What is Naturopathy and how can it benefit your health?

One of the most common questions I get asked is "What is a Naturopath?" and I get it there is very mixed information out there about what exactly a Naturopath is, what we do and how we can benefit your health. So, I thought a blog would be the easiest way for me to answer all of the above, plus add a bit more information about how I personally work and what areas of health are some of my favs to focus on.

First up, what is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy is the practice of holistic health that blends evidenced based knowledge with traditional understandings to identify the cause of any imbalances within the body that may be causing issues or illness. The focus is on your body & mind as a whole not just the disease or imbalance you are experiencing. We then work with you (and the rest of your healthcare team if you have one) to determine the best approach to help restore the body back to homeostasis. A naturopathic treatment may include nutritional supplementation, herbal support, as well as dietary & lifestyle changes and client education, with the least invasive and most natural treatments being prioritised. The goal is to educate and support you (and your body) to reach your optimal level of health, not get you stuck in a new level of imbalance so you have to keep coming back.

Naturopathic Principles

Below are the six Naturopathic principles that guide and build the framework for Naturopathic education and practice around the world;

• Primum No Nocere~ First do no harm- Part of all medical models. For us it also involves the most natural, least toxic and invasive treatments within our scope of practice.

• Vix Medicatrix Naturae~ The healing power of nature- Using natural treatments and interventions that promotes your body's innate ability to heal itself.

• Tolle Causam~ Identify and treat the cause- Utilising testing and investigation to identify and then treat the cause, not just cover the symptoms.

• Docere~ Doctor as teacher- Providing a safe space and client education so you gain a better understand of how to manage and optimise your health.

• Tolle Totum~ Treat the whole person- Naturopathic approach doesn't just focus on the presenting symptoms, we understand that all systems of your body and your mind work collectively and should therefore be treated collectively.

• Praeventio~ Prevention- Prevention is always better than trying to find a cure, through the above we are aiming to shift your lifestyle to keep you healthy and free of illness and disease.

How do Naturopathy consultations work?

A Naturopath will utilise an individualised approach to all client interactions, from client history and client management to clinical testing, treatments and client education. This ensures that your experience is tailored to you and your health. Respecting where you are in this moment and empowering you to take ownership over your health journey.

That is why we ask you ALL of the questions, some that may not even seem related, we will send you for further testing (which can include blood work, microbiome mapping ect), we want to know your health history, your family's health history and what you consume on a daily/weekly basis (through your diet, your daily habits, your thoughts and the stimulation you surround yourself with). This is how we determine what might be the root cause of your experience- the event, illness or blockage that started it all. We then go further to identify what is now stopping your body from being able to heal on its own.

All this information is collected, analysed, researched and then we treat and educate you accordingly. Working collaboratively towards supporting the reduction of your symptom picture in the short term, while we recreate those foundations that support and strengthen the body and mind for the long term. Always aiming to keep it as simple and as manageable as possible.

This rebuilding can look like;

- Dietary changes & recommendations

- Lifestyle recommendations

- Nutritional supplementations

- Herbal medicine

- Energetic Medicine

- Overall education.

With each and every prescription & treatment as individualised as you or I are.

How can Naturopathy help me?

Most of the time when people finally reach out to a Naturopath, we tend to be that persons last resort. And don't get me wrong chronic cases is definitely one of the areas that Naturopathy truly shines in, but we are also there to help with the minor illnesses and inconvenients and educating you to maintain your optimal level of health, as previously mentioned- prevention is always better than a cure.

Conditions I commonly see in clinic; - All of the gut issues from IBS, IBD to bloating, indigestion, liver insuffiency, cramping and pain. And to be fair nearly everyone I see, whether they have come to me for gut issues or not has some imbalance happening within their digestive tract- All disease truly begins in the gut!

-Nervous system imbalances- Depression, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, PTSD, hormonal mood swings, stress, overwhelm, fatigue and behavioural changes. -Reproductive issues- PMS, PMDD, Endometrisis, Adenoymosis, PCOS, infertility, Menopause, OCP removal and everything in between. Most of the time when a client comes in with hormonal imbalance they don't actually have a diagnosis just a set of symtpoms that they know aren't right. From there we conduct the research and required testing to determine what is causing their imbalance and working out how to begin to correct it. - Immune & autoimmune conditions- This can include your common cold & flu acute treatments, to managing chronic conditions like Hashimotos and Rheumatoid arthritis - Skin complains- including acne, psorasis, ezcema, cold sores and dermatitis (hint- most of the time these are related to the gut and liver as well)

For me personally, areas that I really love to treat and are starting to see more of in clinic are all things mental health and women's reproductive health (I teach at two women dominate fitness studios, so most of my clientele is female). In saying that I am always happy to treat anything and everyone and love a good challenge when someone comes in with a case I haven't experienced before. I aim for my space and my presence to always be welcoming, safe & non-judgemental.

So, whether you have a cold/flu you just can't shake, have symptoms that no doctor has been able to explain or are having major imbalances and resulting issues, there are definitely ways a Naturopath can help, even if it's just being there to listen and get you answers.

I hope this has given you a bit more insight into what a Naturopath does and how we can help you and your health

Thanks for reading beautiful human!

Samii   

BHSc- Naturopathy Sacred Natural Health Founder.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your health practitioner before making any changes to your treatment.