Many individuals are searching for ways to improve their overall health and well-being, including finding more natural remedies to treat symptoms rather than masking the issue.
Integrative medicine takes into account your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing when providing healthcare advice, as well as giving lifestyle and dietary tips.
Education and Training
Holistic medicine practitioners utilize various natural therapies and treatments to assist their patients in reaching optimal health and wellbeing. To find a suitable holistic doctor, ask friends or family who have used one for recommendations, or conduct some online research.
Common holistic treatments include acupuncture, acupressure, massage therapy, Tai Chi, Qigong and herbal medicine. When searching for schools offering these therapies and degrees programs, look out for ones offering certification or degree programs as well as licensing programs to practice holistic medicine.
An educational program dedicated to holistic medicine typically covers topics in anatomy, biology, chemistry and other sciences as well as how to evaluate evidence supporting alternative treatments. Students may also be required to complete clinical hours or intern during their training for hands-on experience.
The American Association of Holistic Medicine (AAHM) is a professional organization comprised of mainstream healthcare providers, holistic practitioners and complementary and alternative medicine experts. Their mission is to raise awareness of incorporating holistic practices into modern medical care while creating collaboration relationships in order to deliver patient-centric care of the highest standard.
Holistic medicine practitioners differ from traditional doctors by treating symptoms and pain reduction by going further, discovering which factors contribute to illness or symptoms and then treating their source. This allows holistic practitioners to address root of problems before they recur and ensure long-term relief for their clients.
Holistic medicine also empowers its patients to take responsibility for their own health by equipping them with tools they need to eat better, exercise more frequently and identify personal triggers so they can avoid them.
Many individuals become holistic practitioners because of the joy they gain in helping patients lead healthier lives. This is particularly true of professionals working in fields such as acupuncture, massage therapy, acupressure or herbal medicine; those involved enjoy making an impactful difference for patients every day while remaining balanced in work/life matters – and all with convenient remote work options for busy schedules.
Licenses and Certifications
Holistic practitioners use methods such as acupuncture, massage therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine, body movement therapies and herbal medicine to address all aspects of health – mind, body and soul – using techniques such as acupuncture, massage therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathy medicine body movement therapies and herbal remedies to heal mind body soul by targeting disease root causes. According to holistic doctors the body possesses its own ability to heal itself when given appropriate environments and treatment plans.
One can follow any number of paths leading to a career as a holistic health practitioner, depending on the field you wish to specialize in. Certificate programs or advanced degrees may take several weeks or years depending on your specialty; an ideal place to begin is with an accredited holistic medicine program which offers research-based instruction as well as hands-on learning experiences to prepare you for various fields within holistic healthcare.
A degree in holistic health encompasses training in traditional medical techniques as well as alternative and complementary treatment modalities, with coursework on various complementary and alternative therapy approaches. You may opt to become certified in one or more therapies, increasing employment prospects or making you an invaluable employee to employers.
Modern medicine often connotes images of impersonal exam rooms and white lab coats; however, the human body has an amazing capacity to heal itself internally. Holistic medicine practitioners combine conventional and alternative treatments in order to help their patients feel better and extend their lifespans.
Alternative therapies that have become increasingly popular are acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedies, naturopathy, body movement therapy and traditional Chinese medicine. Holistic practitioners believe these treatments can help patients cope with illness by relieving stress and encouraging healing.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice where thin needles are inserted into specific points on the skin and manipulated by a practitioner, often used to relieve pain, can also help alleviate other symptoms or conditions; some practitioners offer mental health counseling sessions as part of this service.
Naturopathic doctors use natural medicines and supplements to assist their patients with ailments like allergies, insomnia, digestive issues and joint pain. Their training includes keeping up with the latest scientific research, using proven supplements or herbs as effective remedies. Some naturopathic physicians even specialize in manual manipulation of the musculoskeletal system – an area known as osteopathy.
Experience and Skills
Holistic practitioners recognize the interconnectivity of multiple aspects of health: emotional, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing. Because these components interact and can exacerbate each other, holistic practitioners focus on treating all these areas rather than treating symptoms or specific diseases; using therapies such as acupuncture, massage, homeopathy, Tai Chi or Reiki in their approach.
Not all holistic practitioners hold formal medical degrees; however, some do – for instance integrative medicine physicians or osteopathic physicians. These individuals can work together with your primary care doctor to ensure all healthcare needs are being met while offering treatments using both conventional medicine and holistic therapies.
Nurses interested in holistic healthcare may pursue a bachelor of nursing degree, gain experience, and then go on to obtain either an advanced nurse practitioner (APN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree with an emphasis on holistic care. Such programs cover current advancements in integrative medicine, alternative therapies and patient-centric approaches.
American Holistic Nurses Association notes that holistic nurses must be aware of how body, mind and spirit are all linked together. Furthermore, they should listen attentively to patients and respect each individual’s beliefs, values and lifestyle – being compassionate with them often proves essential when helping clients with emotionally or physically trying issues.
Holistic practitioners must possess an in-depth knowledge of various healing practices, such as acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedies and meditation. A holistic doctor often encourages their patients to participate in their own healing by making healthy dietary and exercise choices, learning how to cope with stressors effectively and identifying any personal triggers.
People interested in holistic health practitioners can pursue various careers within this industry, including massage therapist (average annual salary: $51,523) or nutritionist (61,650 annually) roles that have above-average job growth predicted through 2033 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Opportunities
Holistic health practitioners work in various healthcare fields. Some, like acupuncturists and massage therapists, specialize in one form of treatment while others combine holistic approaches with more traditional Western medical approaches. A person’s choice of career depends on their preferred healing methods and patient care philosophy.
Holistic practitioners go beyond treating physical symptoms when considering someone’s mental and emotional wellbeing, making their approach to medicine more personalized than its more clinical approaches. Many find this more personalized approach more reassuring.
Practitioners specializing in holistic treatments often employ various therapies and approaches, such as herbal therapies, nutritional counseling, neural retraining, biofeedback, manual manipulation and dietary changes. Their training allows them to see each patient as an individual and take into account factors like lifestyle factors, stress levels, family history and genetic predisposition to disease when providing treatment plans.
Holistic practitioners differ from standard medical doctors in that they strive to address the cause rather than simply treat its symptoms. Their training involves considering diet, lifestyle and spiritual aspects when selecting an effective therapy plan for an individual.
Many practitioners of holistic medicine draw their knowledge and practices from cultural traditions like Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine, providing patients with deep sources of cultural healing while connecting them to richer sources of community support.
Holistic medicine’s philosophy may differ from that of modern Western medical practice, yet many practitioners of holistic medicine work alongside conventional doctors to provide their patients with more tailored approaches to care. Osteopathic physicians receive an equivalent education level as MDs but are trained in manipulating musculoskeletal systems by hand as well as other natural forms of therapy. Furthermore, employers of all sizes can offer tax-free health reimbursement arrangements, savings accounts or flexible spending accounts so their employees can afford a variety of holistic wellness benefits.
