Youth Incorporated Magazine

Allopathy, though a widely used form of medical treatment across the world, that is known fast recovery, isn’t the only medicine available. There are many other forms of alternative medicine that are excellent in treating health ailments. 

These alternative medicines are increasingly gaining popularity. Thus, students who wish to pursue a career in the medical field can now start thinking beyond normal professions and study options. Let us have a look at some of the alternative medicine career options you can opt for.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is one of the oldest forms of treatment which is believed to be practised by ancient doctors too, known as the ‘vaidya’. The roots of Ayurveda’s origins are in India, however, this form of medicine is practised in many other countries including America, Sri Lanka, Australia, etc. Ayurveda has the cure for numerous ailments, sometimes even for those that Allopathy can’t treat. If one wishes to study Ayurveda, then one can choose to apply for Bachelor’s in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery which is offered in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. The degree is received after five or five and a half years which includes one year of internship. 

Colleges offering the course 

• Shri Dhanwantri Ayurvedic College, Chandigarh
• Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore
• Ayurvedic Medical College, Kolhapur
• State Ayurvedic College, Lucknow
• Nepal Ayurved medical college, Parsa

Homeopathy

A medical speciality developed by Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, Homeopathy like Allopathy has its own drugs which are made from natural substances like plants and minerals. Under Homeopathy, the patients are treated by enhancing their natural healing power. If you wish to become a homeopath, you can begin your journey by studying the Bachelor’s Degree of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery. Homeopathy is the third most popular form of medicine after Allopathy and Ayurveda.  This degree too is five and a half year long which includes one year of the internship period. Apart from this degree, you can also choose to study Master of Doctor in Homeopathy, Post Graduate Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery, Diploma in Electro-Homeopathy and Doctor of Medicine (Homeopathic). After you complete a degree in Homeopathy, you can attach ‘Dr’ in front of your name.

Colleges offering the course 

• National Institute of Homeopathy, West Bengal
• Shivaji University, Maharashtra
• Rajasthan Vidyapeeth Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Udaipur
• Alva’s Homeopathic Medical College, Karnataka
• College of Natural Health and Homeopathy, New Zealand
• Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS), Malaysia

Acupuncture/Acupressure

A Chinese treatment, acupuncture treats people by inserting thin needles into the body at specific points. It is widely known to relieve pain. Though there are many diploma courses, Acupuncture offers various degree courses such as Bachelor of Acupuncture, Post Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture, Post Graduate Diploma in Alternative Medicine in Acupuncture, Master of Acupuncture, and many more. You can also study Acupressure, which is an alternative to acupuncture.

Colleges offering the course 

• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health, USA
• Georgian College, Canada
• Indian Academy of Acupuncture Science, Aurangabad (India)
• Indian Board of Alternative Medicines, Kolkata (India)

Unani

A Persian and Arabic form of medicine, Unani medicine is based on the teachings of the Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen. Since it is an old form of medicine originated mainly in the middle east, its practitioners are called ‘hakims’. To study the  Unani form of medicine, you can opt to study Bachelor’s Degree in Unani Medicine and Surgery. Under this degree, you will be taught the details of the Unani system. The duration of the course is 5 and a half years including one year of internship.

Colleges offering the course 

• Al-Farooq Unani Medical College, Madhya Pradesh.
• Deoband Unani Medical College, Uttar Pradesh
• AMU – Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
• Kerala University of Health Sciences, Kerala
• Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi

These are the perfect alternatives to the mainstream Allopathy medicine which are equally worth studying and pursuing a career in. You can also search for other forms of alternative medicine if your interests go more niche.