Are you wondering what you can do after you complete a holistic wellness program? As more people learn about the benefits of alternative medicine, they generate a greater demand for your set of skills.
Everyone benefits from an integrated mind and body approach to wellness, so you’ll find many career opportunities to match your interests.
In this article, we will explore seven holistic career opportunities that can be the perfect fit for you. But first, let’s better understand what holistic careers are.
What are holistic careers in health?
When discussing holistic career opportunities, we refer to jobs or professions that focus on the overall well-being and balance of an individual’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. These careers are becoming more popular as people recognize the importance of caring for themselves and finding work that aligns with their values and purpose.
Some examples of holistic careers include yoga instructors, massage therapists, nutritionists, life coaches, and wellness consultants. These professionals help people achieve optimal health and wellness through mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and healthy eating habits.
These careers often involve a strong focus on building relationships and creating positive change in people’s lives.
7 Holistic Career Opportunities
When it comes to building a career, it’s important to look at the bigger picture. Holistic career opportunities are those that not only provide financial stability but also fulfill personal and professional goals. Here are seven holistic career options to consider.
1. Private Offices
Get hands-on experience with an established alternative medicine practitioner. Private offices may specialize in one holistic wellness area or offer a broad range of services for their clients. Look for a great fit for your interests and spend time learning about what it takes to run your own office.
2. Chiropractor and Doctor Offices
Chiropractor offices give you the chance to focus on this particular wellness area, which attracts a variety of patients. Some people come in for a body alignment tune-up, while others seek chiropractor services as part of an ongoing physical therapy regimen. The variety will challenge your skills and help you grow as a holistic health practitioner.
Some alternative medicine doctors‘ offices are embracing integrated wellness as a way to more effectively treat their patients and offer them the support that they need for an excellent quality of life. You work hand-in-hand with the doctors and holistic nurses at the office to help patients meet their health and wellness goals.
3. Holistic Health Clinics
Holistic health clinics create a welcoming atmosphere for their clients. People from all walks of life look for ways that alternative medicine can help them.
Whether they want additional help dealing with chronic illness or they need a way to achieve a healthy lifestyle, you can work with them to meet their goals.
4. Health Clubs, Fitness Centers and Spas
These types of businesses are a perfect fit for a holistic medicine career. Health clubs and fitness centers provide many ways for their clients to have a happy and healthy life. While their primary focus may be on exercise, your services work well to complement their offerings.
Spas help people reduce their stress and spend time relaxing, so the atmosphere is perfect for holistic medicine. You can introduce new ways that people can live a better life.
Hectic schedules and too many demands on a person’s time can leave them overwhelmed, burnt out and feeling poorly. When you step in to work with them, you can improve their lives in many ways.
5. Nursing Homes and Hospitals
The residents of nursing homes often have complex health challenges that aren’t adequately addressed by modern medicine. Their physical symptoms may be treated with medication, but their overall quality of life is compromised. When you pursue a career working with seniors in nursing homes, you’ll see first-hand the difference that you can make on overall wellness.
Hospitals are another place to look for alternative medicine positions. Innovative hospitals and similar health institutions are looking for more ways to improve their patient outcomes and ensure a high quality of care.
Holistic medicine offers many benefits that these hospitals take advantage of, especially in difficult cases that don’t have easy answers or treatment plans.
6. Sports Medicine Facilities
Athletes are hard on their bodies in the pursuit of performance. They always try to go harder, endure more and reach their personal goals. The competitive nature of sports means that athletes look for every way possible to get an edge over other players.
Holistic medicine gives them a whole body approach to wellness that meshes well with what they’re trying to accomplish.
You may work alongside other medical professionals in various specialties, as sports medicine facilities employ many methods to support their clients. The challenges that you face when you’re treating athletes are far different than the ones that you look at in the general population.
This demographic prides themselves on reaching peak physical and mental condition, and they’re willing to try new treatments to see what works best for their needs and requirements. You don’t encounter a one-size-fits-all technique, as each type of sport has its own particular demands on an individual. Adapt your alternative medicine skills to discover new methods for the clients at a sports medicine facility.
7. Self-Employment in Private Practice
Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a head for business administration? Opening up your own private practice may make the most sense in this situation. It’s not the easiest route, as you’re self-employed and entirely on your own, but it’s an excellent way to challenge yourself and learn a lot during the course of your career.
If you’re considering this route, spend time conducting market research of the region you want to open your private practice in. Look for other practices that offer holistic wellness services and determine whether there’s a place that you fit in. Ideally, you can pinpoint a niche that is not being filled by existing businesses.
Build up your network of alternative medicine providers so you have a peer group to lean on. If you can find a mentor that’s opened up their own private holistic medicine practice, that’s even better.
The Bottom Line
Holistic career opportunities are becoming increasingly popular as people seek a more balanced and fulfilling life. The seven careers highlighted in this article offer a range of options for those interested in holistic practices, from alternative medicine to coaching and counseling.
Whether you are interested in alternative medicine, coaching, or counseling, there is a path for you to follow. If you want to learn more about pursuing a career in the holistic field, AIAM offers a range of programs and resources to help you achieve your career goals and make a difference in the lives of others. If these careers excite you, take the first step and learn about AIAM’s programs that interest you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What holistic job makes the most money?
Some of the highest-paying holistic careers include:
Naturopathic Physician: $80,000-$107,500 per year
Licensed Acupuncturist: $82,500-$99,000 per year
Herbalist: $57,500-$88,000 per year
What are the examples of holistic services?
Examples of holistic services include acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, nutrition counseling, and herbal medicine. These services focus on treating the whole person, rather than just the symptoms of a particular health issue. Holistic services are often used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments to promote overall well-being and improve quality of life.
Is holistic better than medicine?
It’s not a matter of one being better than the other. Holistic practices and medicine both have their benefits and limitations. It depends on the individual’s specific needs and preferences. It’s best to consult a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable approach for your health and well-being.
Why choose holistic?
Holistic approach considers the whole person – their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, and not just their symptoms. This enables a more comprehensive and personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause of the problem rather than just managing the symptoms.