Alternative Medicine Job Opportunities

Find Career and Employment Opportunities in Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine degrees teach students how to focus on the whole body as a part of the natural healing process. By pursuing this degree program, students will be prepared to work as a chiropractor, homeopath, or osteopathic doctor.

Alternative Medicine Degree Programs

Alternative medicine degrees prepare students for a career in healing. The basic foundation of alternative medicine is to bring harmony to the mind, body, and spirit in order to promote health. This idea of balancing the body’s natural energies has been found historically in a number of cultures and is continuing to gain mainstream popularity. Some courses and areas of specialization in the field of alternative medicine include:

  • Yoga
  • Chinese medicine
  • Homeopathic medicine
  • Acupuncture
  • Herbal medicine
  • Massage therapy
  • Naturopathic medicine

Students that pursue a degree in this field may be prepared to obtain employment as a chiropractor, homeopath, or osteopathic doctor.

Chiropractor Job Opportunities for Alternative Medicine Degree Graduates

Chiropractors work to adjust spinal columns and other body articulations to correct abnormalities of the human body. They may examine the patient to determine the reason for the disorder and manipulate the spine of other involved area. They may also recommend supplementary measures like dietary restrictions, light, heat, exercise, or increased water intake. Chiropractors diagnose health problems by reviewing the patient’s medical history, and they also observe and examine patients. They also need to follow up on programs and maintain accurate case histories of their patients. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a chiropractor in 2009 was $67,650, or $32.53 per hour. Growth in this field is expected to be much faster than average at 20% or higher, and this should total about 18,000 job openings through 2018.

Homeopath Job Opportunities for Alternative Medicine Degree Graduates

Individuals that have studies homeopathy could find employment in a variety of locations, such as spas, salons, or healing centers. Alternative healers may receive referrals from doctors or hospitals. Acupuncture, homeopathy, and hypnotherapy are often covered by medical insurance providers, making these popular services for clients. Homeopathic medicine is not regulated by a state governing body, so it can be practiced at will without a license. However, a person cannot consider themselves to be a homeopathic doctor unless they have earned their DO or their MD degrees. There is currently very little data on the median annual salary for a career as a healer. The rate of pay will likely vary depending on the location the employee works in, the amount of experience in the field, and the region of the world in which they live. Some countries in the world are more receptive of alternative medicine than in the U.S., and they may offer higher salaries.

Osteopathic Doctor Job Opportunities for Alternative Medicine Degree Graduates

Osteopathic physicians are doctors that hold a D.O. degree rather than an M.D. They focus on preventative medicine and view health problems as being related to the entire body rather than one particular body part or organ. They also diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries and diseases that commonly occur in the general population. They prescribe medication, vaccines, therapy, and other treatments to prevent disease, injury, or illnesses. This career is growing rapidly, and most physicians that have a D.O. degree earn in excess of $130,000 per year.

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