Naturopathy
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathic practitioners work with a variety of holistic approaches and on the basis that the body is capable of healing itself, given the right conditions. The human body has an innate intelligence that enables us to return to balance and homeostasis. It may be necessary to employ lifestyle changes alongside recognised natural healing therapies e.g. Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Reflexology etc. to achieve this. The intervention of natural therapy is particularly vital in the modern world where pollution, technology, poor diet and in particular stress, play such a major role in declining health.
Naturopaths treat the individual, providing tailored recommendations and treatment plans to their patients. It is very much a partnership, with the patient and practitioner working together towards the goal of great health.
Naturopathy can be used to support a variety of conditions and is suitable for all ages, even young babies. Some of the more common conditions we see at clinic include, Chronic Fatigue, insomnia, stress, infertility, digestive disorders, eczema, psoriasis, thyroid disorders, PCOS, PMT and endometriosis to name a few.
The history of naturopathy is rooted in the Hippocratic School of Medicine, which originated around 400 BC. It is based on a fundamental principle "Vis medicatrix naturae" (the healing power of nature) as well as other key principles, outlined below.
The Naturopathic Principles
Vis medicatrix naturae.
Prevention rather than cure.
Treat the root cause, not the branches (symptoms).
Treat the whole person (mind, body, emotions and soul).
Health is greater than the absence of illness. It should be abundant vitality.
Treat the person, not the disease.
Each individual is unique and will respond to treatment in a different way.
All disease starts with disruption to the body's homeostatic mechanisms. To achieve health, we must reinstate balance.
Bad health results from issues with the internal environment, not external influences.
A Naturopath is an educator who is there to empower the patient to take responsibility for their own health.
“Health is the expression of a harmonious balance between various components of man’s nature, the environment and ways of life......nature is the physician of disease”