Naturopathy

Origins and historical development :

Naturopathy essentially refers to living a balanced, healthy lifestyle while helping the body’s own vital force remain in equilibrium. If illness occurs, natural remedies and treatments are used to stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal itself; with great importance being placed on diet, massage, hydrotherapy and psychosomatics. These principles are not new revelations; but can actually be traced back to the work of Hippocrates in the 5th Century.

The relaxing European Spa culture in the 19th Century was based around the essence of modern day naturopathy; but the phrase wasn’t actually coined until 1895 by John Scheel, while the following year Benedict Lust established the New York school of naturopathy teaching his health philosophy of changing one’s approach to eliminating bad habits and instead acquiring good habits. For example, cutting out excessive alcohol consumption, eating wholesome foods and taking up yoga. Henry Lindlahr then expanded on these foundations with his core principles: First, do no harm, prevent rather than cure, embrace nature’s innate healing powers, take an holistic approach for health, treat the root cause of disease rather than just the symptoms; and finally, to teach and to share.

Naturopathy paled with the advent of Western conventional medicine in the 1900’s, but it is becoming increasingly popular again all over the world; as we realise high levels of stress, pollution, lack of exercise and processed foods are adversely affecting us by allowing toxins to build up in the body and rock the inner state of equilibrium necessary for good health.

What to expect during a treatment :

The first session will typically last up to an hour while the practitioner takes a detailed personal case history of the client, a brief medical history of the family and completes a physical examination around blood pressure and heart rate, etc. A treatment regime will then be devised around the particular condition(s) to be addressed; and the client may then also be asked to keep a record of diet, activity and resultant effects for discussion at future consultations.

Typical treatments may include periods of fasting, exercise advice, help with relaxation, and recommendations for alternative and complementary therapies such as hydrotherapy and reflexology; and guidance for self-help. A client may only need a couple of weekly sessions to start feeling better, although some may choose to have on-going regular advice from a naturopath for particular conditions or just maintaining good health as a way of life.

Conditions suitable for treatment :

An holistic approach to general health and well-being, naturopathy is often used to help with allergies, respiratory conditions (including asthma), depression, stress (including PMS), migraines, digestive problems and skin complaints.