Acupressure Careers and Training
Learn About Acupressure Careers and Practitioner Traits
Acupressure Schools | Natural Healers Career Resource Center
| | Acupressure careers are becoming more popular today with society's wellness focus. Acupressure treatment is a gentle form of bodywork that can have powerful therapeutic effects. By manipulating the body's vital energy systems through touch, acupressure practitioners can relieve pain, revitalize energy, ease stress and cure many illnesses naturally. If you choose this career path, you will enjoy the satisfaction of harnessing ancient Eastern wisdom to help your clients overcome the health challenges of modern living. |
Acupressure Career Overview
Acupressure is based on the same "meridian" charts of the body's energy system that are utilized in all of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. The difference is that while acupuncture uses needles, acupressure relies on gentle pressure to stimulate specific points on the body and encourage the flow of energy.
Because it does not require needles, acupressure is considered a form of massage. Acupressure practitioners work in a variety of settings, including clinics and hospitals. They may be employees of a spa or health club. They may also work for themselves independently or as part of a natural health cooperative.
Desired Acupressure Practitioner Traits
To succeed as an acupressure practitioner, you will need to possess or cultivate the following traits:
- Strong communication skills
- Patience and compassion
- Ability to work hard and promote yourself
- Ability to make clients feel relaxed, welcome and comfortable
- Commitment to learning a complex tradition of healing
A Typical Day in an Acupressure Career
Because acupressure practitioners work in so many different environments and treat so many types of patients and diseases, it's hard to describe a typical day. However, you can expect to provide established patients with hands-on treatment sessions of thirty minutes to an hour. Initial visits with new patients will be longer because you will need to spend time asking questions and assessing their needs. In addition to seeing patients, you will spend time filling out charts and maintaining patient files. You will also spend time pursuing additional education to further develop your skills and respond to specific patient needs.
Acupressure Education
Some massage schools offer an acupressure specialty. It is also common for practitioners to complete massage school and then take additional classes to become a certified acupressure specialist. Either way, acupressure training can be completed in as little as two years. You will probably need at least 500 hours of classroom instruction, as well as clinical practice.
Your acupressure training should include the following:
- Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- Concepts including qi, pronounced "chi" (vital energy), yin and yang
- Understanding of the meridian energy pathways
- Organ systems, anatomy and physiology
- Acupressure techniques
- Shiatsu techniques
- Clinical experience
- Business skills
Acupressure Practitioner Salaries
Acupressure is generally considered to be a massage therapy specialty. According to Salary.com, the average annual salary of a massage therapist is between $35,000 and $54,000. However, this can vary considerably depending on your clientele, your experience, your geographic location, and your marketing efforts. Acupressure practitioners have the potential to earn $60,000 or more each year.
Acupressure Career Outlook
As with almost every form of complementary and alternative medicine, awareness and interest in acupressure is increasing. The therapeutic massage industry in particular has expanded over the past decade, and the demand for acupressure practitioners will continue to grow for years to come, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This makes today an excellent time to decide whether acupressure is part of your career "chi."
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