What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is the use of a wide variety of natural and traditional non-invasive methods to promote and stimulate the body's own powers of self-healing. A Naturopath treats the whole person. This emphasis on treating the whole person as opposed to the symptoms of disease the person may be suffering from is what distinguishes Naturopathic Holistic Medicine from conventional medicine.
The Naturopath takes physical, mental or emotional, and circumstantial factors into consideration. Stress is often a circumstantial factor and affects the physical and emotional well-being of the individual. Other important factors which can affect health are the environment in which we live and work, and our lifestyles. All of these are studied in order to diagnose and treat any condition. Good health and vitality are natural states of the human mind and body. The Naturopath concentrates the reasons why these are absent, and aims to treat the causes of disease instead of the symptoms.
Overeating, unsuitable foods, abuse of stimulants such as tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, and lack of sleep can contribute to disease. Mental stress is another major contributor. A Naturopath can help patients make changes - often simple - that lead to dramatic results. Sometimes a change in diet might be all that is required to steer a patient back to good health and allow nature to cure.
Study of the eyes, the face, tongue and mouth, and nails gives indications of the conditions the patient is experiencing. The Naturopath will also refer to test results that the patient may bring from a doctor or may request certain medical tests be done. In each case the emphasis is not on identifying the disease, but finding the condition that allowed it to develop.
Naturopathy uses natural, non-harmful, non-invasive treatments for many diseases. Conditions that respond well include 'female disorders', digestive disorders, and headaches and migraines. Much Naturopathy today lies in addressing body toxicity from chemical pollution by industry and drugs, and nutrient deficiency from our poor modern refined foods diet. These have been implicated in persistent headaches, allergies, and asthma as well as all leading to lack of energy, frequent colds and flu, insomnia and many chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and cancer.
The human body is a tremendous source of energy. This boundless energy gives strength and courage to live and also heals. Naturopathy provides the means to unlock.
Adapted with permission from the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners © 2005 Association of Naturopathic Practioners