Constitutional homeopathy is the third level of homeopathic therapy used to treat severe symptoms, chronic health problems, and past or present afflictions. There are three different levels of therapy used depending on the severity of the patient's discomfort and medical history. First and second levels of therapy primarily treat minor and temporary conditions such as sprains, skin irritations, and symptoms associated with the common cold. Long-term problems such as recurring infections, chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, and depression are some of the health problems that constitutional homeopathy is used to treat.
A first homeopathy appointment usually consists of a detailed consultation including a physical examination, mental evaluation, and thorough assessment of the patient's medical history. Therapists and physicians focus on the patient's whole being as opposed to only treating the problem area. The physical, emotional, and spiritual being are targeted with individualized therapeutic techniques. By treating the whole body, symptoms of chronic illness are significantly decreased. This usually includes working on nutrition, exercise, and positive life style changes with the patient in order to improve his or her immune system and increase the body's defense mechanisms.
The constitutional homeopathy healing process usually begins from deep within the patient and progressively heals the external body. Homeopaths consider vital organs and mental/emotional states as the internal patient, which requires attention before outer healing can begin. When treating symptoms of the upper body, the patient may experience new pain in lower extremities, which is considered a sign that constitutional homeopathy is working. This theory is based on Hering's Law, which is the primary principle of most homeopathic therapy.
Hering's Law of Cure, introduced by Constantine Hering in the mid 1800s, states that symptoms migrate from deep within to the outer body, and symptoms travel from the top of the body down. This is the basis that constitutional homeopathy thrives on for teaching the body to heal itself. Due to this law, homeopaths are able to explain the transferring of pain from one body part to another. During the initial visit and evaluation, the therapist usually educates the patient on constitutional homeopathy and the theories that it is based upon.
Patients are considered partners in the process because he or she must be equally involved in treatment for it to be successful. The information presented in the first appointment is highly important because it helps patients from being discouraged with the amount of time that the process may take. Medications are sometimes required, and extremely low doses of allopathic drugs are often prescribed.