Naturopathy is a distinct system of primary health care-an art, science, philosophy, and practice of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness. Naturopathy is distinguished by the principles upon which its practice is based. These principles are continually re-examined in the light of scientific advances.
The techniques of naturopathy are a blend of modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods. Naturopathy is a holistic system of healing that incorporates a range of treatments and natural therapies, with the underlying belief that your body is able to fight infection and disease itself, given the right support.
While conventional medicine is preoccupied with treating the symptoms of a disease or illness, naturopathy takes a more holistic approach to health care with a patients overall health a priority.
Naturopathy believes that if one restor esor maintains the equilibrium of the body, our immune system is better placed to defend itself against infection and disease. There is therefore no use of or reliance on medication, which would only serve to suppress the symptoms of an illness. Naturopathy is more likely to recommend a programme of exercise, a change in diet or a natural treatment.
1. Natural treatments and therapies are used to ensure that the body and mind are able to remain resilient, and recover promptly. When we do succumb to an illness and contract a fever this is viewed as the body dealing with the source of the problem. The fever is therefore not viewed as a negative event, rather as part of the body’s natural defence mechanism. The naturopathy is able to make use of different natural treatments together to allow the patient to have optimal health. Some of these are detoxification, hydrotherapy, physical medicine and lifestyle, and psychological counseling.
2 Detoxification is the process of eliminating toxins and other harmful chemicals from the body through fasting, drinking high volume of water and using enemas. Hydrotherapy or water therapy where the patient is recommended to take certain baths, water exercise, alternate hot and cold applications and drink natural spring water. Physical medicine is healing with the involvement of touch therapy and cold compresses as well as electric currents and sound waves in manipulating spine, bones and muscles. Lifestyle and psychological counseling includes guided imagery, hypnosis and many counseling methods in the treatment program.
Naturopathy has addressed many conditions so that there is no limitation to what illnesses it can treat. This is because of the many therapies under this alternative medicine; acute to chronic conditions can be helped by the naturopath. Naturopathic medicine aims to heal the whole body and not just one area of it. It is best to allow nature to do the treatment and to enhance the capability of the body to heal itself. Doing this will not only get relief from a certain disease but boost the immune system of the body.3
PRINCIPLES OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE:
Some of the basic principles of naturopathic medicine are discussed below:
- The Healing Power of Nature: Human organism has a unique capacity to heal itself and that such healing is only aided, not accomplished, by a physician. The incredible bimolecular complexity of the numerous cyclic, cybernetic processes of the organism is believed to account for thiscapacity.
- First Do No Harm: Hippocratic concept would be that sometimes harmful therapies are needed but they should be reserved for the last resort and, if at all possible, avoided. This principle does not mean harmful therapies should never be used.
- Health workers as Teacher: One of naturopathy’s primary roles is to educate the patient. This means that, tothe extent possible and appropriate, information sharing with the patient should take place so that they are able to make informed decisions about their health care. Since the creation of a healthy lifestyle often rests on the choices and decisions the patient makes, this principle also implies that the patient has a responsibility to assist in the restoration of their own health. Another way to think about this that the “healing power of nature” can be constrained if significant obstacles are not addressed or if the patient is ignorant of their own self-healing processes. One of the naturopathic physician’s key tasks as a teacher is to empower the patient to appreciate and accept this responsibility.
- Prevention and Wellness: Whenever possible, naturopathic physicians work to prevent illness rather than waiting until invasive treatment is required. Naturopathic physicians also strive to maintain wellness in all aspects rather than simply helping to prevent and treat illness. This principle implies that naturopathic medicine acknowledges the social and cultural antecedents of disease, since economic, cultural, and political factors can play as much of a role in determining one’s health as the better established mental, emotional and physical causes of illness.
- Treat the Cause: Naturopathy typically strive to determine the underlying causes of illness and to addressthese to the extent that it is feasible. Naturopathy physicians also work to relieve suffering and palliate disease. Sometimes this may be all that as possible if the causes of illness cannot be identified in an individual patient, though the cause can often be treated while suffering is simultaneously alleviated. The naturopathic healthcare model holds, however, that it is imperative to avoid suppressing symptoms in most cases without addressing the cause of the dysfunction. It is believed that if this clinical guideline is not observed, the potential for even greater pathology may ultimately be created.
- Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathy focus on taking into account the totality of the human individual. Even a relatively minor physical ailment affecting one organ system may actually be a clue to larger pathology. The mind, body, and environment form a ecological whole that requires them to be considered together in the process of assessing health and disease.
Colour therapy
Colour therapy, also known as chromotherapy, is a form of therapy that uses colour and light to treat certain mental and physical health conditions.
Benefits-
- Stress
- Depression
- Aggression
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety Certain cancer
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a procedure where water of different temperatures are used to relieve pain and treat illness. This review describes Hydrotherapy is a procedure where water of different temperatures are used to relieve pain and treat illness. This review describes about different conditions of water treatments.
Hydrotherapy can help treat a variety of conditions, including arthritis, stomach problems, sleep disorders, stress and depression. The theory behind hydrotherapy is that water has healing properties that can mitigate various ailments and conditions. Different states of water such as ice, liquid, and steam is used in the treatment of various conditions.
Water cure therapies comprise enema therapy, gel therapy etc. and also includes colonic hydrotropic, sitz bath, hydro-massage, wraps and compress methods. Cryotherapy, cold water immersion or ice bath could be a new treatment method that is used by physical therapists, sports medicine facilities and rehab clinics.
Hip Bath
Spinal spray
Hot foot bath
Steam bath
Full immersion bath
Benefits
- Pain ReliefHydrotherapy can help alleviate pain associated with conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain by reducing muscle tension and promoting relaxation.
- Improved CirculationThe hydrostatic pressure and temperature of water can enhance blood circulation, promoting the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues.
- Increased Mobility and FlexibilityThe buoyancy of water reduces the impact of gravity on the body, allowing for greater ease of movement and stretching, which can improve joint mobility and flexibility.
- Accelerated HealingHydrotherapy can stimulate the body’s natural healing processes by reducing inflammation, promoting tissue repair, and boosting the immune system.
- Stress ReductionImmersion in warm water can promote relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mental well-being.
- Improved SleepRegular hydrotherapy sessions can help regulate sleep patterns, leading to more restful and restorative sleep.
Mud therapy
Mud therapy is a cost-effective and effective treatment method used in naturopathy, which involves the application of mud packs or direct contact with the body. It has been shown to have immunocorrective effects and reduce inflammation in the body by regulating certain factors in the serum.
Full mud bath
Local mud packs
Benefits
- Remove excess body heat
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Insomnia
- Muscular dystrophy
- Paralysis