Homeopathy
The human body has an innate ability to heal itself. When the healing process is faulty or slow, homeopathy can stimulate the immune system to restore health.
People seek homeopathic treatment for all sorts of complaints. Many now use it as an alternative to conventional medical treatment. Others use it to complement this treatment safe in the knowledge that it will not interfere with the action of the drugs they take.
Homeopathy is based on the “law of similars” developed by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy about 220 years ago. It works by prescribing a minute dose of a medicine that when given in larger doses could cause the symptoms a sick person experiences. For example, it is known that coffee is a stimulant and can disturb sleep. When given as a homeopathic medicine (coffea) to a person experiencing similar symptoms, it will create the opposite effect and improve disturbed sleeping patterns.
I individualise the prescription to match your symptoms. Homeopathy also treats your personal susceptibility to illness. Each person is unique. We see this in a school classroom – some or many children can develop a bad cold, but others are unaffected, simply because they are not susceptible to that particular virus or infection. It can be seen in children within the same family – one child may always be sick and the others relatively healthy. Adults are more complex than children and certain life experiences can also have a detrimental effect on our health.
Homeopathic treatment does not involve separating the treatment of physical and emotional symptoms. Most people are aware that emotional imbalances such as grief and shock can lead to physical illness, if untreated or suppressed. The opposite is also true in that pain can cause depression, anxiety and stress. Therefore, the mind and body cannot be separated, both in disease and health.
The consultation process
The initial consultation lasts for 1 to 1 ½ hours. In this time you are given space to talk about your illness and yourself. Many people comment on how much better they feel for simply being able to open up in a safe environment without being judged. This is the first stage in the healing process.
In addition to learning about your symptoms, I need to understand how the illness affects you, to hear about your history of illness, your lifestyle and importantly to understand you as a person. At the end of the session I will have a symptom picture of you, my starting point in finding a remedy that suits your symptoms.
I prescribe a remedy at the end of the consultation or post it to you the following day.
Follow up consultations last from 30-45 minutes and are held every 4 to 6 weeks. I regularly assess your progress with you.
How long does treatment take?
The course of treatment required depends on the sort of illness you have, how long you have had it and how well you respond to treatment. For example, psoriasis which developed 20 years ago is unlikely be resolved quickly, but improvements should be seen within the first few months. Acute complaints such as colds and ear infections respond more quickly to treatment.
What happens after treatment begins?
Some patients experience a period of exceptional ‘well-being’ after taking the first course of medicine. However, symptoms can also become worse for a while before improvement begins. This reaction is, however, a good sign that the medicine is taking effect. I am available between appointments if you need any advice or additional support.
Children & Babies
Some common complaints include:teething, colic, ear infections, coughs, croup, asthma, allergies, bed wetting, sleep disorders, eczema, warts and molluscum, worms, ADHD, behaviour disorders including anger, anxiety, shyness and lack of confidence.
Women
Some common complaints include: hormone imbalances, endometriosis, mood swings, painful periods, menopausal symptoms, anxiety disorders, low self-esteem, grief, post-traumatic stress, depression, bereavement, chronic fatigue, thyroid imbalance, IBS, cystitis, candida, migraines, infertility and complaints during pregnancy.
Men
Some common complaints include: anxiety, fear of failure, depression, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, prostate problems, headaches and high blood pressure.
