How to Start a Holistic Medicine Practice
Holistic medicine, which takes into account an individual's entire being and circumstances as opposed to focusing only on the physical aspects of health, is an expanding industry. More and more people are turning to holistic medicine to treat diseases and conditions ranging from anxiety to chronic pain. Follow these steps to start your own holistic medicine practice by learning about the many aspects of holistic medicine and by choosing the treatments and practices that are of deep interest to you.
Things You'll Need:
Permits
Insurance
Space to conduct practice
Computer with Internet access
Licensing
Money to start your business
Open Your Own Holistic Practice
1
Research multiple therapies to choose your line of practice. Holistic medicine can encompass conventional medicine as well as alternative therapies ranging from acupuncture to meditation to reiki. Start your research with Shaun Brown's "How To Create A Successful Holistic Practice" (see Resources below).
2
Contact your local city hall for business licenses and permits; or, let a company like Business Licenses, LLC do the legwork for you (see Resources below).
3
Get certified by the American Board of Holistic Medicine (see Resources below). In order to be certified by the board, you must have either an MD degree or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. Certification requires that you pass an exam, which is typically administered at least once per year.
4
Decide whether you want to be affiliated with a hospital or other medical facility or whether you'd rather be a sole practitioner. Some holistic medicine practitioners maintain home-based businesses, or visit patients on house calls.
5
Incorporate the sale of herbal supplements, vitamins, or other products relevant to your area of practice. As a holistic medicine practitioner, you should be open to all avenues of healing, whether they're based on conventional medicine or on alternative techniques ranging from ayurveda to tai chi. Learn more about tai chi at MayoClinic.com (see Resources below).
6
Advertise your holistic medicine practice. Leave your information at local health stores. Post flyers at wellness spas or gyms. Network with physicians and alternative medicine practitioners who may refer patients to you.
7
Get listed with the American Holistic Medical Association (see Resources below). As the main professional organization for holistic medicine, the Association has a searchable database of certified practitioners around the country that's available to the public.
8
Create a Web site. Update it regularly. Use it to inform your clients about upcoming events, special classes, and the philosophy of your practice.
Tips & Warnings
Starting your own practice can be expensive. Lower the initial cost by starting a business from home and using less expensive marketing tools, like email lists and flyers.
Have insurance to cover your business. Protect yourself from lawsuits.
Keep your practice location up to code. Comply with regulations to avoid accidents.
Don't use alternative medicine for urgent, life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, strokes or serious injuries. Patients with severe conditions should call a doctor or visit an emergency room immediately. Encourage your patients to keep their primary physician informed about the holistic medical technique they undertake with you.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2033046_start-holistic-medicine.html
Holistic medicine, which takes into account an individual's entire being and circumstances as opposed to focusing only on the physical aspects of health, is an expanding industry. More and more people are turning to holistic medicine to treat diseases and conditions ranging from anxiety to chronic pain. Follow these steps to start your own holistic medicine practice by learning about the many aspects of holistic medicine and by choosing the treatments and practices that are of deep interest to you.
Things You'll Need:
Permits
Insurance
Space to conduct practice
Computer with Internet access
Licensing
Money to start your business
Open Your Own Holistic Practice
1
Research multiple therapies to choose your line of practice. Holistic medicine can encompass conventional medicine as well as alternative therapies ranging from acupuncture to meditation to reiki. Start your research with Shaun Brown's "How To Create A Successful Holistic Practice" (see Resources below).
2
Contact your local city hall for business licenses and permits; or, let a company like Business Licenses, LLC do the legwork for you (see Resources below).
3
Get certified by the American Board of Holistic Medicine (see Resources below). In order to be certified by the board, you must have either an MD degree or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. Certification requires that you pass an exam, which is typically administered at least once per year.
4
Decide whether you want to be affiliated with a hospital or other medical facility or whether you'd rather be a sole practitioner. Some holistic medicine practitioners maintain home-based businesses, or visit patients on house calls.
5
Incorporate the sale of herbal supplements, vitamins, or other products relevant to your area of practice. As a holistic medicine practitioner, you should be open to all avenues of healing, whether they're based on conventional medicine or on alternative techniques ranging from ayurveda to tai chi. Learn more about tai chi at MayoClinic.com (see Resources below).
6
Advertise your holistic medicine practice. Leave your information at local health stores. Post flyers at wellness spas or gyms. Network with physicians and alternative medicine practitioners who may refer patients to you.
7
Get listed with the American Holistic Medical Association (see Resources below). As the main professional organization for holistic medicine, the Association has a searchable database of certified practitioners around the country that's available to the public.
8
Create a Web site. Update it regularly. Use it to inform your clients about upcoming events, special classes, and the philosophy of your practice.
Tips & Warnings
Starting your own practice can be expensive. Lower the initial cost by starting a business from home and using less expensive marketing tools, like email lists and flyers.
Have insurance to cover your business. Protect yourself from lawsuits.
Keep your practice location up to code. Comply with regulations to avoid accidents.
Don't use alternative medicine for urgent, life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, strokes or serious injuries. Patients with severe conditions should call a doctor or visit an emergency room immediately. Encourage your patients to keep their primary physician informed about the holistic medical technique they undertake with you.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2033046_start-holistic-medicine.html
