HOW CAN A NATUROPATH IMPROVE MY HEALTH AND HAPPINESS?

Can you believe naturopaths have been around for more than 2000 years? It’s believed that Hippocrates, a Greek physician, developed the concept of “the healing power of nature”. Yet somehow, in 2018, the idea of a naturopath is still confusing to a lot of people. Most of us have heard of a naturopath, but we’re still unsure about what they can actually do for our health, and how it differs from traditional Western medicine. 

We got in touch with Yannick Boribon-Soares from South Melbourne’s Without Limits Health, to find out the 10 key reasons one might make an appointment with a naturopath. You might be surprised with some of her answers!

1. Naturopaths treat regular conditions that you might see a doctor for, such as cold and flu, diabetes, arthritis, anxiety and depression, high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and digestive complaints.
2. Did you know that 75% of your immunity cells are found in your gut? So, if you have any digestive complaints or issues like IBS, leaky gut, food intolerances and allergies or reflux, then your immune system will be compromised. This can make you more susceptible to autoimmune diseases and increase your chance of getting sick. A naturopath can help you repair the inflammation, leaky gut and digestive discomfort and in turn, improve your immune system.
3. Naturopaths work in preventative medicine. This means a naturopath can help improve your health and prevent invasive procedures and medications, by focussing on lifestyle and dietary changes, herbal medicine and nutritional supplements to get your health back on track. Cardiac conditions, high blood pressure and diabetes are all conditions which can be improved with naturopathic care.
4. Many naturopaths specialise in treating gynaecological disorders and reproductive issues. For example, period pain and PMS symptoms are all indicators of a bigger hormonal problem, so your naturopath can assist with getting your hormones balanced, reducing period and ovulation pain and other conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and fibroids.
5. Many naturopaths are fertility specialists and can assist in IVF support, pre-pregnancy planning, during pregnancy and postpartum care to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. Your naturopath can repair and treat gynaecological issues and advise you on what to eat and any nutritional support you may need during your pregnancy.
6. Naturopaths use a holistic approach and treat the person as a whole. We don’t just symptom prescribe; we work on repairing the entire body, nerves, cells, immune system and work on the root cause of the problem.
7. Your naturopath will have a variety of treatment options for you. For instance, if you have diabetes, your naturopath can work with herbs, dietary and lifestyle changes, and provide you with supplements to help rebalance your blood sugar levels.
8. Your naturopath empowers you by educating you about health, and giving you treatment options which are affordable and can be easily incorporated into your lifestyle.
9. Naturopaths offer individualised care. They can prepare meal plans, food lists and lifestyle advice to suit you and your family.
10. Naturopaths regularly treat a range of common and not so common issues. Some of these include cardiovascular disease, hormonal imbalance, arthritis, thyroid conditions, fertility, digestive complaints, menopause, stress, anxiety, depression, allergies, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and autoimmune disorders.