How you can benefit from a naturopathic approach

We can all benefit from a naturopathic approach, with so much in the 21st century accepted as 'normal' living and stress a default state. Naturopathy is described as 'holistic' because it takes a 'whole person' approach. In medicine 'holistic' implies considering all aspects of a person's health - physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing - rather than treating symptoms and seeks to find solutions, not bandaid treatments. The word 'holistic' can really trigger some people who immediately think it means yoga-loving, green juice-drinking, crystal-wearing, uneducated hippies spreading pseudoscience. It is in fact living a 'WHOLE-istic' lifestyle that allows us to achieve and maintain our personal wellbeing. And to boot it is a scientifically grounded approach to our health.

It is an approach that acknowledges that everybody is unique, forms a big-picture analysis and works to find the innate point of balance within each individual. Working 'holistically' a naturopath considers each body system (because everything is connected!), full medical history, evaluates current eating habits, lifestyle, emotional wellness, limiting beliefs, sense of connection etc. etc. which all provide clues to the root cause of a health concern, the triggers and drivers, and risk factors. We find out when the problems began eg. surgery, accident, trauma, food poisoning, pregnancy, menopause, vaccination, medication or mould exposure. With the gathered information a treatment plan is developed centering around nutrition, lifestyle and naturopathic techniques.

A case example: gut health and stress

My client experienced a poorly functioning gut and was stressed too. Our gut and adrenal function (the adrenals are small glands that sit on top of each kidney and produce hormones) are interlinked and support each other. Stress and exhaustion due to adrenal imbalance affects digestion, absorption and excretion by reducing digestive juice secretion and the contraction and relaxation of muscles which move food through the digestive tract. In contrast, a poorly functioning gut will affect the adrenals by causing poor nutrient status, spikes in blood sugar and general toxins in the system. In this scenario my client experienced a negative cycle of worsening health in all body systems.

I worked with my client and introduced nutrition and lifestyle modification to create a healthy functioning gut (this was to enhance the adrenals by creating blood sugar balance and optimal nutrient status) and a state of calmness (improved adrenal reserve promotes healthy digestive juice production, and the contraction and relaxation of muscles which move food through the digestive tract to enhance digestion, absorption and excretion). This lead to a positive cycle of improved health in my client's body. 

Through the lens of Western science and an in-depth understanding of the human body and natural medicine, the underlying cause of illness was identified enabling me to work to resolve it.

---

If you or someone you know is struggling with their health, get in touch. You don't need to suffer.

I help clients transform their lives, whether supporting those with chronic illnesses or purely making their everyday health better.

Reach out to start your journey today.

Jo Stoate, Naturopath + Nutritional Therapist.

Book a call