From the (brilliant) desk of our very own, Dr Tara Lantz, ND
Did you know that in Nova Scotia there can be some major differences between a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and a Naturopath? 
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I can guarantee that the “naturopath” who looked at the iris of your eye and diagnosed you with a medical condition at a health & wellness fair was NOT a licensed Naturopathic Doctor (This has happened with several of my patients). 
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Licensed Naturopathic Doctors have 8 years of post-secondary education (an undergraduate degree in science and a 4 year Naturopathic Medicine degree/diploma from an accredited naturopathic medical school). 
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We practice Functional Medicine, where we take a whole person/root cause approach to determine the underlying reason for your health concerns and develop treatment plans tailored to your health concerns, your goals, and your lifestyle. 
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We are thoroughly trained in medical assessment and treatment, including differential diagnosis, pharmaceutical prescriptions, blood work & lab testing, imaging, and physical examination.
While we aren’t yet able to prescribe pharmaceuticals or order blood work through provincial labs in Nova Scotia, NDs in other provinces are able to provide these services. This may seem counter to a traditional Naturopathic approach, but this brings us in line with modern times, because sometimes a pharmaceutical treatment is what is needed. 
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In addition to our medical training, we are experts in complementary & holistic medicine. We are trained in: clinical nutrition, the targeted (and safe) use of vitamins and supplements, chiropractic-style of physical medicine, botanical medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine & acupuncture, homeopathy, lifestyle counselling, preventative medicine, and Environmental Medicine. 
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Licensed NDs must do annual Continuing Education. Some practitioners choose to learn additional modalities, including: IV therapy, injections techniques for pain and to stimulate healing (like Neural Therapy, Prolotherapy, and PRP), genomic and epigenetic medicine, integrative oncology, mind-body medicine, and bodywork. 
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Find your licensed ND here: www.nsand.ca 
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