tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49790415946002440772024-03-18T16:26:51.430-04:00Discovering NaturopathyWelcome! This blog documented my my thoughts and insights as I progressed through the 4 year naturopathic medicine program in Canada and now provides some highlights of an ND's private practice. It includes links for those interested in becoming a Naturopathic Doctor as well as resources for students and patients interested in the field. My clinic is located in Airdrie Alberta.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-36751745429508708312019-01-30T14:08:00.001-05:002019-01-30T20:45:07.488-05:00New Beginnings<br />
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After 7 years in Airdrie, we have moved and expanded! The last couple of years have been a tough go for many Albertans due to a sluggish economy that seems to be stuck in first gear. Naturopathic medicine has had its challenges too as most patients rely on insurance coverage through employer benefits which seem to be continually shrinking. And then I will never forget so much negative media coverage in Alberta erroneously linking Naturopathic Doctors to several traumatic cases of very unfortunate health outcomes. During the last 2 years, I was focused on each patient that was in my office, ensuring they had the best experience possible. I guess I was trying to change Albertans perspective of naturopathic medicine one patient at a time. <br />
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We still have a long way to go as many people who see me for the first time do so on a referral from a friend regarding a chronic health problem and they do not realize that most of my training is conventional (I attended 2 universities and graduated from the University of Calgary). As such, hesitant patients tend to be pleasantly surprised that naturopathic medicine builds on science and can be quite logical and effective when used properly.<br />
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I am very proud to be one of only a very few health clinics in Canada to have such a diverse team. In addition to my amazing reception staff, we have 2 Naturopathic Doctors, 1 Psychotherapist, 2 Registered Massage Therapists, 1 Prenatal Course Instructor and 3 Midwives (2 people are were absent from the photo above).<br />
<br />Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-65830765344215124422016-11-11T16:30:00.001-05:002016-11-12T12:50:35.889-05:00Dying to WaitEvidence Based Medicine. A guide that all medical professionals are to aspire to. But what exactly does evidence based medicine currently mean? After listening to Timothy Caulfield's talk at the Perspectives in Exercise, Health and Fitness conference 2 weeks ago, I am left with the impression that there is absolutely no evidence for almost everything I do. Not even supplementing vitamin D in the winter!<br />
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Mr. Caulfield is an author and professor of health law at the University of Alberta and he is a very outspoken critic of Naturopathic Medicine. He was certainly entertaining to listen to and fortunately a lot of what he said about celebrity health fads was true. Unfortunately, if there is not a body of research consisting of randomly assigned, double blinded, placebo group, clinical trails showing significant benefit, Mr Caulfield was quick to state, "no science".<br />
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This leaves no room for logical conclusions in the absence of clear research evidence. Two of the many examples Mr. Caulfield cast away as, "no evidence" were: prostate cancer screening and cupping. Delving into each more closely will demonstrate that concluding "no evidence" based on the results of research alone may be problematic.<br />
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Looking at prostate cancer screening, according to the research the net benefit is zero. However, Ben Stiller may be right too. Research tells us that if the lives of Ben Stiller and 100 other men are saved from early intervention from prostate screening (PSA) and the lives of 90 other men are lost (due to complications of prostate surgery for example) the net gain is small. And yet logic concludes that the 100 men who's lives were saved by prostate screening are very happy for the PSA test. So do we throw the test away? This is one of the complexities of research guided medicine. In this case, medicine does not have the tools to know which side of the fence each male tested will be on. In the mean time, PSA screening may be better as an individual choice after the risks have been described but "no evidence" is an illogical conclusion. <br />
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Then we have Michael Phelps to thank for bringing cupping to the general public's attention. How can a research trial with a placebo group ever be done on cupping? It leaves circular marks! Again, do we discard cupping as a celebrity fad? I should hope not as cupping has provided some people benefit long before Michael Phelps used it. In this case, I would propose we take a look at our scientific understanding of muscle physiology and fascia tissue structure and then connect that to the clinical effect we see after cupping treatments on patients.<br />
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I fail to see how this logical approach makes Naturopathic Medicine quackery (which was a term originally used for medical doctors who used mercury as a remedy). As a Naturopathic Doctor, I do not always have the luxury of waiting for double blinded, randomly assigned, placebo group, clinical trials. Suffering people are often in my office after being told there is nothing that can be done for them (except possibly manage symptoms like pain). "Nothing that can be done" is another way of saying there is no studies to the standard Mr. Caulfield (and I suspect many conventional thinkers) deem as science. In these cases, I could sit on my hands and do nothing. Alternatively, I could use the best evidence available to me at the time which would include a mix of research, physiology, and clinical experience. It would also be my responsibility to develop a common understanding of my assessment and arrive at a shared treatment plan with my patients. <br />
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There was "no evidence" that BPA was dangerous to our children for
years. Research demonstrated this. And then Canada became the first country in the world to take
BPA out of baby bottles and toys as BPA was finally recognized as a
hormone disruptor. What damage was done while the science finally
caught up? Science often just confirms what we already know to be true as there is still so much that science knows so little about.<br />
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I understand that there must be a balance between potentially risky early adoption of medical treatments and on the other side latent adoption where great numbers of people suffer unnecessarily and are <i>dying to wait</i> for the wheels of science to spin on and on. It is equally as important to have this conversation as it is to know what current research evidence says.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-34972484325935138942015-10-04T13:40:00.001-04:002015-10-04T17:28:48.138-04:00Cowspiracy Movie <a href="http://www.cowspiracy.com/" target="_blank">Cowspiracy</a> Movie Review<br />
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As often is the case, things are just not as they seem. This movie highlights the "elephant in the room" by demonstrating the devastating impact of modern day agricultural on our world. Environmental and government agencies are seldom targeting animal agricultural practices that ultimately are causing climate change, huge water loss and destruction of the rainforests. So why the silence? This movie proposes a conspiracy with cows at the forefront.<br />
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Overall this movie highlights many important considerations despite its underlying goal of promoting strict vegetarianism. However, to the movie's discredit, two major separate issues appear to be consolidated and presented as just one:<br />
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1. Destroying the planet<br />
2. Feeding the planet<br />
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Destroying the planet by conventional animal agriculture is a huge legitimate concern. Feeding the planet is a separate but equally legitimate concern that needs different solutions. A strict vegan diet would extend the years that our planet could sustain its exponential population growth but the conclusion is still the same - we build houses over agricultural land until we run out of space to grow food. Growing up on a farm where we had a large produce garden, I'm not convinced that a roof top garden on nearly every house in the mega cities of the future will feed our planet.<br />
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Feeding the planet is an economic problem where, at least in Canada, we
encourage population growth and our economic development almost entirely hinges on
the population growth of cities. We indirectly encourage other countries to grow too beyond their means by
opening our arms to immigration (our population doesn't grow fast enough on its own to continue economic growth so we import in from others' excess).<br />
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When both destroying the planet and feeding the planet are not distinguished as two separate issues, the strict vegetarian diet conclusion of Cowspiricy works. When separated, what remains is yet another oversimplified answer to a complex problem.<br />
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Furthermore, Cowspiracy argues some other premises that need to be exposed. First of all, the calculations the movie makes are made on the current USA average meat consumption which certainly needs to go down, and this would make space again for grass feed meat as a viable option. More importantly though, comparisons between animal and vegetable agriculture are represented as a weight of food per acre. This is quite problematic as 10 lbs of meat is significantly more protein and calorie dense than 10 lbs of any vegetable and 10 lbs of meat would feed a starving person for a lot longer period of time. Calculating this way I suspect would put meat from grass fed animals significantly more comparable to vegetable produce on most aspects.<br />
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On this point of grass fed animals, the movie does not consider a land-food matching process either. Some places can grow grass to feed cows but the soil constitution, including volume of stones in the topsoil, makes vegetable produce farming unsuitable. Grassed sod is also a carbon sink and significant producer of oxygen just as forests are whereas vegetable agriculture has to be cultivated.<br />
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Finally, as a Naturopathic Doctor, I realize that most people eat significantly too much meat and meat from the wrong sources. On a daily basis I am encouraging people to eat more vegetables and fruits. At the same time, grass fed meat can be a very important medical food for many of my patients.<br />
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I'm not saying I agree with New Zealand professors Brenda and Robert Vale who propose it is time to "eat our pets" as we're all basically competing for the same land to grow our food. However, strict veganism is not the answer for everyone either. <br />
<br />Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-43044485153534634152015-03-01T13:38:00.001-05:002015-03-01T14:08:30.900-05:00Where are Alberta's priorities?My grade 8 patients learn about ecosystems and their importance not only to the environment and wildlife but our health too. In the real world in Alberta, it seems these grade 8 lessons are long forgotten. As such, this brings to the surface the increasingly popular question of, "can we be healthy in a sick world?"<br />
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This example is highlighted right at the end of our street (click to enlarge photo below - taken March 1, 2015) where our town puts more priority on having 3 new houses built rather than preserving this aquatic habitat despite a research study that demonstrated its importance. You can see the barrier wall of earth that was started last year dissecting the wetland shortly to be filled with earth.<br />
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On a similar note, how are we planning to feed a growing world with so much of Alberta's farmland for sale? I took these photos below last year as I was alarmed at the volume of agricultural land for sale.<br />
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Alberta is changing and I cannot see how we are heading in the right direction. This will be a public health issue sometime in the near future if not addressed quickly.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-68642162132442692222013-11-23T13:36:00.001-05:002013-11-23T13:41:06.446-05:00Long Term SurvivalAwareness has become a larger part of my practice than I expected and I fully embrace the magnitude of what it can, on occasion, involve. Many times, I am reminded that despite having a strong commitment to evidence based practice, I can still be far from mainstream thought. For example, several years ago a public health nurse in Calgary was asked on the radio if there were any need to eat organic. Her answer in summary was to the effect of, "in the last several years, I have only seen maybe one or two cases of acute toxicity from consuming pesticides or herbicides on fruits or vegetables. So, there isn't really a safety issue." My reply would have been, knowing how smoking causes cancer, how may times have you seen acute toxicity of cigarette smoking in the last several years? So, is there a safety issue with smoking?<br />
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Then we now have John Schadan vice president of Sherritt Coal. Recently one of Sherritt Coal's tailing ponds broke and spilled heavy metals into the surrounding streams west of Edmonton and now the toxic waste is entering the Athabasca River. To my surprise, the vice president tells the reporter that he wanted to prove a point to himself so drank water directly from the contaminated stream (<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Edmonton/ID/2420134185/" target="_blank">Click to watch CBC Sherritt Coal Tailing Pond Spill Interview</a>). I'll leave it to you to decide what point he just proved!<br />
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It is not just the world we are leaving for our children that matters but we need to empower our children with the survival skills to last for generations or the state of the world that we leave them will not matter.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-88382903742127655312013-06-01T14:37:00.002-04:002013-06-03T13:25:59.583-04:00Naturopathic Lawn CareFor many suburbanites, social pressure regarding those bright yellow flowers which relentlessly pop up in their yards drives people to spend a lot of time, effort and unfortunately resort to risky pollutants to eradicate them.<br />
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Recently, a salesperson from a popular "lawn care" company knocked on my door and informed me that there were some terrible plants growing in my yard and that he had the cure. When I asked him to point out which plants he was referring to, he walked me over and pointed, "see this terrible broad leaf plant, we need to get rid of those." <i>"Taraxacum officinale</i>" I asked? "You mean Dandelions?"<br />
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Yes, it seems like Dandelions are the bane of some people's assistance! And, the cure according to this salesperson was 2,4D (2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyactic acid) which he didn't know much about other than his company was 28 years old and they would not be able to sell anything that wasn't safe for the public - including his young daughter who he reportedly lets play on the lawn after applying 2,4D. <br />
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Unfortunately, as with most lawn pesticides and herbicides, the track record for 2,4D is not so clear. In addition to being a major ingredient in Agent Orange, there are several studies indicating cancer risk as well as ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).<br />
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The Dandelion may be better utilized as a barometer for the internal health of your lawn. When present, they indicate that your soil is not sick, you are not polluting the groundwater and it is safe to enjoy walking on and touching the grass. Otherwise, artificial turf seems to become a better option than chemically induced fields of green.<br />
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Or, if you really detest the Dandelions, how about eating them?! After all, they are a tremendously healthy vegetable. The young leaves in the spring, included in a salad, are part of an excellent cleanse that I often recommend to my patients. Less healthy, but more tasty, how about Dandelion syrup made from the flowers?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here is a Recipe:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Start by washing 250grams to 280grams (about two heaped double handfuls) of Dandelion flowers and cut their base to help detach the yellow petals from the green leaves.<br /><br />In
a saucepan, cover the dandelion petals with water 1 Litre of water. Mix well until all
petals are covered. Bring slowly to a boil, remove from heat, cover and let infuse in the fridge
overnight.<br /><br />The next day, filter the mixture using a fine sieve or
cheesecloth into a pot – be sure to get as much of the liquid as possible. Add 1kg of raw sugar into the liquid and place the pot on the stove without a lid to simmer on low heat. Simmer until the liquid is slightly thinner than maple syrup at approximately 219 degrees Fahrenheit (which when cooled will be the same consistency as maple syrup). Half a sliced lemon may be added when the liquid is nearing the desired consistency.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Remove from heat and store in a glass bottle until the next occasion for use.</span><br />
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Enjoy!Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-41890168597695250132013-02-04T18:20:00.000-05:002013-05-22T13:35:14.354-04:00Do Ion Footbaths Detox?With spring approaching here in Airdrie, patients are already talking about detoxification. And, of any time of year, spring is the most opportune time to kick-start the body's already functioning purification systems after a long winter. Unfortunately, many popular "detoxifications" are either completely ineffective or only create temporary diarrhea thereby "cleansing the bowels." Worse, several times last year I saw the effects of an "herbal detox" that was absolutely dangerous. <br />
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Today I'm going to highlight a popular product recently shown to be under the completely ineffective category. Two years ago, a very well ran study assessed the effectiveness of the IonCleanse footbath. The conclusion? "Contrary to claims made for the machine, there does not appear to be any specific induction of toxic element release through the feet when running the machine according to specifications." Yes, the water usually changes colour (this study tracked potentially toxic elements not just colour change) whether your feet are in the water or not!<br />
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Here is the entire study for those interested in seeing the detail to which the authors thoroughly tested the IonCleanse machines. <a href="http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/258968/" target="_blank">Objective Assessment of an Ionic Footbath (IonCleanse): Testing Its Ability to Remove Potentially Toxic Elements from the Body</a><br />
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As Detox has become mainstream culture, so has the opportunities to take advantage of your time and money. Please ensure you are doing a safe and effective detoxification this spring. Even the necessity for all people to do a full-fledged detox is certainly a matter of debate. As a naturopathic doctor with a keen interest in environmental medicine, I evaluate each patient on a case by case basis: there is no one size fits all approach. <br />
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<br />Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-9195619209162171552012-12-03T15:21:00.000-05:002012-12-03T15:23:53.401-05:00Naturopathic ImmunityI can't believe it has been so long since my last post. I am pleasantly surprised at how many people are looking at this blog despite my lack of recent posts - thank-you!<br />
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Today's topic: immunity.<br />
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As of yet, I have never had a runny nose, sore throat, nor an arm with eczema walk into my office. There is always a person attached! Obvious as this sounds, too often patients come to see me after months of being treated as such. I believe this is partly due to our overburdened social health care system in Canada which doesn't afford Medical Doctors enough time to dig beyond the obvious. It is also likely due to nearly 100 years of the conventional medical paradigm being applied directly to chronic conditions. Yes, the conventional medical system is excellent and I thank God for its acute life saving ability. However, your immunity is one of those systems that often requires more than a "band aid" solution. If you have ever found yourself on continual prescriptions of antibiotics or corticosteriods, maybe it is time to look beyond the symptom and investigate the root of the problem.<br />
<br />Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-10523047014610146342012-09-26T14:13:00.001-04:002012-09-26T14:15:20.210-04:00Acne and Rosacea: Only Skin Deep?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Guest Writer: Amy Kroeker (ND candidate 2013)</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Everyone loves a pale rosy glow on the
cheeks but persistent redness and frequent breakouts are something we try to
eliminate or hide. But what do these symptoms tell us about our health? Are
they genetic or are there environmental triggers? Most commonly, acne and
rosacea are treated by face washes that contain antibacterial ingredients or,
if more severe, with antibiotic medications. Although these treatments are
effective for many people, others see no difference or have side effects such
as dry skin and skin irritation. So why are skin conditions so stubborn and
what other therapies can help?</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Naturopathic medicine seeks to investigate
and understand the underlying causes of any condition and skin conditions are
no different. Acne and rosacea are rarely seen in children and often begin in
the teenage years with puberty as hormones begin to change. This indicates that
hormones and hormone dysregulation are factors in skin health. However, many
people do not begin to experience acne or rosacea until later in adulthood.
Breakouts can occur not only on the face but also the neck, back, chest, arms,
or legs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is commonly said amongst Naturopathic
Doctors that the skin reflects the health of the gastrointestinal tract or gut.
Food allergies and sensitivities can cause a significant amount of inflammation
in the body that often appears as skin redness and pimples. Since the skin and
the gut are also two important routes of elimination in the body, symptoms in
these two organ systems are often correlated to each other. Common symptoms
that accompany acne and rosacea are gas, bloating, constipation, moodiness, and
fatigue after eating. Other signs of inflammation in the body can even include
joint and muscle aches. These symptoms, when combined with acne or rosacea,
indicate that what is going on is more than skin deep. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Treatment of acne and rosacea from a
natural perspective often involves testing for food sensitivities and allergies
using diagnostic laboratory testing and then treating the gastrointestinal
tract using diet change and botanical plant-based formulas or supplements. In
this way, acne and rosacea can be treated from the inside out to prevent the
recurrence so common with treatment that is only skin deep. For more
information on natural treatments for acne and rosacea that address these
underlying symptoms consult your local Naturopathic Doctor.</span></div>
Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-19495596560993431982012-08-03T00:50:00.001-04:002012-08-03T00:56:06.046-04:00Not just any Airdrie NaturopathLast Wednesday's announcement by Alberta's health minister brought Naturopaths back into the spotlight in Alberta - at least until Canada's Olympic medals diverted the media's attention. Yes, naturopathic doctors are now regulated under Alberta's Health Professions Act which now requires any person who calls themselves a "Naturopath" to have completed the correct schooling and also pass licensing exams. And, I'm very happy to be distinguished by this new regulation. <br />
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What is still surprising to me is how some media still present naturopathic medicine to the public. The <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/07/26/alberta-creates-college-to-oversee-naturopathic-doctors-stops-short-of-endorsing-treatments/" target="_blank">National Post</a> began its article on the new regulation by stating, "Homeopathy, chelation therapy and vitamin injections will soon be
regulated procedures in the province of Alberta, which is rapidly
becoming more friendly to alternative medicines that have little or no
scientific backing." Then, after acknowledging the extensive schooling required by ND's, the same article states, "almost without exception, [ND's] were advising controversial therapies and
techniques such as homeopathy, vitamin supplements, colon cleanses,
ozone therapy, hair analysis, chelation therapy and herbal remedies that
insert lavages into the nasal canal."<br />
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Wow! Is this really what the "mainstream" Canadian public thinks naturopathic doctors do?!! A brief read through the comments below the <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/07/26/alberta-creates-college-to-oversee-naturopathic-doctors-stops-short-of-endorsing-treatments/" target="_blank">National Post article</a> demonstrates how polar (and sadly misinformed) the public is about health care and this great disparity really doesn't do anyone any good. Yes, not all naturopathic doctors are equal but that is a human characteristic that goes across any profession.<br />
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A student from the Arizona school (<a href="http://www.scnm.edu/" target="_blank">SCMN</a>) was preceptoring at my clinic last week and reminded me that until ND's value themselves as more than just a "naturopath" and accept the responsibility that comes with Naturopathic Physician, it will be hard for the mainstream public to let go of some ideas about ND's. Point taken.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-89376814142818606222012-07-02T08:30:00.000-04:002012-07-04T15:03:03.109-04:00Big red circle on my back!No, it is not a rash or any other dermatological problem! Rather, it is the "health" product sales target that comes with being a Naturopathic Doctor. As ND's practice preventive and proactive medicine, it comes with the territory that sales representatives for neutraceutical companies, weight loss products, energetic products etc, etc, want us to sell their products to our patients (or at the very least, let our patients know that these products exist). Each week I have one or more sales representatives drop by the clinic asking me to meet with them so they can show me their particular product. And, every single product is the best product in the world!!<br />
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How about some <i>forest through the trees</i> to help establish a little perspective? There are two considerations that need to be kept in mind: First: number needed to treat and, second: rate limiting.<br />
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1. Number Needed to Treat:<br />
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For example, how many people with high cholesterol given a Statin medication will it take for one of these people to add one healthy year on to their life? This is called <i>All Cause Mortality</i> and the research with Statins is interesting on this one! Especially for women. Or, from a natural perspective, how many people drinking pH balanced water or sleeping on a magnetic mattress does it take to add one healthy year onto one person's life or improve one person's quality of sleep? The answer of course is based on indication; is "X" product actually indicated for a person?<br />
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2. Rate Limiting:<br />
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Many patients of mine have a gamut of "health machines" and supplements but still suffer from significant health problems. Unfortunately, the problem here is these machines and supplements, although not usually harmful, do nothing to improve the symptoms that these patients have. It is like trying to plug up small holes in a dam to save water when the problem is that it hasn't rained in weeks! This is the concept of rate limiting - something missing that is stopping an important process.<br />
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The point is, we have to draw the line somewhere! If you walk into a health
food store and say, "one of everything please!" this is likely to
provide some negative interactions and do more harm than good. I will typically work with people's own supplemental
regimen especially if they are part of a multi-level marketing company
and have been lead to believe that x or y is necessary for health. Naturopathic Doctors determine where health products fit into each person's list of priorities and I make suggestions as to particular importance.<br />
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So, before you sign on the dotted line with a direct-purchase neutraceutical company, buy that $3000 machine, or start 6 months of a particular treatment, it would be advisable to consult with an ND who has years and years of education in the natural health field.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-30924389645258282092012-06-02T23:00:00.000-04:002012-06-03T15:10:12.373-04:00Your body works and so does nature!Two things I have been pondering the past few weeks are the disconnect people have with the amazing capabilities of our bodies and also the natural functioning of nature.<br />
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New patients at my clinic are instructed to bring all their medications and natural supplements or botanicals on their first visit so I can ensure there are no interactions. Additionally, I evaluate each item's indication for that particular patient. It is not rare for some patients to bring in shopping bags full of regimens of vitamins, herbs and specific nutrients intended to assist, upregulate and support nearly every system in the body. Then, when I explain that the body has an amazingly brilliant, built in capacity to maintain (homeostasis) the optimal functioning of these organ systems and they most likely do not need to take half of their regimen, some patients think I am being almost sacrilegious! Certainly there is an appropriate time, dose and indication for supplementation but will a grocery cart of items, that are not indicated, add any healthy years to someone's life?<br />
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My second observation stems from having my own city lawn for the first time (I grew up on a farm). How did urban society get to such a place of disconnect from nature where people use their lawn mowers to collect all the grass clippings, send this to the landfill site, and then pay a chemical company to put back on their lawns an inferior synthetic fertilizer replica of what they just sent away?! And then there are all the chemicals and water required to keep that artificial induced carpet of dark green!<br />
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It all comes down to education. Education about what we do directly to our bodies and indirectly through how we treat the world around us. I believe teaching is the most important
aspect of being an ND. It takes time but is so worth it! <br />
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If you follow our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-Health-Team/322014124481420" target="_blank">Mountain Health Team Facebook</a> we'll show you some interesting ways to utilize those yellow dandelion flowers (<i>Taraxicum officinalis</i>) in the next few weeks.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-88988445998216701722012-03-30T18:03:00.001-04:002012-04-02T13:52:34.546-04:00Be in the knowI always seem to be amazed that it is the end of the day, and the end of another week or month. Proof that I am in the right profession! Now it has already been 2 months since my last blog post.<br />
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Well, after practicing for 5 months and having my own clinic since January here in Airdrie, I have noticed several common trends in Canadian health care. Here is one: <b>No news is not necessarily good news</b>. That is in regards to your blood work and test results anyways. I frequently hear this from my patients who have had recent blood work performed by their MD. "Well I haven't heard anything back so all must be ok." Unfortunately, Medical Doctors are in massive short supply in my area which results in these professionals being severely overworked. <br />
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As such, I have learned to have my patients release a copy of their recent records to me so we can take a look together. And unfortunately, I often find values that are not just low-normal or high-normal but values that are even flagged by the lab as out of normal ranges. Most importantly, these abnormal results confirm a clinical suspicion I had regarding the symptoms and presentation of my patient.<br />
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So, these labs are your property and do not feel shy to ask to have a copy. Your MD is within his/her right to ask that you pay a photocopy fee but they cannot prevent you from seeing your results. Be in the know! Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-69453598006774715702012-01-26T13:42:00.001-05:002012-01-27T00:11:52.896-05:00Up for Air!This is one of the first days I have had a chance to even think about taking a moment to write something on this blog. Since beginning negotiations for the purchase of the Healthy Options Centre in October last year, to taking over ownership on January 1st, and transferring all the business necessities while still seeing patients full-time, 2012 has started out at an exceptionally fast pace. There just does not seem to be enough hours in the day! Once again, trying to keep some semblance of a balanced life has been very difficult. With the stress and pressures I feel like I'm in school again but practicing is just a little more fun!<br />
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I am really enjoying Airdrie and have been happy with the openness to culturally relevant, evidence based natural therapies. Most people seem ready for a more naturopathic approach to health care.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-25999653327581152992011-12-08T20:41:00.001-05:002011-12-08T22:17:18.373-05:00Priorities and ParadigmsSince moving back to Calgary I've been without a dentist and I would really like to find one. It is certainly not that there is any shortage , but I have had so many bad experiences with dentists in the past that I have to admit that I'm overly cautious. This is one example why networking is so important. I find that when people can put a face to a name, and then be reassured and in agreement with my approach towards patient care, it makes a big difference towards building a practice. <br />
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However, one obstacle I've encountered on several occasions recently is price. "You know I'd really like to see a naturopathic doctor but you are so expensive." And, some ND's certainly are. However, I believe the priorities of our society and individual paradigms may be more responsible for this perception than actual price (influenced no doubt by socialized heath care - which I'm thankful for in the case of an emergency). <br />
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My wife came home last night after getting her hair cut and styled. And, she was $110 more beautiful! Also, several weeks ago I got Canadian Tire to put my winter tires on rims. That was $167 exchange just for the labour alone. That is more than the cost of my 1 hour new patient appointment! I found out that Canadian Tire charges a basic shop rate of $115 per hour and raises this to $125 per hour when there is any electrical work involved. And this work could be done by a 19 year old mechanic.<br />
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Just to clarify, I am very happy for any 19 year old who has worked hard to become a mechanic and I recognize the responsibility of ensuring an automobile is safe on the road. However, this is not a health care provider. So, is it unreasonable to expect to pay 25 to 50 percent more per hour for a naturopathic doctor than a mechanic?(1.) <br />
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I believe that since people are accustomed to conventional health care being free in Canada, it requires both a paradigm shift and a change of priorities to get over the inhibition to pay for health care. However, when conventional medicine has been unsuccessful in helping with a particular health concern we may need to ask, what do we value more: our car, haircut...etc, or health?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Footnote: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(1.) I should add that if someone came to most naturopathic doctors and really could not afford to pay, and that person was not spending $110 at the hair stylist, most would gladly work something out in that case. </span>Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-47314388756830874382011-11-17T12:47:00.000-05:002011-11-17T12:47:33.981-05:00Who are Environmentalists?With the political and environmental controversy surrounding the Keystone pipelines, I realized that the role of environmentalists often seem to be separated from general society. I heard a CBC radio host exclaim, "I don't know what the environmentalists would think of that" referring to a statement by Keystone. As if their view would be somehow distinct from the rest of society.<br />
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What would happen if society viewed environmental scientists as health care practitioners? There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate this to be true - our health is directly influenced by our environment. In fact, even determining the exact role of our genome becomes very difficult because gene expression is changed depending on the environment.<br />
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I believe that when society begins to realize that environmental scientists are indeed health care practitioners, and very important ones, there will be major leaps forward in preventive medicine. Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-15633122565252668372011-10-26T17:53:00.001-04:002011-10-26T17:54:13.101-04:00So many choicesOn the one hand, waiting for my Alberta license number to arrive could be stressful if I let it bother me. But, there are just too many exciting opportunities for naturopathic doctors now. As such, having the time to work through some very important decisions, without seeing patients yet, has been a blessing in disguise.<br />
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I believe that we are at the beginning of really being able to help the Canadian public due to an increased demand for integrative medicine. On that note, I was also very happy to see that CCNM has added another primary care procedures course to the curriculum to further prepare ND's to be excellent primary care providers. I'm so proud!<br />
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Over the past 2 months I have continued to delve deeper into the business side of running a practice and recognize that no matter how many practice management classes we took, nothing can replace a good business mentor as well as doing a lot of researching and using common sense! All the best to everyone out there starting out - we need to stick together!!Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-31133134419846957542011-10-05T15:49:00.003-04:002011-10-14T12:13:04.967-04:00The ND GeneralistOne thing I have noticed when talking to potential patients lately is that our society tends to overvalue specialists. A common question I get is, "what do you specialize in?" and people's reaction to my desire to work in Primary Care is bewilderment. Yes, I have my interests: sports medicine, gastrointestinal health, etc., but I just enjoy helping people with a diverse set of presenting symptoms. I find it is exciting and gratifying. <br />
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In actuality, Primary Care is a specialty too. In fact, an expert generalist can save a person a lot of pain, time and unnecessary referrals. Of course there is a very important place for specialists, but we need to put a greater value back on general practitioners.<br />
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This is one thing I love about naturopathic doctors. We can use a number of tools in Primary Care that work well and are often safer than a conventional approach. We can utilize botanicals, nutrition and supplements, adjustments of the spine, acupuncture, and counseling all with one patient - if it is necessary. Possibly the greatest thing about naturopathic doctors is we do not utilize these modalities in isolation but we understand how each fits together to help the patient.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-50367103058309661862011-10-03T07:45:00.003-04:002011-10-03T07:45:00.514-04:00House CallsRemember back in the good old days when doctors did house calls? Well, as the provincial elections approach, several politicians are talking about mandating Medical Doctors to do a percentage of house calls. I have no idea how they will fit house calls into their overpacked schedule but the politicians have recognized that the demand is there. The timing is appropriate in my case as I have been shocked at the leasing prices in Calgary. There are certainly some beautiful locations to set-up a naturopathic practice, but at $30.00 a square foot per year, the price seems prohibitive right now. Certainly there are opportunities for new ND's to rent office space in existing practices but it also might be a perfect time to provide patients with a house call service.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-8271576568382621842011-09-28T18:58:00.001-04:002011-10-01T15:20:28.102-04:00NPLEX ResultsCongratulations to everyone who wrote NPLEX (and Boards) and passed. It was great to get the results sooner than expected and see the right number of capital "P's" on my results page. Thank-God!! I would age another 10 years if I had do all that again...it makes me shiver just to think about it! However, the exams are extremely difficult and failing the first time is not necessarily a reflection of intelligence or your ability to pass. So, if that happened to be you, <b>do not give up</b>.<br />
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Well, now there is a mountain of paperwork to complete and decisions to make to begin the process of opening up a practice. I'll keep you updated.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-1234514754000525412011-09-22T16:54:00.000-04:002011-09-22T16:54:19.129-04:00Post SurgeryWell, I don't intend this blog to be overly personal but I thought that I should update my mothers situation to say that she is recovering well. She believes that her orthopedic surgeon was a perfectionist (which is a good thing!) and that he gave her good instructions before she left the hospital. The silver lining on a horribly painful and frustrating week.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-71562076470341979622011-09-19T00:56:00.008-04:002011-09-19T11:44:35.468-04:00The Canadian Health Care Crisis Just Became Personal<div class="MsoNormal">This week has brought my family up close and personal with Canada’s overburdened and sometimes depersonalized health care system. Last Wednesday my mother broke her leg. My dad took her to the nearest emergency (at the Durham hospital) where she was evaluated and sent home with a partial cast to wait for surgery. The attending MD also prescribed Ibuprofen as my mom mentioned she doesn’t tolerate some Tylenol (most likely due to the codeine). The pharmacist rightfully caught the fact that my mother was scheduled for surgery and Ibuprofen can thin the blood leading to potential bleeding problems in the operating room. After some phone calls, this was worked out and she was re-prescribed Tylenol without codeine. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My mom was then referred to the Grey Bruce Regional Health Centre in Owen Sound (Ontario) for surgery to pin the broken tibia in her right leg. She was told she would be able to get in within the next couple of days.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My family called the hospital on Thursday several times and were told that things were too busy to take my mother in yet but said if she got a letter from the attending MD she could go to London Ontario and wait for her surgery there. However, she chose to wait for an opening in Owen Sound (which is only 30 minutes away) instead of driving 3 hours to London with a partially casted, extremely painful broken leg.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On Friday my family called the Owen Sound hospital and were told that there was no record of my mother requiring surgery and they would need get her information again. By that afternoon, the hospital found her information and mom was booked in for surgery at 10 am Saturday morning. She was instructed not to have any food or water. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On Saturday morning she arrived at the hospital expecting surgery by 10 am. However, after a 9 hour wait, without food, water, or painkillers, she was told that there was a mix-up with her 10 o’clock surgery time and she would be rescheduled. At this point, the swelling around her broken tibia had gone down which allowed the bone to separate and move freely with the slightest movement. This caused her excruciating pain. So, on Saturday night she was put up in the hospital and rescheduled for surgery again the next morning. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally, at noon Sunday morning (5 full days after breaking her leg) my mother underwent surgery to get two pins and a plate placed into her leg as well as an unexpected bone graft and muscle repair. What an ordeal. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is hard to believe that this happens in Canada. I have always stated that conventional medicine is ultimately best suited for acute situations but I’m beginning to have my doubts that this generalization can be applied to all hospitals in Canada. Shame on the Grey Bruce Regional Health Centre.</div>Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-64334121415998698522011-09-16T10:42:00.000-04:002011-09-16T10:42:58.551-04:00Transition timeThe last few weeks have seen a tremendous amount of change for my family and I. After writing Board exams, we packed up our apartment in Toronto and took a cross Canada road trip to relocate to Calgary Alberta. This has also been a time of transition from medical student life to business owner. <br />
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Over last 4 years, as the title of this blog indicates, I have provided prospective students and advocates a unique inside perspective of life as a student of naturopathic medicine. Although I will never stop learning and always be a student of medicine, I'm not certain this blog title is still appropriate. Anyhow, as the next few months unfold, I will give some updates on the transition from student to practitioner.Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-9453442673674158102011-08-12T18:17:00.005-04:002011-08-12T18:33:27.670-04:00Board, Board, Board!It has nearly been a week already since taking the Ontario Board certification exams. I should be used to people being intensely analytical and critical about my performance after years of practical sessions and exams, but somehow the Board examiners seemed to have a skill for making my mind go blank. The experience was very, very humbling; in fact, it was somewhat traumatic! The good news is that I'm told many of us will feel this way but ultimately do very well. It is part of the affliction of being a perfectionist! <br />
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In Ontario, graduates' skills in physical and clinical diagnosis, instrumentation, Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, and spinal manipulations are all tested in practical exam sessions. There is certainly a lot on the line as a failing grade requires a retake exam next February and an inability to start a practice in the mean time. It is a lot of pressure to say the least. And what is worse is that we do not know our results until October! <br />
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In the meantime, I wish everyone of my colleagues all the best with their exam results and with beginning their next chapter in the naturopathic journey, wherever it takes them. Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979041594600244077.post-17518994939236074832011-08-05T19:57:00.002-04:002011-08-05T20:02:12.216-04:00Post NPLEX IIIf I were to make a list of all the things I would loved to have known well while writing the 400 questions on the NPLEX exams, it would be a pretty long list! I feel like each exam question was written by a specialist from a particular field of study and we were required to take our best stab at it with a generalist's training. Well, I guess who better to write the perfect question anyways than a specialist!<br />
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Probably one of the unforeseen challenges for me was on the second day after writing the elective TCM and acupuncture exam. During the first 20 or so questions of the afternoon core clinical exam, what happened was when I would see a case where a patient comes in with poor memory, palpitations...etc., etc., I would think, "that's got to be a heart blood deficiency," or whatever TCM diagnosis corresponded to the symptoms. Then, I'd remember that this part of the exam needed a <i>Western</i> diagnosis. <br />
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Well, it sure was a mental marathon and, I'd have to say that it was harder than I thought it would be. But, that is the past and it's on to Board exams this weekend. After this weekend, then we can finally celebrate!Dr. Richard Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12984773845051042675noreply@blogger.com1