Optimising Health & Vitality 

 

 

What is Homeopathy?

 

Homeopathy is a system of natural health care that has been used all over the world for over 200 years.

 

Balance (“homeostasis”) is a key aspect of Homeopathy.  According to homeopathic philosophy when our body’s systems are out of balance we may at best lack vitality, or at worst, fall into ill health. 

 

One of its fundamental principles is based on the belief that the body has an innate ability to self-heal and that symptoms are merely an expression of our body’s attempt to restore itself to health.  Homeopathy aims to use this natural ability to stimulate and strengthen healing, effectively, naturally, safely and holistically.

 

The crucial point to understand about homeopathic treatment is that remedies are given to aid the body’s efforts to heal itself and aim for the restoration of the body and mind into a complete psychological and biological balance.

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The Close Connection Between the Body and Mind

 

The importance of the close connection between the mind and the body has always been a critical  aspect of the homeopathic approach to health.  This connection is now being recognised by medical practitioners as a key consideration when evaluating symptoms and treatment.   Homeopathy aims to take into account all aspects of the person and by doing so helps to bring your body and mind back into balance. It recognises that emotional and physical health are interconnected, and that symptoms of ill health are signs of an imbalance.

 

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How Homeopathy’s Approach is Different - 3 Main Principles:

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The principle of “like cures like”

 

This means that a substance that can cause a disease or symptoms can also cure them. This concept can be recognised in the following two examples:

 

• Onions when  peeled makes your eyes water and your nose burn.  If you are suffer from hay fever, the same symptoms may occur.  The homeopathic remedy Allium Cepa (which is made from red onion) can help to relieve the symptoms

• Coffee can keep you awake and alert.  If you suffer from insomnia, the homeopathic remedy Coffea Cruda (which is made from unrosted coffee) can help

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The importance of individual symptoms  

 

Homeopathy is a complete and holistic system of medicine and treatment.  It is not so much concerned with the illness you have, but rather how you personally manifest the symptoms.  

 

For example, three different people all might complain of a headache, but their symptoms might present very differently.  There are many different homeopathic remedies which help to relieve headaches and as remedy matching is critical to homeopathic prescribing detailed information as to how YOU are effected is important.  Such information may include:

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• location of pain  (eg forehead, side of head, over eyes, top of head)                                        

• type of pain  (eg stabbing, burning, dull, sharp)

• what makes the pain better /worse   (rest, cold/heat, sleep etc) 

• causes  (lack of sleep, hunger low /blood sugar, stress)

• does it have any other effects mentally or physically  (eg nausea, hunger)

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This approach shows how different Homeopathy can be in comparison to conventional medicine which would normally treat all patients with headaches with similar medication.  Homeopaths would treat these patients differently, looking at all mental, emotional and physical symptoms and prescribe accordingly.

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Working with the body with an holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment 

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The homeopathic approach to treatment is to work with the body unlike conventional medicine which which aims at creating the opposite effect in the body.  An example of this would be giving paracetamol to reduce temperature.  Taking an holistic view of each patient is crucial as health is viewed as harmony in all aspects of body and mind.

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Consultations 

 

All consultations normally last 60 minutes. During the initial consultation I will aim to find out as much as possible about you, your lifestyle, your health history and your family’s health. This will enable me to gain a good understanding of you as a person.  The recognition that hereditary, environmental and lifestyle factors influence not only your health but how you feel are key aspects of the consultation process.

 

Building up a complete picture of you including your symptoms will ensure that the  treatment prescribed will be for you as an individual, not simply for your complaint.  This is a truly holistic approach to health as we seek to address the cause of the imbalance rather than the symptoms of it.

 

Homeopathic Remedies 

 

Homeopathy is safe, gentle and non-invasive. The remedies are made from a range of substances, such as plants and minerals, and are highly refined to the minimum dose required to stimulate the body’s own natural healing systems, so they are non-toxic with no danger of overdose, addiction or side effects. They are safe for use in pregnancy, and can be used by any age group, from newborn babies onwards.