What’s Naturopathy all about?

Hello! I’m Maryanne Picker, the qualified Naturopath at Bees Knees Naturopathy.

In my twelve years as a Naturopath I have been told many times that the reason my patients have ended up at my practice is because their Doctor has told them he can’t help them anymore.  With a gut feeling that that can’t be the end of the line, they have gone in search of something else and have discovered naturopathy, and “alternative” – or integrative – approaches to health.

What is integrative health?

As defined by the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine:

“The field of integrative health and medicine reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and professions to achieve optimal health and healing.”

How can Naturopathy help me?

Sadly, not many people have perfect health, or even the knowledge of how to improve one’s health naturally, so there are always areas that can be greatly improved upon. The body has an innate healing ability, and if given the right tools and nurturing, we can assist it to correct itself.

I will start by taking a full and comprehensive health record, of both you and your family history. I will run tests where necessary, and also ask you to record a nutritional diary for at least four days. 

Depending on what’s right for your individual health concerns, we may use a nutrition plan, an exercise plan, supplements or herbal medicines that are tried and proven (the oldest form of medicine known to mankind!).

Nutrition is my main focus, but over the years I have learned that its not necessarily what you eat, but what you actually absorb that makes the difference.

So the holistic view – which very much includes the digestive system (to mention just a few: malabsorption, food intolerances, leaky gut and colitis) – needs resolving before a nutrient rich diet will have much of an impact on your health.

The high-powered world we live in now causes much stress and can be detrimental to our well-being if we aren’t mindful of taking time out to balance. Helping my clients minimise the effects stress can have on their health, and learning how to cope with an overwrought nervous system will lower anxiety and depression, and lead to reducing inevitable associated problems like insomnia and medication.

I will work on correcting the underlying problems rather than just treating the symptoms.

Within this I will incorporate lifestyle changes like weight loss, sleep improvement, stress reduction, exercise, and of course a healthy diet. I am here to help you monitor and keep on track – and heal from the inside, out.

To chat about your personal health concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss further.

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