Naturopathy

In many respects, naturopathy is really common applied to health. The basic principle is that we have tremendous innate healing abilities, and our systems will always attempt to overcome an illness and restore balance. In naturopathy, these attempts are encouraged by utilizing such natural factors as diet, exercise and relaxation, fresh air and the use of water. Many useful natural remedies are given by Naturopathy which can easily be made at home.

The general thrust of treatment in naturopathy is really to shift responsibility for health back to ourselves as far as possible and equally to advocate prevention is better than cure.

The application of water by various methods, or hydrotherapy treatment, is another very useful part of naturopathy. The concept of using hot or cold water dates back at least to the Ancient Greeks, and is seen around the world in other old cultures, for example, that of Native Americans. Hydrotherapy treatment had a major revival in Europe in the nineteenth century, with the Bavarian monk Sebastian Kneipp the most influential figure.

Treatment of diseases by Alternative medicine naturopathy

One of the simplest methods is to use a compress, or fomentation, made by wringing out a small towel in water and placing over the required area. By alternating hot and cold compresses, normally about 3-5 minutes if hot and up to 1 minute if cold - the local circulation can be strongly stimulated.

For people who are considerably overweight it is often better just to use a cool compress, as this is less taxing on the heart. A shower can be used to similar effect by changing the temperature, or cool splashes of water after a warm bath may be used.

A specific form of treatment in hydrotherapy clinics is the use of sitz baths, a kind of hip bath, which works on the pelvic and abdominal areas, by sitting firstly in a hot bath then transferring to a cold one for a short time.

As well as these approaches to health and healing, natural therapies range from those that work mainly via the body, such as massage, osteopathy, chiropractic and physiotherapy, through those that deal with energy balance, such as acupuncture, reflexology and shiatsu, to those that approach from the mental or emotional level, such as hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and group work. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each attempt to help to restore balance from its own perspective.

Some of them are not so easily applied for self-help, but it is useful to know that if you are unable to sort out your health problems on your own, then there is a wide choice of professional treatments that may help.