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Dr. Joanna Thiessen is the Owner and Director of George Street Naturopathic Medicine. Her passion for healthy living and her love of people lead her towards a career as a naturopathic doctor. Joanna attended the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto for her naturopathic training. Upon completion of the four year program, she relocated her family to Waterloo and began the process of building her clinic, George Street Naturopathic Medicine. Joanna enjoys treating all people – men, women and children of all ages. She has received additional training related to pregnancy, childbirth and the prenatal period, and has a special interest in this area.

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of healthcare that addresses the root cause of illness and promotes health and healing using natural therapies. The focus of naturopathic medicine is on optimizing health and well-being through individualized patient care and public education.

Naturopathic medicine involves therapies which are gentle, non-invasive, and designed to support the body’s own healing mechanisms. These therapies include: clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, botanical (herbal) medicine, physical medicine, and lifestyle counseling.

Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary healthcare practitioners who provide treatment for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. Examples include but are not limited to: allergies, colds and flu, skin conditions, weight problems, stress, depression, digestive disturbances, addictions, arthritis, headaches, ear infections, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and pain.

Most definitely. Naturopathic therapies are safe and effective for all people, from babies to grandparents. Treatments and dosages are chosen appropriately for the age of the patient.

Naturopathic Doctors receive special training in obstetrics so that they can safely administer appropriate natural remedies during pregnancy. Not all natural medicines and herbs are safe for use during pregnancy, which is why it is so important to seek advice from a trained professional, such as a Naturopathic Doctor. There are many safe, natural therapies that can be used in pregnancy to treat a whole range of things from morning sickness to hemorrhoids to preparing for birthing.

Naturopathic medicine is not currently covered by OHIP. However, many insurance companies offer "Naturopathic Coverage" as part of the extended health benefits. Check with your insurance provider for more information.

Iron is indeed a very important nutrient, and it is essential that both children and adults get enough of it. Without adequate iron we can become anemic, with symptoms such as paleness, fatigue, frequent infections and poor growth. Because children your son's age are undergoing periods of rapid growth, their requirement for iron at this stage is increased. Red meat contains a type of iron called heme iron which is very well absorbed. Other iron rich foods include things like dried fruit, pumpkin seeds, blackstrap molasses, leafy green vegetables and legumes. Iron rich foods are better absorbed when combined with acidic foods such as oranges, lemons and tomatoes. Iron absorption is decreased if iron rich foods are eaten in combination with calcium rich foods. To find out for sure if your child is low in iron, you can ask your Naturopath or Medical Doctor to run a blood test called ferritin. Iron supplementation should only be used if your child has a demonstrated deficiency, and my favourite iron supplement for children is a liquid form called 'Floradix' which you can buy at a health food store.

Thank you for your question. I treat many children with digestive concerns such as constipation. As always, the most important thing is to find and treat the root cause. Laxatives and stool softeners will help treat the symptom, but until the root cause is addressed, the problem will keep coming back. In my clinical experience, children with chronic constipation often have food allergies or food sensitivities. Once these are identified and the aggravating foods are removed from the diet, bowel movements become a daily occurrence, and are not hard and painful. Food allergies/sensitivities can be identified different ways. The best in my opinion is a test that looks for antibodies (called "IgG" antibodies) in the blood that have been made against specific foods. The test involves a finger poke and the collection of a few drops of blood. The blood is then sent to a lab and tested against 96 different foods. This type of test would be safe to use with a 2 year old. Other than identifying food sensitivities, other things that may be of help are: keeping your child well hydrated, encouraging physical activity, eating lots of fruits and veggies, supplementing with beneficial bacteria ("probiotics"), and supplementing with healthy oils such as flax oil and cod liver oil. Visit a Naturopathic Doctor for a prescription that is right for your child.

Thank you for your question about food introduction. Around the age of your son, most children are ready to try foods other than breastmilk. Nutritionally, the breastmilk is perfect for them until this age, when their requirements for things like iron and zinc cannot be met by breastmilk alone. In my opinion, the best foods to start with are fruits and vegetables. Grains are difficult to digest, and should not be introduced until the baby is at least 9 months old (this includes rice cereal). Wheat and cow's dairy are common allergens in children, and I recommend waiting even longer before trying those. Good starting foods are: sweet potatoes, squash, avocados, bananas, apples, prunes, apricots and pears. The consistency of first foods should be just slightly thicker than breastmilk. I recommend making your own food and pureeing breastmilk with it to the desired consistency. Always make sure your baby is sitting upright when eating. I would start with one food at a time, and wait a few days before introducing the next food. This will allow you to watch for allergy/sensitivity reactions, such as skin rashes, diaper rashes, runny nose, watery eyes, mood changes and changes to his/her stool.

Food introduction is a fun and exciting time. Good luck with it and enjoy!

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