Health care practitioners are laboring hard to manage the symptoms of today's ailing global health care system. As medical costs and the prevalence of chronic illness continue to rise internationally, a growing number of experts recognize that a more preventative, integrative model of health care may be the solution.
In 2006, US$2.1 trillion was spent on medical care in the United States. At least 75 percent of this went toward treating chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, which are preventable or even reversible through diet and lifestyle changes.
The current model of allopathic medicine widely practiced in North America today is based upon managing symptoms. This approach to medicine certainly has its place in the healthcare arena and an incredible number of scientific breakthroughs have taken place through this model of care. However, top-notch medical research and leading-edge surgical techniques alone are not effective when millions continue to suffer from debilitating chronic disease.
Natural approaches to health care, such as naturopathic medicine, nutritional counseling, acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and psychological counseling are both medically effective and cost-effective. These modalities emphasize patient-focused care and provide the opportunity to make affordable, quality health care available to those who most need it.
In fact, studies show that an approach to health care that integrates natural, minimally invasive methods such as plant-based diets, yoga, meditation, acupuncture and psychosocial support, may stop or even reverse the progression of many chronic conditions. It is proven to prevent and provide relief from many conditions, including allergies, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain and fatigue, depression, and digestive disorders, as well as help patients manage illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.
Growing in popularity throughout North America, different forms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are commonly used in conjunction with allopathic medical techniques. According to a 2007 survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 38 percent of adults and approximately 12 percent of children are using some form of CAM therapy in America. A 2002 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found a similar trend in CAM usage among Canadians and Americans.
Pursuing an education in natural medicine is a great way to personally effect a positive change in the health of communities around the world. Enrolling in a comprehensive natural health sciences program that combines the best of eastern and western medicine will prepare future practitioners to bring their patients healthcare that changes their lives and has the power to shift the global health paradigm.
An important tool in reversing the chronic disease epidemic, CAM is poised to play a major role in the future of medicine. An education in this field prepares students to become naturopathic doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, midwives, herbalists or exercise physiologists. When training to become a natural health care provider, students learn how to look for and find the cause of an illness rather than just treat the symptoms. They are taught to explore a patient's entire health care picture, including issues related to lifestyle, history and diet, from a holistic perspective that recognizes the body's innate ability to heal itself.
For additional information on education and career opportunities in natural medicine visit http://www.aanmc.org/.
Contributed by:
Daniel K. Church, PhD, president of Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. http://www.bastyrcenter.org/
Your GoStudy Team
www.gostudy.ca
