alternative practitioner
Loading your saved state.
alternative practitioner
A person who professionally practices medicine in Germany without having a medical license as a doctor. The work requires state permission under the Heilpraktiker Act and often includes methods of alternative or complementary medicine.
Gegen meine chronischen Kopfschmerzen hat mir der Besuch bei einem Heilpraktiker geholfen.
A visit to an alternative practitioner helped me with my chronic headaches.
The word is made up of 'heilen' (to heal) and 'Praktiker' (someone who practices something). So a 'Heilpraktiker' is literally a person who practices healing.
Viele Menschen suchen einen Heilpraktiker für alternative Behandlungsmethoden auf.
Many people consult an alternative practitioner for alternative treatment methods.
The word belongs to the family of 'heilen' (to heal). Related words are 'die Heilung' (the process of getting well/healing) and 'die Heilkunde' (knowledge about diseases and their treatment).
Ein Heilpraktiker muss umfassende Kenntnisse in der Heilkunde nachweisen.
An alternative practitioner must demonstrate extensive knowledge of healing practices.
The profession 'Heilpraktiker' (alternative practitioner) is a special feature of the German healthcare system. These people are allowed to practice healing, but they do not have medical training as doctors and often use methods of alternative medicine.
Für die Behandlung ist eine staatliche Erlaubnis als Heilpraktiker erforderlich.
State permission as an alternative practitioner is required for the treatment.
In connection with a 'Heilpraktiker' (alternative practitioner), people often use the verbs 'aufsuchen' (to consult/seek out), 'konsultieren' (to consult), or simply 'gehen zu' (to go to). So you say that you 'geht zum Heilpraktiker' (go to the alternative practitioner).
Sie hat beschlossen, wegen ihrer Allergie einen Heilpraktiker aufzusuchen.
She decided to consult an alternative practitioner because of her allergy.
doctor
'der Arzt' and 'der Heilpraktiker' both have to do with health and treatment. An 'Arzt' has studied medicine and is allowed to diagnose and treat illnesses as a doctor. A 'Heilpraktiker' does not have a medical license as a doctor, but with state permission may practice certain kinds of healing, often using alternative methods. The words can be confused because both advise or treat people with complaints. When it is about a medical diagnosis, medication, or treatment in a hospital, 'Arzt' is the appropriate word. For alternative or complementary treatment, you are more likely to say 'Heilpraktiker'.
Meine Nachbarin besucht einen Heilpraktiker, weil sie zusätzlich zur Therapie etwas gegen ihre Rückenschmerzen tun möchte.
My neighbor visits an alternative practitioner because she wants to do something for her back pain in addition to therapy.
Wegen der starken Schmerzen geht er heute zum Arzt.
Because of the severe pain, he is going to the doctor today.