Understanding the Career Options of an Alternative Health Practitioner

Alternative health practitioners are in high demand these days as people are looking for more holistic and natural approaches to treat their health and wellness concerns. You’ll be surprised to find out the countless career options in alternative medicine.

It’s a broad field covering all aspects of health, including physical, mental, and spiritual healing. From nutritionists to aromatherapists and life coaches, these are all popular career options in alternative medicine.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathy focuses on a holistic approach toward a person’s health concerns. A traditional naturopath will not typically focus on a diagnosis but will take a more holistic approach toward improving the client’s lifestyle through natural healing processes with the underlying assumption that most sub-health conditions are a result of a combination of unhealthy nutrition, personal and environmental factors.

In order to practice naturopathy, you need to have a doctorate degree, after which you can work at a private practice or at a holistic clinic.

Holistic Nutritionist

Closely linked to naturopathy, holistic nutritionists focus on the use of nutritional education to take a holistic approach toward their client’s overall health concerns. They guide their clients on improving their diet and health and encourage them to adopt better lifestyle habits.

To become a holistic nutritionist, you’re required to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree and/or certification in nutrition and wellness. You will usually find nutritionists working in private practices, wellness centers, and integrative health centers.

Herbalist

Herbs have been a go-to practice in medicine for centuries, with ancient civilization relying solely on plants, roots, and flowers to cure all kinds of diseases and ailments. A herbalist would examine their patients and recommend herbal remedies to treat any number of pains, diseases, and even mental health issues.

Although known as medical herbalists at times, herbal practitioners are not doctors, and they may only need a bachelor’s degree to work at a private practice or holistic clinic.

A number of other career options in alternative medicine include acupuncturists, energy healers, life coaches, massage therapists, fitness councilors and chiropractors.

If you’re looking for a career in alternative medicine, you should look at some of the alternative medicine degrees we offer at New Eden School of Natural Health.

We are an accredited natural health and wellness school and offer complementary and alternative health degree education programs.

Apply now!