Homeopathy has been around for over 200 years, but only in the past few years has it resurfaced as a primary form of complementary medicine in North America. As our world develops more chronic ailments that western medicine cannot seem to properly treat, patients have sought out alternatives; nutrition, acupuncture, supplements, homeopathy...this means that to many, Homeopathy is brand new, and rather obscure!
So, what to expect when you're new to homeopathy?
While each patient is different, homeopathic treatment tends to follow a common path. This path is not guaranteed since each case is individualized, but hopefully this can give you a better idea of what to expect.
Before you see me, your homeopath, you will fill out an intake form. This will give me an idea of your main complaints, as well as past illnesses and family history. You can find a copy of the intake form here!
Initial Consultation
Your initial visit will last anywhere between 1-2 hours. In this visit, we will talk about your main physical/emotional/mental complaints, your tendencies, your likes and dislikes, your personality, and your lifestyle. Anything that is specific to you, is important to me; sleep position, most hated food, most energized time of day, favourite temperature, bowel movements.
This visit is very important for your homeopath to get an idea of who you are and what you are suffering with. It is ideal if you can be as detailed and as open as possible, but many patients find it difficult because they are used to the western medical system, where detail is not as important. It is best to just be honest in your reporting and I will ask questions if I need to know more!
"The physician's highest calling, his only calling, is to make sick people healthy - to heal, as it is termed"
-Samuel Hahnemann
Many patients report the initial consultation to be curative on it's own because they have the chance to have their ailments discussed and heard. You are not restricted to one ailment or to 10 minutes, in homeopathy we talk about everything in full!
The remedy
Once the initial consultation is complete, I will find a remedy most suitable to your condition and will provide you with everything you need to take it; all included in the initial fee! Sometimes I need a few days to look over your case, in order to make sure I pick the right remedy.
There are many methods of taking a remedy; dry pellets, liquid doses, daily doses or single doses. Whatever your prescription, you will receive detailed instructions as to how to take it.
Keep in mind, the main goal of homeopathy is to bring about rapid, gentle, permanent cure. This means that you will not be taking the remedy forever, only until your body is on it's own path to healing.
" The highest ideal of cure is the speedy, gentle, and enduring restoration of health by the most trustworthy and least harmful way "
-Samuel Hahnemann
Once you’ve begun taking the remedy, I may ask you to check in periodically by phone or email to keep track of how you are doing. Then we will have an official follow up 3-4 weeks after the initial visit.
Follow up and beyond
At your first follow up, I will go over all your symptoms again and see what has changed, improved, or if anything new came up. At this point, we may continue, change, or stop the remedy. I may introduce a new remedy (included in the cost of the visit), or suggest some lifestyle and diet additions to support your healing.
And then what?
Time between follow ups will increase as you improve until eventually you will not need to return unless something comes up. Sometimes we hit road blocks in healing; life changes, emotional upsets, acute illnesses (cold/flu/food poisoning), sometimes it may just take time to find the right remedy; every path is different!
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, healing can feel complete in a couple visits, a few months, or you may just return a couple times a year to treat the occasional cold and flu. Typically the longer you have been suffering with your condition, the longer treatment will take. At the end of the day, your body is healing itself and bringing about true cure - for good.
For more information on how Homeopathy can help you individually, book a curiosity call with me!
