Services
Services Available from Perinatal Naturopathic Doctors for Men, Women and Children
- Dietary Counseling and Clinical Nutrition
- Homeopathy - Acute and Constitutional Prescribing
- Homeopathic Drainage
- Botanical Medicine
- Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
- Lifestyle Counseling, Stress Management, and Emotional Support
- Laboratory Tests - Urine, Blood, Hair & Saliva Analysis
- Hands on Techniques - Bowen Technique, Suikodo, Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy
- Fertility/Infertility Treatments
- Hydrotherapy
- Intravenous Therapy/Parenteral Therapy
The use of the diet as therapy serves as the foundation of naturopathic medicine. More and more research supports the use of whole foods and nutritional supplements in the maintenance of health and the treatment of disease.
An energetic medicine based on the principle of "like cures like", homeopathy is the prescription of minute doses of specially prepared natural substances chosen to match the individual's vital force or total health picture. Acute prescribing involves the selection of a remedy similar enough to shift the immediate physical, emotional and/or mental state of the patient towards that of well-being. Constitutional prescribing, however, is the decision of the "similimum" or the perfect remedy to shift the long term health picture of the patient, with the intention that the body will recover from disease and negative perception of self.
Homeopathy was first developed in the 1700's based on the principle of Like cures Like. It uses minimal amounts of natural substances that encourage the body's ability to heal itself.
Homeopathy was first developed in the 1700's based on the principle of Like cures Like. It uses minimal amounts of natural substances that encourage the body's ability to heal itself.
Drainage is the process of detoxifying the body by opening the emunctories (drains = kidneys, skin, lungs, gastro-intestinal tract) and releasing the accumulated toxins at the cellular level. It cleanses the organism and enables it to self regulate. Drainage enhances other therapies and never interferes with other treatment protocols.
Plants have been used as medicine since antiquity. The prescription of herbs takes into consideration any potential interactions with a patient's medications. Treatments include teas, tinctures, capsules, creams, salves and poultices.
The goal is to balance the flow of energy (qi) through the meridian pathways of the body using acupuncture, herbs and Chinese dietary therapy.
In today's high stress world, our health is influenced by physical, emotional, nutritional and environmental factors. NDs help patients to make effective lifestyle choices.
Lab testing that may be ordered by your Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine may include, but are not limited to: Blood tests, urinalysis, hair analysis, saliva testing, allergy testing, indicant bowel toxicity studies, zinc tally testing, stomach acidity analysis. Lab tests ordered by your ND may be performed in your Naturopath's office, by referral to your MD, or by referral to a laboratory testing centre in your geographic area.
Bowen Technique
Suikodo
Reiki
Craniosacral Therapy
Bowen therapy is a gentle tendon or muscle release technique that encourages energy flow and stimulates a healing response in the body. It focuses on precise moves at specific tissues and is effective in the treatment of acute pain, effective and safe to use during pregnancy and labour. Therapists use this technique on all ages from newborns to the elderly, producing lasting relief from pain, discomfort and imbalance.
Representing an evolution from the shiatsu tradition and based on Chinese meridians, Suikodo is a gentle "hands on" technique used for pain management.
Reiki is a Japanese word meaning "Universal Life Energy". The purpose of the gentle, hands-on treatment is to promote the free flow of energy within the body and boost the body's innate ability to heal itself. Reiki is an ancient Tibetan art, which dates back almost three thousand years. It releases energy blockages that create imbalances leading to "dis-ease".
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on technique, which releases movement restrictions of the body to restore normal function to the problem area. While treatment helps alleviate pain or dysfunction, it also promotes relaxation and enhances vitality and resistance to infection.
Naturopathic Medicine is helpful in cases of infertility or fertility planning. Hormone levels, irregular from prior birth control pill or other drug use, a poor diet, or heredity can be assessed, adjusted and monitored using a combination of the modalities of Naturopathic Medicine. The body can be cleansed of toxins from food and drug metabolism long standing in our cells; nutrient deficiencies can be corrected with supplementation, herbs and diet changes.
Hydrotherapy is one of the most ancient methods of treatment. The use of water in any form (hot, cold, ice, steam) and its method of application aid the body in maintaining health and treating illness.
Parenteral therapies include subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous injections of vitamins, minerals, botanicals, and homeopathic medicines. Advantages of administering substances via parenteral routes include: ability to receive nutrients directly without metabolism by the stomach or liver; ability to monitor how much nutrient is available to the tissue; higher doses of nutrients can be given than is possible by mouth, without danger of intestinal irritation.
Services Specific for the Pregnant Woman
- Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Naturopathic Care
- Preconception Planning
- Home Visits, Pre and Post-natal
- Naturopathic Induction
- Therapies for turning a Breech Presentation
- Treatments for Stalled Labour
- Doula/Labour Support
- Natural Pain Management
- Pediatric Care
- Lactation support
- Childbirth classes
- Hypnotherapy
We are a group of Naturopathic Doctors with a common interest in Naturopathic Perinatology; including family planning, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum and newborn care. We offers nutritional and lifestyle counseling, as well as a range of other Naturopathic modalities including Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Botanical medicine, Soft tissue manipulation and Hydrotherapy, as a means of providing comfort and support to the mother and child before birth and afterwards. We also provide fertility counseling, pre- and postnatal classes, breastfeeding support, induction/postdates consultations, birth plan counseling, 24-hour telephone support and postpartum depression assessment.
In order to conceive, carry and deliver a baby, a couple ought to be at their most healthy. Perinatal Naturopathic Doctors can help you detoxify, enhance nutritional status, adjust your weight, make recommendations to increase your partner's sperm activity, regulate hormonal patterns for you and your partner, and determine at what point in the month you are the most fertile.
Naturopathic Doctors are available to perform home visits surrounding your birth. Home visits may be needed for prenatal care if the woman is not ambulatory or prefers to have treatment in her home setting. Postpartum home visits are part of birth attendant care, but may also be needed to expedite the healing process following birth.
It is possible to use nature to your advantage when your baby has not arrived at it's expected due date. Herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, and lifestyle techniques can be attempted first as an alternative to medical induction.
As an alternative to a cesarean section, it is possible to turn a baby in breech presentation at the end of term with homeopathy, herbs, meditation and acupuncture.
Acupuncture, massage, homeopathy and relaxation techniques may be used to facilitate a stalled labour. These techniques are non-invasive and can be performed in a home or hospital setting.
A doula is someone who assists a woman physically and emotionally throughout her labour using comfort measures such as massage, hydrotherapy, counter-pressure and position changes. A doula meets with clients prenatally to determine a birth plan. An explicit effort is made to work collaboratively with the birthing women and her support network (partner, clinical caregivers, family members) to maximize the potential for a positive birth experience. Naturopathic doctors attending as a labour support person may receive consent to administer homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, or provide hands-on therapies to assist a birthing woman to relax and cope with the discomforts of labour.
As pain tolerance varies, alternate forms of pain management may be needed during a labour and birthing process. We can offer many suggestions to help the woman manage her discomfort - positional changes, hydrotherapy, massage, acupressure or acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs, counselling and emotional support.
Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine are able to treat many common pediatric ailments including, but not limited to: breastfeeding issues, gastrointestinal concerns, teething, colic, diarrhea/constipation, allergies, eczema/psoriasis, and cradle cap. Additionally, ND's can assist in health promotion and illness prevention for infants and older children through clinical nutrition and lifestyle counseling for the entire family.
There are many therapies available to aid a mother in increasing breast milk for her baby as well as sustaining enough milk for as long as she plans to breastfeed. Effective therapies include the use of botanicals, acupuncture, homeopathy and stress management.
Workshops focus on a wholistic approach to pregnancy, birth and postpartum. They help build a support network between the couple, their health care team, and providing experience and materials to help them make informed decisions throughout their birth.
Hypnosis can be an effective therapy for a relaxing labour for both birth-mother and her support person; it can provide natural pain relief and improve chances for a shorter labour and healthy delivery. Hypnosis can also help speed recovery and aid in lactation.