Alternative Medicine Careers

You might be aware of the phrase alternative medicine, but curious as to its exact meaning. This field of healthcare embodies a more natural approach to examinations and treatments that aren’t (or only slightly) derived from traditional medicine. Application of complementary alternative medicine (CAM), therefore, provides people something less conventional than regular medicine.

Standard procedures and medications can be very expensive and can potentially result in harmful side effects. Also, they may be ineffective or just partially beneficial. Subsequently, patients in some cases opt for other alternatives when they do not receive alleviation from traditional courses of treatment. Furthermore, people may go with alternative medicine to prevent disease and improve well-being.

Here are four of the most popular alternative medicine careers:

Chiropractor
Massage therapist
Herbalist
Acupuncturist

Chiropractor

Chiropractors treat their patients without using the traditional medical approach of surgery and medication. They subscribe to the belief that the body has intrinsic healing abilities. They implement therapeutic treatments by hand or hand-operated device as well as exercise programs to correct problems. The manual applications they use are called adjustments. They also provide guidance on lifestyle modifications to prevent recurrence of the conditions they treat.

Degree Requirements

2-4 years of undergraduate coursework AND completion of 4-year chiropractic medicine program.

Certification/Licensure

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) certification AND board certification in state of practice.

Perform diagnostic tests using X-rays and muscle testing
Evaluate the symptoms and diagnostic exams to establish a patient care plan
Provide the most suitable therapy and subluxations or adjustments at a planned frequency and duration
Review the results of treatment and implementing adjustments as required to increase treatment response
Collaborate with other health care practitioners in communicating patient progress and results

15% or slightly above average with 6,500 new chiropractor job openings from 2012 - 2022.

Average Salary

$79,550

Massage Therapist

A massage therapist applies gentle to mild pressure, pushing, rubbing, pulsation, and patting to the back and limbs of their clients. Massage can improve wellness and health by countering the physical and psychological effects of stress. Through massage, these alternative medicine specialists employ various techniques to increase blood and lymph fluid circulation, which helps reduce pain caused by tense muscles and relieves muscle spasms.

Degree Requirements

500 - 1000 hours of education and training through either a diploma, certificate or associates degree program in massage therapy.

Certain states do not require formal training for practice.

Certification/Licensure

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB) licensure currently required by 38 states plus Washington D.C.

NCTMB board certification is the highest credential beyond licensed massage therapist and requires further education and training.

Walk their client through on how to prepare for and what to expect during the massage session
Establish a relaxing, calming environment throughout the course of the massage
Determine the varieties of movements or techniques to apply on the different areas or muscle groups of the body
Utilize proper technique and body mechanics while providing massage therapy to avoid finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder or back injuries

23%, considered good, with 30,000 new massage therapists being employed from 2012 - 2022.

Average Salary

$40,350

Herbalist

Herbalists make a wide range of treatments from the leaves, flowers, berries, stems, and roots of various plants. Their purpose is to naturally prevent, relieve, or treat illnesses. These alternative medicine practitioners may also be involved in growing or farming herbs and gathering herbs that grow in nature (called wildcrafting). They may teach or write about herbal remedies. It’s not uncommon for herbalists to take on all of these roles.

Degree Requirements

While there is no set academic requirement, herbal education programs can range from 125 hours to 3 years (1200 hours). These programs are mainly offered by alternative medicine institutes and organizations.

Certification/Licensure

No state or national licensure or certification requirements exist at this time.

American Herbalists Guild (AHG) professional membership is recommended.

Knowing both the adverse and positive effects of herbs, including interactions and any contraindications between different herbs and other medications
Determining the appropriate dose and mixture of herbal treatment for a particular client’s diagnosis, including how to take it
Discussing expected effects of the herbs, including any potential side effects
Growing or selecting the purest herbs for use in treatments
Properly storing and tracking the shelf life of herbs and replacing expired herbs as needed

Job growth is about average, however may improve as consumer demand for naturopathic cures and qualified herbalists is expected to grow.

Salary Range

$20,000 to $120,000 as reported on AHG’s website www.americanherbalistsguild.com/herbal_education.

Acupuncturist

An acupuncturist sticks very skinny, long, hollow needles just beneath the skin’s surface to equilibriate the flow of chi or qi (life energy) throughout the body. The needles are inserted in exact locations where the body’s energy pathways or meridians meet under the skin surface. The acupuncturist may apply circular, up and down, vibrational, and side-to-side motions with the needles to produce the desired effects.

Degree Requirements

Associate’s OR Bachelor’s (2-4 years) AND Master’s (3-4 years) from accredited acupuncture program.

Certification/Licensure

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) diplomate certification required by 43 states and the District of Columbia.

Making an accurate diagnosis of the client’s problems based on acupuncture theory
Determining the appropriate meridian(s) to access based on the underlying health issue
Knowing which points along the meridians to insert needles, how far they should be inserted to remain in place and how long the needles should stay in for
Choosing or referring appropriate complementary therapies as indicated by the client’s condition

About average job growth, but may improve because consumer demand for alternative medicine is increasing.

Average Salary

Just over $55,000 according to acupuncturistsalary.org.