| Alternative and holistic health practitioners treat | | | | as well as holistic medical courses to learn about |
| entire energy, blood, and neurological systems in | | | | herbs that balance body systems to promote |
| order to allow the body to heal chronic conditions | | | | natural healing and overcome systemic |
| and prevent illnesses. | | | | weaknesses. |
| Degree programs in alternative medicine may | | | | Aromatherapy grads study the more than 60 |
| combine Western and Eastern medicines, offering | | | | essential oils that can be combined in creams, |
| courses in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and | | | | ointments, lotions, bath gels, compresses, and |
| biochemistry, alongside training in Chinese herbs, | | | | massage oils to produce healing effects on the |
| body points and meridians, and energy systems. | | | | body and mind. Their oils are used as inhalants or |
| Naturopathic healers may use flower remedies, | | | | applied directly to the skin and can help treat a |
| homeopathic and herbal tinctures or pills, as well | | | | number of stress-related conditions. |
| as dietary counseling and supplements. | | | | Putting Your Degree to Work |
| Acupuncturists and massage therapists depend on | | | | Grads from alternative medicine programs will join |
| knowledge of chi and anatomy to promote healing | | | | the rapidly expanding healthcare industry, which is |
| of internal organs, the skin, and muscles. | | | | predicted to increase 27 percent through 2014, |
| Wide-ranging Disciplines and Holistic Career Training | | | | according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
| Depending on your specialization, your career | | | | Practitioners will take positions in clinics, private |
| training may take as little as a year or upwards | | | | offices, nursing homes, health agencies, spas, |
| of four years. Massage therapy schools offer | | | | resorts, counseling centers, and hospitals that |
| instruction in a broad range of modalities, which | | | | employ alternative health professionals. Some |
| can include Swedish, Shiatsu, craniosacral, sports, | | | | work in concert with other holistic professionals |
| acupressure, trigger point, Hawaiian, or deep tissue | | | | (for example, a massage therapist may work |
| massage. Each state has its own licensing | | | | with a chiropractor). |
| requirements for massage therapists. | | | | Holistic practitioners also augment their income by |
| Formal training programs can lead to Bachelor of | | | | offering clinics, seminars, and training programs for |
| Science degrees in Holistic Nutrition, Natural Health, | | | | their clients or other professionals. |
| and Natural Health Studies. Grad programs offer | | | | Massage therapists are among the |
| Masters of Science degrees in Holistic Wellness, | | | | fastest-growing career groups in alternative |
| Natural Health, and Holistic Nutrition. Post-graduate | | | | medicine, with a 20 percent increase in jobs |
| training programs can lead to a Doctor of | | | | predicted through 2016. Earnings for all holistic and |
| Naturopathy, Doctor of Natural Health, or a | | | | alternative practitioners vary by training, |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Holistic Nutrition degree. | | | | experience, and geographic location of their |
| Herbology graduates often have their own | | | | practice. Massage therapists earned a median |
| practice, or consult with acupuncturists, doctors, | | | | 2007 wage of $34,870, with top earners taking |
| chiropractors, and dentists. Students take nutrition | | | | home more than $70,000. |