Welcome
I'm Dr. Stephanie Bristow,
It’s so Nice to meet you!
As a dedicated BSc ND, licensed Naturopathic Doctor, entrepreneur, mom and fitness enthusiast based in Calgary, Alberta, I am excited to guide you on your wellness journey.
With nearly a decade of experience treating complex hormonal, digestive & autoimmune disorders, as well as my own personal health journey, I regularly see the conventional system failing those looking for answers. If your labs return 'normal' but you do not feel well, know that I am committed to engaging in thorough testing and assessments, looking beyond the basics and the numbers, and ultimately working to address the underlying cause of concerns, all with the goal of giving you back your power and your health.
I see patients virtually and in the office at the Calgary West Osteopathic Wellness Centre.
(WOW Centre)
my story
As a teenager and young adult, in fact all the way through my 20’s I struggled immensely with acne. I was of the typical generation that received countless medications and birth control pills to attempt to control my skin and while some things gave me temporary improvement it didn’t last or reduce the severity until I approached it with Naturopathic medicine in a completely different way.
Instead of destroying my gut lining with antibiotics I identified foods that were triggers and foods that would foster my digestive health. I dug deep into my genetics to understand my liver detoxification and adopted lifestyle changes and supplements to support regular detoxification. I stopped ineffectively covering up my hormonal imbalances with birth control pills and used the appropriate testing to actually understand which hormones were giving me trouble and used genetic assessment to understand why they consistently pull me in that direction. I stopped taking the latest vitamin or supplement for skin and instead I use what works for me based on my unique needs. Naturopathic medicine taught me how to understand my health, how to work with my body and how to recognize the subtle signs that I’m getting off track. Understanding my body, being finely in-tuned with my hormones, my cycle, my digestion, my diet give me the freedom to enjoy my life without feeling insecure and self-conscious. What a gift it has been!
After having my children and entering a new phase of life I have turned my physical and mental health goals to pursuing healthy aging and being a role model and positive influence on my children. I’m grateful everyday for the knowledge and wisdom that natural health and healing provide for me, my family and the people’s lives that I have the privilege to support. As a Naturopathic Doctor my greatest passion is helping my patients understand their symptoms and learn what they can do to support their imbalances, work with their genetics and feel empowered to know how to improve their health for years to come.
about her practice
Stephanie’s passion for holistic healing stemmed from her introduction to Ayurvedic Medicine during her travels through India. The wisdom and depth of this ancient medicine was undeniable and led to her start her personal healing journey through Ayurvedic Medicine. Her personal passion became academic as she completed a 2-year Ayurvedic Therapist program. This medicine stirred up questions and a thirst for further knowledge which led her to study Naturopathic Medicine.
Stephanie received her Bachelor of Science majoring in Kinesiology from the University of Ottawa. She went on to complete her 4-year medical training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
During her studies, Stephanie worked in community health centres, Naturopathic teaching clinics and the first integrative hospital clinic of its kind in Canada. Her experiences with community health care furthered her interest in psychology. She is passionate about working with individuals to emphasize the integration of their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual selves. Her desire is to support, guide and empower people in their own healing process and personal growth.
Dr. Bristow’s practice is a fusion between the art and science of Naturopathic Medicine. The art is in recognizing the messages from the body. Understanding where the imbalances are coming from by connecting the dots between seemingly unrelated symptoms. The science is in the use of natural medicines – dietary & lifestyle changes, stress-management techniques, nutritional supplements, botanical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Ayurveda and in understanding when to use them, how to use them safely and effectively. The goal is to identify the root cause of your concerns via thorough evaluation of symptoms and laboratory testing combined with experience to map out your journey towards health.
Dr. Bristow is a registered naturopathic doctor with the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta (CNDA).
Dr. Bristow works with individuals and families with a variety of health concerns. She has a particular interest in:
Women’s Health: PMS, PMDD, PCOS, Fibroids, Endometriosis, Breast health, Menstrual irregularities, pain and flow concerns.
Hormonal issues: Estrogen dominance, Low progesterone, Acne, Oral contraceptive pill detox, Adrenal fatigue.
Fertility (unknown and known causes such as PCOS, Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, Male factors etc), working with those using ART methods, Miscarriage.
Pregnancy, Birth Prep & Postpartum support, Breastfeeding and infant concerns (digestion, rashes/eczema, thrush, sleep).
Thyroid Health: Hyper/Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s Disease, Postpartum thyroiditis.
Digestion: IBS, SIBO, Candida, Food sensitivities, GERD, Ulcers, Parasites, Constipation & Diarrhea.
Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Histamine Intolerance.
Mental Health & Stress: Anxiety, Depression, Adrenal Fatigue, PTSD, Trauma, Abuse & Sexual Abuse, Insomnia.
Children & Teens: Digestion, Bowel Movement concerns, Nutrition/Diet, Focus/Concentration, Sleep, Immunity (prevention and treatment for colds/flu’s) and Fatigue.
Adults: Cardiovascular disease, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Type 2 Diabetes, Weight loss, Autoimmunity, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis and Memory loss.
“I have been seeing Dr. Bristow for a few years now and she has changed my life!”
-Karen K.
“She is a wealth of knowledge and really listens to your issues and concerns before she designs a treatment plan.”
-Janine W
“Dr. Bristow is a listener, which is rare among many health professionals. She uses modern technology and a host of diagnostic tools to accurately assess presenting problems, offering hope with assurance.”
-Marcia H.
