Holistic Learning In Alternative Medicine Schools
The increasing popularity of complementary and alternative medicine amongst the general public has driven many doctors and medical students to seek knowledge for its appropriate use in addition to mainstream, conventional treatments. Many alternative medicine schools, universities and organizations are responding to this need by offering appropriate training and accreditation.
Training is dispensed on two main levels: primary and specialized. Basic-level training gives an introduction to alternative treatment subjects, such as homeopathy and acupuncture, and provides basic skills through hands-on training for four or more days. This hands-on training combined with home study allows the student to work with a basic level of competence on a variety of alternative therapies. A further two years of intermediate part-time study leads to full membership.
Specialized training is based on supervised experience and continuing professional development. Trainees specialize in a specific alternative therapy, such as laser acupuncture, and have to undergo a set of rigorous examination and assessments to develop and evaluate their competences before being licensed to work as practitioners in a their field of specialization.
Here's what you need to know about the various types of alternative treatment accreditations in the United States:
OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN (D. O.)
Osteopathic training focuses on the manual adjustments on human muscle and skeleton to restore proper function to the body's structure and thus allow it to heal itself. Osteopathic schooling requires four years of medical study at an accredited osteopathic medical school, a one-year internship and, finally, a two-to six-year residency.
NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN (N. D.)
Naturopathic physicians, or naturopaths, work on a broad range of healing techniques, such as nutrition counseling, herbal medicine, stress management, bodywork and drug therapy.
Naturopaths must have four years of undergraduate study in biology, followed by four years of graduate study at a naturopathic medical school.
MASSAGE THERAPIST (M. T.)
This hands-on body therapy aims to treat muscle pain that results from stress or injury. Education licensing requirements vary across states, but basic requirements will typically include a minimum of 500 hours of classroom instruction in accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy.
HERBALIST
Herbalists study the therapeutic characteristics of plants as pain relievers, sleep aids, soothers and energizers. Formal regulation or licensing requirements do not currently exist, so training can be obtained through correspondence courses, apprenticeships, naturopathic courses or degree programs at herbal medicine schools.
A herbalist's experience and reputation may be more valuable than a formal degree and credentials, so be sure to check the American Herbalist Guild, a membership-based organization which requires a minimum of four years' practice and verifies your credentials through a peer-review.