The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and to treat the root cause of disease. For many patients, this difference in approach to health provides them with a new perspective and awareness. By addressing the root cause(s) of disease and through the appropriate use of natural therapies many patients with chronic illness have found tremendous benefits.
Naturopathic medicine treats all forms of health concerns – from paediatric to geriatric, from irritating systems to chronic illness and from the physical to the psychological. It is the approach, philosophy and training of naturopaths that sets them apart from other forms of health care.
There are typically three types of patients that seek naturopathic medical care:
Patient One: Patients that are looking for disease prevention and health promotion strategies. Individuals that recognise that health doesn’t just happen by chance, that it is a lifestyle choice that involves a clear understanding of the factors that affect health and how to promote it on a daily basis. These type of people, looking for health promotion as a way of life, are increasing tremendously.
Patient Two: Patients that have a range of symptoms that they have been unable to address on their own or with the help of other medical/health practitioners. With naturopathic medicine’s broad understanding of health and the relationship between health, life and the environment, naturopaths are often able to offer patients a new perspective and provide safe and effective ways to restore health.
Patient Three: Patients that have been diagnosed with an illness and are looking for alternative, complementary/traditional treatments. Naturopathic medicine is very effective in improving quality of life for those with serious and life-threatening illnesses. It is used extensively and effectively for those patients who are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments with the aim of minimising side effects to drugs, surgery or conventional treatments.
