What is naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a holistic approach to health care that emphasises the use of natural therapies to support the body's innate healing ability in order to promote wellness and treat illness. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained to diagnose and treat medical conditions using a variety of modalities, including nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, homoeopathy, massage therapy and lifestyle counselling. Naturopathic medicine can be used to treat a wide variety of health conditions, such as allergies, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic pain, as well as acute and chronic illnesses.
Qualified naturopaths in the Central Queensland University area can choose to join one of the peak bodies representing naturopathy and its practitioners. Membership in one of the following organisations will help advance their careers:
- Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH)
- Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA)
- Complementary Medicine Association (CMA)
- Australian Natural Therapists' Association (ANTA)
- Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA)
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
- International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT)
Should you study naturopathy?
There are many benefits to studying naturopathy, including gaining a deep understanding of how the body works and how to maintain health. Naturopathic students also learn about a wide range of natural therapies and how to use them effectively. Additionally, you will learn about the ideal qualities of a naturopath that make them well loved and appreciated by clients and employers alike, such as:
- Compassionate and caring, they do everything in their power to make others feel better and healthy.
- Dedicated and open-minded, they don't limit their treatment approach to just a few healing principles, but rather explore new methods and stay up to date on the latest findings in their field.
- Patient, empathetic and takes the time to understand their patient's needs in order to be able to provide them with the best possible care.
- Knowledgeable and articulate, they can explain naturopathic concepts in a way that is easy for patients to understand.
- A solid foundation in anatomy, physiology and other life sciences enables them to identify the source of pathogens and provide appropriate treatment and advice to their clients.
If these qualities are important to you and you see a match between a naturopath's work and your career interests, keep reading to find out what course you can take in order to become qualified in the field.
What are the course and study options for naturopathy in Central Queensland University?
If you're interested in studying naturopathy, there are different types of courses available in schools and colleges surrounding the Central Queensland University area. You can study on campus, online or through a blended learning platform. Additionally, you have the option of studying full-time or part-time, with the latter allowing you to arrange your schedule as you see fit. Evening and weekend classes are also available to accommodate students who work most days of the week.
Short courses or workshops are ideal for those who are not yet ready to dive into a comprehensive course and would like to see first whether or not they would like naturopathy.
But if your goal is to walk away with a qualification that allows you to practise naturopathy on a professional level, a bachelor's degree is worth taking. This 4-year course covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, nutrition and herbal medicine. Students will also learn about naturopathic principles and how to apply them in a clinical setting.
A complete list of naturopathy courses, as well as colleges and universities that offer them, can be found by scrolling to the top of the page. To learn more about the curriculum, tuition fees, delivery methods and financial aids available for your preferred course, contact your choice of school.
What happens after you complete your naturopathy course?
There is a growing demand for naturopathic services, so naturopaths can expect to have good job prospects.Naturopaths can find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, holistic clinics and health food stores. After finishing your course, you can choose to work as part of a team of healthcare practitioners or on your own.
Another option for you is to open your own private practice, which is ideal if you want to be your own boss and manage your own time and clients. Natural Therapy Pages can assist you in scaling your business so that you can focus on what you do best. By posting your naturopathic business and services, including online consultations if you offer them, to the practitioner listing pages, you increase your chances of being found online, which saves you time, money and effort in advertising.
Naturopathy is a powerful healing tool that you can use alongside other modalities to improve the health of your patients as well as your own. You can advance your career today by taking a course in any of the following areas:
