By Anne Lomax
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Hippocrates - the 'father of medicine' wrote in the 5th Century that there are two methods of healing - by opposies and by similars. Conventional medicine uses the Opposites method - medicines are given to stop something happening. This is why most of them are prefixed with the word 'anti' - eg. antihistamine. This blocks the production of histamine, which is responsible for hayfever symptons. Homoeopathy uses the Similars method - medicines are given that would produce similar symptoms to the ones being suffered, if they were given to a healthy person Conventional medicine views our ailments in isolation and gives each part a label. We are said to have a cold, a bad knee and rheumatism, therefore we are prescribed seperate drugs for the cold, the bad knee and the rheumatism. Homoeopathy is a more individualistic therapy - the patient is seen as
a whole and the Similar remedy covers the seemingly disparate symptoms,
including emotional disposition, food desires and aversions and even the
type of dreams we have. |
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Remedies are given in minute doses that work by stimulating our bodies own natural healing ability (the immune system). They are are suitable for adults, children and work on animals too. (only vets are permitted by U.K. law to treat animals.) |
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If you have a long term disease the Homoeopath will spend an hour or more with you, getting to know you and your life history. Many patients value this opportunity to have this time to talk about themselves in a safe, confidential environment. After this initial consultation the Homeoopath will be able to consider what is the best remedy for the patient, and the appropriate dosage. This individual tailoring of treatment to individual needs may take a day or so, and this is why first consultations are more expensive than subsequent appointments. Follow-up visits are usuall y 4 - 6 weeks after the initial consultation, but the timing will depend on your individual needs. Patients are usually able to contact the Homoeopath in between visits by telephone if they want to talk about what is happening after taking the prescribed remedy. Short term (acute) diseases also respond well to homoeopathy and remedies can help in cases of injury and in dealing with side effects. |
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Remedies are very low in cost and some Homeoepaths include this in their consultation fees. Usually prescriptions are one or two tablets that may last for a whole month of treatment. Overall cost of treatment does depend on how complex the case is. A rough guide is that with skillful prescribing you could make between three and five visits in a year for sucessful treatment of a long standing illness. Fees vary from Homoeopath to Homoeopath. It is wise to check beforehand how much the initial visit and follow ups will cost. Fees in the U.K. usuall average out at about £25.00 ($50) per visit. |
In the U.K. Professional Homoeopathic traing takes four years of study at a college, regulated by the Society of Homoeopaths. This is followed by ongoing post-graduate training and supervision. During the third and fourth years of training students take on their own patients and work under the supervision of a suitably qualified and Registered Homoeopath. Students see patients on their own, but consult with their supervisor before giving a remedy - so you can be assured of the quality of your Homoeopathic care. Patient Confidentiality is assured as a part of this process. Fees are much lower than those charges by a fully qualifed practitioner, but you will need to check with the student concerned. All money received by students is for the cost of their supervision of your case by a qualified, registerd Homoeopath. |
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Anne is currently in her fourth year of Classical Homoeopathic training at Soluna School of Homoeopathy. The School was founded in 1987 and is now nationally recognised as a centre of excellence for the training of professional Homoeopaths. The school is well known for outstanding quality of its students, as well as the excellent and careful treatment of its patients. Anne has fourteen years experience as a social services professional and has highly developed peaple skills as a consequence. She practices in the beautiful rural village of Milford in Derbyshire (U.K.) and can be contaced on (01773) 820 255. |
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COLLEGE TEACHING CLINICS This another way of getting low cost treatment. Complete patient confidentiality is assured at all Soluna Teaching Clinics Clinics are held on Saturdays on two weekends a month. There is sometimes
another teaching clinic on the Monday following these weekends. |
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If you would like information about qualified, registered Homoeopaths in your area please contact: The Society of Homoeopaths Telephone: (01642) 21400 |
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