The Healing Path Centre for Natural Medicine is a unique naturopathic clinic located in uptown Waterloo. Rachel VandenBerg and Michael Torreiter, licensed naturopathic doctors, provide holistic health care for all aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care. They are committed to helping you reach optimal wellness. Are you ready for your healing journey?

OUR THERAPIES

Nutrition

You are what you eat!

Its easy to forget about the importance of good quality, healthy foods. In reality, many health concerns can be improved or eliminated with simple changes in diet.

As naturopathic doctors, we take a detailed look at your diet and suggest changes to address your specific health concerns. We can also provide recipes and meal suggestions to make it easier to incorporate these changes into your daily life.

If needed, we also suggest and provide high quality vitamin and mineral supplements to complement your diet and support your body on its path to good health.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine has a rich history of more than 2,000 years. Chinese medicine comprises a broad system of medicine that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage and nutrition.

According to Chinese medicine, all life is based on interdependence of two opposing principles: yin and yang. Health is about finding balance between yin and yang, and illness occurs when there is disharmony creating either an excess or deficiency.

Qi (pronounced Chee) is the life force that flows throughout the body. When the flow of Qi becomes imbalanced, illness may result. Your Chinese Medicine Practitioner or Naturopathic Doctor will help restore this balance through acupuncture, herbs and dietary suggestions.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine blends a rich history of folklore with modern scientific research creating a popular, effective means of natural treatment.

Many of today’s conventional pharmaceuticals (such as aspirin) are based on synthetic versions of herbal components.

While an active component may be found and reproduced in a lab, its use in plant form is actually more effective. This is because each herb contains several components that work together in a complex and synergistic way.

After considering your signs and symptoms, your naturopath will consider all botanicals available and create a combination of plants best suited to your individual need. This individuality is one of the most important fundamentals of naturopathic medicine.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy was developed in Germany over 200 years ago. Suitable for anyone, it is a system of medicine that stimulates the body to heal itself.

Remedies are made from plant, animal or mineral substances so dilute that there is no chance of toxicity. It may safely be used to treat children, elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and may be used alongside other medications without unwanted side effects.

Homeopathy is effective – results are often seen with one dose of a remedy.

Your uniqueness is key in finding the right remedy. Thus, your Naturopathic Doctor will take an in depth history to determine what makes your symptoms unique to you.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the use of water and temperature change for healing. It is one of the oldest, least expensive and safest methods for treating many common ailments.

Sinking into a tub of hot water releases the tension of a strenuous day because hot water relieves fatigue, relaxes muscles, and prevents stiffness.

Application of cold water may be either stimulating or soothing. It causes blood vessels to constrict and is therefore used to reduce swelling and treat inflammation.

Try these simple hydrotherapy treatments at home:

CONTRAST SHOWERS: to increase energy and boost the immune system.
Shower for 3 minutes with water as hot as you can handle. Quickly turn the temperature to cold for 30 seconds. Turn back to hot water. Repeat 2 or three times. End your shower with a blast of cold water.

WARMING SOCKS: to relieve congestion.
Wet a pair of cotton socks with cold water, then ring them out. Put them on your feet and place a pair of wool socks over top. Wrap yourself in blankets or hop into bed for the night.

Bowen Therapy

Bowen Therapy is a unique form of bodywork effective for pain management.

Relatively few moves are performed on muscle and other soft tissue, stimulating the body to reset and heal itself.

Bowen’s input to the nervous system is very subtle and the body responds over time.

Bowen Therapy is safe and highly effective for children, men and women of all ages, even during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

A Bowen Therapy session consists of several series of gentle moves through light-weight clothing (or on skin).

The practitioner discerns stress build-up in muscle groups and utilizes Bowen moves to release that stress. Once the stress is released, the body as a whole enters into a relaxed state, and the natural healing process can occur.

Lifestyle Counselling

Often times the day-to-day pressures of life can interfere with your ability to optimize health or recover from illness. The demands of work and family life can disrupt sleep, exercise and healthy eating patterns and leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

When you experience stress, the body releases hormones into the blood that affect digestion, the heart, and the nervous system. As this pattern continues, conditions such as allergies, headaches, heart disease, insomnia or back pain may develop.

Your naturopathic doctor will help identify barriers to wellness and suggest effective ways to reduce the negative impact of stress. Through naturopathic lifestyle counselling it will become easier to implement positive and lasting lifestyle changes.