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.

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

© Copyright 2008

The CollegeBound Network

All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant
websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included;
and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

_By: *CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd*_

*About the Author:*

*Resource Box:* CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web
Consultant for *HolisticJunction.com* [1], _in association with
CollegeSurfing.com_ - Educational Resources for *Integrative Medicine
Programs* [2], *Alternative Medicine Colleges* [3], and other healing
arts.

Links:
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[1] http://www.holisticjunction.com
[2] http://www.holisticjunction.com/categories/HAD/complementary-medicine.html
[3] http://www.holisticjunction.com/categories/HAD/alternative-medicine.html