Today, integrative medicine is becoming more popular among hospitals, private practices and, most importantly, patients. According to , Americans are spending more health care dollars on various types of complementary and alternative medicine. Last year, The University of California in Irvine received its largest donation yet: Ìýfor a new integrative health care facility on campus.

Together, two health care degrees can better prepare you for a future in this kind of holistic and comprehensive health care environment.

Here are several other advantages of earning a dual degree at 911±¬ÁÏ University of Health Sciences.

1. You will be able to offer multiple health care perspectives.

At 911±¬ÁÏ University, there are five different health care degrees to choose from: chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, oriental medicine and massage therapy. Each type of medicine offers unique perspectives on a patient’s health and can help make you a more well-rounded practitioner and diagnostician.

For example, while Western medicine diagnoses disease based on laboratory tests, scans and other tests in conventional medical science, Eastern medicine considers an individualized diagnosis of a patient’s Qi (or chi) or energy in relation to the whole person. To diagnose, Eastern practitioners will also test the pulse of both wrists and will look at the patient’s tongue, eyes, and overall color. By combining these fields, you can determine more comprehensively what ailments patients are suffering from and therefore be better able to prescribe treatment.

2. You can reach more patients and increase your earning potential.

A degree in two separate fields allows you to attract multiple types of patients giving you the chance to introduce them to new disciplines and a wider variety of treatment types. Patients interested in acupuncture may not necessarily be aware of naturopathic care, but with a dual degree, you are able to educate these patients about each field and how they might complement each other.

By offering more treatment modalities, you can increase both client base and your earning potential. It’s also much more convenient for patients. Rather than being referred elsewhere, they are able to receive their treatments all in one place.

3. You will be better prepared to work integratively with doctors in other fields.

When earning two degrees, it is important to study at a university that understands how multiple health care fields can work together for the benefit of patients. 911±¬ÁÏ University’s emphasis on integrative medicine makes the campus a perfect setting for earning degrees in multiple fields.

The on-campusÌýWhole Health Center clinicÌýallows students to work alongside other health care students and practitioners within chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, oriental medicine and massage therapy. The clinic also houses a MD practiceÌýgiving students exposure to a wider variety of patients and conditions as well as experience working collaboratively with traditional allopathic physicians.

By understanding how each field treats patients, you can provide more treatment options to patients through referral. You will be better prepared to discuss diagnosis and treatment options with other doctors. You are also able to understand the kind of care a patient may have already received under a different doctor.Ìý

4. Earning a dual degree will save time and money.

911±¬ÁÏ University is the only school in the United States that teaches integratively, in one college of professional studies, with shared classes and clinical experiences.

By earning both degrees at the same time, you can save both time and tuition money. As part of 911±¬ÁÏ University’s dual-degree program, completing courses in one degree allows you to have an advanced standing in the other degree. So, after successfully completing three trimesters in one field, you can immediately begin coursework in your second degree choice.Ìý

No matter what fields of medicine you choose, 911±¬ÁÏ University provides the tools you need to give you an edge in your future career. Because 911±¬ÁÏ University has several health sciences programs, we are constantly investing in expert faculty, many of whom hold degrees in multiple heath care fields themselves, along with state-of-the-art facilities.

Our facilities feature:

• Top of the lineÌýgross anatomy labÌýwhere Oriental medicine and acupuncture students learn Western anatomy and Eastern meridian theory through hands-on dissection of a human cadaver.
• Life-size 3-D interactive table calledÌýThe Anatomage TableÌýoffers students, faculty, and clinicians access to an advanced digital visualization system to augment anatomy education.

• Large and well-stockedÌýherbal dispensaryÌýwhere students learn how to correctly choose and prepare effective herbal prescriptions, granular preparations, etc.
• State-of-the-artÌýBiochemistry labÌýwhere students learn Western and clinical lab diagnosis using the latest equipment and technology

• A comprehensiveÌýLearning Resource Center, one of the largest medical libraries in the area that houses a huge collection of books, print and electronic journals, e-books, bibliographic databases, and more.

At 911±¬ÁÏ University, you have access to the kind of education and training that will best prepare you for a career in the promising future of integrative medicine.

Interested in pursuing two complementary and alternative medicine degrees? Schedule a visit to 911±¬ÁÏ to learn more about any of our degree or certificate programs and explore our campuses.

The post 4 Advantages of Enrolling in a Dual Degree Program at 911±¬ÁÏ University appeared first on 911±¬ÁÏ.

For students interested in health care, choosing the right college is crucial. Preparing for a career in medicine is a challenge as well as an adventure. The school you select will be the place you will live, learn, and work for some of the most important years of your life.

In the quest to find the perfect school, an essential yet often overlooked step is visiting the campus. This is the ultimate way to get a feel for a school, gather information, and find out if it is a good match for you. A virtual tour online is not enough to make the best and most accurate decision.

Here are four reasons why it is important to visit campus when you’re considering a degree in health care:

1. Visiting a campus will help answer your questions.

Reading about schools online is helpful to a certain extent, but sometimes there are questions that can’t be answered by a simple Google search or visiting the website. If you want to be fully informed about the program requirements, history, financial aid, admissions process, and culture of a school, taking a campus tour and talking face-to-face with students, staff, and faculty is the way to go. ÌýMeeting with these individuals gives you the chance to ask in-depth questions and allows you to build a relationship early with the people who will help shape your success. stresses the importance of talking to current students if you are planning to study medicine, because they can provide a candid picture of the daily life and educational quality of the specific school.

Students who visit 911±¬ÁÏ University during Campus Visit Day (offered twice a year at the IL campus and three times a year at the Florida campus) can tour the campus, watch engaging demonstrations, ask questions during student and alumni panels, visit with various student clubs that are of interest, and talk directly to admissions counselors, faculty, alumni, and current students. These events are also an opportunity to bring friends and family along so you can benefit from their impressions and insight.

2. By visiting a campus, you’ll learn about the school’s specific teaching methods.

Teaching practices are especially important in health care programs. Does the school take a hands-on approach, use case studies, or engage in more of a traditional, lecture-based format? Taking a campus tour where you can experience a classroom lecture is a great way to evaluate the teaching practices of a school and to determine if these practices mesh with your own learning style and preferences.

By attending a Student for a Day event at 911±¬ÁÏ, you can sit in on a class lecture, shadow an intern or clinician, and mingle with students and faculty members, in addition to touring the campus and facilities. Offered several times a month specifically for prospective students, this type of visit event provides an ideal opportunity to get more quality, one-on-one time with current students, faculty, and staff. ÌýYou can get all your questions answered and get first-hand experience of the university’s learning environment. Health care programs can be rigorous and challenging, so it is smart to make sure the school you choose enables you to learn to the best of your ability.

3. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the school’s resources.

Another important aspect to consider when choosing a school is the resources it makes available to its students. In order to gauge things like facilities, labs, equipment, and libraries, it helps to see them in person. Making sure the school provides you with the resources you need to become successful is a very important part of your education, especially in health care.

By visiting 911±¬ÁÏ, you can explore the various academic resources and facilities the university offers. Some of these include a top-notch Gross anatomy lab, Whole Health Center (on-campus clinic), Training and Assessment Center, Herbal Dispensary, Botanical Garden, Learning Resource Center, Anatomage Table, and the state-of-the-art Hydrotherapy Suite. Ìý

Because you will be living on or close to campus for the next several years, it is also important to consider if the university offers convenient living options. 911±¬ÁÏ University’s Illinois campus offers on-campus housing that many students utilize. ÌýThese include studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedroom options where students can stay individually, with roommates, or with their families. ÌýThose who desire to live off-campus have a variety of near-by housing options available. Ìý911±¬ÁÏ also houses a fitness center, well-equipped with treadmills, stair climbers, exercise bikes, free weights, exercise balls, and other training tools.

If you’re not able to participate in a visit event, you can also schedule an individual tour with an admissions counselor to explore any or all of these resources and facilities in detail and tailor the campus tour completely to your needs.

4. Visiting campus will allow you to get a better feel for life on campus.

Experiencing the feel for campus and student life is one of the most important considerations when selecting a school, yet hardest to articulate and understand over phone or email. You want to choose a school where you feel comfortable and able to make use of the resources provided to you. In order to get the real feel for the campus atmosphere, physical environment, and student life, it is essential that you visit campus. This will enable you to get a good sense of the social environment and students’ passion and enthusiasm toward their program and the school itself. The faculty and staff also influence your overall experience, so it is important to make sure that you’re comfortable with them, too.

If the above reasons weren’t enough, touring a school can even yield financial rewards.ÌýBy participating in a Campus Visit Day, Student for a Day, or one-on-one individual visit, you will receive tuition credit toward your first trimester, in the program of your choice. That is $500 for all graduate programs and $250 for an undergraduate program. This, along with the other reasons above, should convince any prospective health care student to visit promising schools in-person before making that final decision!

Ready to jump-start your future career in integrative health? Join us for Campus Visit Day on November 3, 2018. Reserve your spot today!

The post 4 Reasons You Should Visit a Campus When Considering a Degree in Health Care appeared first on 911±¬ÁÏ.

In a world where technology and business are growing, so are chronic disease, obesity, depression, and anxiety. Nowadays, people are searching for ways to improve their quality of life. With interest in fitness and wellness on the rise, the mainstream media has helped spread awareness of how complementary and alternative medicine can be utilized to improve health.

Earlier in 2017, this increasingly popular form of health care received even more attention when the American College of Physicians (ACP) for low back pain. ACP now suggests alternative therapies that are non-pharmaceutical be used first — such as heat therapy, massage, acupuncture, or spinal manipulation for low back pain. Previously, the association recommended MDs first prescribe medicines, including opioids. With in the United States today, MDs have taken notice. In recent years, they have been reassessing how they prescribe painkillers given their unintended side effects.

Complementary and alternative medicine provides a much less invasive and more holistic approach to the health of a patient, identifying a patient as a whole person rather than simply a collection of symptoms and conditions.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in complementary and alternative medicine, here are four options worth checking out:

1. Chiropractic Medicine: Help Patients’ Pain and Overall Health

Back and neck pain are common complaints among people of all ages, whether it comes from an injury, posture, or genetics. Chiropractors are known for treating patients with issues involving the neuromusculoskeletal system. An April 2017 published in the Journal of the American Medical Association received major media attention after it confirmed spinal manipulation was safe and effective in both reducing pain and improving function.

In addition to spinal adjustments and manipulations, chiropractors also evaluate many different aspects of a patient’s health. By also providing nutritional counseling, physical rehabilitation therapy, and targeted supplementation including vitamins and natural herbal medicines, a chiropractor can help improve a patient’s overall health with long-lasting effects.

Beyond the rewards of helping patients, the field of chiropractic medicine also offers strong job growth and many career options. By 2024, the industry is expected to grow by 17 percent, which according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Chiropractic physicians can choose to run their own business or work in a group practice. They can also choose to specialize in a variety of areas including, sports medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, neurology, and more. Additionally, according to the , chiropractors practicing in a solo clinic earned about $121,000. Chiropractors working in integrated offices with medical doctors made about $184,000.

2. Massage Therapy: Improve Wellness and Relaxation

Similar to chiropractors, massage therapists treat people by manipulating muscles and other soft tissues — manually or with medical aids. Massage therapists help relieve a client’s pain and injuries while also improving their circulation, decreasing stress, increasing relaxation, and cultivating overall wellness.

Massage therapy is a collaborative career. Therapists talk with their clients to determine what they want to achieve through massage therapy, and they develop personalized treatment plans to help clients even outside of their appointments. Whether it is relieving tension, pain, or increasing relaxation, massage therapy can be remarkably effective.

Massage therapy can be broken down into several fields: holistic bodywork, healing touch, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and Shiatsu (to name a few). Therapists typically specialize in a few forms since each may require mastery of specific techniques.

The field of massage therapy continues to expand, offering solid benefits including competitive compensation. On average, massage therapists can earn $47 per hour, according to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Massage therapists have a wonderful set of options for employment, making it a versatile and flexible career. Therapists are employed in various places, such as physician’s offices, hospitals, integrative medical clinics, spas, and fitness centers. There is also the option of private practice, where a therapist can work from home with a more flexible schedule.

3. Naturopathic Medicine: Find and Prevent Illness Naturally

It’s a simple concept: find and treat the root of the disease instead of treating just the symptoms. That’s naturopathic medicine in a nutshell.

Naturopathic medicine is a holistic, science-based health care practice that is focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness. It is a distinct primary health care profession that combines the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science.

Naturopathic doctors are trained primary care physicians who graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school. With patients of all ages, they work to pinpoint the underlying causes of disease. From there, they identify therapies to help a patient’s body regain and maintain its health. Instead of simply prescribing medications to treat symptoms, a naturopathic physician will search deeper to diagnose and treat on the root causes of illness.

Career prospects for naturopathic medicine are growing each day as more and more people are looking for treatments that will supplement or replace conventional medicine. According to a from the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC), naturopathic medical professionals earn an average of $90,000 per year and have a better work-life balance compared to other physicians in the U.S.

4. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: Restore Health and Balance

Oriental Medicine is quite different from other types of alternative medicine in that it is rooted in a very traditional medical philosophy. This field is based on traditional Chinese medicine practices and focuses on diagnosing and treating an individual’s Qi (or chi) energy. ÌýAccording to oriental medicine, when a patient’s Qi becomes weak, excessive, or blocked, he/she is more likely to contract illness and disease. The goal of the practitioner is to restore health and balance of an individual’s energy.

Acupuncture is one of the five major branches of oriental medicine along with Chinese herbal medicine, oriental nutrition and dietary therapy, tuina, tai chi, and qi gong. Acupuncture uses insertion of sterile needles in specific energy points on the body to provide healing and rebalance.

Career opportunities in this field are growing as more people look for noninvasive treatment options that will improve their overall health. More hospitals and clinics are including acupuncture as part of their integrative medicine programs. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture and oriental medicine as effective treatment for over 43 conditions including respiratory disorders, chronic pain, emotional disorders, infertility issues, and more.

Pursuing a career in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is rewarding not only because of the growing opportunities in the field but also because you are able to improve an individual’s overall health, prevent illness and disease, and reduce chronic pain with non-invasive, lasting treatment.

—

By choosing any one of these four career options, you will be able to positively impact peoples’ health through natural, noninvasive methods. And you will be able to do this while earning salaries competitive with other health care careers all while maintaining a better work-life balance. As a practitioner in complementary and alternative health care, you will also be at the forefront of medicine fulfilling the need for natural health care options in our health care system today.

911±¬ÁÏ University of Health Sciences offers all of these programs in complementary and alternative medicine. We hope you’ll consider pursuing one of these careers this year!

Come visit our Illinois or Florida campus any time between May and August, 2017 and receive double the tuition credit ($1,000 for graduate programs and $500 for undergraduate and certificate programs) for your first trimester! This offer is for a limited time only. ÌýContact the Office of Admissions at 800.826.6285 or admissions@nuhs.edu to learn more!

We invite you to learn more about these programs and other alternative medicine degrees by subscribing to our blog The Future of Integrative Health.

The post The Value of Pursuing a Career in Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2017 (The Future of Integrative Health Blog: Q2-2017) appeared first on 911±¬ÁÏ.

In a world where technology and business are growing, so are chronic disease, obesity, depression, and anxiety. Nowadays, people are searching for ways to improve their quality of life. With interest in fitness and wellness on the rise, the mainstream media has helped spread awareness of how complementary and alternative medicine can be utilized to improve health.

Earlier in 2017, this increasingly popular form of health care received even more attention when the American College of Physicians (ACP) for low back pain. ACP now suggests alternative therapies that are non-pharmaceutical be used first — such as heat therapy, massage, acupuncture, or spinal manipulation for low back pain. Previously, the association recommended MDs first prescribe medicines, including opioids. With in the United States today, MDs have taken notice. In recent years, they have been reassessing how they prescribe painkillers given their unintended side effects.

Complementary and alternative medicine provides a much less invasive and more holistic approach to the health of a patient, identifying a patient as a whole person rather than simply a collection of symptoms and conditions.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in complementary and alternative medicine, here are four options worth checking out:

1. Chiropractic Medicine: Help Patients’ Pain and Overall Health

Back and neck pain are common complaints among people of all ages, whether it comes from an injury, posture, or genetics. Chiropractors are known for treating patients with issues involving the neuromusculoskeletal system. An April 2017 published in the Journal of the American Medical Association received major media attention after it confirmed spinal manipulation was safe and effective in both reducing pain and improving function.

In addition to spinal adjustments and manipulations, chiropractors also evaluate many different aspects of a patient’s health. By also providing nutritional counseling, physical rehabilitation therapy, and targeted supplementation including vitamins and natural herbal medicines, a chiropractor can help improve a patient’s overall health with long-lasting effects.

Beyond the rewards of helping patients, the field of chiropractic medicine also offers strong job growth and many career options. By 2024, the industry is expected to grow by 17 percent, which according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Chiropractic physicians can choose to run their own business or work in a group practice. They can also choose to specialize in a variety of areas including, sports medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, neurology, and more. Additionally, according to the , chiropractors practicing in a solo clinic earned about $121,000. Chiropractors working in integrated offices with medical doctors made about $184,000.

2. Massage Therapy: Improve Wellness and Relaxation

Similar to chiropractors, massage therapists treat people by manipulating muscles and other soft tissues — manually or with medical aids. Massage therapists help relieve a client’s pain and injuries while also improving their circulation, decreasing stress, increasing relaxation, and cultivating overall wellness.

Massage therapy is a collaborative career. Therapists talk with their clients to determine what they want to achieve through massage therapy, and they develop personalized treatment plans to help clients even outside of their appointments. Whether it is relieving tension, pain, or increasing relaxation, massage therapy can be remarkably effective.

Massage therapy can be broken down into several fields: holistic bodywork, healing touch, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and Shiatsu (to name a few). Therapists typically specialize in a few forms since each may require mastery of specific techniques.

The field of massage therapy continues to expand, offering solid benefits including competitive compensation. On average, massage therapists can earn $47 per hour, according to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Massage therapists have a wonderful set of options for employment, making it a versatile and flexible career. Therapists are employed in various places, such as physician’s offices, hospitals, integrative medical clinics, spas, and fitness centers. There is also the option of private practice, where a therapist can work from home with a more flexible schedule.

3. Naturopathic Medicine: Find and Prevent Illness Naturally

It’s a simple concept: find and treat the root of the disease instead of treating just the symptoms. That’s naturopathic medicine in a nutshell.

Naturopathic medicine is a holistic, science-based health care practice that is focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness. It is a distinct primary health care profession that combines the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science.

Naturopathic doctors are trained primary care physicians who graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school. With patients of all ages, they work to pinpoint the underlying causes of disease. From there, they identify therapies to help a patient’s body regain and maintain its health. Instead of simply prescribing medications to treat symptoms, a naturopathic physician will search deeper to diagnose and treat on the root causes of illness.

Career prospects for naturopathic medicine are growing each day as more and more people are looking for treatments that will supplement or replace conventional medicine. According to a from the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC), naturopathic medical professionals earn an average of $90,000 per year and have a better work-life balance compared to other physicians in the U.S.

4. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: Restore Health and Balance

Oriental Medicine is quite different from other types of alternative medicine in that it is rooted in a very traditional medical philosophy. This field is based on traditional Chinese medicine practices and focuses on diagnosing and treating an individual’s Qi (or chi) energy. ÌýAccording to oriental medicine, when a patient’s Qi becomes weak, excessive, or blocked, he/she is more likely to contract illness and disease. The goal of the practitioner is to restore health and balance of an individual’s energy.

Acupuncture is one of the five major branches of oriental medicine along with Chinese herbal medicine, oriental nutrition and dietary therapy, tuina, tai chi, and qi gong. Acupuncture uses insertion of sterile needles in specific energy points on the body to provide healing and rebalance.

Career opportunities in this field are growing as more people look for noninvasive treatment options that will improve their overall health. More hospitals and clinics are including acupuncture as part of their integrative medicine programs. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture and oriental medicine as effective treatment for over 43 conditions including respiratory disorders, chronic pain, emotional disorders, infertility issues, and more.

Pursuing a career in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is rewarding not only because of the growing opportunities in the field but also because you are able to improve an individual’s overall health, prevent illness and disease, and reduce chronic pain with non-invasive, lasting treatment.

—

By choosing any one of these four career options, you will be able to positively impact peoples’ health through natural, noninvasive methods. And you will be able to do this while earning salaries competitive with other health care careers all while maintaining a better work-life balance. As a practitioner in complementary and alternative health care, you will also be at the forefront of medicine fulfilling the need for natural health care options in our health care system today.

911±¬ÁÏ University of Health Sciences offers all of these programs in complementary and alternative medicine. We hope you’ll consider pursuing one of these careers this year!

Come visit our Illinois or Florida campus any time between May and August, 2018Ìýand receive double the tuition credit ($1,000 for graduate programs and $500 for undergraduate and certificate programs) for your first trimester! This offer is for a limited time only. ÌýContact the Office of Admissions at 800.826.6285 or admissions@nuhs.edu to learn more!

The post The Value of Pursuing a Career in Complementary and Alternative Medicine appeared first on 911±¬ÁÏ.