General Questions
Q: How do I book an appointment?
A: Please reach out to Dr. Cundari through her contact button.
Q: What can I expect on the first visit with Dr. Cundari?
A: The initial visit lasts 60 minutes and addresses your primary health concerns. Significant time is taken to identify the most immediate medical issues and a thorough history is gathered. Physical exams relevant to the areas of concern will be done in office and any lab tests to help guide your case will be ordered. Treatment can begin in the first visit, with follow up appointments scheduled in the following 1-4 weeks depending on the health concern being treated.
Q: What do I need to bring to my first appointment?
A: After booking your first appointment, there will be an intake form and consent form that you can fill out through JaneApp or Charm Software. It is also helpful to bring in a copy of any recent lab work or diagnostic imaging that you have had that pertains to your health concerns. If you are taking any current medications or supplements, bringing in the labels or a picture of the labels can be helpful.
Q: What conditions can benefit from Naturopathic Medicine?
A: Naturopathic Doctors are licensed primary healthcare practitioners, and thus, can address any health concern from the common cold to chronic conditions. Dr. Cundari has special interests in the areas of mental health (anxiety, depression, addictions, PTSD), women’s health (hormonal imbalances, pre & post natal care), sports medicine & chronic pain.
Q: How do I know if Dr. Cundari is a good fit for me?
A: Dr. Cundari offers one free 15-minute phone consultation to give you an opportunity to assess if she is the right fit for you, both personally and professionally.
Q: What type of training does a Naturopathic Doctor receive?
A: Naturopathic physicians have a minimum of 7 years of post-secondary education. Training requires four years of Naturopathic medical education from one of seven board-certified & recognized schools in North America. Dr. Cundari received her training from the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver, BC. Her training at BINM included 3500 classroom hours divided between the topics of the Health Sciences and our core modalities (Acupuncture/Traditional Asian medicine, Nutrition, Counseling, Homeopathy, Physical Medicine, Osseous manipulation, and Orthomolecular medicine). Similar to the curriculum at a conventional medical school – the first two years of Naturopathic Medical school are focused on gaining an in depth understanding of the science of the human body. Upon completion of this education, Naturopathic Physicians are qualified to work as primary care physicians.
After 4 years of training at BINM, Dr. Cundari completed over 1200 hours as a student intern in the teaching clinic – treating patients under the supervision of a licensed Naturopathic Physician and over 300 hours observing Naturopathic Doctors in their own offices.
Prior to her training at BINM, Dr. Cundari also has two undergraduate degrees: a Bachelors of Science and a Bachelors of Physical and Health Education – both from Queen’s University in Kingston, ON.
Q: Is Naturopathic Medicine cost effective?
A: YES. Naturopathic medicine is about giving you the tools to get results to live a better quality of life. As Naturopathic physicians, we aim to treat the cause by identifying/removing barriers to healing and by creating treatment plans that are individualized and manageable. By taking a proactive and preventative approach to avoiding future illnesses money can be saved in the long run while creating an overall improvement in day-to-day life.
Q: Will my appointment be covered by my health insurance?
A: Most extended medical plans provide some coverage for Naturopathic visits, supplements, and/or diagnostic testing. It is not covered by MSP, so it is important to check with your insurance provider to determine the extent of particular coverage.
Q: What is the difference between a Naturopathic Doctor and a Homeopath?
A: Homeopathy is just one of the many treatment modalities that Naturopathic Doctors are trained to use. In British Columbia, Naturopathic medicine is a regulated profession just like MD’s, nurses, chiropractors and other healthcare professionals. Currently, Homeopathy is not a licensed or regulated health profession in BC.
Q: Are Naturopathic Doctors licensed and is the profession regulated in British Columbia?
A: Yes, Naturopathic doctors are licensed and the profession is regulated in BC. To become licensed, Naturopathic Doctors must successfully graduate from an accredited Naturopathic Medical school and complete standardized board examinations from both the North American Board of Naturopathic Examinations (NABNE) and the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC).
Q: What is a Mind, Body, Soul Session?
A: This particular session is aimed to re-align the mind, body and soul. The hour consists of an intuitive blend of inquiry-based counseling and a re-connection with the body using one or more of the following modalities: Craniosacral therapy, Reiki therapy, and/or acupuncture.
Q: I am afraid of needles, is there any other ways to receive Traditional Asian Medicine, detoxification and pain management treatments?
A: As a Naturopathic physician, Dr. Cundari is trained in a wide array of modalities that do not involve needles. She uses both Asian and Western herbal remedies and hands on therapies; such as, spinal manipulation, soft tissue release, craniosacral therapy, and acupressure. She is also trained in prescribing diet/nutraceutical programs and drainage remedies to help detoxify the body without having to rely on IV nutrient therapy or acupuncture.