Conditions

What Do We Treat?

What Do We Treat?

Digestive Health

Digestive health has always been the flagship of naturopathic medicine. It is what is most often popularly associated with naturopathic medicine and it is also the area of general health that naturopathic medicine has had the greatest influence in. From a focus on individualized dietary requirements, and eating whole organic foods, to staying away from processed foods, and identifying food sensitivities and allergens, naturopathic medicine has always upheld digestive health as the cornerstone of overall health.

At White Rock Naturopathic, digestive health is a focus with each and every one of our patients. Whether addressing a chronic illness such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBS, chronic constipation, diarrhea, heartburn or indigestion and bloating, naturopathic and Chinese medicine have developed a very refined approach that offers many treatment options, that offer an unparalleled success rate.

Functional lab testing options include:

1) Food Sensitivity, Food Allergy, and Celiac & Gluten Sensitivity Testing

2) Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Breath Testing

3) Comprehensive Diagnostic Stool Testing (gastro-intestinal pathogens: bacterial, viral, parasites, yeast) + microbiome abundance & diversity, & inflammatory markers;

4) Liver Function Testing: including: the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Panel, Hepatic Detox Profile;

5) Leaky Gut Testing: Zonulin

6) H Pylori Testing (breath, stool)

For more information please see our digestive health page here.

Pediatrics: Kid’s Health

Naturopathic Pediatrics delivers safe, effective treatment approaches for a broad range of pediatric health conditions, including:

  • Digestive: colic, indigestion, reflux, gas, diarrhea, constipation, IBS, food sensitivities, allergies and intolerances, introducing solid foods to infants, and feeding issues;
  • Dermatological: eczema, dermatitis, rashes, cradle cap, acne, psoriasis;
  • Immune: frequent or persistent colds and flu’s, ear infections, sinus congestion/sinusitis, allergies, asthma, urinary tract infections (UTIs);
  • Mental-emotional: learning disabilities, nightmares, insomnia, depression, anxiety, fears, temper tantrums, behavioural problems, ADD/ADHD, OCD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder;
  • Developmental: teething, growing pains, puberty related health issues, developmental disorders (PDD);

A broad range of therapies are available including dietary modifications, Low Dose Allergen (LDA) therapy nutritional supplementation, counseling, cranio-sacral & bowen therapy, herbal and homeopathic medicine. The dispensary at White Rock Naturopathic carries a very broad array of kid-friendly herbal formulas (glycerine based) that are easy to use, taste great and are effective. As a parent himself, and a member of the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Association of Perinatal Naturopathic Doctors, Dr Grodski knows the unique challenges of children’s health – for both the children themselves, but also for their parents.

Well-Child Visits

Of course, good health can always benefit from a healthy dose of prevention. And with that in mind, White Rock Naturopathic is proud to provide preventative check-ups (called ‘Well-Child’ Visits), which can be done at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, and then yearly after that. These check-ups offer an opportunity to do a physical exam, and monitor growth, development, behaviour and overall health. Aside from ensuring that developmental milestones are being attained, it also offers an opportunity to check-in about diet and nutrition, exercise, mood, digestive health, and immune system function. Many common childhood illnesses can be prevented if the symptoms or predisposing factors are caught early.

Vaccinations

Many parents have questions about vaccinations, side effects, and the vaccination schedule. I am happy to provide information about the pros and cons of each vaccine, and to discuss alternate vaccination schedules. My goal is to help parents get the information they need to make informed choices about vaccinating their child.

Allergies & Environmental Health

Allergy Testing + Immunotherapy

Complete testing is available at White Rock Naturopathic for both environmental (seasonal) allergies as well as food allergies, including skin scratch tests for environmental allergies, IgE/ IgG (ELISA) testing for food allergies, as well as electro-dermal screening. For LDA (Low Dose Allergen) Therapy, testing is not even required.

Allergy Immuno-therapy is done via Low Dose Allergen (LDA) Therapy. Other treatment options depend on the particular allergens and severity thereof; environmental allergens (mold, pollens, cat, dog, etc.), are also effectively treated using de-sensitization via SublinguaL Immuno-Therapy (SLIT). SLIT is an evidence based approach used by conventional medical allergists; an overview of the research supporting its use is available under the Research menu.

In regard to food allergens, while eliminating and abstaining from identified allergens remains the most straightforward approach, it isn’t always ideal or preferred. Not being able to eat a previously enjoyed food can certainly be frustrating! Fortunately, there do exist various additional naturopathic approaches to reducing or eliminating overall reactivity to existing allergens. The particular approach used depends greatly on the individual, the degree of reactivity, as well as the particular allergens.

Treating food allergies can help with many conditions including:

  • Asthma
  • A.D.D.
  • Eczema and psoriasis
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Colitis and Crohn’s
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Auto-immune conditions

Food Sensitivities: Phenolics in Foods

Phenolics are naturally occurring organic compounds that contain a benzene ring (6 carbon atoms linked in a ring, each with one single and one double bond to its respective neighbours). Most foods contain phenolics and they are responsible for taste and smell.

Patients who have symptoms that are due to a phenolic compound such as those listed here, or which have a component that is caused by a phenolic, are not allergic to them but are intolerant or sensitive. They are able to tolerate a limited amount of the phenolic, but if the intake exceeds this then symptoms appear. It appears that the tolerance level reduces the more symptoms occur, but that if the phenolic is avoided the tolerance increases. The best practical policy is to be conscious not to eat too many foods that contain the offending phenolic during any 48-hour period.

Phenolic Intolerances can be the explanation for symptoms that appear to have no trigger and which appear to recur randomly. This is particularly true for Nicotine and Tyramine phenolics, but can apply to all of them. The phenolics listed here are the most common in their impact on humans.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Biomedical Treatment

Autism Spectrum Disorder is an epidemic in our society, with a current prevalence of 1 in 36 children according to some estimates. It wasn’t long ago, that same estimate suggested 1 in 68 children; nearly a doubling of occurrence in less than a decade!

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which includes Asperger’s syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Contrary to the long standing belief that it was a behavioral disorder, it is now known to be characterized by certain physiological abnormalities, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and immune dysregulation/inflammation. Evidence also suggests that epigenetic factors (the interaction of genetics & the environment or environmental exposures), play a significant role, as studies have found evidence of elevated heavy metals, environmental toxins, nutrient deficiencies, microbiome imbalances or dysbiosis, enzyme dysfunction, and even altered neurotransmitter biochemistry.

Children with ASD often have multiple biomedical abnormalities including disordered brain development, immune system dysfunction with autoimmune and allergic tendencies, inflammatory digestive disorders, and impaired detoxification pathways.

Investigations of treatments for mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD are promising but preliminary. Treatment of ASD begins with a thorough assessment of biomarkers to identify physiological abnormalities & the particular sub-type of the mitochondrial dysfunction, which then guides treatment options (i.e. which micronutrients are needed, such as Folinic Acid, CoQ10 (Ubiquinol), ALCAR, Methyl B12, and NAC).

Common biomarkers in ASD individuals with mitochondrial (mito) dysfunction include elevations in: lactate (17% prevalence), pyruvate (41%), alanine (15%), creatine kinase (9%), acyl-carnitines, and citric acid cycle metabolites. These are associated with clinical features such as delays in language, social interaction, cognition, motor skills, and with repetitive behaviors and gastrointestinal symptoms, although not all studies found an association. Variability was found across biomarker studies primarily due to differences in collection and processing techniques as well as the intrinsic heterogeneity of the ASD population.

Signs of oxidative stress and abnormalities in redox metabolism, are seen in children with ASD. Oxidative stress is a disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses. The creation of this reactive species (both oxygen and nitrogen) creates unstable molecules (called free radicals) which can react with other molecules, thus damaging those molecules.

Causes:

  • Body itself creates free radicals though the mitochondria
  • Other body systems create free radicals
  • Environmental toxin exposure, air pollution
  • Environmental stressors – ultraviolet light and radiation
  • Smoking
  • Inflammation

A body needs a balance between having some free radicals but not too many. Aging, disease, and cell death are believed to be caused by too many free radicals, but when too few free radicals exist, problems with growth and regulation of the body’s systems occur.

Autism has evidence of both too many and too few free radicals. The major antioxidant in the body, glutathione or GSH, requires energy from the mitochondria to produce and is important in eliminating toxins. The production of glutathione depends on methylation and the folate cycle, again, producing striking abnormalities in specific metabolites that are often found in children with autism. Such children have a predisposition to reacting poorly to even mild oxidative insults, such as a viral illness or environmental exposure (i.e. there is often a worsening of symptoms).

In summary, oxidative stress weakens mitochondrial function and causes programmed cell death, resulting in dysfunction and reduced production of energy for the cell (ATP) as well as creating a cycle of more free radical production. A strong connection between mitochondrial disease and autism and oxidative stress has been found, possibly due to an interaction between genetics and the environment.

The Biomedical treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has evolved substantially over the last decade, thanks to the efforts of organizations such as MAPS (Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs), and individual researchers such Dr. Dan Rossignol, MD & Dr. Richard Frye, MD. The Biomedical treatment of ASD takes a functional medicine approach to treatment, which means assessing & treating the underlying abnormalities on an individualized basis.  Biomedical treatment includes thorough assessment through medical history, family history, review of systems and extensive laboratory testing, such as:

  • Methylation (genetic) testing
  • Organic Acid Testing
  • Heavy Metal Testing
  • Oxidative Damage Assays
  • Glutathione Testing
  • Comprehensive Diagnostic Stool Analysis
  • Mold & Mycotoxin Testing
  • FRAT (Folate Receptor AutoAntibody Testing)
  • Food Sensitivity & Allergy Testing
  • Micronutrient Testing

Benefits of biomedical treatment include:

  • Enhancement in receptive, expressive and spontaneous language development
  • Increase in vocabulary, language complexity and appropriate use of language
  • Increased social awareness, interaction and appropriate play
  • Cognition, understanding and learning
  • Eye contact and responsiveness
  • Normalized behaviors and interaction including self-stimulating, self-injurious, tics and aggression
  • Understanding and feeling emotions, affection or increased tolerance to touch

Research in the following areas is helping DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctors and MAPS (Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs) physicians to identify underlying weaknesses in children’s physiology, biochemistry and immune function.  Assessment and treatment of these impairments can result in encouraging, and at times dramatic developmental gains for children in ASD, ADHD, OCD, Apraxia/Dyspraxia, Tic Disorders and Speech Language Delay:

  • Oxidative Stress
  • Mitochondrial Dysfunction
  • Immune system Abnormalities
  • Environmental Toxicity
  • Digestive Dysbiosis
  • Methylation Impairment

Mental Health & Addictions

At White Rock Naturopathic, Dr Grodski approaches mental health from within the very broad scope of integrative naturopathic psychiatry, which combines traditional psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and body centered therapies with naturopathic/Chinese and conventional medical therapies (i.e. conventional medication options such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiolytics). In short, the approach is highly individualized, and focused on long term benefit, growth and development, while addressing acute needs and safety.

Furthermore, Dr Grodski has collaborated with Summit Bridge Consulting (http://recoverforgood.com) in providing Canada’s first in home one-on-one withdrawal service.

An area of great interest in Dr Grodski’s practice is the use of nootropics to improve brain and mental function. Nootropics, also referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that improve mental functions such as cognition or thinking, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration. The term ‘nootropic’ was in fact coined originally for brain enhancing drugs with very few side effects, that showed substantial benefit.

Nootropics are thought to work by altering the availability of the brain’s supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones), by improving the brain’s oxygen supply, circulation, inter-hemispherical communication, or by stimulating nerve growth.

Although many of these substances were discovered or designed initially to treat people with cognitive difficulties such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and ADHD, they are now used by a much larger population keen on improving their cognitive function.

Hormonal Health & Bio-identical Hormones

What is Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (also known as natural hormone replacement therapy) is the treatment of depleted and imbalanced hormone levels in both women and men through the use of bio-identical hormones (as opposed to synthetic hormones). For women this includes the treatment of symptoms relating to menopause, perimenopause (the stage of gradually falling and fluctuating hormone levels, which often begins in the early 40s) or post-menopause.

Bioidentical hormones have a molecular structure that is exactly the same as that of hormones produced by our bodies, which makes them biologically identical. Because bio-identical hormones are identical to those produced by the human body they offer important therapeutic advantages as well as relief from the symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

For women these symptoms can include: hot flashes, night sweats, depression, moodiness, weight gain, acne, fatigue, insomnia,  loss of libido, memory loss, depression, difficulty concentrating, joint pain and stiffness, bone loss, headaches/migraines, panic attacks and anxiety, heart palpitations, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, excessive sweating, bloating, and more.

For men these symptoms can include: a diminished sense of well being, loss of libido, depression, bone loss, and more.

Some other advantages of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy are;  improves the look and feel of hair and skin, weight loss, improves sex drive, improves mental health, lowers cholesterol levels, decreases the risk of osteoporosis, decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke and so much more!

What makes the White Rock Naturopathic approach unique in terms of balancing hormones, is that rather than simply replacing hormones, our goal has always been to not only re-establish optimal hormonal levels, but to go one step further, in supporting your body to re-establish its own ability to maintain a proper balance itself, through the use of chinese and naturopathic medicine. This then offers an alternative for those individuals who may not need BHRT, or who would like to taper off their bioidentical hormones eventually.

Women’s Health

A significant percentage of Dr Grodski’s practice is dedicated to Women’s Health, and with good reason; Chinese medicine offers without question, the safest and most effective approach in medicine to the most common of women’s health concerns. Whether eliminating debilitating PMS symptoms, or balancing hormones throughout peri-menopause and menopause, to treating PCOS and fibroids, millions of women have been helped by Chinese medicine around the world. There is a better solution than simply palliating symptoms – treating the root cause.

Reproductive Health

Naturopathic Fertility care is a unique and individual treatment plan that brings balance back to the systems involved in healthy reproduction. Naturopathic therapies can help those with unexplained fertility concerns, endometriosis, PCOS, anovulatory cycles, luteal phase defects, recurring miscarriages, hormonal imbalances, irregular cycles, low sperm counts and / or poor quality (motility, morphology), etc. Research on acupuncture in combination with patients who are undergoing IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), or IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) treatment have shown positive results. Complete pre-conception plans are available for both individuals and couples. Individual plans are broken into two stages: the first being the pre-conception stage, and the second being a ready to conceive stage. This first stage can be considered a fertility boot-camp with the object of re-aligning the body from an imbalanced, depleted state to a healthy, balanced one that is optimized for fertility.

Getting started begins with a proper assessment. As with integrative naturopathic medicine in general, a holistic, mind body approach is taken in the thorough health assessment, which forms the foundation for an individual’s program. Health is mapped out to include variables such as: nutritional status (diet); toxin exposure; presence of autoimmune disease and / or chronic illness; stress management and stress hormone evaluation; lifestyle factors and use of coffee, alcohol,nicotine, medications; energy level; weight and body fat distribution; digestion; among other factors. In addition, specific markers related to fertility are examined: age, hormone balance, presence of conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids, ovulation status, hormone levels, among other variables, relative to an ideal state of fertility.

Treatment programs may include lifestyle or dietary modifications (eating to enhance fertility, or various detox plans), nutritional supplements, herbs, acupuncture, stress reduction, and / or homeopathy. As your follicles go through more than a 90 day maturation process in the ovary, it can take at the very least this long to complete the program, during which, pelvic circulation (blood flow to the follicles) is encouraged, and hormonal levels are balanced or restored.

Once the pre-conception stage is complete, the body will be near or at it’s optimum balance, and ready to conceive. During this stage, which typically lasts three months (or 3 ovulatory cycles), you will be closely monitored for fertility response. Within this time-frame conception is usually achieved. In the more difficult cases, this stage is extended by additional 3 month sections with shifting emphasis on treatment.

Chronic Pain

The conventional approach to chronic pain can often be overtly simplified to medication dependent palliation. While there certainly is a role for this form of pain management, there often exists more effective, safe and beneficial approaches to pain. Fortunately, when combining the various treatment approaches at White Rock Naturopathic, there are many options available: from deep tissue laser therapy, prolotherapy and PRP, apitherapy, neural therapy, biopuncture, mesotherapy, acupuncture, natural anti-inflammatory regimes – both dietary and herbal, microcurrent, hypnotherapy and osteopathic therapy. An extensive list, yet one that is refined depending on the individual and the particular pain condition. Effective options exist!

Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia

A significant percentage of Dr Grodski’s practice is focused on complex chronic disease – including, but not limited to: Lyme Disease, Chronic Fatigue, and Fibromyalgia. These conditions respond best to an integrative approach that combines the best of conventional medicine as well as that of naturopathic and Chinese medicine. Dr Grodski’s approach is individualized, meaning that while the many varied approaches to these conditions are discussed with individual patients, their needs and abilities are taken into consideration when tailoring their particular treatment regimen. Approaches are holistic, as found in that of Dr Tietelbaum’s and Dr Bested’s approaches, and include conventional, hormonal, naturopathic and Chinese therapeutic approaches.

Cancer

White Rock Naturopathic Clinic and Dr Grodski are proud to be able to provide a broad array of cancer care therapies and treatments, including IV Vitamin C and Mistletoe Cancer Therapy to those in need in the lower mainland.

Post Concussion Syndrome & Vertigo

We have treated many patients with Post Concussion Syndrome with good success. Treatment for this condition is essentially unavailable and poorly understood from traditionally conventional perspectives. Symptoms may include vertigo, nausea, nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), depression, mood changes, headaches, insomnia, inability to focus, instability or poor coordination, light and noise sensitivity, and malaise or fatigue. Fortunately however, there are many therapeutic options available from naturopathic modalities, including: homeopathy, acupuncture, laser therapy, craniosacral therapy and osteopathy, neural therapy, NAD+ therapy, and integrative pharmaceutical treatments.

Auto-Immune Diseases

We are using Low Dose Immunotherapy at White Rock Naturopathic, among other naturopathic, integrative and chinese medicine therapies and approaches to treat auto-immune diseases. Of those conditions that have responded to treatment thus far, are:

Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis), Inflammatory Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, ITP, Interstitial cystitis, Auto-immune thyroiditis (Hashimotos), SLE (lupus), Psoriasis, Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.