My first visit with the Naturopath Doctor was exciting.
In a 1-hour consultation, I felt like we made more progress with my health issues than the past few years with my regular family physician.
My regular family physician tends to dismiss everything I tell him and I feel like I’ve had no resolve for any of my digestive and reproductive issues. [I’m not saying that all family physicians are like this. I know there are great doctors out there.] I’m looking for a new doctor, but no one seems to be taking on new patients right now, especially because I already have a physician. I would have to first terminate my relationship with my current doctor and go on a wait list, which of course is a big risk when I’m not guaranteed to find a doctor right away. So I’m still on the hunt.
This is partly what made me seek out a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Because it’s a private health care service, finding a doctor is easy and quick. The only downside is the cost. My insurance covers $15 per appointment, so most of the expense is coming out of my pocket. I’ve heard so many great things about ND’s, so I feel like the benefit will outweigh the cost.
I arrived about 15 minutes early and was greeted by the ND himself. He gives me a warm smile with kind eyes, while shaking my hand with what I think is the gentlest handshake I’ve ever felt. I feel like I’m crushing his hand and I quickly loosen my grip. I’m given a few forms to fill out which are mainly about my health history and present concerns that I would like to address. After filling out about 4 pages, we head into his exam room for the consultation.
The next hour was life changing.
After a brief chat, the doctor told me about his training and background. Impressive to say the least.
“What do you know about Naturopathy?”
Oh shit.
I mumbled something about treating the whole person and made wild gestures with my hands.
He smiled and nodded in a way that made me feel like a genius. I like him already.
I learned that Naturopathy is based on a holistic approach to health. In other words, it looks at the person as a whole. All of the psychological, physical, and social issues that make us who we are today are taken into account. You cannot treat an illness until you find and address the root cause of the illness. The goal is to help the body heal itself rather than using medication (unless necessary, of course).
The doctor told me that his main areas of clinical interest are gastrointestinal health, detoxification, and treatment of anxiety and stress related disorders.
The next hour was filled with relief. He listened to me as if what I was saying was the most important thing in the world. He didn’t dismiss anything I said. He was empathetic.
He even cracked jokes when he sensed that I was starting to squirm when talking about my poop.
That’s a good doctor.
There are some great doctors working out there in integrative medicine (collaborating with complementary and alternative health professionals). Here’s a link to one such place in Burlington – I’m not sure where you are in Ontario, but if you google integrative clinics you might be able to find someone open-minded and willing to refer out to people such as naturopaths for chronic issues. I find that MDs are great for acute things, but they are not trained very well in terms of nutritional issues.
http://www.sweetmedicine.ca/
Wow that sounds great! Will check it out. Thanks
i’m very curious to hear more about your experience with the nd.
what are you drinking in the last picture? it looks so warming yet refreshing.
It’s a lemon herbal tea :)
I’m trying to cut down on the caffeine as the tannins can irritate stomach lining.
So glad to hear you met someone you clicked with! I’ve been having some problems myself and keep reminding myself that I have to be my biggest advocate. Speak up and stay strong!
Cant wait to hear what is next ! Alternative medicine facinates me even though I worked in the health care industry for several years. I see Dr.s just treating symptoms and never getting to the root of the problem…Hope you are better soon.!!
I too am excited to hear about part 2 of your visit.
I lucked out with my general practitioner; she feels that diet and exercise can cure a lot of ills rather than prescribing drugs to stifle and ignore the problem. Yes, there are times when one needs medication to overcome a problem – e.g. I have to be on allergy meds all the time because of my allergies to chemicals and perfumes – but a lot of times simple nutrition can cure a lot of ills. I had horrible joint aches in my body, but once I eliminated artificial sweeteners from my diet, it disappeared completely! (turns out I’m also allergic to those nasty chemicals too!)
Glad to hear you had a positive experience and that you’re keeping your mind open to all possibilities with your health.
That’s interesting about the artificial sweeteners!
I used to eat them all the time and felt so much better when I stopped.
Yeah, t’ll only take one Diet Pepsi to make me feel like I’m a 90-year-old arthritic woman! But there are days I miss that diet soda…but I know I’m healthier (and pain-free) without it! :D
What a fantastic introduction to naturopathic medicine for those that may not know about this option of healthcare or for those that are hesitant to visit a naturopath themselves! I believe that an integrative system of healthcare is optimal and allows people to consult with a number of practitioners to achieve their goals. As a naturopathic doctor, I too often hear of people who feel they have to choose between their MD and their ND which is not the case. Both offer different options and different specialties and should be considered as a team that works towards a similar goal – helping you feel vibrant, energized and healthy.
This is good news. I’m glad you are looking to both an ND and regular MD. I don’t really understand why you are having such a hard time finding a Dr. who is taking patients. Is that common in your area of Canada? It seems there are lots of options for everything where I live (Washington, DC).
Unfortunately, it’s extremely common to not be able to find a doctor in Canada. I know many ppl who have been on wait lists for a year. :\
I lived in Mississauga Ontario for 5 years and could not find a doctor taking on new patients except one who was not affiliated with a hospital and who I never felt comformatable with. I have just moved to Hamilton so the search begins anew!
This is going to be such an interesting series! I love hearing alternative health ideas and learning more about the holistic treatment side to medicine. Thank you for sharing this from a first-person perspective!
My husband had really, really bad stomach issues (IBS), and all of the “regular” doctors he went to just told him that there was basically very little he could do about it. When we finally went the natural route, he FINALLY saw some results, and now he feels about 95% better, about 95% of the time. I really think that using alternative medicine and holistic methods can be very helpful with certain health issues!!
That’s so great to hear. :) I’m happy he has found relief!
Sounds lie a wonderful doc and human being! I’m looking for someone just like that, except I live in NY. :)
I also had severe stomach issues and thought it was because I was aging however my daughter who was studying to be a Holistic nutritionist (she is not a registered RHN) at the time had me try a vegetarian diet. I cut out all meat, eggs and a lot of processed food and it was life changing how much better I felt. Funny story someone at work asked me why I did not eat meat and I expalained my health issues and how much better I felt not eating meat. She suggested I see a doctor because surely he had a pill I could take so I could still eat meat. Now except for the occasional eating of cheese animal products are not a part of my diet and the stomache issues are a distant memory.
I mean she is NOW a RHN
Hmm.. perhaps this is more of an email question for you Angela but I live in the Burlington area and also need to start looking to a naturopath as I am 29 and hoping to start a family within the next 2 years and would love to have my body be in a happy and healthy place. I am constantly lethargic boarding on depressed at times, and have started eating a more clean way of life and taken up mosksha yoga. It has helped and I feel a lot better but recently on top of life stresses, I as well have IBS and seem to have started a flare up again. I am at my wits end trying to sort it all out. Feeling overwhelmed at times by everyone’s suggestions. Do you mind if I ask who you are seeing as there was a naturopath I was interested in going to in Mississauga but heard that they pushed their “own line” of treatments as well. Your experience has given me new hop!
I hope you can find a great naturopath Karen! My friend’s IBS had gotten so bad that she almost had to have her bowels removed. She was able to take control of the disease and stop it in it’s tracks by going gluten-free after seeing a naturopath and getting a specific diet for her condition. I encourage you to keep hunting and don’t give in to the western medicine’s approach of throwing drugs at it until they run out of other options.
Emailing you the info Karen :)
wait…you live in Mississauga? OMG I have expended family that lives there…That’s funny. It’s a small world. It’s a nice little area.
Hi Karen,
Finding a good “match” is really important when seeking out a practitioner to include as part of your healthcare team. I recommend that people who are interested in visiting a naturopath, see if the practitioner they are considering offers free 15 minute consults so you can determine if your goals and the practitioners methods would be a good fit. I am located in Port Credit, Ontario; please check out my website at www.newellnd.ca or my clinic’s information at www.lakesidehealthcentre.com; I would love to assist you in either addressing your health concerns or recommending another ND that would be a good fit for your needs.
Thank you all very much for all the positivity!!!
Thank you Jen I will look into it
Thanks Angela:)
I think this is a great approach. So many doctors these days are taught to just overtreat, and not treat the whole person. I strongly believe nature, and our bodies, have a high capability to heal us without having to use more invasive/chemical methods. Good for you! I hope everything works out great.
I cannot wait to hear part 2!
I’ve seen my share of doctors so I feel like a professional now. Most don’t realize that we don’t know medical terminology and forget to treat us as the patients that we are. I’m so happy that you started a relationship with someone who wants to get to the root of the problem. Congrats !
wow glad you found a good dr! it is so hard these days.
Keep us posted!!!
This is really interesting. Looking forward to part 2!
I had digestive & skin problems for a while. I went to tons of different MD and none of them could help me. They just kept wanting to give me pills and I asked if it could be stuff I am eating and they said no. I went to a dcotor for Naturopathy and she help me lot and I don’t have the problems anymore. Good luck and cant wait to read more about your experiance!!
It sounds like you have made the perfect decision for you!
Going to an ND is life changing if the patient is truly ready to change. I wish more people would do it, though I think many people don’t want to put forth the effort – they’d rather get a prescription and continue to make unhealthy choices.
Congrats on your new doctor, I look forward to reading about how it goes for you.
This sounds a lot like my experience with my Tibetan physician. It’s nice to go to someone who considers everything about you to be interrelated, as opposed to “I’m just looking at this ONE symptom and ignoring the rest” sort of situations. Good luck with the rest!! :)