Homeopathy: natural alternative for healing pain Unique therapeutic system is an option for treating lifestyle disorders By Daniel Meyer
A
medical philosophy and practice based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself, homeopathy — also known as homeopathic medicine — is a complete therapeutic system that is based on the idea that “like cures like.” Using the mindset that substance causes a symptom in a healthy person, giving someone a very small amount of the same substance may cure the illness. In theory, a homeopathic dose enhances the body’s normal healing and self-regulatory processes. For Marcia Sikes, a Buffalo native who has practiced homeopathy since 2000, it is her passion for helping people in need and ability to work closely with those seeking pain relief that allows her to share with others why homeopathy is safe, effective and economical. “It is truly unique because it allows me to form a direct partnership with my patients,” says Sikes, a 2000 graduate from The School of Homeopathy in England who has a practice on Main Street in the village of HamSikes burg. “For me, there is nothing more rewarding when our work, meaning the effort put forth by myself and the patient, together can help to create a return to good health and the elimination of pain.” So what is homeopathy and why do professionals like Sikes continue to see an increase in patients hoping to benefit from the often misunderstood form of therapeutic healing?
What is homeopathy?
Developed in Germany over 200 years ago, homeopathic medicine is a way to treat disease, conditions or symptoms with small doses of natural substances that help the body function better and heal itself naturally. According to the American Institute of Homeopathy, the term translates to “like disease,” meaning medicine given is like the disease the person is expressing, not a specific disease category or medical diagnosis. Plants, minerals and even poisons are used in very small doses, which are believed to have greater effectiveness. In addition, according to the National Institutes of Health, homeopathic remedies are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but the FDA does not evaluate them for safety or effectiveness. Homeopathic remedies are usually delivered in the form of sugar pellets to be dissolved under the tongue, but can also be made available in ointments, gels, drops and creams. While some conventional medical experts do not consider homeopathy to be a legitimate form of medicine, Sikes understands the skepticism because she herself was Page 20
•
unsure of homeopathy when she was introduced to it. “When I first heard about it, I thought it sounded totally crazy,” recalls Sikes, who also has a degree from Canisius College. “I actually got involved with homeopathy by accident. But the more I learned about it and the more I studied and embraced the principle of ‘less is more’ I saw the tremendous benefits and how it can cure my patients and bring them a great sense of relief when constant pain is eliminated from their lives.”
What illnesses can homeopathy cure?
Having personally experienced the healing power of homeopathy, Sikes says her focus remains on helping patients struggling on a daily basis with chronic illnesses, including anxiety, depression, asthma, arthritis, fibromyalgia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, allergies, ADD and ADHD, hay fever, sore throats, menstrual and menopausal disorders, and severe migraine headaches. “The majority of my patients come to me because they have looked everywhere, tried everything and have exhausted all avenues of traditional medicine with very little success,” says Sikes. “We work together and identify cures that I recommend that help support what can become life changing experiences for them and their families. My greatest fulfillment from doing this is working closely with a patient and eventually recommending a remedy which helps them.” What can you expect the first time you meet a homeopath? Sikes stresses the importance of
IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2015
collaboration when meeting with patients, advising anyone with an appointment with a homeopath such as herself to come into their first session with an open mind, a desire to improve their health and a willingness to work closely with the professional. “The very first visit involves a long and extensive interview where I am able to obtain details on the patient’s complete medical history and can ask detailed questions about their aches and pains,” says Sikes. “I need answers to properly evaluate them so that teamwork approach is crucial.” Sikes also stresses how important it is for any patient to have patience. “Please, please, please have patience and realize that identifying the pain, figuring out what is causing the pain and what is the proper solution to eliminating that pain takes time,” says Sikes. “It is not going to happen overnight. It is a process, but one that has great potential to finding what can get him or her well and fully heal.”
Continuing education
To further develop her understanding of homeopathy and keep up with the latest information related to the unique natural and holistic therapy, Sikes continues to study with homeopaths throughout the country as well as in Canada, England, India and the Netherlands. “There is so much that comes with education about homeopathy and it is something I have actually been studying and learning about since the 1980s,” explains Sikes. “The course work was very rigorous and represented a very challenging curriculum, really much harder than any other college
course that I took previously. On top of that, there is so much ongoing education and things to absorb. You really never stop learning no matter how long you have been practicing.” Some of the most recent research revolves around efforts to use homeopathy to help patients who suffer from severe sleep disorders, including insomnia. “Sleep is so important because it helps the body to recover from the day’s activities and enhances our memory and brain function capabilities,” says Sikes. “Without proper sleep, many health problems are likely to exist. Unfortunately, while sleep should be a natural part of time for us all, for some it doesn’t come easy for a variety of reasons. What I do with my patients is identify their symptoms and recommend homeopathic remedies to help treat their insomnia.” Homeopathy can be used in professional settings and for home care, with homeopathic self-care used for many acute and first aid purposes to address colds, the flu, bone sprains, muscle strains and other minor injuries and ailments that do not necessarily require a doctor’s care. “I have a passion for healing and continue to be amazed at how truly incredible homeopathy can change someone’s life, not only physically but also mentally and emotionally,” says Sikes. “In a sense, the remedy is the diagnosis. So in some cases, this is the last hope for some people and the pain is overwhelming and constant and they are so sick and tired of having to deal with it and live like that. When people get well, I love it. There’s nothing like it.”