What happens at a consultation?
Your first consultation involves discussing your current health problem
as well as reviewing any past illnesses as well as your overall health.
Diet and lifestyle are also discussed so that a picture of you as
a whole person is built up. This enables me to develop a treatment
plan for you that addresses not only the symptoms, but also the underlying
causes of your health problem. I will usually take your blood pressure.
All information is held in the strictest
confidence. How long does an appointment
last?
The first consultation lasts between 1 and 1½ hours. Follow
up visits last about ½ hour.
What does a treatment plan cover?
The treatment plan is developed based on the information given in
the
consultation, and is tailored to your particular needs:
- Appropriate herbal medicine will be dispensed—either
as a tincture, dried herbs, or cream. The medicine, in whatever
form, will be a blend of herbs most suitable for your health needs.
The medicine will therefore by unique to you.
- Dietary and lifestyle advice may be discussed, where appropriate.
- Information and advice about other tests may also be given,
where necessary.
How long will treatment last?
This will vary, depending on the severity, complexity and nature
of your health problem, and also how long you have suffered from
it. A problem that has only recently started will often
respond quickly to herbal medicine and may only take 1, 2 or 3 months
to treat. Children often respond quickly to herbal medicine. However,
a problem that has developed over months or years, may take much
longer to treat.
Other conditions (for example autoimmune diseases, liver disease,
diabetes) will not be ‘cured’ by herbal medicine—but
herbs can be very effectively used to manage the disease. The length
of treatment can be discussed at any of your visits.
How often will I have to see the herbalist?
After the first consultation, a follow-up visit is usually arranged
for 2 weeks later to discuss
progress and supply more medicine. Further visits are arranged at
4 to 6 week intervals, and
adjustments made to your herbal prescription as your health improves.
Clinic locations and times
I practise at 2 clinics in the North East - Newcastle
upon Tyne (Monday to Wednesday 1pm - 6pm) & Alnwick
(Thursday and Friday 1pm - 7pm).
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