Although traditional medicine cannot replace modern medicine as far as diagnosis, investigation and emergency care are concerned, certain 'alternative' systems which focus on overall health, have shown remarkable and swift results even in chronic illnesses like diabetes, leucoderma, cancer as well as hard to cure diseases like arthritis, asthma and even AIDS.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda, literally meaning the science of life, aims at healing the individual as a whole, instead of merely at the molecular level. This ancient healing system is based on the theory that everything is composed of panchamahabhutas, or the five basic elements (akaash, jal, vayu, agni, dharti). The main source of our knowledge of Ayurveda is the Atharva Veda, which dates back to around 1200 BC.

Find Alternative Medicine Programs in the United States and Canada. With the phenomenal expansion of complementary and holistic therapies, there are growing numbers of healing arts schools that now offer alternative medicine programs to both practitioners and prospective students searching for unique career-training opportunities.

Of the numerous alternative medicine programs - massage therapy, holistic health, energy healing, and nutritional consulting are some of the more popular academic programs available today.

Alternative Healing Education

Alternative healing education provides courses to students that may lead to certificates, diplomas and degrees in the healing arts. In many instances, alternative healing education classes can encompass broad spectrums of noninvasive healing modalities such as aromatherapy, Ayurveda, energy healing therapies, herbology and herbal medicine, chiropractic, acupressure, and naturopathy – to mention just a few. Some alternative healing education programs enable students to sit for local and national licensure exams; as in the cases of massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic. Additionally, a number of alternative healing education programs include certificate courses that help students to become certified in a wide variety of healing arts

Alternative Medicine Courses

Depending on your career interest, successful completion of one or more alternative medicine courses can lead to professions in naturopathy, natural health, homeopathy, massage therapy and Oriental medicine – to list just a few. Alternative medicine courses in natural health, for example, can help students achieve required education to become natural health consultants, educators or natural health technicians. Naturopathy schools that provide alternative medicine courses are commonly comprised of comprehensive studies in naturopathy, phytotherapy, botanical and herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and other Chinese medicine subjects.

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.