Questions about Homeopathy
What are the goals of homoeopathic treatment?
The goal is to get you to a level of health, balance and freedom from limitations where you feel really well for long periods of time.
Why do homeopaths ask so many questions?
Constitutional homoeopathy does not primarily aim to knock out the bugs causing named diseases, but instead treats the individual who has the illness. Hence a detailed understanding of the patient is fundamental to making a correct prescription.
The homoeopath must attempt a very complex task – that of coming as quickly as possible to an in-depth understanding of an individual. The more you can describe your symptoms and state in your own words, the better – and the fewer the questions! Any questions that are asked are simply to clarify details and help in improving this understanding of you as a whole.
Why would I see a homeopath?
I see people for all kinds of reasons, sometimes for a physical problem or sometimes for an emotional problem such as stress or anxiety. These can be issues that the patient has only recently developed or they could be a chronic (long term) complaint. Homeopathy can be used to address many ailments no matter how long the patient has had the issue for.
How many appointments are necessary with a homeopath?
In chronic conditions and constitutional treatment, for the first few months we shall possibly need to meet every three or four weeks. Sometimes the total picture does not emerge fully from the first consultation. Once a remedy has begun to act curatively, even in deep and complex cases, we may not need to meet for a much longer time – it’s not good to interfere once a remedy is working well. But even after you are feeling consistently better it is useful to see your homeopath once or twice a year, to assess progress and try to forestall possible future problems. In simpler maladies and in acute conditions results can begin quite quickly and dramatically, and not many appointments may be needed.
Can homeopaths help with more complex or chronic cases and how long does it take?
In more complex cases homoeopathic treatment from your homeopath is like peeling away the 'layers of an onion'. Briefly, this means that we build up layers of symptoms or pathology as a response to certain stresses we go through in life. These 'layers' are laid down and can be 'peeled away’ effectively with homoeopathic remedies. During treatment old symptoms may come up (but with each successive remedy you are healthier so they will not be as severe as in the past). This recurrence may just be a good sign or the indication for a new remedy to be given.
Even some hereditary tendencies can be eliminated with homeopathy, but in these deep or chronic problems the curative process may be gradual and more consultations may be needed.
How can I be involved in my own treatment?
You don't have to believe in homoeopathic remedies in order for them to work (homeopaths treat babies and there are homoeopathic vets). But for me to select the correct remedy and for the treatment to continue to act, your co-operation and commitment are necessary.
You can help by:
~ describing your symptoms as completely and honestly as you can
~ noting any changes after you take the remedy – keeping written notes can be helpful and jog your memory at your follow-up consultations: please report general changes as well as specific ones
~ telling me any concerns or questions you may have during treatment – the aim is to create the best possible circumstances for the rediscovery of health
~ above all, realising that this is a gradual process which is really a commitment to your long-term well-being.
What happens in the consultation?
Homeopaths are professionals who are bound by the Code of Ethics of their governing body & as such, all consultations are confidential.
Your first appointment is approximately 90 minutes long & I like to view it as having 2 halves. The first half we discuss your symptoms & why you have come to see me, along with other useful information such as your medical history; the type of questions which your GP might ask. The way a homeopathic consultation differs is during the second half of the consultation where I will be getting as full a picture of “the real you” as possible. As there are many homeopathic remedies for one ailment, it is necessary to distinguish which one you would benefit from the most & this is done by asking very specific questions concerning your appetite, what you like to eat, your body temperature, dreams & traits of your personality such as how you deal with anger & upset. Your treatment will then be tailor-made to your exact, individual state.
After the consultation I spend time reflecting on the information you have given me before prescribing a remedy which I will then post out a few days later (unless it needs to be ordered from the homeopathic pharmacy which takes a little longer.)
Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up appointment normally last up to an hour in which we discuss changes since last time, response to the prescription & evaluate your progress together. A new prescription will then be given after this. Follow up appointments are usually at intervals of 4-5 weeks.
Between Appointments
If between appointments you have any issues/queries, then please feel free to contact me & I will not charge for enquiries that can be easily dealt with over the phone or email. It may, however, be necessary to book a proper consultation if the enquiry requires more time.
What do I bring with me for the appointment?
I will send you a new patient questionnaire when you book an appointment which I ask that you fill in & bring with you. This saves time & gives me more of an overview concerning your past and family history. I also ask that you please bring a list of any medications you are currently taking.
What if I miss an appointment?
I ask that you let me know at least 24 hours beforehand should you need to cancel due to the demand for appointments as should you miss an appointment, then a charge will be levied.
How does a homeopath evaluate a curative response?
Homeopaths have, through nearly 200 years of experience, developed quite detailed means of assessing progress towards health and have established laws and principles of cure.
For your part, you want the problems you have come with to clear up, and they should. But I, as your homeopath, want to see overall improvements as well as the specific ones. Your degree and rate of improvement will be partly determined by the level of stresses and obstacles to cure in your life.
I will be looking for improvement on the physical, emotional and mental levels, and in general energy. This is what a homeopath will be aiming for with your treatment.
What happens if the symptoms seem to return after I see the homeopath?
If you had a good curative response to a remedy and then after a few weeks or months a relapse seems to occur, do not get disappointed or discouraged at this point and feel that homoeopathy is not working for you - this situation may mean a new remedy is indicated as a 'layer' of symptoms from the past has come up and needs to be treated.
This is just a phase during the process of getting you to a consistently good state of health. It is often the moment to arrange another appointment: we may decide either to wait a few days to see if your system re-balances itself, or that the remedy needs repeating, or that it may be time for a new prescription.
Where are the remedies from?
The remedies are derived from the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms. There are many thousands now available, though many prescriptions are made from a narrower range of 200-300 remedies. They are prepared in established homoeopathic pharmacies.
How can a few doses do anything or last a long time?
The remedies are highly potentised - they are prepared by what is called dilution and succussion and dropped on to tiny lactose granules to make absorption of the dose easier. They simply catalyse or trigger a response by the body on an energetic level, rather than effect any chemical change. The remedy helps the body develop a natural positive momentum which continues to gain strength and eliminate disease.
What will interfere with the remedy working?
This is quite a controversial topic! Opinions vary greatly, particularly concerning coffee and peppermint! It seems best to avoid camphor products and concentrated highly aromatic essential oils. Drug treatments can cause interference, as can certain dental procedures. It is also not usually a good idea to have acupuncture during a course of homoeopathic treatment.
Generally speaking, massage, cranial osteopathy and other gentle treatments and medications do not interfere with homoeopathy.
If you are considering any other therapy while having homoeopathy, please check with me first!
Is there any advice about diet and lifestyle?
A good diet and a sensible balance between work, exercise and rest are of course essential for a healthy body. Any advice about diet and exercise is tailored to your individual need in terms of your vitality, age and various environmental factors. I want to deal with any ‘obstacles to cure’ in your life, for example food and pollutant sensitivities and too many processed foods, as well as emotional factors, so that the homoeopathic remedy can work as well as possible. You may well find that when the organism is healthy your lifestyle and energies will become balanced as positive changes occur in all aspects of your life.
What about acute problems?
Homoeopathic remedies can treat acute problems such as colds and 'flu and stomach upsets, and help the body recover after injuries and falls. If you are already having homoeopathic treatment, mild illnesses will often clear up on their own, but if you are unsure or the symptoms are becoming worse please contact me for advice. If your symptoms are severe, telephone immediately! It may also be wise to contact your GP. But if you are on a remedy please do not automatically take antibiotics for minor ills as drugs can tend to suppress rather than cure symptoms.
If you are involved in an accident or emergency you should go to your nearest hospital casualty department for treatment, and then telephone to see what homoeopathic remedy may be indicated. It is a good idea to have a homoeopathic first-aid kit at home.
What about seeing a GP?
Homeopathy is complementary to the health care that is available. Please maintain your relationship with your doctor, especially for routine check-ups and emergencies. Your GP can also arrange for you to have any blood tests or X-rays that may be needed or refer you to a specialist. A doctor is a useful resource both for yourself & for me as your homeopath!
