How to find the right homeopath

Friday, December 20, 2013 by: UB Hawthorn
Tags: homeopathic doctor, medical practitioner, finding treatment

(NaturalNews) We only have one body, so naturally we don't want to mess it up. When it comes to dealing with health problems, most people are cautious, sticking to what is proven, trusted and true. But with the growing range of complementary and alternative medical providers, there is good reason to broaden your horizons and look beyond your family doctor.

Perhaps you've heard about a modality such as homeopathy, a holistic form of medicine based on the principle that like cures like, but are cautious about pursuing this treatment, because you don't know anything about it. Or maybe you just don't want to take the chance on someone who isn't an accomplished practitioner.

If homeopathy is new to you, a good first step is to do some research, learn what conditions it is good at treating, which it isn't and how long it takes to work. Going through this research will either build your confidence in it or allow you to realize it isn't the optimum modality for you and your condition. If it does sound agreeable to you, start looking for a homeopath. Here are some tips on how to find the right one for you.

How to choose a homeopath

Referral - Though this would be the best way to find a doctor, not everyone readily knows someone who knows a homeopath. If you called up enough friends and family, you'd eventually find one, but if you don't want to take the time to do that, contact a homeopath association or homeopathic college near you for a referral.

Homeopathy is unregulated in most countries, which means that there could be several associations that all offer different homeopathic designations, yet they all have differing reputations. If you're going this route, search online for "find a homeopath" plus your country name. This will pull up results for homeopathic associations and schools that have member listings. Research the standard to which these associations hold their members and then pick a practitioner from the list that you find is best.

In the UK, you can also search for a medical homeopathic doctor. These homeopaths are conventional doctors, dentists, nurses, vets and other conventional medical practitioners who also practice homeopathy.

Research - The same way that it's important to research homeopathic associations and homeopathy in general, research homeopaths' credentials. Look at their level of experience and education. Ask where they were trained, then look into the reputation of the schools where they were taught - not all homeopathic schools are created equal. If you feel unsure, ask the homeopath for a list of patient references you can call.

Assessment - Choosing a homeopath does not stop after the referral and research. It pays to take your time and reflect on how the first appointment went, asking whether you felt your needs were being taken care of in terms of having your questions answered, not being rushed and whether you think the doctor can help with your condition. Since homeopathy can be used alongside other forms of medicine, it's also worth asking yourself whether you want to be treated in other ways at the same time as trying homeopathy.

You may not be lucky enough to find the right homeopath the first time (the same goes for finding any practitioner) so be prepared to try more than one. It's also possible that homeopathy wasn't the right option for you at that point in time or for your particular condition, which means that it wouldn't matter which practitioner you were seeing. So you might want to give it another chance down the road. And if you did find just the right one, great! Pass the word along to the next person who asks for a referral.

Sources for this article include

Find a Homeopath UK:
http://www.findahomeopath.org.uk

Find a Homeopath (The Society of Homeopaths):
http://www.homeopathy-soh.org

Find a Medical Homeopathic:
http://www.britishhomeopathic.org

About the author:
UB Hawthorn edits and writes for the Engaged Living Network. You can read more of his writing at
The Mindful Word, Green Home Gnome and Green Building Canada.