What is the difference between conventional and alternative medicine?
Conventional medicine is practiced by people with an M.D. (medical doctor) or a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) and various health professionals, such as registered nurses, psychologists, and physical therapists.

In contrast, alternative health professionals like massage therapists do not necessarily have to have a medical degree, but many do require a basic certification. The biggest difference between alternative and traditional medicine is the way in which each form of treatment views the body. While conventional health care professionals view the body as a type of a puzzle that is comprised of different organs and systems, alternative healers view the body, mind, and spirit as a whole. For instance, your typical doctor or surgeon is taught that bacteria and viruses cause disease, while alternative healers focus on your entire condition because they believe that your emotions and state of mind has a profound influence on your health.

How widely used are alternative treatments?

According to a survey by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about four in ten U.S. adults are turning to alternative treatments for chronic pain and other health problems. The number of people seeking alternative health options is growing each year, with about 38 percent of adults undergoing holistic treatments in 2007, compared with 36 percent in 2002.

Is a health profession the right career path for me?

The health care profession is one the most important sectors of government spending. It is also one of the largest industries for jobs! Before you take the final “health care plunge”, consider these factors to determine if a health career is right for you:
• People skills – since the important part of health services involves interacting with patients, health professionals need to love working with people! If you are an effective communicator and love helping people, it might be a sign that you’d make a good acupuncturist, nutritionist, or massage therapist.
• Passion for health – people who embark on a health professions career path share an interest in keeping people happy, healthy, and safe. If you care about improving the health of your patients, a medical career would definitely keep you fulfilled.
• Job security – if you’re concerned about a recession-proof career, taking a job in the medical sector is one of your safest bets. After all, everyone cares about being healthy! There will always be a need for qualified health professionals.

What kinds of alternative health treatments are there?

If you are interested in alternative medicine, you can explore the following career paths:

• Massage
• Nutrition
• Acupuncture
• Chinese Medicine
• Reflexology
• Feng shui