Are You a 'Natural' for a Health Career? Discovering Naturopathy
Naturopathic medicine, or naturopathy, is a natural health practice that uses natural substances, such as sunlight, air and, water to treat patients. These natural elements are often used in conjunction with other therapies such as massage and meditation. As part of patient therapy, health professionals in naturopathy also prescribe special diets, which focus on fasting and natural foods.
These professionals believe in self-healing and work to train patients to improve their lifestyle to better serve their body. Naturopathic medicine practitioners believe the body can heal itself naturally in a healthy environment. Natural health and naturopathy has grown in popularity in recent years. More than 80 million Americans turn to natural health and alternative medicine, such as naturopathy, every year.
A variety of schools offer natural health degrees and are accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, a nationally recognized accrediting agency. These full-time schools offer standard medical curriculum in addition to training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling.
Naturopathy degree programs train students in healthy and nontoxic therapies. In addition to on-campus programs, there are also distance learning naturopathy degree programs. Earning a natural health degree in naturopathy can help you prepare for the naturopathic physicians licensing exam (NPLEX), which you need to be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician.
Working as a naturopathic physician after earning your degree is a great career choice, because it gives you the opportunity to help patients improve their health and lifestyles in natural ways. Other careers options in naturopathy include working at natural health centers, working in natural health research, and establishing a private practice.