C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot

Integrative Medicine Programs in America

"Mind, body and spirit therapies aren't just the latest health craze; a matter of fact there are several healing arts schools and even conventional colleges that have begun offering integrative medicine programs to keep up with the demand for natural and holistic healthcare."

Mind, body and spirit therapies aren't just the latest health craze; a matter of fact there are several healing arts schools and even conventional colleges that have begun offering integrative medicine programs to keep up with the demand for natural and holistic healthcare. 

Today, there are numerous integrative medicine programs in which individuals can choose to enroll.  Botanical medicine, (also known as herbal medicine) is a great option to those medical professionals desiring to extend additional, non-invasive, and holistic healthcare treatments.  Nurse practitioners, physicians and other healthcare providers who enroll in herbal integrative medicine programs gain education and training in the history of botanical medicine and pharmacy; herbal nutritional counseling, dosing and formulating; pathology in relation to botanical medicine, herbal safety and toxicity, and other related studies.

Many family medical practitioners have discovered that integrative medicine programs are an excellent way to help and healing.  This is why some universities and colleges have teamed up with accredited alternative and complementary medicine schools to provide a growing number of healing arts courses.  Common studies offered in these integrative medicine programs include mind-body medicine, energy healing therapies, holistic nutrition, massage therapy, herbal therapeutics and aromatherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, spiritual counseling, and environmental medicine, among others.

Depending on which field or fields interest you, it is important to carefully examine potential integrative medicine programs for its depth of curricula, and what all is entailed in the course of study.  For example, if you are already a practicing physician and would like to focus on natural healthcare disciplines like homeopathy, you will find that there are several continuing professional development courses in integrative medicine tailored to meet your career goals.  However, as with any academic program, some integrative medicine programs (i.e., chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, etc.) may take up to four years to complete; so it is always a wise decision to review courses and educational prerequisites prior to applying.

Massage therapy training is probably one of the more popular integrative medicine programs as this holistic healthcare treatment is commonly facilitated in chronic and terminal illnesses, and in pain management.  Again, depending on how committed prospective candidates are to gaining an in-depth education is what will ultimately determine which natural health course will be best suited to meet professional needs.  Massotherapy training is usually comprised of over 300 hours, and in many cases, exceeds 500 hours (in order to achieve National certification status).  General studies include anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, sports massage, deep tissue massage, and Swedish massage; however, many healing arts schools and conventional medicine schools that provide integrative medicine programs will often extend more advance bodywork therapies like Shiatsu/acupressure, touch therapy, craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, prenatal/infant massage, and lymphatic drainage massage, among others.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding complementary and alternative healthcare courses, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore integrative medicine programs near you.

Integrative Medicine Programs in America

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