Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Naturopathic Medicine and Homeopathy?
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are general practitioners of natural medicine. They are trained to treat ailments using clinical nutrition, acupuncture, botanical medicine, physical medicine, lifestyle counselling and homeopathy. Homeopaths, on the other hand, are trained to practise in one discipline – homeopathy. So while a homeopath would prescribe a homeopathic therapy, a Naturopathic Doctor would use any of the approaches listed above, including homeopathy, in their treatments.
In addition, homeopathy is not a regulated or licensed health profession in Ontario. Naturopathic Medicine is regulated and licensed in Ontario.
What can I expect from my visit to a Naturopathic Doctor?
Your First visit with an ND is about 60-90 minutes. A very extensive patient history eliciting information about your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health is taken and a complaint-oriented physical exam performed. Your ND may then suggest further specialized testing. With your input, your ND will propose a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your health goals. Follow-up visits (30-45 minutes) are performed as needed to assess patient progress.
How do I pay for a visit to a Naturopathic Doctor?
Visits to an ND are currently not covered by OHIP. Most extended health care plans do cover the cost of seeing an ND. It’s important to check with your extended health care provider to determine the amount of your naturopathic coverage.
What Conditions do Naturopathic Doctors Treat?
Naturopathic doctors are primary health care practitioners and can treat, or at least provide supportive care, for most issues, from the common cold to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, HIV and various cancers. Everyone can benefit from Naturopathic care. In the event that an ND is unable to treat your condition, they will refer appropriately.
Are Naturopathic Doctors regulated in Ontario?
Naturopathic Doctors are the only regulated health professionals in the field of natural medicine in Ontario. Naturopathic Doctors are regulated in Ontario under the 1925 Drugless Therapy Act and are registered (licensed) by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO). CONO functions to ensure that Naturopathic Doctors are properly qualified to practise Naturopathic Medicine and that they follow the appropriate standards of practice. Ontario’s new Naturopathy Act received final approval in June 2007 and will come into full effect following an extensive transition process. The Naturopathy Act will move the regulation of Naturopathic Doctors under the Regulated Health Professions Act, joining all other regulated health professions. The Naturopathy Act also confirms the current scope of NDs as primary care practitioners who are able to provide diagnoses and have access to key controlled acts.
How can I tell if someone is qualified as a Naturopathic Doctor?
In Ontario, the public can call CONO at 416-583-6010 to verify that a Naturopathic Doctor is registered to practise in the province. CONO is the regulatory body that registers Naturopathic Doctors to practise in Ontario. In addition, the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors only accepts registered Naturopathic Doctors as members and can also be contacted to verify if an ND is licensed. The OAND can be reached at 416-233-2001.
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are general practitioners of natural medicine. They are trained to treat ailments using clinical nutrition, acupuncture, botanical medicine, physical medicine, lifestyle counselling and homeopathy. Homeopaths, on the other hand, are trained to practise in one discipline – homeopathy. So while a homeopath would prescribe a homeopathic therapy, a Naturopathic Doctor would use any of the approaches listed above, including homeopathy, in their treatments.
In addition, homeopathy is not a regulated or licensed health profession in Ontario. Naturopathic Medicine is regulated and licensed in Ontario.
What can I expect from my visit to a Naturopathic Doctor?
Your First visit with an ND is about 60-90 minutes. A very extensive patient history eliciting information about your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health is taken and a complaint-oriented physical exam performed. Your ND may then suggest further specialized testing. With your input, your ND will propose a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your health goals. Follow-up visits (30-45 minutes) are performed as needed to assess patient progress.
How do I pay for a visit to a Naturopathic Doctor?
Visits to an ND are currently not covered by OHIP. Most extended health care plans do cover the cost of seeing an ND. It’s important to check with your extended health care provider to determine the amount of your naturopathic coverage.
What Conditions do Naturopathic Doctors Treat?
Naturopathic doctors are primary health care practitioners and can treat, or at least provide supportive care, for most issues, from the common cold to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, HIV and various cancers. Everyone can benefit from Naturopathic care. In the event that an ND is unable to treat your condition, they will refer appropriately.
Are Naturopathic Doctors regulated in Ontario?
Naturopathic Doctors are the only regulated health professionals in the field of natural medicine in Ontario. Naturopathic Doctors are regulated in Ontario under the 1925 Drugless Therapy Act and are registered (licensed) by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO). CONO functions to ensure that Naturopathic Doctors are properly qualified to practise Naturopathic Medicine and that they follow the appropriate standards of practice. Ontario’s new Naturopathy Act received final approval in June 2007 and will come into full effect following an extensive transition process. The Naturopathy Act will move the regulation of Naturopathic Doctors under the Regulated Health Professions Act, joining all other regulated health professions. The Naturopathy Act also confirms the current scope of NDs as primary care practitioners who are able to provide diagnoses and have access to key controlled acts.
How can I tell if someone is qualified as a Naturopathic Doctor?
In Ontario, the public can call CONO at 416-583-6010 to verify that a Naturopathic Doctor is registered to practise in the province. CONO is the regulatory body that registers Naturopathic Doctors to practise in Ontario. In addition, the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors only accepts registered Naturopathic Doctors as members and can also be contacted to verify if an ND is licensed. The OAND can be reached at 416-233-2001.