Frequently Asked Questions

 

Naturopathic Medicine

  • Naturopathic medicine approaches the condition as part of the whole, rather than focus on it exclusively.

    The recommendations I make aim to improve your overall health and stimulate your body’s natural healing processes. This can help improve the condition in question.

  • My patients with neurological conditions reported improvements to their :

    • sleep quality

    • pain level

    • breathing

    • mobility

    • cognitive function

    • digestion

    • diabetes management

    • speech clarity

    *Benefits do vary from person-to-person and will depend on your neurological disorder, the stage of your illness, your medical history, lifestyle and genetic factors.

  • Not necessarily. The overarching goal is to maintain health and prevent disease.

    Depending on the condition, medication may be the very best option, while lifestyle modification and alternative therapies may offer additional support to minimize side effects and optimize the drug’s efficacy.

  • Most of my patients with neurological conditions are on a fair bit of medication already. When managing interactions between medications and vitamin/mineral supplements, I ensure safety and efficacy by:

    • Doing a comprehensive analysis of all of your medications, medical history, and lab results.

    • Crosschecking all the collected information in an all-inclusive database.

    • Working with your medical doctor and care team, where appropriate.

  • Naturopathic Doctors in Canada:

    • Must complete a 4-year Doctorate of Naturopathy Medicine degree at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM).

    • The minimum requirement for admission to CCNM is a 4-year undergraduate degree from a recognized Canadian university or equivalent.

    • A 1-year full-time clinical internship under the supervision of a licensed naturopathic doctor is required to graduate from CCNM.

    • Licensing involves successful completion of 2 licensing exams (NPLEX) and continuous professional development, which is monitored by the regulating body.

    • Training of naturopathic doctors includes homeopathy and holistic nutrition, in addition to nutrition, acupuncture. botanical medicine, and physical medicine.

    Homeopaths are also regulated in Ontario and are required to meet the standards of their regulatory body. Holistic nutritionists currently have no regulation in Ontario.

    To learn about my credentials and qualifications visit the About section.

 

Focus Areas and Treatments

  • The short answer is it depends. As a naturopathic doctor, my training is to approach the condition as part of the whole, rather than focus on it exclusively.

    The recommendations I make aim to improve your overall health and stimulate your body’s natural healing processes. This can help improve the condition in question.

    Areas of focus include:

    • Neurological Diseases

    • Gastrointestinal Health

    • Women’s Health

    • Undiagnosed Conditions that exhibit the symptoms of these focus areas

    Please see Focus Areas here for details and descriptions.

  • We use a combination of modalities unique to the individual patient’s condition and priorities. Available options are:

    • Lifestyle Counselling (e.g. mind-body connection, exercise, etc.)

    • Botanical Medicine (e.g. herbs, tinctures, teas, dried supplements)

    • Clinical Nutritional Counselling

    • Acupuncture

    • Laboratory Testing

    • Hydrotherapy

    • Homeopathy

    • Professional Supplements

    • B-12 Injections

    • Massage

    • Meditation Training

    For descriptions, please check the Focus section of my website.

 

Pricing and Appointments

  • No, however, most health benefit plans do include naturopathic medicine in their coverage. Please check with your company.

  • Pricing varies based on Appointment Type:

    Initial Visit with Dr. Shapoval | 60 minutes | $245

    Followup with Dr. Shapoval | 40 minutes | $110

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    Initial Visit with a Supervised Intern | 60 minutes | $45

    Followup with a Supervised Intern | 60 minutes | $45

    For appointment descriptions, please check “Book Your Appointment” webpage.

  • Absolutely! I'm delighted to extend a complimentary 15-minute virtual 'meet-and-greet' call. This informal discussion is an opportunity to explore if naturopathic medicine aligns with your specific health needs and concerns. You're encouraged to bring any questions you may have, as we’ll gladly address them during our time together.

    No prescriptions will be given during this consultation call.

  • This answer depends on the nature of the condition. In general, acute conditions tend to require fewer visits overall, though more frequent, while chronic conditions tend to need more time with more space between visits to allow the treatment to take effect.

  • The initial visit with Dr. Shapoval is about getting to know you, your lifestyle, your goals and priorities.

    We’ll go over your Intake Form and lab results and I will ask you more details, as necessary. We’ll talk about treatment options and next steps that you can take towards reaching your health goals.

    My virtual office is a safe space for you to share your story and experience. I’ll help you process what you’re going through and provide support, guidance and information as you need.

    → View how to prepare and what to expect from your initial visit

 

Other

  • If you have a question that hasn’t been answered by the Frequently Asked Questions section on this page, I’m happy to address it via email.

    Please note, the email response time is 5 business days, unless previously discussed in your appointment with me.

    If your inquiry is an emergency, please go to your nearest hospital ER.

    Email Dr. Shapoval