What training do Naturopaths receive in Australia?
A modern naturopath who practices in Australia is trained in medical sciences and the modalities of herbalism, homeopathy, nutrition, counselling skills and massage.
How do I know if the naturopath I am dealing with is qualified?
A membership in a recognized professional association such as ANTA, ATMS or NHAA gives you a good indicator. These organizations set academic standards and control continuous professional education. Recognition by private health funds is another indicator for a qualified naturopath.
How long should a consultation take with a naturopath?
A first consultation normally takes about 1 hour, a subsequent consultation takes about 30 minutes.
How is a naturopath different to my GP?
At the moment your GP will have more training in the medical sciences, will give you a 6 to 15 minute consultation, prescribe drugs or minor lifestyle modification, and be able to swipe your Medicare card. They will also have a completely different philosophy and methodology of practice.
Naturopaths do not replace GPs. A naturopath offers an alternative philosophy and methodology to the treatment of the whole person, and will spend a lot longer understanding the patient as a person and her/his needs. They will use substances that subtly and slowly modify the internal environment and help the whole person to turn the balance back to health, as well as recommending lifestyle and dietary modifications.
Isn't naturopathy totally unscientific?
Naturopaths rely on medical science to understand the disease process and develop an approach for treating a patient. Often people criticize the modalities that naturopaths use.
Western Herbalism is based on scientific research and empirical data built up over hundreds of years. Today more and more traditional uses of herbs are being validated by scientific studies.
Nutrition is based to the largest degree on scientific studies and research and constantly updated.
Homeopathy is based on potentized and energized substances and acts on the individual's vital force. It has been the subject of several hundred scientific studies.
Why see a naturopath in the first place?
It depends how you personally want to approach your own health care. Naturopathic Healthcare aims at helping people to be responsible for their own health. Often people who see naturopaths have a condition that has not been resolved by the established medical system - alternative health care is seen as a last resort. This is not to say that a naturopathic treatment can offer a cure for these conditions, but often an individual's quality of life is improved in some way. Others may see a naturopath for philosophical reasons - they believe that a subtle form of health care is more beneficial for them in the long term.
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