Alternative Medicine Schools

Learn How To Heal The Entire Self At Alternative Medicine Schools

For thousands of years, Eastern cultures have practiced alternative medicine, and it's just recently that they have come to North America by storm. When conventional medicine fails you, it's natural to turn to alternative methods, and many people are surprised at how effective those alternative methods can be. From massage therapy to balancing energy to using herbs, alternative medicine schools can give you a taste of everything.

What Is Alternative Medicine?

Alternative medicine essentially teaches you about healing the body on all levels, physical, spiritual and emotional by bringing balance to your inner energy. This practice is done without surgery or medication and has been practiced in ancient Chinese, Indian and Native American cultures for centuries. They believe the body can heal itself, but it is important to treat the whole body, not just the source of the ailment.

You need to look at the root of the disease, and educate patients on understanding the environmental, emotional and physical causes of problems in order to manage their lifestyles and potential hazards. Alternative medicine can be practiced through techniques like acupuncture, acupressure, massage therapy, reiki, herbal medicine, yoga, Indian ayurvedic medicine or Chinese medicine among others things.

Who Is This For?

Alternative medicine school is definitely not for everyone. You need to have an open mind and the ability to see the body holistically. Your clients will have strong spiritual or physical needs that you will need to meet with sympathy, patience and compassion. These are the characteristics that are truly prerequisites to enter any alternative medicine program, as it is a rigourous course of study and you need to reflect on yourself and your abilities before committing to it.

Alternative Medicine Degree Courses and Programs

You can find an alternative medicine degree in many different areas, and you can get many different types of degrees. Master's and doctorate programs are as difficult as medical school and need to be taken full time at an institution for best results, but there are many certificate programs that you can do part time or even online to make studying faster and easier.

A lot of the certificate programs are just introduction courses offered in alternative medicine schools, so you will need further education to become licensed in your specialty, but often times they are designed for people who have already become licensed and who want to expand their education and areas of expertise. Some of the most common certification classes are herbal medicine, teaching yoga, massage therapy, aromatherapy and holistic health.

If you intend to pursue a career or certification after your degree, you will want to at least get a bachelor's degree. Most are 4 year programs, although there are 2 year programs available that allow transfer credits from other college majors. In a bachelor of science of alternative medicine, you will study things like acupuncture, physiology, body therapies and Chinese medicine among other things. A bachelor's degree will lead to entry level positions in a chiropractic or acupuncture institute, or an assisting job in physical therapy or a rehabilitation center.

If you intend to have a serious, professional career in alternative medicine that has room for growth, you will want to at least get a master's of alternative medicine degree. Most programs are about 3 years and combine Western and Eastern principles of traditional and holistic healing. Your training will include classes like interviewing patients, herbal medicines, diagnosing conditions, acupuncture, Chinese physical therapy and Chinese terminology.

You will need to complete an internship as part of your education, and it is divided into 2 stages. At stage 1 you will be working in an acupuncture, herbal or Chinese medicine clinic under the supervision of a professional nurse, doctor, herbalist, physical or massage therapist or acupuncturist. This stage is about 400 hours of clinical training while you are still taking advanced theory classes. In stage 2, you are no longer taking classes but simply training under a professional.

Career Options and Salary

For serious students who want to continue in a career of teaching, research or self-employment, you can take the doctorate degree in either Chinese medicine, Acupuncture, or Alternative medicine research. To get into a doctorate program, you need a master's degree in alternative medicine, an acupuncture license and a set amount of clinical experience.

After your master's degree, and the licensing exam that you need to pass for most areas of specialty like acupuncture or massage therapy, you are well on your way in this up and coming, in demand career. The jobs are plentiful for trained experts who have completed alternative medicine schools. Salaries do vary depending on your specialization, from about $50,000 as a massage therapist to maybe $74,000 as an acupuncturist. The work is challenging but rewarding for someone who has the right personality and the best education.

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