Find Alternative Healing Programs in the United States and Canada. With growing consumer demand for natural and alternative healthcare, there has been steady growth of alternative healing programs. Aside from healing arts schools and other complementary medicine schools, a number of vocational schools and technical colleges have begun offering alternative healing programs in massage therapy, as well as other natural healthcare disciplines Reiki certification.
For those students pursuing careers in massage therapy, there are a great variety of alternative healing programs that offer massage training. In these particular courses, students are introduced to the history and philosophy of massage; in addition to education in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Typical alternative healing programs in massage range between 300 and 500 hours, and involve hands-on training in deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, and sports massage; among other modalities. Generally, graduates of alternative healing programs in massage therapy must attain certification to practice in the State in which they reside; and to become nationally certified, students must have acquired a minimum of 500 hours’ training.
Alternative healing programs in herbal medicine are also quite popular. Whether you choose to pursue a professional occupation as an herbal medicine practitioner, or if you’d simply like to learn enough about herbal remedies for self and family, there is a growing number of alternative healing programs in herbal medicine and Chinese herbal medicine. In most cases, these programs are divided into separate levels of training, and result in a certificate or diploma of completion. Supplementary studies may include iridology (study of the iris), kinesiology (muscle testing), essential oils, aromatherapy, and Bach Flower remedies.
Other alternative healing programs encompass the wide spectrum of energy healing arts. For example, there are some schools that are solely dedicated to the teaching of Reiki, which is one of the more widely used forms of energy healing; known for its effectiveness in stress relief and promotion of wellbeing. Additional alternative healing programs in energy medicine include touch therapy, meridian therapy, crystal singing bowls, harmonic balancing, visualization techniques, color therapy, light therapy, chakra balancing, and more.
Some of the more in-depth alternative healing programs are offered through alternative medicine schools in acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, homeopathy, and holistic nursing, among others. These specific educational programs generally require prerequisite education of at least two – four years of undergraduate studies (or the equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree), and can take up to four years to complete.
Which one of the many alternative healing programs is right for you? That depends on how far you’re willing to go with your career aspirations. Because alternative healing programs are diverse in nature and vary in training hours, the educational possibilities are limitless.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding alternative healing programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.