Naturopaths Job Descriptions

Naturopaths follow the idea that the human body seeks ‘balance’ and can heal itself. They believe that the body needs good nutrition, fresh air, sunlight, exercise and relaxation, and that factors like stress or poor diet can upset the body’s natural balance and cause health problems.
As a naturopath, you would aim to restore a patient’s balance and improve their health using naturopathic principles and healing techniques. You would treat the patient as a whole, looking at their lifestyle, diet, and emotional issues as well as physical symptoms. Your work would involve:
· discussing your patient’s symptoms and their wider life
· carrying out a physical examination
· taking blood and other tests

· making a diagnosis based on the consultation and test results
· designing an individual treatment plan for the patient
· advising on diet and lifestyle
· using and recommending a wide range of treatments, which might include detoxification, diet changes, hydrotherapy, osteopathy, massage, homeopathy, herbal medicine and counselling.

Key Skills
· a genuine desire to help people
· the ability to build trust and rapport with patients
· understanding and sensitivity
· good listening and communication skills
· the motivational skills to encourage people to change their lifestyle
· a logical approach to problem solving
· have strong observational skills
· some knowledge of biology, chemistry and conventional medical treatments
· the commercial skills to run your own business.