Ayurveda is a pluralistic concept with different breeds of professionals practising it with great diversity. The soaring statistics of Ayurvedic practitioners reached 4 lakh 20 thousand in 2016. To accommodate this, 341 colleges are operating to cull the finest of Ayurvedic vaidyas. However, a lot of factors have left only one-fourth of these vaidyas to practicing. The rest carve their niche in any of the profuse domains of Ayurvedic practice. So, in this blog, I will be talking about the manifolds of contemporary Ayurvedic medicine – one science many folds!
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Ayurvedic General Practitioner.
This is the conventional route. Today the market is flooded with general practitioners. It attracts patients of all ailments and if needed, they just have to refer to a specialist. A general Ayurvedic physician acts as an umbrella for the families, protecting them from diseases. Few Ayurvedic physicians have panchakarma facility too. People highly resepect these general physicians and they become an indispensable part of the family. So, doctors who cherish a deeper bond with their patients must go for this!
Pharmacy-based practice
This is one of the most preferred models of Ayurvedic consultancy. In this, the physician offers independent consulting by prescribing multi-brand medicines. This works well for individuals who are unlikely to invest in establishing a full-fledged clinic. Their remuneration is either as a fee for consultation or as fixed salary. Many practitioners opt for this model and over the course of time, they even become the owner of such outlets.
Multiple Professions
Many Ayurvedic physicians adopt a more convenient method by dividing their time amongst multiple professions. A few doctors live their passion for teaching the younger generation while continuing their service in the evening slots. This is another popular, lucrative and fulfilling scheme offering multiple sources of income. All in all, the combination of fixed salary and consulting fee offers a great balance to their finances.
Foreign Practioners
The ones with good public speaking skills are often seen conducting workshops and seminars in the foreign shores. They attract a pool of patients and are perceived as ambassadors for Ayurveda. They run their independent clinics in foreign lands and offer a plethora of services incorporating all facets of Ayurveda. In other words, this is a very successful model in many countries. Since, there are only a few noted scholars to have attained that glory of international recognition.
Ayurvedic Hospitals
The innovative model of integrated Ayurvedic hospitals offering in-patient facility and insurance coverage is witnessing a soaring demand. It’s the most preferred treatment option for patients suffering from pain, chronic ailments and psychiatric problems. There are only a few noted hospitals of this model mostly run by successful and experienced Ayurvedic practitioners. Considering the limelight Ayurveda enjoys today and the accelerating demands for such hospitals, it won’t take a scientist to see the huge gap in demand and supply of these exclusive hospitals. In other words, this field is about to see a sprut.
Allopathic practising Ayurveda doctors
The young aspirants face tough competition from the allopathic practising Ayurveda doctors. These are the Ayurvedic doctors who practised allopathy for decades. They enjoy a huge clientele as the indigenous amalgamation of Ayurveda and allopathy appeals to many patients. The transition is well trusted as it shows genuine care for choosing diverse and best methods of treatment from different systems. For emergency purposes, they resort to allopathic medicines and for chronic ailments Ayurvedic treatment works. In conclusion, this is well received!
Believers of Ayurveda
Then there are the staunch believers of Ayurveda well versed with the Vedic scripts. They operate traditional Ayurvedic clinics, chant shlokas and prepare their own concoctions. These groups strongly oppose the advent of modern medicines and highly profess Vedic lifestyle. They achieve the stature of eminent Ayurvedic physicians with their service exclusively offered to a secluded group. But today such practices are on the verge of extinction for their highly restrictive practices, intellectual arrogance and the close-minded approach. Finally, there are a handful of these practicioners left!
Products of Inheritance
Also, a few of the practitioners are merely products of inheritance. They inherit the ancestral reputation and continue to run the family business of Ayurveda. They learn under the guidance of their parents, assisting them with their work and eventually take over the complete charge of the clinic at one point. These physicians not only inherits their parent’s clinic but also their clientele. In short, this too is a lucrative option to explore!
Yoga-veda
The innovations in the service of Ayurveda have created the trending concept of ‘yoga-Veda’, an amalgamation of yoga and Ayurveda. This is a lucrative and successful tactic attracting many patients. The ayurvedic practitioners cum yoga gurus practice both the gems, hand in hand, thus spreading their reach and increasing their clientele. So, the clinic visitors get enrolled in yoga classes and the yoga students are diverted to clinical prescriptions. Hence, this model is highly lucrative and successful with many practitioners incorporating the formula.
Apart from these approaches, there are some smart Ayurvedic physicians who cater to a particular domain. They attain specialisation in that field and offer exclusive services. They enjoy the benefits of attracting targeted patients.
Panchakarma Clinics and Daycare Centres
Among the list of exclusive practices Panchakarma Clinics and daycare centres top the charts. These clinics offer a holistic experience of detoxification and rejuvenation. They help strengthening the immune system and restoring body balance. Few centres are focussing on disease entities. There are quite a few Panchakarma chains successfully operated by Ayurvedic doctors. These clinics are so lucrative that they have attracted many corporate firms to venture into this model.
Kshara sutra treatment
Next commonly sighted and highly publicized clinics are that of the kshara sutra treatment. They offers a cure to the painful conditions like fistula, piles etc. An upswing in the number of patients suffering from these conditions has paved the way for exclusive kshara sutra clinics. There are a few successful practitioners with mastery in the craft of curing these painful conditions. They even have patients from overseas for the highly effective and cost-efficient solutions they offer.
Agnikarma
For the ones who yearn to tap into the less chartered territories, Agnikarma is a budding field with only a handful of practitioners offering this exclusive service throughout the country. Considering the increasing number of cases for chronic musculoskeletal pains and haemorrhoids, exclusive services offering Agnikarma can attract a swarm of patients making it a highly profitable arena.
Marma Therapy
Among all the eroded processes from the ancient healing system, Marma therapy shows immense potential. With the spate of reviving the ancient gems, marma therapy sees the light of new theories with many people working on the facts and sciences related to it. With only a few geniuses practising this diminished art, the field stands with open arms to brace new talents. It is anticipated that marma therapy is going to create the same tide across the globe as yoga did a few years back.
Kuti Praveshika Rasayanas
One of the widely practised rituals for balancing the mind and body was kuti praveshika rasayanas. In this healing process, the practitioners facilitate complete isolation of the patient from the outside world, giving all the sensory organs complete rest. This therapy is immensely helpful for the ones suffering from stress, depression, anxiety, mental issues, insomnia or the ones struggling to find meaning and purpose of life. The 42-day ritual costs about 4 to 5 lakhs to each patient. Even if one manages to get 10 patients a year, the gain is pretty handsome. There are very few doctors offering this facility and there is a wide scope for one to achieve great heights in this realm.
Ayurvedic massage clinic
For those looking for tried tested and proven models of Ayurvedic practices, Ayurvedic massage clinic is the perfect solution. Ayurvedic massages are a rage these days and there are plenty of doctors offering this service with professional expertise. (some are offering massage service to various clinical conditions by blending various exotic massage techniques).The potent Ayurvedic massages offer a plethora of benefits to each part of the body. It caters to a large group of people from the ones looking for relaxation to the chronic sufferers of pain and ailments. Making a career in this realm offers a bright opportunity for Ayurvedic practitioners to serve a large group with handsome take-home goodies.
Churna chutney dispensers
For those ayurvedic experts with an entrepreneurial spirit, churna chutney dispensers seem like the perfect option. A low-cost practice caters to a vast population thus offering high yields. There are only a few key players leveraging from this successful model of Ayurvedic practice.
Beauty Industry
Ayurvedic practitioners are also creating a high wave in the beauty industry with the organic, herbal and natural products flooding the market. They stand fast in the face of international cosmetics ladened with chemicals. Many practitioners have started their chain of Ayurvedic beauty clinics that offer a variety of beauty treatments from head to toe. So, if you are passionate about beauty and outlook then there is a fair chance you could blend your passion with knowledge and offer your unique service of natural beautification.
Multiple skin and hair problems
Speaking of beauty, skin and hair play an important role in one’s appearance. Today be it a girl or boy, men or women, everyone pines for flawless skin and gorgeous mane. They are ready to spend hefty amounts to flaunt their physical appeal. This has opened the doors for many Ayurvedic physicians to establish their practice catering to multiple skin and hair problems. With pollution, dust and dirt playing their role well, the presumption of high demand for such practitioner is imprinted in the book of future.
Childbirth and Fertility
Ayurveda is highly preferred for its natural ways of correcting the problems related to childbirth and fertility. The safe and natural techniques adopted by Ayurveda are highly lauded and this gives such Ayurvedic practitioners an upper-hand over their stout competition of modern methods. Because these doctors make the process of natural birth achieved organically. They charge a hefty amount from the patients. This is yet another emerging field for the young Ayurvedics.
Sexual difficulties
Ayurveda also has a good reputation for correcting sexual difficulties. Many doctors appeal to the rural crowd with high publicity through classified ads, posters, agents and banners. This is a lucrative business model as young boys and girls shy to speak to their family often opt for advice from such experts. Many traditional patients come to seek help for their critical clinical conditions like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, Performance anxiety, Dhat syndrome, Frigidity etc. Such practices are witnessing a downfall for the lack of innovation in their techniques. With people opening up about their sexual issues the younger generation can leverage a lot in this section of practice by adapting good counselling.
Employment in large corporate firms
Apart from the traditional clinical practices, today the Ayurvedic practitioners also enjoy the benefits of employment in large corporate firms. Many Ayurvedic Pharma giants employ certified practitioners to prescribe their exclusive brands. Such physicians are already practising in Kottakkal, Nagarjuna, Patanjali, Vaidyarathnam, Baidyanath outlets. This offers a great platform for the youngsters and the ones looking for a stable salaried job.
Even many SPA’s recruit Ayurvedic practitioners for namesake as it adds glory and authenticity to their services. There are many practitioners who are thriving in this particular profession. They establish good connections, fair experience and work across chains of SPAS making visits to many places in and out of India.
The charm of mystic healing
India is a land filled with mystic people. One can’t ignore the stark presence of godmen. Swamiji or babas charming the gullible people with their spiritual and ayurvedic knowledge. Some of them are highly successful and famous with the capacity of running their own hospitals, therapy centres and much more. They attract clients through the combined knowledge of astrology, yoga, mantra and satvavajaya chikitsa. With their divine spirituality and awestruck tricks, many eminent personalities of the society become their followers.
The scamsters
It is imperative to mention that the immense scope of Ayurveda also attracts many bandicoots and scamsters. They tarnish the name for honest practitioners by looting the money and leaving a bitter experience. They reach out to patients through calls or direct contact. These conmen are very good listeners and charm the patients with their calculative predictions. They offer solutions wrapped in luring fake promises and vanishes once the deal is done. They are the biggest threat to the budding world of Ayurveda.
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Takeaway
There is an unexplored ocean of opportunity in Ayurvedic practice that awaits the next generation innovators to recreate histories with a modern spectacle. The ground is open for you to make it big as online consultants or health care providers for big companies, as specialists or general practitioners.