Holistic health practitioners are also known as holistic health doctors but in general, there’s a fine line between these professionals that segregate their roles in the medical industry. When we talk about holistic doctors, it means a doctor who practices and learns about medicine.
If you’re looking for a holistic doctor then you must look for someone having a medical degree. But what is a holistic practitioner? If he is not into medicine, then what kind of diseases he takes into account? Here’s the complete information.
What is a holistic health practitioner?
Also referred to as holistic healers and are known to treat individuals’ mental, physical, spiritual, and physical ailments. Holistic practitioners follow a more comprehensive approach to the ailments and diseases of a person than any traditional medicinal treatment. It mainly focuses on providing herbs, medications, nutrition, and health practices and treating wellness problems.
Holistic practitioners provide healthcare facilities by combining together a range of healthcare remedies in order to reduce the suffering of a patient. These holistic approaches include Chinese medicines, yoga practices, acupuncture, and reflexology. The foremost focus of holistic health practitioners is the mental health of a patient, they focus on it as much as they would on the physical health of a sufferer.
How to become a Holistic practitioner?
Here’s an overview of what you should be having to become a holistic practitioner.
Degree Required:
Depending on your field, it needs a postsecondary non-degree award at least.
Key responsibilities;
Explore the patient’s medical history and evaluate symptoms of the current suffering.
Develop a plan to keep and maintain accurate records
Other Requirements;
Certification/License of working as a holistic healthcare practitioner
Specifics required by field and state (variable)
Job overview (2020 – 2030);
Treating and Health diagnosing – 5%
Massage therapists – 32%
Average Salary (2020);
Treating and Health diagnosing practitioners – $82,420
Massage Therapists – $42,620
Steps involved in becoming a holistic practitioner
There are some steps to take on in becoming a holistic healer or practitioner in the United States;
- Researching education and responsibilities required for a holistic practitioner
- Choosing an area of the holistic health study field
- Completing a degree or program of study in the holistic health field
- Getting a license or certification for practicing holistic health practice
- Analyzing options for where you will want to work
1 – Researching education and responsibilities required for a holistic practitioner
The first thing that you should be doing in becoming a holistic health practitioner is to look for the responsibilities this career would entail for you. To treat the whole body of a person, a holistic practitioner applies for alternative and conventional medicines. In this career, you will be able to evaluate a person’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being to reach better treatment.
To reach that point, you need to have a graduate degree. Depending on your field, you may be required to have a certification in nursing license and some board certification.
2 – Choosing an area of the holistic health study field
The holistic healthcare field offers a wide range of career opportunities. As a holistic practitioner, you can choose a specific area of specialties like nutrition, neuropathy, or acupuncture. Before you have any certification, choose a training or degree program that suits your interest. The American Holistic Health Association website offers information about schools offering health programs that you should check.
3. – Completing a degree or program of study in the holistic health field
Holistic health programs for certification and practitioner degree programs have many master’s level and bachelor’s level options. Some of them are;
- A certificate in holistic health
- A minor in holistic health in conjunction with a degree
- A Bachelor of Arts in Complementary and Alternative Health
- A Bachelor of Health Science, with a concentration in specific treatments
- A Master of Arts in Holistic Studies
4 – Getting a license or certification for practicing holistic health practice
Again, depending on your field of interest, there are several certifications that you can opt for in health holistic practice. Two of the national bodies that offer certification include;
- The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
- National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
Certificates related to holistic health include;
- Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. O.M.)
- Diplomate in Acupuncture (Dipl. Ac.)
- Diplomate in Asian Body Therapy (Dipl. A.B.T.)
- NCBTMB Certificate in Clinical Rehabilitative Massage
- NCBTMB Certificate in Massage Therapy for Integrative Healthcare
- NCBTMB Certificate in Military Veteran Massage
- NCBTMB Certificate in Oncology Massage
- NCBTMB Certificate in Pain & Palliative Care
- NCBTMB Certificate in Reflexology
- NCBTMB Certificate in Sports Massage
5 – Analyzing options for where you will want to work
Once you complete your research and find your field of interest for health holistic practitioners, you will get to the point where you will be able to decide which employment is correct for you.
Keep exploring your field and your interest to get the best place for yourself in the future.
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