Asian Body Therapy Certificates

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

 

 

   

Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) Certificate Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Tui Na?

Tui Na is an ancient form of Chinese physical therapy, some 2000 years old. "Tui Na" combines the names of two of the hand techniques, "Tui" meaning "to push" and "Na" meaning "to lift and squeeze".

 

Tui Na is an integral part of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is part of the formal training in TCM schools. This modality uses traction, massage and manipulation in conjunction with the stimulation of acupressure points. It is used to treat, or complement the treatment of, many conditions including musculo-skeletal disorders and chronic stress-related disorders of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

 

With more than 365 hand techniques available, Tui Na treatments can range from those that are light and soothing to those that are strong and invigorating. By pressing, tapping, and kneading with palms, fingertips, knuckles or other implements, Tui Na therapists are able to remove energy blockages along the body's meridians and restore balance in the body in order to promote self-healing. 

 

Tui Na acts to reduce pain, stimulate the immune system, Qi, blood and lymphatic flow, and generate a deep sense of harmony and relaxation in the patient.

 

In ancient China, medical therapy was often classified into "external" and "internal" treatments. Tui Na was one of the external methods, especially suitable for use on the elderly population and on infants. Today it is subdivided into specialized treatment for infants, adults, orthopedics, traumatology, cosmetology, rehabilitation, sports medicine, etc.

 

What is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork. The term comes from the Japanese words "shi" and "atsu," meaning "finger pressure". Similar to acupressure and acupuncture, shiatsu concentrates on unblocking the flow of life energy ("Qi") and restoring balance in the body in order to promote self-healing.

 

Shiatsu therapists apply comfortable, sustained pressure to acu-points and areas of muscle tension. Therapists may utilize their fingers, palms, elbows or knees ?to apply this pressure to their clients, who are typically fully clothed in a reclining position.

 

Shiatsu treats common psychological and physical complaints such as depression, anxiety, nausea, stiffness, headaches, arthritis, cramps, or pulled muscles. Traditionally, Shiatsu involves deep breathing, rotation and stretching of the joints, and stimulation of pressure points. Shiatsu acts to reduce pain, stimulate the immune system, Qi, blood and lymphatic flow, and generate a deep sense of harmony and relaxation in the patient.

 

What type of Shiatsu does ACTCM teach?

There are many different styles of Shiatsu that exist today. ACTCM's Shiatsu instructors are well-versed in the various styles of Shiatsu including those that concentrate on acupressure, those that emphasize general work along the meridians to influence the flow of qi, and those that highlight diagnostic systems such as Five Elements or the macrobiotic approach. ACTCM's instructors integrate each these different styles into what they term a "Classical" approach.


Why should I consider training in Tui Na and/or Shiatsu?

Career opportunities in the field of Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) are increasing as more people discover its benefits and more insurance carriers begin to cover the costs of such therapy. The latest research shows that bodywork is the most widely used complementary health care service in the U.S. Whether you are new to this field, trained bodywork professional, or a healthcare professional looking to diversify your skill set, training in Tui Na or Shiatsu at ACTCM can benefit your practice.

 

One benefit of ACTCM’s bodywork programs is its close relationship to the college’s Chinese medicine program. Asian Body Therapy students have the satisfaction of attending a training program that utilizes the expertise of an accredited Chinese medical degree program. ABT students can complete their training either separately from, or concurrently with, the master’s degree program. Students who choose to transition into the master’s degree program have the added benefit of being able to transfer in most of their TCM related coursework.

 

How will training in Tui Na/Shiatsu benefit my current practice?

Our Asian Bodywork programs offer the following advantages to practitioners:

  • Add new skills to your repertoire, distinguishing you from others in your current profession.

  • Create a personal touch to your practice, by providing a level of compassion and attention not readily available in most Western clinical settings.

  • Enhance the efficacy of other medical treatments (chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, etc.)

  • Nurture yourself while learning the skills to nurture others.

How will Tui Na/Shiatsu benefit my patients?

Receiving bodywork therapy affects every system of the body!

 

Muscular system

  • Promotes muscle relaxation and flexibility.

  • Increases joint flexibility and range of motion.

  • Relieves muscular restrictions, spasms, stiffness and tightness.

  • Reduces muscle soreness, injured muscles repair faster.

Nervous system

  • Stimulates or soothes nervous system, depending on strokes and techniques used.

  • Decreases pain through release of endorphins and through general relaxation.

Cardio-vascular system

  • Improves circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids.

  • Reduces swelling.

  • Delivery of nutrients and removal of metabolic waste products in the blood is improved.

  • Reduces ischemia, a decrease in blood supply to an organ or tissue, believed to be a major cause of muscular pain.

  • Reduces blood pressure

Lymphatic systems

  • Bodywork strokes stimulate the lymphatic system, helping to remove wastes from the body.

  • Strengthens the immune system

Integumentary (skin) system

  • Improves the skin’s condition, texture and tone.

  • Improves quality and flexibility of scar tissue.

Respiratory System

  • Slows respiration, promotes deeper and easier breathing.

  • Reduce phlegm.

Digestive System

  • Increases digestive activity in large intestine, relieve constipation.

Psychological & Emotional Effects

  • Reduces stress and anxiety.

  • Enhances well-being, body awareness and body image.

  • Renews energy.

  • Increases mental alertness.

  • Eases symptoms of depression and anxiety.

  • Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch.

How popular is Massage & Bodywork in the U.S.?

The public interest in and use of bodywork continues to increase every year. Did you know:

  • Consumers visit a massage & bodywork therapists 114 million times per year.

  • Consumers spend between $4 and $6 billion dollars per year on massage and bodywork therapy.

  • 54% of primary care physicians and family practitioners say they would encourage their patients to pursue massage/bodywork therapy as a complement to medical treatments.

  • 78 of this country’s 125 medical schools, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Georgetown, and John Hopkins, now offer courses in alternative medicine…up from 27 in 1995.

  • Many companies (e.g. Goldman Sachs, G.E., Young and Rubicam, Motorola and American Airlines) are offering massage/bodywork therapy as an employment perk and as means of reducing stress and absenteeism.

  • The number of massage/bodywork therapists in the U.S. is estimated at 220,000, including students.

  • More and more hospitals are incorporating massage & bodywork therapists into their pain management programs, as well as offering bodywork to patients and staff for stress management.

What types of Asian Bodywork Certificate programs are offered at ACTCM?

Tui Na Bodywork Certificate (451 hours)

Shiatsu Bodywork Certificate (496 hours)

 

What distinguishes ACTCM’s bodywork programs in Tui Na and Shiatsu from other programs?

  • Our specialized bodywork programs are taught alongside our Master’s Program in traditional Chinese medicine, which has a 26-year history and a strong reputation for producing excellent practitioners. Bodywork students receive a solid foundation and superior training within a curriculum that has been in existence for a quarter of a century.

  • ACTCM requires a minimum of 90 semester credit units of undergraduate work as well as a recommended 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

How large are the classes?

Classes in the Bodywork Certificate Programs can be divided into didactic (or lecture) courses, hands-on courses or clinical coursework. Didactic courses range in size from 25-35 students. Hands-on courses range in size from 8-12 students. Clinical coursework features a student to teacher ratio of 4:1 and also range in size from 8-12 students.

 

How much work is expected of me outside of the classroom?

For every hour of didactic or hands-on coursework, students should expect to spend 1-2 hours of time studying or completing assignments outside of class.

 

Can I work towards the Master’s of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSTCM) while I’m working on my ABT Certificate?

Yes! ACTCM has created a program of study that incorporates both the Bodywork Certificate programs (either the Tui Na or Shiatsu) and the MSTCM. If you are interested in completing both, please contact ACTCM’s Admissions Office at 415-282-7600 (ext. 14).

 

Will I be eligible to practice massage/bodywork in San Francisco?

 

Students who complete ACTCM’s bodywork certificate programs are eligible to apply for an Advanced Massage Practitioner Permit through the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

 

Requirements for obtaining a permit to practice bodywork vary by city. For information on how to apply for a permit to practice within the city of San Francisco, please visit: http://www.sfdph.org/eh/massage/Mass_Regs2006.pdf.  For information on cities other than San Francisco, contact that city’s Department of Public Health.

 

What are the Entry Requirements for the ABT Certificate Programs?

Applicants for the Asian Bodywork certificate programs must meet the following requirements:

  • A minimum of 90 semester credit units of undergraduate coursework at a US degree-granting institution.

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA is highly recommended.

Are there any Prerequisite Requirements for the ABT Certificate Programs?

Both the Tui Na and Shiatsu Certificate Programs have prerequisites in the following areas:

  • Anatomy (6 quarter credits or 4 semester credits).

  • Physiology (4 quarter credits or 3 semester credits).

  • CPR (Therapist level only)

  • First Aid (Therapist level only)

If a student has not completed these courses prior to being accepted into ACTCM’s Asian Bodywork program, the courses may be taken concurrently at ACTCM or an outside degree-granting institution.

 

Anatomy and Physiology may be considered for transfer into the program if completed at a regionally accredited institution. 

Coursework taken at an international institution or an unaccredited institution will not be accepted for transfer. However, students in this situation with the approval of the Dean of Master's program will be permitted to take a Challenge Exam in the equivalent subject area. For more information on tuition for Challenge Exams, please see ACTCM’s Fee and Tuition Schedule.

 

When do these programs start, and what is the deadline to apply?

ACTCM’s Asian Bodywork Certificate Programs start twice a year, in the spring and in the fall alongside the Master's degree program.

 

How Do I Apply for Admission?

To apply, please submit a the following to the Office of Admissions:

  • A completed Application for Admission.

  • A $50 application fee.

  • Official sealed transcripts from all institutions attended.

  • 2 passport-sized photos.

  • A resume.

* A completed health certificate will be required upon acceptance.

 

To request an Application for Admission, please call (415) 282-7600 x14, email admissions@actcm.edu, or download one by clicking here.

  

What are the 2007 Tuition & Fees?

 

Tui Na Tuition:

1st Year 2nd Year Subtotal
Didactic Units $3,672 $0 $3,672
Clinic Units $816 $3,672 $4,488
Total $4,488 $3,672 $8,160

*Tuition does not include Anatomy & Physiology

 

Shiatsu Tuition:

1st Year 2nd Year Subtotal
Didactic Units $3,672 $0 $3,672
Clinic Units $816 $4,896 $5,712
Total $4,488 $4,896 $9,384

*Tuition does not include Anatomy & Physiology

    

Do you offer Financial Aid or Scholarships?

Federal Financial Aid is available to those who qualify who are also concurrently enrolled in ACTCM’s master’s degree program. Several scholarships are also available:

American Specialty Health Scholarship

A scholarship designed to aid students in further their studying in alternative healing careers.

 

Massage Magazine Scholarship

Five scholarships of $1,000 each are given to students who have more than 90 hours of training and are currently enrolled in a Massage/Bodywork program.

Who are the ACTCM Asian Body Therapy Faculty?

ACTCM’s faculty have been carefully selected, not only for their vast clinical experiences and knowledge of bodywork & massage and traditional Chinese medicine, but for their ability to transfer this information and skills to students. The majority of the faculty are Chinese trained physicians who have the ability to convey the institution's deep appreciation of traditional Chinese medicine and the understanding necessary for dealing with the health problems of today's modern society.

 

A brief listing of core bodywork certificate faculty is listed below. A full listing of ACTCM’s faculty can be found in our 2006-2007 catalog, which is available online at: www.actcm.edu/html/actcmcatalog.pdf

 

Betty (“B.J.”) Green, C.S.T., C.T.M.T., Certified Shiatsu Therapist and Acupressure Table Massage Therapist, 1969. Past position: Director and Shiatsu/Massage Instructor, The Shiatsu Institute and Therapy Center, San Francisco, California. Present position: clinical practice.

 

Chulong Xue, L.Ac., M.B./B.S., Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1984; Licensed Acupuncturist, California, 2005. Past positions: Visiting Lecturer and Director, Asante Academy of Chinese Medicine, Middlesex University, London, UK; Clinician, London, UK; Orthopedic Surgeon, Guangzhou University of TCM, China; Clinical practice and research, Guangdong Academy of TCM, China; Research and management, China Academy of TCM, Beijing, China. Present position: clinical practice.

 

John Ellis, L.Ac., MSTCM, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2003; Licensed Acupuncturist, California, 2003; Internship in private clinic, 2003-2005; 300 hours advanced training in Acupuncture Orthopedics, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. Present position: clinical practice.

 

Laurence Mourey, L.Ac., MSTCM, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1996; Diplomate in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine, NCCAOM, 1996; Licensed Acupuncturist, California, 1997. Present position: clinical practice, ACTCM Assistant Dean of Student Services.

 

Liping Zhu, L.Ac., MSTCM, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2004. Licensed Acupuncturist, California, 2004; Qigong study, International Life Science Academy, Sichuan, China, 1992-1994; Daoist studies, Taiyi Swimming Dragon Form Association, 1990-1996; Resident student, San Francisco Zen Center, 2000-present. Present position: Qigong and Tai Ji Quan instructor, San Francisco.

 

Richard Su, Ph.D., Pathology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London University, UK, 1987; Graduated from Fourth Medical University in China, 1965. Previous positions: Professorship and Directorship at Fourth Medical University, China; Post-doctorate at Bristol University Medical School, UK; Visiting Scientist, Uppsala University (Sweden), Salzburg University (Austria), and Texas University, Medical Branch in Galveston; Guest Professor at Aarhus University, Denmark; Visiting Professor at University of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Antigua. Present position: Chair, Department of Biomedical Sciences

   

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