Ayurvedic medicine is a holistic treatment developed in India thousands of years ago, aiming to bring balance to a patient’s energy and constitution. Becoming an Ayurvedic practitioner requires medical knowledge, nutrition and diet, and understanding of the mind-body connection, among other subjects. While there is no certification requirement in the US, comprehensive study programs are available in India.
To become an Ayurvedic practitioner, as a health practitioner in holistic medicine, one must become an expert in treating the mind, body and spirit. Ayurveda is a health treatment developed in India thousands of years ago. The aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to bring a patient’s energy and constitution back into balance with the elements of the world. As alternative medicine has become more acceptable to the western world, more courses of study have been made available to those wishing to learn Ayurvedic medicine.
Ayurvedic doctors analyze the patient’s health history, stress level, energy and personal life, as well as vital signs and other physical indications such as the condition of the tongue, eyes and skin. This information determines what is out of balance in the patient. Once the diagnosis is reached, treatment may include dietary changes, removal of the digestive tract, exercise and meditation disciplines.
Medical knowledge is one of the key subjects in the quest to become an Ayurvedic practitioner. Some nurses and doctors take courses in Ayurvedic medicine during or after their medical studies. While there is no certification requirement for professionals in the United States, study programs in India are quite comprehensive and widespread. A student studying in an Indian Ayurvedic hospital or school can work towards a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) or a Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (DAMS).
In addition to medical training, the student must study nutrition and diet and have a firm understanding of the effects of plant-based foods and medicines on a person’s health and well-being. To become an Ayurvedic practitioner, a student must also be familiar with anatomy, botany, the mind-body connection in health, massage therapy, mental health issues, exercise, yoga, and meditation. Finally, the student must familiarize himself with the philosophy of treatment. He or she must understand the traditional elements of fire, water, earth, air and space, their relationship to the human body, spirit and mind, and the techniques for bringing balance to the patient’s dosha, or body/mind type.
A student who wants to become an Ayurvedic practitioner should look for a program that has produced professional and successful medical specialists. Online information and discussions with current professionals can help a student find the right program. If an Ayurvedic course does not offer workshops or internships for hands-on experience, the student should look for other opportunities to practice skills before working as a practitioner.
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