Naturopathic Medicine in Victoria
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Naturopathic Medicine is exactly what is sounds like, a natural approach to medicine. The goal of a naturopathic approach is to treat the underlying cause of your problem, rather than covering up the symptoms.
A naturopathic physician understands the bio-science of how our body’s work and uses tools like homeopathy, diet, supplements and other modalities to support the natural healing process. Your naturopath will also look at other factors contributing to your health like lifestyle, social, psycho-emotional and biological factors to determine if removal or changes need to made to these obstacles. Its always important to find the right fit for any kind of health guidance. We offer a free phone consult to briefly discuss your treatment goals and what that treatment plan might look like. |
Naturopathic Doctors also believe in the power of prevention as a tool in healthcare management. In a nutshell, naturopaths offer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of physical, mental and emotional conditions such as:
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About Naturopathic Medicine
What are the advantages of Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the promotion of healthy lifestyle, prevention of disease, patient education and individual responsibility. It is arguably the most therapeutically beneficial and cost-effective approach to preventing and treating chronic disease.
There are three major benefits to seeing a Naturopathic Doctor Online.
Naturopathic Doctors develop individualize treatment plans with a lot of thought and clinical reasoning. They’re based on a highly developed understanding of the nature of health and disease, which has blending centuries-old natural and non-toxic therapies with modern advances in the study of health and human systems. A Naturopathic Doctor can cover most aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care. Treatment approaches and methods are continually re-examined in the light of scientific advances.
There are three major benefits to seeing a Naturopathic Doctor Online.
- A preventative approach to medicine,
- Alternatives to drugs, medications and elective surgeries,
- Access to valid root cause treatments for chronic diseases for which orthodox medicine has no effective treatment.
Naturopathic Doctors develop individualize treatment plans with a lot of thought and clinical reasoning. They’re based on a highly developed understanding of the nature of health and disease, which has blending centuries-old natural and non-toxic therapies with modern advances in the study of health and human systems. A Naturopathic Doctor can cover most aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care. Treatment approaches and methods are continually re-examined in the light of scientific advances.
Naturopathic Education & Regulation in BC
In BC, naturopathic physicians (NDs) are licensed to provide primary care to people of all ages. They are trained as complementary medicine general practitioners and provide access to a full range of diagnostic tests and therapies.
In BC, Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) must complete a minimum of three years pre-medical training at university, followed by four years post-graduate training at an accredited naturopathic medical school. NDs complete roughly 1500 hours of basic clinical sciences, 1900 hours of standard medical therapeutics including pharmacology, family medicine, internal medicine and more.
They have extensive training in naturopathic treatments such as manipulative and physical medicine, preventative medicine, nutritional medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine. After completing a board certified competency exam, Naturopaths then continue their training with additional training certifications in areas such as acupuncture, bio-oxidative medicine, chelation therapy, prolotherapy, homeopathy or prescriptive authority. Prescriptive authority allows them to both write prescriptions for the same medications you would get from a medical doctor and help you manage your medications or reduce your current medications, if possible and if it would be in your best interest.
In BC, Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) must complete a minimum of three years pre-medical training at university, followed by four years post-graduate training at an accredited naturopathic medical school. NDs complete roughly 1500 hours of basic clinical sciences, 1900 hours of standard medical therapeutics including pharmacology, family medicine, internal medicine and more.
They have extensive training in naturopathic treatments such as manipulative and physical medicine, preventative medicine, nutritional medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine. After completing a board certified competency exam, Naturopaths then continue their training with additional training certifications in areas such as acupuncture, bio-oxidative medicine, chelation therapy, prolotherapy, homeopathy or prescriptive authority. Prescriptive authority allows them to both write prescriptions for the same medications you would get from a medical doctor and help you manage your medications or reduce your current medications, if possible and if it would be in your best interest.
Are naturopathic doctors licensed as doctors?
Naturopathic Doctors have been regulated in BC under health legislation since 1923, and became a self-regulating health profession in 1936. In North America today, more patients seek alternative an allied non-MDs for healthcare than MDs. Naturopathic medicine is one of the fastest growing safe and effective alternatives to western medicine in Canada. The number of licensed Naturopathic Doctors doubled in BC between 2000 and 2010. There is momentous shift back toward our roots and a more natural way of taking care of our health and wellbeing.
What can I expect from my first appointment with a Naturopathic Doctor?
When you schedule your first appointment online, you will receive a link via email to an online health history form, which is where you explain your history of injuries, medications, surgeries, goals of treatment and anything else about you that is relevant to your health. Naturopathic Doctors use this comprehensive intake and patient health history as well as your current medical issues to develop a clear picture of your overall health. This first appointment may include a guided self physical exam, which your ND can walk you through online. Your ND may also order laboratory tests or have you request these tests from your medical doctor. Your treatment plan will be developed based on your goals or reason for seeking treatment, your health history, lab test results (if necessary), but also lifestyle details such as dietary habits, emotional stress, exercise and exposure to environmental hazards.
Do naturopathic physicians prescribe drugs?
Many NDs in BC (including Dr. Lise Maltais ND) are trained and licensed to prescribe prescription medications. These may be used in conjunction with traditional naturopathic therapies, if deemed appropriate, to provide primary care with a focus on wellness and prevention. Dr. Lise Maltais does have the additional training and certification to prescribe, manage and un-prescribe medication, when appropriate.
Does insurance cover naturopathic care?
Most extended health care plans cover naturopathic doctor appointments. Some plans also include lab or diagnostic testing coverage. You can clarify coverage with your benefits provider. For individuals with a Health Spending Account, visits to an ND are 100% covered. In respect to the provincial MSP plan, there is limited coverage for individuals on Premium Assistance or social assistance only.
About Dr. Lise Maltais, Naturopathic Physician
Photo by Léa Wheatley-Maltais
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Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (1992 CCNM Graduate)
Homeopathic Physician (FCAH-Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Homeopathy) Bowen Technique Practitioner and Instructor With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Lise Maltais ND has earned the elder designation. She is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and specializes in:
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While attending the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Dr. Lise became very interested in homeopathic medicine. After graduation she completed a three-year training at the Canadian Academy of Homeopathy, with internationally acclaimed Doctor and Homeopath André Saine.
Dr. Maltais is a founding member of the Quebec Association of Naturopathic Medicine (QANM), the first and only Quebec Association of Naturopathic Physicians to be recognized by the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
Dr. Maltais has been a pioneer in Canada and the United States as both a practitioner and instructor of The Bowen Technique. Bowen technique follows the principles of Naturopathic Medicine triggering the body’s self-healing mechanisms, and is excellent for the relief of pain and wellbeing of the whole person.
Dr. Lise is the mother of four beautiful girls: two humans and two canines. In her spare time, she enjoys SUP, walking, yoga, landscaping and gardening.
Dr. Maltais is a founding member of the Quebec Association of Naturopathic Medicine (QANM), the first and only Quebec Association of Naturopathic Physicians to be recognized by the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
Dr. Maltais has been a pioneer in Canada and the United States as both a practitioner and instructor of The Bowen Technique. Bowen technique follows the principles of Naturopathic Medicine triggering the body’s self-healing mechanisms, and is excellent for the relief of pain and wellbeing of the whole person.
Dr. Lise is the mother of four beautiful girls: two humans and two canines. In her spare time, she enjoys SUP, walking, yoga, landscaping and gardening.
All of our practitioners offer a free phone consult to discuss your symptoms,
treatment goals and give you an idea of where to start with treatment.
treatment goals and give you an idea of where to start with treatment.