Naturopathic Medicine represents the "vitalistic" tradition of medicine in our Western world. That is, it treats disease through the stimulation, increase, and support of the person's inherent healing capacity. These treatments are chosen to work with the patient's vital force, respecting the natural healing processes of nature.
The practice of Naturopathic Medicine includes six underlying principles of healing which guide our choice of which therapies to use for each individual: 
- First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere) – we use therapies that are the least invasive.
- The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Mediatrix Naturae) – we recognize the inherent ability of the person to establish, maintain and restore health.
- Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
- Heal the Whole Person (Tolle Totum) - the harmonious functioning of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects are essential to recovery from and prevention of disease.
- The Physician as Teacher (Docere) - The physician is a catalyst for healthful change, empowering and motivating the patient to assume responsibility.
- Prevention of disease through healthy lifestyle and control of risk factors.
The range of modalities allows naturopathic doctors to develop treatment plans that address not only the physical aspect of a person, but also the mental and emotional aspects. The naturopathic therapies are all based on the same principles - they all assist the body's healing response, and they are often more effective when combined.
Clinical Nutrition
Nutrition and the therapeutic use of foods is a cornerstone of Naturopathic Medicine. Food intolerances, deficiencies, dietary imbalances or nutritional excesses have been associated with many medical conditions. A Naturopathic doctor is trained to understand the impact that your diet is having on your health. With appropriate dietary modification and nutritional supplements health concerns can be treated with fewer complications and side effects.
Botanical Medicine
Medicinal plants have been, and will continue to be a valuable part of health care. These plants and plant substances are highly effective and safe in the right dosage and when used correctly with other herbs and treatments. Herbs can be prepared in many forms - teas, tinctures or capsules. Naturopathic doctors are extensively trained in both the art and science of botanical medicine. Naturopathic doctors are currently the only health care providers in Canada to be licensed for the use of botanical medicine.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathic medicine was originally developed during the 18th century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann, and is widely used throughout the world. Based on the principle of "like cures like", minute amounts of plant, animal or mineral substances are used to stimulate the body's self-healing abilities. When carefully matched to the patient they are able to affect the body's "vital force" and to stimulate the body's innate healing forces on both the physical and emotional levels, with few side effects. Some conditions that do not respond well to conventional medicine respond effectively to homeopathy.
Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has diagnosed, treated, and prevented illness for over a quarter of the world’s population for over two thousand years. TCM is growing in acceptance and practice in Ontario and repeated clinical tests has proven to be very effective especially for pain relief, infertility and chronic illness.
The key principle that defines and connects all of Chinese medicine is that of Chi, or vital energy. The chi of all organs must be in balance, neither too active nor too dormant, for a person to be healthy. A Naturopathic Doctor will use Eastern herbs and acupuncture to assist the body in regulating the Chi and achieving this balance. The chi of the body's organs and systems are all connected in meridians or channels that lie just under the skin. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific meridian points, each of which has a specific "function" by which it balances the energy of the body. Acupuncture needles used at our clinic are all sterile and disposable.
Prevention and Lifestyle Counselling
To obtain true optimal health, the whole person must be considered. Addressing all aspects of a person's life, identifying and addressing the impact that stress and life events have on a patient's health is an important aspect of naturopathic treatment. Naturopathic doctors are trained to counsel on diet, lifestyle, specific stressors, exercise and occupational or environmental factors as an integral part of the naturopathic treatment program.
Laboratory Testing
For those patients that either require special lab tests or prefer to have their tests done by a naturopath, there is a lab available onsite. Blood, urine, saliva or swabbed specimens can be collected by your naturopath and then analyzed accordingly. Certain rapid tests can be performed onsite while the others are sent to an offsite laboratory for results.