Botanical Medicine

Botanical medicine is a form of medicine using plant materials. Herbs have been used across cultures for centuries as the primary form of medicine.  Pharmaceuticals are often derived and synthesized from single plant constituents.

Dr. Jennifer uses botanical medicine in the form of tinctures (liquid extracts of herbs), supplements, teas, oils, creams and ointments. Botanical medicine has proven to be effective for a vast array of health concerns from a runny nose to high blood pressure.

It is very important to remember that even herbs can have potential side effects and may interact with conventional medicines. As a Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Vidmar is extensively trained and qualified to recognize these interactions and prescribe botanical medicine in a safe personalized prescription for your specific needs.

Clinical Nutrition

Nobody likes to change their diet, but what many people don’t realize is that its their diet that’s limiting their health. Clinical nutrition is aimed at reviewing what it is a patient is putting into their body and recognizing any symptoms that may be present from food sensitivities, vitamin and nutritional deficiencies and or excesses. Dr. Vidmar uses functional testing to make informed decisions to develop personalized attainable dietary and supplement plans for you. She doesn’t believe in radical change over night, but rather she believes in empowering you to understand your choices. She works with you meeting you where you are at to implement sustainable, achievable changes in your diet. All aimed to positively affect your health.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a form of medicine that uses dilute natural substances to stimulate the body’s inherent healing capacity. Homeopathy aims to mount a response to restore homeostasis (balance).  Homeopathy is very safe and often used for infants and children with great results. Homeopathy is also safe during pregnancy and lactation when other treatments may not be advised.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that uses tiny needles inserted into mapped out meridians and points on the human body to achieve a therapeutic effect. NDs are trained in traditional diagnostics as well as acupuncture and herbal treatments. Acupuncture is used with success for chronic pain management, fertility issues, treating addictions, stress conditions, emotional imbalances, insomnia and to increase energy.

IV Nutrients & B12 Injections

B12 and Folic Acid Injections
      
Common nutrient deficiencies of B12 and folic acid are often found in vegetarians and vegans who are not supplementing properly.  B12 is especially important for the function of our nervous system and energy levels. This therapy is a single intramuscular injection of a solution rich in B12 and folic acid aimed at reestablishing proper functioning levels.

Intravenous Vitamin and Minerals

Intravenous administration is an effective way to administer minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Oral vitamin-minerals may not work for certain people due to the limitation of intestinal absorption and cellular transport systems. Through the use of intravenous medicine absorption can be increased dramatically and act as a supportive therapy for increasing energy, anti-aging and speeding up recovery from illness. Myer’s cocktails are a specific blend of B complex, B5, B6, B12, vitamin C and magnesium. This IV treatment is administered through a “push” that takes 15-20 minutes and often provides patients with more energy and a kick start to the metabolism. A Myers push also helps to increase stamina and performance in athletic pursuits. Older patients and chronically ill patients with nutritional deficiencies and compromised intestinal absorption often find great benefit from this therapy.These therapies are safe and effective for most people. As a part of Dr Vidmar’s assessment she will always perform basic lab testing to insure proper selection of supplementation based on liver and renal function.

Holistic Counselling

Naturopathic Medicine focuses on the whole person, the mind body and spirit. Our emotions have been scientifically recognized to have a huge effect on our physical body and can no longer be ignored, or be compartmentalized into only counselor’s and psychotherapist’s offices.

Dr. Vidmar works with her patients at their pace to help realize what it is that may be emotionally holding them back from achieving their health goals. 

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Traditional HRT uses synthetic hormones that are different than our natural hormones. Synthetic hormones often work well to alleviate many hormonal symptoms such as menopause, lots of reseach has shown that the risks outweigh thebenefits.  Because of this they are no longer recommended for long term use. BHRT is a safer and more effective alternative when properly prescribed in physiologic doses, and monitored properly.

BHRT uses hormones made from natural sources (such as soy or wild yams) to create hormones which are identical to our own human hormones. Bioidentical hormones bind to our receptors, and are broken down in the same way as our own hormones, resulting in less harmful byproducts than synthetic HRT. Because of this, there are less side effects when compared to synthetic HRT. Bioidentical hormones can be individually compounded to be an exact match to restore physiological levels to the body. 

Conditions BHRT Can Treat

• Menopausal symptoms ex. Hot flashes, low libido, vaginal dryness

• Perimenopause

• Adrenal Fatigue (Burnout)

• Thyroid Imbalances

• Mood Disorders

• Insomnia

• Menstrual Irregularities

• Fertility Concerns

Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT)

Desiccated thyroid extract is a natural thyroid hormone derived from porcine.  In Canada, Erfa Thyroid is the standardized form and contains both T4 and T3 in a ratio of approximately 4:1.  This treatment offers another option for people who struggle to convert T4 into T3. 

A randomized, double blind study of 70 patients with hypothyroidism were treated with either desiccated thyroid extract or levothyroxine for 12 weeks. After each treatment period, patients were weighed, had blood tests, underwent psychometric testing and were asked which therapy they preferred. The researchers report that 49% of the patients preferred desiccated thyroid extract, 19% preferred levothyroxine and 23% had no preference. Desiccated thyroid extract use was also associated with more weight loss.

Our thyroid program is available with Dr. Vidmar & Dr. Wolfe and involves a full medical work-up and evaluation to determine if desiccated thyroid hormone is for you. In addition to your thyroid recommendations, you can expect our NDs to suggests dietary and lifestyle changes to optimize your thyroid gland and address potential causes of your under active thyroid.  

Massage Therapy

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