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.

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.

The Difference Between Receiving an Acupuncture Treatment From a Medical Acupuncturist and a Traditional Acupuncturist

Acupuncture is one of the oldest medical approaches utilized for health conditions such as stress, pain in various areas of the body, anxiety, and even infertility. Although this modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is over 3,000 years old, acupuncture has only been practiced in the United States for approximately three decades. During that time, acupuncture has been progressively integrated with Western medicine. While this integration has many benefits, it also can cause confusion at times between receiving an acupuncture treatment from a medical acupuncturist versus receiving one from a traditional acupuncturist.

Whether you are considering acupuncture as a complementary therapy or as a career, it is important to understand the fundamental differences between the two areas of practice. The basic and most important difference lies in the training the professionals receive. Medical acupuncturists are Medical Doctors (MD) that participate in a course on acupuncture that is typically 200-300 hours. The course is designed to give physicians a working idea of the effects of acupuncture, teach them the techniques and further help them understand how their patients can benefits from this complementary therapy. However, some physicians offer acupuncture to their patients after receiving training for just a short period of time. Not only does this slim the chances of the treatment being effective, but in many states it is illegal.

On the other hand, traditional acupuncturists that are properly trained at an accredited institution and licensed have spent at least 2,000 hours learning principles and techniques of acupuncture. In majority of the states, it is required that an acupuncturist completes a 3-4 year program at an accredited acupuncture school during which they get both classroom education and supervised clinical application of what they had learned. This ensures that they are fully prepared to provide the public with effective and safe acupuncture treatments.

It is beneficial to thoroughly research the acupuncture schools in the state where you wish to practice. 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.

The Development of Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture is an ancient holistic therapy, which follows the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The term “acupuncture” derives from the Latin words, “acus” which means “needle” and “puncture”, which means “to penetrate”. Fitting to its name, an acupuncture treatment consists of inserting thin needles into specific points on the body for the purpose of harmonizing the flow of energy, or qi (pronounced "chi").

Today, acupuncture needles are made of steel and are approximately .20mm with slight variations depending on the practitioners and the points that need to be addressed. However, it has taken 5,000 years of advancements to get them to this point. The earliest needles were made of sharpened bone, clay, and stone. Due to the brittleness of some of those materials, they were made into arrowhead shape rather than thin needles as they are today. Therefore, instead of inserting the object into the acupoints on the patient’s body, they would prick the points to stimulate them.

Although the technology has changes, acupuncturists today continue to follow the same Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles. The governing dogma in acupuncture is treating the body as a whole, taking into consideration the physical, mental and emotional factors. Therefore, rather than just treating the symptoms, Acupuncturists strive to figure out the underlying issue of the health problem and develop a treatment plan for it.

Besides the needling technique, which requires thorough knowledge of over 300 acupoints on the body, Acupuncturists may include other holistic therapies including yoga, herbal remedies, and massage therapy into the treatment plan. The addition of other holistic therapies emphasizes the focus on treating the whole body and maintaining that health by utilizing various methods. Today, Acupuncturists also work closely with Western physicians to ensure that the patient receives the proper integrated medical care. Due to this integration, approximately 30% of Western physicians admit to referring their patients to holistic practitioners such as Acupuncturists.

If you are 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 of Health Professions is an institutionally accredited and ACAOM-accredited school with four convenient locations in the New York metro area and a variety of holistic health degree programs.