Holistic Programs - Popular Studies

By CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd

Find Holistic Programs in the United States and Canada. If you're pursuing a career in the healing arts, it's time to explore some of the many holistic programs. In addition to holistic healthcare courses, students can apply to programs in natural health, energy healing, spiritual counseling, herbology, iridology, massage therapy, and more.

Some of the more popular holistic programs include training in herbalism. Typical subject matter involves anatomy, physiology, wild crafting, medical botany, herbal medicine formulation, preparation/dosing; ointments, lineaments, basic nutrition, Bach flower remedies, herb cultivation, diet and organic foods, supplements and minerals, aromatherapy, Chinese herbal medicine, and first aid. These particular holistic programs are designed for treating the "whole person," often resulting in a certificate or diploma of completion. However, holistic programs in herbalism are frequently part of acupuncture and Oriental medicine school curricula, as well as naturopathic studies.

Other popular holistic programs include hands-on training in various massage therapies. These courses are usually between 300 and 500 hours in length; but in some healing arts schools, advanced massage programs run well beyond these training hours. General education entails anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and the history and philosophy of massage. The difference between massage courses is each one of these holistic programs covers its own set of bodywork modalities. In standard massage programs, students will learn massage techniques like deep tissue massage and Swedish massage; in more comprehensive curricula, students gain practical training in these disciplines, as well as geriatric massage, Trigger point therapy, craniosacral therapy, infant massage, and Thai massage, among 80+ additional methods.

Some compelling holistic programs focus on nutrition and wellness. In a holistic healthcare practitioner program, students learn about herbal remedies/therapies, bodywork techniques, ear candling, iridology, spiritual counseling, meditation and visualization methods; energy healing therapies (i.e., Reiki, chakra balancing, harmonic balancing), and other mind-body-spirit medicines.

Generally, holistic programs involve natural healing therapies designed to help support and enhance the body's self-healing mechanisms. Students who fulfill all educational requirements of the respective course are awarded a certificate of completion, and in some instances - as with massage therapy - graduates can become Nationally certified upon meeting all eligibility requirements. In addition, there are a number of holistic programs geared toward the professional medical provider, like holistic nursing. These courses involve aforementioned studies, in addition to other relative subject matter; and specifically created for nurses and nurse practitioners seeking to broaden professional healthcare treatment options.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding holistic programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore holistic programs near you.

Holistic Programs - Popular Studies
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Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, in association with CollegeSurfing.com - Educational Resources for Holistic Programs, Holistic Schools, and other Healing Arts.