About
Dr. Aranka Jones, ND. [Virtual Care Only]
First things first - you probably want to know how to pronounce my name... It’s “ahh-run-kah”. Technically you’re supposed to roll the “R” but if you can’t, don’t worry; I answer to a number of variations without judgment. I also answer to Dr. Jones if you’d like to be more formal.
I grew up in Blue Mountain and Collingwood where I spent most of my childhood skiing and exploring the great outdoors. I was also a little bookish. I left this paradise to study Biological Sciences at the University of Guelph and Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, returning to Collingwood to open a naturopathic family practice in 2009.
People who work with me enjoy an approach to healthcare that is insightful, individualized and integrative while also compassionate, warm and down-to-earth. I love working on complex cases and connecting the dots to determine the underlying cause of your inflammatory or gut conditions. I draw on insights from functional medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and more. I will empower you to understand how your body works and why your health is failing you; only then can it is possible to treat the root cause of your symptoms to restore balance and promote wellness.
I also have a special interest in helping people with complex, hormone related issues like menopause, infertility, menstrual concerns, hypothyroidism and adrenal dysfunction or "burn-out". I enjoy helping people with concerns related to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, depression, insomnia and digestive issues like GERD, IBS and inflammatory bowel disease.
I look forward to hearing your story and helping you be well, too.
Experience
Why Naturopathic medicine was the right fit for me...
During my pre-med studies, I had the privilege of shadowing a number of physicians and surgeons. Although I was incredibly inspired by the doctors I connected with, conventional medicine didn't feel like the right fit. I knew I wanted to be medically trained but naturally focused. I continued my studies at the University of Guelph and became more and more interested in Orthomolecular Nutrition and Botanical Medicine.
Living in Guelph, I became increasingly aware of environmental issues as they relate to our health. I stumbled upon Naturopathic medicine when I encountered health problems of my own for which conventional medicine didn't have all the answers. A friend told me about a naturopathic doctor who helped her using alternative methods, so I gave it a try. I found the experience so empowering and loved learning about the body and how to use the healing power of nature to resolve my symptoms and deal with the underlying cause of illness. From that moment on I was hooked on alternative medicine!
You can visit Dr. Aranka's personal website here.
Qualifications & Experience
- Studied at the University of Guelph until 2004 graduating with a degree in biological sciences.
- I studied naturopathic medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto graduating in 2008.
- I carried out the majority of my 12-month naturopathic medicine internship at Toronto’s Sherbourne Health Centre providing naturopathic care for marginalized people living with HIV and becoming informed in LGBTQ health. I spent the remainder of my internship focusing on sports medicine and pain management.
- I’ve been a board-certified naturopathic doctor in Ontario since 2008.
- I’ve practiced naturopathic medicine in my hometown of Collingwood since 2009. Before moving to Be Well Collingwood I ran my own naturopathic clinic for six years and more recently practiced at a large multidisciplinary clinic.
- From 2012 to 2014 I ran The Naturopathic Kitchen, a health-focused cooking school educating people living with health conditions like allergies, Celiac disease, cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory conditions.
- From 2013 to 2015 I served as a board member for the Collingwood Community Food Co-op, now called Farm to Table, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run grocery store promoting local, sustainable, organic food and farming practices.
- I regularly attend conferences in Canada and the US to stay up to date and advance my knowledge of integrative medicine. Areas of special interest include mind-body medicine, functional medicine, hormone-related concerns, digestive disorders, autoimmunity, and diabetes.