What is Naturopathy and Is It Right for Me?

December 14, 2023

Let’s look at the body like a machine for a moment. The body is a complex one, with multiple different individual systems working together as a whole. When one component malfunctions, others need to pick up the slack. You may start seeing symptoms of one disease, but the root cause may be because that particular system is picking up the slack for something else. Treating just the symptoms of the disease may alleviate discomfort but there are chances of it returning. Additionally, mental and emotional issues can manifest as physical symptoms.

Naturopathy recognizes this ‘interconnectedness’ and treats the body in a holistic fashion.

What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a form of non-invasive medicine that combines natural healing practices with modern evidence-based diagnoses. Naturopathic treatments can include probiotics, exercise, breathing techniques, dietary recommendations, acupuncture, vitamin supplements and a whole lot more.

Naturopathy recognizes that every individual is different, and what works for one person may not work for you at all. Your symptoms and illness are unique to you and hence the cure.  

Meeting with a naturopathic doctor is a completely different experience to meeting with a traditional one. They delve deep into your history to try and get to the root cause of your concerns. While this may sound intrusive, an Australian study on women struggling with infertility issues found that their experiences with their alternative medicine practitioners were ‘affirming and empowering’.

Often, naturopathic doctors will work in conjunction with your allopathic doctors as a complementary therapy to enhance your recovery.

What Can Naturopathy Help Me With?

Have you ever felt like your energy levels are low? Or perhaps you aren’t dealing with everyday stressors the way you would normally? But you aren’t really ill enough to go see a traditional doctor? A naturopathic doctor is here to listen and help you get back to normal. They help you get to the root cause of your concerns and understand what you need to get well. Apart from inexplicable health issues, naturopathic doctors can help with:

  • Bladder Infections or Incontinence

Paying attention to your pelvic health gets increasingly important as you mature. Naturopathy can help you find the root cause of your issues and help you address them. It can help find triggers and provide means to calm flares. In fact, naturopathic solutions like the use of cranberry extracts to soothe UTIs are now ‘common knowledge’.

  • Chronic Pain

Addressing chronic pain can be difficult. An increased dependence on prescription medicine can play havoc with your body. Treatments like acupuncture have been proven to have long-lasting effects and show significant improvement in people who suffer from various forms of chronic pain. A review of multiple studies shows that acupuncture is a ‘safe, effective and cost-effective’ way to manage various types of chronic pain. Dr. Ibby is a registered acupuncturist who can help you manage your chronic pain through acupuncture and naturopathy.

  • Digestive Disorders

Your gut health influences how you feel overall and various digestive disorders can be extremely uncomfortable to live with.  A quick dietary change may certainly bring about short-term benefits, but knowing what works for you can make a huge difference in the long run. Dr. Ibby’s Repair, Restore, Balance Gut Rebuilding Program is designed to help you understand your gut health better and adopt the changes you need to make a difference.

  • Overall Health Based on Your Genetics

Your genes can influence a number of factors including how your body handles fatigue and stress, your sleep cycles, your hormonal health, metabolism and a whole lot more. Dr. Ibby’s ‘My Genes and I’ program treats an array of health concerns based on your individual genetics.

  • Fertility Issues

Fertility issues can be taxing, both mentally and physically. Dr Ibby’s ‘My Healthy Fertility’ program identifies obstacles to conception and provides personalized nutritional and lifestyle guidance along with any necessary supplements to help you conceive.

Naturopathy can also help with respiratory disorders, allergies, migraines, metabolic disorders including managing high cholesterol and diabetes, and a whole lot more.

So, is naturopathy right for you? It’s up to you to decide. If you want to live a healthier life by understanding how your body works as an individual, then the short answer is yes.

Naturopathy with Dr. Ibby

Dr Ibby is a licensed naturopathic physician doctorate in naturopathic medicine who can guide you in your journey to living a better life. She has a focus on gene-based medicine to provide individual, evidence-based treatments that work.

Sign up for a virtual wellness consult or book your in-person appointment in British Columbia today.

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