Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a system of health care which encourages and promotes the body’s natural self-healing mechanisms using an eclectic approach.

The traditional methods used by naturopaths are; Fasting, Diet, Hydrotherapy, Hygiene, Psychotherapy, Massage, Sunshine and Exercise.

However Most modern day Naturopaths are specialists in other disciplines such as Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Nutritional Therapy and Herbal Medicine. To become a Naturopath requires at least five years of study, with many Naturopaths continuing on to study different aspects of Natural Medicine.

Your Naturopath is like of “GP” of natural medicine. In a Naturopathic consultation, an Iridology, nails, tongue and blood pressure examination is carried out along with a detailed intake to ascertain the root cause of the ailment.  If necessary a urine sample may be taken or hair samples may be referred to external labs to test for allergies, mineral levels etc in the body.  With their broad knowledge of natural medicine, the Naturopath will recommend the most suitable treatment, such as Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Reflexology, Homeopathy. If they are specialized in any of the disciplines themselves they will carry out the treatment or refer to a more suitable therapy. It is essentially a preventative medicine and abides by the following principles

The Seven Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

1. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)The healing power of nature is the inherent self-organizing and healing process of living systems. Naturopathic medicine recognizes this healing process to be ordered and intelligent. It is the naturopathic practitioner’s role to support, facilitate and augment this process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and recovery, and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external environment. 

2. First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere) Naturopathic practitioners utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful effects, and apply the least possible force or intervention necessary to diagnose illness and restore health. Whenever possible the suppression of symptoms is avoided as suppression generally interferes with the healing process.

3. Treat The Cause (Tolle Causam) Every illness has an underlying cause, often in aspects of the lifestyle, diet or habits of the individual. A naturopathic practitioner is trained to find and remove the underlying cause of a disease.

4. Doctor as Teacher (Docere) The original meaning of the word “doctor” is teacher. A principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health. Naturopathic practitioners also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

5. Treat The Whole Person Health or disease comes from a complex interaction of mental, emotional, spiritual, physical,dietary, genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and other factors. Naturopathic practitioners treat the whole person, taking these factors into account.

6. Preventive Medicine The naturopathic approach to health care can prevent minor illnesses from developing into more serious diseases. Patients are taught the principles with which to live a healthy life and by following these principles, they can prevent major illnesses.

7. Wellness Establishing and maintaining optimum health and balance. Wellness is a state of being healthy,characterized by positive emotion, thought, and action. Wellness is inherent in everyone no matter what dis-ease(s) are being experienced. If wellness is really recognized and experienced by an individual, it will more quickly heal a given dis-ease than direct treatment of the dis-ease alone.