Our Natural Therapy Association has been accrediting naturopaths for more than 60 years, ensuring that they meet the highest educational and training standards required for membership.
All of the naturopaths in our directory are qualified and capable of delivering first-rate treatments.
Find naturopathic practitioners across Australia, in our directory of experts. Or find naturopath women’s health near me.
Naturopathy emphasises a holistic approach to disease prevention, and the treatment and promotion of optimal health through natural, therapeutic means. These may include homeopathy, nutritional medicine, herbal medicine, massage therapy and lifestyle and dietary advice.
Inherent to naturopathy is the principle that the body has an intrinsic ability to heal itself. Using the healing power of nature and gentle therapeutic techniques, the mind, body and emotions are supported during this healing process.
Naturopathy is one of the most popular forms of complementary medicine in Australia today, with naturopaths performing over 4.9 million consultations every year. They will often recommend a combination of therapies, and use preventative medicine practices to ensure the body restores, heals, and nourishes itself to remain vital and strong. According to naturopathic principles, naturopaths treat each client as an individual, treat the whole body and not just an affected area, and address the cause of health issues, not just the symptoms.
The term “naturopathy” originates from the Lain root for birth (“natura”) and the Greek root for suffering (“pathos”) to suggest “natural healing.” The first advocate of naturopathic medicine was believed to be Hippocrates, and the modern form of naturopathy can be traced to 18th- and 19th-century natural healing systems. These include hydrotherapy (water therapy), which was popular in Germany, and “nature cure” (the use of air, light, food, herbs and water to treat illness), which was developed in Austria.
Benjamin Lust first introduced naturopathy to the US in 1901, with the founding of the American School of Naturopathy. It emphasised the use of natural health practices including herbal medicine, hydrotherapy and homeopathy, the avoidance of overeating, and the elimination of tea, coffee, and alcohol. Naturopaths eventually became licensed under drugless practitioner and naturopathic laws in 25 American states. Naturopathy was adopted by many chiropractors, and several universities offered Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) degrees.
Naturopathy continued to gain popularity due to social and cultural change and government policies that highlighted freedom of choice and individual responsibility, and today, naturopaths are licensed primary care providers offering advice on a range of complementary and alternative therapies, including homeopathy, herbal remedies, vitamin and mineral supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and relaxation techniques.
Naturopathic practices focus on the use of natural and non-invasive treatments that work in harmony with the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Naturopaths also consider disease prevention and the influence of emotions, the environment, and lifestyle on a client’s holistic health.
Naturopathy encompasses a range of treatment methods, including:
Some naturopaths are also trained in:
A naturopath can assist with a holistic health plan by helping you understand how a variety of imbalances, deficiencies, diet, environment, lifestyle, relationships and stress levels could be impacting your health. These include:
The dispensing of “practitioner only” products is necessary for therapeutic results. Store-bought supplements can be fine for general health, but some are synthetic, poorly absorbed and have little to no impact when it comes to healing the body.
Our naturopaths are well trained at integrating conventional medicines with natural medicines in terms of your specific health concerns. However, if you are currently taking medications administered by a GP, you should let them know you are also using alternative medicine, and continuing taking those medications unless they advise otherwise. It may also be possible for us to work alongside your GP to ensure the proper monitoring and assessment of our natural medicines takes place during your treatment plan.
A change in your symptoms all depends on your age, your overall vitality, the severity of your symptoms and how long you have had your health condition.
Some clients start to feel results within a couple of days, for others, it will take a few weeks or even longer. It’s also important to note that unlike pharmaceutical medications, natural remedies aren’t a quick fix solution. They work on healing the body over time and involve working towards a long-term solution to your health problems.