Homoeopathy

(By Bridget Allison DSH; PCH; RSHom; MA; RMN)

Homoeopathic treatment is available at the Kernow Pain Clinic, Helston on Tuesday afternoons

Introduction

Homoeopathy is a system of natural medicine that treats the body and mind as a unified whole thus avoiding artificial divisions between physical or emotional health problems.

After a comprehensive initial assessment (with adult patients this can take up to 2 hours) treatment in the form of tablet or liquid is prescribed. These remedies are derived from natural substances e.g. plants and minerals, prepared in ways that avoid unpleasant side effects.

Unless the patient is suffering from a visible physical problem a formal examination will not be conducted during the consultation.

Follow-up appointments are arranged at 6 – 8 week intervals during treatment and there are twice weekly phone-in sessions available to patients between appointments.

Many health insurance schemes e.g. HSA will refund a portion of the cost of your treatment. Reduced cost treatment is available to people on low incomes, benefits etc.

How Does Homoeopathy Work?

The function of homoeopathic remedies is to stimulate the body's own healing system into action. Whereas conventional medicine regards ‘symptoms' as bad and to be suppressed ( pushed deeper into the organism ), homoeopaths regard these symptoms as positive evidence that the body is working ‘well' by attempting to expel the cause of its sickness. Remedies act by lending their support to the body's weakened defence mechanism thus enabling it to push out the source of the ‘dis-ease' much more quickly and effectively.

By ‘lending' their strength to fight off the disease, remedies are usually only required for short periods until such time as the person is fit enough to complete their recovery on their own*. It is because of this principle that only a minimum of remedy is required – this avoids the problem of over medicating and unpleasant side effects often associated with conventional drugs.

*In instances of chronic and/or terminal illness more prolonged use of lower potency remedies is indicated due to the reduced vitality of such patients

Can you combine Homoeopathy with your other Medicines?

In short, yes. Because of the particular way that homoeopathic remedies are prepared they can be used safely and effectively alongside conventional medication. This compatibility also means that homoeopathy can be used by individuals undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.

Background Information

My decision to train as a homoeopath was as a result of working for a charity dedicated to assisting street homeless people in London.

Homoeopathy was one of a number of health initiatives that were introduced and I was impressed with the results achieved. As well as becoming physically stronger, clients receiving homoeopathy often became more confident about trying a change of lifestyle e.g. a reduction in drug/alcohol use; moving off the streets; skills retraining etc.

Since then I have been motivated to ensure that homoeopathy is available to groups of people who might otherwise be denied it due to lack of income/social status. For example, I have provided homoeopathy in two drug & alcohol treatment programmes in Cornwall as well as in Social Services Mental Health Day Centre.

In similar vein, at the end of 2006 I spent 3 months working as a volunteer for a homoeopathic charity in Botswana providing treatment to people with HIV and AIDS.

Bridget Allison DSH; PCH; RSHom; RMN

DSH – Diploma, School of Homoeopathy, Devon 2001

PCH – Practioner of Classical Homoeopathy, Dynamis School of Advanced Homoeopathy 2004-2006

RSHom – Registered with the Society of Homoeopaths.2002