Edmonton Clinic of Naturopathic Medicine
Welcome to our multi-disciplinary Clinic!
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a unique system of health care, promoting natural healing and prevention of disease. It is a system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. It is based on the healing power of nature and it supports and stimulates the body's natural ability to heal itself.
It is an art, a science, a philosophy and a practice of diagnosis and treatment that uses evidence-based medicine, and traditional, clinically proven approaches. Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine are trained as primary care, general practitioners who use a variety of non-invasive natural therapeutics to treat both acute and chronic conditions
How are Naturopathic Doctors trained?
Like a conventional doctor, dentist or Chiropractor, Naturopathic doctors must first complete pre-medical studies at a university. They then go on to attend an accredited Naturopathic University program which is completed over four years of full-time study. Subjects of study include Dissection anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Medical and Clinical science, Diagnostics as well as Naturopathic principles and therapeutics.
Board exams are given in the second and final year of study, and Practitioners must also fulfill the particular, additional requirements of the province in which they practice.
There are six accredited Naturopathic Medical Schools in North America:
Bastyr University (Seattle)
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (Scottsdale)
The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (Vancouver)
The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto)
The National College of Naturopathic Medicine (Portland)
The University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine (Bridgeport)
What Kinds of Therapies do Naturopathic Doctors use?
In Alberta, any combination of the following can be used by Naturopathic Doctors:
Botanical Medicine:
Plant medicine has been used for thousands of years and has been proven to be very compatible with our body's own physiological processes. Often there are less side-ffects with herbs, than with pharmaceutically derived drugs. They can be used as singles or together in combination, and can be prescribed as a tea, in liquid or tincture form or in capsules.
Counselling:
Mental attitudes and emotional states certainly influence physical health and wellness. Lifestyle counselling and stress management are only a few ways that Naturopathic doctors can impact healing by providing an open, safe, compassionate environment for mental and emotional transformation.
Clinical Nutrition and Lifestyle Modification:
Resolving nutritional deficiencies and using food as medicine are a fundamental part of Naturopathic Philosophy. Naturopathic doctors can use diet and lifestyle modifications to prevent chronic conditions, manage current acute states or provide an overall improvement in energy and quality of life.
Homeopathic Medicine:
Homeopathic remedies are minute dilutions of plant, animal and mineral substances designed to stimulate the body's "vital force" and strengthen its innate ability to heal. Homeopathic medicines have been used for almost 100 years.
Intra-venous Therapies:
Nutritional elements are introduced intra-venously, that can be a very bio-available source of medicine for cells in the body. Often these nutritional elements can be used more fully then if they were taken in orally.
At the Edmonton Clinic Of Naturopathic Medicine, we are pleased to offer our patients:
Registered Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Janice Dacyshyn B.A, N.D.
Registered Psychologist, Laura Kennedy M.A.
Registered Reflexologist, Dayna Boetzkes
Registered Massage Therapist, Penny Whittaker
Registered Acupuncturist, Dr. Paymon Sadrolsadot Ph.D
Licensed Chiropractor, Dr. Lisa Mousseau Bkin, DC
The Edmonton Clinic Of Naturopathic Medicine is very proud to offer our patients a collaborative environment, where patients are able to receive support from compassionate, professional practitioners. They have all chosen to work together to provide total patient support and health.
Our vision, is to provide a healing centre in Edmonton that provides individualized care to each of our patients, and have their team of professionals working together, sharing information and knowledge for the betterment of patients overall health and wellness... physically, emotionally and spiritually. We offer a truly unique experience, where patients do not have to re-iterate the entire story each and every time they spend time with a new practitioner, saving patient's time, and getting into treatment and healing quicker.
Frequently asked questions:
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) teach their patients to use diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and cutting-edge natural therapies to enhance their bodies' ability to ward off and combat disease. Naturopathic doctors craft comprehensive, individualized treatment plans that blend the best of modern medical science and traditional natural medical approaches to not only treat the symptoms, but to address the cause of disease.
Who Is A Qualified Naturopathic Doctor?
In Alberta, registered Naturopathic Doctors have an undergraduate degree and have also completed four years at an accredited University. In addition, Naturopathic doctors have fulfilled the strict registration criteria required to be members of both the Alberta Association and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors. These are the regulatory boards that govern the quality of education and the practice of its members. Some extended health care plans do cover the services of a registered Naturopathic Doctor.
What Is The Process To Make An Appointment With Our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Dacyshyn?
In Alberta, you do not need a referral to see a Naturopathic doctor.
You can certainly call our clinic (780.756.7020), or e-mail our office and an appointment can be made. You can either print forms from our website, (albertanaturopath.com), and bring them into the office with you on the day you have your appointment, or we can provide you with them once you have arrived. You may bring in a list of any current pharmaceutical or natural medications you are currently taking, and if you have had any lab work done in the last six months prior to your appointment day, you can bring in copies of those. In most cases we do a routine urinalysis as a part of this first appointment, so please come prepared to give a sample. We look so very forward to meeting you, and guiding you towards better health!
What Is The Difference Between a Naturopath and a Homeopath?
Registered Naturopathic doctors have and under-graduate degree as well as have completed an accredited Naturopathic Medical program. They are trained to be primary care doctors including having the rights to prescribe natural and pharmaceutical medications depending on where they practice. Naturopathic doctors use a wide variety of modalities and types of medicine such as: diet and lifestyle prescriptions, herbal medicine, physical medicine, supplements and nutrition as well as homeopathic medicine. Homeopathic practitioners or homeopaths have many different levels of education, and trained to deal in mainly only homeopathic medicine. Generally speaking, in Alberta, registered Naturopathic doctors are covered by some extended health care plans.
What Do Naturopathic Doctors Treat?
Naturopathic doctors treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions, and can also help you optimize your health and wellness. Naturopathic medicine also can work very well in conjunction with regular medicine, and your Naturopathic doctor is trained to ensure that your safety is of paramount concerns when dealing with both herbal and pharmaceutical medicines.
NDs can treat:
General family health concerns, Digestive issues, depression, anxiety, fertility issues, hormone rebalancing for men and women, menopause, detoxification, fatigue, thyroid conditions, allergies, sleep issues, and weight loss support. Laboratory testing is also available.
What Does A Naturopathic Visit Look Like?
Here at the Edmonton Clinic Of Naturopathic Medicine, a first visit with our registered Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Janice Dacyshyn is approximately an hour in length and in that time a very detailed history is taken which includes discussing your reasons for coming into the clinic, your past medical history, and the medical history of important family members. Digestion, hormones, diet, stress and mood as well as other lifestyle factors are considered. An individualized treatment plan is then formulated with all of this information factored in, and recommendations are made in the form of supplementation, lifestyle changes, or suggestions for additional testing. Typically, a follow-up visit (15 minutes to 30 minutes) is made for 3-4 weeks into the future, so that progress can be examined and future plans can be discussed and formulated.
Every patient is different, and there may be some variations in visit timing and such based on individualized requirements. Dr. Dacyshyn believes firmly in moderation, and crafting a treatment plan that is realistic for you, one that you leave feeling comfortable with, and one that you also feel capable of handling.
The Edmonton Clinic of Naturopathic Medicine also has on staff: a Psychologist, a Chiropractor, an Acupuncturist, a Massage Therapist, and a Reflexologist available to give our patients any additional support that they might need in order to fulfill their goals of optimum physical health, and wellness but also emotional health as well.
