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.