Naturopathy

What is Naturopathy?

  • Naturopathy is a holistic approach to healing where we support the entire body and find the underlying cause of illness.

  • Naturopaths are highly trained in western herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, and functional medicine, as well as other modalities such as iridology, homeopathy & flower essences.

  • Naturopaths use current scientific evidence alongside traditional wisdom to ensure the best treatment outcomes.


What can naturopathy help with?

Naturopaths treat the body as a whole, so naturopathy has the ability to help with almost any acute or chronic condition that has created an imbalance within the body. Some examples include:

  • Digestive health - IBS, food intolerances, parasites, dysbiosis, SIBO, leaky gut, acid reflux, indigestion, inflammatory bowel disease.

  • Nutrient deficiencies

  • Mental health - stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia

  • Reproductive health - PMS, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, endometriosis, PCOS, preconception care

  • Immune health - frequent colds or infections, seasonal allergies, food sensitivities, autoimmune conditions

  • Skin health - eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, dry skin

  • Unexplained symptoms - fatigue, poor appetite, poor memory & concentration, headaches

  • Genetic variations (such as MTHFR), methylation issues, pyrrole disorder

  • Prevention of future health conditions

  • General health and wellbeing

The 6 Principals of Naturopathy

 

  • Naturopaths recognise the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. By creating a healthy internal and external environment, and removing health obstacles, we can support and facilitate this process.

  • Symptoms are our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong. Instead of only targeting or suppressing the symptoms of illness, naturopaths seek to find and treat the underlying cause to restore health.

  • Naturopaths have a duty of care to maintain the safety and well-being of patients at all times. This means:

    • Utilising the least invasive and least toxic therapies available.

    • Adhering to a strict national code of conduct, as well as a code of ethics governed by our professional association.

    • Working only within the scope of our qualification and referring patients to more appropriate practitioners where necessary.

    • Committing to Continuing Professional Development to ensure we are up to date with current research.

  • Naturopaths seek to empower patients by providing a deeper understanding of what’s going on within their body and the steps needed to achieve and maintain health. Patients are encouraged to take control of their health and play an active role in their treatment plan.

  • Naturopaths see the body as an integrated whole and treat the person before the disease. An individualised approach is taken, factoring in all body systems, along with genetic, environmental, social, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects.

  • Prevention of illness is a primary goal of naturopathy. Naturopaths assess risk factors, genetic factors & susceptibility to disease, and work with the patient to educate and implement appropriate interventions to prevent illness and achieve optimal health.

FAQ

 

  • In Australia the minimum requirement to be a qualified naturopath is a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy). This is a 4 year degree that covers everything from counselling, pathophysiology & western herbal medicine to iridology, nutritional biochemistry, 300 hours of supervised clinical practice & much more.

  • Yes and no. Unfortunately in Australia the title naturopath is not protected, meaning anyone can technically call themselves a naturopath. For this reason it is important to make sure your practitioner is qualified with a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy and is a part of a professional association. Professional associations ensure practitioners are fully qualified, insured, and adhere to a strict code of conduct. I am a member of the NHAA, but there are many others. If you’re unsure, you have the right to ask for proof of qualification / registration.

  • Yes! Naturopaths utilise current scientific evidence, clinical experience, and traditional wisdom to ensure the safest & most effective treatment outcomes.

  • No! We acknowledge the importance of conventional medicine and believe there is a place for both. Naturopaths will commonly refer patients to GP’s for diagnosis, testing & primary care.

  • Yes but not always! It’s really important to consult with a qualified practitioner who can take your individual case into account and make sure your prescription is right for you at the correct dosage and doesn’t interact with any conditions or medications.

  • Naturopathy goes way beyond just supplementation. A naturopath will take your individual case into account, send you for testing, and uncover the root cause of what’s going on, so we can work out what your body actually needs.

    The retail supplements you get online and in the chemist are different to the ones naturopaths prescribe. Retail ones are generally lower dose to make them safe for the general public, so often don’t have the same effect. They also don’t get to the root cause of what’s going on.

    In addition, supplements won’t do anything if the foundations of health aren’t there. So a practitioner will also address diet & lifestyle.