Naturopathic Medicine in Ottawa
Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care profession that focuses on prevention and uses natural methods to promote healing. By combining old philosophies of medicine with new diagnostic tools, naturopathic medicine offers additional options to the modern health care system.
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are general practitioners of natural health care who embrace a wide array of non-invasive techniques and therapies to create a preventive, restorative and individualized approach to health care. Some of these approaches are as basic as nutritional counseling or stress reduction, while others are more firmly planted in alternative medicine, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Botanical Medicine, and Homeopathy.
Naturopathic medicine is founded on 5 principles:
- First, do no harm.
- Act in co-operation with the healing powers of nature.
- Identify and address the root causes of disease.
- Heal the whole person through individualized treatment.
- Teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world. The term acupuncture refers to a group of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. The strategic insertion of needles under the skin is a method of balancing the body’s energy to prevent or cure diseases or disorders. For instance, acupuncture can be used to treat pain, fatigue, digestive disturbances, anxiety, as well as to stimulate overall health.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) is a complete system of healing that developed in China more than 3,000 years ago. It’s based on the idea that your health, like the universe at large, is subject to constant battling between opposing forces which manifest themselves in your body as too much or too little activity in particular organs. Any imbalance can cause a blockage in the flow of your qi (chee) or vital energy traveling through your body along invisible pathways known as meridians. TCM practitioners typically use treatments such as acupuncture meditation, herbal and nutritional therapy, restorative physical exercises, deep tissue massage and herbs to help unblock your qi and bring your body back into harmony and wellness.
Botanical Medicine
The history of both ancient and modern medicine finds its roots in the development of drugs from plants. For instance, Aspirin™ is derived from willow bark and morphine from the opium poppy. Modern Western herbalism leverages the positive effects of herbs on individual body systems: they can be administered as anti-inflammatories, haemostatics, expectorants, antispasmodics, and immuno-stimulators.
While Western pharmaceutical companies continue their large scale screening of herbs to uncover their potential for healing and supporting the body, Chinese herbalists continue to promote traditional principles of botanical medicine. They ascribe qualities to the herbs-such as “cooling” (yin) or “stimulating” (yang)-and use them, often in combination, according to the deficiencies or excesses of these qualities in the patient.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies are derived from various plants, minerals and animals. The word “homeopathy” comes from the Greek words “homeo” (meaning “similar”) and “pathy” (meaning “suffering” or “disease”). Just as vaccines are small doses of the impotent form of the virus they will fight, homeopathic remedies are based on the notion of letting “likes be cured by likes.” The healing response is stimulated by giving sick people extremely diluted forms of natural substances that would cause the same symptoms if administered to healthy people in larger doses.
Though it is perhaps the most complicated of the holistic therapies, it is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world. It is natural, safe, non-addictive and extremely effective. Since this therapy is built on the understanding that symptoms are expressions of the body’s attempt to heal itself, homeopathic remedies are designed to respond to the immune system’s need to be supported rather than suppressed.
Nutrition
A well-balanced diet forms the basis of good health and provides your body with the nutrients it needs to heal. For this reason, nutritional counseling may be a keystone of your personalized treatment plan. Adopting a healthy diet is a natural first step towards correcting and preventing health problems. Your ND will work with you to create an individual plan with specific dietary recommendations to treat your condition. You may also be prescribed nutritional supplements to address deficiencies, assist the body in eliminating toxins, stimulate healing or address specific health concerns. These interventions result in fewer complications and side effects than some pharmaceutical treatments and are often more beneficial.
Lifestyle Counseling
Lifestyle Counseling grows out of the notion that the prevention and/or treatment of chronic disease and poor health conditions should include lifestyle interventions, such as diet, exercise and stress management. This approach addresses the link between health concerns, lifestyle, event, thoughts and emotions, and provides recommendations, such as breathing and relaxation techniques and coping strategies.
Physical medicine
Physical medicine is the use of physical measures in the treatment of disease or injury. These include therapeutic exercise, soft tissue massage, and joint mobilization and immobilization techniques. Incorporating light and laser therapy, lymphatic drainage techniques and assisted stretching, this system of body work is based on the concept of allowing the body to heal itself by treating structural problems like muscle spasm, curvature of the spine and bad posture.
Cancellation Policy
The Ottawa Integrative Health Centre that we require 48 hours notice for the cancellation or re-scheduling of appointments. Failure to do so will result in a charge of 50% for the missed appointment. We thank you for your compliance with our clinic policies.
Naturopathic Fees
Initial Adult Visit (60-90 min. including charting): $250
Initial Pediatric Visit (45-60 min. including charting): $175
Initial Acute ND Visit (one concern only – 30 min. including charting): $130
Follow up Visits & Laser Sessions (50-60 min. including charting): $240
Follow up Visits & Laser Sessions (40-45 min. including charting): $180
Follow up Visits & Laser Sessions (20-30 min. including charting): $120
Follow up Visits & Laser Sessions (5-15 min. including charting): $60
Acupuncture: $90 (30 min.), $135 (45 min.)
PAP & Pelvic Exams (30 min. including cost of testing) – $156
Prescription Renewals/Refills (without an appointment): $25
PLEASE NOTE: A first appointment is an intake and assessment. Treatment planning may start but generally will be provided at a subsequent visit.
For more information about fees related to services, packages, laboratory tests, or intravenous therapies please contact the OIHC by phone or email.