Naturopathic medicine is a form of primary care that unifies modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural remedies. The primary focus is on disease prevention and health promotion, and the goal is to restore the body’s state of optimal health through natural and gentle remedies, and lifestyle changes centered on environment-based living.
Naturopathic medicine is either complimentary to conventional medicine, or in certain cases, offers alternatives. By choosing naturopathic medicine, it is possible to minimise negative side effects and also to reduce the number of visits to emergency hospital care.
Naturopathic medicine is very useful before and after surgery as it speeds recovery time and improves outcomes of surgery. It is useful as adjunctive therapy in many immune and stress related conditions such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, thryroid, etc. Advice is given on fertility coaching, natural pregnancy, stress reduction, cardiovascular health, and healthy aging. In addition, naturopathic medicine can be an important source of information for travel medicine, first aid and home remedies, drug interactions, and education for health and prevention.
A consultation includes a detailed initial visit whereby the totality of the symptoms present are assessed, and the physiological, genetic, structural, psychological, spiritual, and environmental effects associated with health and well-being are evaluated.
The principles of naturopathic medicine include:
- First, do no harm
- Healing power of nature
- Treat the root cause
- Treat the whole person
- Doctor as teacher
- Preventative medicine is the best medicine
Homeopathy: non-toxic medicine from natural sources. Homeopathy elicits a healing reaction in the body. It is based on the philosophy of medicine discovered by Physician Samuel Hahnemann, that like cures like, and that diluted medicines are gentle on the body and favor effective recovery rather than suppression.
Homeopathy also acts to de-sensitize the immune system while improving its response in viral and bacterial infections.
Homeopathy stimulates the body to heal more quickly, gently, and effectively from the recovery of ailments. It encourages a positive response to stress that eliminates suppression.
Effective for both acute and chronic conditions. Acts as both treatment and prevention (homeoprophylaxis). For physical as well as mental and emotional conditions.
Diet and lifestyle: all round prevention. Certain foods have unique medicinal properties. Certain diets are beneficial for certain conditions. Lifestyle modification can be helpful for immune-related conditions. Behavior and lifestyle also reflects responses to stress.
Clinical nutrition: certain high-dose vitamins, minerals, and amino acids have been proven clinically to be effective for certain conditions.
Botanical medicine: pharmacological and energetic properties of plants elicits a healing reaction. Many medications are derived from plant sources.
Chinese medicine: ancient method of medicine based on observation, signs and symptoms. Derived from the yin and yang theory. Therapies include shiatsu massage, acupuncture, chinese herbal medicine, and diet based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Acupuncture: the stimulation of “qi” or energy. Our body has an energetic network, similar to the nerves and circulatory system, that has specific points on the body that are linked to internal organs. These are meridians. Similar to highways, when the meridians become blocked or congested, the energy does not flow and pathology results. Acupuncture releases these blockages. From a medical point of view, acupuncture has been shown to stimulate certain areas of the brain, and release endorphins and other pain-inhibiting substances. There is considerable evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture.
Hydrotherapy: the use of water and changes in water temperature to stimulate the immune, circulatory, and lymphatic system. There are many home remedies and techniques that are very effective for both treatment and prevention.
Infrared sauna: light therapy for weigth loss, detoxification, cancer, and high cholesterol.
Bio-ocular iontophoresis: treatment for multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy.
