Just as you would try to find the best nephrologist in your area, so, too, must you be prepared for a bit of legwork in finding the right homeopath. The relationship between patient and practitioner is very close in homeopathy, so you want to find someone you can trust, who has integrity, and who is a skilled homeopath. You are not likely to find someone experienced in treating IgA Nephropathy – homeopaths, unlike nephrologists, do not specialize in particular diseases or areas of the body. But you should be looking for someone with a good track record in treating complex immunologically mediated diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves’ disease (or other endocrine disorders), fibromyalgia, etc.

Resources

• Personal recommendations from other people in your area who have been successfully treated by homeopathy, particularly for complex chronic conditions. Ask people you know and trust what they like about their homeopath and whether they have any reservations
  
  
• NCH Affiliated Study Groups are one of the best sources of referrals from people knowledgeable about homeopathy. Both lay and professional homeopaths get together in these groups to learn more about homeopathy (a never-ending process!). If there is a group in your area, go to a meeting. If you can’t make it to a meeting, call the study group leader and ask his or her advice. If there is no study group in your area, call an NCH member listed in the directory and see if they have any recommendations. Membership and study group directories are available online at www.homeopathic.org.
  
  
• Local health centers, natural food stores, or libraries may have information available on area homeopaths or host introductory talks by homeopaths. Many cities and certain regions of the country have free papers dedicated to health and healing that carry advertisements for or articles by homeopaths.
  
  
• Your primary care doctor or a trusted complementary health care practitioner may be able to recommend a homeopath.
  
  
• Online directories are increasingly popular ways of finding homeopaths or alternative health care practitioners. See Links to Homeopathic Organizations for Referrals.
  
  
• The Yellow Pages are probably the least reliable way to find a homeopath, but if this is the only means you have, then use the following questions to evaluate the homeopath’s skills.

What to ask a prospective homeopath

Before making an appointment to see a homeopath, you should ask about their credentials, how long they’ve been practicing, and how they describe the particular kind of homeopathy they do. Ask questions that address your special needs and concerns, such as whether they’ve treated patients with IgA Nephropathy or other renal diseases. The receptionist may be able to answer your questions; if not, it is acceptable to ask for a brief conversation with the homeopath. (This may tell you all you need to know about how accessible the homeopath is.) Remember, this is time to get answers from the homeopath, not to discuss your case.

• Where did you train? How long have you been in practice? Some people will feel comfortable consulting a newly qualified practitioner, but others prefer someone with more experience, particularly for serious issues. If the practitioner is relatively new, ask if he or she has a mentor or someone more experienced with whom to work on more difficult cases.
  
  
• Are you certified and with whom?Certification by a bona fide certifying organization is a "seal of approval" by the homeopathic community and assurance of a minimal level of competence. Not all practitioners, even some very good ones, are certified, however.
  
  
• Can you describe the kind of homeopathy you practice? You want to know if the practitioner is a classical homeopath who prescribes a single remedy at a time and avoids combination remedies. You also want to know what method the practitioner uses to select the remedy. Classical homeopaths rely on an extensive intake interview and medical history; they do not use electronic measuring devices, muscle testing, dowsing, or other "non-classical" methods.
  
  
• Do you have a background or training in any other medical discipline? Some homeopaths trained originally as MDs, nurses, acupuncturists, counselors, etc. You may feel more comfortable with a homeopath who is knowledgeable about renal pathology and physiology and who can liaise easily with your nephrologist or other doctors.
  
  
• What proportion of your practice is homeopathic? Some homeopaths combine homeopathy with other health care modalities, such as conventional medicine or acupuncture. Medical doctors who dabble in homeopathy are more likely to rely on conventional medicine than professional homeopaths who practice homeopathy exclusively and are more comfortable using it in crises.
  
  
• Do you have any experience treating complaints of my type? Again, treatment experience may be hard to find in the case of IgA Nephropathy, but the practitioner should have a good "track record" in treating renal disease or immunologically-mediated disorders.
  
  
• What do you charge? Fees vary depending on the length of visits, experience of the practitioner, and where they work. The fees of complementary practitioners who work from home are likely to be lower than those working out of a clinic. If you are on a pension or have a low income, ask if the practitioner has a sliding scale of fees or allows patients to pay over time.
  
  
• Will insurance cover my visit? While some companies may pay part of the fees, particularly if the homeopath is also a medical or chiropractic doctor, most companies will not. While paying these fees out of pocket may seem daunting, remember that if you get your health back it works out to considerably less than the cost of dialysis, or anti-rejection medications, or time lost from work.
  
  
• How often will I need to see you? Some homeopaths insist on a monthly commitment or bimonthly follow-up visits. Some will ask that you return in a month or six weeks, then, if you are doing well, ask you to return again in six months. A lot depends not only on the practitioner’s style but also on the severity of your case.
  
  
• Will you be available if I have an emergency? If you have an injury or acute illness between scheduled visits, will the homeopath treat you. This question is more likely to be important to parents when the patient is their child. Kids rarely fall ill during office hours – will the homeopath be available in the evenings or on weekends?
  
  
• Can you cure me? Steer clear of any practitioners who say they can cure you. They may feel they can, but it is not ethical to guarantee a cure.

Listen to your gut feelings during this conversation and ask yourself whether this is someone you can work with, someone with whom you feel comfortable. Some people will want a warm and caring approach, while others prefer a slightly different practitioner who is not going to be too probing. Some, especially teens and the elderly, may want a practitioner closer to their own age.

A rough rule of thumb in homeopathy is that it takes two years for the body to cure a chronic condition. Please remember that healing is a process: don’t give up after a visit or two if you don’t get immediate results, especially if you have been ill for awhile. This is not to say that you should keep seeing a practitioner if you feel there is no rapport between you, or if you have lost hope. But you should give your homeopath at least six months to help you.

Your homeopath should explain to you that a homeopathic cure often involves the temporary return of old symptoms. A proper "direction of cure" in homeopathy also involves the movement of symptoms from the inside out – that is, from the vital core of the body to the periphery – and from the top down. You may need to persevere to obtain the full benefit of homeopathy, but it eases the journey to understand what the route to healing looks like.

[Adapted from "Finding the Right Homeopath for You," Homeopathy Today, February 2004.]