What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care profession, which focuses on prevention and uses natural methods to promote healing. The primary goal of naturopathic medicine is to address the cause of illness, rather than simply treat or suppress symptoms. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) see the patient as a whole person and recognize that disease is not always isolated to a physical cause. Thus, NDs consider the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical aspects of a person when diagnosing and developing a treatment plan.

Registered naturopathic doctors are required to complete three years of pre-medical studies at a recognized university followed by four years of full-time naturopathic training at an approved college. After graduation, they must pass rigorous regulatory board examinations that are standardized across North America.

Naturopathic doctors examine, diagnose and treat patients with programs tailored to each patient and their health conditions. They use a combination of clinical nutrition, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathic medicine, joint assessment and re-alignment, physical therapies, acupuncture, and Asian medicine & lifestyle counseling. Therapies are used to stimulate the body's self-healing abilities and treatments focus on the underlying causes of illness rather than the symptoms, often eliminating the need for long-term medical care or prescription drugs.

Dr. Angela Kirk received her undergraduate degree in Nutritional Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia, and completed her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. Dr. Kirk is also a registered Bowen Therapist with advanced standing.

Dr. Lareina Abbott received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biology from the University of Victoria and her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Abbott also offers IV therapies as part of her treatment programs.