What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
Our Practice, principles, & approach
Naturopathic doctors are regulated primary healthcare practitioners trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a range of health concerns using natural and integrative therapies.
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary healthcare that combines modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. It emphasizes individualized, patient-centred care, prevention, and natural and integrative therapies that support overall health and wellbeing.
Integrative Health Care
Naturopathic doctors support patients as part of the broader healthcare system and may refer to other healthcare professionals when additional assessment or care is needed. This integrative approach supports comprehensive, patient-centred care.
The practice of naturopathic medicine is based on six principles
- First, Do No Harm: Naturopathic Doctors use appropriate, low-risk therapies whenever possible.
- The Healing Power of Nature: Support the body’s natural ability to restore and maintain health.
- Identify and treat the cause: Look beyond symptoms to consider the nutritional, lifestyle, environmental, and other underlying factors that may be affecting a patient’s health.
- The Doctor as Teacher: The word “doctor” comes from the Latin word docere, meaning “to teach.” Naturopathic doctors take time to help patients better understand their health, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to support long-term wellbeing.
- Treat the Whole Person: Consider the physical, mental, emotional, lifestyle, and environmental factors that may influence a patient’s overall health and wellbeing.
- Prevention: Prevention is the best medicine. Prevention is an important part of naturopathic medicine. By considering lifestyle factors, family history, and individual health patterns, naturopathic doctors help patients take a proactive role in supporting long-term health and wellbeing.
Did You kNOw?
Naturopathic doctors are extensively educated:
In Canada...
In Canada, naturopathic doctors are primary healthcare practitioners who complete extensive education and clinical training in biomedical sciences, diagnostics, physical examination, laboratory assessment, pharmacology, and natural and integrative therapeutic approaches.
Training includes a four-year accredited naturopathic medical program following undergraduate studies and prerequisite science coursework, as well as supervised clinical training and standardized North American licensing examinations.
In Nova Scotia...
A licensed naturopathic doctor practising in Nova Scotia:
- Has graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical program
- Has passed entry-to-practice examinations and successfully written standardized North American Naturopathic Licensing Exams approved by the regulator (NPLEX I, NPLEX II)
- Is licensed by the Nova Scotia Chiropractic and Naturopathic Regulator (NSCNR)
INDIVIDUALIZED MEDICINE
Education
After completing undergraduate studies and prerequisite science coursework, naturopathic doctors complete a four-year accredited naturopathic medical program that includes biomedical sciences, diagnostics, natural and integrative therapies, and supervised clinical training.
Assessment
Naturopathic doctors conduct comprehensive health assessments that often include a review of medical history, lifestyle factors, physical examination, and evaluation of blood work and other laboratory testing.
Treatments
Treatment recommendations are individualized and may include a combination of natural and integrative therapeutic approaches tailored to the patient’s unique health concerns, goals, and overall wellbeing. Naturopathic care is often used alongside conventional medical care as part of an integrative approach to health.