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Alternative Medicine Career
Why Choose an Alternative Medicine Career?
When traditional Western health care fails to provide relief to a patient, it is natural to look for other methods to obtain a cure. All those therapies that do not fall within the realm of traditional Western health care are categorized as Alternative medicine. This includes Herbology, Chinese Medicine, Massage Therapy, Yoga, Physical Therapy, Meditation, Naturopathy, and Reiki Healing, among many others. As such, Alternative medicine is a broad category that combines healing and spirituality and offers a combination of Eastern medicine and clinical research and Western health care. It has been seen to effectively treat any number of medical conditions, and this fact has led to a proliferation of both practitioners and patients in recent times.
Alternative Medicine Career Requirements
An inclination to study this branch of medicine along with a background that creates this inclination is the only requirement. Alternative medicine’s emphasis on preventive care and healthy living make it an attractive option to anyone who wants to avoid invasive procedures and prescription drugs and believes in holistic healing. Persons who are already practicing some form of alternative healing like fitness experts, yoga, and meditation instructors can obtain additional degrees or certificates in campus schools to complement their career prospects.
Online Degrees for Alternative Medicine
A number of colleges have started offering courses in Alternative Medicine; these could be in the form of bachelor's and master's degrees or certifications in specialized fields. Some types of qualifications that can be obtained by those interested in this field include:
- Bachelor of Science in Holistic Nutrition
- Bachelor of Science in Natural Health
- Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition
- Master of Science in Natural Health
- Doctor of Education in Holistic Health and Wellness
- Family Herbalist Certificate
- Iridology Theory and Practice
- Master Herbalist Certificate
- Consulting Herbalist Certificate
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Alternative Medicine or any other comprehensive degree program includes courses in Herbology and Botany, Biology and Anatomy, Nutrition and Aging, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, and Antioxidants, among others. Spiritual aspects like chakras, mantras, and meditation may also be part of the curriculum. The intent is to provide a wide base to students and facilitate adequate exploration of the growing field of Alternative Medicine in order that they can decide on their area of specialization like massage therapy or chiropractics or some other. Persons who are already practicing some form of alternative healing like fitness experts, yoga, and meditation instructors can obtain additional degrees or certificates. Persons who wish to work as physical therapists and massage therapists must complete two-year degrees and receive certification from state or federal boards. Four-year degrees plus certification is mandatory for chiropractors before they can begin practicing professionally.
Those who prefer an online mode of study should ensure that the online program is fully accredited before they join one. The aim of a professional course is to produce well-rounded and educated healthcare professionals with a broad exposure that will enable decision making in the ever-changing field of healthcare.
Alternative Medicine Career Fields
Healthcare Professionals such as Nurses, Massage Therapists, Spa Directors, and Medical Assistants often complement their knowledge base with these natural healing arts and take their career to the next level. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, chiropractic medicine and massage therapy have been seeing a fast growth and this could accelerate in the coming years. The ability to provide immediate relief, better affordability, and preventative nature of alternative medicine is making it a preferred career option. Available salary ranges in the field are also an encouraging factor. Many leading hospitals prefer to have some such practitioners on board to convey the message that they provide holistic healing and also to keep up with the times. In addition, freelance and contractual work can be done in the field of alternative medicine and often appeals to those working in the other branches of alternative medicine like massage therapy, Reiki, color therapists, homeopathy, ayurveda, acupuncture, acupressure, etc.
Society today does not hesitate to investigate alternative forms of healing and medicine when the available healthcare measures do not produce desired results. Holistic medicine or alternative medicine enables qualified professionals to treat common health problems through alternative means like the use of homeopathic remedies. These professionals consider themselves Natural Healers and use drug-free, natural healing methods to ease pain, get rid of stress, increase physical vitality, and give their patients an overall feeling of well-being. The focus is not on individual body parts, but on the person as a whole; it recognizes that each individual is different and will respond differently to treatment. Analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values is subjective and leads to individualized treatments. While the emphasis sounds rational, the system does not lend itself to clinical research or data derived from a study of large numbers of similar cases. Due to this, mainstream science has yet to embrace alternative medicine wholeheartedly.