NIAGARA FALLS
#204 - 6150 Valley Way, Niagara Falls, ON
RIDGEWAY
355 Ridge Rd. N., Ridgeway, ON
E-mail: DrLun.ND@gmail.com
Dr. Benna Lun BSc(Hons) ND
Naturopathic Doctor
Copyright © 2020 by Dr. Bena Lun, ND. All Rights reserved. Contact: DrLun.ND@gmail.com
How does a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) compare to a Medical Doctor (MD)?
Like MD's, registered ND's also have post-secondary education and receive accredited medical training in diagnostics, physical exam, and treatment. ND's are also qualified to act as primary healthcare practitioners, meaning that your naturopath may oversee your full medical care including regular screening physical exams, and treatment of both acute and chronic health conditions, although you are fully encouraged to maintain care with your MD as well - a complementary treatment approach with a team of dedicated healthcare providers works best!
Each individual health professional has a unique practice style (ND's and MD's included) but generally the differences between ND's and MD's lie in health philosophies, appointment structure, treatment methods, and scope of practice.
- MD treatment methods often act by suppressing symptoms (e.g. cough suppressants, steroid skin creams); ND's, however, believe that symptoms are an expression of the body's natural attempts at self-healing and should be supported. ND's have treatment options that may be more appropriate in targeting a problem at the root and treating the underlying cause of the disease, which naturally leads to cessation of symptoms. Additionally, ND treatment methods tend to be more gentle, have fewer side effects, and guide the body in correcting imbalances at the core. ND's also seek to understand the symptom picture as a whole, rather than treating each symptom individually.
- Appointments with an ND are generally longer than those with an MD because all health concerns are discussed thoroughly and treatment is designed to treat the overall condition. Treatment therapies are typically also more involved and require more effort and commitment from the patient.
- ND's use completely natural treatment therapies and substances. Although some processing techniques are applied to the development of supplements and herbal preparations, all of the ingredients are derived from natural sources.
- ND's are not equipped to treat emergency conditions (e.g. heart attack, stroke, car accident, etc.); however, once the patient is stabilized, naturopathic treatment can provide an invaluable adjunct to aid in recovery and, in the case of chronic diseases, prevention of repeat occurrence.
How do Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) differ from other "Natural Medicine Doctors"?
Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) are different from other natural health practitioners, such as dieticians/nutritionists, acupuncturists, herbalists, etc. in that they are trained in multiple natural therapies and are able to combine them in order to address a patient's health using a multi-therapy approach to elicit a greater healing response.
In addition, the titles "Naturopathic Doctor", "Naturopath" and "Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine" are legally protected in regulated provinces such as Ontario and may therefore only be used by individuals who have undergone specific training and are registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO). Click here for more information on the CONO website.
Other titles, such as "Doctor of Natural Medicine (DNM)" or "Natural Health Doctor" etc. are not protected in this way, and individuals using these titles may not have received standardized training. Furthermore, patients who have insurance coverage for "Naturopathic Medicine" may not be able to claim treatment by individuals who are not registered Naturopathic Doctors.
Is Naturopathic Medicine legally recognized?
Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) are legally regulated in Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) alongside nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and chiropractors. They must complete at least 3 years of undergraduate study before entering an accredited 4-year naturopathic program, and successfully pass standardized testing through the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) and the Ontario provincial exam. They must also be registered with College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).
What training do Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) receive?
ND's must complete 4 years of training at an accredited naturopathic school in North America to be eligible to practice in the province of Ontario.
Dr. Benna Lun, ND received her Doctor of Naturopathy degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) which requires applicants to hold a 3- or 4-year Bachelor's degree with undergraduate-level courses in general biology, physiology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, psychology, and humanities. Click here for more information about applying to the naturopathic program at CCNM.
The Doctor of Naturopathy program at CCNM is 4 years in length and includes 3000+ hours of in-classroom training with courses in physiology, biochemistry, differential diagnosis, lab diagnosis, pharmacology, and more in addition to naturopathic therapies (nutrition, acupuncture, herbal medicine, etc.). Students also obtain over 1200 hours of clinical experience, including one full year of supervised patient care at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic, a teaching clinic for CCNM students, and satellite clinics in the Greater Toronto Area. Click here for more information about the naturopathic program at CCNM.
In order to practice in regulated provinces such as Ontario, naturopaths must pass the North American standardized Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exams (NPLEX) and their province's licensing exam. They must also be registered with their provincial regulatory board(s), which in Ontario are the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).
What types of patients do Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) treat?
- Patients looking for disease prevention and health promotion
- Patients who prefer to address their health naturally and would like the guidance of a trained professional
- Patients with mild symptoms or lab abnormalities that do not warrant pharmaceutical/conventional medical treatment
- Patients who continue to suffer with symptoms despite "normal" diagnostic testing
- Patients with diagnosed illness(es) looking for complementary or alternative treatment
What types of conditions do ND's treat?
Naturopathic doctors focus on the prevention and treatment of long-term/chronic illnesses that include but are not limited to the following:
- Stress and Anxiety
- Frequent colds/flus
- Hormonal imbalances (Menopause, PCOS, hypothyroidism, etc)
- Menstrual disorders
- Diabetes and Heart Disease
- Stomach/Intestinal problems (IBS, diarrhea, constipation, etc)
- Autoimmune diseases
- Muscle/joint pain (Arthritis, frozen shoulder, chronic back pain, etc)
- Weight loss
- Low energy
- Addictions
- and more ...
What diagnostic and therapeutic techniques do Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) use?
ND's are trained to order and interpret blood and urine tests, and to review reports from diagnostic imaging procedures including X-rays, ultrasounds, MRI's, etc. Certain natural systems of medicine, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), incorporate a diagnostic framework that adds an additional dimension to how ND's view a person's health.
As for treatment techniques, ND's draw from a wide base of atural medical therapies that may also be applied in the prevention of disease and illness, and for improving overall health and well-being. These technicques include:
- Nutrition
- Acupuncture
- Dietary supplements
- Herbal medicine
- Homeopathic medicine
- Lifestyle & Stress counselling
- Chinese cupping massage
- Bach flower remedies
Dr. Lun, ND also has additional training in Facial (cosmetic) acupuncture and a practice focus on Chinese cupping massage.
All treatment options are discussed at length in appointments and patients have the right to decline any recommendations they are not comfortable with. Click here for more information about naturopathic medicine and naturopathic therapies.
Will I have to stop taking my medications or seeing my Medical Doctor (MD)?
Naturopathic medicine works in complement with other forms of medical care, and may even help to correct deficiencies or reverse side effects induced by medications. Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) are also trained to identify interactions between a patient's medications and natural supplements and tailor their naturopathic treatments accordingly.
Dr. Lun, ND embraces a multi-practitioner team approach. You will not be required to discontinue treatment by your MD or alter your drug regimen in order to receive naturopathic care by Dr. Lun, ND.
How long are appointments with a Naturopathic Doctor (ND)?
Every ND practices differently, but generally the first appointment is the longest and involves a complete health history review in order for the doctor to get a clear picture of the patient's health status and treatment requirements.
Your 1st appointment with Dr. Lun, ND will be 90-120 minutes long and will include a full case history, physical examination as needed, and first-line treatment recommendations. |
Your 2nd appointment will be 75-90 minues long and will include a review of the treatments initiated in the first appointment, in-office treatments such as acupuncture (if applicable) and/or further treatment recommendations as appropriate. |
Follow-up appointments vary in length depending on patient needs and preferences, generally becoming shorter as treatment progresses, and may include in-office treatments such as acupuncture and Chinese cupping massage. |
Dr. Lun, ND does not require patients to commit to a pre-scheduled appointment regimen or payment plan. Click here for a complete list of Appointment lengths & Fees.
How is treatment billed?
Payments are collected at each appointment and may be made by VISA, Mastercard, debit, cash, or e-transfer. Dr. Lun, ND does not offer direct billing to insurance companies, but you will be issued receipts to use for filing your claims. Click here for a complete list of Appointment lengths & Fees.
Will my insurance plan cover naturopathic treatment?
Many private healthcare plans include coverage for naturopathic treatment under "Naturopathic Medicine" or "Naturopathy".
You may have additional coverage under the following categories but it is strongly advised that you speak with your insurance agent prior to your first appointment to clarify whether you will be able to claim these services if provided by a Naturopathic Doctor:
- Acupuncture
- Homeopathy
- Health Spending Account
Please contact your insurance company directly for more information. They may ask you about your ND's qualifications, registration, and fees. Please refer to Dr. Lun, ND's About page for her credentials and visit the College of Naturopaths of Ontario website to view her registration information (enter "1868" in the "Registration Number" search box to view Dr. Lun, ND's profile).
What about OHIP?
There is, unfortunately, no subsidy under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) at this time, even with a referral from a medical doctor.
My question is not here and I would like to ask Dr. Lun, ND
Thank you for your interest in naturopathic medicine! Please contact Dr. Lun, ND by phone at 1.888.550.5303 (toll-free in Canada & USA) or use the E-mail Form on this website or send a message to DrLun.ND@gmail.com :-)
Frequently Asked Questions
