Some people may believe that because holistic medicine uses natural remedies to treat patients, holistic practitioners don’t need to go to school or complete training. This is a misconception, as holistic practitioners are frequently well-educated. Some may choose to enroll in two-year educational programs that cover topics such as human energy systems and anatomy, while others may pursue bachelor’s degrees in the field. A person who wants to become a holistic doctor can get a bachelor’s degree and go to medical school before enrolling in a residency program, which is on-the-job training for doctors.
A person who wants to become a holistic practitioner usually makes the commitment to expand his practice beyond what traditional medical practice can provide. Instead of focusing solely on the body, he decides to provide care that considers the mind, body, and spirit. He usually learns not only important natural healing concepts, but also the science of how the body works and common treatments for a variety of ailments.
Anyone interested in becoming a holistic practitioner can do so enrolling in a certificate or degree program. Anatomy and physiology, energy healing systems, nutrition, therapeutic massage, bodywork, stress management, spirituality, and a wide range of natural remedies are some of the subjects that someone interested in this field might study. The courses that a person can take are determined the program in which he enrolls. In some cases, such as massage therapy, a person may choose to specialize in a technique and devote more time to studying bodywork than others.
A person who wants to become a holistic doctor, also known as a naturopathic doctor, will likely spend four years in college pursuing a bachelor’s degree. He has the option of majoring in pre-medicine, biology, or chemistry. He may also take electives in holistic healing if he wants to become a holistic practitioner. In order to prepare for his holistic career, he might study psychology, massage therapy, and nutrition, for example.
A person who wants to practice as a holistic doctor typically enrolls in a medical school that offers holistic healing programs after college. Traditional medicine and holistic medicine, for example, are combined in some schools. Others may offer traditional medical degrees as well as natural healing courses.
For someone who wants to become a holistic practitioner of medicine, a residency program usually comes after medical school. He participates in a three-year program that provides him with paid on-the-job training. A person who wants to work as a holistic doctor may need to take an exam and apply for licensing in the field. However, licensing requirements differ from one location to the next.