Alternative Health and You – Discover the Benefits of Naturopathy

Naturopathic medicine can treat all sorts of health conditions: from pregnancy symptoms to chronic illness to depression and anxiety. Patients may be looking for alternative treatments to conventional medicine, or wanting to prevent future illness and disease. Different forms of naturopathy have been used in various cultures for thousands of years, and it has since become increasingly popular and widely practiced in the Western world.

Naturopathy is a type of holistic medicine, meaning that practitioners look for the cause of disease rather than just treating the symptoms. Naturopaths strive to understand the body as a whole and emphasize prevention as the best cure for all disease and illness. Naturopaths will work with you to modify your lifestyle and rebuild your health.

Naturopathic treatment encompasses physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and utilizes the healing power of nature. There are a number of specialties that fall under the term “naturopath.” Some naturopaths may specialize in nutrition, while others have other health science degrees. Some naturopaths may also be homeopaths or massage therapists.

Naturopathic treatment can include diet and lifestyle changes, herbal medicines, supplements, topical creams, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, and ayurveda, which is a natural healing approach from India. The focus is also on detoxifying the body, which may be done through taking herbal tinctures and vitamins, and giving up substances like caffeine, alcohol and sugar.

Naturopathy can be used to treat any medical condition, either in conjunction with traditional medicine, or as an entirely separate treatment. Some of the common medical problems people seek naturopathic help for include acne, asthma and allergies, headaches, arthritis, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders and menopause symptoms. A naturopath will work with you to develop a customized health and wellness treatment plan that will balance your mind and body.

Many employer health plans now cover visits to the naturopath. A visit to a naturopath will be somewhat similar to a visit to your general family doctor. The naturopath will ask about your medical history, diet and lifestyle, and may perform a physical exam and recommend lab tests. It’s important that you always share the details of any naturopathic treatment with your medical doctor, and vice versa, as certain treatments and medications can negatively interact with one another.