Feel Vibrant. Vital. Freakin' Fabulous... With Naturopathic Medicine
Our Process
Why you feel the way you do is no accident. Your symptoms are your body’s way of asking you to pay attention.
I believe that you are meant to be well and your body is always working to keep you going, in spite of everything. The late nights, overwork, too much coffee and wine, eating on the run, negative self talk, and pushing ourselves to work out really hard (or not at all) all catch up with us eventually.
When you start to experience those periods from hell, that middle-of-the-night anxiety, investing in bigger pants to contain the mid-day bloating or can’t shake that fatigue not matter how much sleep you get, it should be a wake up call that something is off.
You have probably:
- spent a lot of time Googling your symptoms and asking around if anyone else feels this way
- tried a bunch of stuff and weren’t quite sure if you were doing it right
- been told that you are “fine” – healthy even – because your blood work is normal, even if you feel terrible
- felt like you shouldn’t feel this tired, angry or hormonal
That’s where we come in.
I help busy people like you to improve your energy, balance your hormones, sort out nagging digestive issues and finally get a good night’s sleep.
We utilize a signature Naturopathic approach called The Hormonal to Whole Plan to help you get to the root of your imbalances and create a step-by-step health renovation strategy to help you reclaim your vibrant well-being.
I know that you are the BEST expert in your health. And you may “know” the things to do but can’t quite stay on track. You may also suspect that the path to health is not forged in 10 minute visits a few times a year. You know there is a big difference between feeling “fine” and radiating health.
I also know you know that the answer is not another pill. to mask the symptoms.
As a hormonally-focused Naturopathic Doctor, I help you get really clear on your health goals, utilize the best testing available to help you understand where your body is at, and work with you each step of the way through a logical (but intuitive) plan to help you recover.
Let me take you from Hormonal to Whole.
You are too important to not be at your best
What we excel at…
- getting to the heart of why you feel this way
- empowered testing and results that put you at the centre of your health care decisions
- simplifying your path to being well (not just not sick!) with a highly strategic plan
- eliminating the overwhelm from trying to do it alone
The Best of Traditional Healing
with Evidence-based Care and Clinical Experience for
Truly Personalized Medicine
Whole Family Wellness & Care
From pre-conception planning to keeping your family healthy through all of life’s stages, we help you identify imbalances in your health, and move beyond illness into true well-being.
Hormone Optimization & Anti-Aging Medicine
Using a combination of the most advanced testing and targeted treatments such as Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), and Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) we can safely individualize your path to better sleep, balanced mood and quality of life through your hormonal transitions.
Comprehensive Lab Testing
When it comes to your health, test and don’t guess. We offer functional testing assessments to analyze your metabolism, hormonal imbalances, digestive well-being, food sensitivities and more. With better information, you can make intelligent decisions about your health.
Facial Rejuvenation & Therapeutic Acupuncture
Facial Rejuvenation (cosmetic) Acupuncture can be a powerful tool to give you a vibrant, well-rested look without using synthetic fillers. Rooted in Traditional Asian Medicine techniques, our acupuncture sessions are relaxing, effective and help address stress-based conditions like insomnia, headaches & hormone imbalances.
B12 Injection Therapy
Vitamin B12 injections are simple, affordable additions to your health care plan if you are suffering from: mood imbalances, fatigue or digestive issues certain prescription and over-the-counter medications deplete Vitamin B12.
(Please note that you must be a client of our clinic to qualify.)
Corporate and Community Seminars
Educating and entertaining large or small groups of people is my passion. Everything about health, productivity and feeling like a super-hero gets me excited. Get your team relaxing, laughing and learning some practical take-aways that will have them feeling inspired and ready to take action.
Let us take you from hormonal to whole.
Step 1: Learn about you & your health.
We take the time to get to know you through our two part Health Discovery and Initial Health Strategy Asssessment process.
We invite you for complimentary Health Discovery session virtually or via phone to discuss your health goals and discove your health care options with an overview of our process to make sure we are a great fit for your needs.
Your Initial Health Strategy Assessment is focused on gather information and establishing a foudnation treatment plan. This visit will include a thorough health history, physical exam where needed, and review of previous testing and well as recommendations for next steps to gain clarity around your health goals.
Before your consultations, please take the time to thoroughly fill out your online forms. This helps us be thoroughly prepared for your success.
Step 2: Targeted Specialty testing & analysis.
Lab testing offers a thorough evaluation of your health and allows us to gain greater insight into your body’s condition and therefore treat more effectively. It is the closest thing we have to a crystal ball.
We offer blood work and functional testing assessments to analyze your metabolism, hormonal imbalances, digestive well-being, food sensitivities and more. Instead of merely ruling in or out obvious pathology, we are looking for how your body is actually functioning. This can help us make a strategic plan for your care by understanding which treatments are most likely to help you get results.
With better information, you can make intelligent decisions about your health.
Step 3: Review your personalized Hormonal to Whole Plan.
At our second visit, we will review your Care Plan – your snapshot of your health and outline of your individualized path to recovery.
Our signature approach to hormonal happiness is based on nearly a decade of research and clinical experience.
Your unique recommendations will take you through a complete plan, lasting 6-18 months, to thoroughly address your digestive, metabolic, mental and hormonal health. This health renovation plan is designed to go deep and takes into consideration each step along the way, with repeat testing, targeted supplementation and specific nutritional and lifestyle prescriptions to enhance your recovery. Sometimes we recommend acupuncture to fast-track your healing as well.
As an alumni of our program, we recommend maintenance visits as needed to maintain your progress.
Plan Your Visit
1. Book Your Appointment
2. Watch Video Below
3. Show Up On Time
The Wild Collective is a supportive community of like-minded women, offering health education that will help ignite passion and purpose into your life.
Our program is a 10-month women’s health curriculum, handouts, set health goals that you will work on while being supported by women you want to see you succeed.
Learning about the feminine power from a health perspective will increase awareness and allow you to tap into and be closely connected to your inner voice and intuition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Naturopathic Medicine
Why should I see a Naturopathic Doctor (ND)?
Do you want to take control of your life and feel empowered about your health?
Naturopathic Doctors can act as your primary care health resource, or as a great complement to your health care team. We help you navigate the health information black hole, perform regular physical exams, order regular screening blood work as well as more comprehensive functional testing in order to help you create your personalized Care Plan.
Naturopathic Medicine is based on these beliefs:
- First, to do no harm.
- Co-operate with the healing powers of nature.
- Address the fundamental causes of disease.
- Heal the whole person through individualized treatment.
- Teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine.
What types of conditions do we treat & how?
Primarily we love working with hormonal womxn that are feeling bloated, burnt out, moody – and ready to do something about it. However, we are happy to talk more specifically about your needs!
We use a compbination of functional and blood work to assess your baseline, along with a thorough case taking, to understand where you are at and where you want to go with your health goals.
At your Reiew of Care Plan visit, we outline your strategic, structured approach to healing that includes targeted supplementation, specific nutritional and lifestyle recommendations, referrals where needed and acupuncture treatments as an optional fast-track to compound your recovery.
What's the difference between an ND and my MD? Do I have to choose?
Both Naturopathic Doctors and Medical Doctors must complete an undergraduate degree, followed by a minimum four-year post-graduate degree. NDs and MDs are both trained in assessment, diagnosing and treating a variety of health concerns throughout the lifespan, with their education covering the basic medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology).
Where NDs and MDs differ is in the toolkit. In our office, we use a combination of acupuncture, botanical medicine, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, injection therapy, homeopathy, lifestyle counselling, diet and nutrition, and physical medicine as primary treatment modalities. We are highly trained to recognize drug interactions with herbs and other medications, will take the time to review any lab work and get to know you. Our visits tend to be longer as well (30-90 minutes), allowing us the time to get to know each patient on an individual level.
Although you have the right to choose which type of doctor you would prefer to see, most Naturopathic Doctors prefer working alongside other MDs as it allows the patient to have the most comprehensive health care.
Finally, we believe that you are ultimately best served by a team-based approach!
Are your services by my provincial health care plan (OHIP)?
At this time, Naturopathic care is not covered under OHIP.
However, most insurance and extended health care coverage plans do cover the cost of Naturopathic care in whole or in part.
Some insurance plans also have health spending accounts that may be even more flexible in terms of coverage for lab testing and supplement prescriptions.
Please contact your provider for more information.
How do I book in?
You can book online here or use any of the Booking buttons on our site. If you are new to our practice, we recommend that you book a complimentary Health Discovery session first. This visit will last approximately 15 minutes and is a great opportunity to discuss your concerns and see if you are a good candidate for our practice. If not, we have a great network of other providers that we will be more than happy to refer you to if our approach is not your best fit.
What is your cancellation policy, and how do I change my appointment?
If you can no longer make your appointment, please give us at least 48 hours notice by phone or by cancelling from our online booking page or calling us at 519-273-0900.
We charge the full cost of your visit for an appointment cancelled under 48 hours notice, or a no show. We reserve your appointment time for you and will be disappointed if you are not able to make it! You can always send flowers – that fixes everything.
How is Naturopathic Medicine regulated in Canada?
Naturopathic Doctors are members of Regulated Health Professions Act, amoungst other health professionals such as medical doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, optometrists and several others. The ultimate goal is to allow for increased access to care and collaboration amoungst health care professionals. Read more about the RHPA act as it pertains to Naturopathic Medicine here.
You deserve to feel vibrant, vital, and freakin’ fabulous…
CASE STUDIES
Hormonal Havoc: PMS, bloating, carb cravings and burnout out.
*Terry is a 47 year old self employed graphic designer. She was feeling burnt out: tired, irritable and at the mercy of her periods. She was able to eat healthily most of the time but 10 days before her period would have insatiable cravings for sugar, bread and chocolate. It was hard not to feel frustrated when the numbers on the scale started climbing each cycle and her face broke out like a teenager!
Being an entrepreneur Terry recognized that in order to do her work successfully, balance client meetings, projects and continue to be civil with her family she needed help. We began regular acupuncture sessions during her busiest time of year (my sanity she says!), taught her how to combine foods to keep her full and not craving junk all the time and created a customized supplementation program to stabilize her energy.
Within a few months Terry has noticed less facial hair growth pre-menstrually, and her skin has improved dramatically, with finer pores and less redness. Her bloating has decreased and she is less moody the week before her periods.
Adult acne.
*Jean is a 24 year old female who came to my office, looking for help with acne, premenstrual breast tenderness, moodiness and menstrual cramps. As a professional artist, her appearance was extremely crucial to her branding. She exercised semi-regularly and ate a fairly clean diet, however working late nights at her part-time job and full days building her business was taking its toll. Jean was tired of covering her face up in a heavy, expensive foundation and popping ibuprofen to help her get through her period.
We identified several food sensitivities via testing, began a basic hormone supporting protocol and created a customized skincare regimen for Jean. We emphasized practical, take-anywhere stress management techniques and encouraged her to ditch the chronic cardio and opt for regular walks outdoors instead. Jean loved learning which foods, even though they are “healthy”, contributed to her acne, and found a clear connection between stress, diet and hormonal symptoms.
Five months later, Jean is down 5 lbs, no longer feels bloated after eating or around her period. She experiences almost no PMS symptoms, can confidently go makeup-free and is happy to flaunt her beautiful natural skin.
Hoarse voice, weight gain, constipation and low libido.
*Janet came to my office in December 2015, a trim, well-dressed woman in her late 50’s. She was feeling extremely frustrated over the past few months because her voice keeps cracking and by the end of the day, she can barely manage to whisper. She works as an office manager for an accounting firm and spends a large portion of her day sitting and answering phones. Lately she had to train another colleague to take over the customer service because her voice became so thin, reedy and raspy sounding. Janet’s croaking voice absolutely did not fit with her positive mental attitude and joie de vivre!
While she had suffered from constipation much of her life, Janet was feeling more lethargic than ever. In an attempt to get more energy she had been faithfully going to a local gym every morning before work. Unfortunately, during that time she had also gained almost 20 pounds and her energy was getting worse. Because her energy continued to decline, her interest in sex also waned much to her dismay.
Janet was referred to me by another client of mine whom I had also treated successfully vocal hoarseness. Like her friend, she had been referred to an ear nose and throat specialist and told that everything was “normal”. Thyroid tests were “normal” according to her family doctor.
At our first visit we reviewed Janet’s goals, completed a physical exam and decided to order some follow up blood work. We initiated a trial of high potency vitamin injections, a gentle detox and cleaned up her diet. At our second visit we reviewed her test results: Janet had Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition affecting her thyroid. She was relieved to find that there was an explanation for her fatigue, and that the hoarseness might be due to her thyroid swelling. Because Janet was open-minded and not willing to settle, we were able to order the right blood work to gain a complete picture of Janet’s health, and then create a customized lifestyle, diet and supplement plan. At her 3 month check up, Janet was glowing. Her energy had improved, she had lost 15 lbs, her skin was clearing up and her voice sounded strong and clear. She was grinning that now for the first time in her life she was able to have a daily bowel movement. Her husband also sent his regards… because her libido had also improved.
Asthma, allergies and severe eczema.
*Heather is an active and very bright 8-year-old girl. She suffers from very severe allergies from spring until fall, and then asthma requiring two puffers several times a day from frost until spring. Heather also had puffy eyes, red itchy cheeks and rashes covering her legs that often bled and multiple food sensitivities. Her father’s side of the family had many similar issues, as did Heather’s older sister. Her mother brought her in on the recommendation of another patient looking for some natural alternatives to topical steroid creams for her eczema and pediatric anti-histamines for her allergies.
Heather’s family ate a very healthy diet, low in wheat and dairy, prior to coming to see me. They spent a lot of time together as a family, often camping during the summers, and she was very active outside and had good energy.
At our first visit, we took a thorough health history with Heather and her mother. Heather had the classic “atopic triad”: asthma, allergies, and eczema and they were keen to start healing rather than suppressing with medication. We started Heather on a basic pediatric plan of great-tasting, high-quality supplements, began our allergy reducing protocol, recommended continuing their healthy diet.
4 weeks later, the eczema rashes on Heather’s face had completely healed, the leg rashes were greatly decreased and she had hardly sneezed in the past 2 weeks. Even more interesting, the family had taken a camping trip and spent some time in a barn, traditionally a trigger for Heather’s asthma did not even flare-up. Two sneezes were the only sign of discomfort. They were able to reduce to one puffer at bedtime only, although they are keeping current prescriptions on hand just in case, and were able to discontinue the anti-histamine.
Chronic heartburn, bloating and chest pain.
*David is a 58-year-old contractor that first came into my office in March 2016. His main concerns were chronic chest and back pain, with onset in the morning soon after sitting in the work truck on the way to a worksite. He had been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia many years ago and was taking Pantoloc to suppress heartburn for over 10 years. He was unable to tolerate any alcohol in the evening and would have terrible bloating the next day, even after one beer. David was also seeing his chiropractor every 2 weeks for the past 2 years without much improvement to the back pain. He also noticed trouble remembering names and that his brain wasn’t as sharp as it used to be.
We evaluated his previous lab work, reviewed David’s diet and put him on a customized supplement plan. At-home testing revealed that he had very low stomach acid after many years of taking Pantoloc. We discussed food hygiene and taught him some simple stress management techniques as well. We also referred him for osteopathic care to address the hiatal hernia.
By April he was able to discontinue the Pantoloc completely with very mild heartburn that responded very well to naturopathic support. By July 2016 he was having no heartburn whatsoever, his pants are fitting looser, energy is improving and he is able to enjoy one or two beers with friends and feel fine in the morning. David came to our office knowing very little about Naturopathic Medicine, yet he kept an open mind, opted for the right testing and feels much better as of his 4 month check-up.
Menopause, The Rollercoaster: Recurrent bladder infections, hot flashes and fatigue.
*Maria is a 53-year-old professional artist who makes her living performing. Her work requires her to travel frequently and she actively works at fostering a positive outlook on life. She eats well and gets lots of exercise via walking, dance and yoga.
Her last period was 3 years ago, but since then the hot flashes had become almost unbearable. Furthermore, she became unable to have intercourse with her husband after a severe bladder prolapse and issues with discomfort. She had been on multiple rounds of antibiotics in the previous year for urinary tract infections, which seemed to come on during any extended travelling time. She had had >5 infections in the previous year and they were severely impacting her health, energy and ability to perform. Her energy and voice were suffering.
We ordered a salivary hormone test to look at Maria’s female hormones and stress function and ordered a full thyroid panel. In the meantime, Maria wanted to try acupuncture to help treat a current bladder infection in addition to antibiotics. After her interview and reviewing the testing we determined that Maria had very low progesterone and hypothyroidism. We made some dietary changes to improve her energy, initiated some sleep support and recommended bioidentical progesterone replacement therapy, as well as supplements to help her thyroid and adrenals function more effectively. We also prescribed a low dose bioidentical estrogen to decrease pain with intercourse.
As of her 2 month follow up visit, Maria has definitely noticed an improvement in her energy. After three weeks of air plane and car travel Maria did not have any symptoms of another bladder infection. Night sweats have decreased by 50%, hot flashes are much milder and less frequent and she has been able to be intimate with her husband for the first time in two years without any pain.
Low energy, diarrhea and insomnia.
*Pamela is a 43-year-old wife and mother of three. She owns and operates a large farm business. She is very physically active, conscious of making healthy meals for her family.
Despite a high degree of satisfaction with her life, Pamela was experiencing persistent fatigue and rated her energy level at a 3/10. She had difficulty losing weight, slept poorly and suffered from severe diarrhea, a major impairment to the quality of her life.
We ruled out serious pathology before determining that she had several food sensitivities causing her Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She also had adrenal fatigue.
Together we created a customized plan, including dietary changes, nutritional supplements, and deep breathing exercises. As of her eight-week follow-up, Pamela has not had a single “bowel attack”, her sleep is improving and she no longer feels that 3:00 pm energy crash.
Migraines.
*Candice is a recently widowed 49-year-old, and she was referred by her company HR department after missing a concerning amount of time from work with terrible migraines. While she had gotten used to having the occasional migraine since her 30s, in the last 4 months ago they had become unbearable. She described her migraines as feeling “like my head was going to pop like a zit!”, with intense pressure, often first thing in the morning and left her feeling nauseous, weak and helpless. They typically came every 2 weeks and would last 2-3 days even when she wasn’t working.
She had tried several different pain medications, with unsatisfying results and she hated how they made her feel groggy.
We started Candice on a plan of regular acupuncture, supplements to take at the first sign of a headache and a maintenance plan to help prevent her headaches. We also eliminated some foods in her diet that are common migraine triggers and taught her some helpful acupressure points to use.
After 1 month, her migraines became less severe. After 5 weeks she began reintroducing foods and it became VERY obvious that her migraines were triggered by wheat. By July 2016, three months after strictly avoiding gluten, taking her supplements and using the tools we taught her, Candice is thrilled to report that she has only had one migraine.