Naturopathic Medicine. You’ve probably heard of it, but what does it mean? Can it help you? Don’t naturopaths basically just write nutrition plans? If you’re unsure and curious about what working with a naturopath might be like, I hope my story helps clarify things.

We all know the healthcare system is overwhelmed at the moment. Many of us don’t even have a family doctor. Those fortunate enough to have an MD often face long wait times or confusion when implementing treatment plans. Let’s face it, MDs are swamped! This is where a naturopathic doctor (ND) came to my personal aid. Not only are NDs generally more accessible than family doctors, but they also possess a skillset and communication style that is both educational and approachable. Since this is an opinion piece based on my lived experience, I’m not here to draw definitive distinctions between MDs and NDs or stir up any controversy.

I’m not even sharing this as a push for you to see a naturopath. Think of it as an informative account if you’ve ever felt like your body isn’t functioning as it should. I was demotivated to work out because it seemed like nothing would make a difference. In fact, nothing was working. I was eating well, sleeping well, staying hydrated, managing stress, yet seeing no progress for months. I felt sad and defeated. Something needed to change. Fortunately, I work in a clinic and was coaching a naturopath who, after hearing about my struggles, offered to help.

Being Stuck

For nearly five years (2018–2022), I experienced a plateau in my physical progress. I tried everything—paleo, keto, fasting, you name it. I could follow the same program as my clients, and they would get abs while I saw no improvement.

Not Knowing What I Don’t Know

I’m not sure what you know about naturopaths, but I have friends who are naturopaths in Ontario, and their practices were a mystery to me. My understanding was that they were experts in a wide variety of illnesses and could support nearly anything non-invasive, like surgery alternatives. However, I had no idea about the differences between practices in Ontario versus Vancouver. It turns out BC naturopaths have a much broader scope of practice!

My Initial Consult Experience

I enjoyed my initial consult experience because I did 90% of the talking! My naturopath asked thoughtful and thorough questions aimed at understanding my life across multiple areas. I was asked about things I had completely taken for granted and was pleasantly surprised by the level of attention my circumstances received.

After I finished sharing, the ND visually laid out what might be happening in my body, taking care to clearly explain how my systems were functioning and why I might not be feeling my best. She presented several options tailored to different levels of investment. These included a low-cost supplemental “best guess” option, a middle-of-the-road approach involving some blood work, and a comprehensive option with a full blood panel followed by prescriptions. It was great!

I opted for the full blood panel because I was curious to see where my hormone levels stood and wanted a clear understanding of what was happening.

What Happened

My bloodwork revealed low Vitamin D and thyroid hormone levels. I actually laughed when I saw my Vitamin D score because I hadn’t thought it was that important. Turns out, I was embarrassingly wrong. My ND insisted I get a Vitamin D booster shot before leaving—and the needle was huge! I felt significantly better almost immediately. The other treatments I was prescribed only accelerated my progress. Within a couple of months, I felt better than I had in years and was excited to get back into the gym.

A Final Hot Take (Don’t Hate Me)

Naturopaths are miracle workers. In my opinion, you’ll need to do some research to find a good one aligned with your needs (not all practitioners are passionate about the same areas). But when you find the right naturopath—and you will—you’ll gain a lifelong problem-solver. Again, this is just my opinion, but when you find your naturopath, you’ll discover someone who can guide you to answers faster and with more understanding than anyone else. Of course, there are limits, but from a fitness and optimized wellness perspective, you can’t beat a BC naturopath!

About The Author

Kevin is a Registered Kinesiologist at Rize Fitness and girl dad. He’s been at Rize since 2021 and spends monday-friday helping very busy people regain their strength, mobility, and a little bit of the physical magic they feel might have been lost somewhere along the way.