Carmarthen Homeopath ~ Petra Wood RSHom

Frequently Asked Questions

The following paragraphs contain a number of frequently asked questions. Just scroll down and use the links.

Please contact me if you don't find what you are looking for.

How does homeopathy work?

Homeopathy works by gently stimulating the healing powers that every person naturally has.

Think about when you cut yourself: The body automatically starts forming a clot and a scab and after a few days there is only a little scar left.

The body can use the same healing mechanisms for any illness or symptom it develops. Only sometimes our bodies seem to forget what they are supposed to be doing, or they are 'stuck' in the mode of being sick.

Homeopathic remedies remind the body of its abilities of self-healing or 'shakes' it out of its stuck place.

Because the remedies work with the body's own powers, there are no side-effects. And because the underlying causes for the illness are addressed, there is no 'need' left to be sick.

What are homeopathic remedies?

Homeopathic remedies (or medicines) are derived from natural sources, e.g. plants and minerals.

In order to achieve a gentle action, the remedies are highly diluted. At the same time they are 'potentized' through vigorous shaking. This potentization releases the remedies' energy. The higher the potentization, the more powerful the remedies become.

This energy cannot be seen or measured with machines but it can be 'seen' in its action against illness. It can be compared to radio waves: You cannot see them but your radio can receive them. In the same way your body can 'receive' the energy of a remedy and you will 'see' its action through the changes in your health.

Homeopathic remedies are very safe and non-addictive. They do not cause harmful side-effects. They are completely safe to be taken during pregnancy for example and they can be taken safely alongside any other medication.

A number of homeopathic remedies are available from high street pharmacies and health food stores. Other remedies need to be ordered from homeopathic pharmacies.

What can be treated with homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a holistic form of medicine that treats the patient as a 'whole' and not just the parts that are sick. Therefore any illness or set of symptoms can be treated homeopathically.

Homeopathic remedies work by stimulating the patient's own healing powers and they have no side effects. Homeopathy is therefore completely safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, on babies or the elderly. Homeopathy can safely be used alongside any other form of medication.

A lot of people seek help from a homeopath because the medication they receive from the doctor has strong side effects or only alleviates the problem without curing it.

Other patients come to homeopathy because they don't want to take conventional medication or they feel that their doctor may not treat them because their feeling of unwellness is 'all in the mind'.

Homeopathy can work to 'fix' problems as well as preventing them from occurring in the first place!

I provide a free introductory consultation (up to 30 minutes) over the telephone or in person, after which you can decide whether homeopathy could be right for you. Please phone to make an appointment.

What about taking conventional medication?

Homeopathy works very well alongside any medication you might be taking. As your body becomes more able to look after itself during the course of the homeopathic treatment your need for the conventional medication will usually become less. Together with the prescribing doctor you can then discuss reducing the conventional medication.

Will I need to go on a special diet?

There is no need at all to change your diet unless, of course, you feel that the food you are eating is not doing you much good. As you are attempting to increase your health overall you might want to look into eating healthier food.

I will make recommendations when I feel that the food you are eating is making you ill and I will provide advice if you want help.

What happens during the consultation?

Because a homeopath is working in a holistic way, a consultation is quite different to a visit to the GP. The first consultation will usually take 1 to 2 hours allowing you to talk about the symptoms you have as well as finding out which reasons there might be for your illness.

The homeopath will try to find out what distinguishes you from other people, what makes you unique. For this to emerge there might be a number of questions asked regarding food or other preferences, patient and family history, fears and moods etc. You are allowed sufficient time to talk freely about your problems, be they physical or emotional.

After the consultation the homeopath will prescribe the indicated remedy (with explanation how to take it). The remedy will stimulate your own healing powers which will work over the next few weeks to improve your general well-being.

The follow-up consultation usually takes place some 4 to 6 weeks later. These follow-ups are normally shorter, maybe 30 to 60 minutes.

How long will it take to get better?

Most patients experience an increase in energy and a sense of general well-being within a few days of taking the first remedy. Often there is a rapid change in physical symptoms too. However, in cases of long-standing illness it will need a few months before a lasting improvement is achieved.

In order for me to be able to give you the best treatment, it will be necessary in most cases for me to see you for three or four consultations. After the first consultation you will already be setting out on your path to better health, but I will need follow-up appointments to make sure that you are not straying off that path!

Ailments of long-standing are more likely to need more than three or four appointments, but after the initial three to four consultations you and I will be much clearer in what can be achieved and how long this might take.

Many people make appointments for regular check-ups (maybe once a year) or when they feel that they have issues that need treatment again.

Are there any side effects or will everything get worse first?

Homeopathic remedies do not contain any chemicals and therefore do not cause any side effects.

There is a slight chance that you may experience an initial worsening of your symptoms, also called aggravation or healing crisis, which would be due to your body getting rid of the toxins it accumulated over the years. However, most people do not feel worse from the homeopathic treatment, but notice an increase of energy and a sense of well-being straight away.

Can homeopathy be used instead of vaccination?

There are some theories that certain homeopathic remedies can be used instead of vaccination and there are a number of books available on this subject.

The best course of action is to boost the general well-being and to strengthen the immune system in order to prevent illness from happening and so that the body is naturally able to fight off whichever illness there is. It is helpful to keep in mind that even in so-called epidemics only a small number of people actually fall ill. Those who do not succumb to the epidemic are those with strong immune systems.

Please contact me if you would like to discuss the matter of vaccination and prophylactic support.

How much does it cost?

First consultations (one and a half to two hours) cost £45 for adults and £30 for children of school age and under.

Follow up appointments (about one hour) cost £30 for adults and £15 to £25 (depending on the case) for children of school age and under.

These fees cover the time of the consultation, the time I work on your case afterwards, the remedies to be posted to you and the phone-in time if you have to contact me in-between appointments. In some circumstances you may be required to contribute to the cost of additional remedies. This will be discussed as and when necessary.

I provide a sliding scale for patients on low income or with large families. Please contact me for details.

I offer free introductory consultations (up to 30 minutes) over the telephone or in person, after which you can decide whether you think that homeopathy could work for you.

Is it possible to get homeopathic treatment through the NHS?

There are 5 hospitals working within the NHS, for example in Bristol, London and Glasgow. Patients need a transferral from their doctors to receive treatment in these hospitals.

A number of GPs have experience with homeopathy and are able to offer it to the patients registered with them. In order to find out if a GP local to you can provide homeopathic treatment you need to contact the British Homeopathic Association.

Do any private health insurances cover the cost of homeopathic treatment?

A number of private health insurances cover the cost of homeopathic treatment provided it is supplied by a qualified homeopath. Please check the useful links for contacts to these insurance companies.

Belladonna

Phone today for your free introductory consultation
01559 384118

I came to homeopathy looking for a remedy for long-term misery caused by hayfever. Since working with Petra I have noticed a deeper change which goes beyond the level of troublesome symptoms. Over the past ten months my general health, both physical and mental, has steadily improved. I sleep better and last spring the hayfever was much less severe. I have great confidence that this year Spring will be a joyful and productive season for the first time in my adult life. I have found homeopathy to be very supportive, interesting and free from harmful side effects.

L.M.