Questions to ask your naturopathic doctor

• Q: Why do most (if not all) doctors and health care providers weigh patients at each visit? ...
• Q: Why do health care providers tell us to eat right and get more movement? ...
• Q: What is “leaky gut” and how do I know if I have it?

What do you talk about with a naturopath?

Be ready to answer questions about your medical history as well as lifestyle questions how much sleep you get each night, what you typically eat in a day and how much caffeine and alcohol you consume. You'll want to be as accurate as possible so the naturopath can pinpoint solutions.

What do I need to know before seeing a naturopath?

Since naturopathic doctors will consider your entire lifestyle, they'll want to spend a lengthy period of time with you, says the AANMC. You can expect the ND to ask you about your sleep patterns and your diet; check the appearance of your eyes, skin, hair, and nails; and ask what medications you're currently taking.

What can I expect at a naturopathic consultation?

Typically during the initial visits your naturopathic doctor will take a detailed history of your current and past health concerns, conduct a physical exam and order laboratory tests to make an assessment and diagnosis.

What can a naturopath help with?

Naturopathy services may assist with prevalent health conditions including cardiovascular health, hormonal imbalance, fertility, menopause, digestion, immune system improvement, stress, sleep disorders, allergies and skin conditions, migraines, degenerative illness such as arthritis and also preventative health ...

Ask a Naturopath

40 related questions found

Can a naturopath diagnose?

A licensed ND is a primary care practitioner who is trained to diagnose, prevent and treat acute and chronic illness and in some provinces, prescribe medication. By law, a naturopath is unable to provide a diagnosis or prescribe medication. Many years commitment are required to become a Naturopathic Doctor.

Are naturopaths real doctors?

Though they are “very definitely not medical doctors,” O'Reilly said naturopaths have “very similar training” and that the primary difference between a conventional and naturopathic doctor is their “philosophical approach” to patients.

What kind of tests do naturopaths do?

Laboratory testing, including urinalysis, blood work and saliva testing, is an essential aspect of a complete medical assessment. Naturopathic doctors will use standard laboratory testing to provide further information for a complete naturopathic assessment.

How much does a naturopathic doctor cost?

The cost of naturopathy treatment with an initial consultation can range from $80 to $230, which is typically 90 minutes long. The appointment includes a thorough evaluation and questionnaire of the patient's medical history and current health condition.

Is naturopath covered by insurance?

Yes. Naturopathic medicine is reimbursed through your extended health insurance. The amount of coverage varies depending on your plan but it is generally in the region of $200 - $500 per year. For most people this is plenty for high quality primary care, natural medicine and wellness from a Naturopathic doctor.

Are naturopaths quacks?

Certain naturopathic treatments offered by naturopaths, such as homeopathy, rolfing, and iridology, are widely considered pseudoscience or quackery. Stephen Barrett of QuackWatch and the National Council Against Health Fraud has stated that naturopathy is "simplistic and that its practices are riddled with quackery".

Does a naturopathic doctor prescribe medications?

The short answer is yes, naturopathic doctors may prescribe certain medications to their patients. The medications which are allowed to be prescribed by naturopaths are regulated by the particular state where the naturopath is practicing and may vary from state to state.

How do I find a good naturopath?

The most important criteria in selecting a naturopathic doctor (ND) are that the doctor:

1. has a naturopathic medical degree earned from an accredited, four-year, in-residence, naturopathic medical college.
2. has passed rigorous board exams as part of a licensure or certification process.

What should I bring to a naturopath appointment?

Your natural health practitioner needs to understand your medical history in order to help you, and the best way to assist them is to bring along any recent pathology results, x-rays and a list of the medications or supplements you are currently taking.

Can a naturopath help me lose weight?

While naturopathy is a safe way to lose weight, the foods often used in naturopathic treatment do carry some effects which might not suit everyone. It is best to follow precaution and proceed wisely. Like is the case with any weight loss program, naturopathy too, takes time to show results.

Can a naturopath help with anxiety?

Naturopathically we help people overcome anxiety by moving them from the Sympathetic Nervous System response – or fight and flight – to their parasympathetic nervous system, which is called Rest and Digest.

Can Naturopathy cure GERD?

Naturopathic doctors can help you strengthen the LES to reduce GERD symptoms and some may have training in acupuncture, which has also been shown to help with heartburn and GERD symptoms.

How many years does it take to be a naturopath?

A Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Naturopathy takes four years to complete if you study full time. Part-time education could take longer like eight years.

How much do Naturopaths get paid?

Naturopath Salaries

Payscale.com lists the wage for a Naturopath with five years' experience as being between an average of $58 000 to a maximum salary of $76 000.

Can a naturopath draw blood?

Naturopathic doctors can order diagnostic tests such as blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, and, in some states, prescribe prescription drugs or hormones and may perform minor surgery or office procedures.

Can naturopaths order blood work?

Can naturopaths order blood tests? A naturopath may recommend some tests be done to identify the underlying causes of your health concerns. Where appropriate, this can be done by a referral letter to your GP, or alternatively, a naturopath may order blood tests through a private laboratory.

Can a naturopath check hormone levels?

Blood, Urinary and Salivary hormone testing is run by our Naturopaths. Unique combinations of hormone testing are suggested according to a given patient's needs. Fatigue, Infertility, Weight Gain, PMS, PCOS, Menopause, Hypothyroidism and Adrenal fatigue are effectively treated through precise testing.

Can NMD prescribe drugs?

Naturopathic doctors prescribe drugs based on available evidence, clinical experience, patient preference, and the Therapeutic Order. As a principle, naturopathic doctors support and enhance the body's inherent ability to heal itself.

What kind of doctor is ND?

Naturopathic physicians: These are also called naturopathic doctors (ND) or doctors of naturopathic medicine (NMD). They usually attend an accredited four-year, graduate-level school. There they study basic sciences similar to those studied in conventional medical school.

Do naturopaths really work?

Effectiveness. Some of the therapies used by naturopaths have evidence to support their use in relief of symptoms and in prevention of disease (for example nutritional medicine), however for other therapies there is no scientific evidence to support their use.