Frequently Asked Questions – Georgina Naturopathic

Your Visit

1What do I bring to a visit?

Please bring

Lab work, imaging, physicians' reports
Supplements and medications you are taking (or pictures of the bottles)
Pictures of skin or other issues to show progression
Insurance papers
A mask

And please have a snack before coming, if you are getting acupuncture.

2What does pay what you want mean?

Money should not be a barrier to accessing quality health care. We can see how much is covered by your insurance and work with that amount. You choose how much to pay for your visit, no questions asked.

3Is there parking available?

Yes! Please park in the driveway.

4When I arrive, do I just walk in?

Yes, the front entrance will be unlocked leading up to your appointment! Once you enter, you will be prompted to take off your shoes.

The waiting area will be to your left, with signs to guide you. There, you will find instructions on accessing the wifi and bottled water. Please help yourself!

There is a washroom connected to the waiting area for you to use.

5What does a typical visit look like?

We start with you describing your chief complaint, then I ask clarifying questions about your symptoms, health history and lifestyle.

If anything requires a physical exam, we do that.

We decide on any further testing that needs to be ordered or performed on the spot.

We decide on treatments that you would like to try, and start something on the first visit.

I do further research after our visit to see if we should consider any other tests or treatments, and email you what I find.

6What treatments do you have available in-house?

I have dry herbs, tinctures, salves and homeopathics available in-house.

I also have acupuncture needles, electrostim, moxabustion sticks, cups, acupressure seeds, massage oil and comfy cotton sheets for massages, and towels and wool blankets for hydotherapy.

I can also perform spinal adjustments, which doesn't require any additional equipment.

Supplements that we choose together are emailed to you, which, should you choose to order them, are shipped to your home or you can buy from a health food isle or store.

7Who can I bring with me?

Feel free to bring family, friends, and service animals. Depending on the nature of the conversation or treatment, we might have family wait in the waiting area for a bit, especially for older children and teenagers.

8What methods of payment do you accept?

Pretty much anything - Mastercard, Visa, American Express, cash, cheque, e-transfer, food, a word of gratitude.

Direct billing to insurance will be in place soon. For now, I can help you submit your claim.

9How do I get to the native plant garden?

If you follow the driveway to the left of the house you will arrive at the garden. There, you will find benches and grass paths that you can explore.

10What is the difference between the in-person and online dispensaries?

They offer completely different products.

In-person, I have stocked dry herbs, tinctures and salves that you need acutely (for example, for infections) and ones that are unavailable in the online dispensary.

The online dispensary carries a large selection of herbs and supplements for chronic conditions.

I am NOT shipping out products from the in-person dispensary, but curbside pick-up is available after online or phone appointments.

Is naturopathic care for you?

1Do you dispense cannabis in your dispensary?

No, cannabis is not in the scope of naturopathic doctors at this time. Please see your medical doctor for medicinal cannabis.

2What conditions do you help manage?

Pretty much anything that isn't an emergency and doesn't require surgery or IV.

Everyday complaints that haven't been addressed, such as acne, rashes, digestive complaints, colds and flus, cold sores, urinary tract infections, irritable bladder, incontinence, allergies, thyroid issues, blood pressure and circulation issues, arthritis, aches and pains, memory and concentration issues, sexual health concerns, anxiety and depression, hair loss, premature greying and menopause.

I have also stocked up on all the hard to find herbs for Lyme disease!

I provide supportive care for asthma and cancer to add to the treatment given by your MD.

I also love to support people who are in the process of becoming mothers - before, during and after. There is also the option of having naturopathic support at your delivery after COVID regulations are lifted to once again allow doulas to be present.

You can always just come in for a massage because you are long overdue for one.

3What services will you have available in the future?

I love to hear your requests for treatments you would like to experience, since that will let me cater directly to you!

Within the next year, I plan to start offering B12 injections, bioidentical hormones, and doula delivery-room support.

4I'm not sure if I'm covered by insurance.

Bring your insurance card and any paperwork you have and we will figure it out together.

If you want to check before your visit, log in to your insurance provider's website to see what is covered. You may need an MD referral for naturopathic coverage, but most plans don't require it. Also see if lab work is covered. If you have a section called "Health Spending Account", you can apply that amount towards lab tests.

5I'm using illicit substances and I don't want to be at risk of going to jail. Can I still receive care?

Yes. I will provide non-judgemental and quality care regardless.

6What are limits to confidentiality?

I am obligated to disclose information when:

presented with a subpoena
a patient has the intention to harm themselves or others
I diagnose a communicable disease on public health's list
being inspected by insurance
I suspect child abuse

Booking

1Do you take walk-ins?

Not at this time. If you're feeling lucky, call to see if I'm available!

2How do I cancel my appointment?

Open the email that you received when you booked the appointment. At the bottom of the email, click the yellow-orange "Sign In" button. Under Appointments, select the appointment you would like to cancel. Press the red button "Cancel Appointment". Fill in the reason field, press "Next". Press the green button "Yes, cancel my appointment".

Or just call me at 647 990 3079 and I will handle it for you.

COVID-19

1What safety measures do you have in place?

There is an automatic sanitizer dispenser outside the front door, and well as additional sanitizer inside the office. You can also wash your hands with soap and water in the washroom, if you prefer. Masks are available, if you forget yours. I will take your temperature using an infrared device before starting the visit. All areas of frequent patient contact, such as seating areas, tables, faucets, doorknobs and equipment, are sanitized between visits, and UV air purifiers in the waiting and treatment areas are run. Bottled water is available in the waiting area. Reading material is not provided; please access the wifi using the posted instructions instead. I am not offering home visits during the pandemic to reduce cross-contamination.

2Can you test for COVID-19?

Not at this time.

3Can you treat COVID-19?

Due to the recent emergence of this virus, no data exists on the efficacy of any naturopathic modalities on its treatment.

We do know that vitamin D deficiency is associated with more severe disease presentation (1). You can get a blood test to assess your vitamin D level and evaluate the need for supplementation.

As new research becomes available, I hope to provide evidence-informed treatment of this virus.

1. Pereira M, Dantas Damascena A, Galvão Azevedo LM, de Almeida Oliveira T, da Mota Santana J. Vitamin D deficiency aggravates COVID-19: systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020 Nov 4:1-9. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1841090

4Can you provide advice about whether or not to take the vaccine?

Since vaccines are out of my scope of practice, I cannot provide recommendations.

Clear as mud?

Come see the clinic for yourself!

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