Jobs in holistic therapy include natural health consultant, colonic therapist, holistic nutritionist, homeopathic practitioner, and craniosacral therapist. Different jobs in holistic therapy have different educational requirements. The training for some jobs, such as craniosacral therapist and reiki practitioner, only require an afternoon or a few days. Other jobs such as chiropractor, naturopath, or osteopath require many years of study.
A person interested in a career as a natural health consultant can find certification and degree programs both onsite and online. The curriculum includes courses on various healing modalities so that the consultant can help clients find the best products or therapies to treat their physical and/or mental conditions. Some subjects studied include bodywork, herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, and energy healing. A graduate of a natural health consultant program can start a consulting business or obtain employment at a natural foods store, chiropractic clinic, or other alternative health clinic.
Another one of the jobs in holistic therapy that is in demand is colonic therapist. Colonic irrigation cannot be taught online since it involves a delicate procedure that must be demonstrated in person. During a colonic irrigation session, a tube is inserted into the rectum and water is sent through the tube to flush waste, parasites, and other matter from the colon. Students taking a colonic hydrotherapy program must learn patient intake, anatomy, physiology, and how to drape the patient for privacy in order to conduct a colonic irrigation session. They also learn how to perform and chart sessions and how to clean and maintain the equipment.
Allopathic, or traditional Western, medicine follows a disease model of medicine where the body is seen as a machine that can break down, requiring medical intervention in the form of drugs or surgery to repair. Holistic medicine sees the person as body, mind, and spirit, and a holistic healing practitioner may address various aspects of the patient’s life including environmental, social, dietary, and spiritual influences. Allopathic and holistic medicine can be beneficial when used alone or in combination. A person interested in helping others may choose a career in one of the many jobs in holistic therapy and be able to have a positive impact on people’s health.
