Photo supplied.
Brenda Tapp ND looks
forward to opening a second Naturopathic clinic in Millbrook.
In a few weeks there will be a new source of health conscious products and support in town as Millbrook Village Apothecary opens its doors on King Street in Millbrook. This will be the second location for Brenda Tapp, ND, who also owns and operates the Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine in Peterborough where a staff of thirteen deliver naturopathic care, cancer support, acupuncture, Reiki, reflexology, counselling and psychotherapy. She also runs a private practice and is expecting her third child in a few weeks. Her commitment to a naturopathic lifestyle seems to have paid off as she exudes high energy and good health.
Dr. Tapp could not pass up the opportunity to secure the location being vacated by the Valley Shoppe when it became available. Not only is it beautiful and ideal in its layout, it’s a short walk from her home in town.
In the front portion of the location customers will find a health food store offering healthy food options, chemical-free cleaning products and natural personal care products. Naturopathic Doctors will consult with patients in offices located at the rear of the shop.
Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care profession where practitioners diagnose, treat and manage patients with acute and chronic conditions relying on natural remedies that are validated by clinical research and scientific evidence.
While naturopathic doctors and medical doctors both use the prefix Dr., there are differences in their training. A Naturopathic doctor holds a doctor of naturopathic medicine (ND) degree, while a medical doctor holds a doctor of medicine (MD) degree. The primary differences between naturopathic and conventional medicine are their philosophical approach and therapies they use. Dr. Tapp sees conventional and naturopathic practices as complementary. Licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) complete a university undergraduate degree followed by a four-year, full-time accredited naturopathic medical program, which includes extensive clinical training and board exams. All Naturopathic doctors in the Millbrook and Peterborough clinics are licensed in Ontario through the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Naturopathic medicine is not covered by OHIP, but may be covered by private insurance.
These days many people are looking for ways to take more control of their health, some out of necessity due to the shortage of family doctors, and others because they are looking for different ways to be proactive about their health instead of waiting for an issue to arise. The moto of Peterborough and Millbrook clinics is “Redefining what it means to be healthy.” Dr. Tapp sees patients who are free of disease but still feel sick. Exploring their symptoms may identify issues such as hormonal challenges or food sensitivities that can be addressed through natural means. The objective is to resolve symptoms and address their underlying cause using the least invasive method possible. Helping patients better understand their health allows them to take more control over it.
Among the guiding principles of naturopathic medicine are treating the whole patient, identifying and treating the cause, not just the symptom, a belief in the healing power of nature and a focus on prevention.
Dr. Tapp and her staff look forward to helping residents take more control of their health by offering alternative products and services featuring natural, drug- and chemical-free choices to help prevent health issues and optimize their feelings of well-being. This new clinic will soon offer the community an alternative source of insight into nurturing good health. KG
