Naturopathy is one of the more well-known modalities under the umbrella of complementary and alternative medicine, yet many remain unfamiliar with what a naturopath does, their approach to healing or the health conditions that can be holistically supported by naturopathic therapies. With an increasing number of people striving for a more balanced or natural approach to their health and lifestyle, it is becoming ever more important to understand what the natural therapies involve and the health conditions the practitioner may be able to support.

The foundation of naturopathy is to assist the body’s natural ability to heal, by identifying and treating the root cause of the illness or condition. Typically, a naturopath will conduct a thorough investigation into your health, lifestyle, diet, personal circumstances and medical history and identify any areas of concern that may be causing your health condition. They may then prescribe natural or herbal medicines and recommend lifestyle or dietary changes while equipping the patient with strategies on how to achieve and maintain the best health outcome.

If you or a loved one are looking for a less invasive or balanced approach to your health, or have had unsatisfactory experiences with conventional medical treatment, there may be a benefit in consulting a naturopath for a second option, alternative treatment options, or naturopathic remedies which can be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment to enhance its effectiveness. 

A naturopath may assist with many prevalent health conditions facing today’s modern society. In fact, of the top five chronic conditions that patients saw their health practitioner for in 2017 (high blood pressure, depression, high cholesterol, anxiety and asthma) naturopaths have consistently provided holistic support to patients with those conditions. Generally, a qualified naturopath may be able to assist with a wide variety of health conditions, including:

• Digestive health
• Food intolerances and allergies
• Hormonal imbalances, or menstrual and menopausal conditions
• Fertility issues (women and men’s health)
• Weight management
• Stress and fatigue
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Neurological disorders
• Anxiety and depression
• Autoimmune disorders
• Respiratory problems
• Migraines
• Skin conditions
• Disease prevention

Some naturopaths have a special interest in working with oncology and will be truly helpful throughout the journey, by providing holistic education and support to patients. 

If you are seeing both a natural health practitioner and a GP, it is important to communicate to both what medications, supplements or other treatments you are undertaking, to maximise the best possible outcomes. Combining both conventional medicine and natural medicine may appear complex on the surface, but with the right advice from qualified health experts, a successful whole health strategy is possible.

If you would like the support of a naturopath for your health condition, find a natural health practitioner today by going to www.biomedica.com.au/find-a-practitioner