Frequently Asked Questions
About Naturopathic Medicine

A naturopathic doctor is someone who holds a Doctor of Naturopathy degree or equivalent.

No. A naturopathic doctor holds a doctor of naturopathic medicine (ND) degree, while a medical doctor holds a doctor of medicine (MD) degree. In Dr. Maria’s case, however, she holds both.

Naturopathic and medical students have several overlapping areas of study, including anatomy, microbiology, immunology, and pharmacology.

Yes. Naturopathic doctors hold a doctor of naturopathy degree, which is internationally recognized as a degree that allows someone to hold the title of “doctor”.

The College of Naturopaths of Ontario maintains a register of everyone who is licensed to practice naturopathic medicine in Ontario. Feel free to search the register and you’ll find Dr. Maria.

Not only do naturopathic doctors encourage you to continue any medical treatments, but also some naturopathic treatments are designed to support medical treatments, like in the case of cancer care.

Dr. Maria is happy to work alongside your medical doctor, as well as any other health professionals you have on your team, including your dentist, chiropractor, osteopath, etc.

A positive attitude helps when getting any type of healthcare treatment. However, naturopathic medicine is based on modern health science.

There is a large and growing body of evidence in support of naturopathic medicine in peer- reviewed scientific journals. Whether you believe in naturopathic medicine or not, the science behind it is clear.

For the most part, no. Naturopathic treatments are derived from natural sources and are designed to be as gentle as possible in keeping with the tenet of “first, do no harm”. However, there are times where naturopathic and medical treatments can conflict with each other.

Naturopathic doctors are trained to recognize the interactions between naturopathic and medical treatments, so be sure to let Dr. Maria know if you’re currently taking any pharmaceuticals or other medical treatments.

Currently, no. It is, however, covered by many extended health insurance benefits plans. Consult your individual plan to find out more.

No. Only those who hold a doctor of naturopathy degree from an accredited institution may call themselves naturopathic doctors.

There are other fields of study for those interested in natural medicine, including holistic nutrition and homeopathy. Individuals who practice these modalities, though, cannot call themselves naturopathic doctors unless they hold a doctor of naturopathy degree.

Yes. Naturopathic licensing was first introduced in Ontario in 1925 under the Drugless Therapy Act. Now, naturopathy is regulated by the Naturopathy Act, introduced in 2007.

Naturopathic doctors are also regulated in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, and many US states.

Your first naturopathic visit will take between 75 and 120 minutes. This is longer than you might expect from a doctor’s appointment, but the point is to get to know your individual health concerns and needs. Dr. Maria will want to get a full understanding of your health history, including any diseases, injuries, or other health issues you’re dealing with. She will perform a physical exam, including a test for your blood pressure, and pulse, among other things.

She’ll also talk about other health factors than just the physical, including mental, emotional, spiritual, dietary, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

At the end, you and Dr. Maria will talk about your individualized healthcare plan, which may include further testing depending on the findings.