Over half of all Canadians have considered visiting a naturapathic doctor at some point. There are many benefits to naturopathy, such as a focus on the whole person, the use of less invasive health measures such as nutrition and botanical therapies, and the availability of longer appointment times. At this time there are over 1500+ naturopathic doctors in Canada. This means that picking the right one for your needs is important. Here are five factors to consider when picking a naturopath.
Extensively Trained
A good naturopath will have a solid base of training. According to the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), a good one will have training in a wide area of subjects. This includes:
History, philosophy, and principles of naturopathic medicine
Art and practice of naturopathic medicine
Foundations of naturopathic medicine
Biomedical sciences
CCNM’s curriculum includes
Clinical nutrition
Lifestyle management
Traditional Asian medicine and acupuncture
Botanical (herbal) medicine
Physical medicine
Licensed
In addition to the training, a good naturopath will be licensed to work in your province. Naturopathic regulations are in place in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan. All other provinces are actively looking into naturopathic regulations. One thing to keep in mind is that a practitioner may be licensed in one province but not in yours; always ask.
Fairly Priced
Another factor to consider is the price. What can you reasonably afford? Prices range from 70 to $200 per visit and visit times range from 30 to 90 minutes. When you compare the different options, be sure to compare apples to apples. Know exactly what you are receiving for any investment you make. A good practitioner will be forthright in fee discussions.
Prescriptive
A good practitioner will be prescriptive. That is, he or she will take your unique, holistic situation into account. A surefire red flag of an unscrupulous practitioner is someone who believes that a single therapy is right for every situation. Instead, look for someone who will give you personalized custom solutions, rather than offer a one-size-fits-all approach.
Willing to Work alongside your GP
Finally, a good naturapath will always be willing to work alongside your General Practitioner. This shows that he or she understands the limits placed on their licensure and indicates that they’re more likely to recommend traditional treatments when appropriate. For example, in 2016 a child died of meningitis in Canada after having been given alternative treatments in place of emergency antibiotic care. Which means that a naturopath who won’t work alongside or recommend any traditional medicine when it’s needed may endanger your health more than they help.
A naturopath can be a wonderful addition to your medical care circle when they are ethical, affordable, and experienced. If you need any more information, Dr. Sean Ceaser ND may be able to provide you with further insights and resources.