Integrative Cancer Care
Naturopathic cancer care is NOT an alternative or substitute for conventional cancer treatment (Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Immunotherapy).
The goal is to provide thorough information regarding your treatment options.
“The best treatment is to get the best of both worlds, conventional medicine and naturopathic medicine.”
With naturopathic medicine we help:
- Increase the effect of conventional treatments and decrease the side effects (ex. Patients undergoing chemotherapy, Naturopathic support can help minimize fatigue, nausea and vomiting, neuropathy (nerve changes), immune suppression, changes in memory and mood).
- Boost your healthy cells to tolerate chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Boost your immune system
- Improve quality of life, mood, energy, sleep, appetite
- Decrease recurrence
Natural therapies are used to complement conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapies, targeted therapist. These therapies are researched from an evidence based medicine perspective to minimize the risk of interactions with these conventional agents. A comprehensive work up is provided by the Naturopathic Doctor along with diet and lifestyle modifications to improve treatment outcomes and reduce recurrence.
Naturopathic Cancer support includes customized plans that may include vitamins, minerals through supplementation or INTRAVENOUS THERAPY, herbal remedies, acupuncture, stress reduction, nutritional counselling to help achieve the patient’s long term goals.
Commonly Used Treatments are Intravenous Vitamin C Therapy, Vitamin Nutrient infusions and Mistletoe therapy.
Vitamin C is non-toxic and has been shown to reduce side effects of chemotherapy while improving treatment outcomes.
Patients with advanced cancer may benefit with more aggressive supportive naturopathic care, ie: Infusion therapy and Hyperthermia (oncothermia).
Click HERE to read about Dr Shiva Jamshidi, ND who provides the Naturopathic Cancer Care
Ribbon Lyme
Untreated Lyme disease can cause:
- Chronic joint inflammation (Lyme arthritis), particularly of the knee
- Neurological symptoms, such as facial palsy and neuropathy
- Cognitive defects, such as impaired memory
- Heart rhythm irregularities
Antibodies can take weeks to develop after a bite and can persist in the blood for months or even years after the infection is gone, however, not all blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease so it is vital to watch for any signs or symptoms of illness such as flu-like symptoms (chills, headaches, fever, fatigue), redness and swelling around the bite, a bulls eye rash, muscle and joint aches – consult your physician immediately should they appear.
Click HERE to read about Dr. Danielle O’Connor, ND who provides support to patients with Lyme or suspected Lyme Symptoms
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Lyme disease
Although not every bite from a tick transmits this infection, bites should be evaluated carefully since early detection and appropriate treatment are critical in effectively treating Lyme disease and preventing the potentially serious medical complications caused by this infection.
Blacklegged ticks are hard ticks identifiable by their black legs, red-orange body, and black scutum, which looks like a dot on the upper half of its shield. Should you be bitten by this tick or any other tick and develop symptoms, your physician will perform a blood test to look for antibodies associated with Lyme disease.
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder manifesting in the first 2 years of life and affecting communication and behaviour; it often manifests as long-term learning disabilities and/or emotional difficulties. Although ASD can be a lifelong disorder, treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and ability to function. ASD usually affects the way children communicate, and is usually accompanied by physical comorbidities of immune, neuromotor, and digestive function. Most children with ASD have multiple food intolerances/sensitivities associated with compromised gut health.1 This process has a significant inflammatory component that is exacerbated or triggered by an unbalanced gut microbiome and an inability of the body to tolerate specific kinds of foods.
Autism is a complex neuropsychiatric illness that is often accompanied by complex physical comorbidities. Goals of nutritional intervention include correcting underlying nutritional deficiencies and improving metabolic function. Given the safety of these nutritional therapies, they are reasonable to try in children with ASD, even when definitive clinical research evidence of efficacy is lacking. Preliminary evidence and mechanism-of-action studies indicate that these nutrients may improve cognition, language, motor function, and behaviour.
Many parents report seeing positive changes in their children on a nutritional program, often even after just a few weeks. Particularly when using higher doses of nutrients, naturopathic or functional medicine guidance is recommended, in order to design an optimal regimen and monitor progress of the individual child.
Extract from NDNR – Naturopathic Doctors News and Reviews
https://ndnr.com/pediatrics/treating-autism-a-nutritional-approach/
Reference:
- Wasilewska J, Klukowski M. Gastrointestinal symptoms and Autism Spectrum Disorder: links and risks – a possible new overlap syndrome. Pediatric Health Med Ther. 2015;6:153-166.
Click HERE to read about Dr. Danielle O’Connor, ND who provides support to patients and their parents with ASD/PANS/PANDAS or are on the journey to find a diagnosis of their multitude of symptoms.
Menstrual and Reproductive Health:
We support:
- Cramps & painful periods
- Heavy flow
- PMS
- Irregular periods or lack of a period (aka amenorrhea)
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Coming off the birth control pill
Fertility and Preconception Health
Egg quality has become the single most important cause of age-related infertility, recurrent miscarriage and failed IVF cycles. Poor egg quality is a common barrier for women with unexplained infertility, as well as in other common conditions such as PCOS. It doesn’t matter if you are trying to conceive naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies, the quality of your eggs will have a huge impact on your journey to get pregnant and stay pregnant.
Research shows that there are many natural therapies that can benefit egg quality in the months prior to ovulation. A preconception care plan should begin at least 3 months before trying to conceive to have the greatest impact on egg quality. Furthermore, overall optimized health prior to pregnancy increases the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and thus, a healthy baby.
Natural Pregnancy Support
Men and Women can benefit from naturopathic support as it’s a two-part equation. Acupuncture, IV therapy, and supplements can help achieve healthy egg quality, healthy cycles, sperm motility, and morphology!
Acupuncture is also safe and effective during pregnancy. Pre-birth acupuncture has been shown to reduce medical intervention by 43% in first-time moms. Starting at 36 weeks, acupuncture can be delivered once weekly until delivery to prepare the body for labour. Acupuncture has also been used as support to turn breech babies.
Hormonal Health through Perimenopause and Menopause
Helping you transition from Perimenopause into Menopasue and all the changes that occur in your body is best to discuss with your Naturopathic Doctor. From hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain, to hair thinning, to change in libido, poor sleep, anxiety, mood fluctuations, and the list goes on. We are here to help you through this journey keeping in mind adrenal stress, ovarian function decline and the HPA axis.
Using natural supplements and BHRT (Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy) along with Desiccated Thyroid supplementation can all be beneficial tools to support women along the way.
Post Menopausal support and prevention
Our philosophy is to prevent and support the inevitable. We know bone density will change and heart health is always top of mind. Its so important to have your ND as part of your team.
