Are you considering a career in natural medicine?
Careers in the natural health and wellness niche are growing. These include opportunities in natural nutrition, health, and wellness counseling. Plus, you only require in-depth formal education to improve on your skills and serve others better.
Read on to find out how a registered natural health practitioner course can help prepare you for a rewarding career.
The Demand for Alternative Treatments Is Growing
According to Nursing Times, half of the world’s population is using some form of alternative medicine every year. Since they are typically outside government-backed healthcare systems, these people pay directly for the services.
Cancer.com suggests that most people using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) often have terminal or life-threatening illnesses and chronic but minor conditions. This explains the reason behind the increased “holistic health practitioner near me” searches online.
Patients at the severe end of the disease spectrum believe conventional interventions effectively alter the pathological course of an illness, but many associates these treatments with toxicity and unpleasant side effects. CAM therapies are used in such conditions to induce pleasant side effects. These therapies are more in tune with the requirements of patients, who would instead feel better than heal.
Individuals with minor illnesses use CAM therapies as alternative treatments where conventional healthcare might be limited. A group of patients who feel poorly served by traditional medicine includes those with unexplained syndromes or symptoms. In such cases, CAM can provide a naturopathic or homeopathic diagnosis.
Most Common CAM Therapies Today
Scientists are learning more about CAM therapies every day, but there is still more to learn.
Some therapies mentioned below require more research to prove their effectiveness. Some people use the term “Eastern medicine,” “holistic,” “natural,” or “home remedy” to refer to these forms of CAM therapies. Experts use the following categories to describe the treatments:
- Mind-body therapies – These treatments use a combination of body movements, breathing, and mental focus techniques to relax the mind and body. Examples include meditation, hypnosis, yoga, and biofeedback.
- Biologically based practices – CAM therapies that use things you would get from nature, such as dietary and vitamin supplements, botanicals, herbs, and special diets or foods.
- Manipulative and body-based practices – Involve working on one or multiple body parts. These include massages, chiropractic therapies, and reflexology.
- Biofield therapy – Energy medicine that revolves around the belief that your body has energy fields usable for wellness and healing. A therapist moves the body or uses pressure to manipulate these fields.
- Whole-body medical systems – Healing beliefs and systems that have evolved from different parts of the world and cultures. Examples include traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and homeopathy.
What a Registered Natural Health Practitioner Does
Natural health practitioners have extensive knowledge about natural remedies, including minerals, herbs, vitamins, nutrition, and how they impact health.
Once you become a certified natural health practitioner, you gain the skills to discuss and assess symptoms or health issues with patients before recommending holistic treatments. You can also empathize with your clients and listen to their healthcare concerns.
Becoming an effective natural health practitioner requires strong communication skills to provide the care your patients expect.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Natural Health Practitioner
A holistic medicine practitioner program or course lets you join a profession that guides individuals towards dramatic health awareness and health improvement.
If you are looking for a career where you exercise your expertise and skills to change people’s lives for the better, a certified natural health practitioner training program is right for you. Here are more reasons to consider this field.
You help people
A holistic health provider teaches patients health practices and habits to prevent illness and sustain optimal health. Many practitioners are educating communities about the relationship between well-being and health.
Alternative medicine experts deal with lingering pain and other conditions and provide critical support for maintaining health via natural methods. These include dietary programs, touch therapy, homeopathic remedies, and exercise routines.
You join a thriving industry
Individuals with professional natural health credentials can expect great job markets in the many years to come. The global CAM industry is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20 percent (grandviewresearch.com) between 2021 and 2028. As more Americans turn to alternative healing approaches or integrated treatments, natural health practitioners are in high demand and excellent position to build thriving practices.
You keep on learning
Completing a natural health practitioner program prepares you for a long-term career that comes with many learning opportunities. Some fields require a set amount of continuing education hours annually to maintain professional registration or licensure. Other fields, such as naturopathic medicine, have a national association that ensures professional qualifications and education standards.
You enjoy workplace flexibility
Combining skills through your program equips you with the tools for building successful business practices. You have the option of working from home or in an office environment where you make hiring decisions, set policies, and determine your schedule.
You can also pursue several job opportunities at healthcare facilities, such as physicians’ offices, wellness centers, and clinics. A clinical environment helps you gain the confidence and experience to start your practice.
You make a good living
The current salaries and job growth for many CAM health fields look promising. For example, massage therapists earn an average of $47,350 (bls.gov) annually, with some states paying them as much as over $70,000.
A self-employed holistic health provider covers their business operation costs, including retirement and health insurance. However, they earn more than their salaried counterparts.
Are You Excited to Explore a Career as a Natural Health Practitioner?
A registered natural health practitioner career is your chance to help others and yourself live healthier lifestyles. Whether you want to pursue it as a career or just want to explore natural healing approaches, enrolling in an online course is the best step to take right now. Certification allows you to register either as a Complementary Alternative Health Practitioner (CAHP) or a Traditional Naturopath Doctor (TND), depending on your state regulations.
Take charge of your career and explore the exciting field of natural health!
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