IMS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Does Naturopathic Medicine Work Effectively?
2. Is Naturopathic Medicine safe?
3. Who can use Naturopathic treatments safely?
4. How is Naturopathic Medicine different from Conventional Medicine?
5. In what ways are Naturopathic and Conventional Physicians alike?
6. Are there conditions that Conventional Medicine cannot help but Naturopathic Medicine can?
7. Is Naturopathic Medicine taught in conventional medical schools?
8. Has Conventional Medicine adopted methods from the naturopathic body of knowledge?
9. How can Naturopathic Medicine be blended with Conventional Medicine?
10. Are Naturopathic Physicians opposed to drugs and major surgery?
11. Is Naturopathic Medicine cost effective?
12. What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment?
13. How should I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
14. Do the acupuncture needles hurt?
15. How deep do they go?
16. How safe is acupuncture?
17. Is acupuncture safe for children?

1. Does Naturopathic Medicine Work Effectively?
Naturopathic Medicine has its on unique body of knowledge, evolved and refined through experience for centuries. It also incorporates scientific advances from medical disciplines throughout the world. Many of the individual therapies used in naturopathic medical practice have been scientifically validated, especially in the areas of clinical nutrition, botanical medicine homeopathy, acupuncture and manipulation. The trend is that those naturopathic methods which are tested in well-designed studies are validated. Research is presently being conducted on the effectiveness of the whole system of naturopathic medicine when it is applied to patients with certain conditions.

2. Is Naturopathic Medicine safe?
Yes. The safety record in states with regulatory boards is excellent. Naturopathic physicians can purchase malpractice insurance at extremely low rates. As indicated by such rates, the chance of being injured through malpractice is low. Naturopathic physicians are experts in the safe use of natural therapies.

3. Who can use Naturopathic treatments safely?
Pregnant women, newborns, and all phases of life up to geriatric care. Terminally ill persons too can benefit safely from naturopathic medicine.

4. How is Naturopathic Medicine different from Conventional Medicine?
The main difference is in the philosophical approach. Naturopathic physicians treat patients by restoring overall health rather than suppressing a few key symptoms. Naturopathic physicians are more concerned with finding the underlying cause of a condition and applying treatments that work in alliance with the natural healing mechanisms of the body rather than against them. Naturopathic treatments result less frequently in adverse side effects, or in the chronic conditions that inevitably arise when the cause of disease is left untreated. Naturopathic physicians typically spend more time with patients, taking a more comprehensive approach to the doctor-patient relationship. Sharing information and answering questions is considered an essential aspect of naturopathic health care.

5. In what ways are Naturopathic and Conventional Physicians alike?
The academic training in medical sciences of naturopathic and conventional physicians is similar. Both study modern physical, clinical and laboratory diagnosis. Both can diagnosis a disease and predict its course. Naturopathic physicians may also perform minor surgery, and prescribe some drugs. Both naturopathic and conventional physicians refer patients to other health care practitioners when appropriate.

6. Are there conditions that Conventional Medicine cannot help but Naturopathic Medicine can?
Yes. Naturopathic Medicine outshines conventional medicine in conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, recurrent ear infections, and acute viral infections such as the flu and the common cold.

7. Is Naturopathic Medicine taught in conventional medical schools?
No. Conventional medical schools may offer introductory courses on the modalities of Naturopathic Medicine, such as clinical nutrient botanical medicine and homeopathy. But Naturopathic Medicine is not part of core curriculum of any conventional medical school in North America.

8. Has Conventional Medicine adopted methods from the naturopathic body of knowledge?
Yes. The dangers of harmful fats, excess carbohydrates and inadequate fiber are now accepted in conventional medicine. The benefits of whole foods, medicinal plants, exercise, and the influence of mental and emotional attitudes on health are all part of the naturopathic body of knowledge.

9. How can Naturopathic Medicine be blended with Conventional Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine shares a foundation of diagnostic methods with Conventional Medicine. Although treatment approaches may differ, they are not mutually exclusive. Many patients are under the care of both a Conventional Physician and a Naturopathic Physician, utilizing the strengths and minimizing the limations of each approach. In an ideal world, patients would always be able to access the best of both systems. Naturopathic Medicine has effective treatment for many problems that conventional fails to cure, such as asthma, arthritis, migraine headaches, diabetes, and hypertension. Recently, conventional medicine has incorporated some naturopathic wisdom in the areas of nutrition, diet, exercise therapy, and mind-body correlations.

10. Are Naturopathic Physicians opposed to drugs and major surgery?
No. Naturopathic physicians are not opposed to invasive or suppressive measures when these methods are necessary. They make referrals for such treatment when appropriate. Naturopathic medicine has both safer and less expensive alternatives to many kinds of non-emergency surgery.

11. Is Naturopathic Medicine cost effective?
Yes. Because naturopathic physicians have alternatives to some expensive high-tech procedures, and because their preventative approach reduces the incidence of high-cost chronic conditions, naturopathic practice reduces both immediate and long-term health care costs.

12. What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment?
Where the acupuncture needle has been insterted, you may experience a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling or dull ache. Sometimes people experience a sensation of energy spreading and moving around the needle. This is called the "Qi sensation". All these reactions are good and a sign that the treatment is working. After treatment, you may feel energized or may experience a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.

13. How should I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points.
- Don't eat large meals just before or after your visit.
- Refrain from overexertion, working out, drugs or alcohol for up to 6 hours after the visit.
- Avoid stressful situations. Make time to relax, and be sure to get plenty of rest.

14. Do the acupuncture needles hurt?
The sensation caused by an acupuncture needle varies. Some people feel a little pain as the needles are inserted, but most people feel no pain at all. The needles are tiny, just a little larger than a cat's whisker or a human hair.

15. How deep do they go?
The depth of the insertion varies. For example, your acupuncturist will use a needling technique that is different in fleshier areas, such as your buttocks. Typically, needles are inserted at depths ranging from 1/8" to 1-1/2".

16. How safe is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects except feelings of relaxation and well-being. There is little danger of infection from acupuncture needles because they are sterile, used once and then discarded.

17. Is acupuncture safe for children?
Yes! In some instances children actually respond more quickly than adults. If more child has an aversion to needles, your acupuncturist may massage the acupuncture points. This is called acupressure.