Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic doctors, in British Columbia, are regulated health professionals whose training includes clinical assessment and naturopathic approaches to treatment. Naturopathic medicine looks at a person’s health as a whole rather than focusing only on one symptom or diagnosis. It is best used alongside conventional medicine, adding a broader view of the factors that may be affecting health.

Looking at how the pieces fit together

A diagnosis is an important part of understanding a health concern, but it does not always explain why symptoms developed or why two people with the same diagnosis may experience it differently. Health history, nutrition, environment and other factors can overlap, and some may have been influencing health for many years. Looking at these connections can help identify what may be contributing and which areas deserve attention.
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A naturopathic assessment may consider
  • Current symptoms and previous health concerns
  • Nutrition and digestive function
  • Sleep and energy
  • Physical activity
  • Stress and emotional well-being
  • Hormonal and metabolic health
  • Medications and supplements
  • Environmental or occupational exposures
  • Family history
  • Laboratory findings and other investigations

Developing the treatment plan

An appointment provides time to explore how different concerns may be connected and to gain a clearer understanding of what may be contributing. Not everything needs to be addressed at once. Treatment begins with the steps that are most important and manageable, giving the patient a practical starting point. The plan can then be adjusted as the patient’s health or circumstances evolve.

What naturopathic treatment may include

Depending on the person and the nature of the concern, treatment may include:
  • Nutritional guidance
  • Lifestyle and exercise recommendations
  • Sleep support
  • Stress-management strategies
  • Botanical medicine
  • Vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements
  • Acupuncture
  • Physical medicine
  • Laboratory testing when appropriate
  • Prescription medication when clinically appropriate and within the doctor’s authorized scope

When naturopathic care may be helpful

People seek naturopathic care for many reasons. Some have symptoms that persist or keep returning and want a closer look at what may be contributing. Others want guidance with nutrition, sleep, stress, healthy aging or disease prevention. Health concerns may also overlap. Digestion, sleep, energy, mood, metabolism and cognitive health can influence one another, so improvement in one area may affect several others. For patients already receiving treatment, naturopathic care can provide additional help with the everyday factors that affect health and recovery. Recommendations can be coordinated with the existing treatment plan so that care remains connected and unnecessary interactions are avoided.

Prevention and long-term health

Naturopathic medicine can also be helpful before a person becomes unwell. It may identify health risks early, when there is more opportunity to address them. General health advice is not always easy to put into practice. The next step is deciding which changes are worth making and how they can fit into daily life.

A more complete view of health

A person’s symptoms, history, daily habits, environment and health goals all contribute to a fuller picture. Some connections only become clear when these areas are considered together. The purpose is to understand the person more fully and provide treatment that is relevant to their health now and over time.