How to become an alternative health care practitioner
Training to become an alternative health care provider in naturopathy
"A licensed naturopathic physician is educated in all of the same basic sciences
as an MD but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a
strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to
a standard medical curriculum, the ND is required to complete four years of
training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical
medicine, psychology and counseling to encourage people to make lifestyle changes
in support of their personal health." (www.naturalhealers.com/qa/naturopathy.html)
To become a naturopathic doctor requires three years of pre-med undergraduate education with a solid base in classes such as chemistry, biology, botany, and anatomy/physiology. Bastyr University, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Southwest College, University of Bridgeport all offer programs in naturopathy. Then, four years of full time study at an accredited naturopathic college must be completed and a licensing exam must be passed.
Medical doctors who practice alternative health care [file name:alternative-health-care.html] modalities are not considered naturopathic doctors. For M.D.s to be considered naturopaths they must attend a four year naturopathic college. One good college to look into for information is www.bastyr.com.
Training to become an alternative health care provider in acupuncture
"Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used alternative
health care procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000
years ago, acupuncture became better known in the United States in 1971, when
New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles
to ease his abdominal pain after surgery. Research shows that acupuncture is
beneficial in treating a variety of health conditions."
"Traditional Chinese medicine theorizes that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body, and that these connect with 12 main and eight secondary pathways called meridians. Chinese medicine practitioners believe these meridians conduct energy, or qi (pronounced "chee"), throughout the body."
"Qi is believed to regulate spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang. According to traditional Chinese medicine, when yin and yang are balanced, they work together with the natural flow of qi to help the body achieve and maintain health. Acupuncture is believed to balance yin and yang, keep the normal flow of energy unblocked, and maintain or restore health to the body and mind." (nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture)
An acupuncturist is considered an alternative health care practitioner because their treatments encourage the body to heal itself. An acupuncturist learns to stick needles in the body.s meridian points to encourage a good flow of energy through the body and thus heal disease caused by blockages.
To become a practitioner of acupuncture one must complete rigorous coursework at an accredited school and complete a clinic internship. Also as alternative health care moves into the mainstream, more and more states are licensing alternative health care practitioners. For states that license acupuncturist, a written exam must be passed.
Training to become alternative health care provider in chiropractic
Chiropractic is probably one of the most popular and mainstream alternative health care practices. It is based in the belief that the foundation of health is a healthy spine because the brain communicates with other body parts through nerve impulses that travel through the spine. If the spine is under stress the body is not working under its optimal conditions.
By adjusting the spine, the interference of nerve messages between the body and the brain is fixed. Chiropractic care can alleviate health issues such as backache, tingling in the arms and leg, headaches, fatigue, and improper digestion. By fixing a structural issue chiropractic allows the body to naturally heal itself, therefore holding true to the alternative health care paradigm of self healing.
Chiropractic students, like medical school students must take three to fours year of science prerequisites like anatomy, chemistry and biology before they can enter chiropractic school. Also like medical school, it takes another four years in chiropractic school to earn the degree and title of "doctor of chiropractic." Before they can practice, a doctor of chiropractic must complete an externship by treating patients under clinical supervision.
Another requirement of practicing is passing difficult national board exams as well as stringent state board exams. Continuing education is also a requirement for holding onto a current chiropractic license. Each year chiropractors must attend continuing education classes.
Trinity Clinic now has many feature content pieces, such as our section dedicate to Multiple Sclerosis Alternative Medicine,
Alternative Health Care, and Christian Health Care.
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