NATUROPATHY

The term ‘naturopathy’ is derived partly from a Latin word, ‘natura’, and partly from a Greek word, ‘pathos’, suggesting natural healing for all sufferings. The treatment of any health disorder in this system will be with or through nature. No drug is used, being unnatural and manmade. According to naturopathy, when we use any drugs for healing, we actually take our body systems by surprise as the body cannot assimilate it naturally. On the contrary, in most cases, drugs suppress the body’s immune system and produce toxic side effects. At times, the side effects are more dangerous than the original disease for which the medicine was prescribed. Naturopathic practice, on the other hand, is based on a faith in the body’s ability to heal itself by the natural, internal healing process of the body.

The western naturopaths claim that Hippocrates, the ancient Greek “Father of Medicine”, is the first advocate of a naturopathic approach to healing. But Indian Naturopathy has derived its strength from India’s own medical treatise, Ayurveda, which is more than 5,000 years old. It believes that life is an intrinsic part of an all pervasive Nature, ruled by 5 Great Elements (Pancha Mahabhuta) – The Earth. Water, Fire, Air and Space, and human life is a product of this great cosmic design. The key to its survival, therefore, has to be sought in nature itself.

Naturopathy is ‘holistic” in its approach taking the human body as a whole – it treats the root cause of a disease and not the symptoms. Diagnosis and treatments use natural methods that promote the body’s own ability to heal. Naturopaths focus on treatments based on natural forces, completely avoiding the use of surgery and drugs. Naturopaths aim to prevent illness through stress reduction and bringing changes to diet and lifestyle, rejecting the methods of symptomatic treatment of other systems.

A naturopath’s consultation begins with a patient’s interview focusing on lifestyle, medical history, body language and emotional state as well as a physical examination. Doctors here will not prescribe drugs, but if one is using already, considering the health condition of the patient, doctors may help taper down the doses gradually and will integrate other conventional medical approaches such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, diet and lifestyle counselling with naturopathic treatments. Counselling includes making patients aware of the cause of illness.

Naturopathic treatments at JNI include:

Hydrotherapy – Hydrotherapy uses the healing potentials of water in the form of a variety of baths, jets, Jacuzzi, various underwater treatments, colonics, aquatic exercises, swimming etc.

Mud Therapy – Mud is one of the five elements of nature having immense impact on the body in health as well as sickness. The treatments are full body mud bath, various packs, fomentations etc.

Manual Therapy – It includes various therapies like oil therapy, Vibro therapy, hot stone therapy, deep tissue therapy and Kairali therapy etc. for better blood circulation

Fasting Therapy – Fasting is the supreme cure in Ayurveda & Naturopathy. JNI provides therapeutic fasting in which specific juices/soups are given as per disease condition. It helps in the elimination of the toxins by giving rest to the digestive system and enhancing the healing properties within our system.

Aquatic Exercise – Aquatic Exercise is a physical form of therapy that is taught in the swimming pool and this is a part of our naturopathy treatment. It is especially meant for those who have physical limitation to do asana in the normal course. In naturopathy, the body is taken as a whole, which in its normal state, is ordained to be healthy. It believes that falling ill is not natural and illness, is an outcome of the violation of nature’s law. To regain health, we have to activate our body’s inherent power, and a naturopathic way of life only can activate that innate power, and help the human system remove the toxins which cause illness, from the body.

Treatment by a naturopath

A naturopath employs a range of non-invasive techniques and these include (but are not limited to):

• nutrition and dietary advice. A poor diet stops the body from functioning well and a build-up of toxins can lead to a range of illnesses. Whole, fresh and unprocessed foods are recommended
• herbal medicine – herbs can support the body
• homeopathy – homeopathic treatments are used to stimulate the body
• hydrotherapy (water therapy). For instance, the use of hot and cold compresses might be used for certain conditions to influence the flow of blood and body heat
• physical therapies – such as massage, Bowen, acupressure, bio-puncture or mechanotherapy
• kinesiology and integrated bio-dynamics (IBD)
• counselling techniques – emotional problems and stress can interfere with the healing process. Counselling techniques can include stress management strategies and life coaching.

Special considerations for naturopathy

Naturopathy is not a treatment for specific illness or disease. Naturopathy is a complementary therapy in that it may be used alongside other medical and therapeutic techniques. Always be guided by your doctor or specialist before using naturopathy for any serious or chronic illness. Treat as suspect any practitioner who advises you to abandon your conventional medical treatment.

Fasting is sometimes recommended. Make sure you are in the hands of a qualified and reputable naturopath and have consulted your doctor before you start a fast.