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Natural Awakenings Twin Cities

Interest in Homeopathy is Rising

Oct 01, 2016 08:16AM ● By Kate Hillenbrand

Tucked beside Highway 7 in St. Louis Park near a roundabout is the Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy (NAH). Since its founding in 1995, NAH has been recognized as one of the finest training programs in the U.S. for professional homeopaths. An accredited four-year academy, NAH is dedicated to providing students with academic and clinical experience that exceeds all prerequisite hours needed to apply to the Council for Homeopathic Certification examination.

How Does Homeopathy Work?

Homeopathy activates the body’s innate ability for self-healing. As one’s general health improves, the strengthened body’s defenses are active and can operate optimally.

Taking homeopathic treatments can shift mental, emotional and physical symptoms. Once the body’s vitality is restored or recovered, its innate healing process is triggered.

Established in the late 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, as an alternative means to help people heal gently, rapidly and reliably, homeopathic principles are based on: the Law of Similars, the Law of Infinitesimals and the Law of Succussion. The belief is that like cures like—whatever causes symptoms could also cure them. If a substance, such as caffeine, produces symptoms, given in minute doses it can reverse  same. Side effects are reduced through a series of dilutions. It’s believed that the energy or vibration of the original substance, long after it’s been diluted away, retains its healing properties.

Homeopathy is perfectly safe for everyone, from infants to pregnant women to the elderly, and remedies can be used in conjunction with conventional western drugs without fear of interaction. Conventional medicine seeks to control illness through the regular use of medications. But if the medicine is withdrawn, the person’s illness may likely return. Drugs alleviate the symptoms but don’t cure the underlying problem—the core reason for poor health. In homeopathy, the idea is that a person needs just enough of the homeopathic remedy to stimulate their healing response. The homeopath regards symptoms as the body’s healthy attempt to restore itself to balance and considers the entire person’s health instead of isolated symptoms.

A Homeopathic Consultation at the School Clinic

Anyone can benefit from homeopathic care since it assists body balance rather than treating any particular illness. By strengthening a person’s resistance to disease, it can be effective in relieving acute or chronic disease complaints. A consultation with a practitioner/student involves a thorough health history and interview to better understand the person’s unique situation. NAH students are trained to listen without judgment. Clients meet a small group of students (four to six) supervised by teaching staff for a two-hour consultation. The group listens to what the client has to share regarding symptoms, overall vitality, how energetic they feel and how their well-being is affected by outside factors. The information provided to the practitioners is crucial for determining the avenue for treatment. Each client is assigned a primary care manager who is available for between-appointment questions. Graduates seeking more experience and to grow their clientele can see clients at the school on a varied schedule during the week, days or evenings.

The FDA recognizes homeopathic medicine as safe and gentle yet most health insurance does not cover visits. That’s what makes the school clinic so attractive for metro residents. Whether seeing students or graduates, the initial appointment is $60 for the consultation and includes the remedy; one-hour follow-up appointments for clients’ progress are $40. The clinic is open one weekend per month.

NAH’s four-year program has students attending school (one) three-day weekend a month for academic studies and hands-on clinical experience. Between sessions, additional webinars are offered with 10 to 15 hours homework per week. Students spend the first two years in the classroom and see clients in the clinic the second half of their term. NAH is a nonprofit organization accredited by Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America (ACHENA). Annual tuition is $6,800 or about $600 per month.

In October, NAH is offering classes at the school or online, introducing homeopathy to the general public: at the school in a 3-part series for $89, September 20, October 4 and 18, 6 to 8 p.m., Homeopathy: Beyond Arnica; online, October 11, 7 p.m., What is Homeopathy?, a free introduction. For advance reading, refer to Beyond Flat Earth Medicine at DrDooley.net/book.pdf.

Location: 7104 Lake St. W., St. Louis Park. For more information and appointments, call 952-955-4117, email [email protected] or visit HomeopathicTraining.org.

Kate Hillenbrand is a freelance writer, certified holistic health coach and the owner of Gut Instincts by Kate.