With more and more people looking towards complementary and alternative medicine, careers in the field are becoming highly popular. If you are someone who has an interest in one of these careers, find out some of the options that are available to you.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy focuses on the manipulation of the muscles in the body as well as soft tissue. Although there are different types of massages, massage therapists typically apply differing amounts of pressure to these parts of the body to relieve pain and stiffness. Along with relief from pain, massage therapy is thought to reduce anxiety, depression and stress. It also used for overall relaxation. To enter this career, you will need to complete an accredited training program. Your program should cover concepts like clinical assessment, neurological assessment, various massage techniques, research and pain and stress. You will also need to take a licensing exam to gain licensure. Requirements can vary by location.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine. In this practice, thin needles are stuck into the body at particular points to bring relief from pain and illnesses. It is thought to bring relief from headaches, back pain, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, substance abuse and rheumatoid arthritis. To work in this field, you will have to go to an accredited acupuncture school to get the training that you will need to become an acupuncturist. The program should go over anatomy and physiology, Chinese medicine, and acupuncture labs. Where you live or want to practice will determine further requirements, which usually include taking a licensure exam and gaining certification.

Chiropractor

Another top career in alternative medicine is a chiropractor. A chiropractor makes adjustments to various parts of the body, such as the spine, neck, back and joints. These adjustments help with alignment in these parts of the body to relieve issues like back pain, headaches, joint issues and neck pain. To become a chiropractor, you will typically need to complete a bachelor’s program along with a doctoral program. Your programs should cover topics like health and wellness, assessment, examination, anatomy and clinical methods. You will also need to gain licensure for this field.

Complementary and alternative medicine is a field that is gaining a lot of momentum. Some of the careers that are available include massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractor. Each career involves completing an educational program, completing an exam and gaining licensure to practice in the field.