Find
a Naturopath
Naturopathy
What Is It?
How Does It Work?
What Happens During Treatment?
What Is It Used For?
Side Effects/Cautions
Recommended Books
What Is It?
Naturopathy is a holistic system of medicine that integrates a
range of natural therapies. It is based on common-sense practices
of good nutrition, getting plenty of fresh air, exercise and rest,
and a positive attitude. It is also based on the belief that the
body has an innate ability to heal itself. Naturopathy aims to
harness the healing powers of nature, rather than drugs or surgery,
to treat the whole person.
Naturopathy is one of the oldest forms of medicine,
dating back to the simple nature cures used by the
ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Indians. The term “naturopathy” however,
(combining the terms “nature cure” and “homoeopathy”)
wasn’t coined until the late 19th century, when
a “back to nature” movement developed in
reaction to some of the disturbing medical practices
at that time, and the dirt and disease caused by the
Industrial Revolution. The founder of naturopathy as
a modern therapy is thought to be German doctor Benedict
Lust, who emigrated to the United States and founded
the first school of naturopathic medicine in New York
in 1902.
How Does It Work?
Naturopaths use a wide variety of natural, non-invasive remedies
such as herbal medicines, dietary supplements, homoeopathy, acupuncture,
detoxification, osteopathy and massage, and provide advice on
nutrition, exercise and other lifestyle changes to help prevent
illness and aid the body to heal itself.
Naturopaths follow six basic principles:
1) First do no harm. Remedies chosen are non-toxic and non-invasive
and should not suppress symptoms without treating the underlying
cause of symptoms.
2) Nature has the power the heal. Advocates of naturopathy believe
the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and the role of
the naturopath is to help remove obstacles to the healing process.
3) Treat the cause not the effect. Naturopaths try to find and
treat the underlying causes of illness rather than suppress symptoms.
4) Treat the whole person. Every aspect of a person - emotional,
mental, spiritual and physical - is taken into account when treating
and preventing illness.
5) The physician is a teacher. Naturopaths aim to educate their
patients about healthy diet and lifestyle, and encourage these
practices to promote wellbeing.
6) Prevention is the best cure. Maintaining a healthy environment
for the body is the most effective way to prevent illness.
Naturopaths treat each person as a unique individual,
taking into account their environment, genetics, lifestyle,
and mental and emotional aspects, to tailor a treatment
that’s best for them.
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What Happens During
Treatment?
Naturopathic practitioners fit into two main groups: naturopathic
physicians, who have had extensive biomedical training, and “traditional
naturopaths” who offer advice on diet and lifestyle. Their
methods of diagnosis and treatment vary accordingly. During your
first visit, all naturopaths will take a detailed medical history
and ask about your diet, lifestyle and emotional health. A naturopathic
physician may conduct a physical exam and arrange for laboratory
tests or x-rays.
Your naturopath will then design an individualised
treatment plan which may include changes in your lifestyle
(e.g., giving up smoking, exercising regularly), homoeopathic
remedies, herbal medicines, dietary restrictions or
fasting, massage or other physical therapies, counselling
or other stress reducing therapies, dietary supplementation
or detoxification therapy (see separate entries for
these therapies).
Sessions will last around 30-45 minutes, and the number
of sessions needed will depend on your condition. It
is important to keep in mind that naturopathy is a
gentle form of therapy and many of the treatments recommended
work slowly.
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What Is It Used
For?
The various methods of treatment used by naturopaths have been
shown to be helpful for treating heart disease, muscle and joint
problems, digestive disorders, urinary and prostate disorders,
migraine headaches, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, asthma,
allergies, chemical sensitivities, pain and many other ailments
. Diet and lifestyle changes recommended by naturopaths also have
lasting benefits in the prevention of diseases.
Side Effects/Cautions
Naturopathy mostly uses gentle, non-invasive treatments that are
designed to do no harm, however, caution should be taken with
some herbal remedies, especially if you are pregnant or are taking
conventional medication.
Any dietary restrictions, detoxification, or fasting
treatments a naturopath recommends should be discussed
with your conventional doctor or a qualified nutritionist.
These treatments should be avoided by the elderly,
weak and very young, and those with conditions like
diabetes, which require special diets. Even healthy
people can experience unpleasant symptoms during the
initial stages of detoxification or fasting, as the
liver and kidneys become overloaded with the release
of toxins.
See side effects and cautions under separate entries
for other therapies recommended by naturopaths.
Using naturopathic remedies without consulting a conventional
doctor could allow serious medical conditions to go
undiagnosed.
References
Find
a Naturopath
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Recommended
Books
Prices are in US Dollars
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Encyclopedia of Natural
Medicine, Revised Second Edition
Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno
The perfect balance between the latest research
and age-old wisdom. This completely revised
and expanded second edition of the classic
reference work arms you with the latest information
on the extraordinary healing powers of natural
medicine. Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno,
two of the most trusted naturopathic doctors
in the world, have teamed up once again to
bring you cutting-edge natural remedies for
the most common ailments.
Easy to understand, a pleasure to read, yet scientifically
well researched and documented, this is your complete health
adviser to the natural approach to over 70 diseases, from
arthritis to varicose veins. In addition, this life-long
reference offers important information on:
• The four cornerstones of good health and how to achieve them
• How to enhance your body's key systems
• How to promote good health and increase longevity
Authoritative and up to date, the Encyclopedia of Natural
Medicine is the essential medical reference no home should
be without.
Learn
more...
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Prescription for Natural Cures : A
Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems
with Natural Remedies Including Diet and Nutrition,
Nutritional Supplements, Bodywork, and More
James Balch, Mark Stengler
The new natural health bible for the twenty-first
century.
Dr. James Balch coauthored Prescription
for Nutritional Healing, which became the first major
popular guide to the healing power of foods and nutritional
supplements, selling more than 8 million copies in all its
editions. Now, Dr. Balch and Dr. Mark Stengler present a
new natural health resource that you can’t afford to
be without–a comprehensive reference of natural remedies
for common ailments, including: acne • allergies • arthritis • asthma • back
pain • cancer • depression • fibromyalgia • heart
disease • hypothyroidism • influenza • irritable
bowel syndrome • menopause • osteoporosis • stroke • Syndrome
X • varicose veins, and more–almost 200 health
problems and conditions in all.
Prescription for Natural Cures provides a complete natural
Rx for each condition, giving you a proven, natural, customized
prescription that may include supplements, herbal medicine,
homoeopathy, aromatherapy, Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy,
bodywork, natural hormones, and other natural cures in addition
to nutritional advice. Organized by problem from A to Z,
this invaluable guide features:
• The unique Super Seven Prescriptions for each condition, which provide
specific and practical remedies to help heal your problem. You have never seen
natural health advice as helpful, targeted, and accessible as this
• Clear, authoritative guidance on dietary changes, healing foods, nutritional
supplements, and recommended tests
• Easy-to-understand discussions of the symptoms and root causes of each
health problem
• Down-to-earth descriptions of each natural remedy
• A resource guide to holistic practitioners
This breakthrough book is an indispensable resource if you
want to get better - naturally.
Learn
more...
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Natural Medicine First Aid Remedies:
Self-Care Treatments for 100+ Common Conditions
Stephanie Marohn
Consumers seeking a solid home health guide
to natural remedies will find here a virtual
'bible' of information from how to treat burns
and cramps to handling a toothache or nail
problems. Each condition outlines several alternative
treatment choices, from oils and flower essences
to food therapy, herbal medicine and nutritional
substitutes.
Learn
more...
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