Naturopathic medicine is a form of primary healthcare that looks at you as a whole person rather than focusing on one symptom or diagnosis in isolation. It combines modern medical knowledge with evidence-informed natural and therapeutic approaches, while considering areas such as nutrition, digestion, hormones, sleep, stress, movement, and lifestyle. Depending on your individual needs, care may include nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, supplements, botanical medicine, acupuncture, physical medicine, and laboratory testing. The goal is to help you better understand your health and create an individualized plan that makes sense for you.

Your first appointment is a 60-minute conversation about your health, your concerns, and your story. We’ll go through your health history, symptoms, medications and supplements, nutrition, lifestyle, sleep, stress, digestion, and any previous diagnoses or testing that may be relevant. From there, I’ll start connecting the different pieces of your health and determine where it makes the most sense to begin; physical exams or additional laboratory testing may also be recommended when appropriate. You’ll leave with personalized next steps that are introduced gradually so your plan feels realistic and manageable.

Many extended healthcare plans provide partial or full coverage for appointments with a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, although coverage and annual maximums vary between insurance providers and individual plans. I recommend checking your benefits before your appointment so you know exactly what your plan includes. Naturopathic medicine is not covered by Saskatchewan’s provincial health plan, so appointments are paid for directly and eligible expenses can then be submitted to your extended health benefits.

Naturopathic doctors work with a wide range of acute and chronic health concerns and consider how different areas of your health may be connected. In my practice, common areas of support include digestive concerns, hormonal and menstrual health, thyroid health, fatigue and energy, stress and sleep, metabolic health, skin concerns, pain and musculoskeletal health, reproductive health, pediatric health, and general or preventative care. You also don’t need to have a specific diagnosis to book — you may simply know that you don’t feel your best or want to take a more proactive approach to your health.

Naturopathic doctors in Saskatchewan are trained to assess, order, and interpret a range of laboratory tests when testing can provide useful information about your health. Depending on your concerns, this may include standard blood work through LifeLabs in Regina as well as functional testing such as GI-MAP, SIBO testing, cortisol testing, food and allergy testing, or hormone testing such as the DUTCH Test. Testing isn't ordered simply for the sake of collecting more information, I recommend it when the results can meaningfully help us understand your health or guide your treatment plan.

Acupuncture uses very fine, sterile needles, and most people find the experience much more comfortable than they initially expect. You may notice a brief pinch when a needle is inserted or sensations such as pressure, warmth, tingling, or a dull ache, but the treatment should not be painful. Once the needles are in place, many people find their treatment deeply relaxing — some even fall asleep. If you're nervous about needles, we can talk through the process before getting started.

Acupuncture involves stimulating specific points on the body using very fine, sterile needles. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, I select points based on your individual pattern of symptoms and overall health rather than simply treating the area where you're experiencing a symptom. Acupuncture may be incorporated into care for pain and muscle tension, stress, sleep, digestion, menstrual and hormonal concerns, headaches, and overall well-being. Your treatment is individualized and may change from visit to visit depending on what we're working on and how your body is responding.

No, you don't need updated blood work before coming to see me. Your first appointment gives us the opportunity to understand your concerns and health history first, and from there we can determine whether additional testing would actually be useful. If you already have recent blood work or other testing, bring it with you so we can review what has already been assessed. This helps make sure we're ordering testing intentionally rather than unnecessarily.

Yes. Naturopathic medicine is a regulated form of primary healthcare in Saskatchewan when provided by a licensed Naturopathic Doctor. Naturopathic doctors receive training in clinical sciences, diagnostics, nutrition, natural therapies, and evidence-informed care and are trained to consider potential interactions between treatments, supplements, and medications. “Natural” doesn't automatically mean safe or appropriate for everyone, which is why recommendations should take your medical history, medications, and overall health into consideration. My goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized care that works alongside your existing healthcare when appropriate.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all schedule because the frequency of appointments depends on your concerns, goals, and where you are in your health journey. After your initial appointment, we'll determine what makes the most sense for you and your care. Some people benefit from closer follow-up in the beginning while we're implementing and adjusting their plan, while others may need appointments less frequently. As things change and you become more confident managing your health, the frequency of your appointments can change too.