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When you are choosing a dentist or a medical doctor, you want that person to have the proper credentials. You might look at what school they attended, and ask for recommendations from friends. Choosing a naturopathic doctor in Toronto is no different - you want someone who is qualified to give you the health advice you’re seeking. When it comes to naturopathic doctors, there are some who aren’t what they seem. Sometimes people will set up shop and claim to be a naturopathic doctor, without the training and education to back it up. Keep reading to learn how to tell if someone is a legitimate naturopath, or if they are just trying to make a quick buck. What Is A Naturopathic Doctor? Naturopathic doctors focus on the use of natural therapies to help treat disease and conditions. Just like medical doctors and registered nurses, they must study basic medical and clinical sciences. Because they are a regulated profession, naturopathic doctors in Ontario are accountable to the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. How To Tell A Naturopathic Doctor From A Quack So you’ve made an appointment with someone who claims to be a naturopathic doctor, but something seems “off” to you. Perhaps they’re making claims which seem too good to be true. Or they’re claiming to be able to “cure” something which is widely known to be un-curable. You’re instincts are telling you something isn’t quite right. Keep reading to learn how to tell if you’re right. 1. They Claim To "Cure" Cancer Let’s be very clear here. There is currently no known cure for cancer. Not from a medical doctor, not from a naturopathic doctor. I hope we can get there someday, but that isn’t today. Further, naturopathic doctors cannot diagnose or treat cancer. They may play a role in easing the symptoms, and helping the body prepare for, and heal from chemotherapy, but they are not a substitute for proper medical treatment. Anyone who claims to be able to cure cancer, or who encourages you to forego medical treatments in favour of alternative medicine, is not a trustworthy healthcare practitioner. 2. They Can't Produce Any Credentials Just like medical doctors, naturopathic doctors must go through many years of schooling in order to become licensed to practice medicine. At a minimum, they will have done three years of university training, which includes pre-med courses, as well as four years at an accredited naturopathic medical college. Don’t be afraid to ask about credentials - legitimate naturopaths should have no problem providing information and telling you about where and when they trained. 3. They're Not Licensed By The College of Naturopaths Of Ontario This one is easy to check – the College of Naturopaths of Ontario maintains an online listing where you can search by name or registration number. The listing will indicate the date they first registered with the College of Naturopaths, whether or not they are in good standing, and if they are able to offer services such as prescribing drugs or IV infusions. If you are unable to find information about your naturopath on this listing, you can contact the College for more information. 4. They're Listed On The Unauthorized Practitioners List This one is pretty straightforward too. The College of Naturopaths of Ontario also maintains an unauthorized practitioner register. When the College of Naturopaths are made aware of individuals who are using the title “naturopathic doctor” or “naturopath”, yet don’t hold the proper credentials, they are investigated and added to this list. These individuals are unregulated and practicing illegally. Chances are, if they aren’t already facing a lawsuit, they will be soon. Be sure your practitioner is operating within the bounds of the law so you can rest assured you’re getting the best care possible. 5. They Try To Scare You Into Treatment You might face a serious health condition, and it might be your naturopathic doctor’s job to break the news. And while your diagnoses may seem scary, dealing with your naturopathic doctor shouldn’t be. A good naturopath will walk you through your treatment options, and work with you to determine the best course of action for you to take. However, they ultimately have to understand that the final decision rests in your hands. If you feel like you’re being bullied into purchasing a specific treatment regime, or they are using scare tactics, to get your buy-in, it might be time to step-back. 6. They're Pushing A Specific Multi-Level Marketing Product Naturopathic doctors are prohibited from recommending products or services which will cause them to benefit financially. This includes bonuses from pharmaceutical companies for prescribing certain drugs, bonuses for referring patients to studies, and using products from multi-level marketing (MLM) companies for which the practitioner is also a representative. If your naturopath seems to be pushing a very specific brand or treatment, or is asking you to sign-up for a service which will auto-ship the products to you on a reoccurring basis, it’s best to ask some questions. There are multitudes of MLM companies offering “cures” and “treatments” for ailments - many of which are not backed by science. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and do your research into the products being offered - and remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Book An Appointment With Nardini Naturopathic Are you looking to start seeing a naturopathic doctor? Do you want to be sure the person you are seeing is ethical, credentialed, and registered? Someone who will work with you to find the best treatment for you, without pushing medications or treatments you don’t need? Then contact Nardini Naturopathic today. I’m Dr. Pat Nardini, and I’ll work with you to determine the best course of treatment for your issues – no pressure, no scare tactics, and no fuss. Book an appointment at Nardini Naturopathic today.