What is naturopathic medicine?
What type of training does a naturopathic physician receive?
What type of conditions can a naturopathic physician treat?  
What is naturopathic medical philosophy?
What is the difference between naturopathy and homeopathy?
What can I expect during an initial visit with a naturopathic physician at Sage Clinic?
What type of laboratory testing does Sage Clinic offer?
Do the naturopathic physicians at Sage Clinic interact with other healthcare professionals?
What methods of payment does Sage Clinic accept?
Are gift certificates available to purchase for Sage Clinic services?
Are naturopathic medicine and acupuncture covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP)?

If you have any specific questions about naturopathic medicine or wish to determine if it may be appropriate for you please contact our office directly at (604) 697-0397 or submit your questions via email to info@sageclinic.com.  We are committed to helping you make informed decisions about your healthcare.

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What is naturopathic medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care - an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosing, treating and preventing disease. Naturopathic medicine's techniques include modern, traditional, scientific and empirical methods. Six principles of healing form the foundation for naturopathic medical practice.  Naturopathic physicians are general practitioners who have been licensed in British Columbia since 1937.  They use a variety of therapies in the prevention and treatment of disease, including herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathy, bodywork, and lifestyle counseling.
 
What type of training does a naturopathic physician receive?
Naturopathic physicians must complete an intensive four year graduate program from one of the five accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America.  Click here to view a detailed description of the naturopathic course of study.  During the first two years students undertake coursework similar to an allopathic (MD) student, focusing on modern basic and diagnostic sciences such as anatomy, biochemistry, and pathology, with the addition of courses in naturopathic philosophy and hydrotherapy.  The third and fourth year are spent focusing on individual modalities like herbal medicine, nutrition and homeopathy in addition to more specialized coursework such as gastroenterology, cardiology, and gynecology.  These last two years are also when naturopathic medical students receive their clinical training in the schools' outpatient teaching clinics.  By graduation, naturopathic students will have completed a total of over 4,500 hours of classroom and clinical work.
      
What type of conditions can a naturopathic physician treat?    
As general practitioners of natural medicine, naturopathic physicians treat the full spectrum of medical conditions.  
   
What is naturopathic medical philosophy?
There are six principles of naturopathic philosophy:

- The healing power of nature
- Treat the whole person
- First do no harm
- Identify and treat the cause
- Prevention is the best cure
- Doctor as teacher

Click here for a detailed explanation of the six principles of naturopathic philosophy.

What is the difference between naturopathy and homeopathy?
Homeopathic medicine is one of the therapies that naturopathic doctors may integrate into a total treatment program.  Homeopathy was developed in Germany in the 1700s and is based on the principle of simillimum, or "like cures like", using minute amounts of natural substances to stimulate the body's self-healing abilities.  Naturopathic doctors are trained in homeopathy as part of their educational program.  

What can I expect during an initial visit with a naturopathic physician at Sage Clinic?
An initial naturopathic consultation at Sage Clinic usually lasts one hour, during which a complete history, physical exam, laboratory testing, acupuncture, or bodywork may be performed.  Some natural medicines may be prescribed and a treatment plan established.

What type of laboratory testing does Sage Clinic offer?
The naturopathic physicians at Sage Clinic perform functional lab tests such as the Gastro-Intestinal Health Panel and Adrenal Stress Index.  In addition, they are able to order conventional lab tests like Pap smears, chemistry panels, and complete blood counts.

Do the naturopathic physicians at Sage Clinic interact with other healthcare professionals?
Yes.  It is our goal at Sage Clinic to have patients receive the best possible quality of care.  This often entails us working in consultation with other naturopathic doctors, MDs, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physiotherapists and massage therapists to best serve our patients.

What methods of payment does Sage Clinic accept?
Sage Clinic accepts cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard and Interac.

Are gift certificates available to purchase for Sage Clinic services?
Yes.  Gift certificates for a specific service or amount may be purchased anytime by phone or in person.

Are naturopathic medicine and acupuncture covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP)?
As of January 1, 2002, these services are no longer covered under MSP.  They are covered by many extended health benefits programs. Please contact your benefits department or plan provider to check your coverage.            

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