When healing and rejuvenation become a way of life for people 

The field of alternate wellness is diverse and encompasses many techniques like acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, ayurveda, balneotherapy, homeopathy, yoga, unani, naturopathy and more
Alternative medicine is used in place of traditional medical practices to heal, rejuvenate and help
Alternative medicine is used in place of traditional medical practices to heal, rejuvenate and help

The Indian Wellness Industry can achieve about Rs 1.5 trillion by FY20 as per the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY). The Healthcare industry is expected to touch USD 280 billion by FY20. While the wellness and preventive healthcare sector as a whole is expected to nearly double by 2020, some sub-segments will outperform others. Beauty and nutritional care would retain their share while fitness and rejuvenation would significantly increase their market share.

These numbers itself increase the scope of alternative wellness remedies. Alternate wellness is a return to nature, with faith in the miraculous self-healing capabilities of an integrated body-mind-soul approach. In ayurveda, unani, siddha, homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), herbs and medicines are prescribed.

First choice: The wellness and preventive health care sector is expected to nearly double by 2020


Other reasons and trends that affirm that alternate wellness techniques will always be in demand are the increase in iatrogenic diseases or the illness caused by medical examination or treatment and idiopathic worries which denote any disease or condition that arises spontaneously or for which the cause is unknown, as the names given to many diseases describe the symptom and do not identify the root cause. There are also causes like polypharmacy, where the use of five or more regular medications causes adverse reactions when coupled with drug- to-drug (when prescribed by two different specialists), drug-to-food and drug-to-herbal medicines. And while impaired homeostasis could lead to immune deficiency, impotence, insomnia, impaction we all know that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise and are caused by improper diet, lack of adequate exercise, insomnia, stress and lifestyle habits. Then there is also the long-term, off-the-counter usage of medicines — all these may lead to side effects, which alternate wellness is devoid of. Alternate wellness therapists also need to study extensively and be knowledgeable about the interactions between patients’ drugs, diet and alternate wellness prescriptions as well.

This is when we must go back to what Hippocrates, a Greek physician, said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Healing therapies, where no medicines, drugs or supplements are prescribed, are home remedies, naturopathy, yoga, physiotherapy, sujok, reflexology, chiropractic, varmam therapy and acupuncture.

Acupuncture involves the application of needles at specific ‘acupoints’ where Qi (energy) flows. Acupressure, cupping and moxibustion are other treatment modalities of acutherapists.

After pursuing the subject of Alternative Wellness academically, one must make sure that they complete a residency, internship or training with an expert before getting licensed and moving further

When it comes to acupuncture, while it may be easy to learn, training with experts is a must. And eventually, one is required to write and pass the recommended exams. You could start small by treating family and friends and then join an association of healers, while taking up continuous education programmes. At last, complete your Doctorate and apprentice with experts for advanced techniques which reverse fatal diseases like kidney failure, lungs collapse, liver cirrhosis and other such ailments.

(For 24 years of her life, Prof Dr Naseem Mariam was a communications software expert and has been a mother since 1987. But in the past eight years, she has made great strides in the world of healing and alternate wellness. She is currently the Director of ATAMA Research Centre and Clinic - Santhome, Chennai. Her career as a writer, which started in 2001, will resume with the release of her second book Serene Wellness this year. She spreads awareness, creates more healers and has two goals — a drugless, disease-free world in 2030 and one healer in every family who actively heals those around them with joy and dedication. She hopes that these individuals will also associate with international organisations like Tamil Nadu Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine Association (ATAMA) Indian Academy of Acupuncture Sciences (IAAS), International SuJok Association (ISA), and International Cupping Association (ICA) and others.)

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