What exactly is a Naturopath and what do they do?

29 May

There can still be a lot of uncertainty and confusion as to what a Naturopath actually does. Do we have cauldrons and mix potions while picking herbs? Do we all sip organic green juices and do yoga? Well not all of us… so, let me try to break it down for you.

Naturopathy is the study of natural medicine and offers a holistic approach to wellness. As a Naturopath I focus on education and gently guiding your body back into balance with the least intervention required for long-term, sustainable health changes. I value the importance of the body's innate ability to realign itself when given the right tools, knowledge and therapeutic support.

I believe it is the whole person that needs assessment, not just the symptom or the condition. That means I will look at your life as a whole, rather than its individual pieces. I want to know about your diet, your lifestyle, family history and living environment, as well as any current complaints.

In conjunction with our consultations we may utilise comprehensive functional testing such as analysis of blood, stool, saliva, urine or hair, which allows us to delve deeper and provide a better understanding of you and your health. I frequently work alongside your general practitioner to provide the best possible outcome for you.

Some of the conditions or concerns I see on a weekly basis include:

Hormonal imbalances e.g. PCOS, Endometriosis, oestrogen excess
Fertility complaints
Poor gut health e.g. bloating, gas, reflux
Food sensitivities / intolerances
Skin conditions e.g. acne, eczema, dermatitis
Autoimmune conditions
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS & PMDD)
Anxiety & depression
Hypo / hyperthyroidism
Poor energy / fatigue
Sleep issues
Weight management
Stress

I weave together evidence-based research with traditional healing knowledge to deliver safe, effective and holistic treatments. We will work together to implement non-invasive ways to improve your health for the long-term, focusing on lifestyle changes, stress management, nutrition, herbal and nutritional medicine and supplementation.

I frequently tell clients ‘nothing changes if nothing changes’, and this couldn’t be truer for your health concerns. If you are tired of being told ‘everything is fine’, living at 50% capacity and just ‘putting up’ with a health complaint when you know something isn’t right, listen to your body! You deserve to be the best version of you.