Naturopathic Medicine
We are now offering Naturopathic Medicine at Kamloops Active Health.
Naturopathic Doctors are required to complete an undergraduate degree (typically four years) followed by a four year medical degree at an accredited naturopathic medical school. Prior to graduation they must successfully complete a set of standardized North American board and jurisdictional exams. Once in practice, Naturopathic Doctors stay current by completing continuing education hours which are required to maintain an active licence.
Naturopathic Doctors are trained as primary healthcare physicians, focused on finding the underlying cause of disease, assisting the body’s innate capacity to heal, and utilizing natural forms of medicine and preventative medicine when possible.
Naturopathic Doctors use a wide variety of modalities including clinical nutrition, lifestyle modifications / exercise prescription, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine / acupuncture, and counselling. Naturopathic Doctors are guided by 6 fundamental principles:
1) Do no Harm
Utilize less invasive methods to minimize risk of harmful side effects when possible
2) The Healing Power of Nature
Removing obstacles to support the body’s innate healing capacity to restore wellness and prevent further illness
3) Identify and Treat the Cause
Seeing symptoms as the body’s way of communicating when an imbalance and barrier to healing exist, finding the cause, removing the barrier, and allowing the body to restore balance
4) Treat the Whole Person
All facets of an individual ultimately effect their health. Body, mind, and spirit are not seen in isolation, and all outside influences affecting an individual’s life are taken into consideration to optimize health
5) Doctor as Teacher
Sustainable health is only attained when one can be empowered to master their own health. Naturopathic Doctors work to help individuals understand the root cause of their own imbalance, and provide guidance in healing
6) Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Health is not static, and different stages of life bring different challenges. A thorough individual assessment including pertinent family history and risk factors for disease, allows for appropriate preventative measures to be put into place. Naturopathic Doctors work with patients to establish an individualized and sustainable approach to ones health.