Advanced Naturopathic Case Taking: Naturopathic Case Analysis

Question 1

Identify imbalances EXAMPLE:

Answer 1

After taking a client’s case history, identify the systems that need supporting. For example:
* 54-year old male client experiences ‘utter exhaustion’. He wakes many times at night, spends most afternoons napping three-four hours. He rarely gets ill yet feels ‘fluey’ most mornings. He gets daily headaches late afternoon, which improve after a snack.
Main systems under stress: Endocrine, immune, nervous systems.
Decide which core areas need support. In this case:
* Energy: Mitochondrial health (including Krebs cycle).
* Communication: Thyroid, blood sugar, neurological concerns.
* Defence and repair: Inflammation, infection, immune dysregulation.

Question 2

Emotional considerations:
Mental health

Answer 2

• Cognitive function and perception.
• Impairment may result in dementia, sensory processing disorders etc.

Question 3

Emotional considerations:
Emotional health

Answer 3

• Emotional regulation and sense of well-being.
• Influenced by coping abilities, self-esteem, perception of quality of life, having a purpose in life.
• Imbalances may lead to suppressed or problematic emotions (consider childhood experiences).

Question 4

Emotional considerations:
Spiritual health

Answer 4

Connection between beliefs and harmony in one’s life, based on personal values, ethics, morals and spiritual fulfilment.

Question 5

Emotional considerations: Other

Answer 5

It also considers a person’s stress, resilience and relationships with friends, family and community.

Question 6

Case Taking Process / Steps

Answer 6

1. Gather all of the client’s information: Case history form, presenting symptoms, systems review, personal & family medical history, medication, height, weight / hip-to-waist ratio, diet diary.
2. Highlight and note down the antecedents, triggers, mediators.
3. Plot the information within a timeline: This should indicate the timings of the mediators and triggers. For example, a trigger may be a bereavement aged 38 (plot this).
4. Identify which systems are under stress.
5. Decide which are the core clinical imbalances for the naturopathic summary.