| As the field of natural healing therapies continues | | | | vast array of alternative health careers. Earn your |
| to grow, so does the demand for alternative | | | | diploma or certificate as a natural health |
| health careers. Some of the diverse healthcare | | | | practitioner after you've completed an in-depth |
| occupations that alternative and complementary | | | | course in natural healing therapies like massage, |
| medicine offer prospective students include healing | | | | aromatherapy, herbal medicine, Reiki, and |
| arts disciplines in massage therapy, homeopathy, | | | | reflexology. Healing arts schools vary in subject |
| herbal medicine, natural health, and acupuncture, | | | | matter, so check with prospective schools prior |
| among many others. | | | | to applying. |
| Today's alternative health careers like massage | | | | Of these alternative health careers, acupuncture |
| therapy require specific training and education; | | | | and Oriental medicine practitioners probably have |
| including an expanding minimum standard of 500 | | | | one of the most unique educational foundations. In |
| instructional hours comprised of basic sciences | | | | addition to learning both Eastern and Western |
| (anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology), | | | | medicine philosophies, acupuncture education |
| Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and | | | | offers a rare look into Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| sports massage. Other related studies like CPR | | | | (TCM) principles and theories; including needling |
| and first aid, as well as business management and | | | | techniques, Tai Chi, moxibustion, Chinese herbal |
| client communications are commonly integrated | | | | medicine, Tuina, Qi gong, and even Chinese |
| into this program of study. | | | | medical language, among others. Prospective |
| Homeopathy is also a unique option to those | | | | students should be aware, however, that |
| seeking alternative health careers. Similar to most | | | | alternative health careers in acupuncture do |
| medical programs, homeopathic courses require | | | | require several years of dedication. |
| rigorous educational studies like anatomy, | | | | If you (or someone you know) are interested in |
| biochemistry, homeopathic philosophy, physiology, | | | | learning more about these and other alternative |
| materia medica, and other comprehensive | | | | health career options, let professional training |
| coursework. To successfully acquire alternative | | | | within fast-growing industries like massage |
| health careers in homeopathy, individuals should | | | | therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental |
| review educational prerequisites as most | | | | medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! |
| homeopathic colleges and schools typically require | | | | Explore training programs for alternative health |
| some formal training and education prior to | | | | careers near you. |
| enrollment. | | | | Alternative Health Careers - Five Occupational |
| If you're drawn to alternative health careers that | | | | Options |
| involve herbal medicine, a number of holistic | | | | © Copyright 2008 |
| education programs including Chinese medicine, | | | | The CollegeBound Network |
| naturopathy, homeopathy and natural health | | | | All Rights Reserved |
| commonly offer herbology and aromatherapy as | | | | NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of |
| part of their curricula. Choose from beginner | | | | charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright |
| classes to more advanced training options like | | | | and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL |
| earning your degree in herbal sciences. | | | | Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active. |
| Natural health professions are also part of the | | | | |