What does a natural health consultant do?
Natural health consultants provide information and education to people who are looking for alternative medical methods. They have a solid understanding of many disciplines of natural health such as acupuncture, nutrition, massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, and herbal remedies. They discuss and evaluate the health concerns or symptoms of their clients and provide recommendations based on the client’s conditions and desired outcomes. They provide the clients with information about the many different techniques and sometimes develop a treatment plan. They often recommend a variety of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and dietary changes that can help reduce or resolve some health symptoms. Sometimes natural health consultants refer clients to licensed health care providers that can provide many different alternative medical treatments.
What kind of training does a natural health consultant need?
The required training for natural health consultants varies on employer, location, and area of interest. Many natural health consultants have bachelor degrees in natural health, nutrition, oriental medicine, herbal sciences, naturopathy, and other related fields. Many natural health colleges and other colleges and universities offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees programs in natural health. Students typically complete courses in nutrition, homeopathy, biomedicine, natural childbirth, alternative medicine, and cosmology. Many natural health consultants focus on a specific area such as massage therapy, naturopathy, herbal medicine, and acupressure. Many natural health consultants become certified to better their career opportunities. The National Association of Certified Natural Health Professionals offers many different certification courses.
What are the prospects for a career as a natural health consultant?
Today, natural health consultants are in increased demand due to the greater focus of on natural health care and the aging population. Employment opportunities will be the best in alternative medicine clinics, private practices, and health food stores (1).
How much do natural health consultants make?
As of October 2009, the average annual salary for natural health consultants is $51,000; average natural health consultant salaries vary greatly on location, employer, experience, and benefits (2).
A career as a natural health consultant is an excellent choice for individuals who have a strong interest in alternative medical techniques and providing advice to patients for them to pursue these options. Natural health consultants must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and enjoy working with a variety of clients to help them choose natural solutions to resolving some of their health conditions. They must be determined, encouraging, and extremely knowledgeable of available alternative medicine remedies. Natural health consultants must be able to effectively explain treatments in ways clients will understand and answer questions as well as possible.
