How much can you EARN as a Complementary and Alternative Health (CAM) professional?

Let's compare what is involved, such as the cost of training, certification, licencing, and equipment and the amount of time it will take to become certified, with the amount of money you can earn as a Complementary and Alternative Health professional.  By having an idea of your potential earnings, you can decide if the investment of time and money is truly worthwhile for you.

See also CHALLENGES faced by Alternative Health professionals 

See also SELF-EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS to determine the cost of operating your health practice

See also How to calculate your fees

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If you are already certified in at least one discipline that offers basic information such as anatomy and physiology, in some cases it may be less costly to obtain certification in another discipline. 

For certification schools see schoolofnewmedicine.com Health Resources     Natural Healers      Healthy Lifestyle Directory

  Certificate in Holistic Health Practitioner - Level One ~ Cost $2,500

Anytime you can start with on-line Correspondence Learning

Course Overview

This course is part of our internationally recognized Holistic Health Training Package, which integrates spiritual science with western medical science. The course covers 100 hours of in-class and 100 hours of on-line learning and residential school, including both theoretical & practical training. The certificate offers a chance to integrate spiritual science with your practice or a stepping-stone to gain a holistic health educator’s qualification.

The entire course must be paid for in full when you register to receive the reduced price of $2,500. Financing can be arranged at low interest rates.

To take these courses separately the cost would be over $4,000 after each section is completed you will receive a certificate and when you have finished the entire course you will be a certified Holistic Health Practitioner registered with the International Integrated Medical Association

You have 24 months to complete this course and many students complete in 6 months

On-line & Correspondence - Anatomy and Physiology

• Each chapter will be sent to you as you finish the previous. A brief synopsis of each chapter will be sent to me for marking. These chapters must be completed before HHP certification is given.

• History and Theory of Natural Holistic Medicine 
• Zones of the Body
• The Skeletal System 
• The Muscular System 
• The Endocrine System 
• The Urinary System 
• The Reproductive System 
• The Digestive System 
• The Circulatory System 
• The Lymphatic and Immune Systems 
• The Respiratory System 
• The Nervous System

In person learning - Here are the dates for upcoming classes this Spring and Summer. All of the below courses are on-going and you can take them in any order

• Egyptian Reflexology – March 20th, 21st, & 22nd, 2009 in Southampton or March 27th, 28th, & 29th in Niagara

• Hot Stone Massage – January 31st, 2009 Niagara or Feb 21st Southampton or Feb 28th Niagara

• Reiki Level one and two –March 11, 12 and 14, 2009 in Niagara

• Diploma as a Health & Nutrition Specialist - April 18th & 19th, 2009 Southampton or April 25th & 26th Niagara

• Non-invasive Medical Devices – May 9th, 2009 Niagara 
• The Clinic business and financial - May 16th, 2009 Niagara or May 23rd Southampton

This course is certified by the International Integrated Medicine Association

Open your own Pain Clinic 
Quantum Matrix Therapy™ 
QMTS™ Pain and Stress Relief Specialist More then SCENAR Therapy

Upcoming Course Dates - ONLY Available twice a year

June 12th, 13th, & 14th (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) in Niagara
10:00 a.m. ~ 6:00 p.m.

9am to 5pm each day

Course Overview Pain Clinic Young Forever

Open your own Pain Clinic with Medical Equipment SCENAR etc and training

QMTS Pain & Stress Relief Specialist
3 day Interactive Accelerated Learning Experience

You will learn methods of treatment and preventive Health care with QMTS™ approved medical devices
In this specialist certification course we will explore specific problems such as Fibromyalgia, Migraines, TMJ Pain, Frozen Shoulder, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, MS, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, anxiety, tension, anger, depression, fatigue and confusion.

You will learn how to deal with these problems and the best Quantum matrix therapies to help your clients. We will discuss many different techniques and non-invasive medical devices & tools to show you how to use theQuantum Matrix Therapy System QMTS™ for the benefit of your clients.

Medical devices included in course: AcuScen Medical Device – The only SCENAR device registered by Health Canada. It is one of the single most effective devices to “jumpstart” the healing response of the body, which claims the title of QMTS™ Ideal Electrotherapy. It works on a principle of cybernetic biofeedback, reminding the body how to heal and helping it to better understand itself.

QMTS™ Medical technologies utilize the Bio-feedback mechanism to establish a direct dialog with the human system and give it support it needs to restore and enhance its innate healing powers. Interactive devices dynamically adapt to ever-changing changing requirements of the system (body) in need, providing it with extra resources of energy and information, yet leaving it up to the body to direct the course of therapy. It works, because our body always knows best for itself.

AcuScen Medical Device - It is one of the single most effective devices to “jumpstart” the healing response of the body, which claims the title of Ideal Electrotherapy. It works on a principle of cybernetic biofeedback, reminding the body how to heal and helping it to better understand itself.

ACUSCEN is a top quality adaptive electro-stimulator with bio-feedback. It is used for pain relief. 
This pocket-size electro-stimulator generates impulses similar to those of the TENS device except
the electro-stimulator ACUSCEN is capable of bio-feedback

Electro-stimulator ACUSCEN is especially effective for acute pain relief. Chronic pain relief is also possible. Chronic conditions are usually slower to respond but disappear gradually.

The Rejuvenation blanket - bio-energetic therapeutic tool.

The main effects produced by the Therapeutic Multi layer Blanket environment. 
• Complete or partial protection of a patient from the external electromagnetic and electrostatic fields.
• Exposure of a patient to his own extra-high frequency electro-magnetic and infrared emission. 
• Re-distribution and re-balancing the patient's own electrical charges over the body surface affecting the biologically active points of the body in the process. 
• Activating patient’s own self-recovering and self-regulative mechanisms. 

In this specialist certification course we will explore specific problems such as Fibromyalgia, Migraines, TMJ Pain, Frozen Shoulder, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, MS, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, anxiety, tension, anger, depression, fatigue and confusion.
You will learn how to deal with these problems and the best matrix of therapies to help your clients. We will discuss many different techniques and non-invasive medical devices & tools to show you how to use the Integrated Matrix System* for the benefit of your clients.

This interactive course 100 hours training $1,550, clinical internship$1,000, an AcuSCEN Pro + SCENAR $3,300, Myo-Stim Attachments $250, complete text book $400, Rejuvenation Blanket $750, professional marketing for your new pain Clinic. Total Value $7,250.00. Register Early and take the course and reveice a Rejuvenator Blanket and AcuScen Pro + SCENAR for $5000.

Low Intensity Laser and Meridian Assessment software, RIFE Medical Frequencies and Laser Acupuncture Machine can be purchased at special student pricing

Registration Information

This 3-day, interactive course costs $1,550 plus applicable taxes. Or, take the course and purchase a Rejuvenator Blanket and AcuScen SCENAR for $5000. SAVE $2.250

This course is certified by the International Integrated Medicine Association

CONSUMER DEMAND:  VERY HIGH

ACUPUNCTURE  Variety of methods and variations including needles, pressure, laser, sonar, vibration, energy impulse, or heat.  Traditional Acupuncture training is standardized and regulated by Health Canada, with 3 main governing bodies to maintain standards of practice.  Licenced medical professionals require less extensive training.  Some practitioners' services are covered by extended health care insurance

• 2 yrs (1900-2260 hrs) training in-class and distance
• text books
• Student housing

ADDED COSTS:  Examination table, office equipment, needles and equipment, liability insurance

FEES:  $60

CONSUMER DEMAND:  increasing

AROMATHERAPY  3 Disciplines--CLINICAL AROMATHERAPY   AROMATHARAPY PRACTITIONER   LYMPH DRAINAGE MASSAGE.  Trained in Anatomy and Physiology and Massage techniques in addition to study of essential oils.  Some courses are offered as home study

• 1-2 yrs study  Rates vary from $1500-$3100 depending on school and level of certification
• 350 hrs practicum
• $50-$125 Board Examination

ADDED COSTS:  Massage Table, linens, towels, essential oils, uniform, liability insurance

Fees:  $45-$120

BIO-FEEDBACK TESTING  Trained by equipment distributor to operate and interpret computerized health assessment equipment.  Generally used as an adjunct to other therapies and health services

• 2 or more days training
• Travel for training
• Computerized equipment & software:  $5,400-$18,000

ADDED COSTS:  Laptop computer, supplements & remedies, office equipment 

FEES:  $130-$135 first visit,  $60-$130 subsequent visits

CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE  Services are partially covered by most extended health insurance

• 3 yrs under-graduate studies
• 3 yrs study
• 1 yr internship
• Board Examination
• Licencing

ADDED COSTS:  office equipment and furniture, examination room equipment, X-ray machines, malpractice insurance

FEES:

CONSUMER DEMAND:  16% of population

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

• 700 hrs study

FEES:  $60-$65

EAR CANDLING  No regulated certification.  Considered a folk remedy.  Most practitioners are certified in other therapies

• weekend course

ADDED COSTS:  Ear candles, fire-retardant protective cover, essential oils

FEES:  $30-$45 including or plus $3-5 per candle

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE (EFT)  Used by counsellors and practitioners

• Level 1 3-day weekend training @ $450

ADDED COSTS:  Other certfication levels and specializations @ $450

FEES:

www.davidrourke.com  One of only 4 founding masters and qualified trainers

EQUINE MASSAGE  Performed on location at stables and racetracks.  1,000,000 horses in Canada and 5,000,000 horses in the USA

HEAD MASSAGE (CHAMPISSAGE)  2 variations  INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE   EGYPTIAN HEAD AND NECK MASSAGE  Some practitioners are covered by extended health insurance

• EGYPTIAN HEAD MASSAGE requires 20 hrs study (2 days) + practicum + Examination @ $450 INCLUDES A SET OF eGYPTIAN HEALING RODS WORTH OVER $250
• INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE requires 2 day course @ $350

FEES: $45 FOR 30 MINUTES

EGYPTIAN HEAD AND NECK MASSAGE DEMAND: VERY HIGH

CHAMPISSAGE DEMAND: HIGH

HEALING TOUCH  Continuing education nursing program.  Used by nurses and medical professionals as an adjunct therapy.  5 practitioner levels.  Worldwide standard certification by international HT board.  Levels 4-5 include business management study

• LEVELS 1-3  Each level requires 15 hrs instruction plus practicum @ $333 per level + course materials. 
• ADVANCED LEVELS 4-5  Each level requires 30 hrs instruction plus practicum over 6 month-1 year @ $459 + course materials, accomodations

www.elfieholst.com    

HOMEOPATHY  Certification requirements vary depending on practitioner or doctorate level.  Some courses are offered as home study

• Classical homeopathy doctorate requires 4080 hrs (3-4.5 yrs) of intensive study
• 1600 hrs of internship
• Practitioner level requires 3-6 yrs intense study
• Student housing

ADDED COSTS:  homeopathic preparations

FEES:  $120-250 initial consultation plus cost of remedies

CONSUMER DEMAND:  low in Canada, high in England

CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY  Certification is not standardized

 COMING SOON TO SCHOOL OF NEW MEDICINE

IRIDOLOGY

• 90 hrs study
• practicum
• Examination

ADDED COSTS:  charts

FEES:  $65-$120

KINESIOLOGY  a variety of specialized disciplines

MASSAGE THERAPY  4 disciplines--SEATED MASSAGE     MYOMASSOLOGY     THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE   RELAXATION or SWEDISH MASSAGE  Covered by most extended health insurance.  Ontario and California have the strictest training and licencing requirements in North America.  RMT's must pass a board examination in the province or state in which they plan to practice 

• Therapeutic Massage in Ontario requires 2200 hrs training (2 years) @ $15,000-$30,000
• Practicum 
• Board Examination
• Annual licencing
• Annual association membership
• Annual upgrades in training (CEU credits) for approved therapies to maintain licence

ADDED COSTS:  Massage table, linens, towels, essential oils, uniform, liability insurance

FEES:  $35-$60 per hour employment, $65-$120 per hour self-employed

CONSUMER DEMAND:  high, numerous employment opportunities

MEDICAL HERBALIST 

• 4 yrs study
• Student housing

ADDED COSTS:  office equipment, herbs, liability insurance

FEES: 

CONSUMER DEMAND:  low

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE   Trained in general medical curriculum with added studies in Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Nutrition, Botanical Medicine. assessment procedures, and counselling.  Services are covered by most extended health care insurance. 

• Baccalaureate Degree in pre-medical studies such as BSc,
• 4 years at Naturopathic College plus a year of internship @ cost of $16,819 per year for Canadian citizens.  USA citizens @ $20,145 per year. 
• $3,000 total in textbooks
• Student housing @ $375 per month
• Board Examination 
• Registration & annual licencing by Province of Ontario

ADDED COSTS:  Office and examination room furniture and equipment, medical equipment and diagnostic equipment, supplements, homeopathic remedies and herbs for prescribing, malpractice insurance

FEES:  $130-$135 first visit, $60 per subsequent visit, plus supplements and natural product prescriptions

CONSUMER DEMAND:  increasing

Health & NUTRITIONAL SPECIALIST  iNTERNATIONAL certification

 April 25th & 26th, 2009 in Niagara

Learn about Super Foods, Supplements and more This course will be offered in 2009. more information soon.

This course trains practitioners in Nutrition, Diet and super foods. You will learn the history of this therapy, the development and principles of the Healing system of the body, gain an understanding of energy and the energy system of the body and application of Nutriton and wholistic Wellness.

Learn how and why fad diets do not work and how super foods like raw Cacao, Shatavari, and more will increase the health of the body. The fuel we use for our body is the most important fuel there is. We are what we eat!

FEES:  $40-$150 per hour

WWW.SCHOOLOFNEWMEDICINE.COM

 CONSUMER DEMAND:  increasing FAST

REFLEXOLOGY  5 styles of Foot Relexology--INGHAM METHOD (IIR)   REFLEXOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (RAC)   ONTARIO COLLEGE OF REFLEXOLOGY (OCR)  EGYPTIAN REFLEXOLOGY  INDIAN REFLEXOLOGY  plus AURICULAR REFLEXOLOGY   HAND REFLEXOLOGY

• 56-60 hrs of study for basic certification 
• 60 hrs of practicum
• 110 hrs of study for Reflexology Association of Canada certification @ $750 foot only
• EGYPTIAN REFLEXOLOGY @ $1000-$1300 head, ear, Hands and Feet in one course
• Board Examination
• Association licencing and membership

ADDED COSTS:  Reflexology chair or massage table, charts, liability insurance

FEES:  $35-$45 

 CONSUMER DEMAND:  Egyptian Reflexology very high . Feet only Reflexology medium
 

REIKI  Encompasses a multitude of energy disciplines with no standarized certification or pre-medical study.  USUI   SEICHIM   IMARA   BLUE STAR   KARUNA   MAGNIFIED HEALING   Generally used as an adjunct therapy

• Level 1 @ $125-$200
• Level 2 (practitioner level) @ $200-$500
• Level 3 (master level) @ $500-$1500

FEES:  FREE -> $25-$65

 CONSUMER DEMAND:  high 

SCENAR THERAPY  

Quantum Matrix Therapy™ 
QMTS™ Pain and Stress Relief Specialist More then SCENAR Therapy

No pre-medical training required.  Training and certification is by authorized equipment distributor

• Weekend training @ $ 5,000. including SCENAR & Rejuvenator Blanket
• weekend training without SCENAR  & Blanket $ 1,500
• ADDED COST:  SCENAR device @ $1800-$3,300

FEES:  $45-$60 a hour 

 CONSUMER DEMAND:  high 

SHIATSU  2 styles--NAMIKOSHI   ZEN (MASUNAGA)  Certification varies with Shiatsu colleges  Covered by some extended health insurance

• 2200 hrs

ADDED COSTS:  Shiatsu mat, liability insurance

FEES: $50 to $75

STONE MASSAGE  5 styles--LA STONE MASSAGE   STONE TEMPLE MASSAGE   HOT STONE MASSAGE   LA STONE SOLE CONNECTION SPA/ESTHETICIAN   Certification and training costs varies for each discipline.  Stone Massage is an adjunct discipline to other certified therapies

• LA Stone Massage training is 30 hrs and is only taught by 1 school in California
• LA Stone Sole Connection is a variation only for registered Reflexologists
• Esthetician courses 16-20 hrs @ $350-$475
• practicum

ADDED COSTS:  Stones, massage table, heating unit for stones, linens, towels, essential oils, liability insurance

FEES:  $65-$130

CONSUMER DEMAND:  high 

Best training; School of NEW Medicine

THERAPEUTIC TOUCH  Generally used by nurses and medical professionals as an adjunct therapy

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE  Trained in Herbology, Acupuncture, dietary counselling, and therapies  Certification costs, requirements, and length of study vary

• Doctorate-- 4220 hrs (4 yrs) intensive study
• 1 year of internship
• Practitioner--2830 hrs (3 yrs) 
• Board examination
• Registration and licencing

ADDED COSTS:  Office and examination room furniture and equipment, supplements, herbs and botanicals for prescribing, malpractice insurance   

CONSUMER DEMAND:  low