Complementary medicine

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

• What is complementary medicine?
• How do I get into it?
• Further information and useful links

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?

• 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).
• British Acupuncture Council (BAcC)
  The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) is the leading self-regulatory body for the practice of traditional acupuncture in the UK.
• British Association for Music Therapy
  The British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) is the professional body for music therapists and a source of information, support and involvement for the general public.
• British Chiropratic Association
  Information on training in the UK and the advantages of membership of the BAC.
• College of Naturopathic Medicine UK
  Offers courses in nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture and homeopathy.
• Society of Homeopaths
  Largest organisation registering professional homeopaths in the UK.
• The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT)
  STAT oversees a number of three-year full-time teacher training programmes. There are currently 18 centres offering training in the UK and Ireland and six other STAT regulated courses in Argentina, Austria, Finland, Italy, Japan and Uruguay.

• 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
  The Acupuncture Society is a professional body of Acupuncture and Oriental Therapist Practitioners formed to promote the development of TCM and other Oriental Therapies as effective complementary medical practices.

Aromatherapy

• Aromatherapy Organisations Council (AOC)
  The Aromatherapy Organisations Council is the UK governing body for aromatherapy, bringing together the 12 professional associations under one umbrella.

Chiropractors

• British Chiropratic Association
  Information on training in the UK and the advantages of membership of the BAC.
• The College of Chiropractors
  Provides ongoing education (Continuing Professional Development) for qualified chiropractors. 
• General Chiropractic Council
  The body established by parliament to regulate and develop the chiropractic profession.

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
  The British Herbal Medicine Association has represented the interests of herbal medicine in the United Kingdom for almost 50 years. Members include manufacturers of herbal medicines, herbal practitioners, companies involved in the supply of herbal raw materials and extracts, academics, pharmacists, retailers and students of phytotherapy.
• British Homeopathic Association
  The British Homeopathic Association exists to promote homeopathy practised by doctors and other healthcare professionals.
• British Society of Clinical Hypnosis
  The British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH) is a national professional body whose aim is to promote and assure high standards in the practice of hypnotherapy.
• British Association for Music Therapy
  The British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) is the professional body for music therapists and a source of information, support and involvement for the general public.
• General Council and Register of Naturopaths
  Founded to establish and maintain standards of education for practitioners and to provide for the inspection of colleges and courses of naturopathy for the protection and benefit of the public;
• The General Osteopathic Council
  The General Osteopathic Council regulates the practice of osteopathy in the United Kingdom. By law osteopaths must be registered with GOC in order to practise.
• Association of Reflexologists
  Provides benefits, advice and guidance to reflexologists and works with other external bodies and advisory groups to promote the highest standards in the profession.