Fatigue, digestive issues, dull skin? Naturopathy targets the root cause
A full 90-minute assessment to understand your body and take back control
What is naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a holistic approach to health that aims to stimulate the body's self-healing capacities through natural means. Recognized by the World Health Organization as a traditional medicine, it is based on the principle that the body has a vital force capable of maintaining or restoring health balance.
The naturopath considers the individual as a whole: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. They do not treat symptoms in isolation but seek to understand the root causes of imbalances. Their role is to educate and guide the person towards better lifestyle habits.
Naturopathy relies on ten techniques, including three major ones: nutrition (food, dietetics), physical exercise (gentle gymnastics, yoga), and mental management (relaxation, stress management). Complementary techniques include hydrology, phytotherapy, aromatherapy, breathing techniques, manual techniques, and reflex techniques.
How does a consultation work?
The first naturopathy consultation is a complete assessment lasting between 1.5 and 2 hours. The naturopath gathers extensive information about your lifestyle: detailed diet, sleep quality, stress level, physical activity, health history, current treatments.
They evaluate your "constitution" through observation of physical signs: morphology, iridology (iris study), vitality assessment. This approach identifies your constitutional strengths and weaknesses and allows for personalized advice.
Following this assessment, the naturopath develops a Vital Hygiene Program (VHP) adapted to your needs and goals. This program includes precise dietary advice, exercise recommendations, stress management techniques, and possibly supplements or herbs.
Follow-up consultations, shorter (45 minutes to 1 hour), allow adjustment of the program based on your progress and difficulties. The naturopath supports you over time to establish new lasting habits.
Benefits of naturopathy
Naturopathy acts deeply on vitality and overall well-being. By optimizing diet and lifestyle, it improves daily energy, sleep quality, and stress resistance. Many people regain better digestion and balanced weight.
For prevention, naturopathy strengthens the immune system and helps prevent recurrent winter infections (colds, flu, sinusitis). It also supports transition periods like seasonal changes or convalescence.
Naturopathy is particularly effective for chronic functional disorders: fatigue, digestive issues, sleep disorders, nervous tension, skin problems. By treating causes rather than symptoms, it allows lasting improvements.
It also accompanies complementary health journeys: pregnancy, menopause, smoking cessation, weight management. The naturopath works in synergy with other healthcare professionals for comprehensive care.
What issues can be addressed?
Naturopathy can accompany many health issues. Digestive disorders are among the most common reasons for consultation: bloating, constipation, irritable bowel, food intolerances, reflux. The naturopath proposes adapted dietary reform and herbs to restore digestive balance.
Chronic fatigue and sleep disorders respond well to the naturopathic approach, which identifies imbalance factors (diet, stress, nutritional deficits) and proposes comprehensive solutions.
Skin problems (eczema, acne, psoriasis) are often linked to internal imbalances that naturopathy can help correct through a dietary approach and gentle detoxification.
The naturopath also accompanies particular life periods: pregnancy preparation, pregnancy and breastfeeding, menopause, professional or personal stress, convalescence after illness. For prevention, an annual consultation optimizes health and prepares for seasonal changes.
Training and qualifications
Naturopathy is not a regulated profession in France, making the choice of a well-trained practitioner particularly important. Schools accredited by FENA (French Federation of Naturopathy Schools) offer 1200 to 1500-hour training over 3 to 4 years, including anatomy, physiology, nutrition, phytotherapy, and naturopathic techniques.
The main professional federations (OMNES, SPN, FENA) impose strict training criteria, a code of ethics, and mandatory continuing education. Their members commit to not making medical diagnoses and to referring to a doctor when needed.
A serious naturopath clearly displays their training, professional affiliation, and never promises to cure diseases. They work in complementarity with conventional medicine, not in opposition.
Some naturopaths specialize in particular areas: sports nutrition, fertility support, phytotherapy, aromatherapy. These specializations require additional training.
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