What is NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE?
What does a naturopath do?
Do the deep investigations. Be truly heard. Feel better with Naturopathic Medicine.
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Exploring Naturopathic Medicine: What It Is and What Naturopathic Doctors Do
Not Your Typical Healthcare
Naturopathic Doctors are keen researchers of your underlying health architecture. Our practice is data-driven, so we want to learn as much about your case as possible, including an extensive intake (which can be up to 1.5 hours), as well as lab testing to determine what’s happening under the hood.
In collaboration with our patients, we develop a thorough treatment plan structured around resolving the root cause of your imbalance.
We first try gentle natural therapies (like botanicals, dietary changes, and movement), which can be VERY powerful, and are truly at the core of health. When required, we may have to rely on more aggressive therapies, such as bioidentical hormones, IV therapies, and then if needed patients are fortunate to have pharmaceutical and surgical options available to them via their family doctor and their referrals.
The goal is to GET WELL. The deeper we dig, the closer we get to the root cause, and therefore the gentler the intervention required. Only by determining and eliminating the root cause are we truly ever able to fully HEAL.
Understanding Naturopathic Medicine
Definition of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is rooted in several core principles aimed at treating the root cause of health issues while supporting the body’s natural healing abilities. It focuses on personalized and patient-centered care, aiming to restore balance and promote wellness.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine at Sequence Wellness
At Sequence Wellness, our naturopathic principles include:
Root Cause Investigation
We do a thorough investigation, including an extensive intake interview, collection of previous lab testing, current lab testing, nutritional data assessment and more. We need to fully understand the complex underpinnings of your physiology to crack the case and create a proper treatment plan.
The Healing Power of Nature
The body has an inherent ability to heal once the obstacle to wellness is identified and removed.
The use of natural therapies in alignment with the patient’s disposition and condition when possible is prioritized, such as herbs, vitamins and minerals, supplements, physical therapies, dietary changes and lifestyle modifications. However, the goal is to get the patient well again, so if this requires the use of stronger medication like bioidentical hormones, pharmaceutical or surgery, we are of course supportive and on board with the plan.
Collaboration Between Healthcare Providers
We believe that you are the central hub of your health care team, and each practitioner you consult offers medical information for you to consider. Often our naturopathic doctors play the role of interpreting and framing the information given by multiple practitioners and specialists. When it comes down to it, we are health researchers and private investigators of your wellness. We want to see any and all information you have acquired from your other providers and are happy to work with them towards your better health.
Patient-Centered Decision Making and Empowerment
Patient education is paramount. By teaching the patient how their body works and helping them understand their obstacles to wellness as well as steps they can take to remove these, this is truly empowering them to take control of their health and change the trajectory of their condition for the better.
Treat the Whole Person
The human body is not divided into separate silos. Even though our healthcare system is set up to address the body by its individual parts, it doesn’t mean that the body operates that way. When one system is out, the others get affected. We must address the whole person as each of the parts interconnect. Often, by addressing the root cause, other body areas that seem unrelated to the patient’s chief concern return to healthy on their own.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
It is much easier to avoid the iceberg than to save the sinking ship. It is worth investing the personal resources into staying well, rather than having to get well. The foundations of preventative medicine are good sleep, a balanced diet high in veggies, lowered stress, physical movement and community.
Role of a Naturopathic Doctor
What is a naturopathic doctor?
A licensed naturopathic doctor in Ontario can be a primary care provider who can diagnose, treat, and manage patients who suffer from a range of symptoms and conditions. At Sequence Wellness we often fit into the role of a specialist referral. Though we do have many patients who use our services in lieu of a family doctor, the vast majority of the patients that we care for already have a family physician that has seen their case. If the patient feels that they didn’t receive the solution they were looking for, they seek out our investigative health services to more effectively determine the root cause of their concern, and to explore natural treatment options as well.
Education and Training
Naturopathic doctors undergo rigorous training encompassing conventional medical sciences alongside holistic and natural healing modalities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care.Our NDs have completed 4-year undergraduate degrees in neuroscience, psychology and nutrition, followed by a 4-year naturopathic medical school degree. We also require on-going continuing education to guarantee that we are up to date on current research and practices.
Conditions Treated with Naturopathic Medicine
Common Conditions Treated
Naturopathic medicine is always valuable either as primary care or adjunctive care for all health concerns. Common health issues treated by NDs include heart disease, chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, among others, but at Sequence Wellness we decided to get really good at a shorter list of concerns, so we focus on women’s health, digestion and burnout, and treat issues like perimenopause, irregular painful or heavy periods, PMS, PMDD, PCOS, BV, recurrent yeast infections, low libido, hormonal hair loss, hormonal acne, hormonal weight gain, digestive problems, bloating, SIBO, IBS, gut health, and thyroid concerns.
Naturopathic Treatments
Tools that naturopathic doctors use to help you get well.
The naturopathic doctors at Sequence Wellness rely on nutritional changes (be that removing an offending food or reintroducing nutrient deficiencies), lifestyle modifications (with a focus on reduction of stressors), vitamins and minerals, advanced supplements, herbs, and bioidentical hormones. We love collaborating with other practitioners, and refer out when other treatment modalities are indicated (like acupuncture, massage, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, pelvic care, etc). These therapies are tailored to each individual, promoting natural healing and addressing specific health concerns.
Nutrition
We do the math to determine if you’re getting everthing your body needs, and we also assess to see if there are foods that are harming you that should be eliminated. And the most important step is to roll out a reasonable plan that is actually doable and enjoyable in your life.
Supplements
Ideally we rely on our diets to give us everything we need, but sometimes in the short-term we need the targeted support of nutriceuticals, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, etc.
Lifestyle Modifications
Our stress exposures and ability to cope, our exercise and movement, our sleep, our attitudes… all of these are lifestyle habits that are the building blocks of either wellness or disease. Our naturopathic doctor need to get a good sense of how you are navigating your day-to-day in order to help you create a plan that sets you on the right trajectory to optimal health.
Botanical Medicine
Plants are POWERFUL. They are intelligent powerhouses that act as targeted multivitamins for various organs, and can even change cellular activity by activating cell receptors and stimulating cascades of cellular events. But often we also find that they provide us with delightfully surprising side benefits outside of our intended plan. Humans have always used plants as medicine, so we draw on both historical as well as research-based uses of botanicals.
Bioidentical Hormones
There are times when the body just needs the extra support of additional hormones. Dr. Sarah Goulding ND may prescribe transdermal estrogen and progsterone, as well as desiccated thyroid hormone when required to replete a deficiency. Prior to bioidentical hormone use, hormone testing is an absolute necessity. Common testing includes: Dutch hormone testing (urine), full thyroid panel: TSH, T4, T3, TPO, and possibly more.
When to see a naturopathic doctor?
When you want to finally feel better.
When you need clarity and answers.
When you need a teammate, a researcher, a compassionate ear.
When you need a champion for your cause.
Let us help!
We are keen health nerds that love digging deep into cases. We want to know the ins and outs of your medical history, and frankly also just enjoy our conversations with our patients. And we are good at what we do. We are your personal health investigators that will allow you to get to the bottom of your issue. Done with your symptoms and ready to move on with your life? Book yourself in for a visit! See you soon!
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FAQ
What is the difference between a naturopath and a doctor?
When seeing a licensed naturopathic doctor in Canada it’s less about choosing natural treatments versus pharmaceuticals, and it’s more about choosing private versus publicly funded care. With an ND you’re investing your time and money (link to fees) to do a much more thorough assessment than is normally accessible via your family physician. We have the privilege of taking 90 minutes in the first visit to chat and really address all of the nooks and crannies of your case. We then have access to more extensive lab testing than is usually covered, and it is totally in your control as to what we decide to test. Many family doctors have the know-how and expertise to properly investigate these concerns, but they are confined by the funding model and time as well as resource constraints therein. With naturopathic medicine comes autonomy and patient empowerment, and ultimately answers and wellness!
What is the difference between a naturopath and a nutritionist?
The primary difference between a nutritionist and a naturopath is that naturopaths are more extensively trained in assessment, and in Ontario and other provinces and states legally have the ability to diagnose (a protected act). Naturopathic doctors have access to laboratory testing such as blood work, as well as stool, saliva and urine testing. Seeing a naturopath is more akin to seeing a medical doctor, rather than a diet consultant. Nutrition is an aspect of a proper naturopathic treatment plan, but naturopathic doctors also use other modalities such as botanicals, supplements, bioidentical hormones, etc.
How effective is naturopathic medicine?
Naturopathic medicine’s effectiveness varies, with some praising its holistic approach. However, scientific evidence supporting its overall efficacy is limited. It’s important to consult healthcare professionals and consider individual needs when exploring these methods. Naturopathic approaches may complement conventional treatments but should be approached with a balanced perspective.
How many appointments do I need?
Every case is unique, but as a general rule we see patients a minimum of 5 times.
Initial visit = 60-90 minutes and involves a thorough intake to review health history, sleep quality, exercise, nutrition, stress, etc. We then provide you with a case review to help you understand the big picture and root cause of your concern. We will also likely request additional information such as lab testing or nutritional assessment. An introductory treatment plan will be started.
2nd visit = 45 minutes two week later, where we review any lab tests, complete any screening assessments, and roll out the comprehensive version of the treatment plan.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE NEW PATIENTS TO BOOK THEIR SECOND APPOINTMENT (FOR 2 WEEKS LATER) ALONG WITH THEIR FIRST TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN PROCEED FORWARD WITH YOUR PLAN WITHOUT DELAY.
3rd visit = 30 minutes 1 month later, where we promptly check in on the immediate progress of the plan so that we can achieve health gains as soon as possible.
4th and subsequent visits = 30 minutes, usually a few months later, where we check in on the plan and make modifications as needed.
When the chief concerns are resolved we usually see our patients on-going every 6 months. Usually these occur in the fall (to prepare for the winter season), and in the spring to re-do lab testing and reset the system for the upcoming summer season.
