Naturopathic medicine can treat all sorts of health conditions: from pregnancy symptoms to chronic diseases to depression and anxiety. Patients may seek alternative treatments for traditional medicine or want to prevent future illnesses and diseases. Various forms of naturopathy have been used in various cultures for thousands of years, and since then they have become increasingly popular and widely practiced in the Western world.
Naturopathy is holistic medicine, meaning that practitioners are looking for the cause of the disease, and not just treating the symptoms. Naturopaths seek to understand the body as a whole and emphasize prevention as the best medicine for all diseases and illnesses. Naturopaths will work with you to change your lifestyle and restore your health.
Naturopathic treatment includes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and uses 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 advanced degrees of health. Some naturopaths can also be homeopathic or massage therapists.
Naturopathic treatments can include diet and lifestyle changes, herbs, supplements, topical creams, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture and ayurveda, which is a natural healing approach from India. The focus is also on detoxification of the body, which can be done by taking plant tinctures and vitamins and avoiding substances such as caffeine, alcohol and sugar.
Naturopathy can be used to treat any health condition, either in combination with traditional medicine, or as a completely separate treatment. Some of the common medical problems people seek for naturopathic care include acne, asthma and allergies, headaches, arthritis, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders and menopause symptoms. A naturopath will work with you to develop an individualized health and wellness treatment plan that will balance your mind and body.
Many employer health plans now cover visits to a naturopath. A visit to a naturopath will be somewhat similar to a visit to your general family doctor. A naturopath asks about your medical history, diet and lifestyle, and can also conduct a physical examination and recommend laboratory tests. It is important that you always share the details of any naturopathic treatment with your doctor, and vice versa, since certain treatments and medications may interact negatively with each other.
