Profile
Michael
Blanch studied at the NSW College of Natural Therapies and Nature Care
College, Sydney, graduating with Diplomas in Naturopathy, Herbal
Medicine, Therapeutic Massage and Homeopathy. He commenced
practice in Sydney in 1984 and lectured in natural therapies from 1986
at Nature Care College. On moving to Perth WA in 1990, he established
Cottesloe Naturopathic Clinic and has lectured in homeopathy and
natural medicine at the Perth Academy of Natural Therapies from that
time until 2006. He is a well-respected and experienced
practitioner. Over the years he has given many postgraduate
seminars to his colleagues.
Michael has had an interest in
the principles of natural health for most of his life. From his
teenage years he developed an awareness of a healthy diet and regular
exercise. He runs several times weekly, practices yoga and
meditates. In recent years he has also pursued a love of Afro-American
dancing styles, including swing dancing, lindy hop, blues and balboa
and continues weekly classes, and may often be seen dancing in venues
around Perth. To Michael, dance is a uniquely healthy activity, a
celebration of life through music, movement, rhythm and social
interaction. He has helped raise two healthy daughters, now 18
and 22, who have never had antibiotics or any drugs.
From
early in his studies, Michael became aware of the importance of the
principles of holistic health. This means that true health is a
reflection of the whole person: the body, the mind and the
emotions. Everything is connected; it is regulated by the
intelligence of the whole that we might call the life force, known
historically as the “Vital Force”. Any symptoms of ill health or
disease stem from a disturbance in the balance of this whole. The
symptoms themselves are the intelligent response by the life force to a
disturbance, whether physical, environmental or emotional. These
symptoms attempt to limit the damage and protect against further harm
to the organism as a whole.
Michael Blanch's philosophy
of treatment is based on the understanding that true health can only be
achieved by working with this innate healing mechanism, not against it.
Unfortunately, many modern natural therapists have taken on the role of
“alternative doctor”, using natural medicine that, like drugs, only
treat symptoms, in that way working against what the body is trying to
do and delaying or preventing complete restoration of health, where
that is possible. The symptomatic approach is
fostered by the spread of naturopaths employed by health food stores
and pharmacies, who are mostly there to sell product; this usually
means quick consultations that can never really treat the whole
person. Initial consultations with Michael Blanch take about an
hour and subsequent consultations half an hour. They are truly
holistic in approach and cover all aspects of the patient’s health –
mental, emotional and physical. (See under Patient Information)
As a naturopath, Michael believes that there are two aspects to the
important task of maintaining and restoring your health. Firstly,
it is important to adhere to natural laws… having a good diet and
getting enough sleep and adequate exercise is a start. Fulfilling
social relationships are also vitally important to health. They
foster a sense of purpose and belonging: this is the “spiritual” side
of health, which for some extends into the religious; but for our
purposes let us just say that we need a sense of meaning in our lives,
whatever the source. Stress management is important. For
some this will simply be a hobby; there are however more powerful forms
of relaxation such as meditation, whose techniques have evolved over
thousands of years. Michael is an experienced meditator and he is
trained to assist you with all the lifestyle changes necessary to
maintain optimum health. (See under Naturopathy Explained)
These principles are important in maintaining natural health.
They may also be necessary in the restoration of health, where the
individual has become sick. In many people, however, these changes for
the better are not enough, due to inherited weaknesses or longstanding
abuse of the principles of natural health. In these cases medicine
needs to be given. To work holistically this needs to be natural
medicine that treats the whole person and removes the blocks
that are stopping the body from healing itself.
Michael
Blanch is trained in the main areas of western alternative
medicine. This includes vitamin and mineral therapy, herbal
medicine and homeopathy. Any of these may be used. If there
are vitamin and mineral deficiencies, together with poor absorption, in
the short term, supplementation may be prescribed. If the body
needs detoxifying or if specific organs like the liver, kidneys or
nervous system need tonifying then herbal medicine may be utilised.
However,
in most cases where medicine is prescribed it will be homeopathy.
Through his 24 years experience Michael finds that the only form of
natural therapy that consistently fulfills the ideals of holistic
treatment is homeopathy because (a) it is prescribed on symptoms of the
whole patient, mentally, emotionally and physically and (b) it is not a
chemical medicine that imposes its own symptoms or interferes with the
body’s self-regulation. It is the only system of natural medicine that
works purely by balancing the whole organism and removing the blocks
that prevent the body from healing itself. When prescribed
properly, it is a catalyst to health. It does not heal by its own
action: it works by teaching the body to heal itself. (See under Homeopathy Explained)
Qualifications for Michael Blanch:
- Diploma of Therapeutic Massage (1981)
- Diploma of Herbal Medicine (1982)
- Diploma of Naturopathy (1984)
- Diploma of homeopathy (1985)
Accreditations and memberships:
Michael Blanch is accredited as a naturopath by the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) (#0465).
He is a member of the Australian homeopathic Association (AHA) (#163)
He
is a registered homeopath under the National Competency Standards for
Homeopathy by the Australian Register of Homeopaths (AROH) (Reg.
#00-019) |
