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Naturopathic Medicine​
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Physicians are licensed as primary health care providers within British Columbia. They work towards treating the root cause of disease, specifically focusing on personalized preventative medicine. Naturopathic medicine is helpful for some acute, and many chronic health concerns.
Naturopathy is a philosophy and practice of healthcare that is effective, safe and founded on holistic principles. It is a distinct system of healthcare that draws on both scientific knowledge and long-standing traditional wisdom.
The Naturopathic Doctors at Acacia understand the benefit to a supportive healthcare team and are excited to work with other healthcare providers to ensure safe and effective treatment strategies.
Naturopathic Doctors complete 4 years of postgraduate naturopathic medical training, studying topics such as pathology and pharmacology as well as a range of naturally focused treatments. During their training, there is a 2-year clinical internship. Naturopathic Physicians must write comprehensive professional licensing exams prior to earning their license.
All the Naturopathic Doctors that practice at Acacia Health support the BC vaccination schedule – an effective public health measure to reduce the spread of dangerous infectious disease.
Naturopathic care is covered by most extended healthcare plans. Ask your provider for details.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
First, do no harm
primum non nocere
Utilize the most natural, non-invasive and safe therapies and substances.
Treat the whole person
tolle totum
Recognize the integrated functioning of all aspects of the individual.
Identify and treat the causes
tolle causam
Look beyond the symptoms to the underlying cause.
Use the healing power of nature
vis medicatrix naturae
Trust in the body's inherent wisdom to heal itself.
Doctor as teacher
docere
Help people learn how to achieve and maintain health.
Prevention
praevenic
Focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.
Naturopathic Treatment Approach
Clinical Nutrition
Dietary changes or supplementation may be used to improve general well being, maximize nutrition, treat health conditions, detoxify the body, or prevent future problems.
Botanical Medicine
Botantical Medicine may include clinic-made tinctures, herbal teas, encapsulated herbal products, poultices or baths, creams and salves.
Acupuncture
Our Naturopathic Doctors are licensed to practice acupuncture, which entails insertion of fine gauge sterile needles into various points on the body.
Physical Medicine
Naturopathic manipulations, injection therapy for release of trigger points and inflammation reduction, and exercise and stretching recommendations.
Lifestyle Counselling
Counselling can help clients gain perspective into themselves or their current situation, encouraging healthy life decisions. More intensive psychotherapy may be referred to in-house counsellors or other trusted professionals.
Specific Naturopathic Treatments
Naturopathic Visits
Initial Visit
PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST VISIT: Please fill out the Naturopathic Health History Form and bring it with you.
- 90 minutes for an adult
- 60 minutes for a child
- Your doctor will do a detailed history and screening physical exam. Laboratory testing may also be requested.
- The goal is to go beyond the obvious symptoms to understand the true nature of your concerns.
- Your doctor may give you some tasks to complete for next time and will often offer some preliminary recommendations.
Follow-up Visits
- The second visit is usually scheduled 1-2 weeks later (approx. 1 hour for adults and 30 minutes for children).
- Your doctor may follow-up on physical exam items, laboratory results, and homework, but mostly offer recommendations.
- Subsequent visits depend on how you and your doctor have decided to proceed. Some treatments require follow-up in 1-3 months, others more regularly. For example, acupuncture may be scheduled for 45 min once per week for as much as eight weeks in a row. Lifestyle and diet change may only require 30 min follow-ups every month or two.
- Once treatment is on track and you are feeling better, check up visits are best scheduled every 3-6 months. Your Naturopathic Doctor is a primary care physician and you can return at any time for any medical concern.
Naturopathic care is covered by most extended healthcare plans. Ask your provider for details.
Our Practitioners
Dr Lorna Ciccone
Naturopathic Physician
Starting Mid April 2023. Dr. Lorna Ciccone, ND, (she/her) is passionate about delivering whole-person care in a graded approach. She...
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Dr. Amy Gilchrist
Naturopathic Physician
Founder and Director of the Family Naturopathic Clinic. Special interest in Women's health, treating hormone imbalances, allergies and infertility.
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Dr. Anita Komonski
Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Anita Komonski strives to combine compassionate patient care with the best of scientific inquiry, evidence-informed medicine and traditional therapies....
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Dr. Jaime de Melo
Naturopathic Physician
Special interest in treating respiratory and digestive disorders, and allergies. Passionate about teaching patients about their health.
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Dr. Michelle Payne ND
Naturopathic Physician
Special interest in women’s health, focusing on fertility and pregnancy. Passionate about helping patients with mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety. Supports patients achieving their goals through individualized and feasible treatment plans.
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Dr. Pam Hutchison
Naturopathic Physician
Naturopathic Doctor with clinical focus on Neurological and Mental Health for over 20 years. Holds Prescriptive Authority. Passionate provider of Parkinson’s Disease care. Exercise enthusiast and mother of two.
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