Yellowknife (Nov 22/06) - Some Yellowknifers may be in the dark when it comes to naturopathic medicine, but a new doctor is hoping to shed some light on the subject one patient at a time.

Dr. Saeid Mushtagh, a licensed naturopathic doctor, recently moved here from Toronto and opened a practice at Barker's Chiro and Massage Clinic on 48th Street.

Dr. Saeid Mushtagh, a licensed naturopathic doctor, makes an herbal botanical tincture in his new NW Naturopathic Clinic and Dispensary, which opened in early November at Barker's Chiro and Massage Clinic on 48th Street.

As a naturopathic doctor, Mushtagh strives to treat chronic health concerns based on a number of assessment techniques combining scientific and traditional medicine on a patient-specific basis, he said.

"We're not treating conditions, we're treating individuals," he said.

A first visit takes between 90 minutes to two hours. It's used to evaluate the person's diet, stress levels, health history and family medical history, he said.

Basic lab tests from the patient's medical doctor are used, along with a number of assessment techniques and any additional follow-up tests required to identify illness.

"I try to understand symptoms for each person," said Mushtagh.

Treatment options can include clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture, but treatment can also involve lifestyle changes.

It is all about the right diet and making the right choices, he said.

The opportunity to work close to nature was one of the primary reasons Mushtagh said he made the move to the North.

After graduating with honours from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Genetics, Mushtagh completed a four-year program at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.

He's a licensed naturopathic doctor with the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors and the British Columbia Association of Naturopathic Doctors.

Setting up a practice in Yellowknife should provide Mushtagh with a number of opportunities said Gerry Barker owner of Barker's Chiro and Massage Clinic.

"We're glad to have him," he said.

With the clinic now up and running, Mushtagh said he should be able to accommodate three new patients or six repeat clients a day.

The cost for the first visit is normally $185.

Subsequent visits are generally billed at $125/hour, but they only last 30-45 minutes, he said.

A number of extended health care programs in the North do cover the costs, added Mushtagh.