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 1796 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
body's 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, Thorsons.
- 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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