Naturopathy is defined as:

"An eclectic system of healthcare, which promote the body's self-healing mechanism."

The word Naturopathy stems from the 19th Century European "Nature Cures" using treatments incorporating water, air,light, massage and diet. The early Naturopathy were also called the hygiene school of practitioners, advocating moderation in the drinking and cleanliness of living. Often fasting was used as treatment.

The advent of the antibiotic and drug era and the introduction of hospital-based medicine at the turn of the 20th Century saw a decline in all Natural therapeutic practice.

Naturopathy, along with what is now called Complementary and Alternative Medicine experienced resurgence in the latter half of last Century. The Naturopath now amongst all therapies as the most widely trained and skilled practitioner of Natural Medicine.

• What happens when you consult a naturopath?

The first visit is to find out about you. You will be asked detailed questions your current illness. Past medical history, eating habits and lifestyle. Stress and Bio-mechanical factors are taken into account.

Naturopaths use various way to assess your health. Our naturopath may use physical examinations, allergy testing, applied kinesiology and laboratory tests. These help naturopaths to discover why you are ill and how you can get better.

• How is a naturopath trained?

Naturopaths undergo four years of full time training or five years on extended pathway. They study the same basic medical sciences as doctors- anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology. In addition they study nutrition and detoxification methods and the influence of the emotions on health and diseases.

Many naturopaths are qualified osteopaths. Some are also trained in herbal medicine, acupuncture, homoeopath or other natural therapies.

• What does naturopathic treatment involve?

An eclectic practitioner is defined as one who freely uses various treatments to restore health in the patient, according to the patient's needs. The practitioner may use the specialised disciplines of dietary advice, nutritional supplements, detoxification, hands-on work (such as osteopath and massage), hydrotherapy,homoeopath, herbalism, and acupuncture (Traditional Chinese Medicine).