Acute and Chronic Prescribing in Homeopathy
Why is there a difference between acute and chronic prescribing?
And what does it change in the treatment setting?
Acute prescribing
An acute prescribing happens in acute situations. For instance you worked manually and your nail from the little finger got torn off. That bleeds massively and hurts a lot, because we have a lot of nerve endings at the tip of our fingers. Therefore they are very sensitive. A remedy given in this acute situation acts immediately, in 1 second the pain can be gone. These are great situations to give a homeopathic remedy because it acts so beautifully.
An acute cystitis with urge and pain urinating is also an acute disease. The remedy chosen for an acute problem is usually based on the local symptoms. But other good pointers like the reason it started, for example wet feet, or changes in thirst and mood can be used as well. It can be that the case taking is rather short. A remedy is given and the problem should get better. In acute conditions it can happen that the remedy has to be repeated or changed a couple of times. Depending on the acuity and severity of the symptoms. And depending on how the symptoms change. Usually an acute case is a problem that’s new, not recurrent and has not lasted longer than 3-6 months.
Chronic prescribing
A chronic prescribing can also be called constitutional prescribing. It means that the homeopathic remedy is chosen depending on the history of the person. Everything that has happened in this persons life can be important. The family history, medicines taken, and important changes in life. In small children the pregnancy of the mother is important as well. Things like appetite, thirst, character etc. will be asked as well.
A chronic case can be very complicated and usually has been ongoing for a while. Or acute problems have occurred repeatedly. When a remedy has been chosen the reaction might not be as obvious as in an scute prescribing. Therefore it’s important to be patient. Things change slowly but steadily. Old symptoms like a headache or skin rash can reoccur. It’s important to let this happen and not to react to it in any way. It will vanish by itself. Sometimes symptoms can change and another remedy has to be chosen. It’s like an onion, you peel one layer off and another appears. That’s why follow ups have to be done regularly. To decide if it’s time to go on with the same dose, to repeat or change the remedy. Remember: give your body time to heal. A chronic condition didn’t appear in a day and will take time to get better.
Does the homeopathic remedy have to be taken forever?
No! Usually the problem should get less and less. It might be that no remedy has to taken for years. Most import is: Don’t repeat to often!
From western medicine clients are used to take medicines every day for the rest of their life. Or at least repeatedly until the problem is gone.
It’s important to understand that it works differently with homeopathy. Homeopathy gives an impulse. The body starts to react to it. Once this has happened the remedy shouldn’t be repeated.
How to differentiate acute and chronic
Acute problems are usually new. That means less than 3 months.
Acute problems can have an obvious causation, like wet feet.
Acute problems don’t appear repeatedly.
Acute problems usually should get better fast.
Chronic problems have been there for longer than 6 months.
Chronic problems reoccur, they come again and again.
Chronic problems need longer to get better.
Chronic problems can also appear in new born babies.
If in doubt get in contact, for instance via an online appointment.
“The highest ideal of cure is speedy, gentle, and enduring restoration of health by the most trustworthy and least harmful way.”
Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, founder of Homeopathy
