Symptoms communicate underlying imbalance or dysfunction
Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that emphasises prevention and the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Naturopathic doctors view symptoms as the body’s way of communicating that there is an underlying imbalance or dysfunction that needs to be addressed.
Take a few moments each day to check in.
Our bodies are amazing machines, capable of performing incredible feats and healing themselves in remarkable ways. However, we often get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to listen and ignore the signals our bodies are sending.
Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that emphasises prevention and the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Naturopathic doctors view symptoms as the body’s way of communicating that there is an underlying imbalance or dysfunction that needs to be addressed.
The first step to understanding what our bodies are trying to tell us is to listen. We can do this by taking a few moments each day to check in with ourselves and how we are feeling. This can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths and noticing any physical sensations or emotions that come up.
From simple to complex interconnected signals
They may be simple signals – feeling tired, you need more rest; experiencing headaches, you need to drink more water; feeling stressed, you need to take a break and relax.
They will be different signals for different people. Some may experience physical symptoms like stomach problems when they are stressed, while others may experience emotional symptoms like anxiety or depression.
Naturopathic doctors also recognise the interconnectedness of the body and mind, and how emotional, mental, and spiritual factors can impact physical health. As such, they may also focus on addressing underlying emotional or psychological issues that may be contributing to a person’s symptoms. Our bodies are not separate from our minds and emotions. For example, chronic pain can impact your mental health. Or emotional stress can manifest in physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach problems.
Symptoms are a good sign.
When we’re feeling unwell, it’s natural to want to get rid of our symptoms as quickly as possible. However, it’s important to remember that symptoms are a good sign. Here’s why:
Symptoms are the body’s way of communicating with us.
Symptoms are the body’s way of telling us that something is wrong. For example, a fever may indicate that the body is fighting off an infection. Pain in the stomach may indicate that we have eaten something that our body cannot digest properly. By paying attention to our symptoms, we can better understand what is happening in our body and take appropriate action.
Symptoms can help with diagnosis.
When we go to our medical professional with symptoms, they can use them as a clue to help diagnose what’s going on and develop an effective treatment plan.
Symptoms can help track our progress.
As we recover from an illness or injury, our symptoms can provide valuable information about our progress. By monitoring our symptoms, we can determine if our treatment plan is working and make adjustments as needed.
Symptoms can motivate us to take action.
When we’re feeling unwell, our symptoms can motivate us to take action to improve our health. For example, if we have a persistent cough, we may be more likely to quit smoking or avoid environments with poor air quality.
Viewing symptoms differently and help with recurring symptoms.
When you understand what your symptoms are telling you, you view them as bodily expressions of inner imbalance, revealing the real problems you’re facing. Contrary to conventional opinion, illness is not some quirk of nature you must fight (using your body as the battleground).
Overall, the naturopathic view of symptoms is one that seeks to understand the whole person and address the underlying imbalances that may be causing the symptoms, rather than simply masking, or suppressing them with medication. Rather than simply treating the symptoms, we seek to identify and address the root cause of the problem.
Help with what your recurring symptoms mean.
Pick a current health issue and see the difference when you treat it as a sign of healing instead of as a negative. If you have recurring symptoms that are troubling you and you are not sure what they are trying to tell you then our vast naturopathic experience can help. We listen and take your symptoms seriously.
How Optimal Health Can Help
We recommend starting with an Initial Health Consultation for new patients. We connect via Zoom, listen clearly to your health concerns and priorities, ensure our philosophy meets your needs, and recommend the best starting point for an Optimal Health Treatment Pathway ©
