Oriental Medicine School History

The Acupressure-Acupuncture Institute was founded in 1983 and has maintained the same ownership since its inception. In August of 2000, the Acupressure-Acupuncture Institute changed its name to the Southeast Institute of Oriental Medicine (SEIOM) to better reflect its purpose of training students in the art of Oriental Bodywork and Medicine.

In August 2003, when SEIOM received college status, the name was changed again to Acupuncture & Massage College (AMC). AMC emphasizes the student/mentor relationship. It is the oldest licensed Acupuncture school in Florida and continues to be a dynamic Center for the study of Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, and Oriental Bodywork. Serious students who are willing to work diligently are assured a challenging, enjoyable, and comprehensive education.

The Oriental Medicine program is four academic years in length. Because one academic year is equivalent to nine months, the program can be completed in three calendar years or 36 months. The curriculum is well over the minimum standard established by the State of Florida and the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. (click here to find out more about this accreditation body). Included in the curriculum are classes in Acupuncture, Oriental bodywork, Qi Kung, Chinese Herbs, Western Science, and Supervised Clinical Practice. For more detail, see the curriculum. Graduates may seek employment as an Acupuncture Physician once they have passed the national exam and received a license from the state. Graduates can work independently in a private practice or in a health-care facility which provides Oriental medicine and healing.

Massage Therapy

In 1987, AMC established a six-month Massage Therapy program. This course was originally designed for our Acupuncture students. It enabled them, in just a few short months, to earn a living practicing Shiatsu, while completing their Acupuncture studies. Since l988, we have expanded our program to all qualified students who want to become Massage Therapists. In January of 2000 our Massage Therapy program underwent a major curriculum change. Now we can boast that over 80 percent of our bodywork classes teach Shiatsu treatment. We follow the Shiatsu system of Professor Tomiezo Hoshino. Our Massage Therapy graduates leave our program already specialists in their field! In August of 2003, we lengthened the Massage Therapy Program to 607 hours. This enabled us to add classes in aromatherapy and increase hours in Practice Management and Supervised Clinic. Massage Therapy is a great compliment to the study of Oriental medicine.