Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a holistic system of medicine that improves and optimises the health of the whole person. Naturopaths strive to find the cause of disease and resolve symptoms by addressing whole body function. Assessment involves in-depth clinical histories and use of functional pathology and other common physical tests. Naturopaths promote healthy, clean living through the use of researched herbal medicines, supplements, and nutritional and lifestyle modifications tailored specifically to the individual.

Naturopaths will seek to restore the bodies’ optimal environment to stimulate proper function and healing. Symptoms are used as a clue to discern the underlying causes of disease or dysfunction.

Simple lifestyle measures may be used to promote healing such as adequate hydration, rest, exercise, optimal nutrition and fresh air. A treatment plan will almost always involve some sort of lifestyle prescription. Specific supplements or individualised herbal formulas may be prescribed to assist with healing or correct any deficiencies. Naturopaths have access to a very high quality of supplements that are far superior to those that you can get off the shelves at your local supermarket or chemist. These practitioner ranges are subject to a high standard of quality control regarding potency and purity. All supplements and herbal medicines that are used have been subject to the latest research and testing.

A Medical Herbalist uses plant material in the form of food, tinctures, tablets, powders and capsules for medicine and health promotion. One advantage of using plant medicines instead of pharmaceutical drugs is that the former relies on the synergistic action of a plant’s many constituents. This results in fewer side effects compared with isolated chemical ingredients. Hence, herbs work physiologically to restore balance rather than simply targeting a particular symptom.

Some fundamental principles of herbalism include an appreciation of the body's innate ability to heal itself, a holistic approach in treating individuals within their emotional, social, economic, spiritual and cultural aspects, and the concept of "do no harm" by using non-toxic medicines.

A Naturopathic Nutritionist integrates both scientific nutrition and the principles of natural medicine. Core values include a respect for the traditional and empirical approach to nutritional knowledge, the importance of food as medicine and an understanding that whole foods are greater than the sum of their parts.

Naturopathic nutrition focuses on the correction of deficiencies and avoidance of problematic foods. It upholds a diet based on whole, natural foods, with emphasis on quality, fresh, organic and local produce. Attention to variability in the nutritional status of different individuals (eg genetic, age gender, environmental and emotional influences) is also recognised. The practice of Naturopathic nutrition may include: behavioural and lifestyle counselling, diet therapy, detoxification and fasting strategies and nutritional supplementation.

Initial consultation

At your initial naturopathic consultation, you will be asked to arrive 10 minutes early to fill out a comprehensive health assessment questionnaire. When you are called in to see the Naturopath you will be asked to share the main reason for your visit as you would at a doctor's clinic. The Naturopath will document your symptoms as well as take a detailed history of the issue. Additional questions will be asked regarding the various answers you marked on your questionnaire. These may be to do with general lifestyle habits such as how much exercise you do or how much water you drink, how much sleep you get at night and what are your stress levels like. Medications that you may be taking will be documented (both pharmaceutical and supplements) and a nutritional overview will also be taken.

A segment of your initial consultation will entail various physical assessments such as body pH (urine or saliva), blood pressure, weight and height as well as assessment of fingernails, ears, eyes, tongue and skin to detect any nutritional deficiencies or other reasons for disease. Other more specialised tests such as blood glucose, zinc levels, food sensitivity profiles or stool analysis may be done in the clinic or a referral written for their collection at a later date.

The initial consultation is mainly for gathering history and allowing the naturopath to make an assessment of your condition. Some information may be given at the completion of the initial consultation particularly for acute conditions, but more likely you will be given some “homework” such as taking a food diary or working on a few basic lifestyle changes associated with your concern. Supplements and/or herbal formulas may be given at an initial consultation. The herbal tinctures are made from specific herbs individually formulated for clients from the dispensary at ATUNE. The role of the herbalist/naturopath is to ensure the supplements prescribed are safe and have no interactions with any prescribed medicines. These high-quality “practitioner only” products are TGA approved and produced under Good Manufacturing Practice.

Follow up consultations

Follow up consultations are half the time of initial consultations and allow you to report back to the naturopath on any changes you have noticed or made. Your first follow-up consultation is also the time when you will receive your lifestyle plan from the naturopath based on what was shared at the initial consultation. Further follow-up consultations will enable your progress to be tracked, give you that accountability that is so often needed when making changes to your health, allows you to ask questions as well as providing opportunity for the Naturopath to tweak your treatment protocol or start working on other body systems that may need treatment to really see you achieve your health goals.   

The use of optimal lifestyle practices and various plant medicines have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of diseases. From acute infections to chronic diseases, we can help with conditions such as:

• Digestive disorders: IBS, Food allergy/intolerances, reflux
• Nervous system disorders: insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches/migraines
• Female reproductive imbalances: menopause, premenstrual syndrome, painful periods
• Male reproductive disorders: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, andropause
• Endocrine: Thyroid disorders, diabetes, weight loss
• Liver disease
• Autoimmune diseases
• Urinary tract infections
• Paediatrics: colic, teething, constipation, warts, autism, ADHD
• Musculoskeletal: fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, RA
• Skin diseases: eczema, psoriasis, acne, hives
• Cardiovascular: hypertension, CVD, high cholesterol
• Fertility: preconception care, pregnancy, labour, breastfeeding
• Support during conventional cancer treatment

An accredited Naturopath in practice in Australia is trained in basic medical sciences, studying subjects such as anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, symptomatology, pathology and pharmacology. The specific naturopathy modalities to complete your training include subjects such as herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, massage, basics in counseling and many more. When studied in conjunction with a Bachelor of Health Science the course is completed over 4 years (full time). As an Advanced Diploma the course is 3 years (full time). Additional postgraduate courses are always available to Naturopaths in areas such as aromatherapy, personal training and anything else that they have a personal interest in that will be of benefit to their clients.

The courses are very similar with some differences in the subjects that are studied. The course duration is also 3 years full-time for an Advanced Diploma or 4 years full-time for a Bachelor Degree.  The same basic medical science subjects are studied but the differences come in the additional modalities specific to herbal medicine. The subjects studied in detail include herbal medicine and nutrition. Additional subjects covered in Naturopathy courses are offered as optional subjects and may be completed.

A qualified Naturopath or Medical Herbalist in practice must be an accredited member of a professional body such as the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) or Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA) in order to be recognized as an accredited provider and to offer health fund rebates. These bodies set academic standards for members and hold investigative powers. Members will only be accepted after completing their training at approved universities or colleges as well as maintaining ongoing education requiring them to complete a certain number of CPE points every year. A valid first aid certificate and current professional indemnity and public liability insurance are vital requirements to maintain membership and continue to offer health fund rebates.

Your Iris is absolutely unique! Nobody else in the world has eyes exactly the same as yours. In fact even your two eyes are not the same.

Iridology (the study of your Iris) can help you to understand your inherited health strengths and can identify areas of your body that may need some extra nurturing. It’s a great way to gain some extra insight into how you can support your health throughout your life for optimal wellness.

If you visit one our naturopaths you may request or have your iris examined. Your practitioner is looking at the colour of your iris, the fibre structure and the markings on your irises such as openings in the fibres, shading or pigment deposits.

You can find some more details about iridology in our blog post here: https://atune.com.au//body-health-iridology/

We will take a photo of your eyes with a camera and provide you with quality images of your iris. Iris photography allows your Naturopath the do a much more detailed analysis than can be achieved using a magnifier and torch.

When you book an Iridology appointment, your naturopath will take a photograph of both irises. This is a comfortable and safe procedure but does involve a brief flash of light to illuminate the iris as the photo is taken. The photos can then be displayed on the computer screen so that you too can see the signs in your eyes. It is fascinating and empowering to see your own unique eyes on the screen!

Your naturopath will explain the signs in your iris and how they relate to your health. You will go home with a copy of your Iris photos and a report covering all that was discussed.

To arrange an iridology assessment please ask your naturopath at your next appointment or phone our friendly reception staff to ask about prices and to arrange a time. We would love to help you discover what your eyes reveal about your health.

Initial Consultation

60 Minutes $180.00 - Standard Clients

60 Minutes $205.00 - Oncology Clients

90 Minutes $325.00 - Functional Medicine Clients

It is recommended that you arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to allow some time to fill in your health questionnaire.

Initial consultations usually take about 50 minutes.

The final 10 minutes will be allocated to discuss your health plan, prepare any herbal medicines and review any prescriptions or literature that you have been given.

Subsequent Consultations

30 Minutes $140.00 - Standard Clients

30 Minutes $185.00 - Oncology Clients

30 Minutes $165.00 - Functional Medicine Clients

60 Minutes $225.00 - Functional Medicine Clients

Review of your health progress and an opportunity to ask any questions.

At this stage, your Naturopath may adjust your prescriptions or health plan to ensure your continued progress toward health. This may include recommending new supplements, modifications to diet and lifestyle.

Your Naturopath will discuss any future consultations with you.