What Is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a natural healing technique using the healing powers of nature. Sometimes referred to as “natural medicine,” naturopathy goes back thousands of years, drawing on the healing wisdom of many cultures including Indian (Ayurvedic), Chinese (Taoist), Greek (Hippocratic), Arabian, Egyptian, and European (monastic medicine) traditions. Hippocrates, a Greek physician who lived 2,400 years ago, is often considered the earliest predecessor of naturopathic physicians, particularly because of his teachings “nature is healer of all diseases” and his formulation of the concept vis medicatrix naturae — “the healing power of nature.” This idea has long been at the core of indigenous medicine in many cultures around the world and remains one of the central themes of naturopathic philosophy to this day.
Naturopathy is guided by six fundamental principles:
- The healing power of nature
- First do no harm
- Find and treat the underlying cause and not just the symptom
- Always treat the person as whole, not only the disease
- Education
- Prevention
The philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine is that all living beings have an innate ability to heal themselves. Our vital force promotes self-cleansing, self-repair, and therefore, self-healing. This process can be achieved by focusing on the immune, hormonal, nervous, and detoxification/elimination systems of the body. Naturopathy supports the body’s natural self-healing abilities and helps it to restore balance.
What is the education of a Naturopathic Doctor?
A Naturopathic Doctor undergoes a four-year undergraduate training in regular pre-medical programs followed by four to five years of graduate medical training, including a two-year clinical internship.
The four year program includes over 4,500 hours of classroom training in basic medical science courses (i.e. anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, neuroscience, etc.), clinical sciences (i.e. clinical diagnosis, pathology, pediatrics, oncology, & gastroenterology, etc.), and naturopathic therapies, as well as 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience. Overall, academic training in medical sciences of NDs and MDs is similar. Those students who graduate from a qualified naturopathic college receive the designation Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND).
Why choose Naturopathy?
There are many reasons to choose naturopathy:
- If you have a chronic disease which is not responding to the treatments recommended by medical doctors.
- If you are tired of taking drugs to maintain health for the rest of your life. Naturopathic treatments address the root cause instead of symptoms.
- If you want treatment that offers a holistic approach i.e. it considers all your symptoms and you as a whole, instead of just targeting the disease to be eliminated.
- If you prefer natural cures to drug based symptom treatment, and want to avoid drug side effects (all drugs have side effects – even the safest approved drugs have side effects).
What are the specialties of Naturopathy?
Naturopathy has many different specialties which include:
- Clinical Nutrition: This includes nutritional supplements, nutrition counseling, and dietary changes such as eating more whole and unprocessed foods. A majority of medical conditions can be treated effectively with diet alone or in combination with nutritional supplements.
- Physical Medicine: Focuses on the muscles, bones, and spine, using massage, exercise, heat, water, and cold to heal.
- Homeopathy: Works to strengthen the body’s immune system by giving natural medicine that produces similar symptoms to what the body is already feeling in order to treat an illness. Homeopathy is based on the principle “like cures like.”
- Botanical Medicine: Uses plants as medicines to treat disease. Today’s research has proven the medicinal powers of many common plants. A herb usually works on the body in one of three ways: it can purge the body of impurities, it can build up the immune system, or it can strengthen the makeup of an organ so it will function at optimal efficiency.
- Chinese Medicine: Is based on the theory that vital energy (called “qi” or “chi”) flows throughout the body via certain pathways (or “meridians”). According to this theory, illness and other emotional, mental, and physical health problems develop when qi is blocked. Restoring the flow of qi is considered essential to balancing the yin and yang and, in turn, achieving wellness. The treatments used are Acupuncture or Acupressure.
- Psychotherapy and Counseling: Counseling techniques include stress management strategies and life coaching.
What diagnostic tools are used in Naturopathy?
Both, traditional and naturopathic, diagnostic tools are used for evaluating health concerns and determining the most appropriate treatment program. The diagnostic tools used include:
In-depth Health History
An initial appointment is usually about 1½ to 2 hours and it covers your family’s and your medical history, your lifestyle, the stress in your life, and all aspects related to your current concern – when it started, how it feels, whether it’s constant or periodic, if you are experiencing any other symptoms simultaneously. The doctor will also ask about various bodily parts and functions such as hearing, sleep patterns, bowel function, and sex life. These issues provide insight into the overall picture of your health. Doctors will also typically enquire about your childhood and important moments in your life; relationship with your partner, friends, and family; and your work life. You will also be asked in some detail about your diet and lifestyle habits, such as the amount of exercise, if you smoke, drink, etc. and the frequency with which you do so. Keep in mind, you do not have to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable; however, the more information you share, the better the treatment plan can be customized to take into account your unique situation.
Nutritional Analysis
Assessment of food is made by asking questions about your eating habits and diet. Often the doctor will take the time to understand and evaluate the impact of eating habits and diet on your health.
Physical Examinations
In Naturopathy, all visits include a physical examination. As with conventional doctors, “vital signs,” such as temperature, blood pressure, weight, and pulse, are routinely recorded. The doctor will also perform additional examination as necessary to determine the source of your health problem such as palpating the abdomen, checking for reflexes, or looking in the ears, eyes and mouth. Naturopathic Doctors often take more time to ensure that the “minor” symptoms are identified and addressed before they become a “major” problem. Clients are encouraged to have a complete physical exam annually as it is an essential part of a preventative health care program.
Testing
In Naturopathy, a variety of testing methods are used to evaluate bodily functions and locate evidence of particular concerns. Many of these tests are identical or similar to those run by conventional doctors: blood tests for anemia and liver problems, urine tests for kidney problems, stool tests for infections, etc.
Some less common tests are also employed. For instance, some blood, urine, stool and saliva tests help evaluate the function of various organs and body systems.
- Blood tests help determine food allergies or look for deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.
- Saliva tests are most often used to evaluate adrenal gland function by looking at levels of the cortisol hormone at different points during the day. Saliva tests are also useful for assessing imbalances in other hormone systems.
- Urine tests are commonly used to look for heavy metal toxicity and to check for hormone and neurotransmitter levels.
- Stool tests are useful for determining bacterial imbalances, the presence of candida and other fungi, and can identify markers for inflammation or poor digestion.
What Illnesses Can Naturopathy Treat?
There are a wide range of illnesses which Naturopathy treats either alone or in combination with other complementary treatments.
- Internal Organ Dysfunction e.g. chronic disorders of Lungs, Liver, Kidneys, and Heart
- Common Chronic Diseases e.g. Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma, Obesity
- GI Tract Disorders e.g. Colitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Chronic Constipation
- Joint Pains e.g. Arthritis, Spondylosis, Sciatica, Back Pain, etc.
- Neuro Muscular e.g. Paralysis, Neuro Myopathy, Hemiplegia, etc.
What Techniques and Treatments are used in Naturopathy?
In consultation with the client, any of the following might be recommended:
Acupressure
Acupressure
The Acupressure therapy helps in maintaining health by balancing energy channels of the body. The energy in our body flows through various channels.The flow of energy is imbalanced when there is disruption in these channels due to stress injury etc. The Acupressure not only balances various energy forces in the body but also has positive effects on mind,spirit and emotions.
Acupressure is often called acupuncture without the needles. Instead of needles, acupressure is done by using the thumb, finger, or knuckle to apply gentle but firm pressure (usually with the fingertips) to specific points on the body which influences the autonomic nervous system. The pressure is usually increased for about 30 seconds, held steadily for 30 seconds to two minutes, and then gradually decreased for 30 seconds. It’s often repeated three to five times. According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, the body has vital energy called “chi” or “qi” that flows along invisible lines of energy flow called “meridians.” There are thought to be at least 14 meridians connecting our organs with other parts of our body. Acupressure points lie along these 14 meridians. If the flow of qi is blocked at any point on a meridian, it is thought to be the cause of ailments and can lead to disease anywhere along the meridian. Acupressure is used both as a preventive, and a therapeutic treatment. It helps alleviate pain and fatigue, and addresses musculoskeletal problems.
Benefits:
- Induces relaxation and restores balance.
- It improves blood circulation, lowers muscle tension and endorphin simulation.
- Stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic system.
- The therapeutic touch stimulates certain chemicals in the brain that boost the immune system to lift depression and relieve stress.
Botanical Medicine
Counseling and Lifestyle Modification
Fasting Therapy
Fasting Therapy
According to Naturopathy, the root cause of most of the diseases is the accumulation of toxic matter in the digestive system. Fasting is considered as one of the most important methods of nature cure. In Naturopathy, fasting is practiced to enable nature to perform its cleansing process in the body, without any hindrance, and without any additional load of food to digest. The digestive organs are given a rest, to enable them to regain their health and work efficiently. As per Naturopathy, initially, one should fast for a limited period of time and then gradually increase the time period. One should break the fast with juice, vegetable juice, soups, and fruits. But the best and the safest way of fasting is the lime juice fasting. Before fasting, the bowel should be completely empty. Rest is advised during fasting.
Benefits:
- Fasting helps to excrete accumulated poisons, toxins and waste materials. Dead cells are removed, and new cell formation is sped up.
- Fasting provides rest to the different organs of the body, especially the digestive and assimilative ones.
- Fasting is good in treating of disorders like indigestion, gas formation, obesity, asthma, high blood pressure, and other digestive disorders.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy treatment in India is very promising and one of the best at our upcoming first naturopathy hospital in eastern India at JKYNH, Odisha. Hydrotherapy constitutes an important element of naturopathy treatment encompassing a wide range of therapeutic treatment for various pain relief using the physical properties of water with varying temperature that stimulates blood circulation and treat the symptom of the disease. This type of water treatment may involve procedures that include immersing the patient in water or combining the water with oils and herbs as a part of the treatment process.
How does Hydrotherapy work?
The healing properties of hydrotherapy are based on its thermal effects on body’s reaction to hot and cold stimuli. The nerves carry impulses felt at the deeper levels of the skin into the body, where they are instrumental in stimulating the immune system, influencing the production of stress hormones, invigorating the circulation and digestion, encouraging blood flow, and reducing pain sensitivity. Generally, heat quiets and soothes the body, slowing down the activity of internal organs while causing the blood vessels to dilate resulting in removal of waste from the body. Cold, in contrast, stimulates and invigorates, increasing internal activity and shunting the organs.
Types of Hydrotherapy
Jacuzzi Here the bathtub is equipped with a powerful water pump, which produces a strong jet stream of water within the tub.
- The effects of Jacuzzi are similar to those of a whirlpool bath. The powerful jet causes friction and massages the body, relaxes the muscles, relieves tension, and increases circulation to the skin thereby removing morbid matter from the body. It also enhances functioning of the heart and lungs.
Hydro Jets This is a tub of hot water which uses jets of forced air to produce currents and bubbles, for therapeutic purposes.
- • activates the nerves and muscles in the body increasing the blood circulation
• relaxes the muscles and cleanses the body of the toxins
Whirlpool Bath In this bath, a huge circular tub is used. It is equipped with powerful water pumps, to produce a powerful whirl (circular waves) in the tub.
- Helps in reducing the pain of arthritis, tendonitis/bursitis and inflammation resulting from sports injuries and overexertion.
- The moist heat is extremely helpful to those who are suffering from respiratory ailments, such as congestion, chronic bronchitis, and asthma.
Colonic Hydrotherapy/Enema This detoxifying treatment involves a soothing, gentle flow of filtered, temperature-controlled water throughout the colon to flush out logged waste and toxins.
- Helps bring about efficient elimination of waste products.
- Helps restore tissue and organ function.
- Rebalances body chemistry.
Immersion Bath It is one of the hydrotherapeutic procedures where the body is either locally or completely immersed in water of different temperatures. Temperatures vary according to the condition of the patient and season.
- Cold Immersion Bath: Helps in high fever, heat stroke, skin diseases, paralysis, muscular dystrophy, polio, and other neuro-muscular disorders. It is contra-indicated in conditions like severe weakness, heart disease, elderly patients, and very young children.
- Hot Immersion Bath: Here the water temperature is 38-42◦C. It is useful in all the pain diseases, obesity, diabetes, weak digestion, flatulence, asthma, skin and hair problems etc.
- Neutral Immersion Bath: Used especially in the winter season. It is a sedative and gives relief to the body in all diseases. Helpful in high fevers, rheumatism, multiple sclerosis, alcoholism, chronic dysentery, etc.
Steam Bath The patient is made to sit on a stool inside a specially designed chamber with the face and head out. A cold compress is placed on the head. A steam of natural medicated water is given to the entire body except the face and head. The toxic elements from the body are excreted from perspiration. The duration of the steam bath is usually ten to twenty minutes. A cold shower is taken immediately after the steam.
- Medicated or herbal steam helps rejuvenate the body.
- Improves circulation of the blood and tissue activity.
- Relieves rheumatism, gout, uric acid problems, and obesity.
- Helps the skin maintain its natural moisture and softness.
Arm and Foot Bath Hands and legs are kept in a special tub filled with hot/cold water.
- Cold Foot Bath: Useful especially in excess menstrual bleeding.
- Hot Foot Bath: Useful in relieving headaches, sinus problems, frequent colds, menstrual disorders, joint pains, and blood pressure.
- Hot Foot & Arm Bath: Useful to treat all kinds of headaches, migraine, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, and hypertension, etc.
Jet Spinal Bath In this type of bath, a powerful jet of water is applied to the spine. Temperature and duration vary according to the condition of the patient and season.
- Cold Spinal Bath: Useful in high blood pressure and emotional disorders such as stress, strain, insomnia, etc.
- Neutral Spinal Bath: Useful in high fevers, rheumatism, insomnia, etc.
- Hot Spinal Bath: Useful for back pain, cervical pain, lumbar spondylitis, obesity, muscle pain, and some gastrointestinal disorders.
Hip Bath For this bath, the tub is filled with water in such a way that it covers the hips and reaches up to the navel when the patient sits in it. Hip bath is given in cold, hot, neutral, or alternate temperatures.
- Stimulates the circulation toward the pelvic and digestive organs, relieves constipation, flatulence, and indigestion.
- Helps set right the menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, leucorrhoea.
- Helps bring about efficient elimination of waste products.
- Helps restore tissue and organ function.
- Rebalances body chemistry.
Massage Therapy
Mud Therapy
Mud Therapy
Mud is one of the five elements of nature which has a vast impact on our body. It contains important minerals which have positive effects on human health. Mud can absorb toxins from the human body, therefore, it is very useful in preventing many diseases. Mud therapy is widely used for its healing properties, it helps in cooling and relaxing the body as it can hold the moisture for a long time.
How does Mud Therapy work?
The dark color of mud helps in absorbing different colors of the sun and conveys them into the body, giving it, its therapeutic properties. Secondly, as the mud retains moisture for a long time, when applied over the body it provides a cooling effect. Thirdly, its shape and consistency can be easily changed by adding water, so it is easy applied.
Types of Therapeutic Mud
Mud found in different parts of the world has different properties. Mud composition varies with the place of origin. Firstly, a mineral constituent of mud varies with the kind of rocks found in the area and the process of soil formation. Secondly, mud property is influenced by the kind of flora and fauna of the area. Therefore, it is important to learn about properties of mud before utilizing it. Different types of mud used:
- Moor – Peat-based organic muds.
- Fango – Thermal mud of hot springs.
- Brine Muds – Highly saline coastal muds.
- Healing Clay – Usually swelling mineral clays
Mud therapy is used in two forms: Mud Pack
- Mud Pack for Eyes: The pack is typically 9”x 6”, enough to cover the eyes completely. It is placed on the eyes for 20 to 30 minutes. An eye mud pack helps in relaxing the eyes; especially good for those who require to sit in front of a computer for long hours. Therapeutically, it reduces irritation, itching, or other allergic conditions such as conjunctivitis and hemorrhage of the eyeball. It also helps in correcting refractive errors like short/long sightedness. It is effective in glaucoma, where it works to reduce the eyeball tension.
- Mud Pack for Head: A head mud pack is usually thick, narrow band. It is applied over the forehead and helps to heal congestive headache pain quickly.
- Mud Pack for Face: Fine mud is used for the face. The paste is evenly applied on the face and kept for 30 minutes. It helps in improving the complexion of the skin. In cases of acne, it helps by absorbing excess oils and toxins from the skin. It also helps in reducing dark circles around the eyes.
- Mud Pack for Abdomen: The size of a mud pack for abdomen is usually 10” x 6” x 1” for adults. The mud pack is applied for 20-30 minutes. An abdomen mud pack helps in all kinds of indigestion. It is very helpful in decreasing intestinal heat and stimulates peristalsis.
Mud Baths
- Here, mud is applied to the full body either in sitting or a lying down position. Mud is kept for 45 to 60 minutes and ideally exposed to sunlight, at least intermittently. A mud bath helps in increasing the blood circulation and energizing the skin tissues. It thus helps in cleansing and improving the overall skin condition. Regular mud baths may be considered as a natural beauty treatment procedure as it also helps in improving skin complexion and reducing spots and patches, possibly the result of some skin disorder like chickenpox or small pox. Mud baths are useful in many skin diseases such as psoriasis, urticarial, leprosy, and other skin allergic conditions.
Benefits
- Mud therapy is a very cost effective with rich healing properties and is extensively used at JKYNH,Odisha for its rich healing properties
- Mud therapy is used for relaxing stiff joints
- It improves blood circulation and reduces inflammation and reduces pain.
- It is also used for treating constipation, mud pack soothes the abdomin, cools intestinal heat and relieves constipation.
Naturopathic Manipulation
Nutrition
Reflex Therapy
Yoga and Pranayama