We might all be familiar with the term naturopath – but do we really know how a naturopath is trained and the reason behind how they advise us?
Here, a beginners’ guide.
What is naturopathy?
Naturopathy is the study of natural medicine and offers a holistic approach to wellness.
Naturopaths believe it is the whole person that needs assessment, not just the symptom or condition. That means a naturopath will look at your life as a whole, rather than its individual pieces.
They will want to know about your diet, lifestyle, family history and living environment, as well as any current complaints.
Naturopaths can also use techniques like iris analysis, kinesiology (the study of body and muscle movement), functional testing (how the body functions at a molecular, tissue or organ level) and analysis of blood, stool, urine or hair.
Why would I see a naturopath?
Naturopaths focus on long-term health and prevention, though they can also help with acute and chronic conditions.
They can work with you to address a wide range of conditions including gastrointestinal issues, stress and nervous tension, sleeplessness, fertility problems, headaches, joint health, and skin conditions.
They can also create personalised programs that help increase energy levels, support your immune system and assist with weight loss.