FAQs

Is Naturopathic medicine covered by OHIP?
No, naturopathic consultations are not currently covered by OHIP, but are often covered by extended health plans. If you have coverage for physiotherapy, chiropractic care or massage therapy, chances are that you have naturopathic coverage as well. We are able to direct bill most major insurance companies for appointments.

How do I know that my ND is properly trained and licensed?
In Ontario, N.D.’s are licensed under the “Regulated Health Practitioners Act,” the same legislation that regulates all other health care practitioners in Ontario (like M.D.’s, nurses, dentists, midwives, physiotherapists, massage therapists…). The College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) is the official regulatory body, responsible for ensuring that N.D.’s are practicing effectively and responsibly. Only doctors licensed with CONO are allowed to use the “Doctor” title before their name, combined with the designation N.D.  in Ontario. Your N.D. should display their CONO license in a prominent place in their clinic, however, the most certain way to determine if your N.D. is licensed is to check the registry on the CONO website www.collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca

Can I tell my MD that I am seeing an ND?
We hope that you do! However, this is entirely up to you. All consultations with an N.D. are confidential and governed by the same privacy policy that applies to all other health care providers on Ontario. Unless you request it, your N.D. can not inform your M.D. (or anyone else for that matter – except in very rare legal circumstances) that you have been in for a consultation. However, in an ideal situation your N.D. will work alongside all of your other health care providers to provide the best possible care for you. Dr. Wallace has a good working relationship with most of the family doctors and specialists in the North Bay area, and is able to communicate with them at your request.

How is an ND different from an MD?
N.D.’s and M.D.’s have very similar training in several areas, such as basic medical sciences and diagnostics. The major differences are in areas of philosophy, and in treatment methods. Most M.D.’s use prescription pharmaceuticals and surgery as their main treatment choices, while N.D.’s use therapies such as nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine and lifestyle counselling.

M.D.’s quick access to diagnostic imaging and other equipment, as well as surgical and pharmaceutical skills makes them particularly adept at diagnosis, as well as treating emergency and acute conditions. N.D.’s, on the other hand, focus on prevention and addressing the underlying cause of illness. They generally have more time to talk with and examine a patient, which makes them the ideal practitioner to help you address chronic conditions and achieve long-term health and wellness. Both systems have their benefits, depending on what your health concerns are, and ideally your N.D. will work alongside your medical team so that you have the best possible care.

How long will it take to “get better”?
Because Naturopathic Medicine seeks to address the cause of illness, not just suppress the symptoms, and often deals with chronic conditions, it may take anywhere from several weeks to several years to address some health concerns. It is also important to remember that everyone responds differently to treatment, and some people may notice a difference immediately, while others may not. Please discuss your individual case with your N.D., to determine what kind of progress you can likely expect.

What about supplements?
N.D.’s often recommend certain nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplements to facilitate the body’s healing process. This will vary depending on the individual case. At the Wallace Integrated Health Centre we carry several lines of professional supplements, as well as maintaining an online store, so that our patients will have easy access to high quality supplements, known to provide consistent results. Some recommended products may also be available at local health food stores and pharmacies. Supplements are often eligible for tax deductions, so keep your receipts!