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Acupressure Classes, Training and Careers
Learn about Acupressure Training and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Find Acupressure Schools | Natural Healers Career Resource Center
| | Developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago, Acupressure is a form of Chinese medicine that applies pressure to key healing points on the body, stimulating a person's self-healing abilities and encouraging energy flow. Acupressure uses the same meridian pathways and pressure points as acupuncture. However, students in acupressure classes and training learn to use finger pressure instead of needles to relieve pain and help clients achieve greater health. |
Acupressure Career Overview
Like other massage practices, acupressure sessions begin with a patient interview during which the practitioner gathers information on the patient's health and symptoms. The practitioner then uses that information to choose different points on the client's body to press. Clients remain fully clothed during sessions and should not experience any pain from the finger pressure.
Acupressure sessions last between 30 and 60 minutes, with some clients feeling better after a single session and others needing to return for a series of appointments. Patients may also choose to study acupressure online to learn self-care remedies for some of the more common conditions that acupressure can treat, including headaches, stress and back pain.
Learn more about acupressure careers.
Acupressure Classes, Training and Education
What You'll Study in Acupressure School
You'll find acupressure classes and training programs available at massage therapy institutes and specialized Chinese medicine or acupressure schools. Each acupressure school will offer its own unique curriculum, but, in general, you can expect your acupressure training to cover these subjects:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Acupressure points and meridians
- Theories of Chinese medicine
- Acupressure techniques and protocols
- Health, hygiene and contraindications
- Neuromuscular techniques
- Clinical practice
Average Length of Study
Students with a background in bodywork or Chinese medicine can enroll in a specialized acupressure school program, which usually involves 150 to 250 hours of study. Some schools offer online acupressure courses to help working students who need more flexibility in their class schedule.
If you don't have a license in massage therapy or a related field, you'll want to choose acupressure classes that meet your state's licensure requirements for practicing on patients. A massage therapy license, for example, generally requires 500 hours of combined classroom and hands-on practice time.
Average Tuition
Tuition for continuing education courses at acupressure schools can cost just a few hundred dollars. In contrast, specialized acupressure training might run between $2,500 and $12,000.
Acupressure Certification
Students can earn certification as an Asian Bodywork Therapist (ABT) through the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA) and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). To earn the ABT credential, candidates must complete an approved acupressure training program and pass a certification exam.
Acupressure Career Outlook
Massage-oriented professions like acupressure can anticipate a 19 percent increase in employment through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The increasing popularity of massage therapy and the ongoing wellness boom across the United States are among the many factors that will contribute to the strong job growth rate for massage professionals in the coming years.
Acupressure Salary
Salaries for massage professions, including acupressure therapy, can vary widely based on the practitioner's geographic location, employer and experience. Overall, massage therapists earn between $28,386 and $61,467 per year, according to Salary.com, with a median expected salary of $42,895.
Is an Acupressure Career Right for You?
An acupressure career requires advanced training in anatomy, physiology, Chinese medicine and the unique techniques involved in acupressure therapy. A thorough understanding of key business concepts, which many acupressure schools offer, will also serve you well in building a successful practice.
If you are interested in an acupressure career, take a closer look at acupressure schools or acupressure online courses. Then choose the acupressure training program that meets your personal and professional needs.
Acupressure.com, 2011
Acupressure Institute, 2011
Acupressure Therapy Institute, 2006
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011
iEmily.com, 2011
Salary.com, 2011
Where can I get training?
- Alaska
Nevada School of Massage Therapy - Las Vegas - Training in Las Vegas- Utah College of Massage Therapy - Salt Lake City - Training in Salt Lake City
- Arizona
- Arizona School of Massage Therapy - Phoenix - Phoenix
- Arizona School of Massage Therapy - Tempe - Tempe
- California
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego - A Campus in San Diego
- South Bay Massage College - Manhattan Beach
- Nevada School of Massage Therapy - Las Vegas - Training in Las Vegas
- Arizona School of Massage Therapy - Phoenix - Training in Phoenix
- Utah College of Massage Therapy - Salt Lake City - Training in Salt Lake City
- Colorado
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Aurora
- IntelliTec Medical Institute - Colorado Springs
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Westminster - Westminster
- Connecticut
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Groton - Groton
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Newington - Newington
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Westport - Westport
- Florida
- Florida College of Natural Health - Sarasota/Bradenton - Bradenton
- Florida College of Natural Health - Miami - Miami
- Florida College of Natural Health - Orlando - Orlando/Maitland
- Florida College of Natural Health - Fort Lauderdale - Pompano Beach
- Idaho
- Nevada School of Massage Therapy - Las Vegas - Training in Las Vegas
- Utah College of Massage Therapy - Salt Lake City - Training in Salt Lake City
- Illinois
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago - A Campus in Chicago
- Kansas
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Training in Aurora
- Maryland
- Baltimore School of Massage - Baltimore - Linthicum
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Newington - Training in Newington, CT
- Montana
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Training in Aurora
- Utah College of Massage Therapy - Salt Lake City - Training in Salt Lake City
- Nebraska
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Training in Aurora
- Nevada
- The Bodhi Tree Center for Healing Arts - Carson City
- Nevada School of Massage Therapy - Las Vegas - Las Vegas
- New Jersey
- New Jersey School of Integrative Health - Oradell/Bergen County
- New Mexico
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Training in Aurora
- Arizona School of Massage Therapy - Phoenix - Training in Phoenix
- New York
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, NY - A Campus in New York, NY
- Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage - Rochester
- Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage - Syracuse
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Westport - Training in Westport, CT
- North Dakota
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Training in Aurora
- Oklahoma
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Training in Aurora
- Arizona School of Massage Therapy - Phoenix - Training in Phoenix
- Oregon
- Nevada School of Massage Therapy - Las Vegas - Training in Las Vegas
- Utah College of Massage Therapy - Salt Lake City - Training in Salt Lake City
- Pennsylvania
- Baltimore School of Massage - York - York
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Groton - Training in Groton, CT
- South Dakota
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Training in Aurora
- Texas
- Texas Center for Massage Therapy - Houston - Houston
- Texas Center for Massage Therapy - Dallas - Richardson
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Training in Aurora
- Arizona School of Massage Therapy - Phoenix - Training in Phoenix
- Utah
- Utah College of Massage Therapy - Utah County - Lindon
- Utah College of Massage Therapy - Salt Lake City - Salt Lake City
- Virginia
- Virginia School of Massage - Charlottesville - Charlottesville
- Washington
- Nevada School of Massage Therapy - Las Vegas - Training in Las Vegas
- Utah College of Massage Therapy - Salt Lake City - Training in Salt Lake City
- Wisconsin
- East-West Healing Arts Institute - Madison
- Wyoming
- Denver School of Massage Therapy - Aurora - Training in Aurora
- Utah College of Massage Therapy - Salt Lake City - Training in Salt Lake City
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