NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

Naturopathic medicine has been practised for millennia around the world and is still an important part of daily life in countries such as Switzerland and Australia, for example. The major key principles are:

* First, do no harm

* Use the healing power of Nature

* Restore and promote the flow of Vital Force

* Treat the person, not the disease

* Treat the root causes, not the symptoms

* Health is more than the absence of disease

* Prevention is preferable to cure

* Educate your patients

Ill health begins with imbalances (too much stress, not enough sleep, nutritional deficiencies, not enough sunlight, too much exposure to environmental toxins, suboptimal detoxification capacity). Naturopathy aims at identifying the root causes of these imbalances and use holistic methods to address them. A naturopathic prescription varies from one person to the next, but always explores the 4 pillars of health.

One of the four fundamental pillars of health is nutrition. Without the correct nutrients your health will be impaired. Some symptoms of nutritional deficiencies are more obvious than others and may include: dips in energy levels, hormonal imbalances, food cravings, dysregulated sleep patterns, inability to cope with stress, headaches, decline in cognitive functions, dry skin, oily skin, lacklustre hair, poor recovery from exercise, achy joints, low body weight, excess body weight, bloating, reflux, IBS, premenstrual tension, period pains, low libido. Part of the naturopathic prescription you receive after a consultation with me is a suggested diet plan, along with supplements if necessary. Supplements can be very useful in getting someone’s health back on track if gut absorption is thought to be impaired, if they have been suffering from chronic illness, or if it is suspected that their bodies can not manufacture the appropriate nutrients (due to a genetic factor for example).

The second fundamental pillar of good health is sleep. The body uses sleep to repair what has been damaged during the day (muscle fibers overstretched during exercise for example), get rid of toxic waste from the brain, break down triglycerides stored in fat cells, regulate insulin sensitivity, maintain a healthy mineral balance in the bones. During sleep, our brains process the events of the day and help consolidate memories, as well as strenghtening our emotional processing capacity, making us more resilient to stressful events. Recent studies link poor sleep with a range of health issues. This is why sleep is always discussed in a naturopathic consultation and strategies to improve your sleep quality are suggested (small behavioural changes, or supplements for example).

The third fundamental pillar of health is exercise. Regular physical activity is the best thing you can do to improve cardiovascular health, lower levels of circulating triglycerides, improve insulin sensitivity, improve balance and coordination (lower risks of falls), delay the onset of osteoporosis, keep your cells and organs oxygenated, lower risk of cancer, improve mental health. The official guidelines suggest that adults should aim for 150 minutes of exercise of moderate intensity (enough to increase your heart rate) per week, as well as engage in activities that increase muscle strength twice a week. Part of your naturopathic prescription can include exercise recommendations based on your age, fitness level, preferences, health conditions, injuries, etc.

The fourth fundamental pillar of health is stress management. Relaxation can be difficult to implement in our busy daily lives, but it is essential to carve out down time to counterbalance the stressors that can occur during the day. Chronic stress has been linked to a variety of health issues including cardiovascular incidents, cancers, chronic digestive issues, poor immunity, anxiety, depression, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, fertility issues, insomnia, burnout syndrome. A prescription of relaxation is therefore entirely legitimate and can be as simple as reading a book, meditating, having a bath, calling your best friend, walking in nature, picking up a hobby, having a yoga practice, going for a run, baking with your kids, etc.

A naturopathic approach to health can help support patients struggling with issues such as:

* Stress and adrenal fatigue

* Anxiety and depression

* Musculoskeletal complaints, including fibromyalgia and chronic pain

* Skin issues (acne, rosacea, eczema)

* Cardiovascular disorders

* Type 2 Diabetes

* Female conditions (PMS, PCOS, menopausal symptoms)

* Digestive complaints (IBS, bloating, acid reflux, gut dysbiosis)

* Some autoimmune diseases