Homeopathy
How does Homeopathy work?
As a trained conventional physician, it is impossible to conceive how homeopathy might be working. If homeopathy works, then the mechanism involved challenges our whole understanding of the body's biochemistry and physiology so, as a consequence, homeopathy has, over the last 200 years, been the subject of intense and often acrimonious debate within medicine. There have been suggestions that the process of serial dilution and succussion creates a "memory of the substance" in the diluted water. It is this "memory of water" which contains the active therapeutic principle but such suggestions are currently in the realm of speculation rather than hard scientific evidence.
What does treatment involve?
There are no specific conditions for which one can recommend a homeopathic
approach. However, homeopathy is in general used in the management of
long-term chronic conditions and also in the treatment of acute self-limiting
conditions such as colds, flu and minor chest infections. Recent studies
suggest that while homeopathy may be fairly comparable in clinical effect
to conventional treatments for these acute respiratory problems, the
rate of side effects that occur in homeopathically treated patients is
far less that those treated conventionally.
In general terms a homeopath will take a very detailed history from you
in order to try and ascertain the complete symptom picture. Not only
will they want to know your state of mind and exactly how the symptoms
present, they will also want to know what makes your symptoms better
or worse. Having obtained a complete picture, the homeopath will then
try and match your symptoms to a particular remedy. A prescription for
a simple acute problem can sometimes be done over the phone or in a very
short period of time.
It will usually be at least a month before the homeopath will review
the situation as homeopathic remedies take time to act. Sometimes there
will be an initial aggravation or healing crisis; this is frequently
a good sign and indicates that the homeopathy might be effective. Usually
the homeopathic remedy or remedies will need to be changed on several
occasions during the course of treatment and particularly, if you are
seeking advice for a chronic condition, you should allow at least a six
month period to elapse before you decide whether homeopathy is effective
for you.
While it is impossible to be specific about the sort of conditions that
can be helped by homeopathy, most homeopaths treat a wide range of problems
which will include allergic conditions, such as eczema and asthma, irritable
bowel, migraine, all sorts of gynaecological problems such as painful
periods and premenstrual syndrome, and psychological problems such as
depression and anxiety. Arthritis also falls into the homeopath's remit.
The most important initial step before considering homeopathy is to make
sure that you have, as far as possible, obtained a clear diagnosis and
that you understand what conventional treatments might be available to
you so that you can consider whether homeopathy is an appropriate and
reasonable approach to your condition.
Is it safe?
Homeopathy can cause an flare-up of your original condition and this is considered by homeopaths to be part of the healing process. There is no evidence that homeopathy itself can cause serious or permanent adverse effects. However, some homeopaths may suggest that you should stop your conventional medicine as they consider this may interfere with the homeopathic treatment. In some conditions this can be extremely dangerous and you should make sure you consult your own doctor before stopping any conventional medicines on the advice of your homeopath. The essence of good integrated care is communication between those looking after you, as well as a practical approach to treatment that does not put you at any risk.
