| After years of being ostracized by | | | | methods, like the ones offered at Orange |
| conventional medicine, alternative and | | | | County's Academy of Natural Healing, focus on |
| natural healing methods have gained | | | | various techniques ranging from spa therapy, |
| popularity with America's over-drugged | | | | which includes massage, stone therapy and |
| population.According to a recent study of 18 | | | | aromatherapy, to holistic health practices, |
| major HMOs and insurance providers, 14 | | | | which focus on holistic healing of the body, |
| offered at least 11 of 34 alternative | | | | and herbal studies, which promotes herbal |
| therapies or natural healing methods. Of the | | | | remedies for common ailments.As these natural |
| most frequently covered natural healing | | | | healing methods are proven to be safe and |
| methods, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage | | | | effective, they are adopted into conventional |
| therapy and herbal remedies are the most | | | | medicine, and new healing methods emerge. |
| popular.Even with an increase in insurance | | | | Such was the case with chiropractic, and now |
| coverage for some natural healing methods, | | | | acupuncture. Americans' are seeking out these |
| the general public is still undereducated | | | | alternative or natural healing methods as |
| about the benefits of incorporating natural | | | | they strive to live healthier lives. It is |
| healing methods into their normal healthcare | | | | only a matter of time before insurance |
| regimens.By definition, natural healing | | | | companies pick up on the popularity of such |
| methods or complementary and alternative | | | | practices and begin to offer |
| medicine, as they are known by the National | | | | coverage.Nourisha Wells is the College |
| Center for Complementary and Alternative | | | | Preparation editor for Search4 Career College |
| Medicine (NCCAM), are a group of diverse | | | | News, and site editor for Counselor |
| medical and healthcare systems, practices and | | | | Companion. She has published articles on |
| products that are not presently considered to | | | | preparing high school students for college, |
| be part of conventional medicine.On most | | | | finding financial aid, standardized test |
| occasions, natural healing methods are used | | | | preparation, teen health and safety issues, |
| in conjunction with conventional medicine. | | | | parental and teacher involvement in college |
| For instance, aromatherapy might be used | | | | search and career exploration. She has also |
| after surgery to aid in recovery. Natural | | | | written several articles promoting career |
| healing methods can also be used instead of | | | | colleges and technical schools for adults |
| conventional medicine, such as using herbal | | | | going back to college, career changers |
| remedies to treat illness rather than | | | | seeking advanced degrees and non-traditional |
| prescription drugs.Due to the increase in | | | | students heading to college for the first |
| popularity of natural healing methods, many | | | | time. Her freelance work has included many |
| schools have opened to train natural healing | | | | career-focused institutions, such as Academy |
| practitioners. Programs in natural healing | | | | of Natural Healing. |