BNHPC Specifies Four Natural Health Specialties
- NATUROPATHY- Naturopathy is a holistic system of healing in which different natural methods are administered to promote health and restoration within the body. Naturopathy treats the person as a whole by using treatments that place emphasis on using the body's self-healing mechanisms to keep the body in harmony with nature. The naturopath tries to balance the diseased person, regardless of what the person suffers from, as in conditions that might be otherwise labeled in conventional terms as specific diseases. Although the term 'Naturopathy' has been coined in recent years, its basis and many of the methods used in treatment are more than 2,000 years old, causing many to posit that when life began so did Naturopathy. Naturopathic personnel consist of three classifications: Naturopathic Physicians, Naturopathic Doctors and Certified Naturopaths. The description of each classification is provided in the Complementary Health Schedule.
- HERBALISM- Herbalism is the study and practice of using ‘botanicals’, ‘herbs’, or plant material for food, medicine, and health promotion. Herbs are used to balance the body when it is diseased but they are also used to add vitality and to bring about enhancement of the body’s physical and spiritual state. The use of herbs for therapeutic purposes dates back almost to the beginning of time. Depending on its’ properties a single herb can be used to address a whole host of range of health problems. Herbalists, having knowledge of ‘botanicals’ and the human body, will instruct clients in the proper use of herbs to restore health and wellbeing. Herbalist personnel are generally classified as follows: Clinical Herbalists (Botanical Medicine Specialist), Master Herbalists, and Lay Herbalists. The description of each classification is provided in the Complementary Health Schedule.
- AROMATHERAPY- Aromatherapy is the fragrant art of using socially selected aromatic oils for therapeutic purposes. The aim of this holistic treatment is to produce a physical, spiritual, emotional and mental sense of well-being through inhalation and massage of essential oils. Essential oils are derived from plants and are chosen for their stimulating, refreshing, sedative, and therapeutic properties. Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing complementary therapies in the world and it is recognized as one of the most natural and holistic treatments available today. The exact time periods in which the use of essential oils was used for medicinal purposes cannot be calculated, however it is widely believed to have commenced with early man. When used with precision essential oils can counter the effects of prescription medications as well as symptoms associated with specific health conditions. Aromatherapy personnel are sometimes qualified health practitioners in other disciplines. The description of this specialty is provided in the Complementary Health Schedule.
- FOOT HEALTH PRACTICE- Foot Health Practice is the noninvasive method of keeping the feet healthy and in good working order. The primary objective of this discipline is to support the client(s)' ability to prevent foot conditions such as corns, callouses, fungi infections, diabetic complications, and other concerns from developing into major health challenges that can result in loss of limb(s). Foot health practitioners provide client education in the areas of proper footwear, foot hygiene, and foot biomechanics, perform footcare services in the areas of thick nail trimming, and make referrals to podiatrists and general practice physicians when necessary. Many foot health practitioners are qualified in other conventional and nonconventional health professions such as nursing, osteopathy, and reflexology while others a solely qualified in this area. A further description of this specialty is provided in the Complementary Health Schedule.
- REFLEXOLOGY- Reflexology is also one of the fastest growing complementary therapies which is just now gaining worldwide acceptance. It is based on the scientific principle that every organ in the body is reflected in certain reflexes in the feet and hands. The feet and the hands are both seen as microcosms of the human body. By manipulating the reflex areas on the feet and/or hands, energy congestion in the body is released. Correct stimulation of the feet and hand reflexes, while the client is relaxed, improves the energy flow and the blood supply. This results in an overall feeling of well-being and this enables the body to function more efficiently. A further description of Reflexology personnel is provided in the Complementary Health Schedule.
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