Traditional and Alternative medicine.

Thursday, April 19. 2007

Naturopathy

By Craig Burton
www.3dpts.com

Today we examine a highly influential part of my health approach - Naturopathy.

What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy, also known as natural medicine, or natural therapeutics, is the western version of other holistic, nature-based medical systems that harness the body's own natural healing process (like Chinese medicine).

Naturopaths believe the healing power of the body is the most powerful tool and should be supported - not overridden. The body can heal cuts, mend broken bones, rid itself of infections and achieve feats when given a chance that makes no competition against any man-made drug.

History and theory

The roots of naturopathy go back to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who is often quoted as saying, "one man's food is another man's poison", which is the basis of Metabolic Typing MT (see archive for more on MT). Hippocrates believed the foundations of health and vitality were supportive eating, adequate rest and exercise - and that cures should stimulate the body's natural healing ability.

Modern naturopathy evolved from Austrian friar Father Kneipp and German Vincent Preissnitz in the 19th century. They further developed Hippocrates idea and formulated the two concepts central to modern naturopathy:

1. Nature cure - the body has the power to heal itself.
2. Natural hygiene - the body requires clean air and water, regular exercise and fresh food, in order to be healthy.

Naturopaths believe the body has a natural state of equilibrium, known as "homeostasis", and a "vital force" that facilitates healing. They also believe poor diet, lack of exercise, inadequate fresh air and sunlight, too much stress or too many negative thoughts can disturb this equilibrium and lead to disease.

Another considered cause of disease is the accumulation of toxins in the body caused by poor elimination of waste products, ingesting chemicals or additives, or the inhaling pollutants. These toxins can weaken the immune system and suppress the body's vital force. Here the role of the naturopath is to use techniques to assist in the body's process of elimination.

Naturopath's tool bag

Naturopaths use various techniques and therapies to promote health and healing including:

• Advising on healthy foods options
• Herbal and homeopathic remedies
• Detoxification regimes (including fasting, enemas and colonic irrigation) to help eliminate toxins from the body and strengthen the immune system
• Hydrotherapy (using hot and cold baths, mineral spas and douches)
• Breathing exercises and stretches are used to improve flexibility and promote relaxation
• Osteopathic manipulation is used to correct structural misalignment
• Massage is used to improve circulation and relax the body and mind

Consulting a practitioner

Naturopaths are widespread in the US, Germany and Australia. There are fewer naturopaths in the UK and other European countries, but their numbers are steadily rising.

At the first consultation, a naturopath will take your medical history and may check blood pressure and lung function, or suggest blood or other medical tests. They may also use less orthodox testing such as iridology (iris diagnosis) and radionic testing. You'll generally be given dietary and exercise recommendations and may be asked to follow a cleansing diet or a short fast.

History of Herbal Medicine
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Dr. Benedict Lust (M.D., D.C., N.D.) a German doctor and chiropractor who emigrated to the U.S. in 1892, was America’s first naturopathic physician. Although ridiculed by the establishment for his �revolutionary’ ideas of exercise, vegetarianism and healthy living, Benedict Lust, founded the first health food store as we know it, and crystallized the focus of naturopathy on diet and nutrition as the chief route to health. He also started the country’s health spa, in Butler NJ, and founded the first naturopathic college, the American School of Naturopathy and chiropractic in 1902, in New York.
#1 Dr. Slavsky on 2007-04-19 02:10 (Reply)
Hmm, disputable moment!
From Wikipedia:
The term naturopathy was coined before 1900, by John Scheel, and used by Benedict Lust. Lust had been schooled in hydrotherapy and other natural health practices in Germany by Father Sebastian Kneipp, who sent Lust to the United States to bring them Kneipp's methods. In 1905, Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy in New York, the first naturopathic college in the United States. Lust took great strides in promoting the profession, culminating in passage of licensing laws in several states prior to 1935, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington and the founding of several naturopathic colleges.

Naturopathic medicine went into decline, along with most other natural health professions, after the 1930s, with the discovery of penicillin and advent of synthetic drugs such as antibiotics and corticosteroids. In the post-war era, Lust's death, conflict between various schools of natural medicine (homeopathy, eclectics, physio-medicalism, herbalism, naturopathy, etc.), the rise of medical technology, and consolidation of political power in conventional medicine were all contributing factors. In 1910, when the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching published the Flexner Report which criticized many aspects of medical education in various institutions (natural and conventional), it was mostly seen as an attack on low-quality natural medicine education. It caused many such programs to shut down and contributed to the popularity of conventional medicine.

Naturopathic medicine never completely ceased to exist, however, as there were always a few states in which licensing laws existed—though at one point there were virtually no schools. One of the most visible steps towards the profession's modern renewal was the opening in 1956 of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. This was the first of the modern naturopathic medical schools offering four-year naturopathic medical training with the intention of integrating mainstream science and naturopathic principles and practice.
#1.1 ChaHua on 2007-04-19 02:20 (Reply)

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