Introduction:

Naturopathic medicine or Naturopathy is a distinct system of health care that uses a variety of natural approaches to health and healing. Naturopathy aims at curing a person naturally using nature cure. It is a scientific system of healing and stimulating the body's inherent power to regain health with the help of five elements of nature - Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Ether. In other words, Naturopathy is one of the major forms of alternative medicine that focuses on an individual's natural healing capacities. Unlike modern medications, naturopathy is commonly used as a corresponding treatment in combination with traditional medicine. It combines traditional and holistic methods to achieve optimal health and wellness. Naturopathic medicine is based on the fact that human body has an innate power to heal itself and naturopathic physicians use treatments to support the body's inherent self healing abilities. Naturopathy is built upon the dictum of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, who declared "Nature cures, not the physicians". The system is known by different names - Nature Cure, the natural methods, the New science of healing and Healing from within. Naturopathy is not only a system of healing, but also a way of life in tune with the internal vital forces or natural elements comprising the human body.

The basis of Naturopathy can be traced back to the beginning of the 19th century and to people such as Preissnitz, a therapist in Germany, who used the beneficial effects of water as a therapy (Hydrotherapy) which is an important aspect of Naturopathy. Towards the end of the 19th century in Bavaria, Father Kneipp, a monk, who was obviously a Naturopath treated an American Benedictine by the name of Lust. As a result of his recovery, Lust stayed with Kneipp to study his particular methods of healing and upon returning to the United states he established his own form of natural medicine which he called Naturopathy. Thus at the beginning of the 19th century, Naturopathy began to be formally recognised. The blend of therapies employed by Lust included nutrition and natural diet, Homeopathy, herbal medicine, Hydrotherapy, Chiropractic and the management of stress.

Even though, this oldest form of medicine existed long before today's technological and pharmaceutical advances, it began to decline with the growth of allopathic medicine. Recently people's interest in holistic health, and dissatisfaction with conventional medicine due to its side affects and cost, has staged a rebirth for naturopathy.

Those who practice naturopathy are called Naturopaths or Naturopathic physicians or Naturopathic doctors or N.D's. Naturopaths recognise the reliability of the whole person, and they emphasize the individual's inherent capacity for self-healing. They recognize the connection between the health of the mind and the health of the body. Naturopaths believe that illness is caused by bad living habits like eating the wrong foods, too much stress and not having enough exercise.

Naturopathic physicians use therapies that are exclusively natural such as homeopathy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, botanical medicine, nutrition, massage, exercises and counselling. 'Food is the best medicine' is the basis of naturopathic medicine. Naturopaths give importance to diet, to him medicine is the last resort. He first advises you on your diet, after that only prescribe medicine.

Naturopathic medicine differs from common medical systems mainly in its philosophy. While usually medical doctors treat and relieve a patient's symptoms, naturopathic doctors try to discover the cause of the symptoms by taking into account the physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social factors of an individual's health. Naturopathic doctors try to support the natural healing potential of the human body using techniques like good nutrition, natural hygiene, botanical medicine, homeopathy, counselling, and spirituality whereas other medical systems uses drugs and do surgeries as treatment methods. Rather than prescribing a standard treatment for common health complaints, a naturopathic physician provides an individualised approach based on natural therapies.

Eligibility & Course Areas:

Educational :

Candidates who have completed 10+2 with an aggregate of 45% marks in Physics, Chemistry & Biology are eligible for Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS). Bachelors program is usually of 5 1/2 years duration. However, many naturopathic schools have set their own prerequisites for entry and may require you to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree or equivalent. The first college of Naturopathy was started in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh by Dr. B. Venkatrao which offered a Diploma in Naturopathy (ND). Now there are about twenty colleges in India offering bachelors as well as diploma courses.

Naturopathic Physician must be well versed with the knowledge of general medicine, human anatomy and physiology and functions of various bodily parts. Must be aware about dietary and lifestyle modifications required to manage a disease condition, the physician needs to have the knowledge of psychology and its implications on the health of his patient. Yoga lessons are also an integral part of Naturopathy, which has gained worldwide recognition as the most effective way for preventing diseases.

Colleges:

• Govt. Naturopathic Medical College, Hyderabad
• S.D.M. College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Karnataka
• JSS Institute of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Mysore Road, Ootacamund
• T.N. College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Tamil Nadu
• Morarji Desai Institute of Naturopathy & Yoga, Vadodara

Personal Skills:

In addition to having a basic understanding of the subject matter, he must have

• communication and listening skills

• patience

• critical thinking ability

• problem solving skills

• intuition

• self confidence

• understanding of patients' needs

• motivational skills

• pleasing and empathetic attitude

• Be able to inspire trust and confidence in patients

Job Prospects & Career Options:

The prospects for making a prosperous living in this field are excellent in the foreseeable future as more and more people turn to alternative methods of healing or medicine. Naturopathy is getting increasingly popular in many countries, among people who prefer natural remedies than Allopathic medicine due to its various side effects. Hence the scope for employment exist in a variety of settings for these professionals.

There are immense opportunities to work abroad, but individuals should check whether their qualification is recognise in the country where they hope to work. Some states also require license to work.

Most of the Naturopaths enter the field through private practice. Naturopathy professionals can work individually or in group practice with other physicians. Job opportunities are available as consultants in wellness centers, nutrition centers, hospitals, health care center etc. Other career opportunities include academics, community health service settings, social welfare, manufacturing and sale of natural products and health retreats. In India Naturopaths are appointed in government as well as private hospitals and health centers. Research positions are an option for those with the aptitude and interest in R&D. In universities and medical colleges they can work as faculties. They can work as consultants or sales representatives of natural product companies.

Candidates can find employment in many luxury hotels and health resorts equipped with naturopathic treatment centers. There is also scope in the field as a writer. Some write books or articles for newspapers and magazines.

Challenges:

• A suspecting public
• Limited patient base
• licensure

Remuneration:

The naturopathic doctor’s salary largely depends on the location, employer, expertise and qualification, and experience in the field of nature-cure.

Practitioners earn well through their own clinics. Even though the earnings vary, Self-employed professionals can earn well whereas in developed countries such as US and UK, they would obviously end up earning well. On the other hand, naturopaths are also absorbed in private as well as government hospitals at a decent scale.

While the pay package at the beginning can be about Rs 20,000-25,000, it can go up significantly in no time as employers would need talented people.

Bibliography:

"College Education Guide: Career Options, Planning & Information Portal." Indiaeducation.net. N.p., 2017. Web. 4 Sept. 2017.

"Free Resume Builder | Job Seeker Tools | Resume-Now." Sampleresume.net. N.p., 2017. Web. 4 Sept. 2017.

"Dreamy Jobs - Find Your Dream Job." Dreamy Jobs. N.p., 2017. Web. 4 Sept. 2017.