Naturopathy is a system of healthcare that incorporates a range of natural therapies, which collectively assist in the prevention and management of illness and disease, or in other words, maintaining optimal health and wellbeing.
There are six core principles of Naturopathic medicine, which are:
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The healing power of nature - this generally refers to the use of food and its nutrients, herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes that can lead to an improvement in an individual's health and wellbeing.
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First do no harm - a Naturopath will ensure that all treatments aim to maintain and/or improve an individual’s current health. If a patient requires more specific or advanced medical care, a Naturopath will always refer that patient to an appropriate healthcare practitioner.
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Find and treat the cause - rather than suppressing just the symptoms, a Naturopath will take a thorough case history to ensure that whenever possible, the naturopathic treatment addresses any potential causes of illness/disease.
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Treat the whole person - this can be applied in a number of ways. For example, not simply focusing on just the physical body, but also taking into consideration a patient’s psychological and emotional health. Another example, is addressing all body systems that may be playing a role in a particular condition.
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Education - a Naturopath aims to educate their clients on what is going on in their body, and how particular nutrients, diet and lifestyle changes, or herbal medicines may help.
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Prevention - by implementing certain diet and lifestyle strategies, or using specific nutritional and herbal medicine, a Naturopath can help guide a very specific treatment plan for an individual in order to prevent illness and disease that they may be particularly susceptible to, or prevent the worsening of a condition that has been previously diagnosed.
Through drawing on these six foundations of Naturopathic Medicine, and combining them with modern scientific research and knowledge, a Naturopath offers individuals a comprehensive and integrative approach to their healthcare needs. Common health concerns that a Naturopath may be able to assist with include gastrointestinal disorders, hormonal dysregulation, heart conditions, diabetes, weight loss, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
Check out http://www.integratedwellnessclinic.com.au/what-is-a-naturopath/ to understand more.
