Philosophy and Hydrotherapy Flashcards
Learning Outcomes:
- Core philosophies
- Fundamentals of cure
- The triad of health
- The Arndt-Schulz law
- Hydrotherapy
Core philosophies;
There are four core naturopathic philosophies which guide naturopathic assessment and treatment:
1. Unity (unitary) of disease.
2. Vitalism
3. Bio –individuality
4. Auto-toxaemia
Core philosophies; Arthur Schopenhauer
Arthur Schopenhauer (and1788-1860); German philosopher.
“All truth passes often through three stages.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident”
- Unity of disease (and causes)
There is always one underlying common denominator to state ill-health. Diseases are just symptoms of this primary imbalance. Formerly known as ‘unitary of disease’.
* Naturopaths may approach the concept from different angles
* Depending on the individual presentation, the underlying common denominator may be viewed as disturbance to the:
o Acid/alkaline balance
o Cellular environment or terrain
o ‘Vital energy’ (Vital Force)
“If you deprive a cell of 35% of its required level of oxygen for 48 hours it is likely to become cancerous”
Otto Warburg (1883-1970). German physiologist and Nobel laureate.
Unity of disease: acid/alkaline balance
Disturbance two acid/alkaline balance (Ehret, Gerson). Low pH = low oxygen levels.
* The pH of saliva and urine measure the pH of tissues (specifically extracellular fluid)
* Children are generally more alkaline (higher pH, dark blue on litmus paper)
* Middle aged people are more neutral (mid range, green on litmus paper)
* Seniors are more acidic due to slower detoxification / elimination and waste build-up in extracellular fluid (low pH, yellow on litmus paper)
An acidic pH is detrimental to health because low pH = low oxygen levels. This may occur due to:
* An overly acid forming diet (caffeine, sugar, processed foods, alcohol, meat, etc.)
* Stress (physical and emotional)
* Toxins or drugs that deprive cells of oxygen
* Low pH over an extended period creates an ideal environment for fungal organisms
pH Saliva testing
Instructions:
* Order a pH testing set online
* I’m rising, rinse mouth with saliva and expel it
* Spit onto the pH strip and measure the pH
* Repeat two hours after eating
* If pH stays below 6.4 for extended periods, many enzyme functions will become disrupted
* Salivary pH should be 7.0 or above and approximately mirror the pH of the blood (7.35–7.45)
Acidic protocol
If salivary pH is low (acidic), use the following protocol:
* Follow a mostly vegetarian diet high in fruit and vegetables
* Alkalise with sodium citrate:
o Mix juice of ½ lemon, 1 teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon of honey, pinch of cinnamon in ½ glass of warm water.
o Add 1/3 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda; drink
o Best done first thing each morning half an hour before breakfast
- Vitalism
Vitalism recognises and works with vital Force or life force, the inmate intelligence that animates the body, orchestrates self-healing, self organisation and regeneration mechanisms.
* Parallel to the concepts of Qi (in TCM) and prana (ayurvedic medicine)
* Vitalism is the foundation of Chinese medicine, homoeopathy and Bach flower therapy
* Naturopaths work with the Vital Force and recognise ‘vitality’ in herbs and foods which are natural, unprocessed and organically grown
Vitalism is concerned with the flow of Vital Force in the mind and body, with poor health and pathology due to either the:
* Blockage of Vital Force
* Insufficiency of Vital Force
The aim of treatment is, therefore, to:
* Identify and remove the blockage (+/-)
* Identify insufficiency in replenish
* Both treatments restore the flow of Vital Force (good nutrition and digestive health are essential to maintaining the vital force)
- Bio-individuality
Each person is unique and treatment has to be tailored to the needs of the individual, irrespective of the condition.
“Treat the person, not realness”.
We are unique in terms of our:
* Age (life-stage)
* Genetics
* Medical history
* Energetic constitution
* Diet, lifestyle environment
* Blood type (which leads to different strengths and weaknesses)
Bio-individuality; blood type differences
Blood type differences:
* O and B produce more intestinal alkaline phosphatase than A and AB, following a fat-loaded meal. (IAP reduces cholesterol and protects against leaky gut)
* O produces more pepsin than A, B, and AB, so is better able to digest meat protein
* A and AB have more viscous blood, O has the ‘thinnest’ blood, B is normal.
* A produces more cortisol under stress than O, B and AB
- Autotoxaemia
The understanding that toxic bowel wastes are reabsorbed back through the bow wall and into the bloodstream, particularly in cases of chronic constipation.
* Many early naturopaths including Kellogg, Jensen, Lindlahr and Shelton believed that ‘death begins in the colon’.
* They emphasised the importance of cleansing the bowel in order for self-healing to begin
When toxic wastes are not eliminated efficiently, the body suffers a toxic overload of ‘morbid matter’ that poison the cells and leads to fermentation and ‘putrefaction’.
* For example: re-absorption of putrid gases and acid wastes across the intestinal wall due to dysbiosis will alter blood chemistry and cause chronic low pH (acidic) blood
* This may lead to agglutination (clumping together) of red blood cells and platelets, thereby reducing oxygen potential to the tissues.
A number of naturopathic techniques can be used to promote bowel hygiene and prevent autotoxaemia.
* Diet; increase fluid and fibre intake (whole grains, fruit, vegetables)
* Probiotic foods / supplements
* Fasting; i.e. taking no food or only fruit/vegetable juices for one day each week
* Enemas and colon hydrotherapy to soften and flush wastes from the bowel
* Bowel cleansers using herbs and clays
Fundamentals of cure
The following concepts guide the naturopathic treatment approach:
1. All forms of disease are due to the same fundamental cause (Unity of disease)
2. The body is always trying to heal itself
3. Suppression masks the illness and drives it further into the body
4. The body has the intelligence and the power to restore itself to health (providing it is allowed to do so)
- Fundamentals of cure - Diseases have the same cause (reasons)
The accumulation of wastes or over-acidity in the body may be due to a number of factors, including:
* Wrong living habits; e.g. sleep deprivation
* Unhealthy diet
* Worry and emotional disharmony
* Over-exerting the bodies resources
* Lifestyle excesses of neglect
* Environmental factors; e.g. pollution
* See also unity of disease
By addressing the primary cause, i.e. eliminating wastes or balancing acidity, diseases (conditions) can be cured.
* If the kidneys, liver, lungs, skin or bowel are not functioning correctly, wastes accumulate in cells, tissues and organs, and diseases become chronic.
* If the pH of the bodies tissues and fluids remains low, enzyme functions are disrupted, and cure cannot occur.
* Because the primary cause occurs due to different factors and influences –the treatment approach must be individualised.
- Fundamentals of cure - The body always tries to heal itself
Acute conditions are early manifestations of the bodies self-healing mechanisms.
* For example: fevers, colds, diarrhoea, skin eruptions are the bodies attempt to fight diseases or throw off accumulated wastes
* If the elimination organs are congested, the body will detoxify itself via vicarious elimination (i.e. using an alternative route).
* The more drugs, poisons, toxins and vaccines given to body, the poorer the self-healing mechanisms
- Fundamentals of cure - Do not suppress symptoms and levels of disease
Symptoms suppression acts against the body’s self-healing mechanisms and drives disease deeper into the system.
* When suppression occurs, the body finds different ways to express itself, resulting in deeper-seated, often chronic problems, that are more detrimental to health and longevity
* Suppressions create different ‘levels of disease’:
o Acute (hyperactivity) i.e. a cold
o Sub-acute (intermittent activity) i.e. sinusitis
o Chronic (hypoactivity) i.e. bronchitis
o Degenerative (necrosis) i.e. emphysema
Suppression is when ‘one gets the manifestation of an illness to disappear, without having healed the illness’. (Hahnemann)
* Sometimes medicines are needed to save lives, but they must always be used in accordance with Hippocrates teachings:
‘First use food, then herbs and finally (if no improvement) medical intervention’.
* An example of this is clearly seen in the treatment of Type II diabetes
* Working with a body’s healing expression = naturopathy
* Working against the body’s healing expression = allopathy
The exact form that a chronic condition manifests depends on various factors, including:
* The immediate condition of the body
* The underlying constitution
* Genetics/hereditary tendencies
Note: natural therapies can also suppress if used only for the relief of symptoms (branches) rather than treating the cause (root)
* For example: Cold water wraps for fever, natural antiperspirants (i.e. sage) for sweating, zinc or sulphur creams for skin conditions, acupuncture needling a painful area instead of addressing the underlying cause
Examples of suppression: emotions
Suppression of emotions; e.g. using anti-depressant drugs, which do not address the ‘root’ and can lead to deeper social dysfunction and physical conditions. Instead we need to encourage resolution of problems and positive life changes.
Examples of suppression: Body secretions and urges
Suppression of natural body secretions urges; e.g. treating diarrhoea or nausea using drugs such as Imodium. If the body is trying to eliminate toxins, we must not suppress the process.
Examples of suppression: topical applications
Suppressive topical applications; e.g. treating eczema using steroid creams which push toxins from the surface deeper into the system and can weaken adrenal function. Instead we need to promote detoxification of wastes (root).
Examples of suppression: Surgical removals
E.g. Removing inflamed tonsils reduces the body’s capacity to fight pathogens and leaves the lungs and G IT at greater risk of infection
Examples of suppression: recurring infections
Suppression of recurring infections using antibiotics, which disrupt the bowel flora; instead we need to cleanse the ‘terrain’ and increase natural immunity.
Examples of suppression: fever and pain
Suppression of fever and pain (part of the body’s natural healing process) leads to delayed recovery, whilst NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) cause gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding. Instead we need to work with the body by promoting sweating (for fever) and allowing the body to rest and heal (for pain)
Examples of suppression: vaccination
Vaccination is a cause of suppression.
- Naturopath understand that the root cause of disease is not microbes (germ theory) but poor nutrition, acid pH, low tissue oxygenation and waste retention (terrain theory). If the terrain is healthy, immunity will be strong, and as we grow and develop our bodies learn to deal with pathogens affectively.
- Correct nutrition, lifestyle, hydration and elimination prevents disease, whereas vaccinations can confuse and suppress natural immunity and risk causing a range of long-term health problems.
- Fundamentals of cure - The body can heal itself
Cure is due to the self-righting power of the human system.
* If we cut a finger, blood clots; broken bone mends; the body builds new living tissue.
* Cells continuously renew themselves; i.e. red blood cells (90–120 days), liver (5 months), epidermis (40 days), intestinal epithelial cells (five days), taste buds (10 days)
* What you EAT today becomes your body tomorrow
The Triad of health
Good health required balance at the emotional, biochemical and structural levels. Imbalance at one or more of these levels leads to dysfunction and disease.
Treatments are targeted as appropriate:
* Emotional level: Bach flower therapy, homoeopathy, counseling, etc
* Biochemical level: nutrition, herbal medicine, tissue salts,homoeopathy, etc
* Structural level: massage, osteopathy, cranio-sacral, lymphatic drainage, Alexander technique, Bodyworks etc.
The Arndt-Schulz Law
Theory developed by Rudolf Arndt (1835-1900) and Hugo Schulz (1853-1932), explaining the effects of different dosage levels on the Vital Force. As follows:
* A small stimulus (dosage) encourages a living system. Stimulates Vital Force
* A medium is stimulus (dosage) impedes, moderates or restricts a living system. Neutral effect on Vital Force
* A large (or strong) stimulus (dosage) stops or destroys a living system. Suppresses Vital Force.
The Arndt-Schulz Law helps to explain homoeopathy, where poisons such as mercury and aconite are used in dilation promote cure.
* This principle is also accepted in modern medicine, which acknowledges that many substances which are harmful in large doses, promote life processes in small doses.
* For example, a small dose of digitalis will start a kitten’s heart, but a large dose of digitalis will stop a kitten’s heart.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy (formerly called hydropathy) is the therapeutic use of water as a healing agent.
* Hippocrates recommended bathing in spring water as an aid to recovery from illness
* Thermodynamics (hot and cold) and ‘blood redistribution’ are two of the main properties associated therapeutic hydrotherapy
* Because water is a solvent and carrier, its actions are cleansing, tonifying, reducing, relaxing and dilating
Hydrotherapy: External applications
Hydrotherapy can be applied externally in a variety of ways:
* Epsom salt baths
* Alternating hot and cold therapy
* Sitz baths
* Compresses and packs
* Foot baths
* Steam baths and saunas
Hydrotherapy: Epsom salt baths
Epsom salt baths (hydrated magnesium sulphate)
* Help remove acid wastes (i.e. lactic acid) due to vasodilation skin pores (due to warm water), and toxin movement from low pH skin to the high pH magnesium solution
* Small amount of magnesium is also absorbed through the skin (where it acts as a nervous and muscular relaxant)
* Epson salt baths benefit all body functions and are especially good for skin conditions, fungal infections and poor circulation
Instructions: place up to half a kilogram of Epsom salts into a full warm bath and soak for 30 minutes. Best done before bed as it relaxes muscles.
Hydrotherapy: Epsom salt foot baths
Epsom salt foot baths
* ‘Reflex points’ on the feet mean that Epson salt foot baths influence all organs and relax the whole-body
* The alkaline solution draws out acid wastes, promoting detoxification
Instructions: dissolve one cup Epson Salt into a warm foot bath and soak for 30 minutes
Hydrotherapy:
Celtic sea salt and Seaweed baths
Similar effects to Epsom salt bath can be achieved using Celtic sea salt and Seaweed baths:
* Celtic sea salt baths: (highest mineral content natural salt and). High in the alkaline mineral magnesium, plus other minerals such as sodium, calcium, iodine, zinc
- Seaweed baths: also hiring alkaline minerals plus ‘mucilage’, which softens the skin and promotes skin healing
People with tissue acidity (low pH) benefit from alkaline bath three times weekly
Hydrotherapy: clay, loam, mud or rock salt
External use of clay, loam, mud or rock-salt
* Provide an alkaline medium when applied topically which helps draw acids from the area
* Clays and muds are rich in calcium. Salt is rich in sodium. Both major alkaline minerals.
Rubbing mud, clay or rock salt over the skin, then allowing it to dry in the sun, is a therapeutic practice in many traditional cultures
* When carried out on a regular basis, it is a powerful form of detoxification, which mobilizes the removal of acid wastes through the skin (similar to sweating).
Hydrotherapy:
Hot and cold water
Alternating use of hot and cold water applications is known as ‘contrast therapy’. This has many effects, including:
* Stimulated blood flow
* Increased oxygen and nutrient delivery
* Promoted lymphatic drainage
“Cold water increases respiration and slow circulation.
Hot water restores respiration and increases circulation”
(Heinrick Francke Rausse)
Hydrotherapy:
Cold water
Cold water constricts blood vessels (vasoconstriction), so reduces circulation.
* Can be applied locally as baths, ice packs, or ‘whole body’ treatments.
* In naturopathy, cold water is not generally used on its own, because its pain and inflammation reducing effects are considered suppressive: however, cold applications are highly beneficial when alternated with warm applications (contrast therapy).
Hydrotherapy:
Hot water
Hot water relaxes blood vessels (vasodilation) and so increases circulation.
* Promotes blood flow and, therefore, the delivery of oxygen and nutrients
* Opens pores encouraging elimination of toxic wastes via the skin
* Relaxes muscles and nerves
Hydrotherapy: Sitz bath
Sitz bath (from German sitzen, to sit) is a shallow hip bath in which the lower body (up to hips) is soaked for 10 to 15 minutes
* Used to relieve congestion of the pelvic region in conditions such as:
o Prostatitis
o Haemorrhoids
o Anal fissures
o Constipation
o Infections
Alternating hot and cold water is the best way to use a Sitz bath (immersion – contrasting therapy)
Instructions:
* Fill a container with 6-7 inches of hot water (not burning). Soak for 5 minutes.
* Repeat using cold water. Soak for 1 minute
* Repeat cycle 4 to 5 times, ending with cold
Alternation of temperatures increases local blood flow and speed healing processes
Hydrotherapy: hot and cold compresses
Alternating use of hot and cold compresses and packs (contrast therapy) is highly therapeutic for musculoskeletal injuries (strains, Sprains, swellings), osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, pain or inflammation.
- Cold – increases respiration and decreases bloodflow
- Heat – restores respiration, increases blood flow and relaxes muscles
Do not use on open wounds
Instructions for carrying out contrast therapy: - Use compresses, e.g. cloths soaked in hot water and iced water, or hot water bottle and a bag of frozen peas
- Apply hot for four minutes followed by cold for one minute
- Repeat cycle three times
Note: End with hot or cold based on the presentation.
For inflammation or general maintenance of a healthy system end with cold.
If the affected area is stiff (i.e. arthritis), circulation is poor, or for musculoskeletal problems, finish with warm to fast-track healing
Hydrotherapy: contrast foot-baths
Contrast foot baths for cold feet, poor circulation, arthritis, musculoskeletal problems.
Instructions:
* Fill two containers with water deep enough to submerge feet to mid-shin level, one cold (approximately 10°C), one warm (approximately 36°C)
* Put feet in warm bath for 4 minutes followed by Cold for 30 seconds. Repeat cycled five times
* The conditions mentioned above, finish with warm. For general maintenance and inflammatory conditions, end with cold.
Hydrotherapy: Steam baths
Steam baths immerse the whole body in moist heat. Saunas are similar tend to be drier. They:
* Stimulate circulation
* Dilate skin pores
* Promotes detoxification of wastes via the skin
* Clear respiratory congestion
* Relieve stress and muscle tension
Hydrotherapy: Internal applications
The internal use of water is essential for hydration and elimination of acid wastes via the kidneys and bladder.
* ‘Universal solvent’ for a wide range of vitamins, minerals and trace elements
* Essential to healthy assimilation and digestion. For example, healthy bile flow requires adequate water content to prevent stasis
* Carrier which mobilizes nutrients into cells and wastes out of cells
Read “your body’s many cries water” by D. F. Batmanghelidj
Hydrotherapy: Water types
Water is available in a variety of different forms:
* Tap water
* Hard water
* Soft water
* Rain water
* Distilled water
* Spring (natural mineral water)
* Flowing artesian well water
* Reverse osmosis water
* Carbon (charcoal) filtered water
Hydrotherapy: Water types; pH of water
Note: drinking more alkaline or acid waters has very little effect on the pH of blood and tissues.
* This is because the pH in the stomach may be as low as 1.5 to 1.8 after HCI and pepsin release or all 4-6 (if only the top part of the stomach is involved).
* Stomach acidity will, therefore, override variations in water pH
Water Types:
Tap water
Tap water
* May contain chloride, fluoride, heavy metals, antibiotics, hormones, pesticides and pharmaceutical drug residues
* Avoid tap water in the absence of effective filtration
* Check with your local authorities to find out about water quality
Water types:
Hard water
Hard water
* High solute (mineral) content (>150mg / L) mainly comprising carbonates of calcium and magnesium
* Poor bio-availability of minerals
* Less likely to leach metals such as copper or iron from water pipes due to higher levels of alkaline bicarbonate
* Examples of hard water: Spring water, natural mineral water, sea water
Water types:
Soft water
Soft water
* Low solute (mineral) content (<75mg / L)
* More likely to have a lower pH (acidic), so can potentially leach metals from water pipes
* Do not store in plastic
* Examples of Soft water: rainwater, reverse osmosis (RO) water, distilled water
Water types:
Rain water
Rain water
* Soft water (absence of minerals)
* May contain dissolved hydrocarbons and other impurities depending on location
* Acidic pH due to dissolved CO2
* Do not store in plastic
Water types:
Distilled water
Distilled water
* Soft water (absence of minerals)
* 100% pure (when used with charcoal filter to dissolve hydrocarbons)
* Formed from evaporation and condensation
* Acidic pH (Do not store in plastic)
Water Types:
Natural mineral water (Spring water)
Natural mineral water (Spring water)
* Comes from underground aquifers
* Level of hardness varies depending on local geology
* UV light or other antimicrobial methods used to eliminate total coliforms (bacterial count)
* Carbonated (fizzy) waters are best avoided as they may leach calcium and negatively affect bone density
Water Types: Flowing artesian well water
Flowing artesian well water
* Comes from deep aquifers where it is under pressure, so it flows up naturally through ground fissures or via drilled ‘boreholes’.
* Hardness depends on local geology
* Natural non-pathogenic coliforms (symbiotic soil bacteria) may be present
* Water should be tested regularly for faecal coliforms
Water types: Reverse osmosis water
Reverse osmosis water
* Made by forced osmosis from high solute to low solute through a semi permeable membrane. Removes nearly all contaminates (approximately 99.5% pure).
* Soft water (absence of minerals)
* May contain drugs, hormones and fluoride residues depending on quality and condition of filters
* Acidic pH
* Do not store in plastic
Water Types:
Carbon filtered water
Carbon filtered water
* Charcoal is used to chemically absorb and trap unwanted substances in water
* May be ‘activated’ (this means it hasn’t increased surface area to remove pollutants)
* Will remove most organic compounds such as chlorine, pesticides and most chemicals. But not efficient in removing inorganic material, fluoride or toxic heavy metals.
Water Types:
Best drinking water
The best water to drink is pure H2O with no additives
* Distilled water is the only water that is guaranteed 100% pure (an added charcoal filter will remove any dissolved hydrocarbons)
* Water from rivers, springs, etc. Is the poor source of bio-available minerals, which are better assimilated from foods, particularly from organic plant matter.
* Food = minerals
* Water = hydration + elimination
Water types: Energised water
Water can be ‘energised’ and given greater vitality
* Add fresh organic lemon, cucumber of fresh herbs to water in a glass jar and drink as needed - they add not only flavour but also additional therapeutic benefits
* Some naturopaths recommend placing crystals in jars of water to add subtle healing properties:
o Amethyst: calms stress and anxiety
o Clear Quartz: balances and revitalizes mind and body
o Rose Quartz: dispels negativity and environmental toxins
Water types: caffeinated, fizzy drinks and juices
Caffeinated drinks, fizzy drinks and fruit juices do not promote good hydration
* Caffeine: diuretic and addictive, leading to a reduction of water and minerals in the body
* Fizzy drinks: diuretic, high levels of sugars or artificial sweeteners. Wide range of harmful flavourings, colourings and other additives. Phosphorus is often added as a preservative, which reduces calcium absorption in the GIT
* Excess industrial fruit juice: diuretic, high sugar content raises blood sugar and insulin levels, and increases fluid elimination. Fresh squeezed fruit juices are okay taken according to constitution
