What Is a Naturopathic Doctor — and Why See One in Ontario?

Holistic healthcare stethoscope herbs supplements

If you’ve heard of naturopathic doctors but aren’t sure what we actually do, this blog post is for you.

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) in Ontario are regulated health professionals and, for many of our clients, their primary care providers. This means that we are trained and practice in a way that follows government-approved standards of ethical, effective care, and we can often function as your first stop for non-emergency concerns.

We are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of health concerns using both conventional medical tools and holistic, natural, lifestyle‑based therapies.

How Naturopathic Doctors Are Trained and Regulated

Becoming a ND in Ontario requires years of intensive education and training. Naturopathic doctors complete an undergraduate degree with pre‑medical sciences, followed by a four‑year, full‑time naturopathic medical program that includes biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, naturopathic therapies, and supervised clinical internship.

After graduation, NDs must pass standardized board exams and meet all provincial requirements before they can be licensed. Once registered, we’re accountable to our regulatory college for our standards of practice, ethics, and ongoing education. This accountability distinguishes NDs from unregulated practitioners such as “naturopaths” or health coaches, whose training and oversight can vary widely.

In Ontario, NDs have a defined scope of practice, must follow strict privacy and consent rules, and are required to carry professional liability insurance. If you live anywhere in Ontario and are searching for a naturopathic doctor, working with a regulated ND ensures you’re seeing someone whose training and care are held to a standard of excellence.

What Naturopathic Doctors Actually Do

In practical terms, NDs can:

Take a thorough health history and perform physical exams when needed
Order and interpret laboratory tests and other investigations within our scope
Provide a diagnosis and explain how different systems in your body interact
Design individualized treatment plans using nutrition, lifestyle counselling, herbal medicine, supplements, acupuncture, physical therapies, mind‑body therapies, and, for those with additional certifications, certain prescription medications and intravenous therapies

Many NDs focus their practices on particular areas like digestion, hormones and fertility, chronic pain, mental health, cardiometabolic health, cancer support, weight loss, pediatrics, and more. Others work as more general primary care providers, helping people take care of themselves so they can live healthier, happier, more optimized lives.

How Naturopathic Care Feels Different

What often stands out to most people is not just what we do, but how we do it. As part of our naturopathic oath, we are guided by five core principles:

First, to do no harm.

We offer safer, less invasive treatment options before pursuing more dangerous ones.

Second, to cooperate with the healing power of nature.

We do our best to work with what nature can provide through food, herbs, and lifestyle, and to harness your body’s innate healing capabilities.

Third, to address the fundamental causes of diseases.

We don’t just treat your symptoms; we also dig deeper to understand and treat what caused them.

Fourth, to heal the whole person through individualized treatment.

Everyone is unique, and we take the time to treat you as more than just a body with symptoms.

And lastly, to teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine.

The word “doctor” is actually derived from the Latin word “docere”, which means “teacher”. A big part of what we do is explain what’s happening with you and your treatment options, and answer your questions so you can make informed choices.

Because of these principles, visits with a naturopathic doctor tend to be longer and more collaborative. An initial appointment often lasts an hour or more. We’ll ask about your symptoms, but also about your lifestyle, stress, sleep, digestion, environment, and your own interpretation of what’s going on, since you’re the only person who can ever truly know.

Here’s a high-level overview of how naturopathic care often compares to conventional healthcare:

	Conventional Healthcare	Typical Visit with a Naturopathic Doctor
Appointment length	5–15 minutes	60+ minutes initial, 30+ minutes follow-ups
Focus	Immediate symptoms and concerns; prevention if risk factors are obvious	Whole-person picture, underlying contributors, prevention
Approach to symptoms	Often symptom management	Treating root causes while providing symptomatic relief
Tools used	Drugs, surgeries, referrals, diagnostic tests	Nutrition, lifestyle counselling, herbs, supplements, acupuncture, bodywork, mind-body therapies, sometimes medications
Relationship with practitioner	Receive care from the expert	Therapeutic alliance where you’re empowered to lead your circle of care

Where Naturopathic Doctors Fit in Ontario’s Healthcare System

Ontario is in a healthcare crisis. Millions of people can’t find a family doctor, emergency rooms are overwhelmed, and wait times are often far beyond acceptable. Are you one of the millions of Ontarians whose health could be suffering because of the system?

Too many people end up in the hospital for conditions that might have been prevented or managed earlier. Naturopathic doctors have an important, under-utilized role in reducing how many people need to go to the hospital.

Naturopathic doctors don’t replace emergency care or the need for a family doctor. Instead, we often act as another primary point of contact who can spend more time answering your questions and helping you live in a way that lowers your risk of needing emergency care. We collaborate with family doctors, specialists, and other allied health professionals as part of your circle of care, and empower you to be in the driver’s seat of your health.

The future of healthcare in Ontario is increasingly integrative, where each professional contributes their strengths to achieve the best outcomes for the people we care for. Naturopathic doctors are helping to shift healthcare towards more personalized, holistic, prevention-focused care.

In‑Person and Online Naturopathic Care in Ontario

Most naturopathic doctors in Ontario offer in‑person visits, and many also provide virtual appointments. Virtual care allows you to meet with your ND by secure video or phone as long as you’re located in a province where they’re licensed to practice.

For some people, in‑person visits are ideal, especially if hands‑on treatment or a physical exam is needed. For others, online care makes it easier to access support if they:

Have busy schedules
Don’t have suitable NDs close by
Have mobility or transportation challenges
Prefer the convenience and privacy of connecting from wherever they are

Many people use a mix of in-person and virtual visits over time, depending on what’s happening in their lives and what their treatment plan requires. This flexibility is part of what makes working with a ND in Ontario so accessible.

If you’re in Ontario and wondering whether a naturopathic doctor could be a good fit for you, the next step is choosing someone whose clinical focus and approach match what you’re looking for. In a separate post, I’ll walk you through how to find the naturopathic doctor who’s the best fit for you.

About Me: Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario

I’m Dr. Mike Tung, a naturopathic doctor in Ontario who works with clients both virtually and in person. I have a special interest in chronic pain, mental health, mind‑body medicine, and helping people who feel like they’ve “tried everything” finally make sense of their symptoms.

My approach is collaborative, education‑focused, and practical. I’ll walk you through what I’m seeing, how your nervous system, stress, lifestyle, and mindset might be interacting, and which changes are most worth your energy right now. We’ll build a plan together that feels realistic and sustainable — not a long list of supplements, products, and things you “should” be doing but can’t sustain.

I see clients online across Ontario, as well as in‑person in Richmond Hill and Scarborough. If you’re looking for a naturopathic doctor who wants to hear your story, help you connect the dots, and support both your body and mind, I’d be thrilled to discuss whether we’re a good fit or refer you to one of my colleagues. You can learn more about me by checking out my website or social media posts, and you can book a free 20-minute consultation to ask me any questions you may have.

In health,