Receiving a Natural Health Degree From an Online Degree Program

There has been a shift in focus among the general population regarding health care and conventional medicine. Instead of relying on surgery and medications, more people are turning to natural health professionals for the treatment of illnesses and chronic conditions. Holistic, or natural medicine is also becoming more widely accepted among professionals in traditional medical fields as emerging studies show the benefits of a natural approach to wellness. Certainly, the cost of traditional medical care is a factor that has fueled the interest. Diagnostic procedures, prescriptions, and surgeries can be cost prohibitive, particularly for those without medical insurance. Another factor that has been instrumental is the increased awareness and interest in natural health and the trend toward total wellness.

Holistic medicine is an alternative form of medicine that encompasses a wide range of disciplines and specialties, each with its own educational requirements. Depending on your specific goals, you will need to enter a certificate program or work toward earning a degree. Whatever you choice, getting your education through an online program is an excellent way to start or advance your career in the field of alternative medicine.

Certificate programs are offered through many online schools in herbal studies, holistic care for animals, iridology, natural wellness, nutrition, reflexology, relaxation therapy, reiki, massage techniques, acupuncture, chiropractic medicine and more. Among the courses in herbal studies programs are general herbology, herbal gardening, aromatherapy, women's health, home remedies and herbal nutrition. Natural wellness courses may include integrative care, pediatric homeopathy, stress reduction and energy techniques.

Degree programs include Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Natural Health and Holistic Nutrition, Doctor of Education in Holistic Health and Wellness, and Doctor of Naturopathy.

There is no better time to pursue a career in natural medicine. The national trend toward wellness is creating a demand for trained holistic professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs in massage therapy will increase 20 percent between 2006 and 2016. As a graduate of a natural health program, you will be qualified to start an exciting and rewarding career in alternative medicine. As more people look for alternatives to conventional medicine to maintain their wellness, and to treat illnesses and conditions, the opportunities for natural medicine professionals will continue to increase. The career outlook is promising for skilled individuals in natural medicine, naturopathy and wellness.

Schools of Natural Health Today

Today, schools of natural health offer a variety of educational programs. Natural health colleges and schools provide training options from graduate degree courses to community outreach programs, to continuing education, and more.

Which course is right for you? Since you've already decided to pursue a career in natural healing, the next course of action should be to explore potential schools of natural health to determine which career-training program will best suit your professional goals. For example, if you would like to become a holistic wellness counselor, there are academic programs that offer certificates and/or diplomas upon completion of your studies in this field.

Schools of natural health are also very popular in offering unique training options in hypnotherapy, spiritual and emotional healing, energy therapies, reflexology, massage therapy, holistic nutrition, herbalism, and iridology, among others.

If you prefer working with your hands, a great number of specialty schools of natural health provide certification (and even associate degree) programs in therapeutic massage. While each academic course may vary from one to the next, basic studies entail anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; but the greater variation presents itself in the specific modalities that are taught in each program. For instance, if you would like to learn Eastern bodywork modalities, there are schools of natural health that offer basic somatic training in Swedish massage, sports massage, and deep tissue massage, as well as Tuina, acupressure, and/or Shiatsu.

Additionally, natural healing schools that offer massage therapy as part of the curriculum typically entail 300 to 500 training hours; and depending on the level of education you would like to achieve, may well exceed 1,000 training hours.

Schools of natural health that provide herbology courses may integrate other alternative medicine modalities like iridology, flower essences, and essential oils into the overall curriculum. Though many Chinese medicine, naturopathic, and homeopathic programs include herbal medicine training; there are many schools of natural health that offer concentrated studies in master herbalism, botanical medicine, and even degrees in applied sciences in nutrition and herbal medicine.

Natural Health Schools Provide the Lucrative Career Prospects to Its Aspiring

Health care is the major concern of the masses and the scope of nature cure in the medical field is growing with the balancing act. A career in traditional naturopathy is achieving great heights among the students and aspiring. Courses in the field provide the students an education on the natural forms of medicines for the betterment of health and overall wellness.

The growing popularity among people is an effective reason that attracts the students from all around the world to natural health schools to pursue their careers in this field. These schools provide the best internationally recognized natural health courses on the natural forms of supplements and natural remedies to facilitate a power of great health among the masses.

The natural health colleges educate students with the pioneering health making techniques so that they can initiate their own guideline natural health programs for the less informed masses and treat the diseases more effectively and efficiently. The most tender techniques and practices enabled in naturopathic medical schools are gaining a highly stabilized momentum worldwide.

The significant and fundamental academic programs in the curriculum of natural health colleges involve the study of philosophies and theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, cupping, Tuina, moxibustion, holistic nutrition, homeopathy and Chinese herbal medicine.

The aspiring students who are inclined towards the natural form of treatments can join the alternative medicine schools and enroll themselves in the short term courses or the certificate courses which include the training of varied hand techniques, massage points, bodywork therapies and other interrelated studies.

The enthusiastic students who aspire to pursue oriental medicine as a career can choose from the variety of options in naturopathic medicines and increase the level of their horizons in the field. These natural medicine courses available in natural health colleges involve the complexity of Chinese medicine application, evidence-based medicine, Chinese medicine language, clinical studies, family medicine and other associated subjects.

With the advancement of job opportunities in the field of natural medicine, the certified naturopathic schools are the alluring yardstick for the students to get the accredited education in the field. The student can acquire the valuable knowledge and can make sure to impart the education the appropriate way.

The per annum income of a medical degree beginner and the practitioner, who is a graduate from an accredited natural health college ranges from $30, 000 - $50, 000 and is sure to increase with the rising opportunities in the future.

Natural Health Cures - Get Educated

Just do a search online for natural health cures and you will quickly see an overwhelming amount of information. It seems as if there is someone promoting a natural health cure for just about every illness, ache, pain, or disease you can think of. And for every one of them there is someone else loudly claiming that such natural health cures are bunk and that they don't work.

So are there really natural health cures, and do they really work?

Think for just a moment with your common sense brain. How long has the pharmaceutical industry as we know it today been around? The answer is about 50 to 75 years. Did people get sick before that? What did they do? How did they treat themselves?

How long have herbs and plants been growing on the earth? The answer is since pretty much the very beginning. How long have people been using these plants and herbs to heal themselves? Again, since the beginning. What is the root source for the active chemical constituents of most pharmaceutical drugs? These same plants and herbs.

Modern medicine has brought enormous blessings into our lives. But for all of the wonderful benefits, one unfortunate thing that has happened is that as a society people have stopped taking responsibility for their own health and have completely turned it over to others. In the USA and other countries the debate rages about whether government can and should provide complete health care for everyone. My personal opinion is that they can't, it's just too big and complex to centralize. Nor should they, health care is a very personal responsibility.

The purpose of this article is simply to state that there are many options in health care and that education and responsibility will allow you to take complete control over your own and your family's health care. Knowledge lets you make the best decisions for yourself.

Yes there are natural health cures for most illnesses and diseases. Yes they do work. But if you don't know about them or how to use them they don't do much good for you. Yes there are also great treatments and remedies within conventional medicine for many illnesses and diseases. Yes, they do work too. But if you don't know about them or what your doctor is doing and why, they also don't do much good for you.

Having a good education about health allows you the freedom to decide for yourself what is best. You may decide to treat an illness at home using herbs you grew in your garden or other natural health cures you have learned. You may decide that using a doctor and conventional medicine is the right path for you. With education and knowledge you have that choice. Without it, you are unfortunately like most people, and have to blindly rely on whatever conventional medicine tells you to do.

Careers in Natural Health

Are you ready to begin your journey toward any one of the many, rewarding careers in natural health? If you are, and you have the right frame of mind to pursue your professional goals, then you can join the thousands of natural healing and alternative medicine practitioners who are making a difference in the lives of people everywhere.

As you may be aware, more patients are turning to complementary and alternative medicine, so the natural healthcare industry is expected to grow in these coming years. Natural healing professions like massage therapy are some of the fastest growing careers in natural health today.

Massage therapists, who have acquired a minimum of 500 practical training hours, may be eligible for National Certification in massage therapy. This designation is helpful in establishing educational credentials and for expanding potential client services.

The spa and aromatherapy industry offers various careers in natural health and beauty as well. Whether individuals aspire to be a day spa manager, or would like to explore diverse working environments like health retreats and resorts, or in wellness clinics, professional spa workers are often cross-trained in many aspects of the field and can achieve high levels of professional success.

These particular careers in natural health and beauty may necessitate education and training in cosmetology, hair design, chair massage, facial massage, massage therapy, esthetics, holistic wellness, herbal body wrapping, and manicuring and pedicuring, among others.

Chiropractic is yet another one of the many growing careers in natural health and wellness today. Placing an emphasis on the whole person, Chiropractic Doctors (D.C.) can earn a lucrative income; however, individuals who are seriously thinking about achieving this occupation must realize that in addition to traditional education from an accredited college or university, standard academic training at one of the chiropractic colleges and universities is a must.

These careers in natural health require over 4,000 training hours in chiropractic philosophies, applications and principles. Other in-depth studies entail biochemistry, spinal biomechanics, neuroanatomy, osteology, pathology, and more.

Individuals who desire careers in natural health, but prefer shorter academic programs, have educational options to enroll in programs in reflexology, Reiki, acupressure, or colon hydrotherapy. In most cases, healing arts schools offer a variety of diploma and/or certificate courses in these disciplines, in addition to more advanced training options in massage therapy, holistic health, or herbal medicine.

Natural Health Sciences

Natural health sciences have taken on a whole new dimension with the creation and expansion of the large assortment of healing arts schools and colleges available today. For example, students can invest time and tuition to achieve a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Science in Nutrition. Natural health studies that are provided in these degree programs involve anatomy, physiology, whole foods, organic chemistry and biochemistry, food science, nutritional supplements and herbal medicine, physical fitness, and related natural health sciences. However, be prepared -- most degree programs in these and other natural health sciences require prerequisite education from an accredited school or university; and may take up to four years to complete.

If you choose to pursue an education in herbology, there are a number of degree programs in natural health sciences that cover this field of study as well. Currently, candidates can apply to a Bachelor of Science Degree program with a major in herbal sciences, and earn a solid educational foundation to become an herbal instructor, herbalist, wellness practitioner, herbal medicine researcher, or holistic health practitioner, among others. Common natural health sciences that are offered in this course of study include herbal sciences, anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry and organic chemistry, microbiology, Materia Medica, herbal preparation and formulas, and more.

Home herbal gardeners, don't dismay -- there are a number of holistic workshops and seminars that offer natural health sciences and studies in home herbal remedies, organic gardening, iridology, and introductory classes in supplements, vitamins, and flower essences, among others.

Some certificate and/or diploma programs in natural health sciences are also accessible. If you like working with people and enjoy the healing art of massage, there are numerous natural health programs that emphasis bodywork modalities like deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, sports massage, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, and associated studies.

Because natural health sciences reflect the growing demand for natural health care and complementary medicine in lieu of often invasive and risky conventional health treatments, now is the perfect time to enlist your energy and talents in the ever-expanding fields of the healing arts.

Natural Health Certificate Programs

Find Natural Health Certificate Programs in the United States and Canada. With the rapid growth of alternative and complementary medicine therapies, there has been a renewed interest in enrolling in natural health certificate programs. Today, there are diverse educational paths individuals can pursue in the natural healing industry; including certificate programs in herbology, massage therapy, holistic health, certified health specialist, iridology, reflexology, Reiki, and more.

Natural health certificate programs in health lead to candidates becoming certified health specialists; and entail in-depth education and training in nutrition, herbal medicine, anatomy and physiology, flower remedies, homeopathy, aromatherapy, and even enzyme health.

There are also natural health certificate programs in nutritional counseling. These courses involve practical training in kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, herbal medicine, orthomolecular nutrition, nutritional wellness, diet and exercise, among other associated subject matter.

For the aspiring massage therapist, there are natural health certificate programs in massage therapy as well. Typical programs range between 300 and 500 hours; however, a growing number of schools have begun offering more advanced training options that may exceed 1,000 training hours. General curricula in these natural health certificate programs include anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, massage theory and practice, Swedish massage, sports massage and deep tissue therapy. In addition to CPR and first aid, other elective modalities are taught like reflexology, prenatal and infant massage, chair massage, and myofascial release, among others.

Natural health certificate programs in holistic health consulting are also great for the entrepreneur or for established natural healers seeking supplemental education to expand services. Studies in holistic health consulting encompass anatomy, physiology, herbal therapies, nutrition, aromatherapy, herbal formulation, holistic pathology, and other electives.

Candidates who have successfully completed any one of numerous natural health certificate programs gain necessary credentials in furthering professional career prospects, in addition to joining the ever-growing natural healthcare industry.

Natural Healing Education - 5 Popular Studies

Find Natural Healing Education in the United States and Canada. With a growing public movement towards noninvasive and natural healthcare, students today have a broad selection of natural healing education options. For starters, complementary and integrative medicine has made great strides in the medical community through ongoing research and trials. This is one of the many reasons why more and more patients are reaching to the natural healthcare sector for relief from common conditions and illnesses. This is also one of the main factors why there has been an uprising in natural healing education courses throughout the United States and in Canada.

Prospective students can now apply to a variety of natural healing education programs, which entail some of the most innovative and unique healthcare systems to date. For example, natural healing education programs include popular training in massage therapy, holistic healthcare, Reiki, reflexology, and herbal medicine.

Students entering a natural healing education in massage therapy gain hands-on training and knowledge in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and sometimes, CPR and first aid. In more extensive natural healing education courses in massage therapy, candidates will be introduced to more advanced bodywork modalities like acupressure/Shiatsu, craniosacral therapy, geriatric massage, infant/prenatal massage, animal massage, and countless others. Natural healing education programs such as this one often result in a certificate and/or diploma; and depending in which State one resides, licensure may also be necessary.

Another great natural healing education course is holistic healthcare. While similar massage therapy modalities are taught in this program, additional training in homeopathic medicine, hydrotherapy, holistic health and wellness, iridology and herbology are also encompassed in this training program. Students who successfully complete this natural healing education course are awarded with a certificate and/or diploma.

A natural healing education program that includes Reiki as a course of study is usually one of the more condensed training programs. In this particular field, students are introduced to various metaphysical philosophies and practices, and the application of energy healing. Successful candidates who have achieved all required lessons earn various levels of Reiki certification.* (Reiki involves 4 levels of training.)

Reflexology, as a natural healing education program, is a course of study where students are taught to use the thumb, fingers and hands to apply pressure to specific reflex areas of the body to reduce stress and pain. While it is an ancient healing art, this natural healing education is quickly gaining leeway in the alternative medicine community.

Another fine natural healing education is herbal medicine. Today, natural and holistic healthcare schools offer herbal medicine as one of the foundational courses of study. More specifically, Naturopathic schools, Oriental medicine schools, and TCM colleges provide natural healing education in Chinese herbal medicine as part of their standard curriculums.

Overall, natural healing education programs are the perfect academic platform for those seeking careers in natural and holistic healthcare. Furthermore, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an increased interest in alternative medicine and holistic healing, which means increased opportunities.