Naturopathy
Naturopathy, like many disciplines has several different approaches. I was taught several of these. The most common approach is based on a typical orthodox diagnosis, but the treatment is often based on herbs or supplements of some kind. This can be effective but in my experience the positive effect of this approach is only temporary.
What I find has a more long-lasting effect is what used to be called nature cure or natural hygiene. This is based on a different diagnosis. This different diagnosis, assesses the factors which have led to the medical diagnosis. In medicine, causation appears to be relatively intangible in many instances. But we now know that our bodies want to heal themselves and can if given the right opportunity, my assessment of a case is based on discovering what these factors which are preventing your body from healing itself are.
This type of naturopathy is incorporated into classical osteopathy and they work together. Classical osteopathy provides reorganisation and integration where as diet and lifestyle changes will often have a cleaning effect or provide nutrition that normal physiology requires. This will help reduce the chances of symptoms returning and will help educate the individual about how to maintain improvements in health and look after themselves.
Maintaining your homeostasis
I see health as being more than the absence of disease. Its state is dependent upon a multitude of factors and is a reflection of interaction with our environment and our ability to thrive within it. This is completely different to fitness. Acute disease processes are different from chronic processes, the acute response is usually the body’s attempt to restore health, often through enhanced processes of elimination. Suppression of such healing processes contributes to the potential for chronic breakdown or degeneration. Any obstruction to the bodies ability to maintain homeostasis (homeostasis is the balance of health our bodies attempt to return to) tends to be how the disease starts. Health is homeostasis - a dynamic equilibrium. The individual requires suitable foods for nourishment, clean water, fresh air and sunlight, as well as appropriate exercise, rest and relaxation.
IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
I work with the body’s own self-correcting mechanisms or efforts to maintain homeostasis and endeavour to address all aspects which obstruct the return to health.
This requires the co-operation of the patient as well as treatment and the aim is to establish health on a cellular level by improving factors that affect circulation, nutrition, detoxification and elimination.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is a complete system of medicine developed over the last 2000 years by the oriental cultures, which are now known as China and Japan. It involves the insertion of fine needles into various parts of the body to help "balance" subtle energies within us. This concept is known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
At my practice, I generally use traditional acupuncture points, but to help relieve musculoskeletal pain sometimes as an adjunctive measure with osteopathy rather than TCM for all ailments.
How does it work?
Acupuncture works by relaxing tight muscles through reflex mechanisms which involve the spinal cord and brain, this can help relieve pain and stiffness, it is particularly useful in osteoarthritic (wear and tear) conditions when it is thought nothing can be done.
Acupuncture may help ease:
Arthritic pain
Pain from injuries
Back pain
Migraine headaches
Muscle pain
Is it painful?
Occasionally people are unsure about the insertion of needles, but more often than not, find it far less painful than anticipated and often don’t feel the insertion. However, occasionally a point can be painful. Whilst the needles are in, people usually feel very relaxed as acupuncture causes the release of your body's own feel good chemicals called endorphins and enkephalins.
Contact me or book online for acupuncture treatments in Hamble, Bursledon, Sarisbury Green, Locks Heath, Warsash, Farehan, Sholing, Bitterne, Hedge End, Botley, Bishops Waltham, Southampton, Swannick and Woolston.