Earn Your Degree in Alternative Medicine
An education and degree in alternative medicine provides you with the skills to treat and prevent diseases using techniques that may not be utilized by Western medicine practitioners. Alternative medicine encompasses a wide range of therapies including: chiropractic care, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, biofeedback, massage therapy, guided imagery, and naturopathy. Successful practitioners in the field of alternative medicine have a strong belief in natural cures, the body's ability to heal itself, and focusing on illness prevention.
Growing Your Career in Alternative Medicine
In addition to practicing general alternative medicine, there are a number of specific career paths available with an alternative medicine degree, including:
- Acupuncture
- Ayurveda
- Homeopathy
- Native American healing practices
- Naturopathic medicine
- Tibetan medicine
- Chinese medicine
Common courses in an alternative medicine degree program include: herbology, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, yoga, physical therapy, meditation, naturopathy, and Reiki healing.
Alternative Medicine: Employment and Career Outlook
Many workers in the healthcare industry are on part-time schedules, averaging 28 hours per week. They made up about 20 percent of the healthcare workforce as a whole in 2008, but accounted for 32 percent of those who practice alternative medicine. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those practicing alternative medicine earned an average $19.35 per hour in 2008, or $543.00 per week. Additionally, a 41.3 percent growth in this segment is expected through 2018.