Guest Post by Lianna Barnard (Student at CCNM):
Over the years the most astonishing thing that I’ve learned would have to be that health isn’t simply the opposite of being sick. In fact, health is more than just exercise and eating well. Being healthy means attaining an optimal level of wellness through the use of physical, social, emotional, mental, intellectual, and occupational factors. What does this mean? It means that health requires proper nutrition, physical activity and fresh air, but that health also requires social support, spirituality, a sense of safety, an emotional outlet, intellectual challenges, and peace of mind. It is also important to consider environmental factors such as noise or air pollution, and social factors such as socioeconomic status, job security, and proximity to a quality grocery store. Wow! If you think that this list is substantial you’re right, but you should know that it’s not even the end of it!
Maybe you’re sitting here reading this asking, “why is she telling me all of this?” It’s not to make you feel overwhelmed, but rather to show you the various aspects that a naturopathic doctor will consider when trying to address the true underlying reason that you are sick. This is what is meant by the term holistic health, literally addressing all areas of your life. A naturopathic doctor will help you navigate through the factors and behaviours that can support or diminish health and teach you along the way. As a matter of fact, doctor as teacher is one of the naturopathic principles of medicine. Other principles include to do no harm, treat the root cause, treat the person as a whole, utilise the healing power of nature, and seek prevention as medicine. Using these principles, a naturopathic doctor will help you uncover the root cause of illness so that they can help you achieve your health goals at a pace that works for you. Through commitment and empathetic listening a naturopathic doctor will unravel what kind of support and change your body requires in order to heal itself. At the heart of it naturopathic medicine is patient-centred care.
About the Author:
Lianna is a driven young woman who has always had a passion for health and wellness. She recently graduated from Western University where she studied health sciences and she is currently attending the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Lianna believes that the most important aspect of becoming your best self is knowledge: knowing what behaviours or lifestyle factors need to be changed can empower others on their journeys to health. She is excited to work with and educate patients after she graduates from CCNM.
