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FAQ
Naturopathy
What is
Naturopathy?
Naturopathic medicine treats health conditions by utilizing
the body's inherent ability to heal. Naturopathic physicians aid the
healing process by incorporating a variety of alternative methods based
on the patient's individual needs. Diet, lifestyle, work and personal
history are all considered when determining a treatment regimen.
The spirit of Naturopathic medicine is reflected in the definition of
health advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) - "a state of
complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence
of infirmity." In fact, WHO, in a report on traditional medicine, has
recommended the integration of Naturopathic medicine into conventional
health care systems.
Naturopathic medicine is not a single modality of healing, but an array
of healing practices, including diet and clinical nutrition; homeopathy;
acupuncture; herbal medicine; hydrotherapy; therapeutic exercise; spinal
and soft-tissue manipulation; physical therapies involving electric
currents, ultrasound, and light therapy; therapeutic
counseling; and pharmacology.
Can it help me?
The healing power of nature is powerful: The body has
considerable power to heal itself, and the role of the Naturopathic
physician is to facilitate this natural process with the aid of natural,
nontoxic therapies.
Treat the cause rather than the effect: Naturopathic physicians seek the
underlying cause of a disease rather than simply suppressing the
symptoms. They avoid suppression of the natural healing wisdom of the
body, such as
fever and inflammation. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the
body's natural attempt to heal while the causes can spring from the
physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual levels.
Does it hurt?
First, do no harm: By employing safe and effective natural
therapies, naturopathic physicians are committed to the principle of
causing no harm the patient.
Is it safe?
Treat the whole person: The individual is viewed as a whole,
composed of a complex interaction of physical, mental/emotional,
spiritual, social, and other factors. This multifactorial approach
results in a therapeutic approach in which no disease is automatically
seen as incurable.
How long does it
take?
The physician is a teacher: Naturopathic physicians are
first and foremost teacher who educate empower, and motivate the patient
to assume more personal responsibility for his or her health by adopting
healthy attitude, lifestyle, and diet.
Prevention is the best cure: Naturopathic physicians are preventive
medicine specialists. Prevention of disease is accomplished through
education and a lifestyle that supports health.
Healing a chronic disease requires removal of the underlying cause. This
usually culminates in a return of an acute episode, called a "healing
crisis" or "reaction," a keynote of naturopathic medical theory.
After identifying, which conditions in the patient manifest in illness,
the naturopathic physician advises the patient on the methods most
appropriate for creating a return to health. Change in both dietary and
lifestyle will most likely be necessary. Homeopathy or acupuncture is
often used to stimulate recovery. Herbal medicines may be used as tonics
and nutritive agents to support and strengthen weakened systems, while
specific nutritional agents such as vitamin and mineral supplements and
glandular tissue extracts might also be utilized. Hydrotherapy and
various types of physical therapy and major emotional stresses be eased
could be required.
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