Scope of Practice
Understanding what Ayurvedic practitioners do — and what falls outside their scope — helps patients make informed decisions about their care. CAPA's defined scope of practice ensures practitioners work within their competence and protects the public from harm.
Find a PractitionerGet the complete Scope of Practice document for your records. It outlines the full boundaries and permitted services for CAPA practitioners.
Download Scope of PracticeWhat Ayurvedic Practitioners Do
CAPA-certified practitioners offer a wide range of evidence-informed, traditional Ayurvedic services.
Herbal Protocols
Classical Ayurvedic herbal formulations, single herbs, and therapeutic preparations used according to traditional principles of Rasa, Guna, Virya, and Vipaka.
Dietary Therapy
Personalized nutritional guidance aligned with an individual's Prakriti and current Vikriti, incorporating seasonal and regional food traditions.
Panchakarma
Five classical purification therapies — Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, and Rakta Moksha — administered by trained practitioners in appropriate clinical settings.
Mind-Body Counselling
Sattvavajaya (Ayurvedic psychology), stress management, and integrative wellness coaching to support mental, emotional, and spiritual balance.
Within Scope
- Ayurvedic health assessment using Prakriti and Vikriti analysis
- Pulse diagnosis (Nadi Pariksha) and physical assessment
- Dietary and nutritional guidance based on dosha principles
- Lifestyle and daily routine (Dinacharya) recommendations
- Herbal and botanical protocols using classical Ayurvedic formulations
- Panchakarma and other Ayurvedic detoxification therapies
- Yoga, pranayama, and meditation guidance as therapeutic tools
- Marma therapy and Ayurvedic bodywork (Abhyanga, Shirodhara)
- Ayurvedic psychology and mind-body counselling
- Health education and wellness coaching
Outside Scope
- Diagnosing or treating diseases as defined under medical law
- Prescribing pharmaceutical drugs
- Performing surgical procedures of any kind
- Claiming to cure, treat, or prevent specific diseases
- Ordering or interpreting medical laboratory tests (unless separately licensed)
- Providing care requiring licensure under provincial medical or nursing legislation
Questions About Ayurvedic Care?
Contact CAPA or use our directory to find a certified practitioner who can advise you on the right care for your needs.