Naturopathy (otherwise known as ‘Nature Cure’) dates back to the ‘father of medicine’ himself – Hippocrates of ancient Greece. It is a system of natural medicine which focuses on the importance of our lifestyle: fresh air, exercise, sunshine, wholesome diet, pure water, healthy environment, rest and emotional balance.
Naturopathy is based upon the premise that Nature will, given the right conditions cure all maladies. Each and every one of us has a healing force within us that will heal all diseases but this healing force requires certain conditions such as nutritious food, pure water, exercise, sunshine, fresh air and rest. Without these conditions, the body will be in a state of disease.
There are four basic principles in Naturopathic medicine:
- Every patient is unique
- Everybody has the power to heal himself
- To overcome any disease (disease) we must treat the causes not just the symptoms
- The whole of a person must be treated NOT just a part.
A Naturopath will make a detailed study of your medical history in the first consultation and pay particular attention to your lifestyle. The Naturopath will then suggest a regime including dietary guidelines and other natural techniques of healing (eg. hydrotherapy, colon hydrotherapy, herbalism, massage and reflexology) and creating greater health.
There is no doubt that the Naturopathic principles are a sound prescription for creating health. Medical literature is now full of research confirming the importance of diet and lifestyle to our general health and many studies are now relating specific foods and lifestyle practices to specific diseases.