Advanced Naturopathic Case Taking: Naturopathic Evaluation Tools

Question 1

Asking the right questions for optimal health and prevention

Answer 1

For the client whose main concern is optimal health and prevention, ask about:
* Past and present health history, as well as family history.
* Risk factors for potential future illnesses, such as: Fitness, diet, sleep, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, environment at home and work, stress sources and pleasure, relationships, goals in life.

Question 2

Asking the right questions for an active health problem

Answer 2

For clients with an active health problem ask:
* What was your health like before this problem began?
* Ask about possible antecedents, triggers and mediators.
* Your questioning will then focus on where in someone’s life these triggers are occurring.

Question 3

The art of case taking:

Answer 3

• Observe
• Listen
• Clarify
• Empower

Question 4

Observe

Answer 4

• Observe the client’s skin (tone, condition, markings, hair distribution), nails, tongue, posture, mannerisms.

Question 5

Listen

Answer 5

• Listen to their case / story without judgement. Pay attention to repetitive words, statements or phrases.

Question 6

Clarify

Answer 6

• Clarify what the client has said, using the same words or phrases and summarise to ensure you have understood correctly.

Question 7

Empower

Answer 7

• Empower your client with knowledge —bring the case together for them and give them an understanding of why they feel like they do.

Question 8

Naturopathic Tools:

Answer 8

Naturopathic evaluation tools help to inform a deeper understanding of the client and support the decision-making process when creating a naturopathic treatment plan.
* The tools can also help to direct the appropriate lines of questioning to open up the consultation. These tools include:
o Tongue analysis.
o Facial Analysis
o Nail assessment
o Anthropometric measurements
o Urine and stool interpretations

Question 9

Rule of Three:

Answer 9

The Rule of Three requires three factors to support a hypothesis:
Example: Your client feels anxious and can’t sleep. Look to the Rule of Three, which requires you to have three factors that support your hypothesis:
1. Low intake of magnesium-rich foods (from diet diary).
2. The client describes getting frequent muscle cramps.
3. The pupils are very dilated
There are three things that support your low magnesium hypothesis. What else might suggest a magnesium deficiency?

So, what do you do?
1. Correct diet.
2. Take Mg citrate before bed.

Question 10

Making a Diagnosis

Answer 10

As nutritional therapists, it is beyond our scope to diagnose diseases or disease-states such as mineral deficiencies.
* Utilise the Rule of Three and evaluate that your client needs more magnesium, do not say: “you are magnesium deficient”, or “your magnesium intake is insufficient”.
* You say, “My evaluation indicates that you could benefit from taking more magnesium.”
* If you believe a diagnosis is needed, for example, of iron-deficiency anaemia, refer to the GP. Remember what causes iron deficiency and the effects of excess iron (i.e. feeding microbes, pro-oxidant).