Questions about Dr. Tam, ND's naturopathic practice:
❯ What kind of training does Dr. Tam, ND have?
Dr. Tam, ND graduated from the University of Guelph with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science. She was intrigued by the unique healing philosophy of naturopathic medicine (treating the root cause of illness) after experiencing first hand how naturopathic therapies helped her with her hormone imbalances and adrenal fatigue. This lead her to pursue and complete the 4 year full-time program at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto.
Dr. Tam, ND’s studies never stop. She is committed to finding better treatments and improving patient outcomes, so she continually attends courses and seminars to expand her knowledge base and keep up to date with new research. Dr. Tam, ND’s interest in mind-body medicine and advanced diagnostic systems also lead her to pursue additional training in Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) and Applied Kinesiology (AK).
❯ What conditions does Dr. Tam, ND treat?
As a Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Tam, ND treats a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions, from the common cold and digestive concerns, to chronic pain, hormone imbalances and serious autoimmune conditions. Naturopathic treatments can stand alone, or can be adjunctive to conventional medical treatments.
Please visit "conditions we treat" for more information on health conditions that Dr. Tam focuses on.
❯ How does Dr. Tam, ND's approach differ from other practitioners?
Dr. Tam, ND’s primary goals are always to improve your health and make you feel better by treating the root causes of illness and to reduce your risk for future disease, while providing relief for specific symptoms as the body heals itself.
Dr. Tam, ND doesn’t rush through her patient assessments. Spending the time to understand each patient’s unique condition is a cornerstone to her practice. She uses a systematic approach of continual analysis and personalized treatments for the individual that involves a range of science- and evidence-based natural and conventional therapies. (➜ learn more here)
Dr. Tam, ND believes in empowering her patients with the knowledge and tools to get on top of their condition, so that they can be active participants in their own health and feel their best on the inside and out!
❯ I’m ready to invest in my health, how can I book an appointment?
First off, congrats! Here’s how you can get in touch..
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⇒ For our East Gwillimbury / Newmarket location, you can book here:
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.fredatam.nd@gmail.com . (Email contact is prefered) - ........📞 (416) 723-3336
- ........Online Booking: here
- ........(Please email us to inquire if you cannot find a preferred availability.)
❯ I’ve just booked an Initial Appointment! Are there forms I need to fill out in advance?
- Download and fill out the appropriate “Intake Form” and bring the completed forms with you to your appointment.
- Bring copies of any recent bloodwork or other lab / imaging test results from your family physician or specialist.
- Bring any supplements and/or medications that you are currently taking to your appointment.
❯ What can I expect at my first visit?
Dr. Tam, ND believes that be most successful doctor-patient relationship is based on good communication.
This first appointment will take about 60-90 minutes. We will discuss in depth about your primary concerns, health history, lifestyle and goals. A physical exam will be performed and we will review lab testing options if necessary.
You will leave the first appointment with a personalized treatment plan in hand and specific recommendations to reach your health goals. With your time and commitment, we can begin your journey to better health. Follow-up visits are often recommended to ensure your care is comprehensive and effective.
Questions about Naturopathic Medicine in general:
❯ What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of healthcare that focus on determining and treating the root cause of illness and stimulating the body's natural ability to heal itself, rather than just suppressing the symptoms. Naturopathic medicine blends modern science and evidence-based and traditional therapeutic methods such as nutrient supplements, herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, diet and lifestyle interventions.
In addition, naturopathic medicine recognizes that all individuals are unique, so treatments must be tailored to the individual rather than the disease (for example, treating indigestion in one person may require quite a different approach versus another person with the same health concern).
Although no pharmaceutical medicines are used in the treatment process, Naturopathic Doctors are capable of running standard and specialized lab tests, while also coordinating care with other physicians (such as general practitioners or specialists).
➜ Learn more about Naturopathic Medicine here
❯ What qualifications do licensed Naturopathic Doctors have?
In Ontario, licensed Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) have at least 7 years of post-secondary education, including 4 years of full-time training at an accredited educational institution, such as the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). This includes more than 4,500 hours of classroom training and 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience.
They must also successfully pass the provincial and international board exams,
Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX). NPLEX is the standardized examination used by all licensing jurisdictions for Naturopathic Doctors in North America. NDs must also obtain their professional licensing from the
College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and meet the Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits as required by the provincial regulatory boards on an ongoing basis.
NDs in Ontario are regulated under the Regulated Health Practitioners Act (RHPA) alongside Medical Doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and most other health-care providers in the province.
❯ How do I know if my Naturopathic Doctor is licensed and registered?
All licensed Naturopathic Doctors practicing in Ontario must meet all of the requirements listed above under "What kind of training and qualification do licensed Naturopathic Doctors have?", and be registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO)
in order to practice. In addition, they must also earn the Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits every year in order to stay in good standing with CONO.
You can visit CONO's registration directory
or contact CONO at 416-583-6010 to verify that your Naturopathic Doctor is registered and in good standing.
❯ Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by OHIP?
No. Unforunately, Naturopathic Medicine is currently not covered by OHIP. However, most extended health care plans do provide coverage for naturopathic services. Please contact your insurance provider to verify the details of your coverage.
❯ Are Naturopathic services covered by insurance?
It depends who your insurance provider is. The best way to be sure is to check with them. They will need your insurance policy number and Dr. Tam’s qualification (Naturopathic Doctor), and they may also need to know that Dr. Tam, ND is licensed in Ontario through the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO).
❯ Do I need to leave my family doctor (MD) if I see a Naturopathic Doctor?
Not at all! It would be ideal for all patients to have a collaborative healthcare team where their health practitioners can work together to best serve the patient. All practitioners have their areas of specialty, and these should be utilitzed together to provide the best care possible. Naturopathic Doctors can support and enhance the care given by other practitioners.
❯ If I am taking prescription medications, is it safe for me to receive naturopathic therapies?
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YES!
You can definitely see a Naturopathic Doctor, and you can take natural medicines depending on your situation. Like all medications, natural medicines can have potential interactions and side-effects when they are improperly combined with other drugs or supplements.
Licensed Naturopathic Doctors, like Dr. Tam, ND, are trained extensively in pharmacology and drug-herb-nutrient interactions, and will only prescribe natural therapies that are safe and beneficial for you. NDs can also help you manage the side effects of medications.
**It is very important that you bring in or provide a list of your current medications and supplements to your visits, and keep us informed of any changes to the list, so we can ensure that there are no interactions between your natural and drug prescriptions.
Do you have additional questions?
Contact Dr. Tam to book a "Free 15 minute meeting" and find out how we can help!