Homeopathy Practice Therapy Homeopathic Therapy example essay topic

Homeopathic Survey of Alternative Medicine October 8, 2003 Homoeopathy is an alternative method of treatment, based on the nature's Law of Cure, or the saying 'Like Cures Like'. Discovered by a German scientist Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, and has been verified experimentally and clinically for 200 years. Homoeopathy is the revolutionary, natural medical science. Homoeopathy is gentle and effective system of medicine. The remedies are prepared from natural substances to precise standards and work by stimulating the body's own healing power. Why should it be the first choice?

Well first it is highly scientific, logical, safe, quick and extremely effective method of healing. It offers long lasting to permanent cure to most ailments, treating the disease from its roots deep inside the body. Homoeopathy does not treat superficially by just treating the symptoms but heals the patient from within. Disease affects the mind and body, your individual organs are not the cause of illness but disturbance at the inner level is the cause of illness. Different medicines for different ailments are not the way of homeopathy but to find one single remedy for the whole body. Homoeopathy believes in holistic, and individualistic approach.

It is with this single dose prepared from sources such as vegetables, animal, minerals, chemicals, all non toxic and absolutely harmless. They concentrate on influencing the body's energy. These remedies are safe for adults, infants and children with no side affects. Homoeopathy is not against surgery. There are some diseases that are only cured with surgery. However, Homeopathic remedies may be considered so that some surgery can be avoided.

It can also be helpful in psychosomatic illnesses and not harm the individual in the process. But the most important factor of Homeopathic therapy is that it is not a quick system, so that treatment must be researched and detected early as it is during this time that this kind of treatment does its best work. Coming late to Homeopathic therapy the disease may have reached an incurable stage. Although Homeopathy has been in existence for 200 years, it seems to be the exciting new therapy for the 21st century. It can help us when other cures are not available or are not affordable.

It is something that should not be ignored and we all should become aware of the possible help it can be in saving and extending our lives. Starting your research by reading the following information will not only help yourself, but all the ones you know and love, when you need to lend a hand. History of Homeopathy Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, founded homeopathy in between the years of 1790 and 1810. Dr Hahnemann was discouraged with treatments for medical conditions in those times.

Some of those treatments included purging, bloodletting, leaching and the use of toxic chemicals. "Medicines made from mercury, lead, arsenic, and various strong herbs were used to help purge the body of foreign disease-causing matter". (A condensed History of Homeopathy). "The first U.S. president, George Washington died from a throat infection in 1799 after being drained of nine pints of blood within 24 hours". (The Ancient Art of Bloodletting). Many of the treatments did more harm than good, so Dr. Hahnemann looked into the writings of William Cullen who was a renowned physician than.

Some of the contributors to the study of homeopathy are as follows: . 1755-1799 Christopher Elli thorp, scholar and historian of homeopathy and guardian of this Timeline's historical accuracy... 1755-1799 Luc de Sc hepper is the author of the book Hahnemann Revised... 1764-1845 George A.H. Muhlenbein, 'The Apostle of Homeopathy' in Northern Germany... 1765-1854 Matthias Maren zeller, the first to profess the doctrine of homeopathy in Austria. In 1828, by order of the emperor, he conducted the first homeopathic experiments at the Garrison Hospital in Vienna...

1773-1852 Joseph Mueller, the pioneer homeopath in Hungary... 1784-1849 Moritz Muller, prover of Dulcamara. A founder of the first homeopathic Journal, Archiv fur der Homoopathischen Heil kunst, 1822... 1785-1864 Clemens M.F. von Boenninghausendeveloper of the first homeopathic repertory, 'The Repertory of the Anti-Pso ric Remedies', author of 'The Therapeutic Pocket Book'. 1787-1840 Hans Burch Gram, MD, first homeopath in United States. 1787-1860 Johann Staff, MD, one of Hahnemann's Prover's Union, first convert to homeopathy 7-1849 Caspar Jenischen, developer of the first high potencies...

1793-1834 Christian Gott lob Horn burg, one of Hahnemann's earliest disciples and prover of Caustic um; first to cure pleurisy and pneumonia with Aconite... 1793-1843 Ernst Ferdinand Ru eckert. Assisted Hahnemann as prover of Dulcamra, Aconite, etc. With Lux, he may be considered founder of veterinary homeopathy... 1794-1887 Henry Detwiller, a founder of The Allentown Academy and pioneer homeopath. He gave the first prescription of a homeopathic medicine in Pennsylvania.

Homeopathy today is used to treat acute and chronic conditions and is practiced by MD's, Chiropractors, dental surgeons, veterinarians and pediatricians. There is an abundant amount of information on the Internet on how to locate a Homeopathic physician and the different treatments that may be prescribed. Homeopathic medicines can also be found in health food stores and prescribed by physicians. Philosophy of Homeopathy " Hahnemann lays out the principles of homeopathy in his work The Organon of the Rational Healing Art. Homeopathy was defined by Hahnemann and must be practiced according to the principles he described". (A Philosophy of Homeopathy) These are: 1.

The law of similars, or si milia. The sick are most easily, mildly, and permanently cured by the most similar medicine. For example, causes and cures diarrhea. This principle is established by treatment and not hypothesis. Homeopathy is the only system of medicine where all treatment is lawful. 2.

The fundamental, intrinsic cause of real disease is the of the vital force. This only applies to dynamic disease. 3. The change and morbid condition of function of tissue and organs in real disease are the result of dynamic disturbance and are not the cause of disease.

4. The totality of the symptoms, objective and subjective, as well as etiologic factors and characteristics of the person are the sole indication for choice of the remedy. Medicine cannot be based on opinion or hypothesis. Medicine has usually been deductive, not inductive. 5. By constant individualization we treat the patient and not the disease.

6. In order to secure the best practical results, medicines must be administered singly. Without systematic application of the inductive method, you will not get far. 7.

The only remedy that merits preference is always the one that is most similar to the characteristic symptoms of the disease. There are only degrees of similarity, not an absolute. If the degree of similarity is high enough, the result will be good. 8. This single remedy will be prescribed for its dynamic property in an optimal posology. For example, salt (nat rum) in its crude form is not a remedy.

It must be potent ized to be effective. 9. To ascertain the sick making properties of medicine, they must first be proven in the healthy and second be confirmed in curing the sick. Only remedies that have been proven and confirmed should be used. The doctrine of signatures is deductive and is not part of homeopathy. We cannot base a practice that determines life or death on a hypothesis.

10. Like prevents like. A remedy that is given in advance of illness will prevent the disease it will cure. This is homeopathic prophylaxis. Homeopathy Practice Therapy Homeopathic therapy begins with a lengthy, personalized visit with one of their trained professionals who will thoroughly assess the patient illness, lifestyle and other factors so that a course of action can be set in motion. This therapist, after careful review and collaboration with the patient, will determine which tailor-made remedies will be appropriate.

The patient is then sent home to follow careful instructions from the therapist to administer these remedies. Patients will then begin making one of several follow-up visits, as with conventional facilities, the patient will need to give precise reports of the outcome of taking such remedies. The patient will need to be clear and precise about the treatment in discussing how their bodies responded to the remedies. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), homeopathic therapy is practiced using these methods below: . Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes so as to prevent or treat illness... Treatment involves giving very small doses of substances called remedies that, according to homeopathy, would produce the same or similar symptoms of illness in healthy people if they were given in larger doses...

Treatment in homeopathy is individualized (tailored to each person). Homeopathic practitioners select remedies according to a total picture of the patient, including symptoms but lifestyle, emotional and mental states, and other factors. (NCCAM 2003) Most patients who have used this method of treating their alienated bodies and spiritual beings are raving about its success and the difference between CAM and conventional medicine. With this said and its 200 years of existence and chemistry backing, this therapy will continue for many more centuries. Desired outcomes of the therapy The homeopathic therapy not only provide most patient with a desired outcome in their health, the doctors are even more committed to the individual.

Their therapy actually lasts longer than the conventional doctor's office visit and the patient will receive more personalized attention. The therapist takes time to get to know his or her patient, builds a profile of their emotional, psychological, and physical well-being and this certainly takes more patience and time than is allowed in conventional healthcare systems. People are in search of safer and more reliable therapies for their families and have embraced this therapy wholeheartedly. An article on the NCCAM website discuss the growing popularity and deep desire to learn more about how homeopathic therapy can treat some of the leading killer diseases in the U.S. The article expressed these thoughts, "NCCAM's very existence, reflects the growing public interest in CAM.

By some estimates 42 percent of Americans spent $27 billion on CAM therapies in 1997. In recognition of this growing consumer trend, Congress in 1998 elevated the NIH Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM), expanded its mandate, created the NCCAM, and afforded it administrative authority to design and manage its own research portfolio. The Congress has continued to reflect the growing interest in CAM by further increasing funding for the Center in FY 2000 to $68.4 million. The President's FY 2001 budget requests $72.4 million for NCCAM.

We are indeed appreciative of this support". (NCCAM 2000) Training and Qualifications Qualifications are an important factor when patients are receiving medical care for an illness. Everyone wants to see some type of degree or certification when entering a practitioner's office. Today training for homeopathy has increased to over 20 training programs compared to only three back in 1990. The training involved in homeopathy is to take a three or four year program that consists of having meetings at least three or four times a month (Ullman (1997), para. 8-9).

The Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC) offers a certification along with several other organizations known as NASH, HAND, and C CHC allowing practitioners to get some recognition. By having recognition this gives the patients a feeling of comfort that the practitioner is qualified (web para. 2-3). Current Licensing, Certification, Governmental Regulation Homeopathic medicine has been around since the 1800's and for some time in the early 1900's saw little recognition. Recently it has seen more popularity driven by the National Center for Homeopathy (NCH). As of today, the FDA regulates all the manufacturing and selling of all homeopathic medicine all a majority of the medicine is purchased without a written prescription.

Each individual state regulates the practice of homeopathy and only the practitioners that have degrees of MD's (Medical Doctor), DO's (Doctors of Osteopathy), ND (Doctors of Naturopathy), DDS (Dentists), and DVM's (Veterinarians). Some states allow DC (Doctors of Chiropractic) to administer homeopathic services but not all the states. Homeopathic care can also be administered by any person with an acute illness as long as the person contains a homeopathic kit in case an emergency arises and the state allows it (web para. 1, 5, 6). Currently there are no licenses given to practice homeopathy but there are certifications from many organizations that a practitioner can achieve (web para. 2).

Clinical Studies and Benefits Homeopathy has proven to be beneficial to patients with several sicknesses such as colds, fatigue, back pain, and one of the most hated conditions the headache. Clinical studies performed clearly showed that homeopathy is truly effective. An article in the British Medical Journal stated that 107 clinical studies performed between 1966 and 1990 for treating headaches, respiratory infections, digestive diseases, ankle sprains, infections, and other health-related disorders. Out of the 107 studies, 81 of them proved extremely beneficial to the patient. Other studies found in The Lancet and British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology confirmed that the use of homeopathy had a high effectiveness of rheumatoid arthritis. Blind studies also performed and proved that patients containing influenza cured much faster by using a homeopathy remedy versus a placebo.

There have also been other clinical studies and German research reports stating that homeopathic remedies are extremely effective for hay fever, tooth extraction, Parkinson's disease, bronchitis, sinusitis, migraines, influenza, and motion sickness (web para. 2-5).

Bibliography

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