To fully benefit from holistic health treatments, it's important to find a practitioner who is right for you. The below information may be helpful to consider when looking for a practitioner.

Questions to Consider When Choosing a Practitioner

  • Has the practitioner treated patients before with similar needs to yours?
  • Does the practitioner have sufficient education/experience to provide the treatment you are interested in safely? (e.g. do they have certification or education, or are they registered with a professional organization such as the NHPC?)

Questions to Consider When Choosing a Holistic Health Practice

  • Is the treatment covered by your health insurance? If not, is there another way to pay for treatment, such as through a wellness spending account or other employee benefits?
  • How long does each individual treatment take?
  • How many follow up visits are usually required for this type of practice? 
  • Are there risks associated with this practice?
  • Are there any other practices that can address your specific needs? If so, what are the pros and cons of each practice?
  • What level of dress/undress is required for this type of treatment?
  • What follow-up care (e.g. at home stretches) will be required to benefit from these practices?

The Client's Role

  • Be an active participant in your health and the treatments you receive
  • Tell your practitioner what issues you are experiencing (e.g. pain, headache, trouble sleeping, poor range of motion, etc.)
  • Tell your practitioner what outcomes you would like from the treatment
  • Answer all of your practitioner's questions honestly, as this will affect your treatment outcomes
  • Disclose pre-existing conditions and all medications you are currently taking
  • Give your therapist honest, frequent feedback, including any concerns you have

Your NHPC Practitioner's Role

  • Conduct an initial assessment that involves a question component, and determine the course of treatment based on that assessment
  • Inform the client of the focus of the treatment, techniques to be used, and the symptoms being addressed
  • Treat the client with respect, dignity, and compassion at all times
  • Facilitate the health and well-being of the client
  • Adjust the treatment according to the client's needs
  • Accept feedback and respond appropriately to concerns
  • Obtain informed, ongoing consent from the client for any treatment they receive