Tuesday 18 December 2012

What is Asian Bodywork Therapy?

Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) is a form of natural treatment through manipulations of the human body. Dating back 5,000 years, Asian Bodywork Therapy is part of Oriental Medicine, which includes Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, and Herbology. Similar to those treatments, Asian Bodywork concentrates on treating the body, mind and spirit in its entirety, which aids the patient in achieving overall balance and health.

While there are numerous forms of Asian Bodywork Therapy, all of them involve touching to some degree. To practitioners of the Asian Bodywork, the touch is believed to have healing properties. At the beginning of the treatment, the therapist gathers information on the patient’s health through the review of information provided by the patient, tongue and pulse diagnosis, observation of the patient's signs and symptoms, listening to the patient's complaints, and palpating the body. The therapist then determines the proper treatment.

In this article, we will discuss three popular forms of Asian Bodywork:

Acupressure:

This is the application of pressure to specific points in the body (acupuncture points) for the purpose of relieving tension. This further enhances the flow of qi (“chi”) and blood throughout the body.

Shiatsu:

A Japanese form of rigorous massage that uses fingers and palm pressure to apply acupressure to points along the body's energy pathways.

Tui Na:

This method combines manipulation of soft tissues, applying pressure at acupuncture points and realigning the spine and other structures to treat musculoskeletal and internal conditions.

Although Asian Bodywork Therapy has been around for over 5,000 years, it is not until 1996 that the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) developed the first certification program in Asian Bodywork Therapy. Today, it is a rapidly growing field fueled by the public’s interest in natural, complementary treatments. For individuals who are looking to pursue Asian Bodywork as a career, it is important to get an education that exceeds standards.

New York College of Health Professions is one of the few schools in the United States that offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Advanced Asian Bodywork. During the 120-credit, 10-trimester program, students complete their Associates of Occupational Studies (AOS), which includes basic massage therapy skills, and 60 degrees of in-depth assessment and practical study in Advanced Asian Bodywork Techniques such as Tui Na and Shiatsu.

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