psoriasis
a natural approach to
Over and over again, in my 12 years of homeopathic practice, I’ve found that psoriasis is rarely limited to the skin alone.
More often than not diet plays a huge role in skin health. After putting one of my patients on an elimination diet we found that diary aggravated her symptoms. Her symptoms were gone one month after giving up all dairy. Another patient saw gradual improvements after he cut out all sweeteners and sodas.
One patient told me he only got flare ups when he felt stressed. I didn’t touch his diet at all, but instead asked him to start therapeutic journaling. It took about six months. There are still a few stubborn spots on his legs and elbows though.
I’m Dr. Rodger Douglas, DMH, B.Psych., a homeopath specializing in skin conditions. With training from the Hahnemann College of Heilkunst (HCH) and a psychology degree from Nelson Mandela University. As a proud member of the International Heilkunst Association (IHA), I follow the highest professional standards.
I work online with people from all around the world. Since the financial circumstances of my clients vary enormously I offer three self-selected fees. Every client receives exactly the same complete consultation and the same high level of care. You do not need to provide financial information or explain your choice. The cost covers everything: the consultation, remedies, and postage. There are no hidden costs.
Standard fee: US$175
Choose this if you can comfortably pay my regular consultation fee. Your payment helps make supported appointments possible for others.
Reduced fee: US$85
Choose this if the standard fee would place pressure on your budget.
Supported fee: US$35
Choose this if financial circumstances might otherwise prevent you from booking.
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. Conventional medicines are designed to target specific aspects of the illness. Corticosteroids, for example aim to reduce inflammation and itching while Vitamin D Analogues attempt to slow down fast skin cell growth.
Homeopathic remedies are a different animal altogether. Rather than treating a single symptom, they act to boost the body’s overall vitality.
Secondly, and probably most importantly, at the average homeopathic interview takes over an hour. I get to know my patients well and come to understand all their individual quirks. After a couple of interviews, I’ll probably know the names of your pets and your favorite flavor of ice cream.
This personal attention is not simply about making someone feel heard, important though that is. The better I understand a patient, the more precisely I can select remedies and offer guidance suited to their specific needs.
I had a patient with severe acne once. She had a birthmark under her eye and was teased relentlessly as a child. Instead of treating the acne directly, I found a remedy that mirrored her state of mind. The homeopathic remedy Causticum is indicated for people who are:
“Sad, hopeless, Ailments from long-lasting grief, ailments from grief, anguish, irritability, unhappy; sadness, mental depression, weeping, crying, tearful mood
at things of little importance, impaired thinking; absent-minded, difficulty concentrating, Insecure, uncertain, scared, anxiety.”
Once her symptoms cleared I put her on Thiosin 12C for acne scarring.
Lifestyle
When I studied Homeopathy and Heilkunst about a quarter of the curriculum involved regimen. After I completed my internship my tutor gave me a rare compliment. This came as a surprise to me as she was a rather strict teacher.
She noticed that during my internship I had spent much more time than other students helping my patients follow healthier lifestyles. I would often share recipes or come up with customized exercise routines.
She told me I was fortunate to find my calling so soon, as most students take years finding their exact calling.
I don’t feel that regimen is 100% my calling but I’m fascinated by it and there is a strong correlation between skin health and lifestyle.
Well, as I wrote in the homeopathy section, I get to know all my clients well. That helps me understand which foods and exercises are most likely to suit you. I’ll also know when you are likely to cheat. Understanding the changes you need to make is often the easy part. Making them, and maintaining them, is harder, and that’s where I come in.
Calm Mind
In Skin Deep psychotherapist and dermatologist Ted Grossbart writes:
"I've seen a series of people who were wonderfully bright, active, accomplished, energetic human beings, but they weren't just in high gear most of the time - overdrive or hyperdrive was more like it."
He called this emotional pattern fast, fast, fast.
“A successful sales rep practically lived at the airport as she tried to generate more and more cash to buffer a deep sense of vulnerability and unlovability.”
Grossbart used a variety of methods to help his patients slow down and face their personal “monsters.” I have incorporated a number of his ideas into my own practice. I tend to focus on counseling, calming guided meditations, Jungian psychology, and the therapeutic journaling of Dr. John Sarno.
Working With Me
I’m glad you’ve gotten this far down the page. If you’re wondering what it’s like working with me, here is a short description of what I do.
The first consultation lasts about 90 minutes. During the consultation we will discuss your main symptoms. We then cover other issues such as sleep, energy, digestion, and past illnesses. We will also talk about lifestyle, relationships, stresses, emotions and personality.
I then take about a day to study everything we talked about and come up with the best treatment plan for you.
The remedies usually arrive in about a week depending on where you live. In the meantime, I’ll email you some lifestyle or mindfulness exercises to work on while you wait.
Since I live in Japan I do my consultations over the phone, usually on WhatsApp. Most people prefer voice calls since there is no traveling or waiting in line. Just sit on your sofa with a nice cup of tea or coffee while chatting to me.
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 rather than calling unexpectedly, as I receive a considerable number of spam calls. Include the words “healing art” in your first message so I know that your enquiry has come through this website.