What is Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a system of preventative and therapeutic medicine, which is based on the recognition that the body possesses an inherent ability to heal itself. The healthy body is capable of maintaining a harmonious existence within its environment. This state of equilibrium is subject to certain laws, the deviation from which results in disease, and the methods used by naturopaths are designed to restore and to promote the body’s own functional ability.
Principles of Naturopathy
Naturopathic treatment comprises nutrition and dietetics, fasting, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, counselling, relaxation, and rest in order to promote the body’s inherent self-healing mechanisms. It considers the physical, biochemical, and psychological aspects of the person as an individual within his or her environment.
What to expect from Naturopathy
The Naturopath uses orthodox medical methods of diagnosis, together with a physical examination for structural problems, and nutritional and lifestyle assessments to arrive at a diagnosis from which to formulate a treatment plan.
The core naturopathic modalities are:
- Clinical dietetics and applied nutrition
- Detoxification techniques
- Hydrotherapy
- Physical Therapy e.g. osteopathy, naturopathic physical manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, massage and other soft tissue techniques
- Psychotherapeutic techniques
- Lifestyle advice
- Medical Herbalism
- Homeopathy