Homeopathy

Homeopathy is the only form of medicine that has a set of principles of how to practice. These principles govern the management of the case, the prescription and the follow up sessions.

Developed in the late 18^th century by Dr Samuel Hahnemann the word homeopathy ‘ means ‘similar  (homeo) suffering (pathos).

The prescription is founded on finding the most similar remedy that reflects your condition.  In the case of an acute problem such as recent onset shingles I will not only be asking where the affection – for example the head or your back, but also what the pain feels like to you, what time of day or night is it better or worse, is there anything that makes it feel better or worse and most importantly how you are in yourself and what events preceded the onset of the shingles.

With chronic conditions we will look at your life’s medical  conditions not just the one you present  with.  Even the types of food you like or dislike can give me a clue as to the remedy you require.

The following case gives you an idea of how we find the remedy.

The patient was a 3 year old girl.  She had been ‘throwing up’ every night for a week.  Her condition had been diagnosed by 3 different doctors.

The first one who was called out on the first night said “she must have eaten something that disagrees with her. See how she is in the morning.

The child was poorly all night so the anxious parents took her to their own GP in the morning.  They said “reflex”

As she was still being sick at night four days later they took her back to their local surgery and a viral infection was diagnosed.

Not convinced they called me.

A few questions clarified the situation.

She was only sick at night, but she also had an afternoon sleep when she was not sick – so that ruled out reflux. 

If it had been something she ate – it would have been cleared out after 24 hours.

She did not have a temperature nor any other symptom. Simply she was being very sick – at night.

What time did the vomiting start? Answer ‘Bout midnight to 3pm.”

So the next question was – What happened the couple of nights prior to the onset of the sickness.  Answer: London was hit by massive thunderstorms. She had been absolutely terrified.

The remedy in this case – one dose of Arsenicum Album 30c.  She has not been sick since.

The questions may seem irrelevant, but  the right questions can elicit answers that lead us to the right remedy and then the reaction can be fabulous.

But it is a difficult process finding the right remedy and easy to be led down misleading paths, so I tend to ‘Bowen’ my patients on the first session and let that clear away many of the problems and only go in with a homeopathic remedy if it is clearly indicated. 

Acute cases are much easier than chronic  conditions, particularly in children and in these situations I often prescribe a homeopathic remedy..