Naturopathic Wisdom: A Common Sense Mind-Body Approach for Struggling Children and Teens

Over the past 50 years, there have been some dramatic changes in how children are raised, fed, and educated. In looking at both child-rearing practices and children’s education, one of the most obvious changes is this as a society, we seem to have lost our most basic common sense about the natural relationship between physical wellness and mental health, and in so doing we’ve forgotten how interconnected we really are to the natural world around us. Isn’t it concerning that 1 in every 12 children take a medication that has a significant and often unknown impact on their development in cognitive and neurological maturation? As has always been true, children need good food, adequate sleep, plenty of fresh air and sunshine, and opportunities for physical work, play, and exercise. With these observations in mind, Naturopathic Wisdom provides a common sense roadmap for the implementation of safe naturopathic practices that are desperately needed for struggling children and teens. More specifically, this book will: Highlight relevant aspects of the author’s own illness-to-wellness story Share professional observations and insights gained from a mental health practice of 30+ years Propose simple, safe, naturopathic interventions for the physical and mental health conditions in children and teens Detail the research that supports these practices

Table of Contents:
Preface Chapter 1: Why Today's Kids Need Naturopathy The Rise in Learning, Mental Health, and Behavior Disorders Changes Across the Past 50 Years Chapter 2: My Story Growing Up in Rural America in the 70’s and 80’s The Path Towards Poor Health Trauma and Too Much Prescription Medication Finding Alternative Treatments The Division of Mind and Body in the Treatment of Illness The Road Back to Health and Wellness Shared Experiences Chapter 3: Research Methods and Perspectives The Role of the Researcher in Auto-Ethnography The Researcher’s Lens and Perspectives Chapter 4: What Exactly is Naturopathy? Primary Elements in Naturopathy The Spiritual Nature of the Naturopathic Practitioner Core Principles of Practice for the Medically Trained Naturopathic Doctor Chapter 5: The History of Modern-Day Naturopathy The Birthplace of Modern-Day Naturopathy Medicine in the 1800’s Changing Times and the Germ Theory of Medicine The Rising Powers of the American Medical Association Medical and Mental Health Horrors of the 1900’s Under the AMA The Ever-Swinging Pendulum Chapter 6: Health and Wellness in Today's Youth Positive Changes in Mental Health and Education in the Past 50 Years Recent Trends that Concern Me The Rise in Psychotropic Medications and Possible Long-Term Repercussions Mental Health Diagnoses Used as a Reason to Not Treat Physical Symptoms Today’s Kids are Not the Same Kids Chapter 7: Choosing a Naturopathic Practitioner State-Based Differences in Licensing for the Naturopathic Doctor Training, Certification, and Licensing Differences Should All Naturopaths Go to Medical School? Know Your States Rules When Choosing a Naturopathic Practitioner Chapter 8: Children Need to Move Movement As a Necessity for a Healthy Mind-Body Interface Research on Movement, Mental Health, and Learning A Call to Get Kids Moving Chapter 9: Safe, Sensible Sunshine Sunshine Exposure in My Childhood Sun Exposure: What the Research Tells Us Is Sunscreen Really That Safe? Recommendations for Safe Sun and UV Light Exposure Chapter 10: Breath Responses and the Air We Breathe Breathing and Air-Borne Chemical Sensitivities Breath Work and Teaching Kids to Breathe Chapter 11: The Need for Restful Sleep The Effects of Lost Sleep in Children and Teens Case Study, the Boy Who Didn’t Sleep Recommendations to Improve Sleep Chapter 12: Forest Bathing The Research on Shinrin-Yoku Naturopathic Views on Spending Time in Nature Chapter 13: The Healing Properties of Plants The Chemistry of Essential Oils Why Essential Oils are Beneficial to Humans The Importance of High Quality, Therapeutic Grade Oils The Safety of Essential Oils for Children Plant-Based Medicines and Psychopharmacology Whole Herbs as Medicine Recommendations for Using Herbs with Children Medical Cannabinoid Considering Homeopathy? Homeopathy’s History and Principles My Views and Recommendations on Homeopathy My Homeopathy Story Chapter 14: Bathing and Water Therapies Hydrotherapy Through the Ages Clinical Studies on the Benefits of Hydrotherapy Water Therapy and My Physical Rehabilitation Recommendations for Water-Based Therapies for Kids Chapter 15: Touch, Massage and Accupressure for Kids Safe Touch and Touch Permission The Use of Acupressure and Massage in a School Setting Historical Perspectives and Methodologies in Massage and Acupressure The Research Supporting These Techniques Massage Therapy for Kids Acupressure for Children and Teens Chapter 16: Nutrition and Healthy Eating Children Are Not Little Adults When It Comes to Food Taste Preference is Acquired Over Time Sugar and Fast-Delivery Carbohydrates Are Addictive Food Access, Food Sensitivities, and Food Control Parents Want to Feed Their Children Healthy Food The USDA Food Pyramid Healthy Eating Can Be Confusing Healthy Eating Habits that We Can All Agree On Children Learn Good Eating Habits from Their Parents Choice and Food Access Special Considerations for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Eating Healthy Is Challenging Chapter 17: Commonsense Recommendations for Serious Mental Health Crises My Mental Health Crises and Lessons Shared Final Considerations… References

About the Author :
Marlo Payne Thurman, PhD, began her career in 1992 as a private practice school psychologist. Through the years she has held positions with various group homes, mental health centers, hospital clinics, and schools in conjunction with providing assessment, advocacy, consultation, and counseling services in her practice to thousands of clients. For ten years she also owned and ran a special needs private school that made national headlines for successfully serving twice-exceptional students. Then, during the worst years of her own wellness journey, she returned to school and received her PhD in Special Education. Her first book, Autism is the Future, came out of that course of study. After receiving her PhD, she helped to design an autism certificate program and taught university classes at the University of Northern Colorado. She is now the President and Board Chair of the U.S. Autism Association. Always dividing her time between her private practice work, continuing education, and various charity endeavors, Marlo made the decision to pursue a final degree in the field of naturopathic medicine. This book is the culmination of that degree, as it combines her history, her personal wellness journey, and her remarkable insights as both an educator and mental health practitioner. Marlo lives in Colorado where she is an avid outdoor enthusiast and gardener.