Things worth knowing about "Alternative practitioner"
Naturopaths rely on natural healing methods to promote self-healing. Find out more about training, forms of therapy and leading naturopathy schools in Germany.
A healing practitioner is a state-certified therapist in Germany who specialises in alternative and holistic healing methods.non-physician therapist who specialises in alternative and holistic healing methods. Naturopaths view the human being as a holistic system and rely on natural, regulatory and preventative therapeutic approaches to activate the body's self-healing powers.
What does a naturopath do?
Heilpraktiker diagnose and treat complaints taking into account body, mind and soul. Commonly used methods include:
- Herbal medicine (phytotherapy) - the use of natural medicinal plants to support health.
- Homeopathy - treatment based on the principle of "healing like with like".
- Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - Energetic treatments to harmonise the body.
- Nutritional advice & orthomolecular medicine - optimisation of the nutrient supply.
- Intestinal reorganisation & microbiome therapy - restoring healthy intestinal flora.
- Osteopathy & chiropractic - Manual techniques to support the musculoskeletal system.
How do you become an alternative practitioner?
In Germany, the healing practitioner profession is regulated by law. In order to obtain a licence to practise the profession, candidates must pass an official examination at the public health department. This covers basic medical principles, legal regulations and diagnostic procedures. Training usually takes place at private alternative practitioner schools or through self-study.
Leading naturopathy schools in Germany
There are numerous naturopathy schools in Germany that offer training and further education in the field of naturopathy. Here are five of the largest naturopathy schools with the number of locations:
- Paracelsus School of Naturopathy: over 50 in Germany and Switzerland
- Thalamus Heilpraktikerschule: Nationwide at several locations
- Deutsche Heilpraktikerschule
- ILS - Institut für Lernsysteme Fernschule with nationwide presence
- KPNI - German Society for Clinical Psycho-Neuro-Immunology
- HealVersity
Paracelsus naturopathy schools offer training in the field of naturopathy at over 50 locations in Germany and Switzerland. The Thalamus naturopathy schools are represented nationwide with several locations and also offer comprehensive training courses for prospective naturopaths. The Deutsche Heilpraktikerschule has several locations across Germany and focuses on traditional naturopathic treatments. The Ludwig Fresenius Schools are represented by over 100 schools in more than 30 cities and offer naturopath training programmes as well as other healthcare professions. The ILS - Institut für Lernsysteme is Germany's largest distance learning school and offers distance learning programmes in the field of alternative practitioner training with a nationwide presence.
Heilpraktiker & moderne Naturheilkunde
Many naturopaths integrate modern findings from