Victoria, Nanaimo, Ladysmith
British Columbia
Canada
Registered Acupuncturist
About Dr Katarine
ND RAc
Dr Katarine Holewa ND, RAc is a Naturopathic Physician and Registered Acupuncturist practicing in Nanaimo, BC.
Prior to completing her 3-year training in Traditional Chinese Medicine and her 4-year Naturopathic Medical training at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver, BC, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary, receiving her Bachelors Degree in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Sciences and her Bachelor of Registered Nursing. She then practiced as a full time Registered Nurse in Post-Partum, Special Care Nursery and in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and then continued to practice part-time throughout her Naturopathic education.
Dr Katarine now devotes her time and attention to her Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture practice and patients. She focuses on preventative medicine, creating and maintaining positive lifestyle changes and finding the underlying causes of illness. She approaches medicine using a more holistic approach to health care and by employing the basic Naturopathic principles, treating the whole person rather than separate symptoms or ailments, and creating highly individual treatment plans.
Dr Katarine sees patients of all ages and for conditions ranging from acne to mental health and allergies to chronic pain. She has a special interest in working with Gastrointestinal Disorders (SIBO, IBS, etc), Hormone Re-Balancing (in PMS, fertility, peri and menopause) and Autoimmune Disorders (RA, Sjrogrens, Polymyalgia, etc), Chronic Illness and Integrative Cancer Care.
Dr Katarine enjoys educating her patients and helping them reach their own unique health and wellness goals. In addition to utilizing Nutritional Counseling, Acupuncture, Botanical Remedies/Herbs and Homeopathic remedies, Dr Holewa has additional certifications in IV (Intravenous) Therapy, Prolotherapy (joint regeneration) and Neural Therapy.
Dr Katarine has undertaken further training in Naturopathic Aesthetics, focusing on Rosacea, Acne, Ageing and Hyperpigmentation. She is certified in the use of Neuromodular Injections for the management of fine lines, wrinkles, frown lines etc to help clients achieve a younger, smoother visage. She also utilizes treatments such as Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, Facial Gua Sha & Massage and carries a line of exclusive Aesthetic products which are specifically targeted to treat these various concerns.
Additionally, Dr Katarine licenced to prescribe pharmaceutical mediciations and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Outside of the clinic, Dr Katarine ND RAc enjoys spending time with friends and family, training and riding her horses, hiking, biking, and walking her dog, and exercising her green thumb in her garden. She is a regular shopper at the local farmers markets and healthy cafes and restaurants, a fervent baker and is also a Professional Chocolatier!
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are government recognized general practitioners with special training in Natural Therapies.
NDs are fully trained in the conventional medical sciences, pathology and diagnosis similarly to medical doctors (MDs) but they are also trained to recognize and treat functional conditions that may accompany, precede or be a consequence of many diseases.
Naturopathic Physicians focus greatly on Preventative Medicine, Natural Methods for healing and on the Lifestyle Factors that will help patients live healthier, more enjoyable lives.
Principles of Naturopathic Practice
THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Nature acts powerfully through healing mechanisms in the body and mind to maintain and restore health.
FIND THE CAUSE (Tolle causam)
Every illness has an underlying cause, often in aspects of the lifestyle, diet, or habits of the individual.
FIRST DO NO HARM (Primum non nocere)
Naturopathic physicians prefer non-invasive treatments which minimize the risks of harmful side effects.
TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON
Health or disease come from a complex interaction of physical, emotional, dietary, genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and other factors.
PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE
The naturopathic approach to health care can prevent minor illnesses from developing into more serious or chronic degenerative diseases
Registered Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient practice with a history dating back over 2000 years. Throughout history, this alternative treatment method has been used in many Asian countries including China, Japan and Korea. Today it is a commonly accessed modality in countries throughout North America, Europe, Australia, etc. Over half of Canadians have tried acupuncture in their lifetimes, many of them using it on a regular basis for not only alleviation of health conditions, but also in order to achieve physical-emotional-mental balance, and to maintain health and optimize overall health.
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, simplest, and safest forms of health care in the world. There are several theories to explain how acupuncture works, overall it developed from the principle that the human body is being controlled by Qi, a life force that many Asian cultures believe flows along channels between the organs. Acupuncture works to unblock, smooth or alter the flow of often unbalanced Qi in the body. This works to stimulate the body's self-healing and self-regulating mechanisms, thus allowing the body to return to balance and thus health.
It can treat a wide range of problems, without causing negative side effects. The effects of acupuncture are quite positive; no matter why someone is seeking treatment, it produce overall benefits including: increased energy, reduced stress, lower levels of inflammation, better sleep, improved moods, and often, a general sense of relaxation and well-being.