About Kirsten Perley
My interest in Naturopathic Medicine started in my fourth year of my undergraduate degree in Nursing. After two years of struggling with abdominal pain, nausea, low appetite and just generally feeling awful, I reluctantly sought care from a Naturopathic Doctor. I had already been to see several specialists who had told me that my symptoms were probably just irritable bowel syndrome and there was nothing to be done. A local ND had done a seminar at my mother’s workplace and she called me to say maybe I should give it a try. I rolled my eyes telling my mother how there were not enough randomized controlled trials to support going to see a Naturopathic Doctor (this is actually untrue, but hey I was 22 so I knew everything right?). My mother’s response was to say well you have tried the usual way and you still feel awful so maybe you should at least give it a chance.
So off I went hardly believing what I was about to do. I had my assessment, I purchased the recommended supplements and I started to make the suggested dietary changes. After about three weeks there was a slight worsening of my symptoms but after six weeks I was easily fifty percent better. Within three months I was completely better. I was blown away by this completely different approach to health and healing. I graduated McMaster University and I started my career as a Registered Nurse in Labour and Delivery. Whilst working as a RN, I continued to see my ND on a regular basis. Originally, I planned to further my education by becoming a Nurse Practitioner, but as I continued to learn all the fascinating ways that Naturopathic Medicine can help people I decided to go back to school to become a licensed Naturopathic Doctor.
