My book The Homeopathic Conversation has been republished in India and I am most honoured to be invited to give a lecture tour of India in August.

While homeopathy has been vituperatively insulted, attacked and demonised by various groups in the UK (which thankfully do not include this Government, the last one or the head of State) it has always had a prominent and respected place in the medicine of the world’s biggest democracy – India. On doing a little research into Indian homeopathy I was absolutely flabbergasted by the sheer scale of homeopathy in India.

I am most grateful to my colleague, Dr Manish Bhatia for much of the following information about Indian homeopathy:

Number of homeopaths in India:

Official Government figure: 350 000 (sic) homeopaths

Unofficial figure (includes unregistered, registration expired and lay homeopaths)

500 000 (that’s half a million!)

Indian Government attitude to Homeopathy:

• Indian Government ‘VERY supportive’ (Dr Bhatia) to homeopathy.
• Government even runs TV commercials to promote homeopathy!
• There are 1000s of Government homeopathic dispensaries and OPDs (outpatient departments) in India
• There are 176 Homeopathic Colleges in India of which 35 are Government run.
• There is a government ministry (AYUSH) dedicated to alternative medicine (including homeopathy) in India.

Regulation:

Homeopathy is fully regulated in India by the Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH)  and Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH).

Conclusions: It seems clear that homeopathy is there to stay in India. So next time you see or read some condescending and patronising rubbish about homeopathy in the media, know that in India, a country with a population of 1.2 billion people (that’s more than 20x the population of the UK) homeopathy is an integral part of the healthcare system and deeply respected by the people of that country.

The word on the street is that India and China will be important parts of the emerging new world order so watch this space for an article on the place of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China, a country with a mere 1.3 billion people.

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Review in "Physiotherapy"

Review from:
Physiotherapy

Dr Kaplan describes in detail the process of ‘taking the case’, which is central to the ability of accurate homeopathic prescribing. Finding the right remedy depends not only on noting all the symptoms, both physical and mental, but on assessing how these affect the patient’s mental state. It is important to try to gain an understanding of the person and his attitudes, fears, thoughts and reactions, both conscious and unconscious, and how these have changed with the illness. As Dr Kaplan says, a more accurate remedy is prescribed by understanding the patient than by an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Materia Medica. But how can we better understand the patient?

The major part of the book enlarges on how to create the bond of understanding between practitioner and patient, the qualities needed to elicit the information required and how to really listen with genuine empathy and understanding. This way the patient feels free to talk and open up, so the ‘real person’ comes through. The author discusses the unconditional acceptance of the patient. He discusses and shares with readers the insights, skills and techniques which have been invaluable to him in the homeopathic consultation, including an understanding of the value of psychotherapy and counselling. The book is about how to achieve the ultimate state of being the receiver, in this case the homeopath, so that nothing stands between the real person, the patient and his needs, and the ability to receive this information and respond appropriately and rewardingly with the prescription of the correct remedy.

Although this book is really written for homeopaths and homeopathic students who will learn a great deal from reading it, there is much to be learned by physiotherapists too, especially those of us working with complementary therapies. It is about the art of the personal relationship which underlies the science of therapy.

Dr Kaplan trained originally as an allopathic doctor but found himself disillusioned with the training and practice of medicine. The importance of the quality of the interrelationship between homeopath and patient in the homeopathic conversation, and the resulting accurate prescribing gave Dr Kaplan the satisfaction he had been looking for. We are left with the strong impression of an inspiring man who discovered that he was unfulfilled and unable to achieve the reward of truly helping people only as a doctor. The benefits of his subsequent career and methods are now available to us all in this interesting and well-written book.

Susan Hollenbery MCSP RCST

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Review from:
The British Holistic Veterinary Journal

I have always held to the notion that nothing happens by chance. Here am I, at the start of my first ever break from practice, feeling burnt out and utterly exhausted and looking for direction into how I improve myself as a person and as a homeopath and I am sent a book. More specifically I am sent Brian Kaplan’s book “The Homeopathic Conversation”. I am TOTALLY INSPIRED !

Brian writes magnificently about his way of practising classical homeopathy, with personal anecdotes and tips in a manner which is so open and free, yet gets right down to ripping apart, analysing and rebuilding the methodology of remedy finding and prescribing in such a complete way that he will set the standards for students and masters of Homeopathy for years to come. I could not put this book down.

As a Vet who is constantly seeking ways of improving my Holistic skills and integrating them into the Veterinary format, I have long believed that the only true way to practice homeopathy is Classically. To understand how our Human treating colleagues work is so vital to achieving this concept. Yet for Vets it can be a struggle to find a way to bring Hahnemannian concepts into case taking and prescribing. Direct communication with the patient can be difficult, many Pet owners are not particularly observant of their animal companions, and many Homeopathic texts are long, difficult to wade through and hard to utilise in the Veterinary context. Brian’s Book is a must for all students and practitioners of Veterinary homeopathy. His way of viewing patients and taking cases in such a considered and caring manner builds a whole new level of observation and communication skills into one’s work which can only take us Vets towards that higher level we all struggle to achieve.

This is probably the most important and relevant work yet this century.

Mark Elliott BVSc VetMFHom MRCVS MIPsiMed

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The Homeopathic Times

Review from:
The Homeopathic Times (Ireland)

It is not necessarily the homeopath who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the materia medica, an intelligent and flexible approach to case analysis and a comprehensive library who makes the best homeopath, according to Dr. Kaplan. He suggests that most people would rather consult with someone who has empathy and understanding and is a good listener. Thus the case-taking element is the real ‘art’ of homeopathy. It is only when the homeopath can appropriately take in and really understand the case that a good prescription can be made. The homeopathic process begins with the case-taking and it is here that we should be devoting more of our attention. I am becoming increasingly convinced that he is spot on and this comprehensive book not only addresses the importance of the homeopathic conversation but gives good background information on what that entails and how to make it better.

Dr. Brian Kaplan completed his studies in orthodox medicine in South Africa. Dissatisfaction with the long arduous scientific process and the actual practice of allopathic medicine led him to the study of homeopathy in the UK. It was the patient-doctor relationship that was missing in the medical model and studying homeopathy brought him back to this realisation and to his original vocation, long buried, as to why he chose to become a doctor in the first place. He has been practicing as a homeopath for more than 20 years. The first chapters of the book follow his evolution towards becoming a homeopath. Reflecting on one’s evolution has relevance to developing consultation skills. He suggests that we each ‘soul search’ as a first step in ‘knowing ourselves’ as Hahnemann suggests. This is only the beginning of a long exciting progress that should continue throughout our careers. In his studies of homeopathy, he noted that most available literature was focused on three important aspects: Materia Medica, repertories (books and computer programmes) and books on homeopathic theory. While all these are extremely important, they do not cover the all-important first step in helping a patient and entering the process of finding the right remedy. This is done in the case consultation – the most crucial factor in the practice of homeopathy, as Dr. Kaplan believes. The Organon, which is quoted throughout, fully devotes paragraph 83 to 99 to the homeopathic interview and gives valuable advice about the state a homeopath should strive for throughout. So, more attention should be devoted to this aspect.

Dr. Kaplan takes us through his influences and learning through other disciplines – mainly in the fields of psychotherapeutics (i.e. Freud, Jung, Reich, Buber) and counseling. Carl Rogers, who was most influential to him in the counseling area, describes the three vital qualities of the effective counsellor to be: empathic understanding, unconditional positive regard and congruence, which say exactly what Hahnemann means regarding the ideal consultation – non-directive, client-centred and non-judgmental. Both counsellor and the homeopath need to enter the psychological world of the patient. He further discusses NLP (though with some misgivings) and other techniques that he uses in eliciting a patient’s story.

Treating children, other homeopaths, doctors and scientists, psychotherapists and their patients are all given special considerations and insights, each getting their own chapter, in how to approach or what to look for in case-taking. Dr. Kaplan even offers a chapter on non-verbal clues and offers suggestions and samples to use for questionnaires (should one wish to use one – he does not).

He ends by discussing the all-important role of supervision, especially post graduate supervision which is sorely needed by homeopaths where, as yet, we are not authorities. We cannot be ‘without prejudice’ unless we articulate and work with our unconscious forces. He is convinced that getting to ‘know yourself’ and the feelings elicited by patients will increase your prescribing abilities. This book contains many stimulating thoughts, recommended readings, hints and exercises that one can use in developing both as a practitioner and as a person. Highly recommended…

Kate Soudant LicBSH ISHom

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Review in "The Homeopath"

Review from:
The Homeopath

This is the first book from Natural Medicine Press, and I am really pleased I bought it. In truth, it is rare that I read a work book from cover to cover. I took it on holiday along with some novels and (I know it’s a cliché), “I could not put it down”. Kaplan makes this book so personal that it really is a conversation.

He writes the book in common language and it is packed with advice on how to improve case-taking skills. He’s created a perfect guide for students and postgraduates.

The chapters on taking the chronic case, receiving vital information and the use of techniques in the consulting room show Kaplan’s approach to case taking. He openly shares his difficulties with us, discussing, for example, how to manage a situation where we inadvertently do or say the wrong thing. His sincerity, warmth and love of homeopathy are apparent in the reading of the book. Even with all his training and experience, Kaplan’s book is never condescending or intimidating to the new homeopath.

Kaplan is medically trained, as well as being a homeopath. In the book, he uses the work of Buber, Reich, Jung, Freud, Rogers, Hal and Sidra Stone, and brings in the methods of other disciplines, such as NLP, in order to show their relevance to us as homeopaths.

I am always trying to encourage students when they sit in with me or study practitioner-development, to learn from counselling and psychotherapy techniques. It has made such a difference to the way I practice, especially with complex cases. Kaplan provides us with plenty of examples from his practice, and those of his students, where understanding the dynamics in the consulting room has benefited patients. He then also shows the reader how that might lead to better prescriptions.

I loved the chapter on Carl Rogers and was also pleased to see mention of Hal and Sidra Stone’s ‘Voice Dialogue’ technique. (see www.delos-inc.com). I have used Stone’s work on dreams and inner voices and have linked it in with my prescribing. This has been so successful with my patients over the years, that I value my studies with them as an essential part of my continuing professional development, easily as important as attending homeopathic seminars.

Hope that this book will become recommended reading on the practitioner development courses as well as just good read on case taking skills.

Gabrielle Pinto BSc Lic Ac RSHom

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Review in "Homeopathy"

Review from:
Homeopathy (formerly the British Homeopathic Journal)

It always struck me as remarkable that in both Medicine and Homeopathy great emphasis was always placed on the analysis of the case history, and yet so little was taught about the methods by which the case taking could be improved. Without adequate information, further analysis is simply futile.

The ‘Problem Orientated Medical Record’ format many of us were taught, focused on a check list of symptoms and gave no space for either the doctor or practitioner to express themselves. A similar approach is often used to elicit homeopathic information, with even less success. To prescribe an accurate constitutional remedy, one must first understand one’s patient, and how his life experiences have moulded him into the person he is today. Unless there is a safe, comfortable environment available, there is no chance of gleaning this valuable information. Most tutors in Medical School, and indeed doctors in the big wide world outside, seem to only pay lip-service to the patient – doctor / practitioner relationship. These skills are so fundamental to the whole process of healing, yet students are left to find their own way. Learning is frequently a rather ‘hit and miss’ affair, based on observation of other practitioners.

The patient-doctor relationship must be based on mutual trust, respect and honouring of one another’s values, yet most of us recall ‘the gallbladder in bed 10′ scenario. Apart from the very obvious denigration of another human being, the potential richness of the patient’s wisdom is lost by this approach. The Art, and indeed the very humanity, of Medicine have often been sacrificed in the name of Science. It is little wonder burn-out and disillusionment are so common in the profession. For those who have not had the pleasure of being taught by Dr Kaplan, this book imparts the experience and knowledge of a respected homeopath, who has discovered, through years of practice, a variety of methods to improve one’s case taking skills and strengthen the relationship with one’s patients. This is ‘Page One stuff’ for all practitioners, yet despite being so essential, the book is so rarely taught. Written in an informal style, it is exceptionally easy to read. The style is fluid, entertaining and very informative. Although the main emphasis of the book is obviously the homeopathic conversation, there is much more included.

Dr Kaplan shares his personal journey from Medical School into Homeopathic Practice, a story that will resonate with many of his readers who also have been ‘brutalised’ by the methods of teaching and work experiences, victims of their superiors with ‘personality disorders’. There is a healthy injection of humour throughout the book! Dr Kaplan’s evolution as a homeopath and the main influences on his development are described. This is not a recipe book for the perfect case taking, more a sharing of valuable information on how each and every one of us can progress in our own unique way, and continually improve. After all homeopathy is all about individuality!

Dr Eric Ledermann was a profound influence on Kaplan, introducing him to the world of philosophy and psychology. By learning counselling skills and exploring these subjects, he brought fresh ideas and methods into his homeopathic conversations. Some branches of psychology were not for him; he dismisses Neuro-Linguistic Programming as being ‘too contrived and manipulative’ to feel comfortable with. That is a matter of opinion! Dr Kaplan feels more at home with Provocative Therapy, at which he excels. It is essential that each of us choose the technique that best suits us, yet be sufficiently open minded to appreciate that there are many means of achieving our aim. There has to be a balance between theoretical knowledge and the practical, Science and the Art. An encyclopaedic knowledge of the repertory and Materia Medica will not suffice.

After almost 20 years in Homeopathy, Dr Kaplan is a veritable gold mine of useful tips on managing a successful homeopathic relationship. He seamlessly blends the wisdom of Hahnemann with modern psychological theory, drawing in the theories of other disciplines. Examples abound to illustrate the concepts. He has many practical suggestions on how to elicit more information about the patient. Their art work, choice in music, appearance and body language are all potentially instructive. Often an ‘intuitive’ prescription is actually founded on a subliminal absorption of details. The more open the practitioner, the more reverent and still, the more this method can be utilised.

The book is aimed at all homeopathic practitioners, whatever their level of experience. We are all students of our profession and always have something new to learn. It is my hope that this book is placed on the essential reading list of every student of homeopathy.

Review by Marysia Kratimenos MB BS FRCS(Ed) MFHom

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Homeopathy

The Homeopath

The Homeopathic Times

British Holistic Veterinary Journal

Physiotherapy

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Massage has probably been used in various forms to comfort and heal for as long as the human race has existed. It is instinctive for a mother to comfort her baby by massaging or cuddling it, or for a parent to massage the area of pain in older children. It is doubtful that we can ever dispense with the need to be touched by others in some way and therapeutic massage is certainly one of these ways.

Similarly, herbs have been used for medicinal purposes by all societies for many thousands of years. It is therefore reasonable to put the essential plant oils used in aromatherapy in the same general rubric as herbalism.

The author of this excellent book on massage and aromatherapy is neither a professional masseur nor a prescriber of essential oils, but enjoys being a recipient of regular massage.

The book aims to give all health professionals a balanced and independent overview of massage and aromatherapy. It is written for practitioners and students of massage and aromatherapy, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, osteopaths, GP’s and individuals working in mental health, AIDS and cancer care.

Vickers states that his aims were to cover those areas that have up till now been poorly covered by the literature. (Previous books on massage and particularly aromatherapy have been aimed at both the public and the practitioner and range from the ‘do-it-yourself’ manuals for the lay public to the idiosyncratic and sometimes unsubstantiated claims of experienced practitioners. These books have generally been low on scientific evidence in spite of the fact that a large body of data does exist.)

This is an extremely well-structured book. It is divided into three main sections Introduction, Practice, and Management with an epilogue, appendices, comprehensive references, and full subject and author indices. Every chapter has a concise summary outlining advantages and disadvantages, and quoting proven studies. Vickers admirably succeeds in meeting his objectives, organising the material as follows:

* Scientific research in massage and aromatherapy
Over 500 papers are referenced and several are critically examined. Vickers has a responsible attitude to research methodology, and is consistently vigilant in developing his critique. He refers to clinical studies, books, papers, journals, training courses, correspondence and explains why he does not tolerate anecdotal evidence, nor inconsistent research or opinions. For example, it is important to make a distinction between the fact that there is good evidence that massage can affect local and systemic blood flow but there is no data to show that it can alter hormone or enzyme levels.

* The use of therapies in medical settings
This includes primary care, midwifery, mental health, hospice care, intensive care, and care of the health professional. In his quest to represent every angle fairly, Vickers leaves no stone unturned. He includes a special chapter on disability, with a further ten pages on paediatric disability. Health care professionals can access sections on cancer, AIDS, challenging behaviour, premature babies, or self-image – and find out how clinical studies have proven, or not, the efficacy of massage and aromatherapy in these areas.

* The knowledge base of massage and aromatherapy
His tabulated section on unsubstantiated claims in the field is at once eye-opening, frightening and often hilarious. For example he quotes an author who claims that ‘Syphilitic sores and chancres are cured by the application of deterpenated essence of lavender.’ Such a claim made in 1980 (sic) is enough to send a shiver down the spine of any doctor and make Fleming turn in his grave, having discovered the drug that was able to treat the previously incurable plague of syphilis!

* Professional and managerial issues
Vickers states that he is concerned to improve professional standards and accountability procedures and in order to do this, he has developed a critical and rigorous discourse.

* Safety
The final chapter covers this important aspect well and is essential reading for all practitioners.

In the Appendix Vickers recommends various books on the subject and gives a short review of their contributions to the literature. With so much available, this is useful guidance from a writer whose discrimination is more workmanlike than overtly critical.

This book deserves to be on the required reading list of every training course in massage and aromatherapy. Hopefully it will help raise the standard of both the training and practice in these growing areas of treatment. Massage will never disappear as an important therapeutic intervention and the author knows this subjectively as a recipient of the art, and objectively as an astute reader of the available literature and data.

Doctors and practitioners of other therapies may find such a comprehensive critique of the field a bit dense, but they too can benefit by at least reading the succinct summaries at the end of each chapter, written in an easily digested ‘bullet point’ style.

In summary – an essential textbook for any health professional or lay person who would like a clear, concise, well-balanced overview of massage and aromatherapy.

Review by Dr Brian Kaplan MBBCh MFHom.
July 1996

___________________________________________________

Massage and Aromatherapy: A Guide for Professionals
by Andrew Vickers

Published: Nelson Thornes Ltd. New edition 1996
ISBN: 978-0748740291

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RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

A Practical Handbook for the Health Care Professional.
Rosemary A. Payne

Churchill Livingstone, 1995.
ISBN 0-443-04933-5

It has been well documented that stress plays an important part in the causation and aggravation of both physical and mental illness. From as early as 1956 researchers such as Hans Selye have illustrated the influence of stress on our health with graphs, diagrams and poignant and acclaimed articles. Lists have even been produced ranking various life events in the amount of stress they produce.

In addition certain illnesses such as peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma and many others have for many years been known by the medical profession to be severely aggravated, if not caused, by stress in many people. As the author points out, studies have shown that 80% of modern diseases are initiated by stress and over 75% of GP consultations are about stress-related illnesses. The widespread prescription of tranquillisers to deal with stress over the past few decades is well known and recently the side effects and addictive qualities of these medications has caused concern among doctors and patients alike.

A plethora of books and audiotapes on various ‘How to relax’ methods has been available for many years. The great majority of these are directed at the layman and to be found in the ‘Self Help’ section at book shops. Most of the literature claims with some justification that it is demonstrably possible to off-load stress by simple techniques that are quite easy to learn. The positive effects of the regular practice of such techniques on many illnesses have been well established. From this it would seem obvious that there is a good case for making the teaching of some of these methods a major part of any health service. It would seem logical that if stress is at the root of three quarters of consultations in general practice, that teaching patients stress-releasing and stress-proofing techniques would be at the core of modern Western medical practice. Sadly this is not the case.

The author takes us through a thorough theoretical background and then presents the history, practical application, potential benefits and pitfalls of the different relaxation methods which she has divided into two categories; physical and mental.This is a little surprising as all relaxation techniques are holistic in that they claim to have therapeutic effects on the body, mind and even spirit.

The physical methods discussed comprise: Jacobson’s progressive relaxation, Bernstein & Borkovec’s modified version, Madder’s release-only, Ost’s applied relaxation, Poppen’s behavioural relaxation training, the Mitchell method, the Alexander technique (a controversial inclusion as most Alexander teachers would not regard themselves as teachers of a relaxation techniques), differential relaxation, stretching, exercise, and breathing methods.

The psychological methods discussed consist of: self-awareness, imagery, goal-directed visualisation, Autogenic Training, meditation and Benson’s relaxation response.

The history and theory of each method are well presented but the practical description of the technique varies. In ‘Goal-directed visualisation’ an impressive technique for giving up smoking is described in detail. In the section on Autogenic Training, whilst the theory and history of this important method are excellent, the practical description of how it is done is confusing and not an accurate description of how Autogenic Training is taught in the UK.

The author addresses the book to health care professionals and suggests that ‘GPs and psychologists may find it useful’. I think that its formal layout and immaculate referencing make it ideal reading for medical students and GP trainees. Previous works covering the same territory are either not as comprehensive or not written in a style suitable to be a textbook. She also addresses it to the lay person but I feel it will be an unsatisfying and not very relaxing read for the average reader who would do better to buy a self-help book on a specific relaxation technique.

This is a unique addition to the literature in that it gives detailed descriptions of a great variety of relaxation techniques in one volume. It is ideal for the doctor or health professional wanting to learn more about these techniques in order to be able to make appropriate referrals of patients who might benefit from a relaxation technique. It would also be invaluable for the doctor or health practitioner wanting to teach a relaxation technique to his or her patients but not knowing where to start. Thus it is a pity that a list of institutions teaching or providing teacher training in the various techniques is not included as an appendix.

The prevention and treatment of physical and mental illness by reducing stress with relaxation is the very essence of the holistic paradigm in medicine. The regular practice of a relaxation technique empowers patients to be responsible for their health and is capable of transforming their lives as well as their illnesses. This book, written in the style of a professional textbook, is capable of making health professionals aware of this possibility for themselves and their patients.

Review by Dr Brian Kaplan MBBCh MFHom.
December 1995

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