What is naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a form of healing and its philosophy is based on a holistic approach, taking into consideration not only the physical, but also the emotional, mental and spiritual states of the person. All these aspects are interrelated and the use of naturopathy creates balance by nurturing the whole person. No two people with the same disease will manifest exactly the same symptoms and a naturopath can help uncover the underlying causes of an individual’s susceptibility to a disease. The use of natural medicines encourages healing, supports wellbeing, and assists in disease prevention without the risk of side effects.

A naturopath uses various modalities such as Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, flower essences, diet and lifestyle modifications when treating an individual.

Why visit a naturopath?

A naturopath can assist with the health issues of individuals from the moment they are born: from infants and children, teenagers with acne, students coping with exams and balancing their hormones, stressed adults who juggle many activities, those who want to start a family, to issues with menopause, prostate health, arthritis, and many other acute and/or chronic illnesses that can affect an individual.

Many people may be suffering from ongoing digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and candida. Poor digestion, allergies, bloating, food intolerances, constipation and diarrhoea are all signs of digestive disorders which are symptoms of an inefficient digestive system and gut dysbiosis. Nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle changes can alleviate many of these symptoms

Low energy and libido may be a problem. This may be due to poor sleep, stress or nutrient deficiencies. Too much stress can have a detrimental effect on certain body chemicals and an imbalance of these chemicals can create depression and ill health.

Constant colds and flu is a sign of poor immunity. Building up and supporting the immune system can alleviate the symptoms and prevent illnesses from re-occurring. A healthy immune system is beneficial when the body is challenged with different disease states.

Weight loss is often in many people’s mind. Being overweight can have many negative effects and result in various diseases. Weight loss isn’t just about how much you eat, but also the type of food you eat. Understanding good nutrition needs to become a way of life to maintain healthy body weight.

Taking part in an exercise or sports regime is beneficial to an individual’s health. Strenuous exercise can, however, deplete the body of essential electrolytes and nutrients as well as have an adverse effect on the muscles and joints, e.g. arthritis, osteoarthritis. Sports nutrition and supplementation can help prevent some of these harmful effects. An understanding of hydration, electrolytes, carbohydrate loading, protein/carbohydrate balancing, glycogen metabolism and nutrients that enhance and protect the body are all essential to maximise the beneficial effects of exercise.

The symptoms of chronic disease may be alleviated or prevented by addressing the underlying causes. This may be a deficiency of some nutrients, food types or particular lifestyle activities that lead to the disease. Herbal medicine and nutrition can help address some of these symptoms. 

Disease prevention is also necessary to maintain good health and to ensure this happens, understanding good nutrition and supplementation is essential.

Seeing a naturopath can reduce the risk of taking the wrong supplements. Adequate amounts and the right combinations of the supplements are essential to get the required benefits for your health. Cecilia stocks “Practitioner-only” supplements to ensure that you get safe, high quality products correctly prescribed.

What to expect in a naturopathic consultation?

The initial consultation will take approximately 1 to 1½ hours. A thorough consultation is carried out by recording your current and past health history, diet, family health history, your lifestyle, and exercise patterns. A treatment plan will be specially designed that will help you learn how to take responsibility for your own health. This may include nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, and/or Bach Flowers, as well as diet and lifestyle modifications. You may be asked to bring a urine sample to test for certain vitamin deficiencies.

What about other medications?

Special care is taken when prescribing any remedies in case of interactions with other drugs you may have been prescribed. We can work with your doctor to provide appropriate health support.