Naturopathy
Our Naturopaths:
Fiona Passey ND, DO
Julien Prosnier BSc (Hons) Ost
Rachel Douglas ND, BSc (Hons) Ost
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy, frequently called naturopathic medicine, is a system of primary medical treatment and healthcare that maintains the body has an innate ability to heal itself, if correctly cared for and providing that it is offered the kind of conditions that will allow the healing process to begin.
For example, naturopaths believe that, in order to heal, the body, mind and spirit need rest, relaxation and sleep, a correct and well-balanced diet and the opportunity to eliminate toxins from the system.
In addition, rather than looking for a cure for symptoms such as, say, lower back pain or constant headaches, a naturopath will aim to identify the root cause of the symptoms and then look for ways to restore the client’s overall balance, harmony and health.
It is a holistic system which believes that good health is not the same as the absence of disease and that promoting a general state of wellbeing through dietary principles, lifestyle, exercise and other techniques is an effective way to manage our physiological systems.
Naturopathy can be effective for a wide range of acute or chronic medical conditions as well as a general practice for living well. It draws on a wide range of therapeutic disciplines – known as “modalities” – and avoids surgery and excessive medication.
A naturopath will instead use gentle but effective techniques to seek to bring an ill or injured patient back to his or her natural, innate state of good health.
What is the history of Naturopathy?
The principles of Naturopathy were first used by the Hippocratic School of Medicine in about 400B.C. The Greek philosopher Hippocrates believed in viewing the whole person in regards to finding a cause of 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 the 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 as 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
From19th-century Europe a German named Vincent Priessnitz developed the idea that a “nature cure” could be used to treat illness and injury, having observed how sick animals recovered from illness in the wild. He then began the development of modern hydrotherapy.
Another German, Johann Schroth, developed theories of clinical nutrition and his Scrothkur dry diet is still widely used in continental Europe as a treatment. These ideas travelled to America where naturopathy, and particularly hydrotherapy, was further developed by the Kellogg brothers, who developed their world famous cornflakes as a nutritional aid. India has its own modern naturopathic tradition, of which Mahatma Gandhi was another celebrated exponent.
In the first half of the 20th century, naturopathic ideas began to prosper in the UK. Its most influential exponent was Stanley Lief, who founded both the ground-breaking Champneys spa and the British College of Naturopathy which is now part of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.
What are the benefits?
Naturopathy aims to clear and cleanse the body through a range of natural interventions such as diet and the use of nutritional supplements. It is a natural, non-invasive therapy.
What can Naturopathy help with?
Naturopathy can be used on a wide range of conditions
- Degenerative & Long term conditions such as arthritis
- Lack of energy
- High Blood pressure
- PMT and Menopause
- Allergies
- Digestive problems (including irritable bowel syndrome)
- Gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers
- Skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema
And many other ailments, if yours is not listed here then contact us for more information
What treatments might a Naturopath use?
The principal modalities of naturopathy are nutrition and dietetics, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy counselling and choosing a healthy lifestyle, a cornerstone of potential wellbeing. In addition to this, a naturopath might also employ techniques drawn from different but related disciplines such as homeopathy or herbalism. A naturopath could use any arrangement of these modalities, depending on the patient and the condition. The naturopath will always seek to find an effective way to promote the body’s natural wellbeing.
What is Naturopathic Nutrition?
Naturopathic Nutrition stresses the use of whole and organic foods as medicine - an integral concept of healing in many indigenous societies. Today, we see that a return to chemical-free foods, along with other dietary measures, is an effective answer to many health complaints and common conditions.
Thousands of years ago, master healers in China perceived a way to classify food and disease according to simple, easily observed patterns; one eats cooling foods for overheated conditions, and warming foods are best for people who feel cold. Detoxifying foods are for those who carry an excess of toxins, and building foods are good for deficiencies, and so on.
The traditional Chinese and East Indian Ayurvedic systems have been used with pinpoint accuracy to diagnose disease conditions, and to categorise foods as medicine.
What does Naturopathic treatment involve?
- An initial consultation with a naturopath will take 50 to 60 minutes
- The naturopath will take a thorough medical history and details of the client’s working and personal lifestyle, exercise, sleeping, eating and drinking habits
- The practitioner may also carry out a routine medical examination on the fully-clothed client, which might include taking the client’s blood pressure, checking pulse and reflexes and testing joint mobility
- Each treatment is individually designed to meet the specific needs of the client and may involve, for example, recommended dietary changes, alternate hot and cold baths or showers, saunas or steam baths, enemas or colonic irrigation, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques
- In some cases, the naturopath may recommend a period of fasting which might involve, for example, a three-day fast with only water or fruit juice to drink. The key aim of the naturopath is to help the client to eliminate toxins from the body, thus allowing the body to re-balance, repair and heal itself.
What are some of the philosophies behind Naturopathy?
Naturopathy has three main guiding philosophies:
- It embraces the healing power of nature and the body’s ability to heal itself.
- It believes in the connection between the structural, biochemical and mental/emotional components of all individuals which is called the Triad of Health. If one of these components is disrupted, then the body will become imbalanced and might experience ill health or disease.
- Naturopathy believes that all individuals are unique and will respond differently to emotional, structural, nutritional, social or cultural influences and stimuli.
Additionally, a naturopath believes that the prevention of diesease is preferable for any patient and that the self-knowledge of the patient is an invaluable part of the treatment process.
What is disease?
Naturopathy maintains that the human body is innately well. It is natural that we should have good health, that physically and emotionally we are “at ease”. Many therapies believe that illness and disease emerge when the body passes out of this innate wellbeing because of physical, nutritional, emotional or other factors. The body enters a state of imbalance and this often leads to ill health or “disease”, the state of no longer being “at ease”.
One of the primary goals of any naturopathic treatment is to restore the patient to their original and innate state of wellbeing through the appropriate treatments.
What happens during your Naturopathic Consultation?
Nutrition and lifestyle changes are the foundation of naturopathic therapy.
- As a naturopath I will educate you about why disease can occur, and will teach you how to maintain good health
- We will discuss your health concerns and what you would like to achieve
- I will then look at your medical history, diet and lifestyle to find the possible causes of your health problems
- All information is confidential
- You will receive a tailor-made programme based on nutritional and lifestyle changes, often with supplement recommendations
- I may arrange laboratory tests for you, if required
- Naturopathic Nutrition initiates change and healing within the body. When you come back for a follow-up consultation, we will take these changes into consideration and your programme will evolve to suit your current health.
How does it work?
Naturopathy is a complete system of healthcare which aims to help the client to eliminate waste products and toxins and then, by making appropriate lifestyle changes, give the body the opportunity to heal itself. Naturopathy is based on three guiding principles:
- The body has a natural drive to heal itself.
- The root cause of disease is an accumulation of waste products and toxins.
- The body will heal providing it is given the right kinds of opportunities.
What are the side effects and when should it be avoided?
Some clients report short-lived unpleasant side effects as a result of making significant changes to their diet (such as avoiding coffee, tea, sugar, alcohol or fatty, processed foods). When consulting a naturopath, do make sure that you continue with any prescribed medication. If fasting or a restricted diet is prescribed by the naturopath, make sure that your progress is closely supervised and monitored by the practitioner.
Our Naturopaths and your GP?
You will usually have much more time with a Naturopath/Osteopath than with your GP. Therefore, there will be time for you to fully explain your condition and for the practitioner to ask questions and make suggestions. If a Practitioner believes that your problem is beyond their remit as a Naturopath/Osteopath, you will be referred back to your GP!
