Alternative and holistic medicines work to interconnect the body and mind, and individuals that are interested in this practice may be well-suited for a career in holistic healing. Coursework can be found at most alternative and natural health centers.
What is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic medicine takes into account the whole person and focuses on healthcare that deals with all body and mental aspects. This includes the person’s diet, lifestyle, mental state, and external factors that may be affecting them. Holistic treatments focus on the need for a person to take responsibility for their life and make changes to optimize their health. Natural treatments like modification to diet and herbal remedies are referred over prescription drugs, chemicals, and invasive surgical procedures.
Typical Holistic Medicine Courses
Some possible courses a person studying holistic medicine may take include:
- Alternative Diagnostic Methods
- Body-Mind Medicine
- Herbal Medicine
- Drug-Vitamin-Herb Interactions
- Nutritional Consulting
- Alternative Healing Methods
- Eastern Medicine
- Energy Work
Job Opportunities in Holistic Medicine
Certification can be obtained by holistic medicine practitioners to work has holistic nurses, nutritional consultants, energy workers, or herbal healers. They are usually found in private practices, alternative healing centers, or spas. Some are even found in more mainstream venues like hospitals. Alternative healing is becoming increasingly more popular and accepted by medical personnel, so career opportunities in this field have risen in recent years. It is expected as these procedures become more mainstream that even more jobs in the filed will be required.
- American Holistic Nurses Association
- American Holistic Medical Association
- American Holistic Health Association or AHHA