Medicine

If you are drawn to complementary and alternative medicine, you are not alone. Alternative medicine colleges are growing in demand as “36 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and over use some form of complementary and alternative medicine.” [1]

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Find Alternative Medicine Colleges in the United States and Canada. If you are drawn to complementary and alternative medicine,Alternative Medicine Colleges: Making the Grade Articles you are not alone. Alternative medicine colleges are growing in demand as “36 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and over use some form of complementary and alternative medicine.” [1] Alternative and complementary medicine therapies that are most commonly sought after include acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, and nutritional [2] therapies. These professions are frequently taught to students in a number of alternative medicine colleges.

Before registering in the wide expand of alternative medicine colleges, you should first determine which alternative medicine practice you would like to enter. For example, if you interested in chiropractic, be sure that the selection of alternative medicine colleges in which you choose to enroll offer this course of study. Some alternative medicine colleges provide training in a diverse range of health therapies including education in pathology-specific treatments, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Studies offered through alternative medicine colleges in this area may include diverse curriculums in botanical or herbal medicine, supplements and vitamins, hydrotherapy, mind-body therapies, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture and other massage therapies.

Other courses provided through alternative medicine colleges may be designed for the future homeopathic practitioner or professionally certified massage therapist. However, there are so many fields of study from which to choose, the potential to attaining a quality education at one of several alternative medicine colleges is virtually unlimited.

Currently, a number of alternative medicine colleges provide undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral and independent career training programs. Students who are interested in naturopathic medicine or holistic medicine can gain a comprehensive education and skills through accredited alternative medicine colleges, as well as other complementary medicine schools. Students seeking certification or diploma programs can frequently achieve these goals at alternative medicine colleges, too. For instance, some alternative medicine colleges specifically provide certification courses in massage, herbal medicine and reflexology. Again, the diverse options in education are quite compelling.

Students, who have successfully graduated from one of several alternative medicine colleges, can go onto lucrative and personally rewarding careers that are mutually beneficial in helping patients and clients from all walks of life.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in enrolling in one of several alternative medicine colleges to help find your dream job, let education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

References:

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Statistics on CAM Use in the United States (http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats.html)
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Press Release: More than One-Third of U.S. Adults use Complementary and Alternative Medicine, according to New Government Survey (http://nccam.nih.gov/news/2004/052704.htm)
Alternative Medicine Colleges: Making the Grade

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While Chinese medicine may be considered “alternative” medicine in the West, it is an accepted form of conventional medicine in Eastern cultures – Chinese medicine colleges are trying to change this Western mode of thinking by researching, teaching and administering comprehensive training in this unique healing art.

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Find Chinese Medicine Colleges in the United States and Canada. While Chinese medicine may be considered “alternative” medicine in the West,Chinese Medicine Colleges: What do they Teach? Articles it is an accepted form of conventional medicine in Eastern cultures – Chinese medicine colleges are trying to change this Western mode of thinking by researching, teaching and administering comprehensive training in this unique healing art.

Whether you’re interested in an introductory class in herbal medicine or are more seriously considering a long-term career in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, one of several Chinese medicine colleges can help you advance your personal and professional goals.

Today, Chinese medicine colleges provide a diverse assortment of certificate and degree programs. One of the more popular courses afforded through Chinese medicine colleges is the Masters in Oriental medicine. Class and clinical training in this program will often include human anatomy and physiology, basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories, acupuncture, Oriental bodywork, Tai Chi, meridian therapy, moxibustion, Qi gong, and a vast assortment of related studies. Students who have enrolled in a number of Chinese medicine colleges will also learn that they can achieve their Doctorates in Oriental medicine as well.

Aside from learning how to become a licensed acupuncturist, most Chinese medicine schools frequently offer fundamental studies in the Chinese language to better understand and identify common Chinese medical terms. Additionally, Chinese medicine colleges integrate Eastern philosophies in their teachings, as well as TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) theories.

In many Chinese medicine colleges, students will be able to engage in certificate programs that teach herbal medicine, Chinese medical massage (Tuina), and other Oriental bodywork therapies. Students who wish to become licensed acupuncturists and practicing Oriental medicine doctors must understand that many Chinese medicine colleges regularly require certain prerequisites prior to enrollment. In many cases, these requirements include extensive education from an accredited university or college. It is always beneficial to review all curriculum requirements at your choice of Chinese medicine colleges so that you are fully prepared to start your educational passage. In addition, students attending Chinese medicine colleges and who are enrolled in more intricate courses (i.e., doctor of Oriental medicine, etc.) will be expected to pass a series of rigorous examinations along the way. These tests will validate comprehension in fundamental knowledge and critical skills in the practice of Chinese medicine.

While there are several varieties of techniques and methods that are facilitated in Oriental medicine, Chinese medicine colleges may slightly differ in independent teachings and length of study. Depending on which course you elect to enroll, training programs in Chinese medicine colleges may vary from mere months to several years. The prospect for success for graduates of any number of Chinese medicine colleges is virtually unlimited.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding Chinese medicine colleges to help attain your dream job, let education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Chinese Medicine Colleges: What do they Teach?

© Copyright 2007

The CollegeBound Network

Do you know the difference between functional medicine and conventional medicine? Let’s take a look at how functional medicine is filling the gaps in traditional medicine.

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Copyright (c) 2014 LifeWorks Integrative health

Functional medicine is a science-based and natural way to bring people back to a healthier state. Functional medicine is patient-centered medical healing. However,How is Functional Medicine Different From Traditional Medicine Articles instead of looking at and treating health problems as isolated illnesses and diseases, functional medicine treats individuals who have a number of bodily symptoms, imbalances and dysfunctions.

Diseases such as diabetes, cancer and fibromyalgia may appear to just be diseases. However, according to functional medicine, the causes of these disease lie in an altered physiology that is the result of imbalances and dysfunctions within the body. Almost always, the cause of a disease and it’s symptom are related to an underlying dysfunction or imbalance in the body’s systems.If you were to visit with a doctor, conventional medicine is just going to treat the disease or illness. Rarely will treatment with conventional medicine lead to long-term relief and an improved and healthier lifestyle.

With functional medicine, the underlying cause is identified and treated. Because of this, the patient has a much better chance of improving their health. By using scientific principles, functional medicine treatment is able to use advanced diagnostic testing and treatments other than prescription medications and surgery to restore balance to the body.The overall goal of functional medicine? To help ensure a patient’s lifelong, optimal health.

How Functional Medicine is Filling the Gaps in Health Care

It probably comes as no surprise that today’s health care system has gaps. Today’s health care system is in trouble because it follows a medical management model. This medical management model works well when it comes to acute health problems. When it comes to chronic health problems, today’s conventional medicine is much less successful. If you have a heart attack, pneumonia or need life-saving surgery, the quick-thinking used by doctors in modern medicine is something that we are all very thankful for. Life-saving technology, surgery and antibiotics are necessary in certain instances. We should all be very grateful for these interventions should we ever find ourselves in a serious medical emergency or in need of antibiotics to cure an infection.

However, conventional medicine often quickly reaches for medications, surgery and other acute treatment options when another approach is needed. When it comes to those with chronic, debilitating ailments — including heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, a different approach is needed. This is where functional medicine comes into play.

The Functional Medicine Approach to Healing:

To help alleviate chronic medical conditions, the functional medicine approach is grounded in two scientific principles.Add what is lacking in the body to help bring it’s physiology back to an optimal state of functioning.Remove anything that impedes the body from moving forward to a goal of optimal physiology.In short, the goals of functional medicine is to find a natural approach to bringing the body back to a healthy state. In order for the body to be brought back to a healthy state, functional medicine identifies the reasons why the body is malfunctioning. Functional medicine addresses those issues in a way that is appropriate for each individual patient.In many cases, functional medicine practitioners will use advanced laboratory testing to help identify the root causes (or multiple cases) of a patient’s health problems.

Listening to a patient’s symptoms and asking questions of their food choices, activities and lifestyle can also be very helpful in helping a functional medicine practitioner to determine the cause(s) of a patient’s chronic pain. As far as treatment goes, functional medicine practitioners use a combination of natural agents, nutrition changes, lifestyle changes, spiritual counseling, emotional counseling and pharmaceuticals. Natural agents can include supplements, homeopathics, herbs and nutraceuticals. Education also plays an important role in returning a patient’s physiology back to an optimal state. Education helps to empower patients to take charge of their own health. When patients are in charge of their own health and well-being, there is likely going to be much greater success when it comes to treatment.

Functional Medicine and Treating Symptoms vs. Treating the Person

In today’s conventional medicine world, medication is used to get rid of patient’s symptoms. In many cases, the symptoms return when a patient stops using the medications. For example, think of medications used to treat arthritis. When a patient stops taking their medications, they are likely going to experience the pain of arthritis all over again. This is where functional medicine is different. Instead of just masking the problem with medication, function medicine aims at restoring the body’s natural function.

While functional medicine practitioners may prescribe pharmaceuticals, these medications are only prescribed to move the patient in the right direction. This is so the patient will not always be dependent on prescription medications. For instance, conventional medicine doctors would typically prescribe a medication like Prilosec for treatment of acid reflux or heartburn. As soon as the patient stops taking this medication, their symptoms will return. On the other hand, a functional medicine doctor may discover that the patient’s heartburn is actually caused by a bacteria. By treating the bacteria and removing it from the body, the heartburn could very well be put to a permanent end.

It is important to realize that with functional medicine, treatment may vary greatly from patient to patient. Another important thing to remember about functional medicine is that is it based in listening to the patient. By listening to the patient, functional medicine practitioners are able to make an accurate diagnosis.