Services
Naturopathic Medicine is Healthcare that has time for you
Being able to spend up to 60 minutes to discuss diagnosis, treatment plans and prevention strategies allows time to understand what is going on and how to best treat you as an individual.
As such, please remember it takes time to improve your health. Some patients notice changes very soon however it is suggested that you allow at least 4 visits when using Naturopathic Medicine and expect to wait up to 3 months before noticing significant changes when treating chronic medical conditions. Through a collaborative healthcare model between doctor and patient my goal is to educat you about your health concerns. As such, you can become empowered and take a more active role in your healthcare.
Naturopathic Medicine utilises different modalities, all of which can be used separately but are best used together. Here are some services offered. If you have any questions please feel free to Contact Me.
Laboratory Testing
In addition to basic blood work for screening conditions such as anemia, diabetes and, hypercholesterol. Dr. Melissa has access to nutritional and hormonal metabolite tests as well as IgG food sensitivity testing to help identify underlying contributors to ill health. This allows individualised treatment plans and in depth analysis of your health.
Vitamin B12 Injections
Vitamin B12, methyl or hydroxycobalamin, may be beneficial for treating and preventing many conditions. It can be taken orally in a supplement form or by intramuscular injection. If digestion is compromised and oral supplements aren't able to increase blood serum levels, intramuscular injections can be administered to help with symptoms such as fatigue, depression and insomnia.
IV Nutrient Therapy
Intravenous (IV) nutrient therapy involves administration of vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream. This allows much higher concentrations of nutrients to be available to cells as the digestive tract is bypassed. For example, some people may experience digestive upset if they take several grams of oral vitamin C but these negative effects can be avoided with IV therapy. Cells can then rapidly absorb nutrients to support healing, immune function and energy production. Book a free 15 minute consult to find out more about IV nutrient therapy!
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine uses natural substances such as plants and herbs to affect the body. This includes herbal teas, herbal formula's in capsules, powders or tinctures. Essential oils can also be used topically or aromatically for numerous conditions, such as lavender oil diffuser for sleep.
Lifestyle Counselling
The little things you do everyday can make a big difference. Exercise, eating enough vegetables, drinking water, bedtime routine etc. can all have an impact on how you feel. Even though you may know this, implementing change and creating new habits can take some work. Lifestyle counselling touches upon these aspects of health and helps you identify barriers to success as well as everyday steps to overcome them.
Clinical Nutrition
Clinical Nutrition starts with optimising your diet then adding supplemental nutrition with vitamins and minerals, if necessary. The goal is to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to improve your specific health concerns. All dietary guidelines are personalized to fit your health concerns and act as a base for easy everyday healthy eating.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on more than 2,500 years of Chinese practices. It emphasises the tenet that the body's "vital energy" (aka Qi) circulates through channels, called meridians, to bodily organs and affect their function. Treatments include acupuncture and cupping (see below) to influence pathways. It provides an alternative way to look at disease when paired with conventional medicine. Based in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture is a physical way to stimulate the bodies energy or "Qi". It helps with physical as well as psychological ailments. Know for its relaxation effect, it has been shown to help with anxiety and insomnia as well as many other conditions including fertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates. On site acupuncture for IVF is also available for current patients.