FAQs
Yes, Naturopathic Doctors can work in conjunction with conventional medical and other practitioners. Naturopathic Doctors use many of the same laboratory tests as MDs for diagnosis and assessment, as well as several thorough, privately coordinated laboratory tests. Naturopathic Doctors may refer or consult with other health care specialists during treatment.
The first appointment with a Dr. Korsunsky is about an hour long, and subsequent appointments are either 45 or 30 minutes long. The length of time depends on your specific health concerns. During the initial few visits, Dr. Korsunsky will take a detailed history of your current and past health concerns, conduct a complaint oriented physical exam and use information from laboratory tests to make an assessment and diagnosis. Naturopathic doctors invest a lot of time educating patients and putting together customized health plans.
The time it takes for the body to heal varies from person to person, but generally, the longer that you have been experiencing symptoms, the longer it will take for healing to occur. However, you should feel some degree of improvement in the first month provided that you are following the treatment plan closely. The more effort that you put into your healing process, the more you will get out of the experience. If you are not experiencing improvement or are not comfortable with your treatment plan, you are welcome to discuss other Naturopathic treatment options with Dr. Korsunsky. The beauty of Naturopathic Medicine is in its flexibility and the role that the patient plays as a partner in their own helath care treatment.
At this time Naturopathic Medicine is not covered by provincial health programs, but the majority of extended health care plans include Naturopathic Medicine. Insured patients should contact their employer or insurance agent to see whether they are covered. If not, such coverage can be included at nominal rates.
Dr. Korsunsky is trained in acupuncture and oriental medicine as a standalone treatment, although she may suggest complementary therapies at the same time. You can book a 1 hour initial acupuncture consultation for $100 and subsequent acupuncture sessions of 1/2 hour for $65 each, or buy a package of 6 acupuncture sessions for $350 and save $30.
The Naturopathic Profession has been included under the new Health Professions Act (HPA) in Alberta and regulations for all professions are currently being written. Once the Naturopaths Act is complete and proclaimed (estimated for 2008), the title of Naturopathic Doctor will be protected. Only those who have graduated from an accredited college and have passed the licensing examinations will be entitled to practice naturopathic Medicine. Licensed members will be required to complete continuing education credits every year and complete competency evaluations to maintain rigorous practice standards.
Naturopathic Medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to improving health and treating illness. It is based on the marriage of medical sciences and the art of harnessing the healing power of nature. It uses a combination of natural medicines and gentle, hands on techniques that are free of troublesome side effects to support and stimulate the body’s ability to heal. Naturopathic Medicine assesses and treats the causes of disease through careful investigation into the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of a person’s life. Each patient is treated as a unique individual and his or her treatment plan is personalized and discussed thoroughly with the doctor. Licensed Naturopathic Doctors must complete at least 3 years of standardized pre-medical studies at a recognized university prior attending an accredited Naturopathic college. The 4 year, specialized program in Naturopathic Medicine includes training in basic and medical sciences, diagnostics, and pharmacology as well as in Naturopathic treatment modalities. Naturopathic doctors use botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), clinical nutrition, lifestyle counseling, physical therapies, hydrotherapy, intravenous therapies, and stress management techniques to help their patients heal.
Naturopathic Medicine treats most health conditions, including colds, injuries, high blood pressure, fatigue, pain and headaches, skin conditions, and digestive problems. Women’s issues are frequently treated by Naturopathic Doctors, ranging from menstrual difficulties to infertility to menopausal complaints. Men’s health care, prenatal and pediatric care are also offered as part of a holistic healthcare approach. Naturopathic Medicine truly excels over conventional medicine at treating chronic conditions and preventing the development of diseases where risk factors exist. Preventative health-care measures such as detailed physical exams, prostate and breast exams are also conducted by Naturopathic doctors.
Dr. Korsunsky uses a combination of therapies including clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, Asian medicine (acupuncture and herbs), physical treatments, intravenous and injected therapies and lifestyle counseling. A primary focus of her practice is educating patients about their bodies and their health. This broad range of modalities (treatment methods) allows her to develop INDIVIDUALIZED treatment plans that address not only the physical aspect of a person, but also the mental and emotional aspects. These therapies are often more effective when combined.
Like a conventional doctor, dentist or chiropractor, the Naturopathic doctor first completes pre-medical studies at university. Then he or she attends a four year, full-time program in Naturopathic medicine at an accredited naturopathic college. The first two years of study focus on basic medical sciences and diagnosis. The last two years concentrate on naturopathic principles and therapeutics, including extensive clinical practice in a supervised teaching clinic. After completion of the program, two sets of rigorous standardized NPLEX exams must be passed.