Most people who enter the medical field do so, at least in part, because they hope to have a positive impact on the lives of their patients. As demand increases for alternative medicine in its various forms, National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) is proud to offer the opportunity to pursue an education in holistic, evidence based, patient centered health care that goes beyond the limits of traditional Western medicine. Below are three such careers:
1) Chiropractic Medicine
Chiropractic medicine is so much more than adjusting the spine to help with back pain. Like all of the branches of alternative medicine taught at National University, chiropractic medicine is a comprehensive, non-invasive approach to the health of the whole person.
At NUHS, our philosophy is to train chiropractic students in evidence-based medicine to be able to become primary care physicians who are able to diagnose, treat and manage a variety of patients and conditions–from performing adjustments and creating rehab therapy plans to providing supplements. By treating the whole person and not just one or two symptoms, we believe chiropractic physicians have a unique opportunity to make a deep and permanent positive impact on the lives of their patients.
The career opportunities for chiropractic physicians are wide-ranging: private practice, hospital care, sports medicine, integrative clinic work…the list goes on. Not only that, but, the chiropractic profession leads the nation’s workforce in holding the lowest rate of unemployment and highest rate of job security, making it an excellent choice for students interested in a health care career. At this writing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth outlook for the field of chiropractic (2023 – 2033) is 10% — much faster than average.
2) Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic doctors are committed to implementing nature’s healing powers in their treatment of illness. They operate under six principles: First Do No Harm; Treat the Whole Person; Identify and Treat the Causes; The Healing Power of Nature; Doctor as Teacher and Promoting Wellness. Due to the emphasis on treating the whole person (as opposed to merely treating symptoms), and supporting the body’s natural healing process, many people have found healing through naturopathic medicine that they were unable to find in allopathic medicine.
As the field of naturopathic medicine continues to grow, career opportunities for naturopathic doctors multiply. While private or group practice is the most common path, hospitals and other integrated health care clinics frequently include naturopathy in their services. Treatment modalities can include nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy and minor surgery.
3) Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (AHM) is a field within alternative medicine that encompasses healing techniques that are over 3,000 years old, designed to heal through rebalancing the patient’s Qi (or chi) energy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes AHM as effective for more than 43 conditions, from mental health disorders to gastrointestinal disorders. Like other branches of alternative medicine, the philosophy behind AHM is about the healing and restoration of the whole person through techniques that are time-tested and minimally invasive. After conducting a highly comprehensive and individualized diagnosis of a patient’s Qi (or chi) energy, the acupuncture and herbal medicine practitioner uses a broad scope of therapies to restore balance to a patient’s Qi, thereby encouraging health and healing.
While many acupuncturists and herbal medicine practitioners go into private practice, as AHM is increasingly recognized by mainstream medical institutions, more and more clinics and hospitals are employing AHM physicians as well. Examples include, but are not limited to: pain management clinics, fertility clinics and weight loss or addiction treatment centers. Even cosmetic and spa facilities are now offering acupuncture for clients to relieve stress and combat the effects of aging.
The Value of an Integrative Approach to Alternative Medicine
At NUHS, we are passionate about our unique, completely integrated approach to teaching alternative medicine. The belief that holistic patient-centered care is paramount is what drives us to require all of our students to work alongside each other–regardless of their intended specialties – so that their understanding of the human body and its needs is as nuanced as possible. Our high admissions standards, rigorous curriculum, knowledgeable faculty and broad-scope curriculum all make National University the place to begin a career that can not only change your life, but the lives of countless others.
Check out these links for NUHS’ programs of study:
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine
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