Homeopathy
Homeopathy literally means “similar suffering”. It is based on the principle that “like cures like”; that a similar, but stronger, energetic force can displace a weaker one. It was created/discovered by Samuel Hahnemann in Germany in the 1800’s, who observed the relationship between the curative effects and poisoning symptoms of Cinchona (used to treat malaria). His observations were not new; however, he was the first to form these theories into a workable philosophy of medicine. Homeopathy is now employed around the world as an effective, gentle, and cost-effective healing modality.
Homeopathy is energetic, rather than physical. Homeopathy requires patience and commitment from both the patient and practitioner. A skilled practitioner must examine the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual symptoms of the patient to determine a suitable remedy. The chosen remedy stimulates the body’s own healing abilities such that the patient can experience significant improvement or cure.
Personalized Nutrition
Nutrition in its simplest form is the use of food as medicine. Since every molecule in your body is literally made of what you’ve ingested, you are what you eat! Nutrition is the foundation of health and a cornerstone of naturopathic medicine. Treatment can range from minor dietary improvements to the use of therapeutic diets tailored to individual physiological needs to specific supplements for the prevention and treatment of disease.
Vitamin and mineral supplements have become increasingly popular as consumers take greater interest in their health. It can be confusing, frustrating, and expensive to self-treat with supplements because everyone is uniquely individual in their nutrient requirements. To achieve safe, effective, and affordable results using supplements, it is optimal to seek assessment from a health care professional trained in nutrition and pharmacology, such as a naturopathic doctor.
Asian Medicine
Long before human beings could look inside the body to understand its anatomy and function, Asian medicine sought to explain these phenomena via understanding the flow of Qi or life energy. One of the oldest and richest healing systems, Asian medicine evaluates the balance of energy and functions of the body and aims to restore balance through the use of diet, lifestyle, herbs, acupuncture, and other therapeutics. As with many other Eastern systems of medicine, physical health is an integrated part of life, interconnected with all other aspects.
Counselling
Emotional health is essential to physical health. Naturopathic medicine recognizes the importance of emotional health by integrating counselling techniques, particularly problem-solving and stress management, into a personalized treatment plan.
Hydrotherapy (and other physical therapeutics)
Hydrotherapy is the use of the properties of water for healing. It is an affordable, safe, and gentle treatment for a variety of concerns and can usually be used at home for self-care.
Lifestyle
LIfestyle goes hand-in-hand with nutrition in creating a strong foundation of health. This aspect of treatment can cover anything from personal habits to environmental risk factors.
Botanical Medicine
Botanical medicine is the use of plant substances in the prevention and treatment of illness. Before there were pharmaceuticals, there were botanicals and in fact many pharmaceutical drugs are still based on or derived from plants. Traditional literature and current research into the healing properties of botanicals continues to expand exponentially. Botanical alternatives to pharmaceuticals are quickly gaining awareness and acceptance due to the perception that they are safer than comparable prescription medications. It is important to recognize that botanicals can be as powerful and dangerous as pharmaceuticals. To ensure safe and effective results it is necessary to consult a health care professional trained in botanical medicine and pharmacology, such as a naturopathic doctor.