Naturopathy

  Principles of Naturopathy

Since recorded history there have been writings about the means by which health can be maintained and restored. Numerous healing traditions have developed involving herbs, drugs, diet, exercise, massage, body manipulation, meditation, religious belief, surgery and counselling.  

This century has seen the development of western scientific (allo­pathic) medicine, with its emphasis on the biochemical functioning of the isolated organs and the use of drugs and surgery for healing. Allopathic medicine, with its pitfalls of unwanted effects being ever in the fore, is ensuring that people are again turning to the benefits of the natural therapies. These are practiced in a much broader spectrum than in the nineteenth century, and are studied and practiced much more thoroughly and systematically.  

Society is witnessing the renaissance of these therapies which can be regarded as a "grass roots" movement, not directed from above, but demanded from below, originating from within, and being support­ed by society.  

The inevitable progress of these therapies will enlarge and enhance, and eventually affect and be affected by and integrate with, orthodox medicine. This is for the ultimate benefit of society as a whole. Natural Therapies acknowledge the vital role of this medicine and sees itself as providing a complementary approach that has a number of emphases.  

First, the science/art of Naturopathy is holistic, compromising a range of natural and paramedical therapies. This means that the person and their state of health must be considered in the broadest context, including their social, psychological, developmental, dietary, behavioural and physical condition.  

Second, Naturopathy sees disease often as being the sign of some­thing deeper in the patient's life than, for example, a mere mi­crobial infection to be treated. It seeks to find why this person is suffering from the disease, with the emphasis on a preventative approach to healing rather than a curative one.  

Third, Naturopathy believes that the less invasive a therapy can be, the better it is. That is, the more the body can be allowed or stimulated to self heal, the better it is for the long term health and well-being of the patient. It is because of this that Naturop­athy can be considered as a "natural" therapy, or a therapy of nature.  

Finally, Naturopathy is dedicated to the principle of the patient being involved in their own healing by means of understanding, belief, habit and lifestyle.

Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine

All races of people have their indigenous and traditional methods of treating disease. These are based upon the experience and clinical practices recorded and passed on over thousands of years.  

Chinese medicine has holistic orientation and approaches healing from the perspective that each person is unique and must be con­sidered within the relationship of their environment. The logic underlying Chinese medical theory assumes that a part can be under­stood only in relation to the whole. A person is perceived as a multi‑dimensional being functioning on many levels simultaneously, and health is a state of balance between these levels; the physical, emotional, mental, energy (Qi) and spiritual. The Chinese medical therapist asserts that a change in one area will effect the other areas in some manner.  

It was the ancient Fang Shi people who formulated these theories, and their wisdom was recorded over 5,000 years ago in LIEN SHAN, QUI ZANG and in the latter, the YI YING (I CHING). The first book on Chinese medicine, the NEI JING (Internal Medicine), was published around 2,400 years ago. The universal theories of Yin Yang and the Five Elements have been applied in medicine to interpret and explain how disease develops and changes the body.  

Traditional Chinese medicine comprises a range of natural and medical therapies, herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, nutrition and exercise therapy.  

An important part of Chinese medicine involves learning how Qi (energy) moves through and affects the body. Qi flows along meridi­ans or pathways (Jing Lui theory), and is affected by many internal and external factors, such as weather changes and emotional states.  

Any major prolonged imbalances in Qi flow leads to the appearance of pathological disease. Because Chinese medicine can diagnose these energy fluctu­ations and assess their outcomes, it can be regarded as a true form of preventative medicine.