerns require follow up care every 3 months. I will communicate your expected short-term and long-term treatment plan to you within your first two appointments. It is not always possible to outline your treatment frequency within your Initial Consultation, as sometimes a follow up visit is required in order to assess your response to treatment.

+ Are Naturopathic Doctor appointments covered by MSP?

Naturopathic Doctor (ND) services are not currently covered by the Medical Service Plan (MSP). ND visits are covered by most extended health plans! Usually extended benefits cover consultations, acupuncture and injection therapies. Sometimes advanced lab testing is covered, but often supplements and herbs are not covered. If you are prescribed pharmaceutical medication, the pharmacy will fill and dispense your prescription and it will be partially covered by PharmaCare. There are rare circumstances were people who fall into a low income category might be able to submit thier receipts for partial MSP coverage for ND services.

+ Will my Naturopathic Doctor work with my Medical Doctor?

Yes, happily. I do my best to communicate with any and all your healthcare professionals. I believe in integrative health care system, and aim to work collaboratively with your other practitioners. Upon your request, I will contact your other physicians and practitioners in order to provide you with the most individualized and comprehensive care possible.

+ Can Naturopathic Physicians order lab tests?

Yes. Naturopathic physicians can order standard blood, breath, urine, and stool testing through Lifelabs. We can also other advanced blood, urine, saliva, stool tests and comprehensive health panels through different labs in Canada and across the world. At this time we cannot refer directly to medical specialists or write requisites for imaging (ultrasounds, x-rays, MRI etc.).

+ Do you offer telemedicine (virtual consultations via video or phone call)?

Yes, I offer virtual video consults to both new and existing patients. The live two-way video enables us to discuss your health concerns just like an in-person visit. I use HIPAA and PIPEDA compliant software to keep your personal and medical information secure and confidential. I also offer phone consultations. If a physical exam is required for proper assessment, I may request that you come in for an in-person visit, or refer you to a physician in your area in order to be assessed in their office.

+ How can I get prescriptions and supplements if I cannot phsyically come into your office?

I use an online dispensary called Fullscript to write prescriptions, dispense supplements and have them delivered directly to your home. I also fax or call in your pharmaceutical prescriptions to a pharmacy near you, where you can pick up your prescription or have it delivered once it is filled.

+ Will I still have to wait in line for a Naturopathic Walk In Visit?

No! My Naturopathic Walk In clinic allows for advanced booking and does not require you to present at the office in person in order to put your name on a list, and wait. You can book a Walk In online or by calling our clinic to secure your spot.

+ What can I expect in a Naturopathic Walk In Visit?

I start with a brief consultation about the history of your main concern, followed by a focused physical exam to assess the area. If indicated, I may do in-house lab testing and/or send you for routine labs at Lifelabs. You will be offered a treatment plan to help ease the symptoms, and support your body in recovering from your acute health concern. A follow up plan will be recommended to reassess and confirm your have recovered from your acute condition, and prevent future recurrence.

+ What is the benefit of IV and IM Therapy for Delivery and Absorption?

Intravenous (IV) and Intramuscular (IM) injection therapy provide much better delivery and absorption compared to oral or sublingual supplementation. Nutrients administered by IV bypass first pass metabolism, a natural pathway that nutrients take when they are administered orally. First pass metabolism is a process where nutrients first travel to the liver for metabolism before the nutrients are bioavailable in the bloodstream. When nutrients go through first pass metabolism, only a fraction of the original dose ever becomes bioavailable (i.e. available for the body to use). By definition, IV administration delivers nutrients straight into the bloodstream so they are 100% bioavailable! IM administration is the best delivery system for small volumes of nutrients that I want to have a long duration of action. Muscle tissue is highly vascularized, so the nutrients easily travel into the bloodstream in order to be used by the body. However, IM injections do not do directly into the bloodstream, the nutrients must diffuse slowly from the muscle tissue into the surrounding vasculature. This process of diffusion takes time, and allows for a slightly longer duration of action of IM nutrients.