Therapies
Homoeopathy
Starting Homoeopathic Treatment
Homeopathy is an effective and
scientific system of healing which assists the natural tendency of the body
to heal itself. It recognises that all symptoms of ill health are
expressions of disharmony within the whole person and that it is the patient
who needs treatment not the disease.
As a new patient, these ideas may be new to you, but homoeopathy has been
established for about 200 years.
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What is homoeopathy?
In 1 796 a German doctor, Samuel
Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick which he
called homoeopathy (from the Greek words meaning "similar
suffering"). Like Hippocrates two thousand years earlier he realised
that there were two ways of treating ill health, the way of opposites and
the way of similars.
Take for example, a case of insomnia. The way of opposites, (conventional
medicine or allopathy), is to treat this by giving a drug to bring on an
artificial sleep. This frequently involves the use of large or regular doses
of drugs which can sometimes cause side effects or addiction.
The way of similars, the homoeopathic way, is to give the patient a
minute dose of a substance, such as coffee, which in large doses causes
sleeplessness in a healthy person. Perhaps surprisingly this will enable the
patient to sleep naturally.
Homoeopathic remedies cannot cause side effects and you cannot become
addicted to them. This is because only a very minute amount of the active
ingredient is used in a specially prepared form.
Your homoeopath will give you a homoeopathic medicine or remedy which
matches your symptoms as you experience them. This also takes account of you
as a person — your individual characteristics emotionally as well as
physically.
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How does it work?
Homoeopathic remedies work by
stimulating the bodys own healing power. This stimulus will assist your own
system to clear itself of any expressions of imbalance. The aim is to get
you to a level of health so that eventually you will need infrequent
treatment.
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What will your homoeopath need to know?
In order to find the right remedy for
you as an individual, your homoeopath will need to know all about you. A
detailed understanding of who you are, along with any complaints and details
of how you experience them, is needed to assess your case correctly. So
anything you can tell your homoeopath that is typical of who you are will
help this process. Finding out about your general energy level, your past
medical history and the way you live are also important. Anything you say
will be treated in the strictest confidence. The initial consultation may
last an hour or more.
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What will the treatment be like?
Your homoeopath will give you a
homoeopathic remedy, usually in the form of a tablet or tablets,
occasionally as powders, which should be allowed to dissolve in your mouth;
or you may be given a liquid remedy with instructions. Nothing else should
be put in the mouth for 20 minutes before or after taking the tablet, not
even toothpaste or cigarettes. Your homoeopath will usually advise you to
avoid coffee, peppermint and preparations containing menthol, eucalyptus and
camphor, as these can interfere with the action of the homoeopathic remedy.
Do make sure that you understand the instructions before you leave.
If you are given homoeopathic remedies to take at a later date be sure to
store them in a cool dark place, away from anything with a strong smell. If
you travel do not let the remedies go through the X-ray.
Please tell your homoeopath about any medicine or supplement that has
been prescribed for you by your doctor or that you take regularly. Also
mention any recent or immediate dental treatment. These may possibly
interfere with your homoeopathic treatment.
Other treatments may affect your homoeopathic treatment, so please do not
take any form of medication, including homoeopathic remedies without first
asking your homoeopath, who may be able to give you some first aid advice.
If you develop a cold, headache, or any symptoms that concern you, please
discuss them with your homoeopath.
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What will happen once treatment starts?
After taking your remedy you may notice some changes. Some patients
experience a period of exceptional well being and optimism. Sometimes your
symptoms can appear to get worse for a short time. This is a good sign that
the remedy is taking effect. Sometimes a cold, rash or some form of
discharge may appear as a ‘spring cleaning’ effect which means your
system is going through a cleaning stage. Similarly, old symptoms can
reappear, usually for a short period. These symptoms will pass, and must not
be treated as they are a very important part of the healing process. If any
response to your treatment concerns you, do contact your homoeopath as soon
as you can, as it is important to know what happens as treatment progresses.
You might also want to make notes of any changes and take them with you to
discuss at your next appointment.
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How long does treatment take?
This depends very much on what sort of illness you have, as well as the
other individual characteristics of your case. So it is not realistic for
your homoeopath to assess this until it can be seen how you respond to the
remedies prescribed over some time. It is possible to say that a slowly
developing complaint, or one that has been experienced for some years, will
not disappear immediately although there may be a response and some
improvement quite soon. Other acute complaints may get better more quickly.
Homoeopathy cures from the inside, and often outer symptoms such as a
skin complaint, are the last to clear. Be patient! In the long term it is
much better for you to be cured of both the cause of your illness and its
symptoms, rather than merely relieving or suppressing the symptoms. Remember
that every case is different, and no two patients are alike.
If you wish to discontinue your treatment for any reason, your homoeopath
will talk things over with you.
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Is there any advice about diet and lifestyle?
A homoeopath will ask you about your usual diet and lifestyle, and may
suggest changes, especially if it seems that this is contributing to your
illness. Of course, a good basic diet is necessary for good health, with
less sugars, fats, alcohol and refined foods. There is an increasing
awareness of the benefits of foods free from artificial colourings,
preservatives and flavourings. Whole foods and organic foods, free from
chemical pesticides and fertilisers, are also increasingly available.
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What about seeing a GP?
We recommend that you should maintain
your relationship with your GP. Your GP will be able to arrange any tests or
X-rays you may need. Homoeopathy has an alternative philosophy but by
working in this way with your GP the two systems of health care can provide
complementary services.
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Can I treat myself with homoeopathic remedies?
You can use some remedies at home to
treat first aid problems such as cuts, stings, minor burns and bruises. Ask
your homoeopath for further information or find your nearest class or
seminar on this subject. There are a number of good books available such as:
- Homoeopathy, Medicine for the New Man, by George
Vithoulkas, Jhorsons.
- Homoeopathy, Natural Medicine for the Whole Person, by Peter Adams,
Element.
- Practical Homoeopathy, A Complete Guide to Home Treatment by Beth
MacEoin, Bloomsbury.
- The Complete Homoeopathy Handbook, by Miranda Castro, Macmillan.
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How do I find a good homoeopath?
To find a good homceopath consult the
Register of the Society of HomcEopaths. All homcQopaths registered with the
Society practise in accordance with a Code of Ethics and Practice, hold
professional insurance, and have passed stringent academic and clinical
assessments before being admitted to the Register.
Source: - The Society of Homoeopaths
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