By: Dr. Lisa Watson, ND

I’m not a fan of buzzwords – they are often words people use without really knowing what they mean. As a Naturopath I see words like all-natural, superfood, multigrain – and I cringe. I recognize that these words are often used to make processed and packaged foods look healthier than they really are.

But there is one buzzword I really do like. Empowerment. It encompasses what I do as a Naturopathic Doctor and I’d like to tell you why.

What is Empowerment?

My favourite description of empowerment is this:

Empowerment is the ability to know what you need and the confidence to meet those needs. ~Dr. Aviva Romm, MD

From the perspective of health care, empowerment means that while a doctor – Medical Doctor, Naturopathic Doctor, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Doctor of Chiropractic, Osteopathic Doctor – may know more information about the human body, YOU know your body best.

As a doctor my role is to empower you – to teach you to recognize what your body needs, what your symptoms are trying to tell you, and to give you the tools and confidence to meet those needs.

Integrative Medicine and Empowered Health

Integrative medicine and empowered health work together to help each and every one of us to optimize our health and reach our goals.

Integrative medicine is using the best of all forms of medicine with the sole purpose of improving patient outcomes. ~Dr. John Gannage, MD

Working as a Naturopathic Doctor in an Integrative Health clinic gives me the resources to truly empower my patients to take charge of their own health. I can provide my patients with the knowledge and clinical experience I have accumulated, as well as provide access to other caring doctors, RMTs, yoga teachers, physiotherapists, counselors, doulas, etc.

This team based approach can offer anyone an opportunity to further their understanding of their mind and body and give them the confidence to do what needs to be done to achieve their health goals.

And that is empowerment.

And it’s pretty great.

Dr. Lisa Watson delivers health care that supports balanced and attainable health at all ages and stages of life. Of primary importance is health care that nurtures the body, mind, spirit, family and community.  As a Naturopathic Doctor and mother, Lisa believes that health care and a healthy lifestyle are intrinsically linked and that each serves to support the other. Dr. Watson practices at the Integrative Health Institute in Downtown Toronto.

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