Just when you thought there’s a lot of home-based job choices already, well, here’s more! For those who want to get into the healthcare industry, you can also try out home-based jobs in alternative medicine. Sounds interesting, well, it is!
In recent years, healthcare has been one of the top choices among young people graduating from high school, as well as adults who want to take the leap of faith by pursuing a different career.
Thanks to retirees as well as older, aging people, and even young and not-so-young, various healthcare jobs have become in demand — and definitely, work from home (an on-site) jobs in alternative medicine is one of them.
You may find it crazy because even in this day and age when technology is like on top of everything, there are still a lot of people who rely on and are a fan of alternative medicine.
Many individuals still look for alternative ways to treat minor ailments instead of having it fixed by doctors and other healthcare practitioners.
Well, thanks to these people, those in the alternative medicine industry are able to keep the industry alive.
A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it says that 36% or more than one-third of American adults aged 18 years old and above use certain forms of complementary and alternative medicine.
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In the said report, Stephen E. Straus, M.D., Director, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) says that these findings confirm the extent that Americans have turned to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches hoping that this would help them treat as well as prevent certain diseases, at the same time, help enhance the quality of life.
Given the said data, it is safe to say that alternative medicine and the opportunities along with it are certainly alive in the country.
So, with that said, today, we are going to provide you with some of the most popular work from home jobs in alternative medicine. Hopefully, this will help you get an idea of what particular kind of alternative medicine job is perfect for you.
But before the list of jobs, the next sections will provide you some important information that will help you understand better the industry and what it takes to be part of it.
In particular, we are going to tackle the following:
- What is alternative medicine?
- What are the different types of complementary and alternative medicine?
- What does an alternative medicine practitioner do?
- What education or certification is required to become an alternative medicine practitioner?
- What are the different home-based jobs in alternative medicine?
WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE?
According to the National Cancer Institute, alternative medicine refers to “treatments that are used instead of standard treatments“.
Unlike standard treatments, “less research has been done for most types of alternative medicine“. Alternative medicine includes but is not limited to “special diets, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, and magnet therapy“.
Meanwhile, the National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine defines alternative medicine as “a broad term encompassing a variety of medical modalities” that are “typically supported by tradition and seldom taught in a Western medical setting. Such modalities range from the ancient Eastern practices of acupuncture and Taichi to herbal medicine, Reiki, chiropractic manipulation, and more.”
If you want to know more about complementary and alternative medicine, here’s a very informative video by Rehealthify:
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE?
As mentioned earlier, in the country, one-third of adults aged 18 years old and above rely on complementary and alternative medicine products and practices.
To give you an idea, below are some examples of complementary and alternative medicine as published on the website of Johns Hopkins Medicine:
Traditional Alternative Medicine
This includes more mainstream and accepted forms of therapy and has been practiced for centuries in different parts of the world.
Traditional alternative medicine may include:
- Acupuncture
- Ayurveda
- Chinese or Oriental medicine
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathy
Body
This pertains to methods or practices that use touch, which according to the article “has been used in medicine since the early days of medical care”.
Some examples of body therapies are:
- Body movement therapies
- Chiropractic and osteopathic medicine
- Massage
- Tai chi
- Yoga
Diet and Herbs
This pertains to dietary and herbal approaches that “attempt to balance the body’s nutritional well-being”.
These approaches include:
- Dietary supplements
- Herbal medicine
- Nutrition/diet
External Energy
Some individuals believe that external energies from objects or other sources could directly affect a person’s overall health and well-being.
Thus, some engage into practices involving external energy like:
- Electromagnetic therapy
- Reiki
- Qigong
Mind
These refers to practices that help people have a good emotional and mental health.
These practices include:
- Biofeedback
- Hypnosis
- Meditation
Senses
There are people who believe that senses, which include touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste can affect the overall health of a person.
Some practices or therapies that incorporate senses include:
- Art, dance, and music
- Visualization and guided imagery
WHAT DOES AN ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER DO?
In this section, we are going to talk about what an alternative medicine practitioner does from a general perspective.
Generally speaking, as an alternative medicine practitioner, you will primarily rely on the area of natural health that you are an expert in or that you are interested in.
As mentioned above, there are different types of complementary and alternative medicine, and it’s for you to figure out what particular practice or method you’re going to pursue.
Please note that for each type of expertise, there is a qualification required, which brings us to the next section —
WHAT EDUCATION OR CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED TO BECOME AN ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER?
Here’s the thing — with alternative medicine, it’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.
For every type or area of alternative medicine practice, there is a corresponding education level and licensure required, which means, you have to invest in terms of knowledge and expertise.
For example, to be able to practice massage therapy, you have to acquire a certain certification or a certain education level.
With that said, it is important that before you even jump into a particular alternative medicine practice, you have to learn and understand first the things you need to do and the certifications or licensures you need to acquire.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT HOME-BASED JOBS IN ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE?
Now, it’s time to share with you the different work from home jobs in alternative medicine that you may consider if you are interested in this field or industry.
Our list include:
- Aromatherapy
- Acupuncturist
- Herbalist
- In-Home Caretakers
- Massage Therapy
- Nutritionist
- Yoga Instructor
Aromatherapy
According to Healthline.com, aromatherapy refers to “a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional health.”
In recent years, aromatherapy has gained popularity with different brands competing from one another, but with the same vision, to introduce alternative medicine to people.
Basically, the idea is to own your own business and sell products through direct selling. However, there are also several positions that are available in this field, which include becoming an aromatherapy consultant, as well as an aromatherapy writer or blogger.
With regards to selling aromatherapy oils, most people who get into this kind of business earn on a commission basis. But, while you can follow that route, you can also opt to create your own aromatherapy products if you want to.
To be honest, there is an endless possibility with an aromatherapy business. Apart from essential oils, you can also venture into selling items that are infused with oils like beauty products, candles, soaps, healthcare products, and many more.
In terms of income, there is also an endless possibility in terms of earning money. If you are going to do business, it will depend on your ability to sell. Meanwhile, if you opt to work on positions related to this, how much you make will depend entirely on your qualification. Similar to other jobs, the more experienced you are, the higher you get paid.
Acupuncturist
John Hopkins Medicine defines acupuncture as “the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner’s hands or with electrical stimulation“. Meanwhile, an acupuncturist refers to the person who administers the practice.
Acupuncture is a very popular type of alternative medicine. Needless to say, it’s been around for a long time now — it’s actually a “part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine.”
If you want to become an acupuncturist in the country and work either part-time or full-time legally, you have to work on completing an accredited-educational program, and then, you have to pass a state licensing examination. In the country, it is the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) that administers the national board examinations for this particular profession.
Meanwhile, with regards to how much acupuncturists make, according to Glassdoor, the average yearly base pay of an acupuncturist in the United States is $100,632. The salary varies depending on experience and expertise, while some could earn as low as $45,000, others may earn up to $114,000 a year.
Herbalist
The National Institute of Medical Herbalists defines the profession as someone who “make use of plants whose traditional uses are backed up by modern scientific research and clinical trials“.
Furthermore, it states that “herbalists take a holistic approach to illness, treating the underlying cause of disease rather than just the symptoms. They are able to prescribe herbal remedies to be used alongside other medication and treatments, and many patients are referred to a herbalist by their GP for treatment.”
To become an herbalist, it is a common requirement that you have to hold a Bachelor of Science degree or an equivalent to Herbal Medicine. In the country, there are a lot of herbal therapy training, which would be very useful if you want to pursue this career.
Furthermore, according to the American Herbalists Guild, to become a practicing herbalist, they recommend getting “a program of at least 1600 hours of study at a school of herbal medicine, including a 400-hour clinical requirement“.
An herbalist in the United States gets to earn an average annual salary of $108,095 or $52 per hour. Depending on your expertise and educational background, you may earn as low as $19,000 up to $283,500 per year.
In-Home Caretakers
Homecare is becoming one of the most popular forms of healthcare available in the country today.
It is not that surprising, though, given the fact that aging and ailing people are increasing, and especially with the current situation, with the pandemic around, it’s not a surprise if the number will rise and continue to rise.
One thing we thought is the reason why home care is becoming popular is the fact that it’s convenient and more comfortable. After all, the comfort of your own home is more desirable for patients, as well as the whole medical industry.
There are several positions available when it comes to in-home care. Some of them are registered nurses, practical nurses, as well as physical and occupational therapists and assistants, and many more.
Apart from these positions, there are also other in-home care-related jobs like medical transcriptionists, case management, telephone doctors, pharmacists, as well as medical administrative assistants, medical billing and coding, and more. All of these jobs can be done within your home.
Now, when it comes to the salary rate, it really depends on your position or job. But one thing’s for sure, they’re all financially rewarding.
Massage Therapist
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, massage therapy is defined as a practice that is “used to help manage a health condition or enhance wellness. It involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body“.
Since this profession requires certain skills, it is important that you undergo a massage therapy program first if you want to venture into this kind of profession.
Furthermore, practical requirements, as well as passing the licensing examination are also needed to become a full-fledged massage therapist in the country. In addition, you also need to apply for a state license and complete certification.
While the process may seem tedious, the work and the financial aspect of the job is very rewarding.
While how much a massage therapist makes depends on the state where you practice your profession, according to Indeed, the average base salary of massage therapists in the country is $29.36 per hour. Similar to other jobs in alternative medicine, how much you make will depend on your experience and expertise.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist is someone who advises people on matters of food and nutrition, as well as their impacts on the person’s overall health and well-being.
Nutrition experts have different areas of expertise. There’s sports nutrition, animal nutrition, public health, and many more.
Normally, nutritionists work in a physical healthcare facility setting like clinics and hospitals, or in some cases, in companies and offices.
However, some nutritionists opt to work on a freelance basis. Some particularly focusing on a certain number of personal clients only.
To become a nutritionist, you have to be a graduate of an approved and accredited bachelor’s degree program. You also need to complete a supervised practice program, pass a national examination, as well as complete continuing education requirements for nutritionists.
According to Indeed, the average salary for nutritionists in the United States is $52,785 per year. However, it is important to note that the salary depends on various factors like education, experience, as well as certifications.
So, similar to the previous alternative medicine jobs we mentioned, the more experienced you are in this field, the higher pay you get. While for newbies, the lower your salary rate will be.
Yoga Instructor
According to Medical News Today, “Yoga is a mind and body practice with a 5,000-year history in ancient Indian philosophy. Various styles of yoga combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation.“
Yoga has become popular over the years, and it’s not surprising because it really does make you feel good.
Back in the day, you need to enroll in a class to be able to learn about everything yoga. Today, thanks to technology, yoga instructors can now teach even while in the comforts of their homes.
While some prefer giving yoga classes online, others would rather opt to post-yoga instructional videos on YouTube, while others get into blogging instead.
There are also those who opt to become a personal yoga coach who basically works personally with a client.
To become a yoga instructor in the country, you have to get certified. There are various organizations that provide such certification.
Based on Indeed, the average salary for a yoga instructor is $30.18 per hour. Again, similar to other jobs, how much you make depends on certain factors like your years of experience, expertise, specialization, as well as your certifications.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON HOME-BASED JOBS IN ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Alternative medicine is a growing industry as both adults and young people are becoming into it hoping that alternative medicine practices and methods will help them have better health and overall well-being.
It’s nice knowing that even in this industry, people can find work from home opportunities, which is very popular these days especially given the current global situation because of the pandemic.
So, have you thought about getting into an alternative medicine-related job? What are you considering?
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