Try an Alternate Route with Homeopathy |
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January 2, 2007
by AJ Fanter
Healthcare Programs Columnist
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), homeopathy (or homeopathic medicine) has been practiced in the United States since the early 1800s. One of the core beliefs of homeopathic medicine is that everyone has a vital force (such as the ancient Chinese concept of chi) which helps us in self-healing. When this energy is disturbed, illnesses and other health issues arise.
Homeopaths, those who have been to alternative medicine school in order to learn homeopathy, assist their patients in rebalancing this force through stimulating the body's own responses.
Popularity of Alternative Medicine
According to studies conducted by the NCCAM, roughly 76 percent of Americans have tried some form of alternative medicine, one form of which is homeopathic medicine. In addition, the NCCAM reports that in a 1999 study, over 6 million Americans had used homeopathy in the prior year.
One of the reasons for the growing popularity of alternative medicine is that homeopaths treat more than just the symptoms of a given disease. In fact, alternative medicine practitioners typically focus on treating the entire patient, emotionally and spiritually as well as physically.
Homeopathic Training
The NCCAM notes that training in homeopathy and other forms of alternative medicine are offered at a number of traditional and online schools, via diploma and certificate programs. Some practitioners are trained only in their chosen fields, while others combine homeopathy with a Western medical background. Some states require homeopaths to also be licensed clinicians of some kind.
If you like the idea of healing others by helping them to heal themselves, studying homeopathic medicine could be the perfect alternative for you!
Sources:
About the Author
AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.
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