What is Naturopathy
Registered Naturopaths and Herbal Medicine practitioners play an active role in integrative primary healthcare and health promotion.Naturopathy is a safe, effective, patient centred form of medicine practised widely throughout the world. Naturopathy is a holistic health care system – considering all the systems of the body when looking for the underlying causes of illness. As such, naturopaths evaluate all aspects of a person – mind and emotions, as well as the body – as all are believed to be important in returning a person to optimal health and wellness.
It is a complementary, not alternative, medicine – we work alongside allied and allopathic practitioners, including GPs. We believe that both naturopathy and medicine have important strengths in supporting the health of an individual.
Philosophy
Naturopathic medicine is a safe, effective, and patient centered system of healthcare, practiced widely throughout the world, with European origins. The naturopathic medicine system is holistic, considering all systems of the body, and all aspects of a person - mind and emotion as well as the body.
Naturopathic medicine is complementary, not alternative. Naturopaths are part of your health care provider team, working alongside allied and primary health practitioners, including GPs.
Wellbeing. One of the main tenants of Naturopathy
An example of how naturopathy differs from allopathic (doctors) might be seen looking at a case of someone suffering from osteoarthritis in their hands. The allopathic view might be to look at inflammation in the hands and the use of anti-inflammatory medication or pain killers. A naturopathic view would be to look at systemic inflammation, the role of digestive health, food intolerances, over acidity of the body and look at diet overall. Herbs or supplements may be used to clean the blood, improve circulation, reduce inflammation and diet may be adjusted.
It is our philosophy to do no harm as taught by Hippocrates, a Greek physician who first created the holistic view of medicine and the concept of “the healing power of nature”. This concept has long been at the core of medicine around the world and remains one of the central principles of naturopathic medicine. One of the main tenants of Naturopathy is well-being, which relates to maintaining wellness and preventing ill health where possible, and not necessarily treatment of disease.
The latest developments in this area are genetic testing, which looks at an individual’s genetic predisposition to certain types of disease. This allows for personalised tailoring of well-being solutions in order to best maintain healthy ageing.
Introducing Naturopaths & Medical Herbalists NZ (Inc.) (NMHNZ)
Registered Naturopaths adhere to best standards of practice
NMHNZ promotes high standards of proficiency and safe practice in the delivery of Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine and works to advance the profession of Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
By ensuring minimum standards of education and ongoing professional education, you can be sure that our members are qualified to the best standards and update their knowledge ongoingly. Naturopaths registered with NMHNZ have received appropriate education and training at diploma, or more recently, degree level. Many also have qualifications in other allied modalities or undergo higher educational courses. There is a growing base of evidence for naturopathy and its treatments.
Scope of Practice
Naturopathy covers many aspects of well-being. Practitioners are qualified to advise on herbal medicine, nutrition, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle adjustments, as well as homeobotanical and/or homeopathic remedies, essential oils and flower remedies. Some naturopaths may also utilise massage and other bodywork.
By means of investigation, naturopaths use a range of standard and functional tests, utilising urine, saliva, stool and hair samples as well as blood through Labtests NZ group.
For detailed scope of practice click here