Hello, I just found this forum online and am very excited about it! I have not yet found anything like this one. Anyhow, I have a question for anyone who is in or knows about natural/"alternative" health as a career field.
Im 35 years old and have spent the past 9 years caring for my son who has various disabilities/problems. I am now hungering and ready to start taking some classes or earn a masters in some field that I find exciting. One of the ideas I always come back to is natural health, everything from nutrition, vitamins, herbs, therapies, human biology, yoga, Taoism and so on. I figure if I have such a deep interest in this topic and constantly find myself reading about this stuff I should pursue it. I am wanting to hear from others who are in the field or know someone in it regarding what they do, how they got there, if you started a small business around natural health how you did that, if you went to school for it what degree you got, etc etc. I am very undecided as to how to approach this path. I know myself and know that I require a certain level of mental stimulation and I also know I am not necessarily a nurturer, meaning I dont think I would be a good person to become an N.D. I like reading, thinking, discovering, investigating. I would love my own business consulting or developing products or even owning a wonderful natural foods restraurant that offers nutrition classes, etc. I just dont know how people do these things. (I should say people who do not have disposable income or capital). If any of you would like to share what you do or have ideas or suggestions I would love to hear them! Thank you!!!
I have the herbalist course from https://www.planetherbs.com/ Michael Tierra. I've been very fond of his books and approach and bought the course over a year ago but have not pursued it much. But you go at your own pace. I really feel herbs will be the answer in the future if the FDA doesn't ban them all.
That sounds like a great idea, particularly if you are passionate about it. We need more people like you.
But be aware when you step out of the box of standard uniform procedures you going to stepping on the toes of many conventional practitioners and they are not going to like you at all. They will do all in their power to block your efforts. So just be aware of this and plan you moves carefully.
What you can do legally is an issue. If you don't want to be an ND do not anticipate that you can do any part of what an ND does legally, including recommending herbs for healing... unless you are willing to take risk. Many natural health practitioners over the years have been busted, their offices or homes raided, thrown in jail, fined, all equipment confiscated. I have personally seen this three times and then know a couple others who told me it happened to them.
That being said there are a very few states that give much more freedom than some other states... to practice alternative anything, two that come to mind are California and Idaho..due specifically to legislation that has been written to protect "natural Healers" with in the last 8 years or so.
A really find vegetarian restaurant is always nice... and I haven't been in a real good one since I left San Diego 30 years ago. They had one called the Prophet that was spectacular and it almost felt like a religious experience to go there.
Massage therapy can be profitable. My friend in the Austin area is a massage therapist and she charges about $100 for each. She also teaches yoga and makes money from the classes. She has trained in both for many years and She is certified in both... recession times are hard on her...but she has several wealthy clients that hold it together for her... she does not have an extravagant life style... after all, she is a yogi.
Most states that require massage people to be certified require that you go to a fancy school that generally costs 12 to 20 thousand dollars for the year training.
A good vitamin shoppe is always nice to go to for classes and reading material and of course vitamins. But I don't give them my money anymore, not since the internet, everything is so much less expensive on then net.
For myself I am a massage therapist, a homeopath, and am still studding clinical nutrition. I do these things for free. I have a license that I choose not to risk loosing in a conventional profession. When I move to Idaho before long I will start charging again for these services because there are laws there that protect me. I will likely start doing rebirthing again also.
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I was excited to FINALLY find a forum of interest. I've recently been looking for a Profession in this field. So far, from what I've began to research is... The U.S has a few programs here in the Nation to obtain an M.D. in Natural Medicine. Most which are not in my state. The other option I've come across were studies abroad. I was fortunate to meet a friend who's father is a Natural Medicine M.D. He states at this time the U.S doesn't support the field here. So as far as jobs, most lean towards dieticians and accupuncture types. Both of which are not of interest to me.
Well, I go to a doc like that. She received all her training in natural medicine outside of med school. There is a whole list of them in the forefront right now like Rowan, Howenstein, Mercola, and others. There is only one med school in the US that teaches any thing natural and that is the Creighton Medical School.
I guess a few teach spatterings of nutrition and stress control now... but not really anything substantial.
Remember when I was diagnosed with the thyroid cancer and allowed them to remove it before I studied natural healing? And I refused the standard chemicals to finish the cancer removal? It was AFTER I succeeded with that and had a physical....my old oncolgist THOUGHT he detected breast cancer and insisted on a mammogram? That I fought tooth and nail against it? AND.......here it IS............I found in New York State where doctors CAN practice alternative healing as long as they practice it WITH standard care! I found a senior onologist at a cancer care center who was familiar with ALL I was doing except for TWO herbs, and HE is NOW taking them TOO for HIS health!!
So.........my point...some states will allow the alternative...you'll just have to research and see how and where to proceed. Good luck!
__________________ "Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music."
Yep. New York physicians won the battle thanks to Dr Adkins who was the sacrificial lamb. In the state I live in it is not permitted but a number of them do so anyway. They risk a lot, but their rewards in healing people are great also.
It is an exciting time to be in alternative health medicine. A law was recently pass in New Mexico allowing the "unlicensed" to practice without threat of "practicing without a license". This applies to homeopaths, curanderos, energy workers, etc.
Careers in natural health/healing
Reminder..
That I fought tooth and nail against it? AND.......here it IS............I found in New York State where doctors CAN practice alternative healing as long as they practice it WITH standard care! I found a senior onologist at a cancer care center who was familiar with ALL I was doing except for TWO herbs, and HE is NOW taking them TOO for HIS health!!
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