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Flourish and Thrive Beautifully
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Naturopath do?
Naturopaths treat a range of health concerns. We excel in the area of disease prevention and health management by using scientifically proven evidence along with traditional evidence. This provides our patients with a broad range of tools to maintain their optimal health.
When it comes to prescribing, we have a large range of practitioner-only products to choose from that can be nutritional and/or herbal to aid you in your healing journey.
How should I prepare for my first treatment?
There are a couple things that you can do to prepare for your upcoming appointment, but if you're unable to, that's OK too.
A week or two before your consult, it is worthwhile creating a small food diary of what you ate for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, including water and other liquids.
If you have any blood test or medical tests that you've obtained from your doctor, please bring them along to the consult.
Lastly, a list of your current supplements and medications will be important to note down as well (Hint: you can gather them on a bench and take a photo of them, for ease).
What should I expect from my first session?
Your first consultation is a little different than a consult with your GP. Our approach is to not just treat your symptoms but to consider your lifestyle, personal circumstances, and medical history in order to support and improve your overall health.
We will spend the hour reviewing your health concerns and taking a deep dive into your life in order to create a personalised treatment plan. This plan will consist of a variety of dietary and lifestyle advice, and potentially a prescription for supplementation (whether herbal, nutritional, or both).
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Why go to a Naturopath over a GP?
Just as your GP plays an invaluable role in your health, so too does a Naturopath. We make up one part of the picture when it comes to looking after your health.
It is ideal to have a relationship with both a GP and a natural health care practitioner. GPs are qualified to diagnose specific illnesses, and prescribe pharmaceutical treatments. Naturopaths are educated extensively in the nutritional requirements of the body. We are experts at detecting signs and symptoms through non/low invasive methods that indicate these requirements are not being met.
We create personalised programs that address a wide range of conditions to help increase energy levels, decrease inflammation, and support your gut and immune system.
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Can I get my prescription from the pharmacy?
Some of the supplements that I prescribed can either be found in a pharmacy, or similar products can be bought in store. However, I generally prescribe practitioner-only products, that I believe will best support your health.
Whilst you may be able to find similiar items in store to reduce the cost, often these products have largely reduced doses to what is recommended, and may end up costing you more in the long run..
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If you're unsure about what I prescribe, I'm always happy to look for money saving alternatives without compromising the effectiveness of the remedy.
Do you bulk bill or are there any rebates?
Unfortunately, no. Changes to legislation, taken effect 1st April 2019, cut a range of natural therapies from private health cover rebates, including Naturopathy.
Do you help treat chronic illness?
Naturopathy can assist with many chronic health conditions including some that don't respond to conventional medicine. This includes, but is not limited to: allergies, fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbance, immune issues, hormonal issues, skin problems and digestive disorders.
Additionally, we can support chronic pain management and help to reduce the occurrence and severity flare ups.
Can you diagnose my illness?
Naturopaths are not trained to diagnose medical conditions; this is reserved for western medicine practitioners such as your GP or specialist. They have an abundance of diagnostic testing at their fingertips and are masters at helping you to find a diagnosis.
Regardless if you have a diagnosed health concern, naturopaths are trained to help you manage these conditions and maintain good health. We work to address which body systems are experiencing abnormalities, and aim to correct them.
Can your medicines cater to dietary needs?
Absolutely! During our consult I will ask you about any dietary needs that you have, to ensure that your prescription is suited to your specific circumstances. This include products that can be free of gluten, lactose, animal products, or alcohol.
Will your supplements affect my medication?
Naturopaths are trained in clinical nutrition and herbal medicine, meaning that we are well aware of the interactions of drugs with vitamins and herbs.
Before providing you with any prescription, I research your medications to ensure that there are no interactions or adverse effects that may occur.
Do you only use herbs to help me, and do they taste gross?
Short answer is no, and maybe.
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My prescription focuses on your diet & lifestyle and a recommendation for nutritional &/or herbal supplements is generated from this. Herbal supplements come in a range of forms; liquid herbs, capsules, and tablets are the most common.
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If you've not had liquid herbs before, they can have a very confronting taste, depending on your sensitivity. There are some ways that you can make the taste better! I find when I take a shot of herbs (between 5-7.5ml), following it up with water or juice, can make the mixture taste more tolerable.
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Do you look at things from my Doctor?
Unless you specifically bring your medical records to me, I cannot request records from your doctor without your express permission, and even then, some surgeries may be opposed to this.
I have been trained to analyse diagnostic and laboratory test results. I would encourage you to bring along your test results , as this would be a helpful resource when assessing your health and well-being.
There may be times when I recommend seeing your doctor to have further tests run, as they can bulk bill..
Whats the difference between taking your prescriptions and taking medications prescribed by my GP?
Pharmaceutical medicine is generally designed for a specific purpose and is normally prescribed for that purpose; think Panadol for pain.
The supplements that I prescribe are often multipurpose. Nutritional supplements are used to replenish body stores where it can be used as it is needed. For example, magnesium can be used for muscle relaxation, it is important for neurotransmitters, and mental health conditions.
Herbal prescriptions are to assist the body's innate ability to heal itself. Each herb has many synergistic properties which can perform multiple actions in the body. For example, Sage can be used for reflux, pharyngitis, and inflammation of mucous membranes throughout the entire gastrointestinal system.