There is a growing public interest in Naturopathy. More and more people are expressing their dissatisfaction with allopathic medicines owing to their side effects when used for longer periods of time. We spoke to Dr. Alison Chen, a Canadian board-certified and licensed Naturopathic Doctor from Toronto, Ontario to understand what is Naturopathy and how it treats our health disorders. “Merging of western and eastern medicine is the key to unlock your true vitality” says Dr. Alison Chen, ND
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathic medicine is the merging of Western science with Eastern and European traditional philosophies to promote healing of the whole person (mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually) from the root of the issue. Naturopathic medicine supports the body to heal itself, not suppress symptoms.
The body is capable of healing itself given the right support and removing obstacles to heal. Naturopathic doctors call this the vis – the body’s innate ability to cure and maintain homeostasis (balance). The vis is the foundation for the 6 Naturopathic principles:
First to do no harm– Minimizing risks of harmful side effects and using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat while respecting the individual’s self-healing process.
Identify and treat the cause– Rather than merely eliminating or suppressing symptoms, NDs seek to identify and treat the causes of illness.
Doctor as teacher– Patients are encouraged to take responsibility for their own optimal health through knowledge and empowerment.
Treat the whole person– A person’s health status must address his or her physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social support to truly understand all contributing factors.
Emphasize prevention– Preventative health is the only sustainable health model. NDs are leaders in prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to illness.
Supporting the healing power of the body– Naturopathic medicine recognizes an order and intelligence to the self-healing process inherent to every living creature.
Whether or not you believe in a spirit, energy force or vis, isn’t the point.
Our bodies are complex. Our physical, emotional and mental well-being are interconnected with our internal and external environment. We cannot compartmentalize ourselves into symptoms. We are affected by everything we consume, interact with and experience. Energy and the conversion into various forms of energy is the foundation of science.
NDs obtain a thorough intake by combining the patient’s history, experiences, symptoms and utilizing modern Western medical tests (ie. physical exams, blood work, imaging, genetics testing) to choose the most appropriate holistic therapy to treat.
What kinds of conditions are treated by Naturopathy?
Naturopathic doctors treat a whole range of conditions from minor acute injuries and infections to skin conditions and gut complaints to chronic pain and mental diseases. We are trained to be primary care physicians (like general practitioner MDs) and to recognize specific cases that need emergent or specialized care.
However, when it comes to the medical models of care that NDs use to treat their patients, it can be very different. MDs tend to focus on reactive healthcare; utilizing pharmaceutical prescriptions or surgeries when appropriate. This type of medicine supports our current reactive healthcare system and puts a massive burden on our hospitals and emergency departments.
Reactive healthcare is imperative in emergent, life threatening or severe physical injuries or poisonings. We need Medical doctors for this type of care.
Naturopathic doctors on the other hand are primary care physicians who specialize in preventative healthcare, chronic disease management and optimal living strategies. We are detectives for your health, combining your history, symptoms, lab tests and physical examinations to understand the patterns of imbalance.
Where reactive care can no longer safely suppress symptoms or cut out a diseased organ, we can provide empowering lifestyle changes to reverse the cause of distress and improve quality of life. We give patients back their autonomy and responsibility for their health.
Common conditions treated by Naturopathic doctors include:
Minor injuries: cuts, burns, strains, sprains, tight muscles, spinal misalignment, TMJ, plantar fasciitis, etc.
Skin conditions: acne, hives, sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, etc.
Gut conditions: infections, leaky gut, food intolerances/ sensitivities, heart burn, constipation, IBS, IBD, etc.
Female health issues: PCOS, libido, infections, menstruation, menopause, infertility, pregnancy, breast feeding, etc.
Men health issues: BPH, infertility, erectile dysfunction, libido, infections, urinary issues, etc.
Other hormonal conditions: Thyroid, adrenal, hypothalamic-pituitary axis, stress management, weight gain, diabetes, obesity, etc
Heart conditions: hypertension, stable angina, etc.
Lung conditions: asthma, acute/ chronic infection, etc.
Mental conditions: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, stress management, mild bipolar, mild schizophrenia, etc.
Neurological conditions: MS, Parkinson’s, sciatica, nerve impingement, concussions, etc
Blood issues: iron deficiency, B12/ folate deficiencies, etc.
Pediatric health issues: Autism, ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, growth concerns, digestive complaints, etc.
Chronic disease: Cancer, Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (MyalgicEncephalopathy), Lyme disease, chronic pain, overactive bladder, liver and gall bladder conditions, kidney conditions, heavy metal burden, etc.
Optimal living strategies:brain fog, poor concentration, productivity, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, sedentary behaviors, low self-worth, combating side effects from pharmaceutical medications, pre- and post- surgery preperation, etc.
Is Naturopathy effective?
Naturopathic medicine is based in scientific research, clinical experience and the philosophies of traditional medicine. It is not only effective but flexible to meet the needs of our patients.
Naturopathic doctors practice safe and effective medicine that causes the least amount of side effect, physical stress and irritation to the body. There are many tools that NDs use. Depending on the specific complaint, tests and health history of their patients, NDs can determine the most effective treatment strategy.
No two people are exactly alike. Individualized treatments are necessary for optimal long-term health.
On the same note, no two Naturopathic doctors are alike. You may find an ND using different treatment tools or styles of patient interaction.
But because Naturopathic doctors are licensed and board-certified across North America, this ensures the highest standards, quality of care, safety and effective clinical treatments for all our patients.
Choosing the right ND for you will be key to your long-term success, but not because of their skills or education, but the relationship you create.
Accredited Naturopathic medical schools train their physicians to use the following tools:
Dietary nutrition and supplementation
Lifestyle counseling (exercise, stress management, new habit formations)
Botanical medicine
Homeopathy
Health psychology
Physical manipulation and adjustments
many are trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture
Additional training: IV therapy, physical therapies (ultrasound, laser therapy, trigger point dry needling), pharmaceutical prescriptions, prolotherapy, reiki, crano-sacral therapy, touch therapy, bioenergetic medicine, etc.
With all of our tools, most patients Naturopathic doctors will tell you there is nothing more valuable than having someone listen to you with an empathetic ear and give you actionable and practical health advice to build into your daily life. Nowhere else can you find an evidence-based practitioner with extensive safe and effective tools who practice patient-focused healthcare.
Naturopathic doctors pride themselves on their high standards of patient quality care, medical responsibilities and ethical conduct.
How to find a good Naturopathy doctor?
There’s lots of confusion to who Naturopathic doctors are. I’ve heard some outrageous things:
we practice voo-doo and pseudo-science
we don’t use research or evidence-based medicine
we aren’t trained licensed doctors
we are homeopaths
we are tree-hugging, crystal healing, snake oil using hippies
and the list goes on.
First off, Naturopathy is not the same as Naturopathic medicine, and nor is a Naturopath the same as a Naturopathic doctor.
Naturopaths are unregulated, unlicensed and have the equivalent education of a University degree.
This does not mean that all Naturopaths are unsafe, ineffective or not as smart as Naturopathic doctors. I know Naturopaths who have studied in Europe, Australia and New Zealand and are phenomenal practitioners, but these are rare gems.
For the general public, they may not know the difference. They may not be able to differentiate solid education from an outspoken, confident “script”, and this is an issue.
There are some Naturopaths who are giving the Naturopathic medical profession a bad name. This is where titles such as “quacks”, “pseudoscience” and “voo-doo practitioners” are used.
Naturopathic doctors are trained similarly to general practitioners (GP) in the Medical doctor model. We are able to identify emergency cases and potentially life-threatening diseases. We are trained in first aid and follow a ‘gold standard of treatment’ based on modern medicine and research.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are also sometimes referred to as Naturopathic medical doctors (NMDs). Regardless of their title, when you are looking for a “good Naturopathic doctor” make sure they have a license displayed in their office from one of the following schools:
Bastyr University(BU): Kenmore, Washington
Bastyr University California(BUC): San Diego, CA
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine(BINM): New Westminster, British Columbia
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine(CCNM): Toronto, Ontario
National College of Natural Medicine(NCNM): Portland, Oregon
National University of Health Sciences(NUHS): Lombard, Illinois
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine(SCNM): Tempe, Arizona
University of Bridgeport – College of Naturopathic Medicine(UBCNM): Bridgeport, Connecticut
Having this license ensures that the ND has the following education:
University undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Medical prerequisites for biology, biochemistry, chemistry, organic chemistry, and psychology
Completion of more than 4,500 hours of Naturopathic training and 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience
Successfully completed a 4-year full-time Naturopathic medical program at one of the accredited schools above.
Successfully passed the 2-partNPLEX (Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination) board exam series regulated by NABNE(North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners):
Part 1: Biomedical Science
Part 2: Core Clinical Science
Part 2: Practical Clinical Exam
Part 2: Jurisprudence and Jurisdiction Exam
Annual Continuing Medical Education (CME) required credits as per provincial and state regulations.
When choosing your licensed Naturopathic doctor, keep these points in mind:
Research: Visit your local “Association of Naturopathic Doctors” and read up on the ND’s of interest. Visit their websites and see if they may be the right fit.
What are you looking for?: Ask yourself if you have specific preferences of care, based on:
your condition or age
modalities of choice (ie. energetic, botanical, acupuncture, homeopathy)
gender preference
specific lab tests required
Testimonial: Many ND’s don’t have testimonial on their websites because it may not be allowed by their governing body. This doesn’t mean they aren’t good or don’t get patient results. There are some forums and practitioner websites that people can write about their experience either anonymously or without the ND knowing.
Style: ND have different styles of practice and if you’ve consulted with one whom you didn’t have a good fit with, that doesn’t mean you cannot find one that does. That goes the same for if you’ve read an article or watched a webinar from an ND whom you disagree with. We are not all the same, just like our patients are not the same.
Consultation: Many ND’s give a complimentary 15-minute consultation to ensure the right fit of the patient and doctor. Having mutual respect and trust is important to foster a healthy relationship.
Clinic location: You may require weekly visits with your ND, so check how far the clinic is from your home to ensure easy transportation. If you require wheelchair accessibility, please check with the clinic first before booking. Some ND’s offer home visits if you are unable to travel to the clinic.
As a Naturopathic doctor, Dr. Alison Chen, ND specializes in primary care assessment, nutrition and supplementation, lifestyle counseling, 5-element acupuncture, classical homeopathy, botanical medicine, bioenergetic medicine, stress management, pain management, hydrotherapy, touch therapy, psychological counseling, physical manipulation and rehabilitation, and first-aid. Her goal is to make people feel ‘empowered, energized, unstoppable, and free from suffering’. You can write to her at info@Dr.AlisonChen.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
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