Naturopathic Medicine offers non-invasive therapies with fewer complications and side effects.

Types of services offered:

Asian Medicine/Acupuncture

Botanical (Herbal) Medicine

Clinical Nutrition

Homeopathic Medicine

Physical Medicine

Lifestyle Guidance and Counseling

Reiki

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Bowen Technique

Asian Medicine/Acupuncture

Using Asian botanical formulas, acupuncture and dietary suggestions.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a technique derived from ancient China thousands of years ago.  It involves the insertion of thin sterile needles through the skin at specific points on the body, which are located along specific channels or pathways called meridians, to alleviate and control pain and other symptoms.  For additional effects, acupuncture can be combined with electrical current or moxibustion (heat and herbs) to stimulate or re-align the body’s electrical fields.

It is based on the theory of balancing the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”) or vital energy by puncturing the skin at specific locations called acupuncture points.  This in turn will promote and restore health.

What to expect during an Acupuncture session?

Acupuncture may be performed while sitting, lying on the back, or lying on the front on a table.  The insertion of the needles goes unnoticed by some, and/or may feel like a small pinch followed by a sensation of tingling, numbness, warmth, ache, or heaviness.  Some people feel Qi moving at a distance from the point of insertion.  The needles remain in place for 15-20 minutes.   Some people notice relief of symptoms or feel more energetic in the days following treatment.  Most people are very comfortable during the sessions and even look forward to them.

What conditions benefit from Acupuncture?

Acupuncture can benefit many medical conditions from neurological, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal to mental and emotional conditions as well.  Please visit the World Health Organization website for an extensive list of conditions for which acupuncture is considered appropriate.

Acupuncture Side Effects

Using plant substances as medicine. 

Botanical medicine uses the integrity of the whole plant as opposed to single isolated components in pharmaceuticals that usually have side effects.  The organic nature of botanicals allow them to be compatible with the body’s own chemistry, therefore, botanicals are effective with few toxic side effects (note: this varies amongst plants).  Plants are used in different forms from tinctures, teas and standardized extracts to creams, ointments, and poultices.

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Clinical Nutrition

Using food and nutritional supplements as medicine. 

Better health and nutrition are connected.  Naturopathic doctors assess your dietary habits for nutritional deficiencies and provide dietary suggestions and/or nutritional supplementation for better health.

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Homeopathic Medicine

Using remedies according to “The Law of Similars” to help stimulate the body to heal itself and re-establish balance.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a system of medicine developed in the eighteenth century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann.  Unlike conventional medicine where drugs are given to work against the body and its symptoms, homeopathic remedies work with the body to help stimulate the body to heal itself.

In medicine, there are two basic ways for treating ill health a) the way of opposites; and b) the way of similars.  Consider a patient with a cough.  The way of opposites is to use anti-cough drugs that suppress the cough.  The way of similars (homeopathy) is to give a medicine to help the body recover from the cough.  A homeopathic substance that will cause a cough in healthy persons can cure a similar cough and restore health in the ill patient.

Uniqueness is important in Homeopathy.  For example, conventional medicine treats all coughs alike.  In homeopathy, how you distinctively express the cough is important to your treatment, as are the other symptoms associated with your cough.  All of the symptoms you experience are important to help your Naturopathic doctor select the correct homeopathic medicine for you.

To help your naturopathic doctor identify the appropriate homeopathic medicine, accurate observation and reporting of your symptoms is essential. Here are topics that you can think about before your homeopathic visit:

·         unusual symptoms and the characteristics of your illness

·         the pattern of your symptoms and the cause of your illness

·         anything that makes your symptoms better or worse (other than drugs)

·         your level of energy and what effects it

·         how your energy changes during a normal day

·         your body's response to weather

·         your sleep position and patterns

·         recurrent dreams

·         foods that you especially like, dislike, or that effect you

·         your thirst and fluid intake

·         your bodily functions (menses, elimination)

·         your personality

Homeopathic medicines are made from plant, animal or mineral products, which are highly diluted so there is no chance of toxicity.  The remedy prescribed is in the minimum dosage required to allow healing to take place.  After taking the homeopathic remedy, your symptoms may become worse before they improve.  The worsening is usually a good sign that the medicine is working in order to restore your health.  If this occurs, please contact your Naturopathic doctor.

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Physical Medicine

Using hands-on bodywork techniques. 

Naturopathic Medicine has its own methods of therapeutic manipulation of muscles, bones, and spine.

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Lifestyle Guidance and Counseling

Lifestyle guidance is provided through identifying and decreasing lifestyle, diet and environmental risk factors.  Naturopathic Doctors also assess and address the mental and emotional states of every individual.  The techniques used for healing on a psychological level may include stress management, biofeedback, meditation, and imagery.

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Reiki

Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is a Japanese word; the first syllable, “rei”, means “universal”, and the second syllable, “ki”, means life force or energy.  This ancient healing art was re-discovered in the 19^th century by a Japanese priest named Dr. Mikao Usui.

Reiki is a form of spiritual healing and spiritual practice proposed for the treatment of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual diseases.  Reiki healing is based upon the flow of “ki” around the body.  Also known as “chi” or “qi” in Chinese, ki is the energy of life itself.  Reiki clears away any blockages in the flow of ki that lead to illness and stress. 

A holistic form of healing, reiki treats the physical body and the mind together, strengthening the body’s own healing ability and rebalancing its energy.  Practitioners use a technique similar to the laying on of hands, in which they claim to be channels for energy ("Ki") guided by a universal spirit or spiritual nature ("Rei") — flowing through their palms to heal a person wherever they may need healing.

Some ailments that have been treated through reiki healing:

·        Stress ·        Anxiety ·        Grief ·        Insomnia ·        Addictions	·        Thyroid imbalance ·        Lack of confidence ·        Phobias ·        Worry	·        Constipation ·        Candida ·        High blood pressure ·        Back pain	·        Skin disorders ·        Strokes ·        Tension ·        Liver problems

Reiki works well with other complementary therapies.  Some patients become concerned that reiki healing may interfere with other treatments they are having, but the holistic nature of reiki means it will always enhance the healing properties of any other therapy being undertaken.

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Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Also known as Cosmetic Acupuncture and Acupuncture Facelift.  Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is a non-surgical method of reducing the signs of aging.  In addition to this, it also rejuvenates and revitalizes the whole body to look and feel younger.  Facial rejuvenation is based on the principles of Oriental Medicine and involves the insertion of thin sterile needles into specific locations of the ears, face and body along energy channels or meridians.

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture improves muscle tone and dermal contraction through increased collagen production (which helps to firm skin and fill out wrinkles), improved metabolism, hormonal balance, and improved overall circulation of blood and lymph.

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture helps to eliminate and/or diminish wrinkles, reduce bags under the eyes, reduce the tendency towards sagging, firming jowls, eliminate puffiness and droopy eyelids, tighten pores, moisturize the skin, improve facial colour, reduce or eliminate double chins, and slow the aging process.

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Bowen Technique

Using a non-invasive physical therapy to address the whole body to reset and heal.

What is the Bowen Technique?

The Bowen Technique is a non-invasive physical therapy that is extremely gentle and relaxing.  Bowen therapy empowers the body to achieve its natural balance through gentle “moves” over muscle and other soft tissue.  It addresses the whole body to reset and heal.  Therefore, it is effective for pain management.  Bowen therapy is safe for all ages and stages of life.

The technique was developed in the 1950s by the late Thomas A. Bowen (1916-1982) of Geelong, Victoria in Australia.  Although there are discrepancies with the details of his life history, professional training and work experience, it is generally agreed that the attempt by the Victorian government to discredit his technique turned into the technique’s greatest promotion.  Although Tom Bowen was not formally trained in any health care field and claimed that his work was “a gift from God,” he developed the technique as it is today.

Tom Bowen only trained half a dozen students.  The two initial students were the Osteopath and Natural Therapist, Oswald Rentsch and his wife Elaine, who followed Mr. Bowen and documented the technique for two and a half years.  By agreement, the Rentschs did not start to teach the technique until after the death of Tom Bowen.  The first seminar was held in Perth, Australia, in 1986.  The Bowen Technique has now expanded throughout the world and there are currently 60 teachers offering seminars around the globe.

How the Bowen Technique works?

During a Bowen Technique session, the patient lies or sits on a bodywork table, wearing loosely fitting clothing.  The therapist then applies a carefully orchestrated series of gentle movements at specific locations across the body. The movements are composed of a subtle challenge and rolling of muscle, tendon, nerve and connective tissue.  The therapist will leave the room between each series of moves in order to promote maximum relaxation and to allow the body to integrate the treatment received.

At the end of the session, the most common reaction is a deep sense of relaxation.  The resetting of the body’s autonomic nervous system allows the body to achieve its own natural balance and restoration through improved internal energy flow.

Bowen sessions usually range from 15 minutes to an hour, and take place over 7-day intervals.  The number of sessions can range from two to ten sessions, depending on the condition.

Interactions With Other Treatments?

Bowen can complement other treatments, such as Homeopathy.  However, other deep tissue treatments can potentially counteract the effect of Bowen when used within a week of the Bowen treatment (e.g. chiropractics, massage.)  If you plan to combine Bowen with any other modality, please remember to discuss an appropriate treatment schedule with your Bowen therapist.

What Conditions Benefit From The Bowen Technique?

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