Homeopathy

Each culture develops its own ways of treating pain. Living in the US in the 21st century, there is an opportunity to benefit from therapies used in many different cultures. One of those options is homeopathy.

History
German physician, Samuel Hahnemann, MD, developed Homeopathy approximately 200 years ago. When first introduced, it was well-known and respected. In the late 1800s, one in five US physicians used homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy is still commonly used in Europe, India, and other parts of the world.

Mechanism of Action
Homeopathic medicines work with the body's own mechanisms for healing. A way to understand this is to think of the common cold. We know that the symptoms are caused by the immune system trying to eradicate a virus, not by the virus itself. Over the counter (OTC) cold medicines suppress the cold symptoms but do not help eliminate the virus. In contrast, homeopathic medicines help the immune system do a more effective and efficient job of getting rid of the virus. In this way, homeopathic medicines help the body to heal itself.

Homeopathic medicines are for the most part much safer than prescription and OTC medicines. Many OTC medications are effective in alleviating symptoms, but not entirely safe, leaving the patient stuck trying to balance the desired results with undesired side effects. This problem does not arise with homeopathy. While homeopathic medicines occasionally intensify prior symptoms for a short period, they do not cause new symptoms or side effects.

What Patients Can Expect
When patients visit a homeopathic provider they will be asked many detailed questions about their symptoms and themselves. This information is important because homeopathic medicines are chosen according to symptom patterns rather than for the type of disease. In homeopathy, there is one medicine for back pain that is worse in the morning, another medicine for pain that is worse with exertion. There is another if pain is worse in middle of the night, and another if it is worse shortly after mealtimes. An advantage to this approach is that the cause of pain does not need to be known in order to find effective treatments.

Homeopathic medicines work with the body's own mechanisms for healing.

Homeopathic medicines can help with pain but they are also very useful for treating the associated symptoms that go along with pain, such as depression, decreased concentration, low energy, and constipation. Patients often find that the greatest benefit of homeopathic medicines is increased function. Often, homeopathic medicines give patients the added boost they need to gain control over their illness.