Why would you visit a Naturopath?

Why would you visit a Naturopath?

Article by Dieter Luske N.D.-D.C.H.-D.M.H.-D.H

Author of It happened in the seventies

"Why would anyone visit a Naturopath"; biased skeptics against natural therapies would ask.

NOTE: First of all, make sure your Naturopath is accredited with a recognised Australian Association like ATMS

The answer is comparable simple: "to improve or support ones health, as well as for active prevention".

To put this simple statement into perspective, lets first look at some facts.

1. World Health Organisations, WHO Constitution: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

2. The Medical System is providing absolute essential treatments, no doubt, we can't and we definitely don't want to be without it.

3. The Medical System is not "Effective"however at providing: "complete physical, mental and social well-being".
   If it would, and hopefully it will in the future, we would be all much healthier.

4. Naturopathy "specifically" can provide that missing link in healthcare, by supporting; "complete physical, mental and social well-being".

5. Qualified Naturopaths are well equipped with a supportive "philosophy", as well as "scientific evidence" to improve someone's overall health.[1-2-3]

But the elephant is still in the room; "Why would anyone visit a Naturopath".

The answer is provided by the medical system's failure to provide what is missing.

70 to 80% of people visiting a Naturopath, do so, because they did not get proper answers to their questions and concerns about their problems, and further more, no "specific" answers of what they can do, to improve their health or situation from their GP, their Doctor. Patients within the medical system are mostly made passive bystanders in their own health, taking their prescriptions, and keep doing so, as most drug treatments are "maintenance" treatments.

People visit Naturopath because:

1. People like to take a more active role in improving their own health.

2. People are aware, there must be more to healthcare than waiting for a disease to manifest, or get worse.

3. People who are treated within the medical system, want to have answers to improve their health and prevent disease.

4. People with health issues, which can not be classified or diagnosed as a treatable disease, want active preventative health boosting answers.
   In the words of a medical doctor; "we are not good at treating functional conditions".

5. And yes, there are many people who want to take "responsibility" for their own health, and they will be seeking lifestyles advice and active preventation.

Medical scenarios:

You have visited your trusted GP, and you have been cleared of possible serious diseases, but you are still not feeling well .... Now What?

You are considering visiting a Naturopath (good on you :-)

You know that Naturopathic (ND) practitioners, are educated well, including science, and have attended 4 years naturopathic studies. You also like their holistic approach to healing and prevention, as well as lifestyle recommendation.

Naturopaths are focusing on treating a problem's underlying cause.

By example:

Patients with high Blood Pressure or type 2 Diabetes definitely benefit from weight loss, regular exercise, and, of course, a healthy diet. Naturopaths will help patients map out a plan or strategy to achieve a positive outcome.

Constant DIGESTIVE type of problems anyone? Your GP can't help you with that? Tests showed no "disease"..... Now What?

Naturopath are really good at all digestive disturbances. Actually, the digestive tract is one of naturopathic's main focus. And over the last few years, more scientific evidence is showing amazing insides into all kind of diseases, which may have their origin within the digestive tract.

In fact, most over the counter "medicines for indigestion, heartburn, etc", may do you more harm in the long term than good. These type of functional problems can be helped with proper naturopathic care. Yes, Naturopathy and it's possibilities are exciting. Treatment strategies, based on nutritional guidelines can achieve complete cures for most functional digestive problems.

Anxiety, depression and stress [1].. NOW WHAT?

Other health conditions in epidemic proportions which respond well to Naturopathic care are; anxiety - depression and stress. Is your GP sitting down with you and teaches you stress management or supports you with evidence based herbal remedies? Yes? Fantastic, you seem to be consulting a holistic GP, stay with them. Otherwise see a Naturopath.

In case of CANCER, whatever you do to help yourself, always consult your Medical Doctor.

Naturopaths don't treat Cancer. [5]

Naturopaths are good at supporting your health, and your system to help you to overcome your cancer, or help you to overcome side effects of conventional cancer therapy, such as nausea, no appetite, no energy, depression, stress and so forth. Naturopaths can support to optimise conventional treatments.

Patients are more likely to have a positive outcome with their prescribed medical regimen, if they are supported by a Naturopath in their health as well as their attitude towards treatment."

Placebo

Naturopathy is often accused of only providing "Placebo Effect" like therapies. And yes, to a certain part that is true, and even more important, that should be always the way.

A "placebo" like effect should be encouraged to be achieved by all practitioners to enhance the rest of their treatment.

A "placebo" is also real, as it is a stimulus for Brain Plasticity.

If a patient is reacting positively to a placebo like therapy, their system will be in a much better position to overcome cancer, than a patient who is negatively resisting chemo therapy.

Where else would you go to "boost your "Health and General Wellbeing', if not to a Naturopath?

You do not need to be sick or have an illness in order to visit a Naturopath.

If you are healthy, and would like to find, how to be actively involved into your own health, you can visit a Naturopath for advice.

If "to boost your health" is what is needed, what could a Medical Doctor do?
Probably nothing, in order to treat a Doctor waits till you have a treatable condition, or give you some general advice, such as: "watch your diet - do more exercise", which is nice, but doesn't do anything.

Naturopathy offers a Holistic approach to health care, addressing the entire person, including physical ailments as well as any mental or emotional issues.

After identifying, addressing and constructively rectifying the cause of the symptoms, the patient will feel better and the illness will less likely return once treatment has stopped.

A Naturopath will follow a similar consulting approach as a GP, but will be able to spend more time with the patient to take a detailed medical history, and may even order a series of laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. However, as most patients present with a medical diagnosis confirmed by their GP, the Naturopath may use a set of different diagnostic techniques to determine the underlying cause of the patients concern.

Naturopaths, "naturally" and philosophically have a different perspective to the way they view the presenting condition, the body and the person.

Misconceptions about Naturopathy

Naturopathy can be divided into; Naturopathic Philosophy and Naturopathic Treatments.

Most misconceptions are "Opinions" and Assumptions" relating to the Naturopathic Philosophy, rather than the actual treatment.

Whenever you hear a "critic" complain that there is no evidence, they are talking about the "Naturopathic Philosophy".

Typical critic:

• There is no evidence that naturopathic treatment is improving health. That in fact, is just a general opinion. In order to qualify such a statement, one would have to "specify" a naturopathic treatment.
  If you specify, and say, there is no evidence that diet can improve health, than the critic would be obviously wrong.

• There is no evidence that naturopathic treatment can treat cancer. Obviously not, because Naturopaths don't treat cancer, and even more general, Naturopaths are not treating diseases, they in fact provide treatment or therapy to boost ones health, in order to"overcome the disease.

• None of the naturopathic treatments has any evidence. This is obviously wrong as well, all Naturopathic therapeutic agents are scientifically validated to have a curative or a supportive role in human or animal health, including; Vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, pro-biotic's, botanical and herbal remedies, specific foods and super foods.
  

Article by: Dieter Luske - Editor for useNature.com

* Disclaimer - Any general advice given in any article should not be relied upon and should not be taken as a substitute for visiting a qualified medical Doctor. 

References:

1. Anxiety-related disorders - 24 studies that investigated five different CAM mono therapies : Passionflower - Kava - St John's wort - Lysine - Magnesium-
   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmcarticles.htmPMC2959081/

2. Top five reasons why you should visit a naturopath - Community Care Chemist
3. Better Health - Naturopathy is a holistic approach to wellness. - Victoria State Government
4. War against natural medicine ( ABC The Drum).
5. Cancer Council - Complementary and alternative therapies - may be used together with conventional medical treatments to support and enhance your quality of life and well-being. They do not aim to cure the person’s cancer. Instead they are used to help control symptoms such as pain and fatigue.