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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a Naturopath?
Naturopaths are natural health practitioners who are highly trained in nutritional, herbal and lifestyle medicine, with extensive knowledge of medical conditions and both conventional and holistic treatment options.Naturopaths often work in conjunction with mainstream doctors to provide a more holistic treatment approach with a strong focus on disease prevention, as well as providing alternative medicines such as herbs, nutritional supplements and dietary/lifestyle strategies to help heal the body. With good nutrition being the foundation of naturopathic practice, food as medicine is used for both health promotion and disease prevention.
Q2. What type of training do Naturopaths receive?
Naturopaths can undertake different forms of training ranging from Diplomas to University degrees. The most qualified Naturopaths have completed a four-year Bachelor degree program, which involves studying the same bio-medical and clinical sciences as medical doctors as well as extensive training in the principles and practices of naturopathic medicine including the uses of nutrients, herbs and minerals.
Q3. Who should visit a Naturopath?
Everyone can benefit from visiting a Naturopath as we treat all types of health conditions, ranging from insomnia and stress to irritable bowel syndrome and premenstrual syndrome, and we are also prevention medicine specialists. As well as helping those suffering from a particular health condition or from general poor health, Naturopath consultations are also really beneficial for individuals who value their health and would like some further insights into their health status along with recommendations for positive changes. It’s a common misconception that only those with serious health concerns should visit a health specialist like a Naturopath.
Q4. Which health conditions can Naturopaths treat?
Naturopaths treat both acute and chronic conditions, including all the same conditions as traditional medical doctors. Chronic conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), digestive complaints, arthritis, skin disorders, allergies and asthma are particularly well suited to natural medicine, however acute conditions such as the common cold, influenza virus and bronchitis are also very successfully treated. Many people also visit Naturopaths to improve or maintain their overall health as Naturopaths are well qualified to provide support and guidance to help individuals on their journey towards true wellness.
Q5. What happens during a Naturopath consultation?
An initial Naturopathic consultation will last about an hour and will involve a comprehensive health review as well as physical examinations such as blood pressure, and nail, tongue and iris analyses. Follow-up pathology testing such as hair, stool and blood analyses may also be required. Treatment plans include dietary and lifestyle advice as well as any relevant nutritional supplements and herbal medicines. Subsequent consultations usually last for 30 minutes, during which time we will discuss your progress to assess whether any changes are required to your treatment protocol, as well as any test results.
Q6. What is the difference between a Naturopath & Nutrition consultation?
Generally speaking, there isn’t much separating Naturopathy and Nutrition consultations as both therapies use the same underlying principles and aim to achieve the same ultimate goal of optimal health and well-being. Naturopaths however tend to address more specific health conditions and also use herbal medicines and mineral therapies alongside nutritional supplements and dietary/lifestyle interventions, whereas Nutritionists tend to focus more on dietary changes and meal planning to achieve goals such as weight loss, increased energy and dietary improvements. If you are unsure which service would suit you the best, we can either discuss this in advance of your first consultation (please contact me via email, phone or the online contact form) or we can just tailor whichever session you book in for to your own individual requirements.
Q7. Do you hold consultations via phone or skype?
I have several clients who I consult with via phone or video conferencing using Zoom software, which functions similarly to Skype but operates more reliably with additional features. I will send you the relevant link before our first consultation.By also offering a virtual clinic, I am able to connect with individuals who are either based further afield, who operate very busy schedules or who prefer to connect from the comfort of their own homes.
Q8. Can I have some guidance to help me decide whether natural therapy is suitable for me ?
If you require some further guidance to help you decide whether natural therapy would be suitable for you or if you are not sure which service to choose, please book in for a free 15 minute strategy session so that we can discuss the best way forward for you.
Q9. Does natural medicine really work?
For thousands of years, people across the world have recovered from illness using exclusively natural remedies, with herbal medicines, manual therapies, exercise and nutritional prescriptions passed down through generations because they were so effective. Until recently, scientific research in support of natural medicine has been scarce due to a lack of available funding however as interest in natural health care grows, more funding is being made available so studies are able to demonstrate how efficacious (and cost-effective) natural approaches are.
Q10. Are natural medicines safe?
Naturopathic care is safe, gentle and usually less invasive and less risky than conventional medicine. With the fundamental principle of ‘Do No harm’ underlying Naturopathic practice, Naturopaths act in the client’s best interests at all times. As herbal medicines can interact with pharmaceutical drugs, it is essential to provide details of all your treatments to both your medical doctor and Naturopath.
Q11. What are the differences between natural medicines & pharmaceutical drugs?
Natural and conventional medicine both play important roles in treating disease but they approach healing very differently. While conventional medicine focuses on eliminating disease symptoms, natural medicine seeks to identify the underlying cause of illness, using disease symptoms as signals from the body, and uses therapies that aid the natural healing processes. Pharmaceutical drugs can be effective at suppressing disease symptoms however the underlying issue often remains and can evolve into a more serious chronic condition. The unwanted side effects that accompany these drugs also further imbalance the body to impede healing.
Q12. Can natural medicines be used alongside pharmaceuticals?
Naturopathic guidance can be sought in combination with conventional medical care, and your naturopath will work alongside your other healthcare providers such as your GP in order to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Naturopaths also recognise the importance of a collaborative approach to healing and therefore may also refer clients to other healthcare practitioners such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists and counsellors.
Q13. How do I make an appointment?
Appointments can be booked via the online booking system, alternatively you can contact me by email, phone or using the online contact form. I also offer free initial phone enquiries if you would like to find out more about the services I offer or if you are unsure whether a consultation would be suitable for you. These can also be arranged by email, phone or the online contact form.
Q14. Do I need to bring anything to my initial consultation?
Please have on hand the details of any medications and/or supplements that you are currently taking, including their brand names, ingredients and dosages (photos of the labels/packaging is an easy way to do this). Copies of any recent blood tests or other pathology testing is also useful to have on hand if you have these available.
Q15. Will I need to get any tests done?
We will discuss the need for any pathology testing during your appointment. Testing may be helpful to confirm any suspected underlying pathologies or nutrient deficiencies.
Q16. How long will the treatment plan last?
This really depends on each individual’s circumstances, with factors such as the particular health issues being addressed, duration of ill health, any test results, your current diet and lifestyle and how much support you need all determining the length of the entire treatment plan. We will discuss this at your initial consultation so that you will have a guideline of how long your treatment protocol should take.
Q17. What is the cancellation policy?
There is a strict cancellation policy so if you need to reschedule or cancel a booking please do so with at least 24 hours notice in order to avoid being charged for the full cost of the appointment. Changes before this 24 hour period can be made at no cost.