Sometimes, no matter how much Western medicine we take for an illness, the real cause of it cannot be found and the illness does not subside, right? At such times, some people start looking for natural treatments . One such method is this natural medicine method, or as it is called in English, ``Naturopathic Medicine''. In this, we use natural things and methods to help our body heal itself.
Simply put, what's going on here?
The main goal of this medical system is not to treat only the symptoms of the disease. Instead, it is to heal the whole person . That is, it treats your mind, body, and spirit. In other words, it tries to find the root cause of the disease and treat it instead of suppressing the symptoms.
Imagine you went to see a doctor like this. He might spend an hour or two examining you. He'll ask you a lot of questions about your health history, your stress levels, your lifestyle, and more. He might even recommend things like blood tests.
Then, he or she will talk to you about a `personal health plan` that is specific to you. This approach places a strong emphasis on education and prevention. Therefore, he or she will advise you on things like the right diet, exercise, and stress management. In addition to these treatments, you may also consider using some complementary medicine methods. For example:
- Homeopathy: A treatment method that uses very small doses of medicines.
- Herbal Medicine: Treatment using various plant parts.
- Acupuncture : A treatment that involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body.
- Naturopathic Manipulative Therapy: Rebalancing the body through touch, massage, and pressure.
Who performs this treatment? What are the qualifications?
This is a very important question. Because the education and training of those working in this field can vary greatly. These people can be divided into three main groups. For your convenience, let's look at this in a table.
| Type of person being treated | Qualifications and training |
|---|---|
| Naturopathic Doctors (ND/NMD) | These people complete a four-year degree program at an accredited medical school. It covers the same basic science subjects as a typical Western medical degree. In addition, they also study in-depth about complementary therapies such as nutrition, psychology, herbal medicine, and homeopathy. In some countries, these people need a government license/registration to practice. |
| Traditional Naturopaths | These people are not graduates of a recognized medical school. They are not licensed/registered. Their level of education and knowledge can vary widely. |
| Other healthcare professionals | Some Western doctors (MBBS), dentists, physiotherapists, and nurses have received additional training in naturopathy and are knowledgeable in this field as well. |
Therefore, before you choose such a therapist, be sure to ask about his educational qualifications and training .
Will this method help my condition?
Naturopathic medicine is used to treat a variety of health problems, including:
- Allergies
- Frequent headaches
- Fertility issues
- Digestive problems
- Obesity
- Hormonal imbalances
- Chronic pain
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
Even if you are not sick, you can seek help from this method to improve your health and prevent illness.
But remember this very well!
This treatment method is not suitable for emergencies at all . For example, do not use this method for an emergency, such as an accident or a major surgery. In such cases, you should go directly to the hospital's ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) .
Also, it is not a good idea to use these as a substitute for Western medical treatments prescribed by your doctor for serious illnesses like cancer or heart disease.
Inform your doctor! (This is very important)
Some natural treatments may have certain side effects and risks.
- Vitamins and Herbal Supplements: Some vitamins and herbal supplements can interfere with medications prescribed by your doctor. Also, taking high doses of some vitamins for a long time may increase the risk of diseases such as cancer.
- Spinal adjustments: These treatments can sometimes cause damage to blood vessels, nerves, or bones by applying pressure to the spine. In rare cases, a stroke may occur.
- Detox diets: These diets, which are supposed to detoxify the body, involve cutting out certain foods or fasting. This can be dangerous for people with chronic conditions like diabetes. Also, if you do these for a long time, you may be lacking essential nutrients.
Therefore, if you are considering starting such a treatment, it is imperative that you tell your family doctor or the specialist doctor who is treating you about it. Then your doctor can make sure that the treatment you are receiving is safe and does not interfere with other medications you are taking. Never stop or delay the treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Sometimes, both Western medicine and naturopathy can be used together. For example, natural remedies can help a cancer patient cope with the side effects of chemotherapy. However, if you do this, it is essential that both your doctors (Western doctor and naturopath) are aware of the treatments you are receiving. Then they can work as a team for your well-being.
Take-Home Message
- Naturopathic Medicine is a system of medicine that uses natural methods and remedies to help the body heal itself.
- This attempts to treat the underlying cause of the disease rather than the symptoms.
- The educational qualifications and training of those providing these treatments vary, so be sure to inquire about their qualifications before seeking treatment.
- This method should never be used as a substitute for Western medical treatment for emergencies (when you need to go to the ETU) or for serious illnesses such as cancer or heart disease .
- Most importantly: Before you start any such treatment, be sure to inform your family doctor (doctor) about it.
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