Patient Forms

Upon entering our office, our receptionist will  welcome you as a member of our family.  We will request that you complete our patient forms located in the New Patient Center. This paperwork provides us with your health history and information on your condition. 

Naturopathic Consultations

Initial consultations with a naturopathic doctor are approximately one hour in length, as a detailed past medical history, current physical and emotional inventories are discussed.  A physical exam may also be included, as well as urine, blood and other laboratory tests. Subsequent appointments will vary in length depending on the treatment protocol put into place by the practitioner and patient.  As each individual is complex, the treatment is very individualized and tailored to the specific needs of the patient. 

In terms of treatment, therapies utilized may include clinical nutrition and supplementation, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) including acupuncture, physical medicine, and lifestyle counselling.  Brief descriptions of the clinical tools used by naturopathic doctors are outlined below:

Clinical Nutrition explores the relationship between diet and health.  Treatment may include dietary modification and nutritional supplementation such as vitamins or minerals. 

Botanical Medicine utilizes tinctures (preparations of herbs extracted in alcohol), dry herbs (both in capsules and teas), and other forms of herbal preparations to assist in recovery from injury and disease.

Traditional Asian Medicine is based on balancing the flow of Chi (energy) through the meridian pathways and includes the use of acupuncture and herbs. Acupuncture refers to the insertion of sterile disposable needles through the skin into underlying tissues at specific points on the body.  Dietary advice is based on traditional Chinese medical theory.

Lifestyle counselling involves identifying risk factors and making recommendations to help optimize one’s physical, mental, and emotional environment.

Homeopathic Medicine is based on the principle of “like cures like” and uses minute amounts of natural substances to stimulate the self-healing abilities of the body.

Physical Medicine includes the use of hands-on techniques to manipulate the spine, joints and soft tissues. Therapeutic use of light, heat and cold, massage and ultrasound may also be incorporated into treatment.

Why is my first appointment so long with a naturopathic doctor?

The first visit at a naturopathic doctor is very important.  This visit allows your naturopathic doctor to assimilate information from your entire medical history, which may or may not include laboratory testing.  A physical exam may be included in this visit or your second visit, time permitting.  Included in this first visit is not only your physical health, but other aspects that contribute to health including emotional, social, and environmental stresses.  The program that you will ultimately start will be individual to you and your needs. 

How long does it typically take to start feeling better?

This is reliant upon several factors.  If you have a medical concern that has been an issue for some time, it may take time to affect the root cause(s) of what may be causing you to feel unwell.  Naturopathic medicine is an effective method of improving health, however this may require some work by you as the patient to change things in your lifestyle that may be impeding optimal health.  Your naturopathic doctor will work with you towards your mutual goals.