Friday, February 1, 2019

Naturopathy, Naturopathists And Natural Medicine

By Steven McDonald


When it comes to holistic and alternative medicine, there are a number of choices. Some of these include Naturopathy, acupressure, acupuncture, chiropractic, Christian Science, crystal healing, eugenics, homeopathy, osteopathy, parapsychology, phrenology, radionics, Reiki and reflexology. While some have proven effective, most are considered to be fringe medicine by medical professionals

When it comes to naturopathic treatments, providers often use a number of pseudo-scientific applications which are thought to be non-invasive or natural. As the practice is also considered a self-help method, the techniques and ideology behind the practice are based on folk lure and vitalism. As a result, most providers in this area only use natural medicine and treatments while recommending individuals avoid following Western practices and practitioners.

The treatments which these practitioners recommend individuals avoid include medical testing, drugs, vaccinations and surgery. While this is the case, there is now a movement on both sides of the vaccination debate. In most cases, parents still acquire the required vaccinations when children attend public school. While vaccination deniers whom believe vaccinations can cause autism often send children to private school as means of avoiding this requirement.

Even with the high threat that measles and other communicable diseases can often be deadly, especially if not caught early, many parents still avoid vaccines. While, if a child or adult were to have a busted appendix, avoiding surgery is most likely the worse decision one could make. Whereas, most of the applications used in natural medicine have not gone through safety tests or been proven effective by the scientific or medical community.

These are just some of the reasons that the practice has often been considered harmful and ineffective by the mainstream medical community. Whereas, the lack of safety testing has also resulted in ethical questions being raised about the practice. While, a number of medical professionals often consider those providing alternative and holistic options to be charlatans practicing what can only be known as quackery.

While there are some talented and trained practitioners in the area, there have been others which have been tried in a court of law for issues which developed as a result of the practice. In most cases, those being tried have been found guilty of committing a criminal offense. As a result, there are some countries which now prevent naturopaths and naturopathic practitioners from identifying as medical professionals. As a result, a number of alternative, holistic and naturopathic providers now self-identify as a primary health care providers instead of medical professionals.

Since inception sometime around 1902, the practice has been based on the belief that various areas of the body can heal over time. In order to do so, the individual must focus on the life force or chi energy while focusing on the area which needs healing. After which, it is believed that the energy will cycle to that area of the body to promote healing.

Most often, a typical consultation with a practitioner will begin with a review of past medical history. After which, the individual will be interviewed about current lifestyle, emotional well-being, mental health and physical features such as complexion, height and weight. In most cases, the interview will conclude with a physical examination similar to that provided by Western practitioners. Most providers will then design and develop a custom wellness plan for individuals to follow on an ongoing basis.




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