Is Naturopathy Right For Me?
As the name suggests, naturopathic treatments are all natural, and they don’t have harsh side effects. Naturopathy can treat conditions such as recurrent infections, arthritis, asthma, skin problems, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression without the use of drugs or surgery. Like homeopathy, naturopathy is administered in a positive, happy atmosphere by a caring practitioner who will take the time to listen to you and discuss your health issues—much different from the sterility and anonymity of much of conventional medicine. Just as important, naturopathy treats the entire person, mental, emotional, and physical, not just the narrowest physically defined medical problem. Finally, many people consider naturopathy when they have a recurring health issue that’s not responding to conventional medicine.
There are several different types of naturopathic treatment. The right treatment for you depends on your symptoms and what you’re looking for.
A naturopathic doctor may ask you to make changes in your diet and lifestyle, if she feels that there are underlying factors contributing to your symptoms. Because food contains many of the natural nutrients needed to heal the body, diet can be adjusted to improve such body functions as digestion and excretion. A naturopath may also use physical medicine techniques, such as massage, exercise, ultrasound, water, heat, and gentle electrical pulses to stimulate, rejuvenate, and heal the body. Or he may recommend nutritional supplements and herbs, which can work together with the body's natural chemicals to improve functions such as immunity. Another possible treatment is botanical medicine, plant extracts have the power to treat many symptoms with minimal risk of side effects.
