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Alternative and Complementary Health Care Business

Last Verified: 2008-01-08

The following is intended to provide an understanding of potential licence, permit or registration requirements when considering the establishment of an Alternative and Complementary Health Care Business in New Brunswick. This document is a guide prepared by Canada Business - New Brunswick and affiliated departments and agencies to provide you with a list of possible steps and issues to consider in carrying out your project. The extent to which the information will apply to you is dependent on the circumstances related to your project.

Before proceeding, reference should be made to the Business Start-up in New Brunswick  guide for information on the steps involved in establishing a new business in New Brunswick. You may also want to consult our complete  List of New Brunswick Guides.

Note : You will notice that throughout this publication, there are some references made to other relevant documents ("see the document...")  If you are using the Web, simply click on the links provided. If you are reading this publication from a print copy and would like to obtain those additional documents, please call the Canada Business - New Brunswick at 1-888-576-4444 and we will provide you with copies.

For further information on individual topics identified herein, contact the respective governing body or Canada Business - New Brunswick. Because this document is only meant as a guide, Canada Business - New Brunswick will not accept responsibility for business decisions made based on the information provided.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. General
1.1  Industry Overview
1.2  Types of Operation
1.3  Furnishings and Equipment

2. Regulations
2.1  Certification and Training
2.2  Acts and Regulations
2.3  Music Licence
2.4  Fire Marshal's Office
2.5  Protection of Personal Information: Your Responsibilities

3. Other sources of information
3.1  Associations
3.2  Ressources
3.3  Related Web Sites
3.4  Statistics

4. Canada Business - New Brunswick


1.  General

1.1  Industry Overview
Alternative health care is a growing industry in Canada. The most recent National Population Health Survey by Statistics Canada (1998/99) found that 3.8 million Canadians aged 18 and over had consulted an alternative health care provider at least once during the previous 12 months. Alternative health care providers for the study included, for example massage therapists, homeopaths, herbalists and acupuncturists. This represented a 2% increase in consultations from the previous study of 1994/95.

The Fraser Institute published a report on the use of complementary/alternative medicine by Canadians and found that during the 1997 calendar year, Canadians spent approximately $1.8 billion out of pocket on visits to complementary and/or alternative health care providers and an additional $2 billion on herbs, vitamins, diet programs, and books.

A definition frequently referenced in research comes from the National Center for complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in the US. They define alternative medicine as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine (medicine as practiced by medical doctor or doctors of osteopathy and by their allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses).

Alternative health care is often referred to as complementary and alternative health care. The terms "alternative" and "complementary" refer to using a same therapy differently. That is, alternative refers to using a particular therapy instead of conventional treatment; and complementary is used along with conventional medicine. Other terminology used can include:

  • alternative and integrative medicine
  • alternative therapies
  • complementary care
  • complementary and alternative medicines
  • alternative medicine.

Some types of alternative health care are more commonly used than others in Canada. In their study, The Fraser Institute identified the following practices as most commonly used: chiropractic (36%), relaxation techniques (23%), massage (23%), prayer (21%), herbal therapies (17%), special diet (12%), folk remedies (12%), acupuncture (12%), yoga (10%), self-help group (8%), lifestyle diet (8%), and homeopathy (8%).

The Statistics Canada study examining patterns of use of alternative health care in Canada found that the use is higher among women, people with higher education and higher income, people experiencing chronic conditions or pain, and in Western Canadians (explained in part due to more flexible provincial health care plans). Further, it concluded that Canadians were visiting alternate health care providers not as an alternative to conventional medicine, but rather to complement it.  

It is speculated that the demand for services within the alternative health care industry will continue to grow, fueled in part by Canada's aging population and the increase in chronic illness.

1.2  Types of Operation
There are many different kinds of alternative therapies, and several ways to operate these kinds of businesses.

The following are examples of alternative health care practices (examples include, but are not limited to):

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese art based on the theory that Qi energy flows along meridians in the body, and can be stimulated by inserting fine needles at specific points. Acupuncture is used to treat asthma, addiction, arthritis, depression, anxiety, blood pressure disorder and problems with the digestive system.

Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being.

Ayurveda is an alternative medical system that has been practiced primarily in the Indian subcontinent for 5 000 years. Ayurveda includes diet and herbal remedies and emphasizes the use of body, mind, and spirit in disease prevention and treatment.

Chiropractic is an alternative medical system. It focuses on the relationship between bodily structure (primarily that of the spine) and function, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Chiropractors use manipulative therapy as an integral treatment tool.

Natural Health Products are defined as vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines, probiotics, and other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids. Natural health products are available for self care and self selection, and do not require a prescription to be sold. In Canada, natural health products, also referred to as complementary medicines or traditional remedies, are subject to the Natural Health Products Regulations.

Homeopathic medicine is an alternative medical system. In homeopathic medicine, there is a belief that "like cures like" meaning that small, highly diluted quantities of medicinal substances are given to cure symptoms, when the same substances given at higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause those symptoms.

Massage or massotherapy is the manipulation of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function of those tissues and promote relaxation and well-being.

Naturopathic medicine is an alternative medical system in which practitioners work with natural healing forces within the body, with a goal of helping the body heal from disease and attain better health. Practices may include dietary modifications, massage, exercise, acupuncture, minor surgery, and various other interventions.

Reflexology is a type of deep foot or hand massage designed to relax the whole body through the reflex response. The thumbs are used extensively to break up crystalline deposits that have formed at the nerve endings, particularly on the bottom of the feet.

Reiki is a Japanese word representing Universal Life Energy. Reiki is based on the belief that when spiritual energy is channelled through a reiki practitioner, the patient's spirit is healed, which in turn heals the physical body.

Therapeutic Touch is derived from an ancient technique called "laying-on of hands". It is based on the premise that it is the healing force of the therapist that affects the patient's recovery; healing is promoted when the body's energies are in balance; and, by passing their hands over the patient, healers can identify energy imbalances.

Yoga has been shown to alleviate stress and, at the physical level, yoga has been seen to be useful in the treatment of those who suffer conditions that affect or are affected by posture, such as backache and arthritis.

Practitioners of alternative health care may be home based, practice from an office or spa-like environment, or take their business directly to the client at their home or office (for example, chair massages in the workplace); or even a combination of these.

Some practitioners may specialize in one discipline while others may train to offer multiple therapies.

To complement their practice, some practitioners incorporate a retail aspect to their business and may, for example, sell natural health or cosmetic products.

For more information regarding starting a retail business, see the following document:  Winning Retail (2nd Edition) - A Self Assessment and Instructional Guide for Independant Retailers  Winning Retail is a useful " how to" publication aimed at the retail industry. For a student of retail, you will find in its pages practical ideas from the real world of retail to help form your understanding of the business.

Another type of business, pending on the discipline and qualifications of the practitioner can include teaching techniques to others.
 
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT), the high costs of pharmaceuticals for many developing nations creates exporting opportunities   for Canadian firms that specialize in alternative and natural health practices. Whether delivering these therapies directly to patients or providing training to individuals within the foreign market, there exists the potential for new and profitable experiences. See Web site:
http://webapps.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadexport/view.asp?id=374636&language=E.

1.3  Furnishings and Equipment
Before you open your business, you may need specialized equipment. The kind of service you are offering will determine the type of equipment you will require. For assistance in this area, you may get the advice of a sales representative or consult trade publications and manufacturers' Web sites. List that equipment and its cost to you. An important factor to consider when choosing equipment is the after-sales service and repair and their affordability.

Used Equipment - Consider buying used equipment as a cost-saving measure. Sources of used equipment could be a similar business that is closing or dealers in second-hand equipment. The drawback to this approach is that, often, there are no guarantees with the purchase.

Leasing Equipment - Another alternative is to lease equipment to help keep start-up costs down.


2.  Regulations

2.1  Certification and Training
Contact the appropriate association for details regarding certification and training. See Section 3.1.

Canadian Health Network has a document entitled What training do complementary and alternative practitioners receive?  

2.2  Acts and Regulations

2.3  Music Licence
Performances of music in public, i.e. restaurants, clubs, hotels, dance halls, offices, stores, etc., require a licence.  This licence is necessary whether the music is performed by live or recorded means.  

For more information, contact the SOCAN office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia at 1-800-707-6226 or visit the Web site at the following address:  http://www.socan.ca/jsp/en/index.jsp?homepage=3&reset= true.

2.4  Fire Marshal's Office
Under the Fire Prevention Act, it is required that you submit plans of the establishment to the Office of the Fire Marshal for review.  

For more information contact the Office of the Fire Marshal at 506-453-2004 or you may also visit the Web site at the following address:  www.gnb.ca/0276/fire/index-e.asp

2.5  Protection of Personal Information: Your Responsibilities
The Guide to Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act  (PIPEDA) helps businesses understand their obligations and comply to the Act.  Since January 1, 2004, the PIPED Act covers the collection, use or disclosure of personal information in the course of all commercial activities in Canada, except in provinces which have enacted legislation that is deemed to be substantially similar to the federal law.

For more information, see the document Protection of Personal Information - Your Responsibilities, call toll-free 1-800-282-1376 or visit the Web site:  www.privcom.gc.ca/information/guide_e.asp


3.  Other sources of information

3.1  Associations
Examples of associations include, but are not limited to:

3.2  Resources
Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Health Care
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/pcahc-pacps/index.html

3.3  Related Web Sites

3.4  Statistics
National Population Health Survey:
http://www.statcan.ca/bsolc/english/bsolc?catno=82C0013

4.  Canada Business - New Brunswick

Canada Business - New Brunswick is an innovative partnership of federal and provincial government departments. Both levels of government work with key private-sector organizations to create a seamless information network for entrepreneurs.

Our mission is to improve the start-up, survival and growth rates of small and medium sized enterprises by giving business people in every part of New Brunswick access to accurate, timely and relevant information and referrals.

What can we do for you? We can guide you in the right direction! We can give you the information you need! We are your best source of comprehensive business information!

Canada Business - New Brunswick is accessible province-wide and free of charge. You may reach us through our toll-free number or visit us with your questions. Our office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. We also provide a 24-hour business information service, seven days a week, through our Web site.

Here's how to reach us:

Canada Business - New Brunswick
Ground Floor, Barker House
570 Queen Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 6Z6
Telephone: 506-444-6140
Fax: 506-444-6172
Toll-free (information): 1-888-576-4444
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: infonb@canadabusiness.ca
Web site: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/nb
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday - except Government holidays

      DISCLAIMER
      Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

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      Last Modified: 2008-01-08

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