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Do you have questions about what Naturopathy is or what happens when you see a Naturopath?
Take a look through some of these Frequently Asked Questions below or get in touch to see how I can help.
Naturopathy is a holistic functional approach to medicine encompassing the physical, mental, and emotional dimensions of health. Naturopaths seek to understand the root cause of a condition. Education, support, and empowerment form the basis of treatment with a client centred focus seeking to create an environment where each person can regain their health and vibrancy.
The core Naturopathic principles are:
A naturopath works with people to improve their health and wellbeing using herbal medicines, nutritional supplements and or flower essences along with individualised dietary and lifestyle advice to support treatment.
A naturopath can help with many kinds of health conditions across all body systems, including men’s, women’s and children’s health. In some ways, a naturopath might be described as the ‘general practitioner’ of natural medicine, however some naturopaths do choose to focus their clinical practice on particular areas of healthcare.
A naturopath works holistically, meaning they look at the whole person, including physical, mental and emotional health of each individual.
In Australia the gold standard of education for Naturopaths is a 4-year Bachelor level health science degree. Naturopaths are educated in the human bodies’ physiology and pathophysiology within a biomedical framework and a strong evidence-based practice focus. Naturopaths are then taught how to apply herbal medicine, nutrition, nutraceuticals and flower essences to a wide variety of conditions.
Professional associations exist for Naturopaths in Australia. Examples include NHAA and ANTA. It is important to make sure you choose a Naturopath who is a member of a professional association. These associations require Naturopaths to submit their qualifications for validation, ensure they have the appropriate insurances and that they complete continued education every year to remain up to date with scientific advancements.
Your first consultation is all about getting to know you and your health concerns. It usually takes around 60mins. You will have been asked to complete an intake form before your appointment. This will be used as a starting point with further information being gathered during the consultation. This may include a comprehensive analysis of your current health concerns, health history, relevant family health history, dietary and lifestyle habits and a review of any current pathology results. You will receive a personalised treatment plan including any prescription details after your appointment. The treatment plan may include practitioner-grade herbal medicines, nutraceutical formulations and flower essences along with dietary and lifestyle advice which will be discussed with you in the consultation.
Naturopaths can prescribe a wide range of herbal medicines and nutritional supplements sometimes referred to as nutraceuticals. Australia has some of the highest standards in the world when it comes to producing both herbal and nutritional medicines and supplements.
The practitioner-grade formulations (liquids, powders and tablets) that qualified Naturopaths can prescribe are vigorously tested and researched. When manufactured in Australia the facilities are operated under the pharmaceutical ‘Good Manufacturing Practice’ (GMP), which is the same standard applied to pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates all herbal and nutritional products in Australia. These products are far superior to those that you can get off the shelves at your local supermarket or chemist. The form of the nutrient matters and your Naturopath can choose the ones that are more easily absorbed and utilised by the body.
A Naturopath can help with a wide range of health concerns. A naturopath can work with you to help reduce fatigue and improve energy levels, enhance your immune system function, improve gut function, hormonal balance, improve sleep, reduce stress, anxiety and depression, reduce pain and inflammation, achieve your weight loss goals.
No, think of your Naturopath as a member of the allied health team the same way you would view other allied health professions e.g., physiotherapist, osteopath. A Naturopath can work alongside and be supportive of your conventional medical treatments.
A Naturopath uses a combination of dietary and lifestyle modifications alongside herbal and nutritional medicines as needed.
Yes, generally Naturopaths can order blood tests however these will be requested through private laboratories and not covered under Medicare. Meaning that you would need to pay for them directly with the pathology company.
However, if you have copies of your blood tests from your doctor then depending on the level of training that the Naturopath has, they may be able to interpret them and use them to assist in your treatment.
Yes, you can however it is important that you disclose all of your medications to the Naturopath so that any interactions can be checked. All forms of medicines, including natural medicines, can have interactions with other medications a person may be taking. Therefore, it is always best to seek professional advice about whether a particular natural treatment or product is appropriate for you. Always speak to your GP if you have any concerns about any pharmaceutical medications, you may be taking.
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Womens Health, Natural Health, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Integrative Health & Nutrigenomics Services available
Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter,
NSW Australia
(02) 9469 6680
Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
NSW Australia
(02) 9469 6680
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