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Homeoapthy (n) - a system of medical practice that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in larger amounts produce in healthy persons symptoms similar to those of the disease (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
Homeopathy comes from the Greek words homoios and patheia which means “same disease.” This is because the main principle of homeopathy is likes cures like. Homeopathic remedies are made from extremely dilute mineral, plant and animal materials. When these remedies are given to a healthy person, they may cause changes on the physical, mental and emotional levels.
This provoking of symptoms in a healthy person is called a proving and is how we know what each homeopathic remedy does. It is a homeopath’s job to get to know an individual on the physical, mental and emotional levels and find patterns. This allows us to find a homeopathic remedy that matches these patterns in order to evoke the body’s own healing response to resolve symptoms.
Homeopathy often results in the long-term cure of symptoms, as the remedies evoke this healing response that allows us to regain balance on the physical, mental and emotional levels. Homeopathy is truly treating the cause of the symptoms, rather than masking them, which is what is typically done with many other therapies. I especially like homeopathy because it can be used while on other types of treatment including pharmaceutical drugs, because the remedies do not contain a physical substance that would have any biochemical interactions.
I also love that Homeopathy is a holistic medicine. Physical symptoms of pain are just as important as mental emotional pain, and all symptoms important in finding the right remedy. More importantly pain on the physical as well as emotional levels will likely be cured by the right remedy. Many patients find the process itself healing, as they become comfortable sharing aspects of their lives they may be uncomfortable sharing with anyone else.
Interested in more information? I have listed resources below. On the DHANP’s website you can find a naturopathic doctor that has been board certified in homeopathy. You can also find a provider that has taken extra coursework with Drs Amy Rothenberg and Paul Herscu through the New England School of Homeopathy (NESH) alumni directory.
Wondering what to expect during a visit? Homeopathic intake visits are usually 1-2 hours long. You may be prescribed a remedy that day or the provider may call you back with your remedy, which usually remains unknown to you in order to see how the remedy affects you without knowing what symptoms it is likely to cover. Usually, constitutional homeopathic remedies are dosed at one potency (or strength) only once, or a few times over a week or month. Others may be dosed daily or multiple times per day. The dosing depends on your symptomology as well as the remedy and many homeopaths have differences in dosing which may depend on your symptoms. You should follow up in 4-6 weeks to again fully evaluate the symptoms and likely the changes in them over that time. The only thing you really must do is be open to discussing all aspects of your health and have an open mind.
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