What Is Asian Bodywork Therapy and Why It May Be A Great Career Opportunity For Your

If you have researched complementary therapy, you may have come across the term Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT). One of the four branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ABT follows various ancient principles, including healing the individual as a whole. This ensures that the ABT practitioner considers physical, emotional and outside factors affecting the patient’s health. Quite often, the patient is unaware of the emotional or mental factors that may be causing their physical pain or discomfort. Proper observation by the practitioner can help pinpoint the root cause of the issue and treat it effectively.

Depending on the issue, the practitioner chooses the most appropriate methods of treatment, which may include techniques such as Shiatsu, Acupressure or TuiNa. Although these techniques serve different purposes, they all include the manipulation of bodily tissues in a specific manner. Practitioners of holistic therapies such as Asian Bodywork Therapy often work closely with other professionals such as licensed Acupuncturists, Yoga instructors and more. This symbiotic relationship allows them to cross-refer patients who may be in need of other therapies to best treat their ailment.

ABT has numerous benefits including relief of stress, chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia and some studies have also found it effective in managing depression. As holistic therapies continue to integrate with Western medicine, an increasing number of physicians are referring their patients to licensed holistic practitioners for complimentary therapies. Currently, approximately 30% of Western physicians have referred their patients at some point to a holistic practitioner such as a massage therapist or Acupuncturist.

For individuals interested in pursuing a career in Asian Bodywork Therapy, 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 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.

Why You Should Attend An Oriental Medicine School

Whether you are currently in the health care field or are looking to change your career to join the health care industry, Oriental medicine may be the right path for you. Since the 1970’s, Americans have become increasingly interested in natural therapies such as acupuncture, massage therapy and the use of herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments including chronic panic, allergies, migraines and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because Oriental medicine can help a large percentage of the population, it is becoming an increasingly popular part of holistic medicine as well as a fast growing career.

Oriental medicine stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and encompasses its various modalities including Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT), Massage, Acupuncture, Herbal medicine and more. Although many of these techniques have been improved throughout the centuries of their use, the principles remain the same. One of the most prevalent TCM principles is the treatment of the body as a whole, taking into consideration the physical, mental and emotional factors in addition to outside stressors such as work and relationships. Teaching such ancient principles in Oriental medicine schools has helped preserve the identity of Oriental medicine for thousands of years and continues to do so today as this modality of holistic medicine is integrated with the Western approach to treatment.

The Graduate School of Oriental Medicine at New York College of Health Professions offers a 185-credit, ten-trimester accredited degree program with a comprehensive curriculum that includes TCM diagnosis and holistic methods, Western and Eastern nutrition, acupuncture and Asian Bodywork technique as well as Qi Gong, Yoga and T’ai Chi Chuan. Graduates of this Oriental medicine school receive a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Science/Masters of Science - Oriental Medicine degree.

Currently, most States regulate the practice and education of Oriental medicine, including New York State. In New York, an individual interested in becoming an Acupuncturist must first pass at least 60 semester hours at an accredited undergraduate university or college, 9 of which must be in biosciences. They must also complete 4,050 hours studying techniques, acupoints, and aspects of Oriental medicine, 650 of which must be spent in supervised clinical hands-on experience. After successfully completing the above, the student must pass the licensing exam administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) as well as the Clean Needle Technique course.

Asian Bodywork Therapy Can Help Relieve Stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life and can negatively affect your physical and mental health if you do not manage it correctly. The focus of holistic therapies such as Massage, Acupuncture and Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) is to help the patient manage their stress through both treatment and change of habits, if such is necessary.

ABT is one if the four branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which follows various ancient principles. The main principle is helping the patient achieve overall healthy by not separating the physical from the emotional or the mental. Instead, an ABT practitioner examines the patient by asking, listening and observing in order to determine the root cause of the physical symptoms. Quite often patients concentrate on the physical pain or discomfort without considering the emotional or mental factors that may be causing it.

After the evaluation, the Asian Bodywork Therapy practitioner chooses the best methods of treatment, which may include techniques such as TuiNa, Shiatsu, Amma massage and Acupressure. In some cases, the practitioner may refer the patient to an Acupuncturist or a Yoga teacher, who may be able to help them further manage with their stress or ailment. Using a combination of therapies is common among holistic health professionals as it allows them to better treat the patient as a whole.

Due to the steadily growing field of holistic medicine, and in particular massage therapy, many individuals choose to practice in the field. Once licensed, massage therapists can expand their skill set and client base by studying ABT and being able to offer it to their patients. If you choose to study ABT, it is important to attend an accredited institution.

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.