Career Options - Alternative Medicine

At A Glance After all, traditional Indian medicine has a 5000-year-old history and has been used by millions, while modern medicine is merely 150 years old! Although traditional medicine cannot replace modern medicine as far as diagnosis, investigation and emergency care are concerned, certain 'alternative' systems which focus on overall health, have shown remarkable and swift results even in chronic illnesses like diabetes, leucoderma, cancer as well as hard to cure diseases like arthritis, asthma and even AIDS. Until recently, traditional medical systems were considered obscure, esoteric and shrouded in mysticism. But now the healing methods of the East are not only gaining acceptance not just as an alternative line of treatment, but are also being integrated into mainstream healthcare as complementary systems.

• Ayurveda Ayurveda, literally meaning the science of life, aims at healing the individual as a whole, instead of merely at the molecular level. This ancient healing system is based on the theory that everything is composed of panchamahabhutas, or the five basic elements (akaash, jal, vayu, agni, dharti). The main source of our knowledge of Ayurveda is the Atharva Veda, which dates back to around 1200 BC.
• Siddha The basic principles and doctrines of Siddha are similar to those of Ayurveda. The human body is considered a conglomeration of three humors, seven body tissues and waste products. Proper consistency of these constituents in the body ensures good health.
• Unani The Unani system of medicine originated in Greece during 460-377 BC, and was brought to India by the Arabs and Persians. Unani medicine is based on the 'humoral theory' (relating to four bodily fluids) with each humor leading to a specific temperament in a human being. The Unani system makes use of plants, minerals and animal products as curative agents to re-establish the person's original humoral constitution.
• Naturopathy Popularly referred to as the drug-less treatment of diseases, Naturopathy is based on the practice of applying the simple laws of nature to cure diseases. It pays particular attention to balanced dietary and living habits, adopting purificatory measures, and using natural techniques such as hydrotherapy, cold packs, mud packs, baths (water, oil & sun), massage, etc.
• Yoga Elements of yoga have been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years, though yoga therapy in its present form is a mere 80 years old - created by the marriage of traditional yoga with modern medicine. Yogic therapy comprises a wide range of mind/body practices, ranging from postural and breathing exercises to deep relaxation and meditation for promoting positive health and well-being as well as helping particular medical conditions.
• Homeopathy Homeopathy lays emphasis on strengthening the immune system and curing like with like. Homeopathy today enjoys wide acceptability, both here and abroad, because of its holistic and intrinsic values, the low cost of medication coupled with ease of administration and absence of toxic side effects. An indication of its popularity lies in the fact that the best homeopathic medicines are manufactured by German and American companies. In India there are over 1.5 lakh qualified homeopaths.
• Tibetan Medicine This ancient system of medicine recognises three forms of energy in the body -- flame, wind and bile. An imbalance of these energies in any organ leads to illness. Inherent in the medicinal tradition is the use of precious pills made of herbs and other natural substances and prescribed according to the calendar.
• Reiki Reiki practitioners believe that we are born with a certain level of energy, which gets depleted through our daily activities. If the energy is depleted at a rate faster than it can be replenished, it leads to ill health. Reiki attempts to increase the overall energy stores of the body by activating the seven chakras.
• Chiropracty Chiropracty is a 5000-year-old non-invasive, non-surgical approach for managing ortho-neuro-skeletal disorders, problems of the spine and other chronic disorders by restoring normal body function. Circumventing surgery (in most cases) cuts down recovery time and cost of treatment virtually by half. Chiropracty is quite popular in countries like USA, UK, Australia and Germany.
• Employment Opportunities The future of alternative medicine is bright. In a developing country like India, alternative therapeutic systems have a definite role to play in alleviating sickness - both chronic and acute. The cost-effectiveness, efficacy, low toxicity, ease of administration and relative safety (few adverse effects) renders them invaluable as viable alternatives to conventional medicine. In fact, WHO has assessed the total world market for alternative medicine at a whopping Rs. 51,210 crore. The market for herbal remedies alone is pegged at $5 trillion with an annual growth of 11 per cent. Home to over 15,000 medicinal plants and one of the 12 leading bio-diverse countries of the world, India is sitting on a veritable green mine. Awakening to this tremendous potential, the government has announced a separate national policy for the Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy (ISM&H) to boost and promote indigenous medicine. Plans are also afoot to modernise the hospitals specialising in Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM). However, the lack of formulation and standardisation is a major problem that plagues this fledgling industry. There are as many as 4,000 recorded Ayurvedic formulations, combining different herbs and metals. These need to be identified and analysed and put through a series of tests before they can be released in the market. Extensive R&D is under way in this field currently.
• What it takes? Like other forms of medicine, the minimum qualification for most courses in traditional medicine is 10+2 with PCB (Physics, Chemistry & Biology). However, for Unani, Siddha and Tibetan medicine, arts and humanities students can also apply. Additionally, for pursuing a course in Ayurveda, you need to be well versed in Sanskrit/ Hindi, while for Unani, some knowledge of Arabic/ Urdu is a must. Similarly for studying the Siddha system, you need knowledge of Tamil.
• What you'll make? Alternative systems of medicine are beginning to offer decent career opportunities - in research as well as in practise. But like any other profession, success depends on a multitude of factors and the job scenario when you graduate. While private practice is a popular choice for those specialising in these systems, homeopathic and Ayurvedic practitioners, for instance, can also seek employment under the Central Government Health Scheme and in state government and municipal hospitals and dispensaries all over the country. Starting salaries are in the range of Rs 8,000 plus perks. If you are hesitant to start off on your own, working with an established practitioner or clinic for a while would help you gain the necessary confidence. Combining two or more of these complimentary systems can also add to your repertoire. But be prepared to face competition from other systems of medicine, particularly allopathic. Drug and pharmaceutical companies and research institutions also hire consultants and research scientists to work in their respective fields. With several recognised institutions offering full-fledged courses of study, there is considerable opportunity in the teaching and academic sector as well.
• Where to study? As in the case of allopathic medicine, full-fledged bachelors and master's degrees in traditional medicine (e.g., BUMS for Unani, BAMS for Ayurveda and BHMS for Homeopathy) are offered at a large number of specialist medical colleges all over the country. In the 5-year BAMS course, you will not only study the allopathic system of medicine, but also traditional Indian Medicine, which includes Shalya Chikitsa (ENT), Shalya Chikitsa (surgery), Sukrita (gynaecology & obstetrics), Panchkarma (purification therapy), etc. Similarly, for the other systems of medicine, discussed above. As in the case of Allopathic medicine, you require Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Class 12 to be eligible for the courses. Selection is based on merit in the entrance exam.
• Ayurveda: Bachelors in Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) is a 51/2 -year course Bharati Vidyapeeth, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Pune 411 030 (Deemed) (Mah) www.bharatividyapeeth.com Gujarat Ayurved University, Admn. Bhavan, Hospital Road, Jamnagar 361008 (Guj) (www.ayurveduniversity.com) Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi 110 062 (UT) www.jamiahamdard.org Rajeev Gandhi University of Health Sciences, 4th 'T' Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 041 (Kar) University of Calicut, Calicut 673 635 (Ker) University of Delhi, Faculty of Ayurvedic & Unani Medicine, Delhi 11 0 007 (UT) www.du.ac.in University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 695 034 (Ker) (www.keralauniversity.edu) (For details and list of courses in Ayurveda, log on to www.indiamedicine.nic.in)
• Homoeopathy BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery) -- 5½-year course Guru Gobind Singh Indraparstha University, (Dr. B.R. Sur Homoeopathic College, Hospital & Research Centre, New Delhi 110028). http://ggsipu.nic.in, www.delhihomeo.com Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik 422005 (www.muhsnashik.com) North Gujarat University, University Road, Patan 384 265 (www.ngu.ac.in) NTR University of Health Science, Hyderabad 500016 (AP) University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700073 University of Delhi, (Nehru Homeopathy Medical College, New Delhi 110024 www.du.ac.in (For details of and recognition status of courses etc, contact: Central Council For Homeopathy, 61-65, Janakpuri Institutional Area, New Delhi 110058)
• Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences Accepting Yoga as a scientific tool for balanced and all-round development of the human personality, 32 Indian Universities have established Departments of Yoga to impart education ranging from Certificate, Diploma, Degree and Ph.D & Teacher's Training Programmes. However, presently, only five universities in India offer degree at their affiliated colleges. BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences) - 5½-year course NTR University of Health Science, Hyderabad 500016 (AP) (Gandhi Nature Cure College, Begampet) Pt R S Shukla (Sh Mahavir Prakritic & Yoga Vigyan Mahavidyalaya, Nagpura Durg Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science ((Kar). Sri D M College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Ujire) Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Vijaywada (AP) (Tamil Nadu College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Salem 636 006 (T.N); JSS College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Ootacamund) (For details, contact the Central Council of Research in Yoga & Naturopathy: www.ccryn.org ). Unani The 51/2- year BUMS (Bachelor's in Unani Medical Science) is offered at 12 Universities. Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002 (www.amu.nic.in) Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal 462026 Devi Ahilya Vishwidyalaya, Indore 452001 (www.davv.ac.in) Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062 (www.jamiahamdard.edu) Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik 422005 (www.muhsnashik.com) TN Dr MGR University of Health Sciences, Chennai 600032 (Note: This is an indicative listing in alphabetical order. The courses are offered at the University Departments or at the constituent/affiliated colleges of the university. Please check the respective websites for details). In this industry rewards are directly commensurate with the initiative you display, the effort you put in and the results you achieve. If you are ambitious and hard working, you can quickly move up the ladder.

Source: TimesJobs