Homeopathy: Holistic, Alternative, Natural & Safe medicine

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1. How does Homeopathy work?

2. What is the research evidence?

3. What are homeopathic remedies?

4. Is Homeopathy Safe?

5. Who visits a homeopath?

6. What happens during a homeopathic consultation?

7. How many Follow Up consultations will I need?

8. How long does treatment  take?

9. Client Commitment and Healing

How does Homeopathy work?

There is an erroneous assumption that the prescribing of  homeopathic remedies is a pharmaceutical intervention based on  physiological responses and therefore should be tested in the same way.  Multi-centre laboratory trials (Belon, 2004) have demonstrated  biological effects of highly diluted preparations and a number of  scientific theories have been used to explain this phenomenon  (Baumgartner, 2002). Research using the latest technologies is underway  to test these theories experimentally [click here for the Homeopathy Research Institute website].  What we understand in practice is that a homeopathic remedy, correctly  selected for you as an individual, can restore a healthy balance.  (Baumgartner, S. 2002 Basic research efforts to  elucidate the potentiation procedure of homeopathy. In: Future  directions and current issues of research in Homeopathy, Freiburg:  Samueli Institute, 1-10. Belon, P et al. 2004 Histamine dilutions modulate basophil activation. Inflammation Research, (53), 181-188.)

What is the research evidence?
Homeopaths draw on tried and tested knowledge documented over two  centuries of clinical cases, and apply this informed by recent research  and up-to-date understanding of health. Clinical trials play an  important role in the development of homeopathy, and indeed homeopathy  was the first health discipline to systematically compare treatment to  placebo in 1829. There is a growing body of high quality research into  homeopathy in practice that supports the suggestion that homeopathy can  be effective, cost- effective and safe as a treatment option. Up-to-date  resources are available from The Homeopathy Research Institute.

What are homeopathic remedies?

Homeopathic remedies are prescribed in tablet or liquid  form. They are derived from plants, minerals and other naturally  occurring substances. Remedies are fully tested and prepared by  pharmacists under highly controlled conditions. Homeopathic remedies are safe and non toxic and can be used by infants soon after birth and breast feeding mothers.

Is Homeopathy Safe?

Homeopathy has an excellent safety record (Bornhöft et  al. 2006; Dantas & Rampes 2000; Woodward 2005). As homeopathic  remedies are non-toxic, they can be taken by babies, children, during  pregnancy and can work very well alongside prescribed medicines. As  remedies are dispensed on sucrose tablets or tasteless liquid, children  find them quite acceptable.  (Bornhöft G, Wolf U, et al. 2006.  Effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of homeopathy in general  practice – summarized health technology assessment. Forsch  Komplementarmed; 13 Suppl 2: 19-29Dantas F, Rampes H. 2000.Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse  effects? A systematic review.  The British Homoeopathic Journal,  89:S35-8    Woodward KN., 2005. The potential impact of the use of homeopathic  and herbal remedies on monitoring the safety of prescription products.  Hum Exp Toxicol;24:219-233.)

Who visits a homeopath?

I have seen people of all ages seeking help for a wide spectrum of  complaints - from minor to the more serious. Many come with long term  chronic conditions such as migraines, problems with digestion, tiredness  and post surgery. I am consulted by women with hormonal issues, and for  remedies to take during childbirth. Children attend with parents  concerned about complaints such as allergies, skin problems, asthma,  recurrent infections and some behavioural problems.  I am frequently  consulted by people with a range of emotional issues. To help you decide whether homeopathy is for you and to answer any  questions you may have, follow this link to The Society of Homeopaths. 

What happens during a homeopathic consultation?

When you first make contact I will ask your reasons for seeking my help, any medical test results and treatments. This enables me to assess if it is appropriate for you to start homeopathy. If not, I refer you back to your doctor or suggest you seek assistance from another health professional.  During your homeopathic consultations I encourage you to continue ongoing treatment with a medical professional. Your first consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss all aspects of your health in privacy and confidence. I take a holistic view of your health to select a homeopathic remedy that best matches you as an individual. I supply the homeopathic prescription, at the end of the consultation or a few days later in the post. 

In most instances I supply a single named remedy which you take as a one off dose or on a repeated basis for a limited period. I provide lifestyle and dietary advice if appropriate. We agree a plan and arrange follow-up consultations at time intervals appropriate for you, usually 6-8 weeks apart, or sooner for acute or very painful conditions.  

To monitor your progress, I normally ask you to report (by phone/email) between appointments. At follow-up consultations (usually about 45 minutes) we discuss changes you have experienced, and I provide homeopathic prescriptions as required. The time you will need to see a homeopath and number of consultations depends on the reason why you sought help and how you respond. Timing of return visits is determined by individual need. 

For long term conditions, once you are making good progress, I monitor your progress by phone or email, I supply remedies by post and you return for consultations as needed.  Many patients have been registered for a number of years and consult me as and when the need arises. Homeopathy is tailored to the individual’s needs. It is important that you have sufficient information to make an informed choice about your healthcare. I encourage you to have medical tests offered by your doctor and to take opportunities to discuss options.  All information provided by patient is treated with respect and uttermost confidentiality.

How many "Follow Up" consultations will I need?

Homeopathy is a holistic branch of general medicine. It is an alternative, natural and safe medicine. In reality, Homeopathy is a department of science in general medicine. It is therefore a comprehensive system and as with with all specialities and branches of medicine; homeopathy makes no claims to cure.  Just as doctors with their pharmaceutical medication cannot make promises of any cure, neither can homeopaths. 

Homeopathy is a therapeutic holistic medical method that works by using small doses of a substance to help to stimulate the body's healing force, without  causing any side effects and therefore without causing another disease on top of the one one the patient already has.  For these reasons, Homeopathy is non-toxic, safe, effective, and suitable for all age groups, including women during pregnancy and infants soon after birth when used by  a qualified practitioner. The aim of homeopathic treatment is  to stimulate the body's healing force to attain a higher level of health. 

Each case is an individual case and it depends on the individual's health complaints and  how long they have had their health problems for. A rough guide is: Two - Three months of homeopathic treatment for every month the patient has been ill.  

I always suggest that we revise the case development after four  - six months  of homeopathic treatment.  Follow Up consultations are as the word implies; to follow up the previous prescription  to assess whether the first remedy has caused a change, whether first remedy needs repeating, whether another layer needs tackling  as well as the patient's reaction to the beginning of the treatment. Follows up will be suggested at intervals recommended by me. 

At the beginning of treatment I suggest you to book every 8 weeks depending on your symptoms and the consultations will become further apart as the treatment progress. The majority of patients see me every 8-10 weeks and some even longer.  Of course it is up to the patients to decide when they need a Follow Up appointment. My time period suggestion for  follow ups are in order  that we can work faster through people's case.

How long does treatment take?

This depends very much on what  sort of illness you have, and how long you have had it.  You will  usually notice some change or improvement after the first prescription,  but improvement continues gradually over time.  As a guideline, you can  expect to see me once a month for three months to begin with.  If  further treatment is needed, you may find that follow-up appointments  are scheduled at progressively longer intervals as your health improves.  

The length of the treatment and number of remedies or repetition of the same remedy depends in the nature and duration ( chronicity) of one's condition, and in occasion, on the dependency of orthodox medication administered. Homeopathy does not create dependency. The aim of homeopathic treatment is to help people to live to their fullest capacity by increasing their general level of health and strengthening their immune system. When this is achieved and symptoms have improved, treatment can be discontinued. Often treatment of chronic conditions  involves  peeling off layers, the homeopath prescribes progressively most appropriate remedies over a period of time and peeling one layer at each time,  until general of homeostasis is attained. 

Therefore, if you have had your  condition for many years and have tried everything  from orthodox medicine  to other therapies and still nothing has helped you or you have been left with side effects  that you do not want to live with, treatment will last a while but that does not mean you will not feel a change for better and  improvement  from the  beginning of the treatment.

Client Commitment

Homeopathy has a  very good track record with many chronic conditions , but in order to be effective, it requires a genuine commitment to treatment and time to allow it to show its results.  It is important that at least 2 consultations, two to 3 months apart to be scheduled. 

The body needs time to heal.  You did not become chronically sick overnight, so attaining a higher level of health will not happen overnight.  There is no magic wand. As an example, if you receive a deep wound and  the prescribed  homeopathic remedy  needed for your case  will prevent infection and/or suppuration promoting then granulation or joining up of the flesh, but this whole process will require some time. Then  a big scab will form, and after  a period of day, the scab will fall off and a scar will be left  in its place. Scars are usually red with raised around its border, and over time scars get paler and flatter. This process, according to medical science  and the  NHS, can take up to two years to fade.

Thus, it is chiefly important, especially in chronic disease that the homeopathic  remedy  is allowed to act, so that healing and rebalance of the energetic pattern that is creating the symptom or illness in the sick person takes place. The time, efforts and results are very worth it as you, as a patient   on  homeopathic treatment, will take power over your own health and also achieve a higher level of health.