“Natur-what?!” Naturopathy is amazing… and here’s why!

There seems to be a health revolution going on, especially in the online community, which is fantastic and incredibly exciting… but it can sometimes be a little overwhelming. The most common reason people come to see me as a Naturopath is to improve their health in general, or heal from a particular disease, but it’s usually coupled with “where on earth do I start?!” or “there’s so much conflicting information out there, I get confused!” If this is you, don’t be alarmed, you are not alone. I myself have been there, but through the help of a Naturopath I’ve come out the other side and am now lucky enough to help others!

I know as a qualified Naturopath I’m pretty biased… well, very biased! But both as a practitioner and as a patient I have witnessed first hand that Naturopathy is an incredible way of approaching health and wellbeing. It’s not a method of dieting, nor does it have to be an extreme ‘detox’, it looks at everything that affects your health and then making changes to promote optimum health, not just prevent disease.

Osteopathy and Naturopathy go hand in hand so well because the Osteopathic Principles are based around the body’s self-healing capabilities. Although Osteopathy has scientifically proven physical effects, we’re helping the body to heal itself, making changes and then educating the body to continue improvement long after treatment.

Naturopathy is not a practitioner scrutinising someone’s food diary and then dictating strict changes. Often dietary changes are needed, but it’s ultimately the practitioner working with the person. Working with them to promote health, as well as prevent disease, by using the practitioner’s knowledge and the patient’s insight to produce long-lasting effects that will grow and improve with time.

Naturopathy actually inspired the logo I use. I wanted something involving three pieces that flowed and linked together, just as the three main aspects of health do. Jack at Forj Designs created this, which I love!

The three shapes represent the three aspects of health that Naturopaths work with. Without addressing all three aspects, a person cannot reach and maintain optimum, vibrant health. Looking at the mind, the physical body and nutrients/chemicals, we call it the Naturopathic Triad.

The Mind- Emotional/Spiritual.

In the medical community, new evidence for the link between emotions and physical effects on the body are being found constantly. Naturopaths recognise that if there are stresses and negative emotions experienced, they are likely to cause negative physical and mental effects for that person. There is no easy way to relieve these, often the causes are complicated and ongoing. The role of a Naturopath is to help identify the issues and teach the person how to manage the effects. The most common things I recommend to patients are the use of simple meditation and mindfulness techniques.

Something for you to try…

Keep a small notebook with you, or using your phone, make a note of three small, simple things that have brought you joy in that day. It can be something like seeing a pretty bird in the tree, the bus turning up just as your reach the bus stop, the shopkeeper giving you a nice smile… they may be simple, but when we’re rushing around with our minds already thinking about the next task or a previous problem, they’re easy to miss. Really make an effort to notice three things each day and before you know it, you notice and appreciate so many more! It can be such a boost to your mood, no matter what’s going on in your life.

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There are some times in people’s lives when they need professional help, so I do refer on to colleagues if someone needs more help such as counseling or CBT. These are often available on the NHS, which makes them really accessible.

It’s important to realise what creative outlet makes you happy, too. Creativity comes in many forms and many hobbies, so encouraging this can make a big difference to someone’s wellbeing. Even reading, journaling, crafting, photography… anything can be therapeutic when you enjoy it. As our lives seem to be getting busier, caring for ourselves tends to slip down the list of priorities, particularly activities that aren’t seen as ‘productive’. However, we have to remember that our bodies and minds are the most important things we need to care for!

Exercise is incredibly powerful for the mind, as many studies have shown. So taking part in an activity or sport, particularly in a group, can work wonders for emotional wellbeing, as well as physical.

The Body- Physical/Structural.

This is where I find being an Osteopath as well as a Naturopath really brings the benefit. Often I can be treating someone Osteopathically while giving diet and lifestyle advice. It’s quite common during a treatment for emotions to arise and for people to open up about their general wellbeing. It’s a privilege to be able to help people, both physically and emotionally, and it’s important for me to say that anything said to an Osteopath is confidential, just like when you see your GP.

Other physical treatment can include medical acupuncture. The most common issues I use this for are general pain relief (particularly if someone is in a lot of pain and sensitive to treatment), muscle relaxation and general relaxation.

Fasting can be used as part of treatment, but only under close observation and in certain cases. Very rarely would I advise someone to fast, but days of low calorie intake can be useful in certain situations.

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The use of water for healing the body is very important. The most common is having a hot bath/using a heat pad and using a cold pack. Hot and cold can be used on their own or in combination, depending on the cause and the desired effect. Generally, heat is used to bring blood flow to an area (blood brings nutrients to tissues in the body) and cold pushes blood away. Alternating hot and cold will encourage circulation. However, heat should never be used in an acute or chronically inflamed area, because it will encourage more inflammation.

Diet and Lifestyle- Nutritional/Chemical.

The chemical balance in the body incorporates everything we put in or on our bodies. The food we eat (nutrients), our skincare routine and all the environmental chemicals we are exposed to have a direct effect on our health. Limiting harmful chemicals and increasing beneficial nutrients is essential for physical health, healing and preventing problems.

I don’t recommend any one diet for any one disease or any one person. Everyone is assessed and treated differently, because we’re all so different! There is certainly a pattern that certain foods tend to help certain conditions, but it’s never sure what will work for someone. My job is to recommend the things most likely to help, then monitor and adjust as necessary until we find the correct balance.

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The best starting point with food is to eat everything in its most natural form. The easiest way to do this is to shop locally for good quality, organic where possible, fruit, vegetables and meat. Then eat everything in moderation, with a good variety. The more colour on your plate, the better! Get lots of those colourful, nutrient-rich vegetables on there and only minimally cook them to retain as much goodness as possible.

I recommend juices and smoothies as an easy way to get lots of nutrients into a diet, particularly if someone likes breakfast on the go. So simple, delicious and healthy- what more can you want?!

So to summarise my ramblings...

The balance of all the areas in the Naturopathic Triad depends on each individual person. Two people presenting with the same symptoms may be given totally different advice and treatment depending on all the other factors of their health and life. This is one of the reasons I’m both inspired by my job and challenged by it at times! I am incredibly passionate about health and wellbeing and being in a position to help people and see their transformation first hand is a real joy.

For more information about Naturopathy and Osteopathy, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Are there any tips in this blog that you’re going to incorporate? Let me know how you get on in the comments section below!

Zoë Clark is an Osteopath and Naturopath trained at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in London.

Practicing in Howe, near Norwich (01508 558373) and Burston, near Diss, Norfolk (07543 557746).

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