Accupressure has been practiced as a healing art for at least 5,000 years.
Acupressure is a Chinese technique that has been used for centuries, but is rarely recognized as a valid form of medical therapy today. It is also known as acupoint massage or shiatsu by the Japanese culture. As the career field grows, new opportunities have started to arise. Because some members of the medical community are recognizing acupressure as a way to ease clients' pain, the educational and state requirements are growing.
Acupressure Basics
Acupressure can be described as deep tissue massage therapy. There are pressure points on the body that, once touched, are believed to allow the body to naturally cure itself. A trained technician performing acupressure incorporates therapeutic massage techniques involving the use of fingers and other parts of the body to "release muscular tension, and promote circulation of blood" in her client's body, according to the website Accupressure. A technician must know hard to press, how long, when to knead, when to maintain a constant, light pressure and when to rub.
Advantages of Using Acupressure
Acupressure technicians are able to provide their clients with relief of stress, pain and tension. The technique has been known to relieve back pain, neck pain and headaches due to migraines. Other health advantages of acupressure are its uses for "morning sickness, motion sickness, and other types of nausea," according to Stason. Acupressure incorporated with breathing techniques has been proved to boost the immune system as well.
Benefits of Learning Acupressure
There are three benefits to taking acupressure training. The first benefit is self-care, which refers to the ability to heal oneself. By applying pressure to specific points on the body, a technician stimulates the body to expel viruses more quickly. Next, it can be used as shared care. Achieving proficiency in acupressure techniques permits practiced persons to use it as a way of helping family and friends with their ailments. Finally, it is a talent that serves to provide professional care.
Educational & State Requirements
Obtaining certification from California varies from county to county and city to city. Two educational options are to obtain a one-year certificate program in the art of Traditional Chinese Medicine or to earn an associate's degree. It is important to find accredited schools that will help prepare students for the state licensing Asian Bodywork Therapy exam. The two nationally accredited bodies that provide licensing exams are the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental. In addition, most businesses will require "2-4 years of experience in the massage therapy and acupressure industry," according to Education-Portal.
California Schools
Mueller College of Holistic Studies is a San Diego-based school that offers a Certificate-Massage Therapist (Asian Therapies) program. This program focuses on Asian bodywork classes in Tuina, Thai massage, Shiatsu and prepares students for the national certification exam. Another San Diego-based school is Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. It offers a Massage Therapist/Asian Bodywork Certificate program that sets up students for certification through the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and by National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. The American Institute of Massage Therapy incorporates acupressure into their massage therapy program and helps students prepare for national certification. Most massage programs incorporate acupressure or deep tissue massage into their programs.
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