Naturopathy is based on the belief that the body has a natural ability to heal itself, if circumstances are right.
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is based on the belief that the body has a natural ability to heal itself, if circumstances are right. The body can heal cuts, mend broken bones and rid itself of infections. Naturopaths believe in the body’s “vital force” which when weakened allows viruses, bacteria and allergens to invade the body’s defences and cause illness.
Imbalances caused by stress, sleep patterns, lack of exercise and fresh air and an accumulation of toxins from processed foods and environmental pollution weaken the “vital force”.
Rather than tackling symptoms independently, the naturopath will try to identify underlying causes of an imbalance and then seek ways of restoring the inner self-regulating harmony, known as “homeostasis” that sustains the “vital force”.
At a time when modern technology, environmental pollution, poor diet and stress play a significant role in the degradation of health, a naturopath’s ability to apply natural methods of healing is of considerable importance. By using natural therapies both acute and chronic ailments may be treated successfully.
Providing personalised care to each patient, the naturopath sees humankind as a holistic unity of body, mind and spirit.
The Greek philosopher Hippocrates believed in viewing the whole person in regards to finding a cause for disease and using the laws of nature to induce cure. It was from this original school of thought that Naturopathy takes its principles.
- The healing power of nature — nature has an innate ability to heal
- Identify and treat the cause — there is always an underlying cause, be it physical or emotional
- Do no harm — a Naturopath will never use treatments that may create other conditions
- Treat the whole person — when preparing a treatment plan, all aspects of a person’s being are taken into consideration
- The physician is teacher — a Naturopath empowers the patient to take responsibility for his/her own health by teaching self-care
- Prevention is better than cure — a Naturopath may remove toxic substances and situations from a patient’s lifestyle to prevent the onset of further disease
Modern orthodox medicine, apart from its positive and beneficial attributes, does not subscribe to this idea of holism or to the importance of prevention. As long ago as the second century BC, the Yellow Emperor, in the Classic of Internal Medicine, said “A doctor who treats a disease after it has happened is a mediocre doctor, a doctor who treats a disease before it happens is a superior doctor”. Indeed, Chinese physicians were paid to keep their patients healthy and were dismissed or not paid if the patient became ill. This ensured a health system, not an ill-health system as we know it. Unfortunately this understanding has changed to be “wait until it is broken and then try to fix it”. This is not intelligent medicine.
Think of your Naturopath as your healthy lifestyle guru. I’ll tell you what to eat, how to sleep, maybe even what to wear! I’ll certainly tell you what you should have in your home and the things your home would definitely be better without. Of course it’s only good advice, what you do with it is up to you.
