Psoriasis
looking beyond the skin
Almost every time I've treated someone with psoriasis I've found that it's not a problem with the skin, but rather something much deeper in the body. Sure, the symptoms appear on the skin, but the underlying cause comes from within.
Uncovering these causes is rarely straightforward. When I dig into a patient’s history I find that there is usually more than one reason why that person has become ill.
It could be an infection, hormonal changes, an allergy, or an old injury. Quite often it's diet, daily habits, or environmental irritation. Surprisingly, there is almost always some kind of emotional element involved.
In Skin Deep: A Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin, psychotherapist Ted A. Grossbart, Ph.D. explains how small changes can sometimes have significant effects:
“A persistent illness reflects a stalemate between the forces of health and disease… that’s why symptoms don’t get progressively worse but never get entirely better. Such forces are complex: the cause of your eczema, for example, may be 50% hereditary, 40% environmental, and 10% emotional. Although the impact of the latter is relatively slight, improvement here can tip the balance in favor of health, promoting remission. It’s like the way a drooping houseplant comes vibrantly back to life when moved just a few feet into the light or away from the radiator.”
My Approach
In my practice, I often make a number of small, carefully chosen changes. To expand on Grossbart’s example, the drooping houseplant might be moved into better light or farther from the radiator. But it may also need more water. The soil may need enriching, the roots may need more room, the drainage may need improving, or a hidden pest may need removing. A few damaged leaves might be pruned so that the plant can direct its energy towards healthy growth.
No single change necessarily restores the plant. Indeed, adding fertilizer when the roots are waterlogged may only make matters worse. The first task is to understand what this particular plant needs and what is preventing it from thriving.
I approach health in much the same way. Homeopathic treatment may form the centre of the work, while changes in diet, sleep, daily habits, stress, emotional patterns or skin care provide additional support. Each improvement may appear modest on its own, but together they can begin to shift the balance away from persistent illness and towards health.
Homeopathy
The wonderful thing about Homeopathy is that it takes a whole person approach, and there are two very important advantages of this.
Firstly, psoriasis is systemic disease that shows up on the skin but originates in the internal organs and the emotions. Conventional medicines and drugs are designed to target specific aspects of the illness. Corticosteroids aim to reduce inflammation and itching while Vitamin D Analogues attempt to slow down fast skin cell growth.
A homeopathic remedy is a different animal altogether. To begin, it’s made from a natural substance and doesn’t have the side effects of pharmaceuticals. And, it acts to boost the body’s vital force rather than kill a germ. This boost strengthens the patient overall. Also, psoriasis is a systemic illness and needs a “systemic” medicine that treats the whole.
If you read Pharmacopoeia it generally describes the specific actions of a drug. A homeopathic materia medica on the other hand, is a different read. Each remedy has a range of actions from mind, to skin, to internal organs, and often even describes the personality of the person likely to need it.
A pharmacopoeia describes an action. A materia medica describes a personality, character or nature. Here is a very much shortened excerpt from the Homeopathic Materia Medica by William BOERICKE, M.D. describing the remedy Sulphur.
Mind: Very forgetful. Difficult thinking. Busy all the time. Irritable. Tends to be lazy. Nearly always irritable, depressed.
Head: Heat on top of head. Heaviness and fullness, pressure in temples. Beating headache; worse, stooping, and with vertigo. Scalp dry, falling of hair; worse, washing. Itching; scratching causes burning.
Stomach: Weak or excessive appetite. Food tastes too salty. Drinks much, eats little. Milk disagrees. Great desire for sweets. Very weak and faint about 11 am; must have something to eat. Nausea.
Abdomen: Very sensitive to pressure; internal feeling of rawness and soreness. Pain and soreness over liver. Colic after drinking.
Sleep: Talks, jerks, and twitches during sleep. Vivid dreams. Wakes frequently, and becomes wide awake suddenly. Catnaps; slightest noise awakens. Cannot sleep between 2 an 5 am.
Skin: Dry, scaly, suppuration, freckles, itching, burning; worse scratching and washing. Pimply eruption, pustules. Excoriation, especially in folds. Skin affections after local medication. Pruritus, especially from warmth, is evening, often recurs in spring-time, in damp weather.
This was a very much shortened summary of Sulphur. I’m sure you quickly skimmed over it. The original is much longer and probably a bit boring for anyone who is not a homeopathic practitioner. However, I hope you got an idea of the depth of a homeopathic remedy.
Secondly, and probably most importantly, a homeopathic interview takes over an hour. I get to know you and all of your quirks. After a couple of interviews I’ll probably know the names of your pets. You are not just a number but a real person with real
And this leads me into the next two parts of treatment: a healthier lifestyle and a calmer mind.
A Healthier Lifestyle
On the surface golf seems simple: you give the ball a good wack and when you’re on the green you gently putt it into the hole. Why then would a pro golfer need a coach?
A lot of what I will tell you, you already know. Basically, all I’ll do is tell to go to bed earlier, exercise more, and eat better. Stuff you already know. Perhaps, as a bonus, I’ll show you how to do cleanse and send you a few recipes. Not rocket science.
Well, as I said in the homeopathy section, I get to know all my clients well. So, I’ll know which foods and exercises are best for you. I also know when you are likely to cheat.
Understanding the changes you need to make is easy. Making them is hard and that’s where I come in.
Leaky Gut
In Healing Psoriasis: the natural alternative, Chiropractor Dr. John Pagano explains his theory about psoriasis. Pagano believes that increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) allowed substances from the intestine to enter the circulation and contribute to psoriasis. He placed considerable emphasis on diet, bowel function and intestinal health in his approach.
A Calm Mind
In Skin Deep: A Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin, psychotherapist Ted A. Grossbart, Ph.D. explains how small changes can sometimes have significant effects:
Free Reads
What Working With Me Is Like
I’m glad you’re got this far down the page. If you are wondering what it’s like working with me, here is a step by step .
Free Call
I suggest starting with a free call. You can chat with me for about 20 minutes and ask me any questions. II will answer them as best as I can. During the call I will use zero pressure to sign up. If you liked what you heard in the call go ahead and book a cosnsultation.
First Consultation
Your first consultation with me usually lasts about 90 minutes, sometimes longer. We’ll stop when I’ve asked everything I need to, or when you’ve shared everything you wanted to. I take a very detailed approach. The cost is $170. This covers everything: the consultation, remedies, and postage. There are no hidden costs.
your health
We begin with your main symptoms, then explore the rest of your body: sleep, energy, digestion, temperature, past illnesses and the small details that may help complete the picture.
your life
We talk about lifestyle, relationships, stresses, emotions and personality. These help me understand not simply what is wrong, but how you experience your life.
your story
We explore your medical history and important experiences, but I also want to know about your hopes and aspirations. What would you like to change? What might your life look like if you felt well again?
Aftercare & Remedies
After the session, I’ll take a few days to study everything and choose the best remedy for you. I use a wide range of homeopathic remedies, and I send them by post. You don’t need to pay extra - the cost of the remedy and mailing is already included in the consultation fee. It usually takes about a week for the remedy to arrive.
In the meantime, I’ll give you some lifestyle or mindfulness exercises to work on while you wait. I place a strong focus on these kinds of daily practices. Healing isn’t just about taking a remedy—it’s also about slowly shifting how you live.
Weekly Follow-ups
Unlike most homeopaths who check in once a month, I prefer to offer short weekly follow-ups at first. Just a quick 10-minute chat, once a week, to see how you’re doing. These mini check-ins are included in the price of your initial consultation and continue for the first three months. I’ve found they help keep motivation high and give us a chance to make small course corrections together. After that, we’ll usually shift to monthly consultations.
Confidentiality & Respect
Everything you tell me is kept completely confidential. I’m a one-person practice, and I never share your information with anyone. The only exception is when I’m working with a dependent—like a child—and both parties agree to share details. Otherwise, what you tell me stays between us.
I’ve worked with people from six continents, all kinds of personalities and walks of life. Nothing you say will be judged. This is a safe space, and you’re welcome just as you are.
Phone Consultations
I live in Japan, but most of my clients are in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. So, I do consultations by phone, usually on WhatsApp. Most people prefer voice calls because they feel more relaxed and open. Occasionally I do a video call, but that’s rare. Some clients prefer text-based consultations, especially if English isn’t their first language. That’s completely fine. In fact, text consultations can work really well, since you have more time to think about my questions and respond to them.
Now and then, I may send you an email between sessions if I have a follow-up question or thought. You’re welcome to write to me too.
So, that’s what to expect.
Not sure where to begin?
If you’d like to talk about your skin concerns and whether my approach may be suitable for you, you’re welcome to book a free 20-minute introductory call.
Prefer to message first?
If you have a quick question but don't want to talk on the phone, then you’re welcome to send me a message. Please send messages only, as I tend to get swamped with spam callers. I always reply as soon as I can, usually within 1 - 8 hours. Please write "healing art" in your introduction so that I know you are a genuine caller.
