Q: What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to improving health and treating illness. Focusing on prevention, and using natural substances and treatments, naturopathic doctors support and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.

The primary goal of naturopathic treatment is to address the cause of illness, rather than simply treat or suppress symptoms. The patient is seen as a whole person and the naturopathic doctor takes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions into account when diagnosing and developing a treatment plan.

Q: How are Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) trained?
Naturopathic doctors take a minimum of three years pre-medical studies at university, followed by four years at one of four recognized colleges of naturopathic medicine. The only one in Canada is the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine .

The education encompasses basic medical sciences, naturopathic principles and therapeutics, and 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience.

In regulated (or licensed) provinces and states across North America , graduates must also pass rigorous standardized exams to qualify to practice. In Canada , naturopathic doctors are regulated in British Columbia , Manitoba , Ontario and Saskatchewan . Legislation is pending in Alberta and Nova Scotia .

Q: What treatments do ND's use?

Clinical Nutrition
Botanical Medicine
Homeopathy
Physical Medicine
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Lifestyle Counseling

Q: What types of health problems can be treated?
Virtually all chronic and most acute conditions may benefit from treatment by naturopathic doctors. People of all ages can be helped.

Common complaints seen by Naturopathic doctors including; chronic colds and flus, digestive problems, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety, PMS, menopause, high blood cholesterol, diabetes and weight loss.

Q: What's the difference between naturopathy and homeopathy?
The difference is twofold: First of all homeopaths only use homeopathy as a treatment tool, whereas Naturopathic doctors use homeopathy as one of several treatment tools.

The second major difference is that homeopaths are not regulated and licensed in the province of Ontario . Therefore anyone can call themselves a homeopath regardless of training, whereas only those individuals following the steps outlined above can call themselves Naturopathic Doctors.

What's the difference between a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and a Doctor of Natural Medicine?
A Doctor of Natural Medicine (DNM) is not regulated and licensed in Ontario.

Anyone, regardless of training and education, can call themselves a Doctor of Natural Medicine in this province. There is no independent regulatory body that ensures that these individuals have appropriate training, or that standards of practice are being maintained. If a patient/client has any concerns their only recourse is a court of law. Most insurance companies only cover practitioners that are licensed.

The regulatory board for Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario is the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy - Naturopathy (BDDT-N) see www.boardofnaturopathicmedicine.on.ca/. This board is a government-appointed board that is independent of any of the naturopathic associations and its job is to protect the rights of the public and to ensure a standard of patient care.

How do I know if I'm seeing a licensed naturopath?
The Board of Directors or Drugless Therapy maintains an up-to-date list of registered naturopaths in the province of Ontario at: http://www.boardofnaturopathicmedicine.on.ca/doctors_list.html

Questions About Our Office

Q: What are your hours?

I currently see patients during the following hours:

Tuesday 10AM-4PM
Wednesday 10PM-5PM
Thursday 9AM-5PM
Fridays 10AM-3PM

The IV clinic is also open during the following hours:

Tuesday 10AM-4PM
Thursday 1PM-5PM
Fridays 10AM-3PM

Our office manager is available from Monday through Friday to answer questions and book appointments.

What can I expect / how does it work?
The goal of the naturopathic doctor is to understand the patient and all the factors which impact on his/her health. Like your medical doctor, a naturopathic doctor will take an in-depth patient history, and seek information from a physical exam and laboratory tests.

In contrast to your medical doctor, a naturopathic doctor may spend far more time with you as a patient, use different tools, and will operate under differing philosophical principles based on the belief in the healing power of nature and including treating the whole person, finding the root cause, doctor as teacher and prevention as the best medicine.

In our office you can expect a high degree of personal attention, strict confidentiality, and a wide range of health care services designed to help you find your best level of health.

Are your services covered by OHIP?
Naturopathic doctors are not covered by OHIP in the province of Ontario . However, most extended health benefits packages cover visits to licensed naturopathic doctors up to a certain amount per family member per year. Consult your benefits package for details.

How do I refer friends and family?

We're happy to receive new patients, and are always grateful for your confidence. The patient-doctor relationship is an important one, so we offer a free 15 minute 'meet the doctor' visit to allow any new patient to get to know us a little better before they make any commitment. Just contact us at 705-444-5331 to book an appointment in our Collingwood office.

Questions About Doctor Gignac

What are your qualifications?

I'm a licensed, registered Naturopathic Doctor. After completing my BSc. at McMaster University, I attended the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine for four years, graduating in 2001. I opened my practice in Collingwood shortly after.

How much experience do you have?
I've been in practice for six years, and have spent thousands of hours treating patients of all ages for a broad variety of health issues.

Will I like you?
I think so, but the easiest way to find out is to book a free 15 minute "meet the doctor" visit. It's a risk-free way to learn more about what I do, and how we can help.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by just how enjoyable a visit to a doctor's office can be!

Tara Gignac, BSc., ND - Doctor of Naturopathy
705-444-5331 ~ info@taragignac.com ~ Collingwood, Ontario