Holistic Medicine Jobs will be Hot for 2011

by Alex A. Kecskes

Many health care professionals choose a more non-traditional career path than your typical nurse or doctor. They often enter the holistic medical field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, holistic medicine jobs will be among the hottest to hit the U.S. in the next decade.

Unlike traditional Western medicine, which treats symptoms and diseases with modern pharmaceuticals and advanced surgical techniques, holistic medicine treats the mind, spirit, and body as one. The belief is that calming the mind with certain exercises, techniques and herbs will help relax the body and make it more susceptible to healing.

Holistic jobs run the gamut and can include everything from massage therapist, and acupuncturist to Chinese herbalists and chiropractors. Also included would be:

• Holistic Nutritionists
• Aroma Therapists
• Colonic Therapists
• Personal Trainers,
• Energy Healer
• Feng Shui Practitioners
• Hydro Therapist
• Hypnotherapist
• Kinesiologist
• Osteopathic Doctor
• Reflexologist
• Yoga Or Thai Chi Instructor
• Naturopathic Practitioner

The degree of training and education varies with each specific field. Chiropractors, for example, must complete at least 4,200 hours of study, or about four years of chiropractor school before they can practice as licensed chiropractors. Acupuncturists typically require a bachelor's degree before gaining acceptance into a two or three year acupuncture program. Massage therapists, on the other hand, may need as little as nine months training to meet certain state licensing requirements. And herbalists have no set educational requirements in many states.

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.