Botanical Medicine
Botanical medicine can be made from the roots, shoots, leaves, flowers and oils of plants for their remarkable healing and nutritional benefits. This natural treatment comes in the form of teas, tinctures, capsules, tablets and creams to help support the body.
Naturopathic Doctors have the education with which to recommend botanical medicine that will not interact with pharmaceutical drugs that a patient may already be taking.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathic medicine is a natural system of healing that has been used for over 200 years. It is derived from very small doses of the preparation of plants, animals, and minerals.
Homeopathy is based on the principle that “like cures like” and can stimulate self-healing on the physical and emotional level. “Constitutional Homeopathy” is the use of a single remedy in a higher potency that is given after an extensive intake based on specific symptoms in order to support the body to re-establish health.
Homeopathy may also be taken in a liquid form which is made of several different remedies.
Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture
Asian Medicine is a unique modality that has been continuously utilized for over 2500 years. It may consist of TCM diagnosis, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine and dietary protocols.
There is a general view that all things contains Yin and Yang. It is this harmony of Yin and Yang that is optimal health, and when disease occurs there is disharmony between them.
Illness is understood as a consequence of either a depletion or congestion of Qi. Insufficiency of Qi can lead to fatigue, low immunity, slow digestion and poor blood flow, where as excess Qi may result in pain, abdominal distension, irritability and swelling.
The goal of treatment is to adjust the Yin and Yang by regulating Qi. Weak organs are tonified, congested channels are opened, excess is dispersed, agitation is calmed and heat is cooled.
Acupuncture is based on the premise that Qi flows through every organ via different channels or meridians in the body. Needles are inserted at specific points in order to adjust the circulation of Qi. Treatments encourage the natural healing process by rebalancing the physical, mental and emotional disharmonies within the body.
Acupuncture is commonly used to treat arthritis, muscle pain and headaches, but it is also very beneficial for treating fertility, hormonal imbalances, skin conditions, anxiety and depression.
Orthomolecular Nutrition
The therapeutic use of food and nutraceuticals (vitamins and minerals) to treat as well as help prevent illness. Clinical nutrition encompasses dietary consultation including nutritional intake and individualized protocols to help the body detoxify efficiently.
Specific dietary recommendations and supplements are taken that improve vitamin/mineral status as observed on laboratory testing, improve energy, help memory and concentration, regulate sleep patterns and support the immune system. Knowledge on which supplements are best absorbed and are the highest quality are taught to each patient as an integral tool to empower individuals in their goal of optimal health.
Digestion is key to many conditions and our food intake is reflected in symptoms we may be expressing. By identifying and adjusting poor habits that may be contributing to your health conditions you will help to bring your body back into balance.
Also, an in-depth diet examination and possible laboratory testing, hidden food sensitivities may be uncovered.
It is common to have an altered response to something in the air, a specific food, or even certain smells. This is an automatic response by the immune system, intended for your body to alert you to an unpleasant invader, usually referred to as a sensitivity or intolerance. These sensitivities can manifest as gastrointestinal complaints (stomach ache, cramps, bloating, constipation, diarrhea), Headaches, Skin rashes (eczema, acne), Asthma, Sinusitis, Depression and Anxiety, ADD, Insomnia, Joint and Muscle pain, and Difficulty Losing Weight.”
Psychology and Dream Analysis
In addition to being a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Hornyak also has a Degree in Psychology. Using her extensive educational background, she utilizes counseling as one of her treatment modalities.
Recalling one’s dreams can be an important link between your conscious and subconscious self, which can give clues to how your body can heal itself. Mental attitudes and emotions are important elements in overall health and a dream can provide you with insight into new ways of thinking and feeling.
Everyone can benefit from counseling, but emotional support is quite beneficial with patients dealing with anxiety, depression, work-related stress, relationship issues, life transitions and chronic disease.
Meditation
What you focus on you create. Have you heard the phrase, “If you believe that you can or you believe that you can’t, you are right.”? Meditation is a healing practice that helps you to focus on your subconscious mind, to become aware of your inner thoughts and feelings. It is a way to completely calm the nervous system and with practice can bring much peace and relaxation. Practicing meditation on a daily basis helps you to deal with everyday stress in a more positive manner which creates beneficial physical manifestations such as improvement in digestion, immunity, a decrease in pain and an overall feeling of gratitude and joy.
I often combine acupuncture treatments with guided imagery and meditation, which I have found extremely effective over the years, especially for anxiety, depression, and infertility.
Therapeutic Ozone
In 1896, Nikola Tesla patented the first ozone generator in the United States and was used in World War I to topically treat infected wounds and reduce inflammation.
An ozone molecule is composed of 3 oxygen atoms. Ozone has a positive charge therefore an oxidative effect and the ability to neutralize negatively charged bacteria, yeast, viruses and fungi.
Medical grade ozone is produced from pure oxygen with an ozone generator and the gas is administered in precise therapeutic doses. Ozone therapy has been utilized and extensively studied for decades and its effects are consistent with minimal side effects.
Therapeutic ozone can be administered through the ear canal, topically on the skin, or in drinking water. Ozone works by supplying additional oxygen to the body.
Benefits of Ozone:
- May kill bacteria, yeast, fungi and viruses
- May improve overall body circulation
- May lower inflammation
- May improve oxygen efficiency
- May increase energy
- May decrease brain fog
- May improve immunity
Ozone ear insufflation is commonly used to treat ear inflammation, hearing difficulties, nausea, dizziness, vertigo, vision problems, headaches, brain fog, tinnitus, sinus conditions, sore throat, and allergies. Other conditions supported by Ozone therapy include infertility, skin conditions, regulating the gut microbiome, dental conditions, Lyme, EBV and Candida.
For most people, ozone therapy follows a course of 6-10 treatments. Typically improvement is seen within the first 3 treatments. Some people have reported pain relief within 2 hours of treatment.
Laboratory Testing
As of proclamation of the Naturopathy Act, 2007 on July 1st, 2015, Naturopathic Doctors have access to order blood tests through Ontario Laboratories. This includes 194 lab tests on blood, stool, urine, saliva, hair, tissue/discharge and breath, as well as perform 16 tests in their office:
- Ascorbic acid (ascorbate) Vitamin C.
- Blood Group – ABO and RhD.
- BTA Bioterrain Assessment.
- Free Fatty acids.
- Glucose.
- Hemoglobin – A1C.
- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin – pregnancy test.
- Indican – indicator of intestinal toxemia and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria..
- Koenigsberg – adrenal stress test.
- Live blood cell analysis.
- Mononuclear Heterophile Antibodies (monospot).
- Oxidative testing.
- Rapid Strep Test.
- Routine urinalysis by dipstick.
- Sulkowitch – calcium test.
- Vaginal pH.
Tests are still not covered by OHIP, although there is a subset of public health tests that N.D.’s may be able to order free of charge for patients in the near future.
Common blood tests analyzed include red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, blood sugar, cholesterol, Vitamin/Mineral status (iron, Vitamin B12, magnesium, Vitamin D levels), organ panels (liver, kidney, thyroid) and hormone panels (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA).
Urine is tested for bacteria, blood, glucose, protein, ascorbic acid and kidney function.
Additional testing is done for pH, food intolerances, environmental sensitivities, heavy metals, and parasites.
