Naturopathic medicine is a discipline that works with the body's ability to heal itself. Health care providers that practice this medicine are naturopathic doctors (NDs).They have an education similar to medical doctor, however, utilize natural therapies for healing, such as herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, dietary changes and lifestyle counselling instead of drugs and surgery. Naturopathic medicine also works in a health paradigm rather than focusing on disease.
Individuals are encouraged not to wait until they are ill but to be more proactive and start to notice things that may be going wrong in their body or mind before it actually manifests as a disease. Prevention is the key and may be achieved by following daily and seasonal health practices. Being persistent and dedicated to these and other practices over time brings about a better chance for a long and healthy life. Aging does not have to mean living with chronic disease, there are many things that we are able to do to live a good quality of life.
Our symptoms are the body's way of letting us know that something is not quite right, whether or not it shows up on a lab test. In Western medicine, if lab results are normal, it is assumed that there are no health concerns, which unfortunately is not often the case. Consider if you have symptoms in your appetite, digestion, energy, mood, sleep, sense of well-being and menstrual cycle (if you are a woman), that these are early warning signs that there is imbalance in the system. A naturopathic doctor will look at what is out of balance in the physiology and attempt to bring it into equilibrium. In addition, it may be determined why the symptoms are occurring in the first place.
If a disease already exists in the body, natural remedies are utilized along with principles of bringing about good health. As a result, this process over time stimulates the body's natural ability to heal itself and balance is restored. Daily self healing practices that enhance the body's natural metabolic processes are designed to promote elimination of toxins through the digestive tract (including the liver), kidneys, lungs and skin. These include and are not limited to consuming a whole foods diet, taking probiotics (good bacteria), essential fatty acids, apple cider vinegar, using castor oil packs, water intake, hydrotherapy, sleep, laughter, movement, and deep breathing. Please see below more of a description of each of these practices.
1) With respect to digestive health consider consuming whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and lean meats. These are foods that are not processed in any way and provide the optimum mix of nutrients and have the most life energy.
2) Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that promote good digestive and immune health. They are more like a food, found naturally in yogurt, saurkraut, miso and other fermented foods. Many bacteria are considered beneficial, the most common ones being Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. Individuals often do not get enough in their diets and therefore require more through supplementation.
3) Essential fatty acids are another important food to supplement. These include Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. The body does not make these oils and therefore they must be obtained in the diet. Individuals tend to be deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids that are found in fish, flax and perilla seed oils. They are critically important to the integrity of the cell membranes.
4) Apple cider vinegar (1 tsp) in a cup of water, taken 15-30min before meals, stimulates the digestive tract and prepares the body for food by allowing for proper enzyme release from the pancreas, and bile salts from the liver. A functioning digestive system promotes absorption of nutrients and elimination of toxins.
5) Castor oil packs are health promoting packs using castor oil externally on the abdomen. This enhances drainage of the liver, improves lymphatic circulation, and boosts immune system function.
6) Water intake is important for the filtration of the kidneys and the health of all our cells. The human body is composed of 75% water. Drink at least the equivalent of ½ your body weight in ounces. Divide your body weight in pounds by 2. This equals the number of ounces of water you require daily. A glass is approximately 8 ounces.
7) Hydrotherapy in the form of alternating hot and cold showers. Use 5 minutes of hot/warm water and contrast with 30 seconds of cold/cool water, then repeat cycle at least 3 times. End shower with cool water. This redirects blood flow to internal organs, away from the periphery, thereby improving digestion and bringing oxygen to the cells.
8) Our adrenal glands produce important hormones that help us adapt to stress. To keep them healthy having a routine is important. Have a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends. Ideally, go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday. Get to sleep before midnight. Every hour of sleep before midnight is worth 2 hours after midnight. It is recommend to have between 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Sleep in a dark room.
9) Play, do something fun everyday. Laughter is essential for stress management.
10) Daily movement is another part of a healthy lifestyle. Humans are designed to be active. An aid to circulation, it is important to move muscles daily. Engage in regular exercise of 20-45 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week. Find something that you enjoy, ideally spending time outside daily for at least 20 minutes.
11) For the lungs be mindful of your breathing. Take slow, deep regular breaths throughout the day to assist in coping with stressful situations. Do sets of 10 breaths, 3 times a day, or whenever you feel stressed. It plays an important role in physical and emotional health as well as spiritual awareness.
12) For the skin consider something termed dry skin brushing. Use a loofah sponge or natural bristle brush. Brush entire body, stroking toward the heart. It is best to do on dry skin before bathing. Rejuvenates the skin and lymph and stimulates circulation.
These are some important and general features of a naturopathic lifestyle that when followed over time bring about the desired health outcome. It is also important that in addition to these practices that someone be assessed by a health professional including a naturopath to provide more individualized treatment of health concerns.
We live in a society that expects instant results, yet so many things do not work that way. True health takes some effort, which when we are persistent and dedicated to a regime really pays off. It is like being in a yoga asana or a stretch, the first time you tried it there was no getting into it, however over time, day by day, millimetre by millimetre, you are there. Now this becomes your new reality and you are onto the next thing. If you would like more information on the above health practices or would like a Personal Naturopathic Consult, please call health reception at 403.244.7405 ext. 2 to book an appointment.
'Those who think they have no time for healthy living, will sooner or later have to find time for illness'. Edward Stanley
Dr. Hajnalka Pinter, Innovative Health Group Naturopathic Doctor
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