 About Naturopathy and Naturopathic Doctors or N.Ds...
Naturopathy is a distinct system of medicine that is based on a belief in the healing power of nature and especially in the body's ability to fight disease and heal itself.
Practiced by naturopathic doctors (also known as naturopaths or N.D.s), it incorporates a wide range of natural treatment methods, rather than drugs or surgery to stimulate the body's own healing powers. Among the therapies many naturopaths frequently prescribe are diet and lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, homeopathy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, detoxification and more.
Naturopaths have a different approach to symptoms than conventional doctors do. In their view some symptoms are actually evidence of the body's self-healing abilities, and should not be suppressed. A fever, for example, is the way a healthy body reacts to a virus or bacteria. To treat the fever, a naturopathic physician believes in supporting the body system that has created it, the immune system.
A symptom that doesn't respond to self-healing would be explored by the naturopath for its underlying causes. A headache, for example, would be evaluated in various ways: as the possible result of musculoskeletal imbalances in the neck and upper back, a nutritional problem (such as low blood sugar); or an emotional problem, such as stress or poor sleep.
Treatments focus on cure, rejuvination and prevention. Thus desease is not merely cured and the body restored, but the patient is shown how to prevent future relapse and indeed to lead a generally healthier more rewarding life.
The most common rejuvenative therapy is a herbal oil massage using two oils specially selected for the patients condition and to suit their constitution. This may be followed by an aromatherapy steam bath leaving one feeling thoroughly refreshed and invigorated.
Naturopaths also promote the role of the mind in enhancing the functioning of the immune system and the ability of the body to repair and restore itself.
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