More people are embracing the natural way of healing and are becoming less inclined to swallow conventional pills. Although it is not a new practice, it has become more popular in recent times. The reason may line behind the ease of treatment regarding natural methods or the belief that they are effective.
Using natural methods for treatment and healing is called naturopathy. You will find many clinics that solely practice naturopathic medicine, such as Yaletown Integrative Naturopathic Clinic, all over the world. How effective is naturopathy, and should it be a trusted path for treating health conditions?
Naturopathic Medicine Defined
As mentioned before, it is an alternative form of medicine where natural remedies are used. Practitioners use herbs, exercise, acupuncture, massage, and other therapies to treat different ailments. They also include counseling in nutrition as part of the treatment process. Some call it a holistic approach.
Although naturopathic medicine first came into the United States about two centuries ago, it has been in existence for longer. Research will show you that this form of medicine has been in practice for millennia and has seen key changes over the years. Today, it is somewhat mixed with modern medicine without losing any of its originality.
How It Works
Generally speaking, naturopathic medicine does not aim to treat only physical ailments (Click here to read more on the subject). It looks to treat the mind and spirit as well. But like conventional medicine, it seeks out the source of the medical problem and treats it, not just the symptoms.
Practitioners examine different areas of your life and aim to offer preventive steps rather than curative ones. It is not that they will not treat current illnesses, but if they can find out why you got sick in the first place, they might be able to prevent a recurrence.
Therefore, they ask deep questions about your lifestyle, medical history, and health plan. The thoroughness may mean spending more than an hour examining you. Sometimes, they order lab tests for a more detailed look at internal parts of your body. Ultimately, they prescribe natural treatments that will treat the root cause of the illnesses.
They employ different methods to provide relief from ailments. In some cases, they may use complementary types of medicine like acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbs along with their treatments. They may also add naturopathic manipulative therapy to create body balance through pressure and massage.
In addition, the doctors may prescribe a diet plan for you and recommend exercise as a preventive measure to stay healthy. You can get more information on this here: https://www.livestrong.com/. They often give tips for stress management if they suspect that your illness is more because of deep stress than anything physical.
Naturopathic Practitioners
The practitioners are divided into three categories, having varying backgrounds and education. The first group is the physicians or naturopathic doctors. They go to a university and study sciences taught in medical schools. But they also learn complementary therapies and study psychology and nutrition.
The next group is the traditional naturopaths, and they neither go to a naturopathic school nor have a license. Their background and education tend to vary. The third group is the healthcare providers. They can be regular medical doctors, nurses, naturopathic doctors, or other healthcare practitioners.
Effectiveness and Ideal Patients
You may be wondering how effective naturopathic medicine is and whether or not it will work on your condition. Naturopathy works on all kinds of medical conditions and has been used to treat many of them over the years. Below are common health conditions that have been successfully treated with naturopathy:
- Chronic fatigue
- Obesity
- Headaches
- Chronic pain
- Infertility or fertility problems
- Hormonal imbalance
- Allergies
Sickness is not the only reason to try this alternative form of medicine. You may just want to be generally healthier or keep your body and mind from getting sick. Also, you can use it if you want to feel better without taking drugs. However, do not use it as a replacement for conventional medicine. Go to a hospital if you need surgery or have a severe health issue.
Some states allow licensed practitioners to carry out minor surgeries or prescribe some medications. They can also be your doctor, depending on the nature and condition of your general health. Some of them even get training in delivering children the natural way. This article explains what qualifies as minor surgery.
Anyone can use naturopathic medicine as long as your doctor is aware of the practice. Some doctors even recommend combining it with conventional medicine if it will help bring relief. For example, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may find some relief through naturopathy. Both doctors can work together to provide the best course of treatment.
Keeping Safe
Let your doctor know if you want to start naturopathic medicine as a form of treatment. This is especially true if you are already on other medications. Some treatments prescribed by naturopathy may be dangerous to health. For example, if you have diabetes and a practitioner prescribes going on a fast or keeping away from certain foods, it will affect you.
Conclusion
You can try naturopathic medicine if you want an alternative or a treatment method for body, mind, and spirit. Also, combining it with conventional medicine may be effective for some medical issues. However, it is crucial to inform your doctor of this step, especially if you have never tried it. And if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking other drugs, provide your health history.
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