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10 - The Canadman Champion Fnday Apnl 21 2000 7- Psots by GRAHAM PAtNE Naturopathlc doctor Erika Rlstok works on a patient et her downtown office. Wear the Gear! With the warrn spring lîke weather, out corne the bikes, the m-une skates, the kids and the sports enthusiasts. But in their hurry to enjoy the great weather, don't let thern forget their sporting gear. Make sure they have the right protective gear, a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads for m-une skating, a properly fitted bikehelmet for cycling and rnouthguard for street sports. Remind thern to wear the gear 50 their enthusiasrn does not end up in a serious head injury or a broken Iirnb. Naturopathy aims to assist healing, says local doctor By IRENE GENTLE Tha Champion Putting Uic word heal back into health is the ami of the ancient art and science of naturopathy. But after treating people for centuries, natural therapies took a back seat in recent years to phannaceuticals such sa penicillin. "Around the Second World War, tbings really switched," said Erika Ristok, a naturopathic doctor wîth a Milton practice at 95 Main St. E., who wrspped up Naturopathîc Medîcine Week earli- er this month. 'it saved a lot of lives." Modem medicine is still saving a lot of lives. And that's okay by Ms Ristok, who believes medical doctors and naturopatha can work hand-in-hand. "Theres a lot of times that naturopatby can help. I caîl it complementary medicine." Steeped in training on everything from diet and nutrition to stress relief, homeopsthy and acupuncture, nsturopaths take a holistic approach to health. So an initial consultation with Ms Ristok tskes a lulI 90 min- utes and incorporates a tborougb aasessrnent of the patients gen- eral health, lifestyle, dietary habits and emotional stresses. "l'Il ask questions about ail aspects of their l'unctioning," shc ssîd. "I look at their condition as a wbole." And Ms Ristçik cornes about ber intcrest in healing the natural wsy. "My motber's an influence. Shes a mid-wife." Since opening up a practice in I 998, Ms Ristok bas secs patienta complaining of evcrything from frequent colds t9 eczema and premenstrual syndrome. Often, food sensitivities are the cul- prit. Thats an increaning occurrence in Nortb America, a pruduet of a diet heavy on repetition. In other words, the more a certain food is consurned - coru, wheat and dairy are classic examples - tbe more difficuit it is for the body to digest. "Sometimes the only grain the' have is wheat," said Ms Ristok. "tt's lîke too mucb of a bad tbin~. t Jo a lot ol helpîng people tind balance. Tbougb some people knock ai a îsaturopatb's door ngbt oIT tbe bat, many patients corne to Ms Ristok after heing unable so resolve a bealtb problem througla heir medical doctor. Since heginning her studies some 10 years ago, shc has notîced a markcd increase in public awareiîees of wbat a naturopats docs. That s partly due to the dizzying array of herbaI remedies on the marketplace - a mixed blessing, in ber vicw. "It's good tbese natural remedies are becoming more visible, but you don't really know wbat youre getting,' said Ms Ristok. So far, berbal medicine is unregulated. Tbougb most people corne to a naturopatb armed witb a physi see LEARN on page il 6. 6. 6. 6 6. ~A1t Saint& 7i~etirenent ~ à * Short/Lsng term respîle slsy Heme cosksd msals * Afferdabit assisted living Access lv csmmssity e b for seniors based * Privste snd terni prisale suites seflilees * 24 hssrs support Day care - ~ *< Hsssekeeping available * Cali btlI iv every rssm ,~ (905) 454-2800 or (416) 318-3506 'For goodness sak~Y' isbroeghttQyou<ourtesyOf VICES and P~ <4114 Cbauw1oi~ CŽ~ZONDPTICAL C@*PL~TE PA0CAE LA n INCLUDES ON PUIMISIS ARRANGID SINGLE 15 Martin St. LENSES Milton SCRATCH COAT FAST EFFICIENT SERVICE 29 VlYEARFRAJeIE WARRANTY