Alternative Complementary Medicine Enhances Traditional Treatment
By Karen LawsonKaren.Lawson@medicalhealthcarecareerschools.com
Medical Health Care Career Schools Columnist
In the 1960s, alternative health-care therapies became popular as social and cultural changes swept the nation. At that time, there was a divide between traditionally trained physicians and alternative health-care practitioners. Today, as alternative complementary medicine becomes increasingly popular, traditional health-care providers are integrating alternative complementary medicine into their practices. As an alternative health-care practitioner, you can work as part of a medical team while providing state-of-the art complementary therapies to patients.
Alternative Medicine Evolves into Complementary Medicine
The term "alternative" suggests an either/or situation; you think you must make one choice or the other, but not both. This was the predominant scenario until the 1960s, when, in a climate of great cultural change, people turned to alternative health-care techniques, such as massage therapy and homeopathy. As traditional, or allopathic, physicians have recognized the effectiveness of alternative therapies, they have started to incorporate appropriate alternative therapies into their practices. Instead of "alternative," many non-traditional therapies are now viewed as "complementary," and are often provided by teams of "traditional" and "alternative" health-care practitioners.Career Opportunities Increase for Alternative Complementary Medicine Practitioners
As alternative health-care techniques have gained legitimacy within the medical establishment and insurance companies, career opportunities are increasing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for licensed massage therapists will increase faster than average through 2014. Reasons for this increase include:- Acceptance of massage therapy as a valid treatment for a variety of diseases and injuries
- Widespread use of massage therapy for stress relief
- Use of massage therapy by the aging "baby boomers"
- Increased use of massage therapy in private practice, hospitals and clinics
Massage therapy is one example of how you can build a successful career in alternative complementary medicine. Practitioners enjoy flexible schedules and can divide their practice between private medical offices, hospitals, clinics, and individual clients. If you're interested in healing and health care, but don't have time for a medical or nursing degree, a program in alternative complementary medicine can open the door to your new career in health care.
Source
Bureau of Labor Statistics
About the Author
Karen Lawson is a freelance writer whose interests include alternative complementary medicine and health-care ethics. She earned an MA degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Posted on: June 2, 2006
