Is Homeopathy the Right
Medicine for Me?
Commonly Asked Questions:
A.) How will I know if the homeopathic medicine is working?
If you or your child is being treated for ADHD, you will notice
a decrease in his or her hyperactivity and over-talkativeness.
S/he won't be so distractible and often we start seeing report
cards with A's and B's rather than D's and F's. Impulsive behaviors
often decrease as does the time spent in the principal's office.
Most importantly, the kids we treat for ADHD will frequently say
they feel better about themselves. If you are being treated for
depression, anxiety or OCD, you will feel happier, have more energy,
and your thinking will be much clearer. Once you have allowed
the medicine to act for six to eight weeks, it will be obvious
to you whether you feel better. With physical problems, it depends
on the condition. For example, with arthritis, there is a decrease
in the amount of pain and stiffness. With sinusitis or seasonal
allergies, there is less congestion, and you'll breathe easier.
In order for us to be convinced that we have found the best homeopathic
medicine for you, we expect to see at least a 70 percent or greater
improvement that is sustained over time. Not only will your main
problem improve, so will your general health.
B.) Can I continue to use my conventional medications along
side homeopathy?
Yes. Many people come to us on conventional medications, and homeopathy
won't interfere with the drugs. Often our patients' goal is to
discontinue their conventional medications. And once someone is
stable on the correct homeopathic medicine, it is often possible
to safely and gradually decrease or discontinue the medication-with
the prescribing physician's knowledge.
C.) Are there any side effects with homeopathic medicines?
Homeopathic medicines are safe and gentle, yet they can produce
powerful changes in people. Unlike conventional medicines which
have long lists of side effects, when prescribed by a knowledgeable
homeopath, side effects are rarely, if ever, an issue with homeopathic
medicines. There are certain symptoms a person may experience
as part of his healing process. These include an aggravation (a
brief flare-up of already existing symptoms within the first week
of taking the medicine) and a return of old symptoms (a brief
re-experiencing of symptoms that you've had in the past). Both
an aggravation and a return of old symptoms are usually an indication
that the medicine is a good match for you and will generally be
followed by a significant improvement in your primary problem
and overall state of health. On rare occasions, an individual
may experience a new symptom after taking a homeopathic medicine.
If this happens, call your homeopath. If a person repeatedly takes
a specific homeopathic medicine that is not appropriate for him
or her, it is possible for that individual to begin to experience
some new symptoms called proving symptoms. But this rarely happens
when a patient is treated by an experienced practitioner. When
proving symptoms occur, they are usually mild and disappear when
the medicine is stopped.
D.) How often will I need to see my homeopath?
As classically trained homeopaths, we recognize the importance
of conducting a comprehensive first consultation-for adults, these
last two and a half hours; for children, two hours (split between
the parents and their child). After that, visits are scheduled
every six to eight weeks. After you or your child has responded
well to the homeopathic medicine, your homeopath may only need
to see you or him/her two to three times a year to maintain your
state of health and prevent future illness.
E.) How often will the homeopathic medicine be given?
Homeopathic medicines may be given in single doses, in which case
the medicine will only be repeated or changed when symptoms arise.
As long as you or your child is responding well to the medicine,
there is no need to repeat it. If the improvement levels off or
stops, or if previous symptoms return, your homeopath will likely
repeat a dose of the medicine. Depending on the individual, homeopathic
medicines may also be prescribed on a daily or weekly basis.
F.) What is the difference between taking a single homeopathic
medicine and the combination homeopathic medicines I've seen in
my health food store?
There is only one homeopathic medicine at a given point in time
that will have the most curative effect. An experienced homeopath
seeks to match that one specific medicine that best matches your
symptoms. This exact or close match will produce profound and
lasting healing. By contrast, although they occasionally work,
combination medicines contain several different homeopathic medicines
at the same time. This is a "shot-gun" approach which is giving
the body more information than it needs. If one of the medicines
in the combination happens to be what you need, it will be helpful.
But it's ultimately best to find the single, exact medicine that
you need for your illness. This is particularly true for chronic
conditions such as ADHD, asthma, headaches, eczema, and allergies.
What Can Homeopathy Treat?
Is
it Safe for infants?
Is
Homeopathy the right Medicine for Me?
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