Traditional naturopathic medicine

Naturopathy and naturopathic medicine, is the fastest growing of all the alternative healing disciplines. As more people have become disillusioned with conventional health care, it has certainly gained new respect as a credible healing modality. Traditionally trained naturopaths (ND’s & DTN’s) use the naturopathy degree to consult with clients, and as an accreditation to teach, to write and to access research. A core belief of naturopathy is education—passing on knowledge to empower the client.

Here at Quantum we have 2 traditional naturopaths, specializing in non-invasive, lifestyle consultation. A traditional naturopath avoids diagnosing disease or prescribing medication. The principles which guide traditional naturopathy lead to general improvement in health. Commonly, clients find that long standing health problems have improved or disappeared. In fact, the greatest success of naturopathy is in rebuilding health, which then naturally improves or eliminates chronic illness.

Traditional naturopathy is not recommended for acute trauma, such as a serious automobile accident, a childbirth emergency, or orthopedic problems that need corrective surgery. It can contribute to faster recovery in these cases. Still, these situations are best suited for conventional medicine or medical doctors who also have a background in natural medicine. Conventional medicine without a doubt, really excels in emergency health care. Traditional naturopaths focus on the client as a whole. They look to the cause of a health concern rather than suppressing symptoms. The naturopath works to educate his or her clients in how to stimulate the body’s own vital healing forces. Although all naturopaths emphasize choices based on their own personal interests and experiences, they maintain a consistent philosophy.

A typical visit to a naturopath incorporates these beliefs:

A typical visit to a naturopath incorporates these beliefs:

1: Nature is a powerful healing force. The body has considerable power to heal itself. The role of the naturopath is to simply facilitate and enhance this process by educating the client in natural therapies, which stimulate his or her own internal healing force. Above all, the naturopath must do no harm.

2: The person is viewed as a whole. Understanding the client as a unique individual is essential. The naturopath will ask questions and strive to understand the complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social factors affecting the client’s total health picture.

3: The goal is to identify and address the cause of the problem. Naturopathy does not attempt to suppress symptoms, since symptoms are seen as part of the body’s attempt to heal itself. A naturopath seeks to understand the underlying causes of a health concern, and helps to control or reduce symptoms through improved lifestyle choices.

4: The naturopath is a teacher. First and foremost, the naturopath educates, empowers and motivates the client to assume more responsibility for his own wellness through having a healthy attitude, lifestyle and diet. After determining the cause of a health concern, the naturopath discusses with the client the various natural options for creating a return to health.

5: Prevention is the best approach. Illness prevention is really best accomplished by lifestyle habits which support health.

Homeopathy

We need both types of medicine to stay well in today’s world. In our high stress lifestyle, there may be times when we need to rely on modern medicine for fast symptom relief or to stabilize from a serious health crisis or injury. Still, this type of emergency medicine is no substitute for a sound, nutritious diet regular exercise and the remarkable ability of whole herbs to boost the body’s own natural healing response.

The word “homeopathic” is derived from the Greek words homeos meaning “similar” and pathos meaning “disease” or “suffering.” Thus, homeopathy means “to treat with a remedy that produces an effect similar to the disease or suffering.”

Homeopathy is a system of medical therapy that uses very small doses of medicines, or remedies. These remedies are prepared from substances found in nature. Nevertheless, homeopathy should not be confused with herbal medicine. These two systems of medicine are very different.

Herbal medicine uses tinctures of botanical substances, whereas homeopaths use ultradilute “micro” doses made from not only plants, but minerals or any other substance found in nature. The homeopathic doctor chooses the proper remedy by following a special rule of nature called the Law of Similars. This law states “like cures like,” or that a medicine can cure a sick person if it can cause similar sickness in a healthy person. For instance, if you peel an onion, your eyes burn, itch and water.

You might also have a runny nose and begin to sneeze. If you had similar symptoms during a cold or allergy attack, such as a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing, a homeopathic micro-dose of the remedy Allium cepa (red onion) would help your body heal itself.