Naturopathy
Nature’s best medicines; sunshine, water, fresh air, a good diet, adequate rest, and exercise are indispensable tools for maintaining health and wellness. However, due to our modern lifestyles and natural predispositions, we sometimes need additional support.
A Naturopath uses evidence based naturopathic medicine (EBM) to bring the body back into balance. EBM is the integration of the best available research evidence, clinical expertise and patient preferences. Research shows that the implementation of EBM, i.e. evidence based practice, results in better patient care and patient outcomes, as well as greater satisfaction of treatment by both patients and healthcare practitioners.
The Naturopathic toolkit includes dietetic, nutritional, herbal and lifestyle medicines to break the cycle of chronic illness, and bring the body back to balance.
Herbal Medicine
Herbs that are used in medicine contain an array of active constituents that have a known physiological effect on the body. The active constituents of the herbs are extracted and stabilised in powder, tablet, capsule or liquid form. These medicines are highly concentrated and often standardised.
Naturopaths love prescribing liquid herbs! Liquid herbs can be easily blended, thus allowing a Naturopath to create a custom blend of herbs to address the nuances of each individual’s presentation.
Dietetic Medicine
Generally, the Naturopathic diet includes whole foods, with a focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients. However, as with all elements of Naturopathic treatment, there is no ‘one size fits all.’ Dietary advice is tailored to each individual’s history, background and genetics.
Nutritional Medicine
Nutrients may be prescribed to correct nutritional deficiencies, which are usually identified through laboratory testing. Nutrients may also be used therapeutically. This requires dosage at a therapeutic level that is often far higher than the recommended daily intake. Over the counter multi-vitamins generally don’t contain a sufficient dose to have a therapeutic effect.
Naturopaths use practitioner only, high quality nutrients and nutraceuticals to ensure that you receive the sufficient dose in correct form to match your individual needs. To ensure safety and efficacy, these supplements need to be prescribed by a qualified Naturopath.
Lifestyle Medicine
A Naturopathic treatment plan will almost always include lifestyle recommendations. That’s because Naturopathy is a holistic medicine that takes mind, body and spirit into account.
Have you noticed that your physical symptoms flare up when your stressed or sad? Perhaps you’ve noticed that chronic pain dissipates when you’re engaged in an activity that you enjoy?
Your mind isn’t separate from your body, nor are your emotions from your symptoms.
There’s no denying that impact that stress can have on our health. Common physical symptoms of stress include headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and depression. Chronic stress can lead to behavioural changes, such as over or under eating, increasing alcohol consumption and social withdrawal.
Naturopathic lifestyle and wellness techniques aim to alleviate stress, improve mental resilience and increase positive emotions.
Some examples of lifestyle and wellness techniques include good quality sleep, spending time in nature, moving your body and practicing mindfulness.
No one size fits all
Naturopathic treatment is individualistic. There’s no ‘one size fits all.’ A Naturopath will spend time during your consult analysing your healthy history, family history, symptoms, diet and lifestyle, and make recommendations tailored to your individual needs.
Conditions commonly treated by Naturopaths
- Digestive issues
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, NAFLD, metabolic syndrome
- Hormonal conditions such as PCOS, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, fertility, hypogonadism
- Autoimmune conditions
- Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and insomnia
- Allergies, hay fever & immune deficiency
- Stress management, fatigue, burnout
- Weight loss
- Skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis
- Children and adolescent health
Why Naturopathy
Nearly half of Australians live with one or more chronic health conditions. This percentage has been slowly increasing over the last 50 years. As a holistic and functional system of medicine, Naturopathy can address the nuances and individual nature of chronic conditions.
Fortunately, Naturopaths have an extensive toolkit that allows management, prevention, and in some cases remission from chronic conditions. It is a natural therapy that works in conjunction with conventional medicine, not against it. This ensures that you can receive the best possible care from your team of health professionals.
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