Naturopathic medicine is a distinct
system of primary health care that addresses the root
causes of illness, and promotes health and healing using
natural therapies. It supports your body’s own
healing ability using an integrated approach to disease
diagnosis, treatment and prevention that includes:
1. Traditional Chinese
Medicine
2. Botanical medicine
3. Physical medicine: massage, hydrotherapy,
etc
4. Clinical nutrition
5. Homeopathic medicine
6. Lifestyle counseling
Naturopathic doctors are highly
educated primary care providers who integrate standard
medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies.
Naturopathic doctors must complete an undergraduate
degree with a science focus prior to the naturopathic
medical program.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
is a complete medical system that has diagnosed, treated
and prevented illness for thousands of years and incorporates
acupuncture, acupressure, diet, massage, and Asian herbs
and foods.
According to TCM, when your energy
or Qi (pronounced “chi”) is out of balance,
your body cannot adapt to stress and this causes chronic
illnesses. By bringing the Qi back into balance and
balancing the yin and yang your body can heal optimally.
A harmonious flow of Qi is achieved by balancing cold
and heat, internal and external, yin and yang, and this
will help sustain long-term physical, mental and emotional
health.
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Botanical medicine utilizes diverse
plant substances from around the world that possess
powerful healing abilities and provide nutritional value.
Naturopathic doctors use these herbs in various forms
to prevent and alleviate illness. Botanical medicine
can be used in many forms such as teas, tinctures, ointments,
essential oils, and supplements to name a few.
Herbs have been used traditionally
all around the world successfully. Botanical medicine
can also be harmful if not used properly. Whitney Young
has extensive training and knowledge of botanical medicines
and will carefully review your current health situation
before recommending a specific botanical remedy or botanical
combinations.
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Physical Medicine includes massage,
hydrotherapy, stretching, exercise recommendations,
and manipulation of the spine and extremities. Physical
medicine works in two ways. Firstly, it restores structural
soundness to the skeletal system, joints, and soft tissue.
Secondly, it builds immunity and supports healing and
detoxification.
Hydrotherapy is one of the oldest
forms of medical treatment. It involves the use of water
for soothing pains and treating diseases. Hydrotherapy
can involve using hot and cold water to stimulate circulation.
Treatments include:
- Hot and cold packs (general and local)
- Saunas and steam baths
- General hot and cold baths
- Sitz, head and foot baths
- Wet and dry bandages
- Poultices
- Peat baths
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Nutrition is imperative to good
health. There are foods that damage your body and foods
that can help treat diseases and maintain good health.
Having a good diet involves creating a special balance
between nutrients, vitamins, minerals, proteins, anti-oxidants,
enzymes, and fibre. Whitney Young, ND may ask you to
keep a diet diary, which is the first step to analyzing
food sensitivities, allergies, digestive issues, risk
for disease associated with diet, and overall diet quality.
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Homeopathic Medicine is a natural,
non-toxic therapeutic system of healing that assists
in the inherent ability of the body to heal itself.
Homeopathic medicine or “remedies” use minute
amounts of plant, mineral or animal substances to stimulate
the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Homeopathic
medicine is based on the principle that like cures like.
If used in larger doses, these substances would develop
the illness symptoms in a healthy person. Homeopathy
restores the body to homeostasis, or health balance,
which is considered its natural state.
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Lifestyle Counseling helps you
to identify and adjust the habits that contribute to
ill health. Mental attitudes and emotions are important
elements in overall health and should be considered
when treating illness and disease. Together, developing
strategies to deal with stress can help you over the
long term to prevent disease.
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