Heal • Nourish • Optimize
Dr. CATHERINE RABO, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor
Hey there! I'm Dr. Catherine Rabo, ND
I'm a Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto and the Founder + Creator of the Fertility Focus Method
I'm super passionate about infertility + hormones!
I have dedicated my education and career to learning as much as I can about the intricate world of fertility so that I can help women who are struggling to have babies improve their overall health, boost their fertility, get pregnant and have the families they have always dreamed of
I want my patients to feel their best and to take their health to the next level through personalized naturopathic care that focuses on their unique biochemistry and their personal health goals.
As a Naturopathic Doctor, I offer evidence-based support in all areas of health including nutritional and lifestyle counselling, infertility and hormonal imbalances, and mental health, to name a few!
Types of Treatments
NUTRITION + LIFESTYLE
The foundation to health is nutrition, sleep, exercise and managing stress - I work together with my patients to optimize these essential fundamentals
ENERGY + HORMONES
Whether it's infertility or period problems the goal is to balance hormones and boost energy to bring out a youthful glow with natural, holistic strategies
MENTAL HEALTH
Whether it's depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, an eating disorder or a substance use disorder - there are alternative therapeutic options that can offer support
A naturopathic doctor will do a detailed review of your concerns as well as your medical and personal history to figure out a personalized treatment plan that is in line with your goals.
These are some of the types of treatments that naturopathic doctors can offer their patients:
Botanical Therapy
This form uses plants for treatment of various concerns. It uses different parts of plants like the roots, leaves, stems, flowers or berries for their healing properties. There are many ways that plants can be processed to extract their components. Here are the most common examples:
Infusions aka teas (hot or cold): Steeping plants in water for 5 – 15 mins
Decoctions: Boiling plants in water for 10 mins to several hours
Tinctures: Soaking plants in alcohol (or glycerin) for several weeks
Essential oils: Plants are steam distilled to extract the volatile oils
Tablets/pills or capsules: Ground plants or extracts are put into capsules or pressed into tablets
And depending on the treatment, there are various carriers to deliver these plant treatments:
Topical: Lotions, creams, ointments, salves, gels, poultices
Kid-friendly: Lozenges, popsicles, lollipops, syrups, gummy bears
HEENT: Gargles, ear oils, eye drops, nasal sprays, steam inhalations
Genitourinary: Enemas, vaginal or rectal suppositories
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
An ancient form of therapy that incorporates herbal formulas, acupuncture, acupressure, diet and cupping techniques. TCM assesses each system of the body, the quality of the pulse and the appearance of the tongue (yep, your tongue gives us many clues into your health!). It can be used for pain, headaches/migraines, fatigue, female concerns like fertility and hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, skin conditions and respiratory diseases.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses thin needles inserted through the skin to stimulate specific points on the body, which helps to reduce inflammation and pain by releasing endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers). Acupressure is a good treatment for children as well as an at-home alternative in between visits.
Physical Therapies
Our bodies are made up of complex and integrated systems that interact closely with each other. Manipulating the physical body can change how these systems interact by altering things like your hormones, immune system, digestion, detoxification abilities and stress response. We all know that stress from illnesses, injuries, poor posture or over-training can cause physical ailments but what we don’t always think about is how emotional or mental stress can manifest itself in the body too. For that reason physical therapies are a wonderful option for many conditions. They can reduce muscle tension, joint pain, decrease inflammation, improve the immune system, and even calm the overworked and over-active sympathetic nervous system.
Here are the most common physical therapies used:
Acupuncture: Thin needles are inserted into the skin at specific points on the body
Spinal manipulations: Hands-on manipulation of the joints of the spine
Massage: Hands-on manipulation of soft tissues like muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue
Dry cupping: Special cups are suctioned onto the skin to manipulate soft tissues and promote circulation and detoxification
Hydrotherapy: Water therapies like saunas, peat bathes and contrasting hot/cold compresses can improve circulation, modulate the immune system and encourage detoxification
Nutrition and Food Therapies
A nutrient-rich diet can help to promote weight loss and balance blood sugar, improve performance and energy, decrease inflammation, balance hormones, modify your microbiome, modulate your immune system, encourage detoxification and tissue repair, support organ systems, and even improve mental well-being (phew!).
Nutrition counselling can include the following:
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A detailed analysis of your current diet and eating habits
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An individualized plan that considers your goals, food preferences, budget and lifestyle
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Addressing specific health concerns with therapeutic diets
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Using plant extracts and supplements to augment your health
Food is an important part of our individuality, culture, spirituality, creative expression and pleasure. It provides the building blocks for our bodies to live, and it can prevent disease and increase longevity.
Lifestyle Counselling
Exercise, stress management, emotional well-being and getting enough restful sleep are game-changers in improving your overall health. Lifestyle modifications can help with many things including decreasing anxiety and depression, improving energy levels, slowing premature ageing, balancing hormones,strengthening the immune system, improving your physical performance and recovery, and reducing stress.
Here are a few ways that naturopathic care can optimize your daily functioning:
Mental/emotional support
Sleep modifications
Exercise and physical activity programs
Meditation and breathing techniques
Dietary counselling
Weight loss and management
What’s so exciting about human biology is that we can give the same treatment to ten people and each person will have a unique response. That’s why it’s so important to assess each and every patient individually to provide the most effective care for that person. This approach is the cornerstone of our care.
