Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by my insurance?

Although naturopathic medical care is not covered by OHIP, you may have coverage through your extended health care benefits via your employer. Call and check with the insurance provider to find out the specific type of extended health insurance you are covered under.

If I am currently on medication, can I still benefit from naturopathic care?

Certainly! Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario cannot prescribe pharmaceutical medications, nor could they legally advise patients to discontinue any pharmaceutical medications. However, they are educated in pharmacology the same way medical doctors are; as well as the possible interactions drugs can have with certain herbal medications. Before any herbal medication is given, NDs will take into account any current medications in order to prevent undesirable side effects. Other modalities such as nutritional supplementation and acupuncture offer benefits regardless of whether or not you are already taking medication. In fact, naturopathic medicine can help to cope with and/or decrease certain side effects that pharmaceutical medication pose.

What should I expect during my initial consultation with a naturopathic doctor?

Since NDs take the whole person into consideration before designing treatment plans for patients, they need to take a thorough intake to get all the necessary information. The initial consultation is approximately 1.5 hours. During this time, we will ask questions ranging from your diet to your medical history as well as performing a physical exam.

How do naturopathic doctors diagnose health problems?

NDs use a wide range of tools to diagnose their patients. They use lab tests (as those used by medical doctors) including blood tests. In addition, Naturopathic Doctors also take into account all the symptoms reported by the patients and physical exam findings to assist them in finding the root cause of your health concerns.

Are acupuncture needles safe?

Rest assured that Scarborough Naturopathic Clinic only uses disposable, one-time-use, sterile acupuncture needles.