Anika Evans
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One thing I'm gonna say right off is that in my experience one of the hardest things I faced when it comes to learning about homeopathy -- and any differences in practice -- is the initial hump you have to get over in understanding what everyone's talking about and understanding the basic theories behind homeopathy. Even the most simple of concepts in homeopathy might be quite a leap -- even for the most holistically-thinking open-minded individual. Understanding homeopathy pretty much requires setting aside everything you know about the allopathic concept of "disease" and how to effect a "cure" with pharmaceuticals and other medicines -- natural or not.
The first time homeopathy was presented to me in a way I could say I FINALLY started to "get it" was in the book, "The Nature Of Animal Healing" by Dr. Martin Goldstein. I have recently found an EXCELLENT book about veterinary homeopathy by Don Hamilton called "Homeopathic Care For Cats And Dogs", at least as far as discussing the history and "nuts and bolts" of classical homeopathy.
Classical Homeopathy
Classical Homeopathy is the practice of homeopathy (homeo = similar, pathos = disease) strictly based on founder Samuel Hahnemann's research and techniques. Attention is paid to finding "constitutional remedies" that address the individual and the manifestation of a disease state, as opposed to finding a remedy based merely on a few main symptoms which define injury or disease in a more allopathic tradition. Remedies are prescribed one-at-a-time.
Clinical Homeopathy
Clinical homeopathy is homeopathy that has deviated from Classical homeopathy. (Some could argue "progressed", depending on your school of thought. Classical homeopaths do not accept Clinical homeopathy as a valid practice.) Clinical homeopathy strays from the single "constitutional" remedy which is totally unique to the individual, and starts to target various systems of the body and a wider concept of "symptom". Symptoms are all-important when it comes to homeopathy. Clinical homeopathy also makes use of really high-potency remedies, which in homeopathy-speak means exceeding dilution/succussion sets of the C potencies. Clinical homeopaths might use M potencies, and high ones at that, whereas Classical homeopaths won't.
Complex Homeopathy
Complex homeopathy includes the practice of using "combo" preparations that mix several homeopathics and/or potencies together into one remedy that are likely to target a condition. The idea is that the body "chooses" which one is going to be effective. This strays pretty far from the practice of Classical homeopathy and considering the individual, not the concept of "a disease". Sometimes homeopathics are combined with medicines and techniques from other modalities -- for instance a supplement that contains both homeopathics and herbs, or using both homeopathics, acupuncture, and a pharmaceutical to effect a solution to a skin problem. Vets that prescribe homeopathics as part of their practice will fall into the category of complex homeopaths. The "combo" homeopathic preparations like Traumeel, or any of the various preparations called "calming" or "allergies" all fit into the "complex homeopathy" category. Surprise, surprise, complex homeopathy isn't supported or even smiled on by classical homeopaths, nor even a lot of people who embrace clinical homeopathy. The suppression of symptoms is a HUGE "no-no" in homeopathy, and I think one drawback of using homeopathy with other treatments is the potential for one of the other treatments having a suppressive effect on any symptom -- even one that seems minor. While homeopathics can aid other modalities in healing, to get the true effect of homeopathy you have to be SO aware of subtleties and NOT suppressing ANY of the body's attempts to heal that it becomes tricky to use complex homeopathy in a really beneficial way.
I think one thing that distinguishes some homeopathic practitioners from others is their understanding of how to prescribe homeopathics, what they want the homeopathic to do, and the risk involved with what's called an "aggravation". An aggravation can happen in several different instances, but VERY generally speaking it's a negative effect that usually occurs when a homeopathic remedy is administered that was "close but not quite" when it comes to the appropriateness or dosage frequency of the remedy chosen. I personally wonder about this when it comes to Complex Homeopathy. Though some very intellegent and well educated people would argue, just because there is no detectable level of the "active ingredient" does not mean that there isn't a potential for harm to be done with inappropriate applications of homeopathic medicine. I guess it's kind of a matter of, "If you're going to do it, you might as well do it right!!!"
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