Naturopathic medicine is a distinct form of primary health care that utilizes scientific knowledge and traditional forms of natural therapies to help the body heal and reach optimal health. Dr. Nicole Krapp as your naturopathic doctor will take a detailed intake to understand your health status and needs. Using different modalities within the practice of naturopathic medicine she will assist the body in reaching its full healing and healthy potential. The basic naturopathic medical modalities include:
nutrition and supplementation
botanical medicine
acupuncture
lifestyle counselling
physical medicine
homeopathy
Other modalities are used based on individual patient cases.
Live Blood Analysis
Live blood analysis, also known as microscopic blood analysis or live cell analysis, is used to assist in identifying possible contributing factors to a patient's state of health. It is not used to diagnose but can be used by a trained professional to guide further questioning or testing that aids in creating a diagnosis. A drop of blood is volunteered by the patient and examined under a microscope at 1000X using darkfield and phase contrast microscopy. This is viewed on a television screen so the practitioner can explain to the patient exactly what is seen. Using this technique one can identify possible vitamin and mineral deficiencvies, toxicity, allergic sensitivities, digestive and liver dysfunction, and conditions that indicate increased risk of certain disorders. With this method we get to the root of the problem and see what is really going on in the body. We examine the condition of the red blood cells and their oxygen carrying capacity; white blood cells and the function of the immune system; the digestive system and its ability to metabolize, absorb and eliminate; hormonal status; tendency towards plaque and clots; and organ stress. Further naturopathic treatment is recommended based on the information gathered from this analysis and additional questioning. This often involves diet changes and supplementation either temporarily or indefinitely dependent on the condition.
IV Therapy
Intravenous therapy involves the injection of a substance beneath the skin, into the muscle, or directly into the bloodstream. Injectable substances include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, plant extracts, and homeopathics. Because it bypasses the digestive system, IV therapy allows for 100% absorption of the substance providing much higher concentration of substances in the body than could possibly be obtained orally. There is documented evidence of IV therapy being effective in cases of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's, chronic fatigue, depression, fibromyalgia, pain, low immunity, migraines, mononucleosis, allergies, enhance athletic performance, detoxification, heavy metals, and more. Your naturopathic doctor will do a complete assessment before recommending this form of treatment.
Chelation Therapy Chelation Therapy is a technique by which heavy metals are removed from the body. Heavy metals are associated with many illnesses such as MS, fibromyalgia, alzheimers, autism, GI issues, autoimmune illness and cancer among others. Chelation can also reduce arterial plaques of cardiovascular diseases. Heavy metals can be tested through a urine test and the appropriate ingredients can be used to chelate the metals depending on what is found. It is commonly done via IV utilizing either calcium or disodium EDTA. DMSA can be used orally as well but tends to be a much slower process. Your naturopathic doctor will do appropriate testing prior to and during any chelating treatments that are recommended.
Regenerative Injection Therapy / Prolotherapy / Neural Therapy/PRP Regenerative injection therapies (RIT) include a number of different injection techniques to repair musculoskeletal injuries or degeneration. Sprains and strains, arthritis, back injuries, headaches, TMJ, post-surgery pain/scarring, sports injuries, carpal tunnel are all examples of ailments commonly treated with these techniques. Often, a single treatment of RIT will combine a number of the different techniques best suited to the individual’s concerns. The number of treatments needed depends on the kind of condition and the patients current state but typically one will need between 3-6 treatments.
Prolotherapy This is short for proliferative therapy. It utilizes a combination of ingredients, primarily dextrose and procaine, to stimulate a healing cascade in the area treated. Basically, it sets off chemical messengers that stimulate the body’s healing factors to concentrate in that area and improve the integrity of damaged tissues well beyond that of what would have occurred otherwise. Typically, this type of treatment is used inside the joint, the ligaments stabilizing the joint, or the tendons that move the joint.
Neural Therapy This involves the injection of procaine along nerve pathways that are trigging an overabundance of pain signals. This is commonly used to reduce chronic pain symptoms or reduce scar tissue that can be pulling on other normal tissue causing pain
PRP Platelet rich plasma is derived from a patient's own blood that is centrifuged to concentrate the platelets which are then injected back into the area of treatment. The platelets release growth factors stimulating stem cells to come to the area and differentiate into the cells necessary to heal the injury.
Low Intensity Laser Therapy - Bio-FLex Therapy Bio-FLex Laser therapy is a non-invasive light-based technology that speeds up the healing process and helps resolve pain associated with many conditions including strains and sprains, burns, fractures, repetitive stress injuries, inflammatory conditions, arthritis, back pain, wounds and much more. Red and infrared laser diodes are placed directly on the skin to allow photons to enter the tissue where it enhances ATP production - and thus produces the energy needed to speed healing.
Nutrition
Clinical nutrition involves the combination of diet and supplementation. Certain ailments respond very well to diet modification but often one may need a temporary increase of certain vitamins, minerals, or nutrients that help the body strengthen specific bodily functions that are interconnected with a disease process. The increased need often cannot be attained through food alone. Your naturopathic doctor is trained to understand the interaction between the body, disease processes, and nutrients. Together, you and your doctor can create a diet and supplementation plan that is individualized to your needs.
Botanical Medicine
Botanical medicine is the use of herbs and herbal extracts for improving health. Herbs have been used in medicine for thousands of years. More recently, scientific study has confirmed the healing properties of many herbs or discovered new ones. Herbs contain a variety of compounds that assist the body in its many diverse daily functions. These compounds work synergistically in a single herb or in herb combinations to increase their effectiveness and safety. Interactions occur between different herbs and between herbs and medications. It is important to discuss with your naturopathic doctor any supplements or medications that you might be taking.
Acupuncture
After an initial intake, acupuncture may be recommended as a treatment option. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a 5000 year old practice that involves the insertion of acupuncture needles at specific points of the body to stimulate the movement of qi energy. These particular points have been associated with anatomically and physiologically important points thats may assist in blood or lymph flow or the function of nerves or muscles. Thus, "qi energy", can be understood as the circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body, proper contraction and relaxtion of muscles, and the proper signaling within the nervous system. Another form of acupuncture is intramuscular stimulation or myofascial release. This is a method that effectively treats different forms of pain that originate in the musculoskeletal system. Specific muscles are treated by needling very tight or tender points with the goal of causing muscle relaxation and consequent pain relief.
Lifestyle counselling
Restoring health involves going to the root of the problem, which often involves lifestyle and stress. Lifestyle counselling includes promoting healthy behaviours and habits, emotional support, stress management, and environmental rick factor assessment.
Diet, exercise, hobbies, relationshipsStressful situations have an obvious emotional and mental impact but many forget about the physical detriment. Your naturopathic doctor can guide you through the many ways of handling stress or decreasing the effects of stress.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of energetic medicine that acts to gently restore the body's natural healthy balance. Based on the idea of "like cures like", it uses extremely dilute forms of a substance that would normally cause the same symptoms being experienced by the patient. Since the homeopathic remedy is so dilute it is safe for all patients.
Providing Service in Manitoba
Refined Health sees patients from all over Manitoba and out of province. Availability of naturopathic doctors is rather limited in Manitoba, especially in the rural areas. Refined Health is conveniently located just off a frequently traveled route to larger city centers making it easier for people of southern Manitoba to see their naturopathic doctor and seek alternative health care.
Nearby communities include: Roland Carman Winkler Morden Morris Miami Brunkild Sperling Sanford Rosenort Elm Creek St. Claude Domain Manitou Darlingford