Naturopathic Medicine
Why Work With a Naturopathic Doctor?
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Naturopathic Doctors take the time to truly understand your current health and your personal health goals. Care with an ND is never rushed — we focus on thorough assessments and meaningful conversations so your treatment plan is tailored to you.
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NDs use safe, gentle treatments that support your body’s natural ability to heal itself. Our approach emphasizes the least invasive therapies needed to create meaningful change.
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Every patient is unique. NDs take the time to learn your health history, lifestyle, and priorities to design a plan that’s personalized to your needs — not a one-size-fits-all approach.
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We recognize the connection between body, mind, and spirit. Treatment plans consider all aspects of your wellbeing, including physical health, mental health, and lifestyle factors.
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Although Naturopathic care is not covered by OHIP, most extended health insurance plans include Naturopathic services. For those without coverage, visiting an ND is an investment in your long-term health. Our goal is to provide high-quality care and support, helping you achieve and maintain your health goals.
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NDs are trained to address a wide range of health concerns, with a special focus on prevention. By understanding your current health, medical and family history, and lifestyle choices, we help you make proactive decisions to prevent illness, support wellness, and in some cases, slow or reverse the progression of chronic conditions.
Naturopathic Medicine addresses the root cause of illness rather than just symptoms and promotes health and healing through natural therapies. Alternative medicine is a successful non-invasive way to prevent acute and chronic illness as well as reduce reliance upon prescription medications (and all of their side effects). Alternative medicine aims to boost your immune system, prevent and treat both acute and chronic diseases and increase your energy level. (NDOntario, 2013)
PLEASE VISIT THE OAND AND CAND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE AND NATUROPATHIC DOCTORS.
Naturopathic Doctors are licensed and regulated to be your primary health care provider or work in coordination with your Medical Doctor as part of your life-long health care team. NDs use a comprehensive approach to assist patients in disease prevention and management while improving overall health.
As primary care practitioners, Naturopaths are trained to handle a variety of health issues and concerns. Committed to supporting your body’s innate instinct to heal, NDs look beyond treating and suppressing symptoms to determine the root cause of your illness. Naturopathic Doctors focus on early diagnosis and treatment and are experts in prevention. With a wide range of therapies and a collaborative community at their fingertips, Naturopaths provide comprehensive, individualized primary care with you at the centre of it, not your illness. (NDOntario, 2013)
ND REGULATION
From 1925 to June 2015, Ontario’s Naturopathic Doctors were regulated under the Drugless Practitioners Act. As of July 1st 2015 with the focus of the healthcare system shifting towards wellness and prevention, NDs joined colleagues such as Medical Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to be regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act.
ND EDUCATION
From the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors
In line with conventional medical training, training in naturopathic medicine requires a minimum of seven years of post-secondary education from a recognized school before being allowed to register as a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) in Ontario. She or he must have an undergraduate degree, have completed premedical undergraduate coursework, and have completed a four-year, accredited, naturopathic medical education. Graduates must pass two sets of provincial licensing board exams and are required to keep their registration current throughout their career by completing at least 70 hours every three years of approved continuing education.
Naturopathic education encompasses basic and diagnostic sciences – including anatomy, clinical physiology, biochemistry, pathology, embryology, immunology, pharmacology, physical and clinical diagnosis, and lab diagnosis – as well as conventional and naturopathic approaches to improving and maintaining patients’ health.
With over 4,100 hours of classroom training in basic medical science courses, naturopathic principles, and therapeutics, as well as 1,200 hours of supervised clinical practicum, Naturopathic Doctors receive extensive training in a variety of disciplines including the following:
CLINICAL NUTRITION
Involves managing the amount of nutrients (i.e. protein, vitamins, and minerals) in a patient’s diet to create a healthy energy balance.
ASIAN MEDICINE
A broad range of medicinal practices sharing traditional concepts developed in China, including various forms of acupuncture, herbal medicine, exercise, and dietary therapy.
BOTANICAL MEDICINE
The study and use of medicinal properties of plants.
HOMEOPATHY
Providing support and enabling patients to make healthy choices in order to build and maintain health on all levels: mental, physical, social, and spiritual.
ACUPUNCTURE
A healing methodology that treats patients by manipulating thin, solid needles that have been inserted into the skin.
LIFESTYLE COUSELLING
Providing support and enabling patients to make healthy choices in order to build and maintain health on all levels: mental, physical, social, and spiritual.
PHYSICAL MEDICINE
May include massage therapy or manipulative therapy.
IV NUTRIENT THERAPY & INJECTIONS
Deliver vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream for faster absorption and maximum effectiveness.
BIO-IDENTICAL & PRESCRIPTION TREATMENTS
Some of our Naturopathic Doctors hold prescribing licenses, enabling them to recommend prescription treatments such as bio-identical hormones (e.g., topical estrogen and progesterone), desiccated thyroid hormone, high-dose vitamin D (over 2,500 IU), L-tryptophan (above 220 mg), and injectable nutrients.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH OUR NATUROPATHIC DOCTORS
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MEET & GREET
Come in and have a cup of tea with one of our Naturopathic Doctors to see how we can work together to achieve your health goals. Also available through our virtual platform Doxy or phone call.
Find out how our Naturopathic Doctors can help you to get to the root cause of your concerns so that you can move towards optimal health and wellness. -
Initial Visit
During your initial visit, your Naturopathic Doctor completes a thorough health history intake and physical exam (if necessary) in order to assess your health. At NRH, we feel it is important to take the time we need to determine the root cause of your concerns so that your individualized treatment plan is both holistic and comprehensive. Our goal is to get you started on your journey to becoming your most healthiest self.
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COMPREHENSIVE FOLLOW-UP
During your comprehensive follow-up, your Naturopathic Doctor fully re-assesses your health goals and treatment plan. You will discuss the progress you have made over time while also determining the next step. This type of appointment is necessary if a new health concern has become a priority for you as well as the next time you require a new treatment plan as your Naturopathic Doctor will need more time to fully explore it.
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FOLLOW-UP
During your follow-up, your Naturopathic Doctor will ask questions related to the recent changes you have made and monitor your progress since the last visit. As always you will be able to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have. At NRH, we feel it is important to follow-up with us so that we can properly monitor your health achievements as well as modify your treatment plan if necessary.
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CHECK-IN
During your check-in, your Naturopathic Doctor will ask questions related to the recent changes you have made, provide encouragement and support for you to stay on track with your treatment plan, and discuss any questions or concerns that you may have. At NRH, we feel it is important to check-in with us so that we can properly monitor your health achievements and celebrate your successes.
Naturopathic Doctors at Natural Route Health
Dr. Alanna Kuhn, ND is a women’s hormone enthusiast with a special interest in thyroid health, stress management, and digestion. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in her mid-20’s she had to take a deep dive into her own health and make some changes; changes that would lay the foundation of empathy and authenticity for her practice. She is well-known for being thorough and a great listener, all with your health goals in mind.
Dr. Reecha Panchal, ND is here to advocate for your health and be your biggest supporter. With a passion for children’s health and a special interest in digestive and women’s health especially PCOS, she is determined to guide you on a wellness journey towards a healthier, happier, empowered you. Her goal is simple: to give you the tools, knowledge, and support you can trust, building a solid foundation of health.
Dr. Ramnique Ubhi, ND is excited to listen to your story and help you on your healing journey! Her special interests include hormonal/endocrine issues, digestive health, disordered eating and binge eating, women’s health, and autoimmune conditions. Each health and wellness journey is unique, and she wants to honour that by working with you to dig deeper to help you achieve your health goals.
With seven years of experience as a Medical Doctor in Iran and over 50 published scientific articles in chronic disease management and clinical nutrition, Dr. Naghmeh Mirhosseini blends conventional medicine with naturopathic therapies to address the root causes of health concerns. Her approach integrates evidence-informed conventional and naturopathic medicine to provide personalized care. She is focussed on building lasting doctor-patient relationships, educating patients, and supporting them with tailored lifestyle and dietary counselling.
Dr. Hawar Bakhishi, ND, RN brings a unique perspective as both a Naturopathic Doctor and Registered Nurse, with experience in oncology and internal medicine. She focuses on prevention, resilience, and evidence-informed therapies to help patients live fully and optimize their long-term health. Her approach is holistic and person-centered, empowering patients to take an active role in their wellness journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most insurance policies cover Naturopathic medicine, but each one does it a little differently, so it is important to check your particular policy. Natural Route Health does not bill insurance companies directly, so you have to pay for your visit after it is finished, and then submit your claims to your insurance company. OHIP does not cover Naturopathic medicine.
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Ourselves! A wonderful thing about Naturopathic medicine is that you get to choose your healthcare provider. Check out our bios to get to know us better!
Did you also know….
Our clinic has abundant, hassle-free parking.
Our online dispensary allows us to access the exact brand of supplement or herb that we think will benefit you most, rather than having to choose from a limited selection. -
Each patient that comes to Natural Route Health receives an individualized treatment plan. The number of treatments you require is dependent on many factors: your health concerns and goals, your optimal level of support and the most appropriate treatments for you. We don’t know until talking to you how many visits you will need, but we will outline how many visits we recommend for the period of the treatment plan so that you know by your second appointment how many visits to expect. Additionally, we aim to be your Naturopathic Doctors for life, just as you would stick with a family doctor. At the very least, we like to see you once a year to do your screening physical exam and repeat your screening blood tests.
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You get the best care available! Naturopathic Doctors take the time to listen to your concerns in order to find the root cause and to develop an individualized treatment plan to get the results you are seeking. No other healthcare profession has the medical foundation plus the knowledge of natural treatments that Naturopathic Doctors have.