Have You Considered an Acupuncture Treatment?

Although an ancient therapy, Acupuncture did not become popular as an effective holistic therapy in the United States until the late 1980’s. In the past three decades, it has grown to be one of the most effective complementary therapies and continues to grow as more people become familiar with the treatment and its benefits. Comprehensive education also continues to be established nationwide as an increasing number of people are interested in becoming licensed acupuncturists.

Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which has been used as part of primary health care for over 5, 000 years. Although modified over the years for patient comfort and safety, an Acupuncture treatment continues to follow its original principles of establishing overall health. Therefore, an Acupuncturist focuses on treating the patient as a whole, taking into consideration physical, mental and emotional factors. For this purpose, the initial treatment starts with an evaluation, which is done in accordance with TCM principles; the Acupuncturist asks, listens and observes.

During the initial evaluation, the practitioner may ask about your daily life, including what stresses and habits you have, as well as conduct a physical examination. By looking at the whole picture, the Acupuncturist is able to establish the best method of treatment, which may include other holistic therapies such as massage therapy, yoga, herbal medicine as well as a change in nutrition or daily activities.

The actual Acupuncture treatment consists of “needling”, which is the insertion of very thin sterile stainless steel needles into specific points of the patient’s body. These points are known as acupoints and are determined based on energy meridians, which are believed to run through the patient’s body. Prior to being able to practice, an Acupuncturist must spend years learning the locations of the acupoints.

If you are considering trying an Acupuncture treatment, it is beneficial to first consult with your primary physician as they may know a licensed Acupuncturist. If not, you may find one by searching online or by attending a teaching clinic at an accredited acupuncture school. The Graduate School of Oriental Medicine at New York College, for instance, offers a 145-credit, nine-trimester Acupuncture Program during which students must complete an internship at their on-site clinic. The students are supervised by licensed professionals and the patients can get their treatment at a discounted price. New York College is an ACAOM-accredited school with four convenient locations in the New York metro area and a variety of holistic health degree programs.

How Attending An Accredited Massage Therapy Program Can Help Enhance Your Career

Massage therapy is one of the fastest growing holistic therapies in the United States, followed by Acupuncture and Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT). According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapy is projected to grow 20% between 2010 and 2020. As an increasing number of people are seeking natural complimentary therapies to help with their health problems, professionals such as licensed massage therapists are in high demand. Currently, over 80 types of massage therapy techniques are being taught in the United States, some with specializations in areas such as stress relief, sports massage and pre-natal massage. This variety allows individuals interested in becoming licensed massage therapists to be a part of a growing industry, while specializing in a specific field they are most interested in.

Although the therapeutic qualities of massage date back to ancient Eastern cultures, massage therapy did not become popular in Western civilizations until about the 1980’s. Due to lack of recognition by governing bodies in the health care industry, education at that time was limited to private courses and workshops. Today, massage therapy education is regulated by the government in 38 states, ensuring that the standards of health care are upheld and that all safety measures are met.

In combination with the rapid growth and the many modalities of massage therapy, numerous educational massage therapy programs are forming nationwide. Some programs specialize in specific modalities such as Swedish massage or Shiatsu, while others add courses such as business management for individuals that are interested in opening up their own massage therapy business. Whether you choose to specialize in a specific modality or you prefer to learn a variety of techniques, make sure that the program you attend if accredited.

Accreditation is important to secure the investment of your time and money that you are putting into your education. Massage therapy programs that are institutionally accredited by nationally recognized, non career school accreditation entities, have been reviewed thoroughly for both organization of the school and the quality of education. Furthermore, accredited establishments meet the educational requirements set forth by the state, ensuring that the student complies with them prior to being able to be licensed and furthermore, work in the field.

New York College offers an institutionally accredited massage therapy degree program, during which students study Asian Bodywork, Medical Massage and Swedish massage, Oriental anatomy and physiology as well as Western health sciences. Students are also required to gain hands-on practice during clinical internships at the school’s on-site clinic and take classes in T’ai Chi Chuan, Yoga and Qi Gong to help them better understand their own body’s movements.  Graduates of this program receive an Associate in Occupational Studies degree. With its campus in Syosset, New York and 3 locations in New York City, New York College is conveniently accessible to most students residing in New York’s tri-state area.