FAQ’s

Naturopathic Medicine is a wholistic primary health care system that incorporates both modern scientific knowledge and traditional/natural forms of medicine.

Naturopathic Doctor’s use different modalities to treat and prevent many acute and chronic health conditions such as botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation, traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, lifestyle counselling and many more depending on the doctor.

Naturopathic Doctors can and do treat many of the same medical conditions that medical doctors treat:

Acute Health Conditions

• Colds/Flus
• Ear/nose/throat infections
• Bronchitis, sinusitis
• UTI/Yeast infections
• Headaches
• Musculoskeletal issues
• Intestinal issues

Chronic Health Conditions

• Fatigue (Adrenal dysfunction, low iron, low B12)
• Cardiovascular Conditions (hypertension, cholesterol)
• Environmental Allergies (hay fever, seasonal, scents)
• Food Sensitivities/Allergies/Intolerances
• Digestive Disorders (IBS, IBD-Crohn’s, Colitis, SIBO, Acid Reflux (GERD), gastritis, H.Pylori, bloating/gas)
• Skin Conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis, hives, rashes)
• Sexual dysfunction (vaginal dryness, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, egg quality)
• Autoimmune disease
• Thyroid Conditions
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis

Women’s Health Conditions

• Weight loss/management
• Menopause or Peri-menopause
• Menstrual conditions-PMS, cramps, irregular periods, heavy periods, no periods
• Infertility
• Endometriosis
• PCOS-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Uterine Fibroids
• Ovarian Cysts

Other Health Conditions

• Weight
• Stress Management
• Mood Disturbances (Anxiety, depression, panic attacks)
• Insomnia

Naturopathic Medicine is for you if:

• You are looking for disease prevention and health promotion strategies
• You have a range of symptoms that you or other medical practitioners cannot address.
• You have been diagnosed with an illness and are looking for treatment options that are not the conventional treatments such as drugs or surgery. *Note-There are times when drugs and surgery are a necessity and the best option.
• You want to improve the quality of your life.
• You are looking to blend conventional treatments with naturopathic treatments in order to minimize or completely avoid the side effects of drugs, surgery or other conventional treatments.

In Ontario, NDs need a minimum of seven years of education before they become a Naturopathic Doctor. This includes 3-4 years of pre-medical studies at a university with the completion of a Bachelors Degree. This is followed by another 4 years of Naturopathic Studies in a recognized college of naturopathic medicine. In addition, NDs have 1500 hour of supervised clinical experience before they graduate.

Graduates receive the title N.D. or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopathic Doctors have the privilege of using the title Doctor which is regulated under the RHPA.

Homeopaths are health care practitioners who specialize in homeopathy and Acupuncturists are health care practitioners who specialize in acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine.

Naturopathic Doctors on the other, can and will use homeopathy and acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine but they will also use a number of other modalities as well.

There is always risks with any medical intervention but Naturopathic Medicine is one of the safest, least invasive methods for healing health concerns.

One of the Key tents of Naturopathic Medicine is “First to do no harm”

These two are not the same even though it is often erroneously believed to be. A doctor of natural medicine is not regulated or licensed in Ontario so anyone can all themselves a doctor of natural medicine.

Naturopathic Medicine is not covered by OHIP, however most extended health care plans will cover the cost of seeing an ND. Please call your insurance company prior to your visit to ensure that you will be covered.

Supplements are not covered by most extended health care plans. Please contact your insurance company for more detailed answers. You can however, write off your supplement expenses on your taxes.

Naturopathic Testing is not covered by OHIP but some extended health care plans will cover the cost of testing. Please contact your insurance company for more detailed answers.

No but you will receive an invoice at the end of your visit with a registration number and you will be able to submit that invoice to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Prior to your visit please ensure that you have filled out all the required intake and consent forms. The intake and request forms.

The first visit is 60-90 minutes depending on the case.

Dr. Zar will do the following:

• Take a thorough intake that will include chief concerns, past history, family history and goals for treatment.
• Go over a review of systems
• A complaint-oriented physical exam
• Review labor work (if brought in)
• Order lab work if necessary
• Prescribe an initial individualized treatment plan based on health history

If possible, bring in any recent bloodwork and lab tests you might want to discuss. In addition, bring in any medication or supplements you are currently taking.