The term natural medicine schools refers to any educational institution that offers training in a wide variety of natural medicine. Natural medicine refers to a variety of disciplines that range from mainstream to extreme fringe like reiki and spiritual attunement. Some disciplines in natural medicine schools include the physical ones almost everyone is familiar with including chiropractic, massage therapy and physical therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine is also considered natural medicine with acupuncture, oriental herbal therapy and acupressure as specialties. Other natural therapies include various herbal schools of thought for traditional herbal remedies and current phytomedicines that are derived from natural sources but formulated through scientific principles.

There are actually a couple of places to find more information on Natural Medicine schools to pursue a career in natural medicine. There are a couple of groups that accredit natural medicine schools including the Council on Natural Medical Education and the Accreditation Council on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. The National College of Natural Medicine offers both Master level (Oriental Medicine) and Doctorate level (Naturopathic Medicine) accredited degree programs. Established in 1956, the National College of Natural Medicine is the oldest college of its type in the world. As more people in the United States seek more preventative, less invasive and lower risk alternatives to their health care needs, physicians trained in the techniques offered by the National College of Natural Medicine are more in demand.

The main focuses of study at the National College for Natural Medicine are Botanical Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Homeopathic Medicine, Mind/Body Medicine, Minor Surgery, Naturopathic Obstetrics/Midwifery, Classic Chinese Medicine and Physical Medicine. These are very similar to programs offered at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine with the exception of the Naturopathic Obstetrics/Midwifery.

Botanical Medicine is probably one of the more familiar disciplines to the average person as it involves the use of plant materials to provide treatment that addresses several symptoms with little risk of side effects. Clinical Nutrition is the scientific study of treating patients with proper diet. Many conditions of diabetes can be controlled strictly through diet. Natural hygiene, nutritional supplements and fasting are other techniques used in Clinical Nutrition. Homeopathic Medicine refers to treatment that like treats like. Homeopathy promotes healing in a gentle way at the emotional, physical and mental levels.

Mind/Body medicine refers to the school of thought that your state of mind effects how your body feels. Stress can give you an ulcer and prevent it from healing even with drugs. Counseling, stress management techniques, balancing, biofeedback and more are techniques used in this discipline. Naturopathic Obstetrics/Midwifery combines modern diagnostic techniques in both prenatal and postnatal care with the basics of midwifery to preclude the use of drugs during the birth to create a more relaxed and natural experience for the family. Minor surgery is done in office for wound care, removal of foreign bodies and cysts and other skin lesions. Classical Chinese medicine schools are based on the holistic system of care developed over several thousand years and encompasses acupuncture, herbal and acupressure treatments.

Finally Physical Medicine addresses treatments through therapeutic manipulation of various parts of the body including soft tissue massage, deep tissue massage, manipulation of the spine, joints and muscles. These therapies are often combines with ultra sound, electrical therapy, hot and cold baths or compresses, exercise and whirlpool baths.

When choosing natural medicine schools you need to decide what is most important to you. Is the course of study available at the institution of your choice? Does the school offer a certificate or licensing aspect to the curriculum? Is the school accredited? Does the school offer non-degree course work as well? Are courses offered as distance learning or only in a classroom environment? How much class work is actually in the field? The answers to all of these questions will make your decision relatively easy. If you want a program that offers you the ability of a license and an opportunity to make a career of your passion while helping others then an accredited natural medicine school is the way to go. If you are only looking for a few classes to better be able to gather your own herbal products and produce a few herbal remedies for family and friends then a class available online or through distance learning will suffice. You do not need a degree to learn how to make herbal treatments from plants available in your area.