The human organism is complex, intricate, multi-layered and designed to survive. Yet it can only manage in a state of stress for so long before signs of imbalance begin to express themselves through pain, anxiety or depression. If we ignore these signs they shout louder and louder until eventually we are forced to stop and take notice.
Healing is very much about facing that which has happened, that which we have allowed to happen and that which we have knowingly created. Sometimes things happen; we catch a virus, we are involved in an accident, we eat bad food and these things are out of our control. Sometimes, we allow ourselves to get stuck by ignoring our instinct, or we ignore the signs of stress when we see them, or we remain passive to what is happening or we outright deny what's going on. And then there are all the ways we knowingly sabotage our health, self-destructive habits such as the over-consumption of sugar, alcohol or cigarette, not drinking enough water, burning the candle at both ends or remaining in a toxic environment - whether it be a relationship, a work situation or a climate which aggravates our condition. Hippocrates said, 'Before you heal someone, ask him if he's willing to give up the things that make him sick.'
Though we may have very good reasons for neglecting and abusing ourselves, when disease comes, it often comes as a teacher, usually baring gifts as we are forced to stop, take care and take stock.
The work of conscious healing brings the gifts of self-introspection and self-observation and it all takes time. As does change. Even the most minute change, can take every bit of will power we have to implement and then even more to maintain. Habits and self talk is embedded in deep grooves and it's not always easy to change course. Homeopathy is a powerful and refined treatment which can support this untangling and healing process if we understand and use it well.
How it all works?
The Classical Homeopathic practitioner collects all the data; the pathological symptoms expressed by our organism, our food and weather likes and dislikes, sleep habits, tendencies, times of aggravation of symptoms and our general nature and dispositions. Noting all disturbances in the physical, emotional and mental areas of our life; the eczema in the fold of the elbow, the gall-stones which disturb us at nigh, the anger at our boss, the bouts of jealousy when our boyfriend flirts with another woman, our lack of focus in our studies or memory loss. Together these make up a 'picture' which the practitioner most closely matches to a remedy. The remedy supplies our vital life-force with the extra energy it needs to complete its actions. Once fueled, the immune system is in a better position to respond, bringing balance to the organism in ways it deems best.
This response can be immediate - which is what we expect when treating a child with a fever or a crushed finger or tooth nerve sensitivity. Or it can take months, for example when treating a case of eczema or hay fever. And it can take years to shift deep-seated emotional conditions such as depression or anxiety.
In chronic disease or deep-seated physical, mental and emotional conditions, a Classical Homeopath will take a full case history including family history. We are looking for inherited predispositions on all levels (physical, emotional and mental) as well as causative factors (the things which make one sick), and to understand how the organism has managed stress and childhood diseases so far.
The return of an old symptom
During the Homeopathic treatment, old symptoms may appear (often in reverse order and in a milder form) especially if they were once suppressed. The correct remedy may facilitate the healing of a physical symptom but a previously suppressed emotional symptom may come up. The Homeopath will decide on what strategy to follow based on the organisms initial response to the remedy (the aggravation) and the state of health of the patient. If the emotional symptom is allowed due process and time to heal a new physical symptom may then appear. Provided the see-sawing of symptoms progresses in the correct direction and following a recognizable pattern, the Homeopath will evaluate the case as moving in the right direction and the patient will eventually come to a place of improved overall health.
For example, a woman with chronic tonsillitis which no longer responds to antibiotics, may receive a remedy which sees her condition improving after a few weeks but after a few months, she becomes very emotional, crying all the time. A new remedy is given to balance her emotional state. But again after a few months she returns with mouth ulcers - an old symptom she has not had for many years. By now we know the organism is gaining strength and we support her with vitamin C and natural treatments. A few months later, we see great anger arising for which she takes a remedy and three days later she gets a terrible flue with a high fever, indicating a healthy reaction to the remedy and an organism with a strong immune response. Now we know she is on the path towards healing.
The Homeopath and the patient work together sometimes over years. The patient reports all changes to the Homeopath who uses the feedback to evaluate the direction of the case. It is a thorough and complicated process requiring commitment and time as we work through layers of dis-eased states to come to a place of vitality and overall better emotional, physical and mental health. For those who decide on Classical Homeopathy, the journey and process is one of deep healing with integrity and support.
Based on the teachings of Professor George Vithoulkas from his books - The Science of Homeopathy and Levels of Health
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