What will my first session be like?
The first appointment will be up to 90 minutes and will include extensive history taking and physical exams to get a comprehensive understanding of you and your health. If you have access to your lab work, I recommend bringing it to your first appointment. Recent blood work and imaging is very useful, but so is older stuff if you have it! I may suggest further necessary lab work to assist in an accurate diagnosis. You and I will work together as a team to find a treatment plan that will be effective and work for you. I almost always do treatment in the first visit, including prolotherapy, unless further research is needed or it isn’t safe to proceed. As with so much in naturopathic medicine, follow ups will be suggested based on individual need.
How much will it cost?
Prices
Adult
15 min meet and greet – free
Intake – $225 (up to 90 min)
Extended visit – $125 (up to 45 min)
Regular visit – $85 (up to 30 min)
Brief visit – $50 (around 15 min)
Child
15 min meet and greet – free
Intake – $155 (up to 60 min)
Regular visit – $70 (up to 30 min)
Additional Charges
Prolotherapy – $75
Ozone – $10
Core Health Centre
Appointments and fees at Core Health Centre are very similar, but I also offer 45 and 60 min acupuncture appointments for patients after they have seen me for an initial intake. For more information, please see online booking.
A 15 minute meet and greet is not for treatment purposes, but to learn about naturopathic medicine and if I’m the right naturopathic doctor for you. Length of visits are approximate and how much of that time is used is based on your individual needs. In addition, just because you leave the visit, doesn’t mean a I stop working on your case! A lot of research goes on behind the scenes to make sure the care you get is appropriate for you and up to date with current research.
What days do you work and where?
My work week is Tuesday-Saturday. I have the same email for both clinics though: drshannon@calgarynaturopathiccare.com
If you have sent me an email, please allow 2-3 days for me to respond. I do screen for urgent matters, but my life and inbox do get busy sometimes! You should receive your treatment plan email on the day of your visit with me. If this hasn’t happened, please call the clinic you saw me at and/or send me an email. If you have sent me an email and don’t get a reply within a week, please call the clinic you saw me at.
How are Naturopathic Doctors Educated?
Naturopathic doctors must have a bachelors degree before entering a four year naturopathic program. In these four years students learn the basic sciences that are the foundation for diagnosis and treatment (like biochemistry), diagnostic criteria and skills, pharmacology, . The last year is a clinical year where the student treats patients as an intern under a supervisor. Lastly, naturopathic physicians must complete and pass rigorous board exams in order to become licensed in their province, territory or state.
We are also required to do a lot of additional continuing education every year, and because I am a huge nerd that loves learning, I always do way too much. One of the reasons I chose naturopathic medicine as a career is it meant I would never stop learning, because the research will never stop growing and evolving!
Do you treat patients with severe health problems?
Yes! Naturopathic medicine can help improve quality of life and complement conventional medicine really well and be an excellent addition to your health care team. Naturopathic medicine’s benefits includes increasing the efficacy and reducing the side effects of conventional treatments. For more information on how naturopathic medicine can help your severe health problem specifically, please contact me or book a free 15 minute consultation.
Can I claim on my benefits?
Yes you can! Many benefit plans cover naturopathic medicine. This is usually included in your health spending account. Contact your insurance company to inquire about your coverage!
How do pain injection treatments work?
Prolotherapy is an injection therapy that is used in tendons, ligaments, and joints to treat pain and injury. During an intake I will do a thorough assessment of the area. If prolotherapy is indicated, I will do the first treatment in the first visit. Follow ups are 4-6 weeks apart, and most injuries take between 3-6 treatments. It may take longer if someone is older, nutrient deficient, under high stress, or the injury is very extensive. Part of the first visit is addressing these barriers to healing as much as we can. I find that conditions that have been developing for a while or are quite extensive tend to take more treatments to see maintained benefits but symptomatic relief usually starts to be seen early on.
Ozone is an injection therapy that is basically like giving your cells an energy drink. It decreases inflammation, increases blood flow and oxygenation of tissues, and these things increase your cells ability to heal.
If you’re interested in learning about regenerative injection therapies like ozone and prolotherapy and if it could be a part of your comprehensive treatment plan for pain and injury, I encourage you to book a free 15 min meet and greet to learn more!
Can I claim on my massage benefits but receive naturopathic treatments?
Sadly no! You must claim for the treatments you receive, so I can only issue receipts for the services that have been provided. However, lots of my patients at Country Hills Massage book their massage and naturopathic appointments back to back.
Please note that at this time, I only do Naturopathic Medicine at Core Health Centre, but I can do acupuncture, cupping, injections, and some hands on treatment like adhesion release for pain at this location.