WHAT IS NATUROPATHY?
Naturopathy is a system of health care which promotes the body’s own self-healing mechanism using natural therapies and following Naturopathic principles.
“The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well.”
Hippocrates
Naturopathy is a system of health care which promotes the body’s own self-healing mechanism using natural therapies and following Naturopathic principles.
These principles are kept in mind when a Naturopath takes a case, develops diet and lifestyle plans and offers maintenance for long term good health. Modern Naturopathy is becoming increasingly evidence based, thus combining a scientific approach with traditional healing principles.
The principles of Naturopathy were first used by the Hippocratic School of Medicine in about 400 BC. The Greek philosopher Hippocrates believed in viewing the whole person in regards to finding a cause of disease, and using the laws of nature to induce cure.
It was from this original school of thought that Naturopathy takes its principles.
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How Can Naturopathy Help me?
Naturopathy is an approach that emphasises a combination of emotional, physical & spiritual wellness.
By completing an in-depth health review, a Naturopath will be able to identify the roots of health issues and work towards the goal of chronic disease prevention by aiming to restore your body’s own natural healing ability.
A Naturopathic Plan showing personalised diet and lifestyle recommendations together with supplementation regime if appropriate will be put together and discussed with you.
Naturopathy can work hand-in-hand with what other medical practitioners may also be doing for you.
Some of the conditions that Naturopathy can support you with are:
- Allergic conditions: hay fever, asthma
- Autoimmune conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Hashimoto’s Thyroid disease, Crohn’s disease
- High & Low Blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Headaches & migraines
- Digestive disorders: bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhoea, acid reflux, heartburn, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, leaky gut, food intolerances, weight issues
- Male & female fertility
- Hormonal imbalances: PMT, PCOS, menopause, heavy periods, painful periods, absent periods, endometriosis, fibroids
- Skin conditions: dry skin, acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea
- Musculoskeletal problems: Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, pain, gout
- Pregnancy: nausea for example
- Emotional disorders: anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia, low self esteem, panic attacks
- Childhood issues: teething, recurrent coughs and colds, fevers, ear infections, ADHD, Autism, tonsillitis
The six core principles of Naturopathy are:
Vis Medicatrix Naturae
{The healing power of Nature}
Nature has the innate ability to heal. The body can heal itself, given the right condition and treatment. There is a ‘Vital Force’ which is stimulated to promote health.
Primum non nocere
{First, Do No Harm}
Naturopaths will never use therapies that may create other conditions and are trained to know which clients require referral to other healthcare practitioners, such as GPs, and which clients they can support safely.
Tolle causam
{Identify and Treat the Causes}
A Naturopath identifies and addresses the underlying cause (be it physical or emotional) rather than suppressing symptoms.
Docere
{Educate}
A Naturopath empowers the patient to take responsibility for his/her own health by teaching self-care.
Tolle totum
{Treat the Whole Person}
A Naturopath recognises the body as an integrated whole and takes into account the individual nutritional status, lifestyle, family history, physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors in a person’s life.
Praevenic
{Prevention}
A Naturopath promotes a focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.
I saw my consultant neurologist today. All in all good, and he is looking to extend the times between treatments.
Naturopathy is a philosophy and holistic healthcare system that recognises the healing power of nature present in all living things. As a holistic system it aims to promote and restore health by employing various natural treatment approaches that may include: naturopathic nutrition, lifestyle advice, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, naturopathic psychosocial support and other appropriate techniques.
Naturopathic practitioners interpret presenting symptoms as the individual’s unique response to physical, emotional, environmental or genetic stress factors which can be identified by asking about your family history. The practitioner’s role is to identify these underlying causes and to promote the inherent self-healing power within the individual. Naturopathy is also a way of life and the naturopath will help empower individuals through education about lifestyle, diet and exercise.