Causal Chains

As many people know I learnt a lot of my work in Germany from Dr. Helmut Schimmel and one of the things we have been doing here at the clinic since is causal chains.

The best thing about causal chains is that it is visual and helps explain what is going on for each person individually with their health. Here at the clinic you may have seen a causal chain drawn in your appointment, especially in an initial consultation.

How it works is we find a FOCI which is the main organ/ issue to be worked on at that point. Then we filter back and look at what caused or aggravated that. It may be one or more things contributing to an unhealthy organ.

An Example of a few ideas:

• Virus ->  Blood -> Spleen --> Pancreas  ( Pancreas is the FOCI)
• Ovaries - > Adrenals -> Thyroid
• B12 def -> Liver--> Gallbladder -> Thyroid
• Vit D def -> Parathyroid -> Mucus in Sinus -> Ears

There are some common causal chains that Dr.Schimmel taught in functional medicine. Not every person is the same but you do get the idea of how they are used.

 

Then you can find a causal chain that turns into a circular chain. when this happens then we need to try and treat various points in the circle to break the cycle.

 

Please talk to your naturopath if you want something drawn as a causal chain. Many things in health are explained either academically or simply and one of our jobs is to simplify things so when you leave the clinic your health has been explained easily. You have direction with not only your remedies but what needs to be eaten and any lifestyle changes. We are the facilitators and educators so we can show direction for better health. It is important for you to be able to talk to not only to your family and your naturopath about your condition, but to understand your health so you can ask your doctor the right questions regarding your health in the future. Please ask us questions even if you feel they are ridiculously simple - we are here to be asked and happy to help. The philosophy of naturopathy is to not only treat the symptoms but to treat the cause. This is when you get the real answers to long term health.  Using causal chains it helps get to the cause.

ref. Dr Helmut Schimmel