What is naturopathy?
Naturopathy, frequently called naturopathic medicine, is a system of primary medical treatment and healthcare that maintains the body has an innate ability to heal itself, if correctly cared for. It is a holistic system which believes that good health is not the same as the absence of disease and that promoting a general state of wellbeing through dietary principles, lifestyle, exercise and other techniques is an effective way to manage our physiological systems. Naturopathy can be effective for a wide range of acute or chronic medical conditions as well as a general practice for living well. It draws on a wide range of therapeutic disciplines – known as “modalities” – and avoids surgery and excessive medication. A naturopath will instead use gentle but effective techniques to seek to bring an ill or injured patient back to his or her natural, innate state of good health.
What treatments might a naturopath use?
What can I expect from a naturopath?
The principal modalities of naturopathy are nutrition and dietetics, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy counselling and choosing a healthy lifestyle, a cornerstone of potential wellbeing. In addition to this, a naturopath might also employ techniques drawn from different but related disciplines such as homeopathy or herbalism. A naturopath could use any arrangement of these modalities, depending on the patient and the condition. The naturopath will always seek to find an effective way to promote the body’s natural wellbeing. You will usually have much more time with an osteopath than with your GP. Therefore, there will be time for you to fully explain your condition and for the practitioner to ask questions and make suggestions.
What are some of the philosophies behind naturopathy?
Naturopathy has three main guiding philosophies:
1. It embraces the healing power of nature and the body’s ability to heal itself.
2. It believes in the connection between the structural, biochemical and mental/emotional components of all individuals which is called the Triad of Health. If one of these components is disrupted, then the body will become imbalanced and might experience ill health or dis-ease.
3. Naturopathy believes that all individuals are unique and will respond differently to emotional, structural, nutritional, social or cultural influences and stimuli.
Additionally, a naturopath believes that the prevention of dis-ease is preferable for any patient and that the self-knowledge of the patient is an invaluable part of the treatment process.
What is dis-ease?
Naturopathy maintains that the human body is innately well. It is natural that we should have good health, that physically and emotionally we are “at ease”. Many therapies believe that illness and disease emerge when the body passes out of this innate wellbeing because of physical, nutritional, emotional or other factors. The body enters a state of imbalance and this often leads to ill health or “dis-ease”, the state of no longer being “at ease”. One of the primary goals of any naturopathic treatment is to restore the patient to their original and innate state of wellbeing through the appropriate treatments.
What is the history of naturopathy?
The origins of naturopathy can be found from the earliest recorded times including the teachings of Hippocrates. From19th-century Europe a German named Vincent Priessnitz developed the idea that a “nature cure” could be used to treat illness and injury, having observed how sick animals recovered from illness in the wild. He began the development of modern hydrotherapy. Another German, Johann Schroth, developed theories of clinical nutrition and his Scrothkur dry diet is still widely used in continental Europe as a treatment. These ideas travelled to America where naturopathy, and particularly hydrotherapy, was further developed by the Kellogg brothers, who developed their world-famous cornflakes as a nutritional aid. India has its own modern naturopathic tradition, of which Mahatma Gandhi was another celebrated exponent. In the first half of the 20th century, naturopathic ideas began to prosper in the UK. Its most influential exponent was Stanley Lief, who founded both the ground-breaking Champneys spa and the British College of Naturopathy which is now part of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.
How do I know my naturopath is safe?
How do I find a naturopath?
One of the main principles of naturopathy is “to do no harm”. Its modalities and treatments do not encourage the use of invasive or overly harsh practices. Naturopathy is a system that will suit anyone who wants a gentler, “whole-body” approach to well-being. Suitably qualified naturopaths are registered by the General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN) which sets standards of education and practical skills, and maintains and enforces a code of conduct. The GCRN website allows you to search for a registered naturopath near you.
How can I train to become a naturopath?
Naturopathy training in the UK is often closely associated with osteopathic training. The British College of Osteopathic Medicine, previously known as the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy, in London offers degrees which include a professional diploma in Naturopathy and allows graduates to practise both as a naturopath and an osteopath. The College’s courses are recommended by the GCRN and the British Naturopathic Association.
