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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: What is the difference between a Classical Homeopath and other
practitioners who use homeopathic remedies?
Classical Homeopathy states that a patient has one remedy that is
particular to their state and illness, and therefore there is one root
remedy that will be most effective.
Others who call themselves homeopaths may prescribe many remedies one
after the other in rapid order or a combination of remedies together.
They may hook a person up to a machine and let the machine do the remedy
selection. Or they may use muscle testing (kinesiology), pendulums, or
other gimmicks to choose the remedy. Practitioners who use these
machines and other gimmicks are poorly trained, if they have any
training in homeopathy at all. They use the machines and gimmicks
because they don’t want to devote the years of study necessary to master
homeopathy. None of these ways of choosing is as effective for the
patient as finding the single right remedy based on an extensive
interview by a well-trained classical homeopath. See
“Pseudo-homeopathy”
Q: What
can I expect from homeopathic treatment?
You will have an initial two to three hour interview. The overall goal
of the interview is for Marybeth to understand the pattern of mental,
emotional and physical symptoms as they express themselves in you.
Once Marybeth discovers your root remedy, she will give you a
prescription for a remedy that mirrors the specific pattern of your
symptoms.
Stimulating the body's own healing response is the most important factor
for full recovery from the illness and in achieving optimal health.
Through accurate selection of the prescription, Marybeth is able to
achieve superior results in working with her patients.
Q: How does treatment proceed after the original intake?
Usually a patient will take the homeopathy remedy daily and then return
for a follow-up appointment in 4-5 weeks. At the follow-up appointment,
Marybeth will assess the effectiveness of the remedy. Based on past
experience, patients are often better at the first follow-up
appointment. These patients will continue to take the same remedy when
indicated. Other patients will need a new prescription. It is important
to allow enough time for homeopathy treatment. There are many remedies
and finding the exact prescription can take time.
Q: Is dietary
or nutritional therapy used?
Health is freedom. Those who seek health should support their remedy by
eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. The goal of Homeopathy
is to free people from synthetic medications and allow them to live a
long and energetic life.
Marybeth may suggest you take natural, nutriceutical supplements as an
adjunct therapy, particularly when patients have long-term serious
conditions.
Q:
Is homeopathy herbal medicine?
No.
Homeopathy is very different from herbal medicine. Herbal medicine
involves the use of doses (and sometimes rather large doses) of
substances as they are found in nature, whereas homeopathy is the use of
various substances (plant, animal, mineral) in minimum dose. This means
that a homeopathic remedy is made of a very minute amount of substance
from plant, mineral or animal sources. And remedies are prepared in a
very specific way in FDA-licensed pharmacies. Most herbal products on
the market are not prepared in pharmacy-grade facilities.
Is
homeopathy a form of herbal medicine?
Homeopathic medicine and herbal medicine are both useful and fascinating
systems of healing, but they differ considerably in their approach.
Homeopathic remedies come from a variety of natural sources, including
many herbs. Other remedies may be prepared from minerals, such as
phosphorus or gold, or from animal products, such as the ink of the
cuttlefish or the venom of a spider. The common theme of all homeopathic
remedies is, that we are looking for a substance that, given in excess
or an overdose, could recreate the symptoms of the disease we are
trying to treat.
Although we may often use plants that an herbalist might employ in
healing, we tend to use them in a very different way. Herbalists use
plants in rather large doses as teas or decoctions or in dried/pill
form, intending the herb to have a specific medicinal effect on the
body, and often use several herbs in combination to achieve a desired
effect. Homeopaths select the single substance (of plant or other
origin) that best matches the way the body is expressing its illness,
and give this substance in a very tiny dose not for a specific
medicinal effect, but rather to invite a healing response from the body.
Q: How is
homeopathy different from herbalism?
Any plant used as an herbal remedy can also be used in homeopathy, yet
homeopathy uses many other substances besides plants. When a plant
remedy is required, it is prepared in a homeopathic manner in
FDA-licensed homeopathy pharmacies.
Also, most herbal practitioners suggest herbs based on broad guidelines
and often use one herb for all their patients with a particular
ailment. With homeopathy we know that we get the best results by
finding the one specific remedy that most closely matches a person’s
particular symptoms. This method of remedy selection is much more
demanding on the practitioner than the one-size-fits-all approach of
herbalism (or of conventional medicine) but far more effective for the
patient. This is why it is important to have a well-trained homeopathic
practitioner: exact prescriptions yield profound healing; "close-enough"
or one-size-fits-all prescriptions do not.
Q: Is
there research on homeopathy?
Research supporting homeopathy's effectiveness has been published in
reputable medical journals such as PEDIATRICS and LANCET. For a more
complete discussion of this, visit the National Center for Homeopathy's
website,
www.homeopathic.org.
Briefly however, homeopathic research is producing positive results:
Over 100 studies published between 1966 and 1990
showed that homeopathy produced positive results in 76% of the studies
in conditions such as infections, digestive disorders, flu, hay fever,
rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, recovery from surgery and
psychological problems.
A
1994 study published in Pediatrics by Jennifer Jacobs, MD,
demonstrated that homeopathy was effective in childhood diarrhea
in Nicaragua
Another 1994 study published in The Lancet by David Taylor
Reilly, MD, found 82% of asthma sufferers improved significantly
when treated with homeopathic dilutions of their main allergens as
compared to only 38% improvement in the placebo control group.
Several cost-effectiveness studies have also been published, including
Jennifer Jacobs, MD, Edward Chapman, MD and Dean Crothers, MD, "Patient
Characteristics and Practice Patterns of Physicians Using Homeopathy" in
the Archives of Family Medicine, November Volume 7, pages
537-540, 1998: A survey of 27 physicians specializing in homeopathy were
questioned about their patients. These findings were compared with
national statistics on patients treated by conventional general and
family practice physicians. Physicians who use homeopathy spent more
time than the national average with each patient, but ordered fewer
tests and prescribed fewer conventional drugs. This study was funded by
Boiron Research Foundation.
Q: What is your training in homeopathy and other forms of alternative
medicine?
A: I have completed Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy in Minneapolis,
MN, a 3½ year program. Then I completed the two-year Luminos School of
Homeopathy postgraduate course. In March, 2004 I completed the four-year
Dynamis School for Advanced Homoeopathic Studies with Jeremy Sherr. I
have over 1,700 hours in homeopathy study, including the professional
conferences I have attended over the years.
I have completed the coursework for certification as a Bach Flower
Essence Practitioner. I have studied vitamins and mineral supplements
for over 25 years and worked in health food co-ops for three years,
including managing a health and body care department in a large natural
food co-op. I also worked for two years as a sales representative to the
natural foods stores while I was in homeopathy school. I am certified as
a Reiki Master, although I have chosen to not practice this healing art
professionally. I have completed courses in herbalism and Traditional
Chinese Medicine.
Q: What are your
credentials?
A: I am a member of the Minnesota Homeopathic Association, of the North
American Society of Homeopaths and a practitioner-member of the National
Center for Homeopathy.
I was listed as one of Minnesota’s top 100 alternative medicine
providers by Minnesota Monthly magazine in 2000. I have testified at and
lobbied the Minnesota Legislature on behalf of the “Freedom of Access to
Alternative Health Care” legislation that passed in 2000 and took effect
in Minnesota in 2001. I was marketing director and advisor to the board
of directors of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians for
almost 3 years. I teach classes on homeopathy, women’s and children’s
health, lifestyle changes and natural ways to improve your health and to
heal colds, flu and allergies.
Q: How long will
it take for me to get well?
A: How long it will take each person to heal is a very individual thing.
On a good remedy you should start seeing nice changes in your health
within a fairly short time, usually one to two months. However, you will
notice in your new patient paperwork that I ask you to
work with me at least nine months. I do this for two reasons:
1. It might take a while to find the right remedy for you. We have
almost 4,000 remedies in homeopathy to choose from. While I have a very
good track record of choosing the right remedy the first time for a
patient, my record is not perfect (no one has a perfect record!). So I
may need time to find the right remedy for you.
2. It will take time for the remedy to work. The best healing is gentle,
deep and gradual, rather than quick and harsh. So we need time for the
remedy to do its work in your system and to get you the deepest, most
thorough healing possible. I find that I often will work with a person
about a year to 18 months to get the very best healing. The first few
appointments will be four to five weeks apart; after several months, we
may be able to space your appointments out more.
Q:
What about my
current medications?
There are no known or suspected contradictions or drug interactions
between homeopathic and conventional medicines. However, even though
homeopathy is effective in many areas, it should not replace
conventional medicine.
You are advised to remain in regular contact with your heath care
physician and to note that I am not a medical doctor. I do not diagnose
or treat specific symptoms or illnesses.
My goal as a professional homeopath is to help strengthen the
constitution and thereby raise the general health of the client. Over
time my patients should become healthier and they may be able to reduce
and eventually eliminate conventional medications. However, this
should only be done with the support, co-operation and supervision of
their regular medical physician.
Q: Why doesn’t
insurance cover your services?
A: Homeopathy isn’t reimbursed or covered by any health insurance plans
in either Minnesota or Wisconsin. Why? Because it never has been. To
change this situation, you should raise the issue with your insurance
plan.
On the other hand, most medical-flex plans or health
savings accounts will reimburse homeopathic services. These are plans
your employer sets up so you can have money taken out of your paycheck
before it is taxed (called “pre-tax dollars”). Depending on the plan,
you can then spend this money on day care expenses, pharmacy
co-payments, deductible payments for health care services or for
homeopathy and other non-reimbursed health care services. Check with
your employer about whether you have such a plan and how to enroll in
it.
Q: How does homeopathy work with children? How much do you work with
children?
A: About 30-40% of my practices in both St. Louis Park, MN and
Menomonie, WI are with children. Homeopathy works very well with
children. I find they often heal faster because they have so much more
energy and vitality than adults and they haven’t gotten stuck in ill
health for years or even decades like we adults. I have nine children,
including my children and stepchildren, ages 13 to 25, so I have a lot
of experience relating to children and helping them regain their health.
Q: I don’t have any health problems but I have a cold. Will you work
with me right now?
A: If you are already a patient, I would be happy to help you with your
cold. We can talk by phone and I will suggest a remedy or remedies and
other strategies to improve your health. We usually can do this by
phone, and you can make the $10 payment by online using Paypal.
See Acute Care page for more information.
If you are not already a patient, we need to meet
face-to-face and the cost is $50 plus the cost of the remedy or
remedies, at $15 each. If you want me to help you with your cold, please
call me as soon as possible. If you reach my voice mail, please leave a
message stating you need some help with your cold and give me phone
numbers and good times to reach you. I will return your call as soon as
possible.
And before we talk, please go over the phone consultation
questionnaire (located at the “Acute Care” button).
Q:
What if I get a rash or a discharge
after taking the remedy?
It is important for
you to know that if you have, in the past, had a discharge from any
opening of your body and eliminated it unnaturally with drugs or
inappropriate herbalism or homeopathy, it may return for awhile as you
improve under good homeopathic care. The same thing may happen with an
old skin rash or warts. You may even feel old emotions return briefly.
Call me if these things occur BEFORE taking drugs or supplements to stop
them. It is likely that I will be able to recommend homeopathic remedies
to help with this process.
Q:
What will interfere with the success of my remedy?
In
order for a remedy to work, I ask you not to drink coffee, regular or
decaffeinated, or use products with camphor such as Ben Gay, Vick's,
Carmex, Noxema, Tiger Balm or mothballs. You should avoid regular use of
cortisone, antibiotics and oral contraceptives.
Make sure to
inform me if you use any medications or if you are in need of dental
work. Also, avoid using electric blankets, magnetic mats or mattresses
and avoid bathing in natural hot springs.
Q: I’m doing a bit better, why do I have to come back? Can’t you just
send me another bottle of the same remedy?
A: I schedule follow-up appointments for my patients at intervals that
will allow time for the remedy to work, yet not so much time that the
person stops making progress with the remedy. I need to see a person
periodically so I can assess whether the remedy is the right remedy, is
the person making the progress I would expect them to make on a good
remedy and to see if there are changes we need to make to get better
progress for them.
This is a very subtle process and is best done in person, particularly
when I first start working with a person. When I’ve tried to skip
in-person appointments, that has turned out to be a bad decision and
ends up taking much longer for the person to heal. Also, I am very
ambitious for my patients. I prefer to help them completely regain their
health, rather than just getting them a bit better.
Q: You want to send me a new bottle of remedy, but I’ve still got some
remedy left. Why can’t I just finish this bottle—I hate to waste it!
A: I have found if a person is on the same bottle or potency of remedy
for too long, that toward the end of that bottle the remedy doesn’t work
as well, it sort of “runs out of steam.” Our bodies seem to like taking
a remedy that is slightly different each day, which is what happens to
the remedy when you shake it—the shaking increases the strength or
potency of the remedy ever-so-slightly each day.
But there seems to be a limit to how much the potency of
a particular bottle can be increased. When that point has been
reached—when the potency of the remedy in that bottle can’t increased
any further—then the remedy stops working for the person. I prefer to
not let that happen.
Q: My friend is seeing you and she takes her remedy at one drop per
day. You are having me take my remedy at seven drops per day. Why the
difference in how we are taking our remedies?
A: Each person’s sensitivity or response to their remedy is very
individual. I try to gauge what dosage of remedy would be best for each
person so they get enough remedy to make nice progress, but not too much
of the remedy. That is why I have you take one dose of the remedy when
you first receive it, wait three days and then call me. At that point we
will determine how you responded to the remedy and I will give you
directions on how to continue to take the remedy.
I developed this individualized approach after I discovered that a
“cookbook” or routine way of taking remedies (using the same approach
for all my patients) didn’t work for a significant number of patients.
Q: Why do you have offices in two cities (in two different states,
no less), plus see patients in a third city?
A: I first set up my practice in St. Louis Park, MN in 1999. Then in
2002 I moved to Menomonie, WI and I started seeing patients in Wisconsin
while continuing my St. Louis Park practice. In 2003 a very persuasive
patient who lives in Duluth, MN caught me in an ambitious moment and I
agreed to travel to Duluth to see patients. You might say my practice is
an example of “have patients, will travel.” I do this because I want to
help people improve their health. I travel to serve patients who don’t
have a local homeopath.
Offices in Menomonie,
WI and St. Louis Park, MN
Also seeing patients in Duluth, MN
Currently accepting new patients.
Office hours by appointment.
500 Main Street, Suite 3
Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: 715-231-6068 fax: 715-231-6088
Email me
3601 Park Center Blvd. Suite 305
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Phone: 952-933-6068 fax: 952-253-6068
Email me
Website:
www.healthnaturally.biz
*Registered with The Society of Homeopaths (North America), Certified in
Classical Homeopathy
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