FAQs
How do I prepare for my first visit?
Please bring any supplements and medications you are currently taking (including the bottle) along with any previous blood or laboratory work if you have this on hand. The more information provided will help with the overall health assessment. If you do not have a copy of your blood work or laboratory results on hand, this will not impact the visit, health assessment and subsequent treatment.
How do treatments work?
On the first visit, a comprehensive overview of your health will take place. This will include a thorough naturopathic medical intake, physical examination, review of laboratory work and overall health assessment. A treatment will then be prescribed at the end of each visit. The treatment may include, but is not limited to the following modalities: physical medicine, integrative medicine, herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, lifestyle counselling, nutritional changes, vitamin or mineral supplementation, and mental-emotional support.
What side effects might I experience with treatment?
Both beneficial and non-beneficial side effects are possible with any treatment. Though side effects are typically infrequent, if in the event you are experiencing any symptoms and have concerns, please contact info@drsaraip.com.
There may be many factors contributing to unexpected symptoms with treatment, and this may vary depending on the patient's current state of health, the physiological reactions taking place in the body, the medications and supplements being taken, the dietary intake, the stress factors, the environmental or infectious exposures, etc.
If you are on an existing treatment and have questions, please e-mail info@drsaraip.com for more information and next steps. If this is a medical emergency, please visit your nearest walk-in clinic or hospital.
What happens if I stop my treatment?
As always, if you are uncomfortable with any prescribed treatment, you may discontinue any treatment, at any time.
Will there be any additional costs beyond the naturopathic appointment fee?
This depends, and is unique for each patient. Some patients only require dietary and lifestyle changes. Others require further treatment. The many factors are considered in each case: chronicity of the disease, lifestyle factors such as recreational drug use, alcohol intake, concurrent medication intake, exercise regimens, dietary intake, previous health care, etc. are all factored in to the treatment.
Sometimes dietary and lifestyle changes are enough for healing to take place, and sometimes this is not the case. As a medical doctor may prescribe a medication, requisition blood work, and refer for further imaging, a naturopathic medical visit may include a recommended supplement or additional lab work.
As this is case dependent, if your disease is chronic and advanced, please expect there may be additional costs and budget accordingly. When the body has moved into a maintenance state, often times a healthy diet and lifestyle are enough to support overall health.
If I have questions about my treatment, how do I contact you?
If you have general health questions or require further clarification, please compile any inquiries you have to be discussed in person. There is a lot of information on the internet (true and false) it can take time to explain all of the factors that are considered, and which go into an individualized treatment protocol. Each treatment is individualized and this may warrant further discussion in an in-person visit. To make an appointment or change an appointment please visit: https://drsaraip.janeapp.com
I saw on the internet I should be taking 'X' amount of _______ supplement, why is my dose different?
Most internet sites contain information for the general public. With naturopathic medicine, treatment is individualized to: your age, gender, weight, overall health condition, blood work, vitamin or mineral deficiencies or excesses, hormonal deficiencies or excesses, neurotransmitter deficiencies or excesses, organ function, metabolic function, laboratory results, maintenance dosing, immune function and finally, based on the patient's health status.
Why is Naturopathic Medicine not covered under the health care system in Canada?
In Canada, naturopathic medicine is not covered by the existing health care system. In the province of Ontario, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), does not cover naturopathic medicine.
Some insurance providers and plans cover naturopathic medicine. A majority of insurance providers and plans provide partial or full coverage for naturopathic medical services up to a certain amount or percentage. This varies with each insurance provider and your existing employment benefit plan. Please confirm this with your provider if you do have health benefits.
At present, there is a large burden on the health care system: wait times have increased, visit times are kept to 5-7 minutes on average with symptoms limited to 2 per visit, medical laboratory and imaging tests are increasingly limited, and specialist referrals may warrant long wait times. This is because health care is free.
If you would like to obtain additional options including: comprehensive care, disease treatment, explore various health modalities outside of pharmaceuticals, requisition specific laboratory testing and/or focus on disease prevention, it may be worth considering naturopathic medical care.
What do I do if I can't afford treatment?
In an ideal world, naturopathic medicine would be available to all patients at no cost.
Please decide based on your individual needs and requirements. It is advised to budget accordingly for your health as this would be done for other health services including: aesthetic treatments, gym memberships, personal training, hair cuts and hair treatments, dining-out, shopping and travel. Budget accordingly, depending on your individual priorities for your lifestyle.
If you need to stop naturopathic treatment mid-way due to financial constraints, booking your next appointment when you can is always an available option. Health is not all-or-nothing, and can be budgeted for, as you seek professional advice and options.
The day-to-day healthy choices made around diet, lifestyle and stress reduction will also help to maintain any progress you have made with prior treatments.
There are other health services including: tele-health, mental health crisis services, community services and conventional medical care, available as well.
Are Naturopathic Doctors (NDs), 'Doctors' ?
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are doctors in the respective field of naturopathy. NDs in Ontario are regulated under the Registered Health Professions Act (RHPA), and have the protected title of Naturopathic Doctor. In Ontario, Naturopathic doctors have passed provincial board government-regulated exams to have this distinction and ability to provide care to patients.
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are not medical doctors (MDs). Though there are similar areas of education and training that overlap. Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario have training in pharmacology, minor surgery, phlebotomy, biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, anatomy, chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, physical medicine, health psychology, etc.
Being a regulated health professional enables Naturopathic Doctors to provide health information, oversee adequate care, and implement natural health safely in consideration of the health risks involved with any treatment. These risks include: interaction of pharmaceutical medications with other treatments such as vitamins & supplements, herbal medications, acupuncture, exercise, dietary changes etc.
Naturopathic Doctors are professionally qualified in the health modalities they are trained in, and have the competence to prescribe as per their respective scope of practice.
In addition, NDs are required to complete continuing education credits to maintain an active and current naturopathic medical scope of practice. This helps to inform the public and distinguish between individuals with formal education and training and those without.