'The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease'. Thomas A. Edison
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is considered perhaps the most holistic of all disciplines. Its fundamental principle is that there are many areas of a patient's life that must be taken into account to achieve good health. The central 'triad of health' for naturopaths encompasses the biochemical, the physical/structural and the mental/emotional.
The pioneers of naturopathy in the 1800's popularised hydrotherapy, exercise and gyms, colon cleaning and the use of foods as healing agents, when these were otherwise unheard of concepts.
Modern naturopaths follow the same principles but with a modern approach, using clinical testing and research upon which to base treatment and advice.
Naturopathy is an intelligent and empowering form of therapy because it is capable of looking at health from a range of angles and treating with a variety of approaches. It emphasizes the relationship between wholeness and health, the link between the mental and physical state, with practitioners addressing issues of attitude, lifestyle and nutrition.
Principles of Naturopathy
Each of us has the ability to heal ourselves. In other words, 'Only Nature Heals'.
Naturopaths consider many illnesses or diseases in their acute phase to be the body's natural attempt to restore health and stability. (For example, a high temperature is a great way of killing off invaders to the body and should not be inhibited, only controlled.) They see symptoms as signposts, not as problems to be eradicated in themselves.
Naturopaths retain an awareness that the body knows instinctively how to heal. (Think of how quickly cuts heal and bones mend).
Naturopaths intimately involve their patients, empowering them with knowledge and information, and providing activities to work on between sessions.
Naturopaths work to detoxify the body first and believe food can only be a medicine if administered to a body cleared of toxins. (A naturopath assesses a person's overall symptoms and problems and often recommends an increase in fluid intake, as the body cannot make a start on recovery if dehydrated.)
What can a naturopath treat?
Naturopathy is most useful in the treatment of chronic multi-system illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome, skin conditions, pre-menstrual syndrome, weight problems, depression, arthritis and ME. It can also be used to overcome infertility, in some cases, or prepare the body for pregnancy and birth. Clinical blood antigen tests are used to identify food intolerances, associated with digestive disorders and other varied symptoms.
Anyone with illness or health concerns should consider tackling recovery from different angles, representative of the complex patterns of mind and body. A 'healing crisis', or feeling of having had enough, can be the catalyst to unravel the unique combination of factors in each individual.
What are the treatments?
Naturopathic treatment aims to detoxify the body through specific adjustments to diet and exercise, often with recommendations of hydrotherapy. Advice will be given regarding supplementation and clinical nutrition.
Treatment may involve physical and emotional therapy, when appropriate. Postural problems (often associated with working demands) affect the body structure and its function. Manual treatment and exercise advice may be prescribed to correct these problems. Emotional issues from the past and present can affect the hypothalamus, the nervous system and cellular health. An exploration of these issues may involve counselling and exercises to manage adverse stress.
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