Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medical Approach is Unique

The principal of Naturopathic Medicine is that the innate intelligence that made your body knows how to heal your body. However, in today's chaotic, stress-filled environment, poor food and water, poor sleep, wifi/EMF exposures, chemicals and pollutants, lack of movement and fresh air etc… it throws your body, brain and energy systems out of balance.

As a Naturopathic Doctor for close to 30 years, it is my role to assist you identify your body’s primary stressors and interferences that are contributing to illness and disease so your body can heal.

Naturopathic doctors practice a unique and very comprehensive approach to preventing disease, improving health and supporting the person – not treat the disease.

We are medically trained and also specialize in Naturopathic approaches to balance mind, body and spirit. We integrate both standard medical diagnostics and functional testing with a broad range of natural therapies to promote better health, support and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.

Address the Cause Not the Symptom

A core principle of naturopathic treatment is to address the cause of illnesses, rather than simply treating or suppressing symptoms. In other words, NDs concern themselves with the “why” as well as with the “what” of an illness or disease. Because of the patient-centred approach to care and the need to understand the underlying cause of health problems, visits with an ND are typically much longer than those with a medical doctor. NDs investigate possible underlying dysfunctions and often identify functional disturbances before clinical labs can detect a problem.

NDs emphasize prevention and health promotion through lifestyle and nutritional counseling. Prevention is the best and, from a long-term perspective, the most affordable type of health care. For patients who have already developed health issues, naturopathic medicine is highly effective, through the integrated use of clinical nutrition, botanical or herbal medicines, Asian medicine and acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, physical therapies and lifestyle counseling to regain health.

NDs are primary care providers who are trained to understand both natural and conventional therapies, allowing them to guide other practitioners and patients in the safe use of natural therapies.  NDs are also trained to provide early diagnosis and treatment of many serious diseases and they are trained to identify the conditions that would require a referral of a patient to other healthcare providers.

Your ND will take the time to listen to your concerns and thoroughly understand your goals, answer your questions, and empower you in adopting a leadership role in your own health care. NDs treat patients as individuals by addressing their unique physical, genetic, constitutional, environmental, lifestyle, attitudinal, and emotional aspects. You can expect to become an active participant in your own health and wellness program!

Let the healing begin.

Naturopathic Doctors are licensed as primary care practitioners in the province of Ontario. We can provide health care for a wide variety of health issues. Whether you are interested in treating a specific medical condition or are interested in an overall health evaluation, a Naturopathic Doctor is trained to provide healthcare services.

Commonly Treated by Naturopathic Doctors:

  • Arthritis
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Colitis
  • Candida
  • High Blood Pressure
  • PMS
  • Prenatal concerns
  • Breastfeeding challenges
  • Learning disabilities
  • Anti-aging strategies
  • Childhood nutrition
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive disorders
  • Menopause
  • Allergies
  • Enlarged prostate
  • High cholesterol
  • Gout
  • Postnatal Concerns
  • Constipation
  • Optimal health goals
  • Cancer
  • Liver detoxification
  • Mercury detoxification
  • Poor memory
  • Anxiety
  • Poor nutrition
  • Childhood infection
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Heart disease

It is important to note that Naturopathic care is individualized for each and every patient, and is provided uniquely to your particular constitution and disposition needs. No two patients with the same condition leave with identical programs.  The Naturopathic Doctor strives to identify your bodies primary issues, obstacles to cure and present stressors and provides a treatment plan to address your individual needs.

 

logo-(2)NDs take a minimum of three years premedical studies at university, followed by four years at a recognized college of naturopathic medicine. The education encompasses traditional medical sciences, naturopathic principles and therapeutics, and 1500 hours of supervised clinical experience.

There are six recognized schools of naturopathic medicine in North America. The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto), Bastyr University (Seattle), National College of Naturopathic Medicine (Portland), The University of Bridgeport (Bridgeport), Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (Scottsdale) and Boucher Institute (Vancouver). Graduates from these institutions receive a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree or diploma.

In regulated (or licensed) provinces and states across North America, graduates must also pass rigorous standardized board exams to qualify for practice. In Canada, NDs are regulated in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The legislation is pending in Alberta and Nova Scotia. In Ontario, ND’s have been regulated for more than 80 years. It is anticipated that in April 2014, regulation of ND’s will fall under Ontario’s Regulated Health Practitioners Act (RHPA). ND’s are the only health care profession regulated to practice Naturopathic Medicine in Canada.

Dr. Dawn ND.graduated with honors from the University of Waterloo’s Health Science studies program she took a four-year post-grad program in Naturopathic Medicine (OCNM).  She is licensed by the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors and is a Holistic Health Practitioner practicing in Stratford, Ontario.

The safety record for naturopathic medicine is excellent. This makes sense given the emphasis on non-toxic, natural source medicines and gentle, non-invasive treatments. Side effects are rare and NDs are knowledgeable about contraindications between naturopathic remedies and conventional medicines. It is important to make your ND aware of any medications or supplements you are currently taking!

In addition, NDs are trained to recognize conditions, which are outside their scope of practice and refer to other health practitioners when it is appropriate to do so.

What to expect at your first visit

Your first appointment will last approximately 1 1/2 hours. We will discuss your chief concerns in detail and review your completed health forms.  Relevant aspects of your lifestyle and any other issues that may be affecting your health will be discussed.  Every new client will receive a relevant physical exam, Electrodermal evaluation & testing, which may include an Applied Kinesiology (Divine muscle testing), Qigong and various energy assessments as part of your initial intake. Some clients may require a Live blood cell analysis. This in-depth assessment allows me to develop a thorough understanding of your current state of health, your bodies primary stressors, level of toxicity, energy blockages and vitality. This information is vital to provide you with accurate, safe and effective care. Recommendations for relevant blood or lab tests may take place. I will discuss with to you how the many tools of Bio-regulatory & Energy Medicine can be used to help you reach your goals for health, recovery and wellness.

Your second visit will be approximately 60 minutes and will generally take place 3-4 weeks of your initial appointment.  It will consist of relevant evaluation and testing, a review of findings and health evaluations in order to provide you with an appropriate health plan moving forward. Any relevant health history information that we did not discuss during the first visit will be reviewed at this time. Recommendations for any further evaluations will be made and heal care options will be outlined and begin if they already haven’t been started.

Most follow-up visits are 45-60 minutes and will be used to provide you with ongoing care, to monitor your progress and address any other concerns that may arise. Expect that a Electrodermal scans or Applied Kinesiology (muscle testing) or other energy testing will be a part of most follow-up visits.

In the event that you require care for an acute concern (ie. treatment for a cold or flu, checking a child’s ear for infection, blood pressure check, urine dip stick to check for infection), we will make every effort to accommodate a same-day appointment for existing patients.

Please note, it is your duty and responsibility to inform me of any changes in medications, health status, or new laboratory test results as they occur from your regular medical doctor. This information is imperative to share with me, I am not responsible for lack of disclosure on your part for any missing health information vital to your care.

Visit  Costs

Please contact us for fee schedule and information or visit the New Patient Tab of our website to view the current Fee Schedule. Fees are subject to change.

  • This practitioner recognizes that the primary obligation is toward the client and at all times I will practice my skills to the best of my ability for benefit to the client. The comfort, safety and welfare of the client always has priority.
  • Consultation, assessment and treatments will be carried out with the full consent of the client or guardian/parent in the case of minors.
  • Any knowledge or information gained during consultation, assessment or treatment will be confidential in accordance with the guidelines set out by my governing board of Naturopathic Medicine and will not be divulged to anyone without the client’s consent, except as required by law.
  • I will share professional information with other professional practitioners upon request of the client with written consent upon.
  • I expect that this is a mutual partnership towards health & wellness, and it is the client’s responsibility to covey any changes in medical conditions and medications, supplementation, lifestyle changes, other treatments or services and relevant information to me in order for me to be sufficiently updated and provide proper care.
  • I will not deliberately mislead or misdirect, for my own gain, a client seeking advice and professional assistance.
  • All reasonable care will be taken to ensure adequate hygiene, quality of materials, supplements, and safety of equipment used.
  • I will not attempt to treat conditions that are above my level of understanding, expertise or training and will refer clients to appropriate practitioners should this be required.
  • I reserve the right to cancel any client treatments or discontinue care at any time as I see fit to do so.
  • I will post any fee changes one month in advance of the time of change.
  • I will not share your email or phone data with any outside groups, they are collected strictly for client communication within this office and for educational purposes related to professional care.

Dawn Cormier, HBsc., Qigong & Energy Practitioner