What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is the study of natural therapies encompassing many modalities or forms of treatment. A Naturopath will incorporate this with educating people to maintain a health state. Naturopathy works on the philosophy of looking for the cause of the disease state to bring about a permanent change and have the body return to its healthy state. From here it can maintain health rather than just making symptoms disappear. A Naturopath has completed 4 years full time study. The Naturopathic course is now a Bachelor Degree in Health Science and many supervised clinical hours within their training. Naturopathic courses do have government accreditation and in the near future registration may be granted. All naturopaths should also be a registered member of an accredited association like A.T.M.S or the like.
Naturopathic medicine (also known as naturopathy , or natural medicine ) is a complementary and alternative medicine which emphasizes the body's intrinsic ability to heal and maintain itself. Naturopaths prefer to use natural remedies such as herbs and foods rather than surgery or synthetic drugs. This does not mean that Naturopaths replace or disregard western medicine drugs, however in some cases utilizing natural remedies can actually lessen drug use or remove the need to take them. At times a Naturopath may recommend that you do utilize a Doctor as well depending on the disease state. Many naturopaths actually work in conjunction with Doctors and their medicine. Naturopathic practice includes many different modalities such as:- Homoeopathy, iridology, nutrition, massage, vitamins and minerals, herbs, to name a few.
History of naturopathic medicine Some see the ancient Greek "Father of Medicine", Hippocrates, as the first advocate of naturopathic medicine, before the term existed. However if we look back in history we can see the use of herbs dating centuries back. In fact a lot of modern day western drugs are based or are herbs used by a Naturopath as well.
In the USA , the term naturopathy was coined before 1900 by John Scheel, and used by Benedict Lust. Lust had been schooled in hydrotherapy and other natural health practices in Germany by Father Sebastian Kneipp, who sent Lust to the America to bring them Kneipp's methods. In 1905, Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy in New York the first naturopathic college in the United States . Lust took great strides in promoting the profession, culminating in passage of licensing laws in several states prior to 1935 and the founding of several naturopathic colleges.
Naturopathic medicine went into decline, along with most other natural health professions, after the 1930s, with the discovery of penicillin and advent of synthetic drugs such as antibiotics and corticosteroids. In the post-war era, Lust's death, conflict between various schools of natural medicine (homoeopathy, eclectics, physio-medicalism, herbalism, naturopathy, etc.), and the rise of medical technology were all contributing factors. In 1910, when the Flexner Report was published which criticized many aspects of medical education in various institutions (natural and conventional), it was mostly seen as an attack on low-quality natural medicine education. It caused many such programs to be shut down by the U.S. Government and contributed to the popularity of conventional medicine.
In Australia at present naturopathy is becoming more and more popular with even Chemists and Doctors recommending natural therapy products. In fact we have seen an increase of natural therapy products utilized and sold in Pharmacies.
Principles The philosophy of naturopathy is often described by six core values. Multiple versions exist in the form of the naturopathic doctor's oath, various mission statements published by schools or professional associations, and ethical conduct guidelines published by regulatory bodies: First, do no harm; provide the most effective health care available with the least risk to patients at all times ( Primum Non Nocere ).
- Recognize, respect and promote the self-healing power of nature inherent in each individual human being. ( Vis Medicatrix Naturae ).
- Identify and remove the causes of illness, rather than eliminate or suppress symptoms ( Tolle Causum ).
- Educate, inspire rational hope and encourage self-responsibility for health ( Doctor as Teacher ).
- Treat each person by considering all individual health factors and influences. ( Treat the Whole Person ).
- Emphasize the condition of health to promote well-being and to prevent diseases for the individual, each community and our world. ( Health Promotion, the Best Prevention )
A Naturopath will utilize a range of medicines depending on the complaint they have to work on. They utilize herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, homoeopathy, iridology, nutrition, massage and body work, flower essences, gem essences, compound formulas which involve a combination of all these in a tablet or liquid and many other substances which are created by nature
There are many other modalities which a Naturopath may also utilize which may have been accredited during College and many that they have become accredited in after College. These include modalities like, Vega testing, N.A.E.T. hypnosis, Bowen therapy, Kinesiology, N.E.T, T.F.T etc etc.
Naturopathic medicine predates western medicine and in fact many of western medicine drugs are derived from herbs or constituents of herbs. The naturopath prefers to use the whole herb or substance as each chemical within the herb or substance works in synergy with the rest along with bodily functions.
Naturopaths are trained in utilizing blood tests and X-rays and often incorporate the use of these tests within a consultation. If you have already had them done, take them to the consultation. At times a Naturopath may request you return to your Doctor to have further tests done to aid in treatment for you.
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