Naturopathy
Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, is a system of medicine based on the healing power of nature. Naturopathy is a holistic system, meaning that naturopathic doctors strive to find the cause of disease by understanding the body, mind, and spirit of the person.
There are two areas of focus in naturopathy: one is supporting the body's own healing abilities, and the other is empowering people to make lifestyle changes necessary for the best possible health. While naturopathic doctors treat both short bouts of illness and chronic conditions, their emphasis is on preventing disease and educating patients.
What should I expect from a visit to a naturopath?
A visit to Women’s Health, Naturally’s degree qualified naturopathic doctors, will be similar to a visit to your family doctor. Your first visit may take more than an hour. Your naturopath will take a very thorough history, asking about your diet, lifestyle, stress, and environmental exposures. Next, a physical examination, which may require laboratory tests. In addition to conventional tests, our naturopaths may use unique specialist laboratory techniques.
Naturopathic doctors treat the whole person, (rather than only treating a disease or its symptoms), aiming to help our patients maintain a balanced state of good health. This means we consider a variety of factors before we diagnose an illness. We will look at your mental, emotional, and spiritual state; your diet; your family history; your environment; and your lifestyle before making a diagnosis.
Some of the more common treatments used by our naturopaths include:
- Nutritional counselling
- Herbal medicine
- Homeopathic medicine
- Detoxification -- This therapy removes toxins from the body by following a special eating programme, taking herbal medicines and drinking lots of water.
- Spirituality -- Personal spiritual development is encouraged as part of an overall health program.
- Lifestyle and psychological counselling
Our naturopaths consider you to be participants in your health care, so you may be asked to make lifestyle changes (such as changing your sleeping, eating, and exercise habits).
What illnesses and conditions respond well to naturopathic medicine?
Naturopaths treat both acute and chronic conditions including all aspects of preventative and natural health. Our naturopaths specialize in health care for women and use effective treatment strategies to treat:
- Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
- painful or heavy menstruation
- Endometriosis
- PMS
- Infertility
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
As well as general health issues:
- Weight problems
- Diabetes
- Stress, anxiety
- Insomnia
- Problem skin
- Digestive disorders (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Healthy ageing
While firmly science-based, modern naturopathic medicine also preserves the centuries-old wisdom of successful natural therapies. Your naturopathic doctor will take the time to listen and to get to know you as a whole person. As a partner in your own health care, you will play an integral role in making decisions about your treatment.
Meet our Naturopathic doctors:
