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please use proper apa formating

36 36 Discussion Question Two - Week 8 Discussion Question Two: Homeopathy, a type of naturopathy, is sometimes confused with naturopathy. Explain the difference, and what to look for in a qualified homeopath

Answer 1

Homeopathy

                           Homeopathy is a natural form of medicine used by over 200 million people worldwide to treat both acute and chronic conditions. It is based on the principle of ‘like cures like’. In other words, a substance taken in small amounts will cure the same symptoms it causes if taken in large amounts.

                          Homeopathic medicines are safe to use as they rarely cause side-effects. This means when used appropriately under the guidance of a qualified homeopath they can be taken by people of all ages, including babies, children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Naturopathy

                          Naturopathy is a system of healthcare with a deep history of traditional philosophies and practices, medically trained practitioners and a breadth of natural treatment options to serve patients.

Difference between Homeopathy and Naturopathy

              Naturopathy is a medical system that takes a holistic approach to health and healing. The practice utilizes many modalities such as nutrition, exercise, acupuncture, massage, and herbal remedies in order to optimize the body’s ability to heal.
              Homeopathy is entirely different. It is based on something called the “Law of Similars”. Using a guidebook called Materia Medica, a homeopathic practitioner does an extensive interview and matches the symptoms of a patient with the symptoms that may occur after the consumption of a particular substance. He or she will then make a remedy that has that substance diluted down to such a degree that there may be only a “memory” of the substance left. This remedy can then facilitate healing.
             The difference between the two is that naturopathy is a health system that utilizes many different treatments and modalities (which may even include homeopathy) and homeopathy is solely focused upon the use of remedies.

                     Homeopathy is often used in naturopathy. Homeopathic remedies are developed from natural substances. Small doses are given to enhance the body's natural ability to heal. Homeopathy works on the theory that "like cures like." This means that something that gives a healthy people symptoms will cure the same symptoms for someone who is ill.

                      Homeopathy is a common treatment in many countries and is the second most popular form of medicine. In North America, it is still considered controversial and unproven. Naturopathy is a medical system that upholds a holistic and natural approach to the body's instrinsic ability to heal and maintain health and well being. In naturopathy, nature is believed to have healing power.

Qualified Homeopath

       Homeopaths need a unique set of skills in order to best serve their patients, some of which are inherent, and others which can be learned. Let’s take a look at some of the key skills homeopaths should have:

1. EMPATHY

           Empathy means ‘the ability to understand and share the feelings of another’, as opposed to sympathy which means ‘feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune’. There has been much research in the area of empathy, with debates around whether empathy can be learned or taught. Research seems to show that empathy is both an innate ability as well as something which can be encouraged and learned. Some researchers have said that empathy is something which happens to a person, and is experienced, rather than something which is done. However behaviours such as self-awareness, non-judgement, listening skills and self-confidence can be developed to encourage the experience of empathy.

2. GOOD LISTENING SKILLS

                     Listening to patients is a key skill homeopaths must have. Homeopaths need to be good at asking the right questions, and then listen closely to the answers. Patients are asked to describe their symptoms in detail, and these answers are crucial for the homeopath to prescribe the right remedy. In addition, it can be of immense value to a patient to feel they have been truly listened to.

3. GROUNDING IN HOMEOPATHIC PHILOSOPHY AND METHODOLOGIES

             In order to gain this knowledge, the homeopath has to have a keen interest in learning all the intricacies of the homeopathic system. CHE students receive this grounding through lectures with experienced homeopaths and lecturers, and they are empowered to continually grow their knowledge through self-study. Assessments help students become accustomed to confidently find, analyse and utilise all the information they find.

4. A SOUND KNOWLEDGE OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY, AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

          This is a key part of CHE homeopathic training. Students learn about the systems of the human body and pathologies which may occur. This is an important part of creating an understanding of the complexity of patients’ cases.

5. AN OPEN MIND AND WILLINGNESS TO LEARN

        Homeopathy takes a very different approach from conventional medicine, and so it is necessary for homeopaths to become accustomed to ideas which they have not considered before.