Although holistic medical jobs have been around for thousands of years, these alternative medicine practitioners have seen a career boom in recent years. Approximately 38 percent of all American adults currently use some type of complementary or alternative medicine, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Holistic health professional jobs are now recognized as viable forms of patient care as people continue to seek alternatives to traditional health care and pharmaceutical medicine.
The belief behind the works of holistic practitioners is that there should be a safer, more natural way to diagnose and treat various ailments, and that all emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of a person’s health should be addressed. This way of thinking has become much more popular in recent decades. There are jobs for holistic health professionals in acupressure, herbology, nutritional counseling, reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, and many other fields. Some professionals focus more on healing the body, while others act more like counselors or teachers guiding people on a healthy lifestyle from the inside out.
To be a holistic health practitioner, one must have a passion for complementary or alternative medicine. These are not just jobs; they are part of a complete lifestyle that focuses on greater health and wellness. There are schools focused on holistic health that can prepare you for holistic practitioner jobs such as an acupuncturist, biofeedback therapist, energy healer, meditation leader, massage therapist, kinesiologist, yoga instructor, and many others. You can work in a spa, professional office, private office, from home, or you can go to clients’ homes. There are many options in this promising field.
Now is a great time to start in one of these careers, as there has been a substantial increase in alternative medicine and holistic health professional jobs since 2002. There are also many indicators that the growth will continue through 2016, and will probably continue. after that too. If you are passionate about holistic living and believe that total health encompasses the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual, then this is an ideal career for you.
Institutions that offer quality holistic health programs include the American Institute of Holistic Theology, Clayton College of Natural Health, New York College of Health Professionals, and Spa Tech Institute.
