​What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a complete approach to health care that incorporates diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease using natural therapies.  Naturopathic doctors are primary health care professionals trained to treat diverse medical conditions for men, women and children of all ages. Treatment is focused on preventing future illness, and helping patients to improve their overall health and energy.

What Conditions can Benefit from Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine can benefit people of all ages with a variety of chronic and acute conditions. The most common conditions seen at our clinic include:

• Digestive disorders – indigestion, gas, bloating, constipation, IBS/IBD, heartburn & acid reflex
• Food sensitivities & Intolerances
• Headaches & Migraines
• Bone health – osteopenia, osteoporosis
• Cold & flu – prevention & symptom relief, boosting immunity
• Sinusitis & chronic nasal congestion
• Thyroid health
• Anxiety & minor depression
• Insomnia & Sleep disturbances
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Stress & adrenal gland health
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Anemia
• Skin conditions – eczema, acne, psoriasis, hives
• Arthritis & Joint issues
• Women’s health – PMS, menopause (hot flashes & night sweats), cysts, fibroids, breast health, yeast/candida infections, chronic UTIs
  • ALSO Fertility enhancement & acupuncture to assist with IUI & IVF procedures, pregnancy health, post-partum care for mother & baby
• Children’s health issues – proper digestive functioning, skin conditions such as eczema, allergies, asthma, attention & behavioural issues, colds & flus
• Men’s health issues – prostate health, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
• Preventative care --optimizing your health & immune system

What Laboratory Testing is offered?
Blood, urine, hair, and saliva analysis are available to investigate a variety of health ailments if needed. This includes food sensitivities and other allergies, hormone imbalances, digestive problems, environmental toxicity, nutrient deficiencies, etc.

What can I expect from my first appointment with a Naturopathic Doctor?
An initial appointment is approximately 1 hour to allow time for a thorough health assessment. During this visit, current health concerns, as well as relevant medical history, is analyzed. A pertinent physical examination may be performed, and further specialized laboratory or diagnostic testing may be recommended. A personalized treatment plan is then created to help patients achieve their health goals.

What are Naturopathic Therapies and Treatment Options?  
Naturopathic Doctors are licensed to use a range of natural therapeutics that include Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture & herbs), homeopathy, botanical medicine (herbs), hydrotherapy, diet & lifestyle counseling, clinical nutrition. Through their training in these disciplines, a Naturopathic Doctor can draw on all of these fields in providing a custom-tailored treatment plan for patients.

How are Naturopathic Doctors trained?
A minimum of 7 years of formal post-secondary education is required to receive the designation of "Naturopathic Doctor". This includes 3-4 years of premedical university studies plus completion of an intensive full-time 4-year post-graduate medical program from an accredited Naturopathic medical school, which includes extensive medical education as well as clinical training. Graduates must then pass North American licensing board examinations as well as provincial board examinations. To remain in good standing with the licensing board, Naturopathic doctors must continue their education throughout their careers. All Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario are licensed and regulated 

Is Naturopathic Medicine Scientific?
Yes, Naturopathic doctors are educated in conventional medical sciences in addition to traditional medicine, such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, laboratory diagnosis, clinical & physical diagnosis, radiology, obstetrics, gynecology/women's health, men's health, and pediatrics. More and more researchers are looking to traditional methods of healing to gain insight into modern day illnesses and thousands of modern clinical studies have validated a variety of natural medicines and treatments which are used by Naturopathic Doctors.

Is Naturopathic Medicine Safe?
Naturopathic medicine has an excellent safety record. The emphasis is on natural sources of medicines that are gentle, non-toxic, and non-invasive. Side effects are rare and Naturopathic doctors are trained about interactions between Naturopathic remedies and conventional medicines. Naturopathic treatments also work well in conjunction with conventional Western treatments. 

How can Naturopathic Medicine help YOU?
Typically patients choose to come to the clinic for one or more of the following reasons:

• They want to address their chronic health concerns and reach their peak health potential. Naturopathic Medicine is very effective at improving quality of life.
• They are looking for strategies to prevent disease and promote health
• They are seeking alternatives that may have fewer side effects than their current medication(s) or looking to balance conventional medicine with natural medicine
• They suffer from an undiagnosed illness that has caused a range of symptoms that they have been unable to address

** Most extended health insurance plans cover all or part of Naturopathic visits. Please check with your insurance company.. Your health is important! By investing in your health and by tackling problems as they arise, it will allow you to live a long, active and fulfilling lifestyle as you age. 

​Book with our Naturopathic Doctor Suzanne Bartolini for an Assessment>>>>>

By Dr. Suzanne Bartolini, Naturopathic Doctor
 
What is Candida? Candida Albicans is a yeast that naturally resides in the human body. Under healthy conditions, it lives in harmony with other microorganisms. It normally resides in the intestinal tract, throat, mouth, and genitals. BUT – it can become problematic if it has an opportunity to proliferate and upset the balance of bacteria in the body. It will then burrow holes in the intestinal tract, enter the blood steam, and make its way into any organ of the body, overwhelming the immune system, and wreaking havoc on overall health.
 
What are some symptoms of Candida?  Candida can become the insidious culprit behind many common health problems, including: excessive fatigue, headaches, anxiety, food allergies, unexplained muscle and joint pain, skin problems like acne and eczema, sinus congestion, urinary tract infections, hormonal imbalances, digestive disturbances like gas and bloating, and “brain fog” – the inability to think clearly or concentrate.
 
What causes Candida? The two main contributors to Candida overgrowth in the body are the overuse of antibiotics and a diet high in sugar and refined foods. But also, prescription drugs such as the birth control pill and corticosteroids, heavy metal toxins, stress, and vitamin deficiencies – can all play a role in creating an imbalance in the body that enables Candida to thrive.
 
What are some Naturopathic ways to treat Candida? The following are a few tips to help your immune system overcome Candida overgrowth:

• Reduce sugar and refined products in your diet - This includes carbohydrates and alcohol. Most processed and packaged foods contain sugar so check food labels carefully. 
  
  
• Eat foods with anti-microbial properties - Increase the intake of anti-fungal foods in your diet such as garlic and oregano.
  
  
• Keep your colon clean – Ensuring regular bowel movements will help prevent toxins from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream from the colon.
  
  
• Keep your home environment healthy – Toxic chemicals weaken the immune system and this allows yeast to proliferate.
  
  
• Take a good quality probiotic – Investing in a good probiotic - and taking it properly - will help restore a healthy intestinal flora and re-colonize the gastrointestinal tract with beneficial bacteria, which improves the immune system. 
  
  
• Address any nutritional deficiencies you may have – Load up on anti-oxidants such as vitamin C to help in the battle against Candida.

 

• Investigate other natural supplements that have anti-fungal properties – for instance, berberine, caprylic acid, Pau D’Arco, grapefruit seed extract, and colloidal silver, all have antimicrobial effects.

 
Candida overgrowth is a complex health issue and can be difficult to treat.  If you think you have this condition, it may be a good idea to contact a Naturopathic Doctor to provide the guidance for successful treatment, and to improve your overall health and well being.

>>>Click here to book an appointment with Dr Suzanne Bartolini

There are many different types of detoxification programs which cleanse the body of toxins, and each type has its own specific purpose and benefits. For instance, Heavy metal cleanses focus on removing accumulations of heavy metals from the body, such as mercury and aluminum. Organism cleanses work to eliminate specific organisms, such as parasites or candida yeast. Organ cleanses detoxify the liver and gall bladder, lungs, kidneys, and colon.

One of the main organs involved in cleansing is the liver, which filters all impurities and toxins from the blood. The liver filters these substances and reduces them into compounds that the body can then eliminate through the kidneys (as urine), the skin (as sweat), the lungs (as expelled air), and the bowels (as feces). It is important for overall health to make sure that each organ system is functioning optimally.
By improving the efficiency of these systems you will notice that you have more energy, sleep better, are more mentally alert, and have enhanced well-being that is especially visible in better skin and shiny hair. You may even notice that you suffer less from colds and flus because of an improvement in your immune system. 

Health concerns that can benefit from a personalized cleansing program include:
• Constipation and digestion problems such as bloating— poor bowel movements encourage harmful bacteria and toxins to accumulate over time.
• High cholesterol and high blood pressure— detoxification diets help to establish lifestyle changes that are important in both treatment and prevention of strokes and heart disease.
• Colds and flus – This is a clear reflection of a much weaker immune function and the body’s inability to fight bacteria and viruses well. 
• Also— headaches and migraines, allergies and sensitivities, joint pain, smokers, those with high alcohol consumption, and those who generally feel fatigue and tired.

A Naturopathic doctor can find the best cleanse program for you personally. Under guided supervision, a total health plan can be created for you that rejuvenates your energy and restores your health to an optimal level. 
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Dr Bartolini is at Rebound Health + Wellness on Wednesdays. Interested in jump starting your health naturally? Book an Initial Assessment with Dr Bartolini  >>> Book Online