Complementary medicine

This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in complementary medicine.

See also our page on nutrition therapy.

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary medicine is an umbrella term for a range of professions including aromatherapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist, Alexander Technique practitioner, reflexologist, naturopath and homeopath. Most practitioners are self-employed, although a number of multi-disciplined clinics have been established. These provide reception facilities allowing practitioners to work from a number of different locations. Try looking through your local papers or yellow pages for such clinics. Complementary Medicine is an expanding market but you should be prepared to travel to find the best place to begin your work. (Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine)

Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with job profiles, including acupuncturist, chiropractor, herbalist/phytotherapist, homeopath, osteopath.

How do I get into it?

Alexander Technique in the UK

British Acupuncture Council

British Chiropratic Association

Association for Dance and Movement Therapy
Aims to develop communication amongst dance movement therapists and promote its use throughout the United Kingdom in accordance with the highest professional standards. The Association works with the other art therapy professions in the UK (music, drama, art). 

Society of Homeopaths
Largest organisation registering professional homeopaths in the UK.

British Society for Music Therapy

College of Naturopathic medicine UK

Look for courses at the university
See the courses database for University of Brighton courses in this area.

Further information and useful links

Acupuncture

The Acupuncture Society

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy and Allied Practitioners Association (AAPA)

Aromatherapy Organisations Council (AOC)

Chiropractors

British Chiropractic Association

The College of Chiropractors
Provides ongoing education (Continuing Professional Development) for qualified chiropractors. 

General Chiropractic Council

Complementary medicine

Alternative Guide to Complementary Health and Healing in London and the South of England
Contains information on services and therapists in East Sussex, Kent, London and the New Forest. The website is a useful way of getting to know what's available locally in complementary medicine

The British Complementary Medicine Association
This organisation supports and protects the integrity of its therapists, ensures the protection and well-being of their clients, and the high quality standards with which Complementary Medicine is delivered to the public.

Complementary Medical Association
The CMA is the largest professional membership body for complementary medical practitioners in the world. The site offers a find a practitioner database and also a database of CMA registered colleges. 

Federation of Holistic Therapists
The Federation of Holistic Therapists is the largest association in the UK, representing over 20,000 professional therapists. Founded in 1962 the FHT is a non-profit making organisation who, by setting industry standards, ensure best practice for Therapists and their clients. 

Professional associations

British Herbal Medicine Association

British Homeopathic Association

British Society of Clinical Hypnosis

British Society for Music Therapy

General Council and Register of Naturopaths

The General Osteopathic Council

Association of Reflexologists

 

 

Key points

  • Complementary medicine is an umbrella term for a range of professions.
  • Most practitioners are self-employed.
  • Complementary Medicine is an expanding market.

Resources