What are Alternative Therapies ?

Alternative or complementary therapies are used in addition to standard medical treatment to improve wellbeing, prevent illness, reduce stress, and prevent or reduce side effects and symptoms. Treatments often address the client as a whole, rather than individual physical symptoms.

What sort of person becomes an alternative therapist?

As well as being interested in people and their health, it’s important you have:

* excellent communication skills
* a desire to help people
* a logical approach to problem solving
* a neat and tidy appearance
* maturity and the emotional stability to deal with sensitive issues
Working as any kind of therapist can be demanding and personally draining as you may be dealing with people's personal and painful experiences. You'll need to be sensitive to your clients' needs while keeping a professional distance. It is also essential to recognise when to refer a client to a medical doctor.

What about future prospects?

Alternative therapy is a growing industry with a wide range of career paths. When you’ve successfully completed a recognised qualification you can continue with further study or become self employed. You could work on a cruise liner, health farm, luxury hotel, health club or beauty salon. Some therapists work in hospitals, hospices, or are attached to a GP surgery or natural health centre.What sort of jobs are there? You'll need to decide whether you prefer a "hands on" job such as massage, reflexology or acupuncture or if you'd prefer to help clients deal with personal issues using counselling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy. We've selected a few jobs below but if you'd like to find out more visit the alternative therapies section of our job profiles.

Acupuncturist

Acupuncture is part of the 3000-year old system of traditional Chinese medicine, which believes that life energy (chi) flows along invisible channels in the body
known as meridians. Acupuncturists use these channels to regulate their clients' healing process and help restore health. [more info]

Chiropractor

Chiropractors specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and management of conditions due to problems with the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves of the body, particularly those of the spine. Treatment uses manipulation to improve the function of the joints, relieving pain and muscle spasm. [more info]

Colon hydrotherapist

Colon hydrotherapy, also known as colonic irrigation, is a treatment to cleanse the colon of waste products and toxins. The therapist gently fills the colon with warm filtered water. When the water is flushed out, it carries with it material that has built up in the intestine. [more info]
CounsellorCounsellors help people to explore their problems from a different perspective for personal development or during times of crisis or distress. They provide time and attention, together with a safe environment, to help their clients find their own solutions. [more info]
Medical herbalistMedical herbalists use plant remedies to treat disease and balance the metabolism. The remedies used may include infusions, tablets, tinctures, powders, lotions, creams and ointments. [more info]

Homeopath

Homeopaths use minute quantities of a substance, which, if given in full strength to a healthy person, would produce similar symptoms to the patient's. The remedy
stimulates the body's own natural healing powers. [more info]

Hypnotherapist

Hypnotherapists help clients to overcome depression, stress, anxiety or addictions. They put clients into a trance-like state with the aim of changing negative behaviour or thinking. [more info]

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists help people to deal with stress, emotional problems, relationship problems or troublesome habits. Treatments are based on talking and therapists can work with individuals, couples or families. [more info]

Reflexologist

Based on the principle of reflex areas in the feet and hands that correspond to parts of the body, reflexologists stimulate the healing process using thumb and finger pressure on different points of their clients' feet and hands. [more info]

Yoga therapist

Yoga therapists use the ancient art of yoga in order to promote good health and a sense of inner peace and relaxation. Treatment involves a combination of simple movements and postures, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. [more info]