OUR PRINCIPLES
Naturopathic Doctors are guided by five fundamental healing principles. It is these principles that distinguish the naturopathic medical profession from other medical approaches.
First, Do No Harm
Naturopathic Doctors recommend a variety of therapeutic practices and treatments that are safe and that minimize and/or avoid the risk of harmful side effects. They implement the least invasive means available in approaching treatment and avoid the harmful suppression of symptoms.
To Act in Cooperation with the Healing Powers of Nature
To ‘act in cooperation with the healing powers of nature’ means supporting the body’s own innate ability to heal itself. This is done by supporting the action of the body’s immune system, addressing obstacles to cure such as lifestyle or attitudes that may interupt the ability of the body to heal, and avoiding toxic and/or unnecessary aggressive treatments that may further weaken the body.
To Identify and Address the Fundamental Cause(s) of Disease
Naturopathic Doctors view symptoms as an expression of the disease process. To treat the disease, the underlying cause(s) must be identified and treated to achieve maximum recovery and return to optimal health.
To Heal the Whole Person through Individualized Treatment
Total health involves understanding the unique physical, mental and emotional aspects of a person, as well as their genetic environment and social spheres as these can contribute to illness for a particular patient. Only then implementing an individualized treatment plan that will address the patients’ unique health condition.
To Teach the Principles of Healthy Living and Preventive Medicine
The primary objective of naturopathic medicine is to provide the knowledge and tools to the patient necessary for the prevention of disease and to empower them to take responsibility for their own health.
OUR EDUCATION
Naturopathic Doctors are licensed professionals that have a minimum of 7 years of post secondary education. They must complete at least 3 years of university undergraduate education including pre-requisite medical science courses, to be eligible to enter one of the six recognized North American Colleges of Naturopathic Medicine.
The Naturopathic Doctorate program is a four-year, full time course study that encompasses over 4200 hours of study and 1500 hours of clinical practice. The first two years of study involves medical and clinical sciences, similar to those studied by Medical Doctors. In the final two years, Naturopathic Doctors’ study advanced medical diagnostics, naturopathic medical therapeutics, and they receive extensive clinical experience.
Naturopathic Doctors are the only health care professionals that have extensive education and training in the use of both natural medicines and conventional medical diagnosis and treatment. To become a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario, graduates must successfully complete two separate standardized North American examinations and one provincial licensing examination.
OUR REGULATION
In Ontario, Naturopathic Medicine is a regulated health profession under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). The College of Naturopaths of Ontario‘s role is to ensure that Naturopathic Doctors are properly qualified to practice naturopathic medicine and that they follow the appropriate standards of practice. The provincial and national associations (the OAND and CAND) help to promote Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario and Canada.
About Dr. Renée – Guelph Naturopathic Doctor
In 2004, I received an undergraduate degree with honours in Human Nutrition from the University of Guelph and became a Nutritionist. After realizing that being a dietician was not what I was destined to become, I moved to Toronto and completed a four year doctorate program in Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). I became a Naturopathic Doctor in 2008. I am a member in good standing of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND), the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND), the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians (pedANP), and am licensed by the College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario. I have also completed additional naturopathic courses in fertility, hormone related conditions (ie endometriosis, PCOS), pre- and post-natal care, pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss and peri-menopause/menopause. I am currently studying to become a NAMS (North America Menopause Society) certified menopause practitioner (NCMP).
Are you interested but you have more questions? Send me a message either by using the online contact form, the live chat option, by email (reneeparadis.nd@live.com) or by phone 519.829.6011. I’d be happy to answer your questions.