If you’re anything like me, you’d think that a disease is that icky, functionless state you’re in, as a result of being exposed to some disease causing agent. For a naturopathic practitioner, disease is your body dealing with some kind of stress, trying to restore that balance. Stresses include diet, smoking, drugs and things that upset your body’s natural balance.
The naturopathic way is to tackle at these stresses, using drug less means. As one would have it, the origin of naturopathy can be traced back to Hippocrates who stated, “
Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” It this force that naturopathic medicine aims to enhance. German born and immigrated to New York, Benedict Lust, is considered to be the father of
American Naturopathy. He founded the American School of Naturopathy in 1901. Henry Lindlahr founded the Lindlahr College of Natural Therapeutics in 1904, after having gone to Europe and had gotten a water-cure treatment. It was the help of these two men that helped Naturopathy take root in the US. More Colleges opened up and
Canadian Practitioners were trained in the practice after which they brought back with them.
Treatments includes life style modifications, diet, botanical medicine and more. There are
six principles that naturopaths go by: do no harm, the healing power of nature, identify and treat the cause, treat the whole person, doctor as teacher, and disease prevention and health promotion.
The development of naturopath practice in
Ontario was weak in comparison to British Columbia, which had its own provincial association running in 1920, and 1944 for Alberta. Ontario’s very own association formed in 1949 even though there were more naturopathic practitioners, however many referred to themselves as chiropractors, iridologists and so on. Before 1950s, only 6 practitioners referred to themselves as naturopaths. It was a shaky start getting the government to recognize practitioners as a profession.
Today we have a national association, the
Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors which helps in unifying the naturopathic doctors across Canada. From May 9-15 this year, there will be a series of free events going on throughout the country. You’ll be able to find out more about naturopathic medicine, learn about disease prevention, and learn how naturopathy can benefit you, and so on.
To learn more about the events
click here and select the province of your interest. For instance, there will be a Lunch and learn event in Downtown Toronto, at the discussing weight loss and naturopathy!
Naturopathy clinics can offer services to work with chronic conditions, hair loss, smoking addiction, Menopause, ADHD, Eczema, Insomnia, intestinal problems and the flus and infections to say the least. The , can help locate clinics near you. You can also use our
online directory to search for naturopathic practitioners in Ontario.
