Food is our body’s fuel; our source of energy. We need food and its nutrients to maintain life and to promote healthy cell and tissue growth. Dr. Donovan and Dr. Doyle will help you to identify any deficiencies in your diet while recommending whole foods to assist in treating diseases as well as to promote health.  Some benefits of a healthy diet include: enhanced immune function, increased energy, improved adaptation to stress, better digestion and absorption of nutrients, improved mood, quicker recovery from illness, and an overall better sense of well-being.

Botanical Medicine

Plants have been used all over the world for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.  A great variety of plants are used for medicinal treatments because of their nutritional value or because of their powerful healing ability.  The dried plant or a specific part of it (i.e. root, leaves, flower, seeds) can be formulated into suitable preparations and used for its medicinal properties– tablets/capsules, tinctures, extracts, infusions/teas etc.  Extracts from plants can also be mixed with other compounds to make lotions, poultices, ointments/salves or creams. 

Homeopathic Medicine

Homeopathy was first developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the late 1700’s and was based on the theory ‘like cures like’. A substance which will create the symptoms of disease in a healthy person will actually cure the symptoms of the disease in a sick person. This phenomenon is referred to as ‘proving’ the remedy.  Homeopathy uses dilutions of substances (known as potentization) which has been shown to be more medicinally active and less toxic than taking the substance in its original, unaltered form.  The homeopathic approach to understanding and treating disease is holistic; assessing the ‘whole’ person – physically, mentally and emotionally.  Treatment is aimed at bringing the body as a whole back into balance so that the symptoms of disease can resolve accordingly.  The remedies work with the body’s innate healing power to cure disease at the root or body’s core rather than simply suppressing symptoms.

Lifestyle Counselling

Many illnesses are related to lifestyle and behaviour as well as poor coping mechanisms. By addressing the patient’s attitude about healthy living and by acknowledging emotions that may be contributing to disease, the path to wellness can be achieved.

Physical Medicine and Hydrotherapy

Treatments involve hands-on techniques such as soft tissue work, naturopathic manipulation of muscle, bone and/or the spine, exercise therapy and hydrotherapy.  Hydrotherapy involves the use of hot and cold water as a way of stimulating the immune system, increasing  circulation, promoting drainage and detoxification, for pain management as well as for relaxation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system that has been around for thousands of years.  This form of medicine is based on Taoist philosophy which denotes Chi (also known as Qi) as being the vital force or energy which travels through 20 meridians in the body. If Chi can flow un-impeded throughout these meridians then balance can be maintained on a spiritual, mental, emotional and physical basis.  TCM aims to restore the body’s balance and harmony between the natural opposing forces of yin and yang which can block Chi and cause disease.  Treatments which support the optimal flow of Chi include: acupuncture, diet, herbal therapy, meditation, physical exercise and massage.  Acupuncture involves the use of fine needles which are inserted in specific points along the body’s meridians to assist in or redirect the proper flow of Chi.

Reiki

Reiki (Ray-Key) is a Japanese healing technique which involves the channelling of the Universal life force energy.  Rei means divine wisdom.  Ki means life force energy. The client draws in the Universal life force energy  to relieve itself of physical, emotional, and spiritual blocks.
Reiki assists in the natural healing process of the body enhancing its ability to rebalance to a healthier state.

Reiki can:

• improve all functions of the body
• is safely absorbed, distributed and balanced by the body to meet specific needs
• reduce stress, anxiety and promote relaxation
• bring about change and personal growth
• deepen and enhance therapeutic results, working with the natural healing process already underway in the body
• can bring relief from physical pain brought on by stress, arthritis, migraines and injuries
• works on all levels, mentally, physically and spiritually

The Universal life force of Reiki has an intelligence of its own and goes to where it is needed in the individual being healed.  It comes from an unlimited source.  It is not controlled or directed by the practitioner's mind,  abilities, or state of health.  The client is the one who accepts and controls the healing.  If at a deeper level, they have a desire to be healed, and if the timing is correct for them, a complete healing can occur. Reiki is very simply applied through the process of touch by a trained and certified Usui Reiki Practitioner. When the practitioner applies the hands to begin the treatment, the Universal life force energy begins to flow through them, out their hands in an amplified and focused manner.  The Reiki energy does what it has to do for the person.  The body draws the energy it needs - reawakening its ability to heal itself.  It has the unique ability to be self balancing within the body. The first treatment introduces the Reiki energy to the body. The second treatment creates a deeper level of healing. The third treatment anchors in the healing energy.

Reflexology

Reflexology is the natural, noninvasive healing art that is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet that correspond to every organ, gland and body part.  Through application of pressure to these reflexes, Reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and promotes the natural functioning and healing of the body.  Reflexology does not diagnose or prescribe.  Reflexology helps to balance the physical, mental and emotional aspects of your whole body.  If an organ or gland is over or under active, Reflexology can help it to return it to a normal level.

The body has the ability to heal itself.  Following illness, stress, injury or disease, it is in a state of "imbalance" and vital energy pathways are blocked, preventing the body from functioning effectively.  When one part of the body is not functioning well, the effect is felt throughout the entire system.  Reflexology can be used to restore and maintain the body's natural balance and encourage healing.  Reflexologists are trained to detect tiny deposits and imbalances in the feet and by working on theses points, the reflexologist can release blockages and restore the natural flow of energy to the whole body.  This gentle therapy encourages the body to heal itself at its own pace.