6 Ways a Naturopathic Doctor Can Help You Achieve Your Health Goals
A few years ago I was experiencing digestive issues. Not to get too graphic, but I was having bloating and that impending feeling that things weren’t 100% “alright” down there. At first, I didn’t seek help from a holistic practitioner. The reason for this was simple, but kind of silly when I look back, and I wish I knew then what I know now. I felt like my symptom, as uncomfortable as it was, wasn’t a real symptom. I thought that if I sought help for something as small as bloating, which I’d been told was normal by every other medical professional (now I know that although it’s common, it’s not normal) I’d be labeled a complainer and a hypochondriac.
Now, of course, I know that not only is the onset of a “little” symptom the perfect time to go to a naturopathic doctor, it’s the first indication that we’ve strayed from balance–any kind of suffering is a legitimate reason to seek medical care. Got bloating? See a naturopathic doctor. Here are some more things a naturopathic doctor can do for you:
1. Help you establish the foundations for health.
Are you unsure about what to eat? Ok, are you pretty sure of what to eat and just can’t seem to stick to eating those things? A naturopathic doctor can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and will be there to support you through difficult life stages and periods of stress. Naturopathic doctors are trained in counseling and have a variety of whole health healing tools to help you learn to care for yourself a little better. They can clear up your health doubts, provide a kind ear and inspire you to live more healthfully. For general health promotion and disease prevention there is no better person to see than a naturopathic doctor.
2. Treat your ailments (even if you didn’t think they were ailments).
Do you have frequent migraines but don’t want to take medication? Tendency to bloat? Less than perfect digestion? Tight muscles? Brain fog? Less energy than you’d like? The nice thing about a naturopathic’s toolbox is that they have treatments in there for anyone, at any stage in the health-disease continuum. Just because your symptom isn’t a “real” issue, according to the disease-drug medical model, doesn’t mean you have to learn to live with it.
3. Help you manage chronic disease.
Have you already been diagnosed with a condition and received medication for it? Naturopathic medicine can help you manage your disease and help your body restore balance while minimizing any symptoms that you might be experiencing. A naturopathic doctor’s approach is unique: they look for the cause of disease and aim to affect change at that level. By doing this, they are often able to reverse the state of the chronic disease and lessen or eliminate the need for medications. Other times, they prevent the disease from progressing by helping you to manage your symptoms naturally. Your condition needn’t control your life. A naturopathic doctor can help make your life more comfortable and enjoyable, and help you to feel empowered and cared for.
4. Provide a second opinion.
Have you ever been told that you’ve reached the stage of needing life-long medications? Has your doctor told you that surgery is the only treatment left for you? Seek an alternate opinion with a naturopathic doctor. There’s a good chance that less invasive things can be done to shift your health back to a state of balance–prolonging or eliminating the need for drugs and surgery. Often times there is another, gentler way.
5. Tailor your list of supplements to your individual needs.
Has Doctor Oz or the health food store clerk ever told you to try a certain pill for your acne or anything else? If so, it may be time to clarify things with a trained professional who will take the time to learn about you as a person and your specific health needs. While supplements are a great tool for promoting health and healing, they may not be required for everyone. Oftentimes patients who come to see me are already on a long list of supplements; some of them are indicated but, more often than not, some of them are both unnecessary and low-quality. When this happens, one of the first things we must then do is edit your supplement list by ensuring that you’re taking the correct doses in the correct way (with food, without food, before bed, etc.), using quality products (not all fish oils and probiotics are created equal) and deciding whether or not that supplement is even necessary for your health needs at all! In this way, a naturopathic doctor can save you a lot of time and money, while giving you the security that what you’re taking is supporting your health.
6. Act as your primary care physician.
Naturopathic doctors complete an intensive, four year program that is very similar to medical school. They are trained in the biological sciences, clinical science (such as diagnostics, physical exams and lab testing) as well as natural healing techniques called “modalities.” They are more than capable of assessing a case, performing a physical exam, establishing a diagnosis, providing treatment, requesting and interpreting laboratory tests and referring patients to other, more specialized practitioners if required. This makes naturopathic doctors a safe and effective option as a primary care physician or family doctor.
A naturopathic doctor has the time to explain your medication to you, help you make an informed decision about vaccinations and other medical interventions, provide nutritional and psychological counseling and provide guidance on treating a long list of conditions including: a weird skin rash, a cough or cold, a urinary tract infection, or any other complaint you might go to your family doctor or a walk-in clinic for.
The nice thing about having a naturopathic doctor as your family doctor is that they will not only provide natural treatment for your health concerns, they will also both look into what is causing these concerns in the first place (is stress affecting your immune system, for example?) and treat them–preventing you from coming back with the same issue again.
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Tapping Or EFT: What It Is And How It Can Help You Emotionally
Tapping, also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), is a therapeutic tool that seeks to release emotional blocks through the stimulation of energy points on the body. This technique combines elements of psychology and acupressure to address stress, anxiety, pain, and other difficult emotions. In this article, we explore what tapping is, how it works, and how it can help you regain your emotional well-being.
Table of Contents
- What Is Tapping And How Does It Work On Your Emotions?
- How Does Tapping Work On The Body And Mind?
- Benefits Of Tapping: What This Tool Is Good For
- How To Practice A Tapping Round Step By Step
- What Does Science Say About Tapping?
- What Is The Origin Of Tapping And Who Developed It?
- How To Begin Incorporating Tapping Into Your Daily Life
What Is Tapping And How Does It Work On Your Emotions?
Tapping is an emotional self-regulation technique that consists of gently tapping with the fingers on certain points of the body linked to the meridians of traditional Chinese medicine. While stimulating these points, phrases are spoken aloud that acknowledge the emotional issue being addressed. This combination allows the release of energetic blocks associated with memories, thoughts, or sensations that cause distress.
On an emotional level, tapping helps to process difficult experiences without repressing them or becoming trapped in them. By validating what we feel while simultaneously activating specific points on the body, a sense of relief and inner safety is created. That’s why it is considered an effective tool for calming states of anxiety, stress, fear, guilt, or sadness.
How Does Tapping Work On The Body And Mind?
From a physiological perspective, tapping reduces the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the fight-or-flight response to stress. By stimulating certain acupuncture points, calming signals are sent to the brain, which can lower cortisol levels and promote a state of relaxation. This allows the body to feel safer, even when facing difficult emotions or memories.
On a mental level, tapping supports the reorganization of beliefs associated with negative emotions. By repeating conscious phrases during the process, patterns of thought that often operate automatically are reprogrammed. The result is a deeper connection with what we feel, accompanied by an internal sense of relief, stability, and perspective.
Benefits Of Tapping: What This Tool Is Good For
Tapping is a versatile technique that can be used to relieve emotional, physical, and energetic discomfort. By focusing on the connection between body and emotion, it allows the release of internal blocks and the restoration of balance.
- Stress reduction: Helps calm the nervous system and relieve accumulated tension. It’s useful during times of emotional or mental overload.
- Anxiety management: Allows the identification of thoughts that fuel anxiety and the release of the associated emotional burden. Improves the sense of internal control.
- Fear processing: Facilitates facing fears and phobias with greater stability. Reduces automatic reactions to stimuli that previously triggered alarm.
- Releasing repressed emotions: Offers a safe space to recognize and express what we feel. Encourages emotional flow without judgment.
- Improving insomnia: By reducing anxiety and mental noise, it supports deeper rest. It can also be used before bed as a relaxing routine.
- Support in physical pain: Relieves bodily tension related to unexpressed emotions. Complements physical treatments from a holistic perspective.
- Support during personal processes: It’s helpful during times of change, grief, or personal growth. Aids in integrating emotions and finding inner clarity.
How To Practice A Tapping Round Step By Step
Practicing a round of tapping is simple and does not require external tools. All you need is a quiet space, your hands, and the willingness to connect with what you’re feeling. Below we share the essential steps to perform a tapping round:
- Identify and name what you’re feeling: The first step is to connect with a specific emotion, recurring thought, or physical discomfort you want to address. The more specific the identification, the more effective the practice.
- Formulate a setup phrase: This phrase should include the problem you’re feeling and a statement of acceptance. An example could be: “Even though I feel afraid of change, I deeply and completely accept myself.” Repeat this phrase while stimulating the first point.
- Stimulate the karate point: With the fingers of one hand, gently tap the outer edge of the other hand (known as the karate point). While doing this, repeat the setup phrase out loud or mentally about three times.
- Tap through the body points: Then proceed with the traditional tapping sequence: eyebrow, side of the eye, under the eye, under the nose, chin, collarbone, and under the arm. At each point, apply light taps while naming what you’re feeling or repeating phrases related to the issue being worked on.
- Observe and close: At the end of the round, take a deep breath and assess whether the intensity of the emotion has changed. You can repeat the process if needed or close with a positive phrase that affirms the new emotional state, such as: “Now I feel calmer and more at peace.”
What Does Science Say About Tapping?
In recent years, tapping has attracted the interest of the scientific community, especially in the fields of clinical psychology and mind-body medicine. Various studies have indicated that the practice of EFT can significantly reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and improve symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and emotional trauma.
Although it is still considered a complementary therapy, institutions such as the APA (American Psychological Association) have begun to recognize its therapeutic potential, particularly when it is integrated with other approaches. Research continues to expand, but early results suggest that tapping is not only safe, but also effective in promoting emotional well-being and reducing nervous system activation.
What Is The Origin Of Tapping And Who Developed It?
Tapping was developed in the 1990s by Gary Craig, an American engineer with training in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Craig was inspired by the work of psychologist Roger Callahan, who had created a technique called TFT (Thought Field Therapy) that combined acupressure and verbal therapy. By simplifying that method, Craig designed what we now know as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).
The foundation of tapping is found in traditional Chinese medicine, particularly in the stimulation of the body’s energy meridians. Craig proposed that by applying gentle tapping on specific points while working on a concrete emotion, it is possible to unblock stagnant energy and restore internal balance.
Since its creation, tapping has spread widely as an emotional self-regulation technique that is accessible, practical, and adaptable to different contexts. Its popularity grew due to its ease of use and the testimonials of people who report significant relief with just a few minutes of daily practice.
How To Begin Incorporating Tapping Into Your Daily Life
Including tapping in your daily routine can be as simple as taking a few minutes a day to connect with yourself. Upon waking, a brief tapping round can help you set a clear intention and release any tension that arises with the first thoughts of the day. It’s also a useful tool for recognizing how you feel before starting your activities.
During the day, you can turn to tapping in specific moments of discomfort or emotional blockage. If you’re going through a stressful situation, a short pause to apply the technique can help release emotional charge and return to center. Emotions don’t need to be intense—even subtle states like worry or irritation can be addressed effectively.
At night, tapping can help you close the day with greater calm. It’s a good time to review how you felt, give thanks for what you experienced, and let go of what you don’t need to carry into rest. The more natural this space of emotional connection becomes, the easier it will be to return to it whenever you need it.
