What Is The Difference Between Asian Bodywork Therapy and Massage Therapy?

Although they both comprise of manipulation of body tissues, “Asian Bodywork Therapy” (ABT) and “Massage Therapy” are different in both philosophies and techniques. “Bodywork” encompasses a vast group of manual manipulations, including Massage Therapy. On the other hand, “Asian Bodywork” refers to techniques derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles and that are specifically designed to balance the flow of energy, or qi for the purpose of restoring or maintaining health.

ABT is one of the four branches of TCM, the other three being Chinese Herbal Therapy, Acupuncture and Medical Qigong. In many cases, licensed practitioners of ABT utilize other forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat their patients. According to the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA), Asian Bodywork Therapy includes Acupressure, Five Element Shiatsu, Amma, Japanese Shiatsu, Tuina, Medical Qigong and several more. Massage Therapy, also includes Asian techniques like Shiatse and Tuina, as well as modalities such as Swedish Massage, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and more.

Both types of therapies have the goal and benefit of increasing circulation, which helps treat various ailments ranging from musculoskeletal pain to anxiety and depression. Along with similarities in purpose, they both have a long history, which has been predominant in Asia. Massage Therapy, however, was first recorded in ancient Indian texts describing Aryurveda, an ancient form of health care which continues to be used today worldwide. ABT, on the other hand, is rooted deeply in China and its philosophies of treating the body as a whole, taking into consideration the physical, mental and emotional factors, emphasize that origin.

Visiting a massage therapist is also unlike visiting an Asian Bodywork Therapist. The latter diagnoses the patient’s root cause of ailment by asking, listening, touching and observing as is taught in TCM principles.  After doing so, the ABT practitioner develops a treatment plan which may include other modalities of TCM, including yoga, Chinese Herbal Medicine in addition to various ABT therapies such as Tuina and Acupressure.

Individuals interested in pursuing either Massage Therapy or Asian Bodywork Therapy should first research each complementary therapy in depth. Some schools, such as New York College of Health Professions, teach both massage therapy and specific ABT techniques to give students a professional edge. 
Additionally, it is important to find out the educational and licensing requirements in the state in which they wish to practice. Currently, majority of the states, including New York, regulate the education and practice of both therapies.

New York College offers an accredited Bachelors of Professional Studies degree in Advanced Asian Bodywork. During the 10-trimester, 120-credit program, students cover the curriculum for massage therapy including the western and oriental health sciences, Swedish, Asian and medical massage, as well as learn the skills and in-depth assessment and practical study in Advanced Asian Bodywork Techniques such as Tuina and Shiatsu. Graduates of this program are able to sit for New York State Massage Therapy Licensing Exam as well as the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) certification exam in Asian Bodywork. With its main campus in Syosset, Long Island, NY and 3 locations in New York City, New York College is convenient for any student in the tri-state area.

The Increasing Popularity of Asian Bodywork Therapy

Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) is a modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that consists of a wide variety of manual treatments to the body, including shiatsu or Tui Na massage and Acupressure. ABT practitioners utilize TCM principles to treat the body as a whole, taking into consideration the mental, spiritual and emotional factors. By doing so, practitioners are able to find the root cause of the problem, whether it is mental, physical or emotional, and are therefore able to treat their ailment effectively.

Complementary therapies such as Asian Bodywork Therapy, is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. In fact, according to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the U.S. public spent an estimated $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on CAM therapies in 2007 and the amount has been increasing steadily since. Although ABT has been practiced and taught for over 5,000 years in various Eastern cultures, it was not until recently that it became recognized as an effective complementary therapy in the United States. In the late 1980’s, the U.S. government began to regulate the practice and education of complementary therapies.  New York College of Health Professions, founded in 1981, has been a leader in this field and was the first school approved to offer a college degree in Massage Therapy in New York State.

New York College of Health Professions offers an accredited Bachelors of Professional Studies degree in Advanced Asian Bodywork. During the 10-trimester, 120-credit program, students cover the curriculum for massage therapy including the western and oriental health sciences, Swedish, Asian and medical massage, as well as learn the skills and in-depth assessment and practical study in Advanced Asian Bodywork Techniques such as Tui Na and Shiatsu.

Graduates of this program are able to sit for New York State Massage Therapy Licensing Exam as well as the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) certification exam in Asian Bodywork. With its main campus in Syosset, Long Island, NY and 3 locations in New York City, New York College is convenient for any student in the tri-state area.

An Asian Bodywork Therapy session is unlike visiting a Western physician. While Western practitioners seek the ailment within the physical body, ABT therapists consider the physical factors as well as the emotional and mental state of the patient to diagnose them. ABT practitioners are taught to observe, listen, ask and touch in order to determine the source of the patient’s issues. Upon determining it, ABT practitioners may use a variety of techniques and therapies to restore the patient’s health, including Tui Na, Acupressure and Five-Element Shiatsu. In conjunction with such ABT therapies, practitioners may also suggest some lifestyle changes.