There are loads of great Naturopaths out there, especially in Torquay. We all bring expertise in fields that interest us, however, we love treating any condition that presents itself to us. However, there is a lot of misunderstanding about what it is that we actually do! Here are some common myths.
1. Aren’t Naturopaths a bit Woo Woo? Fact: Some Naturopaths are also qualified massage therapists, but many don’t do this training. Crystal therapies and Aromatherapy are not part of Naturopathy training either. Naturopathy initially originated from traditional herbal wisdom. This was obtained from various cultures around the world, but scientific research is now validating this knowledge. Part of what we do is get to know you as a person, your diet, your stress levels, as well as just looking at your physical body. We aim to treat you, the individual, not the disease. One size does not fit all when it comes to health!
2. Naturopaths have no qualifications: Fact: Today’s Naturopaths are required to obtain a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy, which is a 4 year full time degree course. Many subjects are the same as those taken in a Medical degree, such as Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. Whilst a Medical Practitioner studies nutrition for 2 weeks in their training, a Naturopath studies it for 4 years. We also complete comprehensive studies in Herbal Medicine, an alternative to pharmacy medication. This includes learning about over 250 herbs, their actions, dosages and cautions regarding their use. We also learn about medications as well. If you are choosing a Naturopath, ask them what their qualification is. Unfortunately, there are many online short courses for Naturopathy studies, but they are not adequate for treating clinical conditions out in the real world. Your qualified practitioner will have a professional association membership, with ANTA, ANPA or NHAA and also have provider numbers for the Private Health associations.
3. Naturopaths are Expensive: Fact: Whatever reasons you would visit a GP for; you can visit a naturopath for. The average visit to the GP costs about $50-70 for a 10-15 minute consultation. So how are we different? Instead of a quick 10-minute consultation and a pharmacy prescription, a naturopath spends about an hour or so taking a comprehensive history, a dietary assessment and simple examinations. This is followed by a treatment plan and sometimes herbs or vitamins to support you. The consultation will cost you approximately $90-200, depending on the expertise of the practitioner. So the cost at this point is quite comparative. However, after the appointment, your practitioner is studying your test results, researching the best supplements for your condition and devising a treatment plan for you. This may take up to several hours of work behind the scenes. So you are actually getting very good value for your money! People often complain that Practitioner herbs and supplements are expensive, but what is even more expensive is buying inferior online or supermarket products that don’t work! Your Naturopath is always looking to provide the highest quality supplements to get lasting results for you.It makes sense then, that if you buy a cheap pair of shoes, you will have to replace them in another 6 months or so. However, if you buy a pair of $200 ones, chances are that they are well made and will last you for 10 years or more, probably saving you a lot more than lots of cheap pairs. Doesn’t your body deserve the same consideration when it comes to your supplements? If you want to learn more, visit my website for more information. www.torquayholistic.com.au.Yours in Health and Happiness, Lynda.