Naturopathic Medicine – There’s a Catch!

I’m always flattered when a patient tells me that they’ve referred a friend or family member to me for care. Usually the person making the referral is someone who is feeling much better after many years of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, heartburn, menstrual pain and cramps, or the like.

I’m often a tiny touch skeptical — because I’ve found that naturopathic medicine is not for everyone.

You might be surprised to hear me make that statement, if you believe, like I do, that naturopathic medicine is generally better suited for chronic dis-ease and disease than the conventional medical approach of pharmaceutically suppressing symptoms. But I found myself writing the following disclaimer on a recent article I posted, about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other digestive dysfunction:

“being a naturopathic patient involves work. Popping a pill and changing nothing about your life is easy – and if it worked you wouldn’t be reading this. What’s harder is to change the nutrition and lifestyle factors that got you to a place of dis-ease. If you’re not ready to do the work, it may not be time for an appointment. If you’re ready, and “just” need the guidance on what to do and how to do it” … then feel free to come on in.

I realize I risk scaring people off with such a statement. And I do believe in progress over perfection – that is, you don’t have to perfectly do everything I say (nor are you expected to change all your habits overnight), and you do get to maintain fun and treats in your life. However, balance must be sought. If you are not completely healthy, in order to heal it may be time to make room for new habits in your life — if the habits that you currently have were serving you, you wouldn’t have become unhealthy.

Please leave a comment and share with (and possibly inspire!) your fellow readers: what habits have you changed, and how has your life improved as a result?

Luminous good health — now wouldn’t that be a great thing to catch?
Dr. Deborah Epstein