Dr. Lori Mae Janzen BSc ND What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Dr. Lori Mae Janzen BSc ND
1062 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg
Phone. 204.774.5521
Fax. 204.774.5522
Email. [email protected]
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct primary health care system that combines traditional and
natural forms of medicine with modern scientific knowledge. It is an individualized approach to
health care that considers the well being of each person as a whole – mind, body and spirit.
Naturopathic Doctors address the underlying causes of disease and aim to bring the body
back to its optimal functioning. Through the use of natural and traditional therapies,
Naturopathic Medicine supports the body’s natural healing process.
Naturopathic treatment modalities include: clinical nutrition, botanical or herbal medicine,
hydrotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, homeopathy, physical medicine and
lifestyle counseling.
Naturopathic Medicine complements and enhances other health care professions and
services. Communicating with a patient’s current health care practitioners, as well as referring
to other qualified professionals when necessary, truly makes Naturopathic Medicine an
integrative form of health care.
Naturopathic Guiding Principles:
1. First, Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere):
Naturopathic Physicians strive to:
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Diagnose and treat using the least force necessary, respecting the body’s natural
healing ability,
Minimize the risk of harmful side effects and,
Avoid the harmful suppression of symptoms.
2. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
The human body has an amazing and powerful inherent ability to heal itself. Naturopathic
Doctors aim to identify and remove obstacles to recovery, while supporting this natural healing
process.
3. Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causum)
One of the primary goals of a Naturopathic Physician is to identify and treat the cause of
disease instead of simply suppressing or managing the symptoms.
Possible underlying causes of disease may be due to lifestyle habits, diet, life events,
environment, posture etc. Since symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body’s natural
attempt to heal itself, treating the cause promotes long term healing.
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Dr. Lori Mae Janzen BSc ND
4. Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic Doctors view each person as a whole and take into account not only physical
symptoms, but also mental, spiritual, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other
factors. Disease affects the entire person, not just a specific organ or system. Rather than
simply treating the disease, Naturopaths aim to treat each unique individual as a whole.
5. Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Naturopathic Doctors aim to inspire self-healing that comes through empowered and
individualized wellness education. Patient questions are encouraged and a healthy doctorpatient relationship is fostered through open discussion of health concerns. Instead of relying
solely on one’s doctor for short-term symptom relief, Naturopathic Physicians aim to educate
patients towards long-term health and lifestyle choices.
6. Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
A Naturopathic Doctor’s ultimate goal is to promote disease prevention and optimal health
through balanced lifestyle choices. Health is more than merely the absence of disease – but
entails quality of life and optimal daily functioning. Balanced nutrition, exercise,
mental/emotional health, and lifestyle choices are all involved in optimal wellness.
Naturopathic Doctors believe that the capacity for optimal wellness or health improvement is
inherent in every person.
Naturopathic Treatment Modalities:
Clinical Nutrition
- Nutrition and the therapeutic use of foods is the cornerstone of naturopathic
medicine. Nutritional therapies also include the safe and monitored use of
supplemental vitamins, minerals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. Many
medical conditions can be linked to food and dietary related issues including: food
intolerances or allergies, deficiencies or excesses, and dietary imbalances.
Botanical/Herbal Medicine
- Medicinal plants are a valuable and powerful ongoing tradition in natural healing.
Botanicals can be utilized in many forms including tinctures, teas, powders, syrups,
creams, salves etc. The plant as a whole and its therapeutic substances are highly
effective and quite safe when used in the correct dosage and in combination with
other herbs and treatments.
Homeopathy
- This is a safe yet powerful system of medicine that is more than 200 years old.
Homeopathy works to promote the body’s innate healing ability (or vital force)
through gentle yet curative means. Homeopathic remedies are made from specific
dilutions of plant, animal and mineral substances and are prescribed based on
acute or long-standing symptoms.
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Dr. Lori Mae Janzen BSc ND
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
- Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture have been practiced for over 2000
years and are just as relevant today. Acupuncture is especially known for its
effectiveness in pain relief and chronic illness. However, the scope of traditional
diagnosis and treatment – facilitating the enhanced movement of the body’s energy
– allows healing of many health concerns.
Hydrotherapy & Physical Medicine
- Treatments include soft tissue work (including therapeutic massage), naturopathic
manipulation of soft tissue, bone or spine, hydrotherapy techniques and exercise
therapy.
Prevention & Lifestyle Counseling
- Physical, mental and emotional stressors permeate our lives and deeply affect our
health. It is crucial to identify and address all aspects of a person’s life – including
mental attitudes, emotional states, and varying life events. Naturopathic medicine
strives to address key lifestyle concerns and has a preventative, holistic health care
approach.
What to Expect During a Visit:
Complete Health History and Review of Systems
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According to Naturopathic philosophy – it is crucial to attain a patient’s complete
health history and whole body health status
As a result of this, more time is spent than with a standard visit to your GP
Diagnosing or Getting to the Root of the Health Concern:
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Physical Exams
o Naturopaths are trained to perform complete or concern oriented physical
exams – this provides a more complete picture of a patient’s health
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Symptom & Health analysis
o Many health concerns can be monitored and diagnosed through a person’s
complete symptom picture
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Tests & Labs
o N.D.’s utilize modern scientific labs and tests to aid in determining the
cause of a patient’s symptoms.
o Examples of diagnostic tools include: standard blood work, urinalysis, scans
and physical tests, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), hormonal
testing (salivary & blood), food sensitivity/allergy screening (IgG testing),
urinary toxic metals, stool/salivary Gastrointestinal testing etc.
Treatment Plan
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After careful analysis of each person’s case – an ND will work together with the
patient to come up with attainable goals and a functional treatment or health plan
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Dr. Lori Mae Janzen BSc ND
About the Naturopath:
Dr. Lori Mae Janzen ND grew up in rural Manitoba with an active interest in health and
wellness from an early age. Through involvement in activities such as sport and music, Dr.
Janzen is continually learning the importance of a balanced lifestyle. Her passion for medicine
and health care led her to complete a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of
Winnipeg (2003) and the Naturopathic Medicine diploma at The Canadian College of
Naturopathic Medicine (2007 – Toronto). While studying in Toronto, Dr. Janzen was involved
in the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic’s sports medicine group and spent 4 months working
at the Queen West Community Health Centre in downtown Toronto. Currently, Dr. Janzen is a
licensed ND and a member of the Manitoba Naturopathic Association (MNA) as well as the
Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).
Dr. Janzen has an active interest in music, exercise/sport, environmental wellness,
plants/botanicals, and food and nutrition. She utilizes modern medical approaches along with
the wisdom of traditional therapies. Her different areas of interest along with her passion for
wellness allow her to practice holistic medicine that is open to all. For more information or to
book a free 15 minute consult with Dr. Janzen, contact the Wolseley Wellness Centre (204774-5521), email at [email protected] or check the website
www.drlorimaejanzen.com.
For more information on Naturopathic Medicine, follow the links below:
Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors: www.cand.ca
Manitoba Naturopathic Association: www.mbnd.ca
The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine: www.ccnm.edu
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