Know the best alternative medicine courses available in India. ....
Aug 23, 2020 01:07:18
Alternative Medicine Courses are study programs that are different from conventional medical courses. This study program provides an individual with the foundational education required to work in the area of natural medicine and wholesome health. To provide you a sound knowledge, we will have a comprehensive overview of the alternative medicine courses. We will give you all-round info as to what is Alternative medicine, the eligibility guidelines for admission, Skills required, Courses available, leading institutions for study, and much more!
Let's explore.
It is essentially a study of natural medicinal approaches that utilize ancient methods to cure diseases and restore health in the body. It emphasizes those medical stuff and treatment approaches that are out of the scope of standard medical care.
Alternative Medicine is also an organized field of study. It is also based on science. Some inclusions of alternative medicine are natural organic products, nutritional supplements, herbal concoction, massages, crystal therapy, magnetic therapy, reiki, spiritual healing, yoga, and more. These alternative medicine studies are favored streams among many scholars in our country. This is due to their inherent efficacy and scientifically proven methodologies.
The most popular alternative streams of medicine are Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Unani, Acupuncture, and Chinese medicine. There are many alternative medicine colleges and institutions in India. One can easily pursue Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate level course via them.
Aspirants who pursue courses in alternative or natural medicine expand their knowledge of the topic on one hand and enhance their earning potential on the other. These courses provide them more career opportunities in this area of study.
Conventional Medicine is the traditional system of medicine that you usually observe in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centers. This is also referred to as Allopathic medicine or mainstream medicine. In this system, medical doctors and healthcare experts & their staff treat diseases and ailments by way of surgery, radioactivity, and drugs. This is what a typical doctor practice.
Whereas, Alternative Medicine is a system of natural treatment and healing of the entire body. This form of medicine involves a wide range of global cultures.
The principal dissimilarity between both of these is that Conventional medicine emphasizes on treating disease or ailments caused in a specific body part. On the other hand, alternative medicine focuses on the overall treatment of the human body.
Key takeaway Conventional medicine cures issues and symptoms relating to a specific area via traditional allopathic treatment. While alternative medicine treats complete health, cause, prevention via natural methods & practices.
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As alternative medicine is gaining more popularity as a substitution for conventional medicine, many people are opting for this stream. Now, let's discuss the eligibility criteria for pursuing alternative medicine courses.
To become eligible for getting admission in Alternative Medicine Courses, an individual should have done regular schooling up to 12th standard with science as the mainstream, from any recognized school board. Further, for admission in undergraduate courses like BHMS, BAMS, BNSY, etc., an individual should have secured above 50% marks in Science/ PCB stream (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology).
This guideline is applicable for Diploma, UG, and PG courses in the field of alternative medicine. Also, some Indian states conduct their entrance tests for such courses. Thereupon, the candidates get admission on the grounds of their cut-off marks in those entrance tests.
Moreover, an individual should possess some specific and general skills to opt for these courses. Read further about this.
The candidates should hold solid knowledge of the vital structure and working of the human body. They should be capable enough to find the problem causing issues, their cause, and suggest remedial treatment for the same.
They should also have patience while providing treatment to his/her patients. The diseases take time to go, and the outcome of recovery takes a while longer than allopathic treatment. They should have some sympathy for patients, it's necessary to understand their psychological state, and motivate them for early recovery.
Apart from these requisites, the alternative medicine course requires some general skills that an aspirant should possess. Those are enumerated below:
Proficiency in the English language
Clear communication and diagnostic skills.
Competence to precisely describe the treatment and its results.
Self-confidence and sound presentation skills.
Strict discipline and adherence to protocols in providing treatment.
After taking a glimpse of the qualifying guidelines and other skills needed, let's proceed towards the course module of the Alternative Medicine stream.
There are various alternative medicine courses as diploma, UG, and PG courses.
For the Undergraduate (UG) level, the field of alternative medicine is classified into four major streams:
Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)
Bachelor of Alternative Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS)
Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Science (BNYS)
All these streams have a course duration of five years and six months. The academic program spans 4 years and 6 months of the academic session and one year of the internship program for practical experience.
Some other bachelor courses in the alternative medicine field are:
Bachelor of Yoga therapy
Bachelor of Electro Homeopathy
Bachelor of Immuno Homeopathy
Bachelor of Acupressure
Bachelor of Acupuncture
Bachelor of Herbopathy/Herbal medicine
Bachelor of Reiki healing
Bachelor of Massage Therapy
Bachelor of Aromatherapy
Bachelor of Magnet Therapy
Bachelor of Hydro Therapy
Bachelor of Diet & Nutrition Therapy
Bachelor of Traditional Medicine
Bachelor of Chinese Medicine
Bachelor of Chiropractic
Bachelor of Reflexology
Bachelor of Gem -Tele-Chromo Therapy
After completing these courses successfully, the graduates need to compulsorily accomplish a one-year work program in alternative medicine in a hospital & research center, hospital with a medical college, or other certified healthcare institutions. This is known as the Compulsory Rotatory Residential (CRR) Internship.All these degree courses are generally for two years duration (24 months).
After pursuing a suitable Bachelor’s Degree course, individuals can approach different Postgraduate courses. Some renowned PG courses are mentioned below:
MD in alternative medicine
Master’s Degree programs
PhD. in alternative medicine
PG Diploma in alternative medicine (PGDAM)
Job opportunities with these specializations after graduation
PG Specialization |
Job Opportunities |
MD in alternative medicine |
Lecturer or Professor |
Master’s degree |
Certified Medical Practitioner, Therapist |
PhD. in alternative medicine
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Autonomous Doctors, Scientist, Pharmacist, Consultant, Public Health Specialist, etc. |
Diploma Courses
The general Diploma courses are:
Diploma in Ayurvedic Pharmacy - 2 years
Diploma in Homeopathy Pharmacy - 2 years
Diploma in Ayurvedic Nursing and Panchkarma Therapy - 1 to 2 year
Diploma in Yoga Therapy -1 year
Diploma in Electro Homeopathy -1 year
Diploma in Immuno Homeopathy - 1 year
Diploma in Magnet Therapy - 1 year
Diploma in Acupressure - 1 year
Diploma in Acupuncture - 1 year
Diploma in Massage Therapy - 1 year
Diploma in Aromatherapy - 1 year
Diploma in Herbal medicine - 1 year
Diploma in Reiki Healing - 1 year
Diploma in Crystal Healing Massage- 1 year
Diploma in Homely Medicine - 1 year
Diploma in Hydro Therapy - 1 year
Diploma in Gem-Tele-Chromo Therapy - 1 year
Diploma in Diet and Nutrition Therapy - 1 year
Diploma in Chiropractic - 1 year
Diploma in Reflexology - 1 year
(All the above courses and specializations are subject to availability in different institutions.)
There are several institutions across India providing alternative medicine course degrees and certifications. Some leading colleges/institutions providing such degrees are:
Indian Board of Alternative Medicine (IBAM), Kolkata
College of Ayurveda, Pune, Maharashtra
The University of Madras, Institute of Distance Education, Chennai
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar
Parul University, Vadodara
Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurveda University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
You can execute online inquiries for your favored courses. Also, you can download the brochures of these Universities and review the relevant facts and details.
Mark sheet of 10th or 12th Standard
Proof for Date of Birth/Birth Certificate
Transfer Certificate/ School Leaving Certificate
Migration Certificate
Domicile certificate/ Address Proof
Character certificate
Caste Certificate for Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Caste
Proof of disability (if any)
All the colleges/institutions issue an official list of necessary documents needed. You should be having all these documents listed above while applying for admission. Don't forget to carry self-attested copies of the above docs. Also, take the amount to be payable for fees as cash or demand draft with you.
Nowadays, there are abundant career opportunities in Alternative medicine in India as well as abroad. The key areas to get a job or pursue a career are shown below:
Academic Jobs in Govt./Pvt. Institutions
General practitioner in Government hospitals & dispensaries (Central, state, or local level)
Research Institutes or laboratories (Central, state, private Institutions)
Alternative Medicine Pharmaceutical Companies
Clinical trials Coordinators (Pharmaceuticals)
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
Ayurveda specialty centers
Jobs in Ministry of Ayush Department
Private practice
Lastly, let's also have look at top recruiters.
There is a high demand for Alternative medicine professionals in Government AYUSH centers and the alternative medicine department of PHCs.
Various government and private clinics employ such professionals.
Some renowned agencies such as Patanjali, Baidyanath, Jiva Ayurveda, and other rehabilitation centers.
Pharmaceutical companies such as Himalaya wellness, Zandu Ayurveda, etc.
However, most of such graduates opt to practice autonomously in their private clinics and centers.
We wish best of luck to all those who want to build a rewarding career in Alternative Medicine. There are several potent career opportunities in this field. Go ahead and achieve your dreams!