There is a growing conversation about natural health these days that is both exciting and concerning. I find it exciting because it means the emergence of appreciating how beautifully designed our bodies are and finding ways to let them do what they do well. It is however also concerning because many people do not understand what that means. We have become accustomed to quick fixes that relief what we are feeling so we can jump back into our stress filled lives. Natural health is about true healing and building health that influences our entire life.
What exactly is Natural Health?
Natural health means letting the body do what it was designed to do. Our bodies have the ability to defend us from illnesses and diseases and heal from problems. Applying natural health means supporting these functions so our body is best positioned to protect, defend and heal.
It is non-invasive, non-toxic, non-chemical based healthcare. This means it uses things like natural supplements, organic foods, water, plants, minerals, roots, flowers and more from nature.
Natural health has many types of services and practitioner types. Many of these services can be offered online and in-person.
What about care I’m getting from my doctor?
Follow your doctor’s orders and any prescribed medications. A natural health practitioner cannot change what your doctor has setup for you. You can talk about this with your natural health practitioner and ask questions. There may be natural options to compliment what your doctor has ordered. Likewise you should fill in your doctor on any natural products you are using.
Natural health care can be complimentary to your doctor’s care. In many cases, using both can help you find improvements faster. It also gives you information to work with your doctor to ensure the medications you are taking are the right dose and offer you options on how long you need them. It certainly makes you more aware as a healthcare consumer to know what to ask of your doctor when you see them.
Some doctors may give you a difficult time for choosing to look at natural health care options. If your doctor is unwilling to discuss it, shames or berates you for it, consider changing doctors. As patients we are always at the center of our health and are empowered to make the decisions right for us. Many doctors do not agree with natural health because it is not in their field of study and does not align with their learning of pharmacy based medications and treatments.
Can I stop taking my medicines?
No.
A natural health practitioner will not be able to make prescription changes for you. Only your doctor can do that. You should continue taking all medications as prescribed until directed differently from your doctor.
Any natural products you use should be included in your information shared with your doctor.
In many cases, you may be able to work with your doctor and natural health practitioner to find more natural options that reduce your need for prescription medications. In ideal situations, natural health compliments your doctor’s care and both are seeking healing and health with you.
What Services are Available
This of course varies depending on the type of natural health practitioner you are seeing. Like doctors, some are very specialized or focus on a specific area. Most however are general and can help with a lot of different types of problems and health needs.
You can see a natural health practitioner for things like:
Skin problems
Health concerns and problems
Lifestyle change coaching
Diet and weight support
Sleep issues
Emotional and behavioral support needs
Maintaining good health help
Pain and discomfort
Stress and anxiety concerns
and more!
Natural health practitioners are here to help you find solutions to health questions, problems and goals that are based in nature. The aim is to find the most natural means available to support vitality and good health.
We focus on the body as a whole. This means while we address current discomfort you may be experiencing, we are looking at what that discomfort is not only doing physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. We look beyond the discomfort to find the root cause and help you find a way to heal from the inside-out.
You can see both your doctor and a natural health practitioner. It is important to advise your doctor of all supplements you are taking, including natural ones. Natural health should compliment any care you are receiving from your doctor. In many cases, once a person begins using a natural health practitioner they find the conversations with their doctor to be much more meaningful and in-depth. That’s because you learn what’s going on in your body and understand there may be more than one way to support and resolve that need.
Cost
Most natural health services and products are not covered by insurance plans or health savings accounts. This means you will likely encounter an out of pocket expense for your consultations and products. While this may seem like a barrier to using these services, also consider that most natural health care services are significantly less than an office visit to your primary care doctor.
On average you can expect a consultation to cost $0 – $200 per visit. Yes really in some cases it is $0.00. Most natural health practitioners are more than happy to answer a question or two for you before booking a consultation. Also, your services are much more than a quick 10 minute visit as you’ll soon read about below. The information you receive through a consultation is so much more robust than any doctor’s office you ever visited.
Who Can Use Natural Health Services
The wonderful part of natural health is it is available for everyone from the very young to old. There is no age restrictions unless set by the natural health practitioner.
For children, the parent or guardian will be asked to be present through all consultations and services.
Natural health is for anyone seeking a more natural option in their health care journey. We believe the body has abilities to heal itself and our role is to support those needs and promote self-healing. By focusing on preventative health we can avoid many illnesses and diseases. We can also support many illnesses and diseases with natural means that compliment a doctor’s care plan.
If you are victim of abuse or other trauma, it is also acceptable for you to have another person you feel safe with in the consultation with you at all times. You are in control of your consultation.
Finding the Right Practitioner for You
There are many natural health practitioner types from holistic healers, lifestyle coaches, traditional naturopaths and more working in the space of natural health. Doing your research on the type of service you are interested in and what your needs are can help you find the right practitioner.
It is important to get to know your practitioner and have trust in them. If you feel uncomfortable, pressured to buy products or it just doesn’t feel right, then they are not the one for you.
How to work with me
If you are interested in working with me on your health journey, please book a complimentary 15 minute consultation to see if it is right for you. I’m happy to answer any questions you have and help you find the right support for your health and well-being.