 |
 |
 Founded in 2003 by Dr. Shawna
Darou, N.D., an award winning naturopath and Women's Health specialist,
Annapurna Naturopathic is a contemporary, integrated women's health care clinic
established with a mandate of providing the very best in women's
health services and treatment. Please visit our Programs page or Conditions page to see how we can serve you. No matter what your background or condition, please contact our clinic to discuss what we can do for you. If you are new to Naturopathic Medicine, you can visit our Naturopathic page to learn more (see top reasons to visit an ND). Also be sure to visit our success stories page to read what our patients have to say about us. If you would like to book an appointment, the best and quickest way to do so is online by clicking here. You could also contact the clinic at 416-877-0474 or by email on the »Contact Page.
Dr. Shawna A. Darou
Mondays: closed
Tuesdays: 10:20 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 10:20 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fridays: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 8:20 a.m. - 5:20 p.m.
»Click here to book
an appointment now. |
|
|
|
|
|
Our clinic offers the most
comprehensive, contemporary treatment and
services available in medicine today. We pride
ourselves in delivering the highest quality
health care to our patients.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fertility Care™ is the first contemporary, drugless fertility in-clinic treatment of it's kind that offers The Fertility Care™ Program, a comprehensive, individualized, naturopathic method for achieving successful fertility naturally with success rates up to 60%. »more...
Conception Care™ is a dedicated program for women who are pregnant or have just become pregnant. This program was created over the years of providing support to expecting mothers. The program has shown itself to be extremely effective at easing many of the negative symptoms of pregnancy, including: morning sickness, reducing complications, as well as promoting a natural and health pregnancy. »more...
Baby's first year is a program to answer many questions and treat conditions that come up for infant's health. The program follows your baby's growth and development as well as answering many questions that arise in the first year. Visits are scheduled every 3-4 months to address issues such as: breast feeding concerns, sleep issues, colic, vaccination discussion, treating illnesses such as common colds, food introduction, prevention of allergies, and optimal growth. »more...
Children's Care Clinic is dedicated to treating a wide range of children's health issues. Many children are brought by their parents who have tried various treatments via conventional medicine with poor results. Some areas we have had particularly high success include: allergies, eczema, attention deficit disorder, and digestive disorders. »more...
Breast Cancer Recovery Program is a highly structured and scientific approach that equally supports women who are either currently undergoing conventional breast cancer treatment or who have undergone treatment in the past. Ideal for reducing current and long term effects of chemo, radiation, medications (ex. tamoxifan, hot flashes) and surgery (lymphedema). Prevention of recurrence by examining risk factors and lifestyle including estrogen dominance, toxicity, stress hormones, immune dysfunction and nutrition. Breast cancer survivors are strongly recommended to undergo the program. Overall, the program promotes prevention, increased energy/vitality, hormone balance, detoxification and nutrition. »more...
Transitional Care is dedicated to women who want to minimize the effects on the body as they transition in age. As women transition from 30's onward various signs begin to show that need special attention, such as: blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, weight, skin health and energy levels. These signs, in time, will lead to long-term health consequences, which if left untreated become serious. At this time most women turn to conventional medicine whose response typically is to medicate. Over time this results in many women becoming dependent on 2, 3 or more simultaneous medications, which not only cause difficult and crippling side-effects, but also may be impossible to wean off without significant risk. Lacking options and the proper information to make intelligent choices, women are increasingly finding themselves caught in a spider-web of taking a myriad of medications, sometimes for life, often with harmful consequences. Our clinic offers many non-pharmaceutical options for transitional aging that are effective; completely integrated; have no side-effects; can be dropped without risk; are significantly less expensive, with no harmful interaction with other substances such as alcohol. »more...
Phone Consults: These are ideal for patients who have already had a first visit and cannot physically attend the clinic. A phone consult may not be appropriate in all situations, so please contact us first (email preferred »Contact | »Book
an appointment) to discuss your condition before booking. Phone consults can be booked online here the same way as regular appointments.
If you would like to book an appointment, the best and quickest way is to do it online here, otherwise please contact us at »Contact | »Book
an appointment or phone us at 416-877-0474. |
|
|
|
Annapurna
Naturopathic was founded as a contemporary
medical clinic to provide focused
and effective treatment of various conditions to
do with women's health. A medical center
that would utilize the most advanced natural
therapies, techniques and treatments as
an alternative or support to the traditional model of prescription
drugs and surgery. A clinic to provide women with the environment to confidently and comfortably discuss their condition without judgment or prejudice. One that responds to a woman's needs including follow-up and post appointment communication.
The first thing you will notice on your initial visit to the clinic is that you will have the time and space to adequately and comfortably discuss your condition in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The intake process will gather all relevant information, including: health history, contemporary lab diagnostics and a physical examination. All data/information will be carefully analyzed to produce a detailed health assessment. The difference at Annapurna Naturopathic is that Dr. Shawna Darou, with her years of experience is an expert at finding the "missing piece" and key underlying cause(s) of a health condition. In the majority of cases, these missing pieces are crucial to a thorough understanding and subsequent treatment of an underlying condition. On the second visit, a custom made, detailed, individualized treatment plan is presented for you, that will serve as a road map to treating your condition. By sticking to the plan and coming in for follow-up visits, the majority of cases can be successfully treated.
To book an appointment,
or for further information, please contact
the clinic at 416-877-0474,
or by e-mail: »Contact | »Book
an appointment.
|
|
|
|
|
FirstLine Therapy (FLT) is a specialized therapeutic lifestyle change program that targets the underlying causes of chronic illnesses by incorporating a sensible eating plan, exercise, nutritional supplementation and stress management.
The FLT program is a 12 week supervised program that will enable you to adopt healthy lifestyle changes that have been shown to reduce your risk of the following health conditions and chronic diseases:
- high cholesterol and triglycerides
- high blood pressure
- type 2 diabetes
- insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
- polycystic ovarian disease
- symptoms of menopause and premenstrual syndrome
- fatigue, insomnia and depression
The principles behind this program are :
- a sustainable dietary program that focuses on optimal blood sugar balance and the best food choices to prevent illness;
- an exercise regime which is essential in long-term health maintenance; and
- stress management techniques to improve sleep, lower stress hormones and improve overall mood and energy.
FLT addresses the underling causes of many health conditions – poor diet, blood sugar control, weight management, high stress levels.
People who will benefit from this program are those with high cholesterol and/or blood pressure; those with metabolic syndrome or polycystic ovarian syndrome; those who are pre-diabetic or have an early type 2 diabetes diagnosis; and those who are looking for an effective, lasting approach to weight loss.
|
|
|
|
|
Breast cancer
is the most common cancer among Canadian
Women with an estimated 1 in 9 women developing
breast cancer in her lifetime. With this
high statistical risk, our clinic
has a strong focus on breast cancer prevention.
This can be addressed through individual
consultation or through the 6 week lecture
series described below. We strongly believe
in empowering women to take control over
their own health to reduce risk factors
for disease early.
Although a family history of breast cancer
is a significant risk factor, there are other
elements of health that are just as important,
such as hormone balance, blood sugar control,
reduction of toxicity, correction of nutritional
deficiencies and stress management, to mention
a few. Keep in mind that many of these risk
factors can be reduced or eliminated with
proper a diagnosis.
There are two areas that are focused on at Annapurna Naturopathic, the first is breast cancer prevention, and the second is a specific program for women following and during breast cancer treatment called the "Breast Cancer Recovery Program". You can find out more about the program here.
In terms of breast cancer prevention, the focus is on:
- Developing a positive relationship with
one’s breasts
- Understanding and eliminating environmental
risk factors for breast cancer
- Discussion of the importance of assessment,
monitoring and correction of hormone levels
using naturopathic therapies
- Nutritional and supplement recommendations
for optimal breast health
- Regular detoxification (including saunas)
of the liver, colon, kidneys and lymph
- Addressing bowel, liver and lymphatic
health as they play key roles in hormonal
health and optimal detoxification processes
- Activating your capacity to heal and
enhancing immunity through the use of meditation,
imagery and visualization
- Looking at emotional health and its connection
to breast cancer - assertiveness and anger
release and the necessity for joy, meaning
and purpose in life
|
|
|
|
|
Naturopathic medicine has much to offer to optimize and treat your child’s health. At Annapurna Naturopathic, children’s health has become a distinct focus. Here is a brief list of conditions that are treated. Please visit the “Children’s Health” page for more age-specific information.
- Allergies, eczema, asthma.
- Digestion complaints.
- Attention / focusing problems
- Recurrent ear (or other) infections
- Frequent colds and flu’s
- Weight management
|
|
|
|
|
| It is
a well known fact that through simply living
in a big city like Toronto we are exposed
to a daily barrage of harmful toxins
from the air we breathe, the food we eat,
and the water we drink, including medications,
pesticides, heavy metals, fumes, synthetic
materials, cigarette smoke, caffeine, and
much more.
Numerous studies have confirmed that many
of these toxins do directly and indirectly
contribute to serious illnesses including
cancer, respiratory, skin diseases as well
as a host of others.
To maintain health,
your skin, liver, digestive system, lymphatic
system, kidneys, lungs and blood all work
together to eliminate this barrage of harmful
substances from your body. When these systems
become stressed, normal detoxification
mechanisms are stressed as well.
Some benefits of detoxification
include:
- Increased energy and vitality
- Clarity of mind
- Better mood
- Moderate weight loss during the program
- Brighter eyes, and clear complexion
- Reducing your toxic load before pregnancy
so that you have less to pass on to your
future child
Signs that you might benefit
from detoxification:
- Overall fatigue
- Constipation
- Dark circles under your eyes
- Dull skin, poor complexion, or frequent
acne
- Frequent headaches
- Achy joints
- Chronic sinus problems, or stuffiness
- Bloating and water retention
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor concentration
- Frequent mood changes
- Aching muscles for no reason
- Skin rashes or eczema
- Chronic stress in your life
- History of cigarette smoking
|
|
|
|
|
Aside from treatment of various women's health issues, we strongly encourage you to gradually adopt a Naturopathic Lifestyle with the primary goal of staying healthy and living longer. This is especially pertinent considering the unhealthy environmental factors we face daily, such as: environmental pollution, poor nutrition/fast-food culture and stress. Following are the specific areas of lifestyle to be addressed:
- Diet and Nutrition
- Exercise and Relaxation
- Hygiene and Cosmetics
- Workplace Stress Management
Methods for addressing some the above mentioned areas include:
- Nutritional analysis
- Food sensitivity testing
- Creating a nutritional chart/menu specifically for you
- Naturopathic check-up
- Stress hormone testing and treatment
Benefits of adopting a Naturopathic Lifestyle:
- Better overall health
- Reduced effects of stress
- Weight loss
- Clearer skin complexion
- Reduced bags under the eyes
- Brighter eyes
- Increased energy
- Improved fertility
- Reduction in menstrual cramps
As your Naturopathic Physician we can inform, guide and consult you through the myriad of choices to maximize your health. We will help you choose the right products and services that will give you the best return on your health.
|
|
|
|
|
Doctors
of Naturopathic Medicine are strictly licensed
and regulated by the Board
of Directors of Drugless Therapy - Naturopathy
(BDDT-Naturopathy) . They are highly
trained specialists (click here to
read more about how naturopathic doctors
are trained) in natural medicine and preventive
health therapies, integrating state of
the art contemporary scientific knowledge
with traditional proven healing practices.
They are health-care professionals that
utilize safe, non-invasive therapies and
techniques to assist the whole body in
restoring its inherent self-healing capacity.
Appointment times with a
naturopathic doctor are much
longer than you would experience with your
regular family doctor. An initial appointment
is typically 90 minutes long and subsequent
appointments last 30-60 minutes. You will
receive a thorough physical examination
and analysis of your case along with an
individualized treatment program, tailored
to your particular needs. Click here to
read more about our approach. Naturopathic
medicine is covered by most extended health
care insurance plans (please contact
your insurance provider to find out the
extent of your coverage).
Treatments can include: homeopathic
medicine, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese
medicine, herbal medicine, vitamins & minerals,
other supplementation, stress reduction
techniques, dietary changes, detoxification
programs and overall lifestyle counseling.
|
|
|
|
|
Naturopathic medicine is a complete and coordinated
approach to health care. It is the art and science of disease diagnosis,
treatment and prevention utilizing the most current, contemporary natural
therapies and techniques. All treatments and therapies are non-invasive,
gentle and without harmful side-effects. We do not use prescription
drugs or surgery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| In February
'06, Shawna appeared on an i-channel
show to discuss the state of women's
health along with two of her patients
and a medical doctor. To watch some
excerpts from the show, click on the
links below. If you have any comments,
please email them. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
