Schools of Natural Health and Nutrition
Growing interest in natural health, holistic health or alternative medicine, has resulted in healthcare education expanding to include training in natural health and nutrition. There are hundreds of accredited natural healing programs offered by colleges and universities around the world. Although programs vary from school to school, the principles are the same. A belief in the body's natural ability to heal itself given a proper balance of healthy living and spiritual serenity.
Natural health and nutrition is a growing field of medical practice in which practitioners consider mental, physical and spiritual needs during a medical exam. Natural health and nutrition schools, therefore, focus not only on physical health, but on mental and spiritual health, as well. In contrast to Western medicine, which treats the symptoms of disease or illness as they arise, natural healers are taught to also look at a patient’s emotional health, lifestyle, stress and spiritual wellbeing.
The emphasis is on the maintenance and healing of body, mind and soul. The natural health practitioner uses a mixture of alternative medical therapies, along with traditional Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Students learn therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, massage therapy, mind-body therapy, nutritional counseling and yoga.
Students also learn about the links between traditional medicine and other forms of natural healing practices, such as dietary therapy. Natural nutritional programs can help clients not only lose weight, but treat a number of illnesses, including diabetes, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease, allergies and cancer.
It is wise to consider only accredited colleges and universities for your natural health and nutrition studies. A number of professional organizations accredit natural healing programs. An online search for such organizations will yield a wealth of good information. Contact as many schools as you need to and request information about their programs and accreditation. Official accreditation is your assurance of a quality education. These programs would be approved by The U.S. Department of Education or The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or both.
Accredited degree programs in natural health start with associate and bachelor's degrees. Dedicated natural health professionals can continue their education via master's degrees in natural healing as well as doctorate degrees.
Even if you are already a licensed health care provider, it is wise to continue learning and you can easily find continuing education in natural healing on the internet. Whether you are interested in a specific natural healing practice, or need to refresh your alternative healing skills, you will find continuing education courses to suit your needs.