Naturopathic Modalities
Naturopaths employ a broad range of healing modalities with the intention of promoting health and vitality. These include, but are not limited to the following:
Nutrition and Lifestyle Counselling
Dietary intervention along with lifestyle modification are the bedrock of naturopathic work. The naturopath will often begin with an evaluation of the individual's dietary and lifestyle habits, and may then give information with regard to improving both food intake and quality of life. Food allergies or hypersensitivities may also be identified and addressed, along with environmental hazards such as airborne pathogens or toxic chemicals. Exercise and rest are also fundamental to well-being, and should be appropriate to the individual. Thus much of the work done by a naturopath could be described as "one-on-one health education."
Constitutional Hydrotherapy
Water is a very powerful and versatile therapeutic agent. An infinite array of applications are possible, in a wide range of temperatures, according to the available facilities. Many forms of hydrotherapy can be performed at home, but on occasion constitutional hydrotherapy may be recommended. This procedure involves the alternating application of hot and cold wet towels to the trunk of the body in a specific sequence. it is a powerful detoxifying treatment which stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage as well as tonifying all of the body's major organs.
Classical Homeopathy
"...we must find and develop therapies which heal our relations with the widest community, that of all living beings."
-Arne Ness
Homeopathy generally involved the use of infinitesimally small dilutions of substances from the animal, vegetable and mineral realms, prepared according to specialised procedure prepared according to specialised procedure which potentiates their therapeutic properties.
Classical homeopathy focusses on the selection of a single remedy rather than a combination, and emphasises minimal intervention with infrequent repetition in most cases. Homeopathic remedies are often favoured by naturopathics because they are safe, effective and inexpensive.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is an extremely gentle and subtle form of hands-on bodywork in which a highly trained practitioner is able to sense the innate rhythmicity of the central nervous system through all the body tissues. This movement is known as the craniosacral rhythmic impulse, and can be felt anywhere on the body, although the head (cranium) and the base of the spine (sacrum) are usually key areas of attention by the practitioner. Because craniosacral therapy is a hands-on approach to energy work, it is a useful method of integrating the physical/biomechanical and the energetic/emotional aspects of the whole person.
Botanical Therapy
The use of herbs by naturopaths to facilitate healing and promote well-being is a time huonored tradition. Many herbs not only possess powerful therapeutic properties, but also serve as concentrated sources of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, essential fats and trace elements. Thus herbs are often employed as food supplements in cooking, or made into teas. Some naturopaths recommend the use of herbal hand, foot or whole body baths.
Graham Montague us happy to discuss naturopathy as a way of living, and welcomes your call at (812) 322-5605 Monday through Friday 1-5pm or emails at montagueND (at) hotmail.com. Graham is also available for talks, lectures and workshops.