What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a multidisciplinary approach to health care that recognises the body's innate ability to heal itself. A Naturopath will examine all aspects of your diet and lifestyle that may adversely affect your health, directing treatment towards the cause and not just the symptoms of a complaint. This philosophy is based on the premise that the body contains a healing force which can be stimulated by the correct nutrients, clean water, fresh air, appropriate exercise, adequate rest and relaxation, a positive attitude and peace of mind.
Naturopaths are the General Practitioners of the complementary healthcare field and are highly skilled in tailoring natural health programmes to suit your unique requirements. They employ a wide range of treatments, usually starting with diet and nutrition and incorporating where necessary vitamin & mineral supplements, herbal medicines, homoeopathic remedies, flower essences, mineral therapy, massage, counselling etc.
Trained in Australia, a country with a very enlightened attitude towards complementary medicine, Apotheke Naturopathic Practitioners are fully qualified professionals having successfully completed, 3 and in most cases 4 year, full time government accredited courses (now accorded B.Sc. status).
They hold the following diplomas in Natural Medicine: Naturopathy, Homoeopathy, Iridology, Herbal Medicine and Nutrition, plus qualifications in Remedial Massage, Flower Essences and Celloid Mineral Therapy.
Apart from general advice on healthcare, among the many conditions they can assess and advise on are: Arthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Candida, Cystitis, Depression, Digestive disorders, Eczema, Fatigue, Food Intolerance, Headaches, Hormonal disorders, Hyperactivity (in children), Insomnia, ME, Menopause, Migraine, Prostate problems, PMT, Skin disorders, Stress, Thrush, Weight loss/gain, etc.
The goal of a Naturopath is to seek to establish the root cause of your problem, stimulate your own natural healing ability and increase your energy levels and vitality. They will also inform you about your own body, advise you about a healthy lifestyle and ultimately put you back in charge of your own health.
What's more by utilising the very latest in health screening technology, the scientifically advanced BEST system, they can screen you for Food Intolerance or Environmental sensitivities, check your Hormonal functions and even your Vitamin & Mineral levels! The BEST (BioEnergetic Stress Testing) System is a fast, comprehensive and very accurate computerised health screening system. It is non-invasive so no blood sample is required, and the results are available immediately.
The fact is that your health is very much in your hands, whilst your Practitioner will be there to advise, help, and support you, a degree of commitment is required on your part! We do not offer 'quick fixes' or 'miracle cures' the resolution of your health problems will only be brought about by your compliance with the treatment regime recommended by your Practitioner. This may involve changes to your diet, such as cutting down on dairy products, coffee, alcohol etc. or changes to your lifestyle, more exercise for example or stress reduction methods such as massage or reflexology. In addition you may be put on a course of herbal medicines and/or nutritional supplements. If this sounds too hard then perhaps complementary medicine is not for you,
However if you are prepared to work with your Practitioner and stick with the regime, we can guarantee that the effort will be worthwhile in the long-term.
There is no hard and fast rule, however the longer you have had a specific health condition the longer it will take to rectify that problem. Other factors also come into play, such as the severity of the condition, your individual healing capacity, compliance with the treatment regime and so on. As a 'rule of thumb' the minimum number of follow up consultations would be two or three, with the norm being five or six. Your practitioner will advise you in more detail at the end of your first consultation.
At Apotheke we believe in the sentiments originally expressed in the 1930's by Maurice Blackmore father of the Australian Naturopathic Profession, a man of vision ahead of his time, he believed that:
In Nature itself lies the solution to many of life's problems.
- Good health is the result of fresh food, clean water, fresh air and exercise, a positive mental attitude, and where necessary appropriate dietary supplementation.
- The body is programmed by nature to heal itself, given adequate resources to repair the damage caused by tissue break-down.
- The growing incidence of stress related problems can best be remedied by adherence to natural laws. In the end there are no 'wonder drugs', 'quick fixes' or 'miracle cures' - just the resourceful use of nature.
For a comprehensive assessment of your health concerns, put yourself in the safe caring hands of our fully qualified, fully insured, Naturopathic Practitioners.