I never used one (other then my mom).. but a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer in 1992... supposedly the doctors could not do much for him and gave him not much longer to live. he went to a naturopath and ended up living another 10 years before the cancer finally took him.
fyi... a very high percentage of drugs that doctors prescribe started out as a natural remedey that someone figured out what the active ingredient was... so why is it that so many "real" doctors dismiss naturopaths?
Naturopaths are everything dr.s should be. You go in, they ask questions, they let you speak, they don't rush you out and a lot of the treatment is from a preventative standpoint. Heck that's half the battle in the health care field.
I'm more in favour of doctors with better communication skills, myself.
Naturopathic remedies often contain the same chemical basic ingredients that make prescribed drugs work as DeanK pointed out), so lets have them investigated and studied, and maybe make sure that the amounts are safe, consistent, etc. Some of the "remedies" you read about on the internet that are passed off as natural and healthy are complete BS, and people need to be VERY careful consumers in that market. There isn't enough control on the claims that can be made, imo.
I'm sure there are good ones who are really knowledgeable, and careful and conscientious with their practise, just as there are some flakes. There are good and bad doctors too.
I'm always leery of the idea that some of the health disciplines make out like they are "better than" medical doctors, rather than working with them. If a naturopath is willing to work with a doctor, or refer people to an MD when needed, I'm cool with that. Doctors need to be less condemning of other medical practises people are using, and patients need to be fully open with their MD about what natural remedies they use - because of the possibility for unsafe drug reactions, etc, as well as overal awareness of the person's health.
Just moved here sorry. I'm looking for one though and the wife is on the way to one in a little bit. Hot tip though, they are very busy...expect to wait 8 weeks as a new patient to get in for that first appointment
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Driver8</cite>I'm more in favour of doctors with better communication skills, myself.
Naturopathic remedies often contain the same chemical basic ingredients that make prescribed drugs work as DeanK pointed out), so lets have them investigated and studied, and maybe make sure that the amounts are safe, consistent, etc. Some of the "remedies" you read about on the internet that are passed off as natural and healthy are complete BS, and people need to be VERY careful consumers in that market. There isn't enough control on the claims that can be made, imo.
I'm sure there are good ones who are really knowledgeable, and careful and conscientious with their practise, just as there are some flakes. There are good and bad doctors too.
I'm always leery of the idea that some of the health disciplines make out like they are "better than" medical doctors, rather than working with them. If a naturopath is willing to work with a doctor, or refer people to an MD when needed, I'm cool with that. Doctors need to be less condemning of other medical practises people are using, and patients need to be fully open with their MD about what natural remedies they use - because of the possibility for unsafe drug reactions, etc, as well as overal awareness of the person's health.</blockquote>
Naturopaths are board certified and therefore you won't see a lot of the quackery you would see from just a 'health' specialist. They are mostly rooted in proven theories of science, they just draw from natural products and from ancient techniques from china and such. They really are wonderful. They care and they are very into preventative medicine...plus you would be surprised just how much your diet, your lifestyle and such effect how you feel.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: benevolentspaceman</cite>Just moved here sorry. I'm looking for one though and the wife is on the way to one in a little bit. Hot tip though, they are very busy...expect to wait 8 weeks as a new patient to get in for that first appointment</blockquote>Really? Wow! Maybe I'll try the one in my 'hood to see what she's like. Curious to know what the wait is like....although yours might be more busy if in the 'granola' district ;) Let me know how it works out though BSM!
I go to Dr. Suzanne Danner... there's a long wait to see her for the initial visit (I waited three months) but it was WELL worth it. I have since found a Nurse Practitioner I see at Klinic on Portage (near Vimy Park) and I am so thankful and so happy with seeing a Nurse Practitioner I have no need to see a GP or a Naturopath, although I would consider going back to Dr. Danner if need be.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: StBPegger</cite><blockquote><cite>Posted By: benevolentspaceman</cite>Just moved here sorry. I'm looking for one though and the wife is on the way to one in a little bit. Hot tip though, they are very busy...expect to wait 8 weeks as a new patient to get in for that first appointment</blockquote>Really? Wow! Maybe I'll try the one in my 'hood to see what she's like. Curious to know what the wait is like....although yours might be more busy if in the 'granola' district ;) Let me know how it works out though BSM!</blockquote>
The wait is usually just to get in. Once you are in appointments can be scheduled quite quickly...
Good point about the quality varying. Especially with Homeopaths who are unregulated. I went to see a female Homeopathic last year, I believe she is on Henderson Hwy and as soon as I walked in her office I wanted to leave. She stunk so badly of cheap, old (as in gone stale) perfume! Then as soon as I told her my condition she blamed EVERYTHING on my condition... even if it was totally unrelated. Then she wanted to sell me over $350 in ointments and suppliments.
I used to work with a health care aide who told me she was a "medical student". I was kind of surprised, because nursing students often do that job, but not so much med students. Then she told me she was studying homeopathic medicine. She stank really badly of BO, I could hardly stand to be near her.
I dunno. I always get uncomfortable about people other than MD's calling themselves "doctors". I've seen so many people mis-represent themselves by misusing that title and letting the assumptions fall where they do when you tell people you're "a doctor".... I've learned to ask people who tell me that what type of doctor are they, and whether they are licenced with the college of physicians and surgeons...lol