Naturopathic Medicine

What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care profession in British Columbia that blends the best of conventional medicine with the wisdom of nature. Naturopathic philosophy is directed to treating the root cause of conditions and using a multitude of modalities to stimulate the healing power of the body. Rather than emphasizing disease as an entity, Naturopathic medicine sees disease as a process.

Naturopathic medicine offers a variety of treatment options to service the diverse needs of patients. No treatment plan is the same, because no individual is the same.

Naturopathic Treatments include:

• Personalized clinical nutrition
  • Each individual is unique in their dietary considerations and at Westwood Total Health, a detailed nutrition intake and assessment allows us to design a program that is right for you to meet your goals.
• Botanical Medicine
  
  • Botanical medicine has a long history of use, and is often added to treatment protocols or acts as a standalone to treat conditions without causing adverse effects.
• Intravenous Nutrient Therapies
  
  • IV therapy is a safe and effective way to deliver nutrients in an efficient manner. This may be beneficial for those who struggle with compromised intestinal absorption (older age, IBS, Ulcerative Colitis), as well as those who cannot maintain an adequate diet.
• TCM and Acupuncture
  
  • Acupuncture has a long history of being used for many conditions – from pain management to infertility. Acupuncture points lie on meridians (energy channels) that relate to specific organs and physiological functions.
• Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
  
  • When natural levels of hormones decline (like during menopause)m BHRT can be used to alleviate symptoms of night sweats, vaginal dryness, anxiety and insomnia in women.
• Trigger Point Injection Therapy
  
  • These injections are used to treat chronic muscle knots/tension. Releasing tension in the muscle allows restoration of blood, oxygen and nerve conduction in the area. Typically, treatment is very well tolerated by patients and lasting relief is found after 3-6 sessions.

Additional Naturopathic Assessment tools:

• Lifelabs bloodwork
• GI Map (stool testing)
• Food sensitivity testing

How do I know if Naturopathic Medicine is Right for Me?
You can schedule a consultation with our Naturopathic Doctor to discuss your unique health care needs with them. This will allow you to learn about Naturopathic services and decide whether Dr Ni is the right fit for you for further consultations. 

What Can I expect on my first visit for Naturopathic Services?
Your first visit will be 60 minutes, and our Naturopathic Doctor will conduct a thorough assessment of your current concerns. Lifestyle, social and environmental factors will be taken into account. A focused physical exam may be done if it is necessary to assess specific conditions. Based on the clinical history and physical exam, additional lab work may be ordered in order to gain clarity of your health picture. Based on the findings, your Naturopathic Doctor will work together with you to create a unique treatment plan most suitable to your needs.

What conditions do Naturopathic Doctors Treat?
Naturopathic Doctors are licensed primary care providers – meaning they are trained to assess, diagnose and treat a wide variety of acute and chronic health conditions. At Westwood Total Health, our Naturopathic Doctor holds a general practice, with an interest in chronic myofascial pain, mood disorders, autoimmune conditions, and women’s health (PCOS, Endometriosis, Menopause)

Are Naturopathic Doctors licensed and is the Profession Regulated?
Yes, Naturopathic Medicine is a highly regulated profession in BC. All naturopathic doctors practicing in BC are required to fulfil strict academic requirements including successful graduation from an accredited Naturopathic Medical School and the completion of standardized board examinations from both the North American Board of Naturopathic Examinations (NABNE) and the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC).

Is Naturopathic Medicine Covered by Health Insurance?
Naturopathic medicine is not covered by MSP, although many extended medical plans do provide some coverage for naturopathic medical visits. Please check with your insurance provider to determine the extent of coverage prior to your visit.