Feature -- by Karen Rocznik

Thinking about a career in health care? With so many technological advances being made in the medical industry, we often lose sight of what the words health really mean: namely the mental and physical well being of the patient. Now, here are some people working in the health industry who do more than diagnose and cure, they help people live better.

Neurological Physiotherapist

Mary Anne Ostapovitch always knew she wanted to go into physiotherapy. "I've always been drawn to working with people. I learnt about the profession through a family friend who was a physiotherapist. I like excercise as well, so this sort of ties the two because we are doing physical exercises with the people I work with." But Ostapovitch does more than just bend a few legs and massage a few necks. She works with young people who have sustained serious brain injuries.

"They are young adults who have been 'normal' up until a certain point of their life, then bingo, their world's fallen apart because they've had a traumatic brain injury. And they're never the same again. So, it's not just the physical we work with, it's the emotional and psychological and trying to motivate them again."

To address the physical needs of her patients, Ostapovitch says she works to stimulate the muscles, relaxation techniques, and coordination exercises to get movement back in the body. For the patients' emotional needs, Ostapovitch relies on a team of volunteers and other staff to help out. "A lot of people say I must be so depressed to work where these are young people. I guess all I can say is that the program is such a positive atmosphere. You see these young people smiling and laughing. I think it's because there is some hope there; that yes, there is more."

Ostapovitch says neurology is just one area physiotherapists can specialize in. Other areas include respiratory therapy, rheumatology, orthopaedic therapy, working with amputees and sports injuries. While not all physiotherapists specialize, Ostapovitch says most do find an area they enjoy and pursue it. "I can't imagine myself doing anything other than this. It's a wonderful profession. It's very rewarding because you see the results. You come away with a good feeling everyday."

For more information about volunteering or neurological physiotherapy contact The Association for Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured in Calgary at (403) 242-7116 or check out About Physiotherapy

Homeopath

At one point in our lives, many, if not all of us have suffered through a cold. Most of us either take a trip to the pharmacy and load up on vitamin C or pop some Dristan to help calm that runny nose. But what about eating an onion? That's the principle behind Homeopathy. Medicine or remedies are given which most closely matches an individual's particular sign or symptom. In that sense, itchy watery eyes from a cold would be treated with extracts from a natural substance, like an onion, that would produce the same symptoms. This form of treatment stimulates a person's own natural defence mechanisms, which in turn, throws off the disease.

"I think the important thing people need to know about homeopathy is that it is a wholistic medicine," says Cathy Marricks, a homeopath. It is based on scientific principles. It is safe and gentle by virtue that the remedies are non-toxic, so there's no dangerous drug side effects or becoming addicted. It can be used on any age and on pregnant women to infants a few minutes old."

Marricks became intrigued with homeopathy after a homeopath cured a mysterious skin condition in her and her children. "When I read about what homeopathy was and how it worked, I just thought, this is the real medicine. This is what people have been waiting for. This is so true and I need to study more."

Currently there are only a few schools in Canada that offer courses in homeopathy - with most programs ranging from three to four years. But Marricks says a lot of homeopaths study through correspondence. And while a scientific background is beneficial, it is not required. "The more LIFE experience the better." Marricks has been practicing homeopathy since 1992. In that time her client/patient volume has more than tripled. "I think more and more people are getting interested in the natural therapies, they're not happy with the quick fix, they realize there is no such thing."

For more information on Homeopathy chech out the following site: Introduction to Homeopathy

Naturopathic Physician

Naturopathy, or Naturopathic Medicine is based on the philosophy which promotes the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and illness through the use of natural, non-toxic means. This includes Clinical Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Mechanotherapy (manipulation or realignment), and Traditional Chinese Medicine (pulse and tongue diagnosis, herbs, acupressure and acupuncture). But despite the non-traditional methodology (by Western medicine standards anyway), Naturopaths are very well versed in all aspects of science.

Trevor Hoffman, a Naturopathic Physician, says response from the medical profession is mixed. "From disdain to doctors who very much agree with what we do." He says his four years of training at the post-graduate school of naturopathy in Arizona was very similar to any medical doctoral program. "Everything we do has a scientific background to it. It's not old wives'tales or folk-medicine. There's scientific documentation behind pretty much most of what we do - 80 to 90 per cent - and that's surprising to most people. The last two years is where we focus on our modalities, our tools that we use, that's where we differ. "

Besides differing scientific philosophies, most N.D.s look at their patients as a whole, and not just as a symptom or disease. Naturopaths focus on four aspects of a person's health: the physical, biochemical, electromagnetic and mental/emotional components. "I spend about an hour with a patient on their initial visit. We don't rely on a lot of high- tech stuff, we rely more on asking questions to find out what the problem is. We look at treating the cause, not just the symptom."

Currently, there are only five schools of Naturopathic Medicine in North America. And while their numbers may be small, the demand for naturopathic physcians is growing. "The field's wide open right now," says Hoffman, who works at the Wild Rose Wholistic Clinic in Calgary. "I had offers all over the U.S. and several in Canada. You wouldn't believe how many naturopaths are looking for help because they are just swamped."

So why is there such a demand? "I guess we're getting good results," Hoffman says with a laugh. "And people are looking for a change. They're not looking at the 'white pill' anymore. They want to be more responsible for their health and we try to give that to our patients."

Home Care Careers

With an aging population and fewer hospital beds and nursing home spaces, more and more health professionals are making house calls. "People's spiritual health is enhanced by staying in their own home," says Audrey Murray, a nurse and team manager at Communinitiy Care Services-Home Care in Calgary. "We are treated as guests in their home. When people are in hospitals, they are guests of an institution. It's a way of maintaining control in their lives."

Murray runs a staff of 40 full-time, some part-time, casual and volunteer workers. She says home care service is not just for the aged. "Home care is available to anyone regardless of age - from newborns to over 100 years old." It also involves a wide range of medical professions. The home care industry employs nurses, occupational therapists, who help clients get dressed and bathe, physical therapists, who do muscle training and pain management, social workers and dietitians. There are also clinical specialists who work in palliative care, mental health, education and administering I.V.s.

Murray says she and her staff also look after people without a conventional home. "We work closely with the downtown agencies. We bring care into the Mustard Seed (soup kitchen) and in drop-in centres, for those with no fixed address." Looking back on over 30 years of health service, Murray says she has enjoyed working in home care. "It's not routine. It's an interesting field because you become a colleague with the clients. This is empowering for the staff and the clients. It's the people I remember, their stories and how they have touched all the staff here."

For more information about Home Care, Naturopathy and Homeopathy contact this month's Industy Profile