Practical Homeopathy
Practical Homeopathy?
By Ellen Kramer (MCPH, RSHom)
In September 2003 I took over as Course Director at the College of Practical Homeopathy. This was a wonderful opportunity to evaluate exactly what the ethos of Practical homeopathy is and how to define it with clarity for potential students who were confused about the name and what this meant to them when deciding what course to choose. (One common misunderstanding is people who say they teach ‘classical’ and ‘practical’ homeopathy as this implies that ‘practical’ homeopathy is a method which it is not).
Practical Homeopathy is an approach to the study and practice of homeopathy that is based on the principles of homeopathy, encouraging students to apply those principles in real life and learning from the successes and failures of their own and others experience, both as a homeopath and as a practitioner in the ‘business’ of homeopathy.
Practical Homeopathy teaches practitioners a range of ‘methods’ that have been developed since Hahnemann times. A training based on Practical homeopathy requires the practitioner to understand what needs to be cured, if there are any obstacles to cure, how to choose a method, and understand why a particular method is most appropriate for the individual. It provides the practitioner with a range of tools and concepts that increases their ability to successfully treat clients.
Why is the ‘Practical Approach becoming increasingly popular?
Classical homeopathy is often seen as synonymous with homeopathy but it is in fact only one of a number of different methods that are available for practitioner to use. However many practitioners are trained to only use this one method which, although successful in some cases, is fraught with all kinds of problems for the prescriber and client e.g. the so called ‘aggravation’ and the ‘healing crisis’. (From a ‘practical’ perspective, the homeopath would see these as the vital energy of the client telling you that the method chosen was inappropriate, the remedy did its job but it was too deep too soon and the learning in this is that you have to change your method!).
All disciplines grow and develop on the work done by those that preceded them and homeopathy is no exception to this. In the early stages of the development of homeopathy - the so called primitive stage of prescribing was done on a few chosen symptoms. This process is still used in cultures that are seasonally rhythmic and where the natural defences of the body have not been interfered with in a major way by the introduction of modern medicinal drugs, immunisation programs and changes in the natural dietary habits of the populace.
However by the late 19th and early 20th Century dealing with human health became more complex as the populace had already been exposed to a large number of disease states that had been introduced from outside the 'normal 'disease states for their culture, e.g. the spread of venereal diseases and the introduction of smallpox to the Americas. This was like further complicated by the suppression of disease symptoms using drugs and vaccinations. This has been termed the "sophisticated” period.
By the end of the 20th century we had reached the "degenerative" period, particularly in modern westernised societies where poor diet, stress, pollution and an over emphasis on an allopathic approach to illness predominated. (These categories are clearly outlined Ian Watson’s book on methodologies).
Increasingly it is clear that in the 21 st century will be the ’collapse’ period where large numbers of the population begin to suffer from a total immune system breakdown e.g. AIDS, allergies and all kinds of Cancers.
So the question any student should be asking in the light of the above is why I would want to learn to use just a single method approach? The EPA (environmental protection agency) now recognises more than 4 million chemical compounds of which more than 60,000 are produced commercially, with 3 new compounds introduced each day. An American study took 7000 random samples of urine and tested them for chemical toxins - 71 % were found to have evidence of chemical residues in their urine. (This study was not looking at people working in chemical factories, but rather the average citizen).
The importance of this for working homeopaths is that ‘the average citizen’ is going to be coming to see you as clients. Dealing with this level of toxicity and its effects has become a major part of practice, and the successful practitioner will need strategies for dealing with this.
The implication of this for the homeopath is that methods for prescribing are no longer as clear cut. The complex pictures presented by the modern clients need to be matched by an understanding of a variety of methods that are available, and which particular method is the most appropriate at particular points along the healing process. Hence the development of ‘practical homeopathy’.
An understanding of the main methods, and their strengths and drawbacks is a fundamental part of the development of the ‘practical’ homeopath. With all methods the formulation of an accurate and detailed time line is invaluable as it helps organise the client’s case into a manageable format, helping to clarify cause, effect and need for cure. (With certain part patient/disease only methods, the time line is central to the efficacy of the method). All methods produce a prescription which is styled individually according to the method chosen.
All the methods also have their limitations, but by understanding the different methods you can begin to be creative and this ensures that homeopathy continues to grow, develop and evolve to meet the ever increasing levels of suppression and toxicity that our modern 21 st Century patients will present. Classical homeopathy, which is a single method approach has its place and context for use, just a detox therapeutic approach has its appropriate use in practise. If you are taught to look at client from one perspective with only one tool in your tool box the results will be limited.
The science of homeopathy should be seen as the careful analysis and evaluation of the vital energy of the patient, backed up by the evidence of what needs to be cured followed by the most appropriate choice of method and its application.
The art is in understanding the best use of the repertory, in the choice of remedy/remedies, the potency and the way the prescription is given. This should culminate in the stimulation of the vital energy with a successful result for the client.
The ethos of Practical homeopathy is in its straightforward approach to teaching, learning and applying both the science and art of homeopathy. The philosophy is simply - to do what works for the client. This ethos is also applied to teaching our students and supporting them in developing successful practices (which is why we put a lot of emphasis on practitioner development as part of out training).
Practical homeopaths focus on the present and do not rely exclusively on methods that worked well for 19th & 20th Century patients. We look at where we are now and are open to continually adopting new proven methods for the future in order to keep making homeopathy work. Hahnemann was the first ‘practical homeopath’ in the sense that he never stopped changing and adapting his approach.
Ellen Kramer is Course Director of the College of Practical Homeopathy (UK)
• Learn more about Practical Homeopathy
• Learn more about Classical Homeopathy
• Learn more about Homeopathic Remedies
• Learn more about Hahnemann