Homeopathy
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a safe, natural and proven system of medicine that works by repairing and stimulating the body's ability to heal itself. It is gentle enough to use on children, babies, the elderly or seriously ill people, yet can deliver powerful results to people of all ages including adults in their prime of life.
Homeopathy is offered within the NHS, for instance at the Tunbridge Wells Homeopathic Hospital and the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital in Great Ormond Street. Queen Elizabeth II is its patron, the royal family having used homeopathy for decades.
When our self-repair systems that we were born with have been damaged (e.g. through injury, shock or trauma, toxicity from drugs or from poor nutrition), we start showing a range of physical and emotional/mental symptoms which may develop into 'diseases'. By matching each person's symptoms with individualised remedies, the homeopathic treatment re-educates the person's body about the original blueprint for self-repair and stimulates healing.
Homeopathy can be helpful in any condition where a person's natural energetic flow and ability to recover spontaneously have been disturbed.
Is Homeopathy Regulated?
The Society of Homeopaths is the largest organisation registering professional homeopaths in Europe. Their members practice in accordance with the Society's Code of Ethics and Practice and carry full public liability and indemnity insurance. Their Professional Conduct Department offers impartial assistance should difficulties arise between patients and one of their members.
Homeopathy is a medical science and also a healing art. The Society of Homeopaths welcomes a broad spectrum of members who may adopt a variety of recognised approaches to prescribing. In the homeopathic approach to health and disease, each case is seen as unique and every prescription is individualised. The choice of prescribing method is always determined by the needs of the individual patient, as enshrined in the UK - agreed National Occupational Standards 2000.
What a homeopathic consultation involves
You and your homeopath discuss your symptoms, including physical symptoms such as the nature of any pain or discomfort, unusual symptoms relating to any organ, reactions to heat or cold, food cravings or aversions, sleep patterns etc.
We also discuss emotional and mental symptoms, for example changes in mood, strong emotions like anger or sadness, absent-mindedness, forgetfulness etc. Other topics of discussion include your past health/medical history as well as those of your family members.
Homeopathy that works
My approach is very practical, embracing the 'classical' method as a highly effective strategy when appropriate, but also using other proven homeopathic and naturopathic methods where preparatory work is needed.
For example, during early stages of treatment many people need the rapid relief of symptoms that can be achieved by supporting over-worked organs, strengthening elimination pathways, improving nutritional status, and clearing out toxic build-up, while the underlying disease patterns are being treated. This may require the use of safe, low-dose herbal tinctures or nutritional supplements in addition to homeopathic remedies. I also use flower and gem essences, such as Alaskan, Australian Bush and Bach, where emotional support is needed while physical layers are being cleared
How many consultations will be needed? How often?
Each human being is a one-off original that cannot be replicated.
In the same way, each person's journey towards developing symptoms of ill health is totally unique. This means that the path to healing is also different for each individual, depending on a wide range of factors, for example:
- how long since the symptoms started
- to what extent symptoms were 'suppressed', e.g. eczema 'pushed back inside' by steroid creams
- to some extent, a patient's age (e.g. children typically heal faster than adults -- as we get older, the rate of cellular renewal starts slowing down
- the underlying strength of someone's 'constitution', inherited weaknesses, and nutritional status.
A long way to say ... each person heals at his or her own pace and their homeopathic treatment needs to be tailor-made for them.
On average, however, appointments are around four to six weeks apart and anything from one appointment to many years of treatment may be required.
What if one gets ill between appointments?
The fees you pay for treatment also cover support and advice in case you become ill or need other help in between appointments.
Always contact me if you are concerned about any symptoms (you will be given emergency contact details when you register as a patient).
I strongly recommend that all clients purchase a kit which contains the 36 most commonly used homeopathic remedies to keep at home. When you call me in acute situations (e.g. flu, migraine, injury) I will recommend a remedy and it will be best if you had immediate access to a basic range of remedies.
In an emergency, always call an ambulance at once. Also let me know as soon as possible what has happened -- homeopathy works incredibly well alongside accident and emergency measures implemented by hospitals and, importantly, can help to prevent MRSA
What reaction can one expect after taking the remedies?
Remedies can be prescribed with different strategies in mind -- those aimed at giving acute, short-term relief, while other prescriptions might be working with deep, underlying energetic patterns that take time to shift in a subtle and gentle manner.
Occasionally one can experience a 'discharge' after taking a new remedy, which could take a number of forms, for example: increases in elimination activity through the bowels and/or kidneys, a respiratory discharge such as a cold or cough, a discharge via the skin such as a rash, or even an emotional discharge such as weeping over long-held grief that has eventually come to the surface for healing.
Remedies can be prescribed with different strategies in mind -- those aimed at giving acute, short-term relief, while other prescriptions might be working with deep, underlying energetic patterns that take time to shift in a subtle and gentle manner.
Occasionally one can experience a 'discharge' after taking a new remedy, which could take a number of forms, for example: increases in elimination activity through the bowels and/or kidneys, a respiratory discharge such as a cold or cough, a discharge via the skin such as a rash, or even an emotional discharge such as weeping over long-held grief that has eventually come to the surface for healing.
Always contact your homeopath if you are struggling to cope with a discharge or if you are worried -- it is often possible to slow down the pace of the healing response to a more comfortable level.
What do homeopaths treat?
The following conditions have been seen to respond well to homeopathic treatment:
Injuries - both recent and old injuries respond very well to homeopathic treatment, e.g. bruising, sprains and strains, wounds and fractures that are slow to heal, problems resulting from head injuries, repetitive strain injury.
Joint pains and back/neck problems - postural problems or spinal and joint pain that results from injury or arthritis, rheumatism or gout can all be helped by homeopathy.
Digestive problems - we regularly and successfully treat conditions such as excess acidity, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or a tendency to diarrhoea, an inability to digest rich food, malabsorption of nutrients, a shortage of beneficial or an excess of harmful gut bacteria, or parasites, and many other digestive conditions - which lie at the root of much physical disease in today's world.
Hormonal imbalance - a widespread complaint, in women ranging from puberty to menopause. Examples include PMT, painful, heavy or irregular periods, menopausal difficulties such as hot flushes, mood swings, or depression. Both sexes might be affected by acne or loss of libido.
Heart and circulatory problems - particularly relevant to over 50s, these conditions become a high priority particularly in view of the fact that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the western world. Alongside exercise and good nutrition, homeopathy can be tremendously helpful in keeping veins and arteries elastic, and to improve circulation and heart function, also looking at the interaction of the heart with other body systems and organs.
Depression and anxiety - common complaints involve work-related stress or unhappiness regarding career or relationships, panic attacks, burn-out or mid-life crisis when the reality of life fails to measure up against expectations, and emotional turmoil resulting from bereavement or other emotional traumas. Emotional causes often act as a trigger for physical ailments and their influence is vastly under-rated in modern-day society. Homeopathy is extremely powerful in helping people to process emotions more quickly and easily, making the transition to a place of choice.
Headaches and migraines - our aches and pains are not merely random attacks on our health and vitality, but a message from our bodies to alert us to patterns of energetic disturbance. A migraine may point to adrenal mismanagement, when we get locked into a 'fight or flight' pattern of stress. Headaches might signify liver toxicity or even dehydration. Whatever the cause, the homeopath and client need to work together to identify this and the remedies will stimulate the healing response.
Colds and flu - a tendency to get recurring respiratory infections, or other infections such as cystitis, bronchitis, conjunctivitis etc, points to a weakened immune system. Homeopathic treatment is extremely powerful in strengthening the immune system and helping the body to recover without the need to resort to antibiotics or other suppressive treatments.
Skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne, alopecia, warts, verrucas, athlete's foot and other fungal infections, and many other skin complaints have been seen to respond very well to a course of homeopathic treatment. Many of our patients are able to face the world with confidence once again when their disfiguring skin conditions are improved, as well as benefiting from improved sleep and a tremendous reduction in irritation and discomfort.