The Secret to Better Homeopathic Results: How to Describe Your Symptoms
It can be frustrating and overwhelming when you or a loved one are feeling unwell. If you are new to homeopathy it can also be really hard to describe what is happening in the moment. In homeopathy, my goal is to understand your complete symptom picture so I can find the remedy that best matches your unique experience.
While a medical diagnosis can be helpful, I am primarily looking at the symptoms you experience as a whole person. I don’t just treat "a cough" or "headache"—I treat how you experience that cough or headache.
To help me help you, I use a simple framework, that is well-known in homeopathy, called CLAMS. CLAMS is a mnemonic that works well with a generalized repertory format like Boenninghausen's Therapeutic Pocket Book Repertory. A repertory is an index of symptoms.
When you are sharing your symptoms with me, using these five categories will help me select the most effective remedy for you quickly and accurately.
How to Share Your Symptoms Using CLAMS
C – Concomitants (Accompanying Symptoms)
I want to know what else shows up at the same time as your main complaint. These are symptoms that seem to happen together.
Example: Does your headache always come with a sudden wave of nausea? Do you get unusually irritable or chilly when your joint pain flares up?
L – Location
I need to know exactly where the trouble is. Precision matters more than you might realize!
As a homeopath, I will ask questions like: Is it on the right side or the left? Does the pain stay in one spot, or does it radiate to your back or shoulder? Is it deep inside or right on the surface?
A – Aetiology (The "Never Well Since" or Cause)
I am very interested in what was happening in your life when this started.
What to tell me: Were you exposed to a cold wind? Did you have a sudden emotional shock or a period of grief? Was there overexertion, a change in hormones, or a loss of sleep?
M – Modalities (What Makes it Better or Worse)
This is often the deciding factor when I am choosing between two similar remedies.
What to look for: Does movement make it worse, or do you feel better when you walk around? Does it feel better with a cold compress or a heating pad? Is it worse at a specific time of day (like 4:00 PM) or after eating?
S – Sensations
Try to describe the feeling in your own words. There are no "wrong" descriptions!
Examples: Does it feel sharp, dull, burning, pressing, throbbing, or like a tight band is around the area? The more you can say about how it feels, the better.
Why This Helps Me Find Your Remedy
Two people can have the exact same diagnosis—like reflux or a sinus infection—but require entirely different remedies because their symptoms are unique in how they are being experienced.
By slowing down and observing these details, we move away from "prescribing for the problem" and toward prescribing for the symptoms of the person. You don't need to have an answer for every single category, but the more detail you can provide, the more confident I can be in helping you to find a remedy.
Using a CLAMS approach to help yourself, or your loved ones
If you are using a CLAMS approach to help yourself or your loved ones, I have created a free, practical framework you can use at home to organize symptoms clearly before choosing a remedy.
👉Download the free CLAMS Framework here
This worksheet is designed to help you slow down, notice what matters, and build a clearer symptom picture without overthinking.
Do you need further support?
Perhaps you have tried a CLAMS approach to choosing a remedy, but are still struggling to find a good match for a current acute illness or a sudden flare-up. If you would like professional support to find the right remedy:
Click here to book an Acute Consultation with me directly
I look forward to helping you feel like yourself again.
Leah
