What is Naturopathy?
The basic philosophy behind Naturopathy is that
given the right conditions, the body will heal
itself. This philosophy was first taught
by Hippocrates in the 5th century BC and has been
perpetuated over the years by many other famous
physicians. It does not view germs or disease
symptoms as the enemy: they are merely an indication
that your body chemistry is out of balance.
Just as a plant can only thrive in certain
conditions, so it is with germs. Viruses and
bacteria need the right conditions in order
to survive. Through correct nutrition and lifestyle
factors you can avoid disease by making your
body inhospitable to these negative influences.
Disease symptoms and pain are your body's way
of telling you that something is wrong. If you
ignore these messages, your health will continue
to deteriorate until you are forced to take
notice. It is important, therefore, that
you listen to your body and understand the messages
it is sending you.
In a Naturopathic consultation this is achieved
through in-depth questioning working through
all your body systems. All systems in your body
are connected and an imbalance in any one of
them can manifest in any other area. A
headache, for example, is not necessarily symptomatic
of a brain tumour! It may be caused by dehydration,
exposure to chemicals, fatigue, blood sugar
imbalances, or any number of other factors.
This questioning process allows your Naturopath
to understand the root-cause of your dis-ease,
then taking into account your personality and
lifestyle, design the most appropriate treatment
plan for you.
Your naturopathic treatment
may include any of the following practices:
Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine is the oldest and most widely
used form of medicine in the world. Throughout
history people have turned to plants to help cure
their ills and many of today's pharmaceutical
drugs are based on this traditional knowledge.
Whereas modern drugs extract and copy only the
'active constituent' of a plant, herbal medicine
uses extracts from the whole leaf, root or berry
which contain many other constituents. These work
in combination to enhance the effect of the active
constituent without causing the side-effects associated
with many of today's drugs.
Nutrition
The body demands certain substances in order to
function properly. It takes these substances from
the external environment and the food you eat.
Vitamins and minerals help support chemical reactions
in the body and proteins, carbohydrates and fats
form the basic building blocks. If the quality
of these materials is poor, the quality of the
body itself, (ie its state of health) will be
poor. Nutrition remains the easiest and most effective
way of maintaining health and as part of your
consultation you will be given individual advice
on diet, taking into account your tastes and lifestyle.
Homeopathy
Developed in Germany by Dr Samuel Hahnemann some
200 years ago, homeopathy is a system of medicine
which uses minute doses of a substance to stimulate
the body's own natural defences. The remedy is
matched to your symptoms and personality exactly,
ensuring a healing reaction, while the small doses
administered preclude unpleasant side-effects.
Iridology
The eyes are windows through which we can look
out at the world and through them we can also
see what is happening inside the body. Connected
to the rest of the body via the brain and nervous
system, the iris is like a 'map' allowing the
practitioner to identify strengths and weaknesses
in any organ or tissue of the body. Studying the
iris can also reveal your basic constitution and
vitality level, helping your practitioner to determine
which treatment plan will be most effective for
you.
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese hands-on healing art, which
helps to promote balance and harmony on the physical,
mental and emotional planes. It is non-invasive,
extremely relaxing and effective for a wide range
of mental/emotional as well as physical conditions.
Massage
Massage is one of the oldest healing traditions
known to man, but its therapeutic benefits are
often overlooked in today's society. Massage does
more than just 'pamper'; it can help relieve aches
and pains, reduce stress and tension, promoting
deep relaxation and a greater sense of well-being.
Flower Essences
Developed by Dr Edward Bach, flower essences are
used to rebalance the negative emotions and moods
that overcome each of us from time to time. From
absent-mindedness to grief and utter gloom, there
are remedies to suit every state of mind. Each
preparation is individually tailored to suit your
moods and emotions, helping you return to a
happy and healthy outlook on life.
