Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a distinctively natural and multi-disciplinary approach to health. It is based on the belief that our body has an amazing ability to heal itself.
A naturopath, the GP of complementary medicine, believes that our bodies need certain basics to function: the correct nutrients, adequate rest and relaxation, regular exercise, fresh clean air, clean water and sunlight. While recognising the limitations of our modern world a naturopath will work with you in a healing partnership to:
• discover and address the underlying issues affecting your well-being
• stimulate your natural healing process
• increase your energy levels and vitality
• guide you towards a healthy lifestyle
• educate you about your body
• empower you to take control of, and have responsibility for, your
health.
In doing this the naturopath follows the six key naturopathic principles in their practice:
1. First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic medicine follows four principles to avoid harming the patient:
• utilise methods and medicinal substances which minimise the risk
of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and
treat.
• avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms
• acknowledge, respect and work with the individual’s self healing
process
• refer for appropriate treatment when naturopathic therapies are
inappropriate
2. Treat the Whole Person
Naturopaths treat each patient individually, taking into account his or her physical, mental, emotional state as well as genetic, environmental and social factors. Since total health includes spiritual health, Naturopaths encourage individuals to pursue their own spiritual paths.
3. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in each of us which is both ordered and intelligent. Naturopaths act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this self-healing ability.
4. Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
The Naturopath seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than eliminate or suppress its symptoms.
5. Prevention
Naturopaths emphasise disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and make appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine seeks to improve conditions through preventative measures so that we all may live healthier.
6. Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Naturopaths educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for
health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient
relationship.
Naturopathy is appropriate for everyone to maintain or achieve good health
being used regularly treat those who:
• believe their lifestyle is starting to take its toll and think it's
time to start looking to improve their well-being
• would like to embark on detoxification programme;
• have a chronic condition and wants to explore natural methods of
supporting their body
• have reached a new stage in life and feel the need for a personal
"MOT"
Our therapist...
Our therapist...
Gillian Lonsdale ~ Structural & Cranial Osteopath, Naturopathy
Gillian is a registered Osteopath who specialises in structural and Cranial Osteopathy. She has extensive clinical experience from practicing in various clinics throughout London. She has been working with children for over 20 years. Gillian regularly treat adults and children successfully for most spinal and joint ailments, sports injuries, whiplash, arthritis, postural dysfunctions, as well as other health problems such as digestive disorders, skin complaints & female health issues.
Cranial osteopathy is especially effective for headaches, migraines, fatigue, pain associated with pregnancy and child birth. Cranial Osteopathy safely and gently treats babies with colic, sleep disturbances, irritability and digestive and other disorders. Osteopaths are trained to diagnose and treat the primary cause of pain rather than solely the symptoms.
Gillian has been working in the Kingston area since 2007 and will start practicing at the Shiva Health Centre in Mid – August 2009 .
Qualifications: Gillian is a registered Osteopath with the General Osteopathic Council. Receiving her Bsc. Ost.Med.(Hons) at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, qualifying her as both as a Osteopath and Naturopath.
Personal - Osteopathy and me…
I found out about osteopathy long before I trained to become one. My spine was seriously injured when I was younger due to a fall. Shocked when told I could be in recovery for up to two years. I was lucky enough to found an osteopath who had me back on my feet in 2 months! It then took me four years to train to become a naturopathic osteopath, and I’ve been a convert ever since. Prior to osteopathic training, I taught science, special needs & was a manager in schools in America, Spain and the U.K.