The history of Asian bodywork Like acupuncture, Asian bodywork is an ancient practice, but has only been an officially recognized practice within traditional Chinese medicine for about 20 years, according to Acupuncture Today. "In 1996, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) developed the first certification program in Asian bodywork therapy, due in large response to members of the Oriental medicine profession," the publication states. "The NCCAOM now offers a written comprehensive examination in Asian bodywork therapy, in addition to its existing exams on acupuncture and herbal medicine." … Read More

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Wood, fire, earth, metal, water — you are no doubt familiar with these elements in a variety of contexts. But did you know that these five substances together make up the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine? Understanding this ancient health tradition requires knowledge of how these five essential substances underpin everything from the universe to the human body. … Read More

Are you wondering what kind of massage therapy program will allow you to change careers quickly but also give you an edge in the professional marketplace? You can complete a degree in the field of massage therapy with a Shiatsu certification in just over eight months at Acupuncture & Massage College. AMC’s Massage Therapy program is specifically designed for students seeking a career in the field of bodywork. The program takes 720 hours and 8 and a half months to complete, with 164 hours of supervised clinical practice included. … Read More

Now is a great time to get into the field of acupuncture. As the demand for alternative medicine and more natural approaches to health care increases, the industry is expected to continue to grow by as much as 32 percent by 2022, according to HealthCareCareers.com. Government legislation and insurance companies have begun recognizing acupuncture as a viable course of treatment for a variety of health issues on a more consistent basis, making the professional outlook rosy. But you may be wondering, once you earn your degree, how to get a job after acupuncture school. … Read More

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical health care system comprised of a range of traditional therapies including, but not limited to: Acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, herbal medicine, nutrition, tui na massage and exercises (tai chi and qigong). … Read More

So, you think you want to go to acupuncture school. You're excited about the ever-growing opportunities in the field of holistic health and want a career that helps others and offers you flexibility in your schedule and satisfaction in your work. But before diving into a new degree program, you'll want to know what you can expect from acupuncture school. … Read More

Nearly 1 million men and women in the United States suffer from eating disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, including the two most common ones — anorexia and bulimia. Both disorders involve a perception distortion of body shape and weight. Anorexia is characterized by extreme weight loss; bulimia is characterized by binge-eating and compensatory factors such as purging and fasting. Conventional therapies for eating disorders include medical and psychological evaluation, medication and nutritional counseling. But if you're looking for treatment for eating disorders, Chinese medicine and other alternative therapies can help. … Read More

Do you dream of switching careers? No matter what your reason, you're in good company. A recent CareerBuilder survey found that over one in five workers were determined to find a new job this year, even if they had employment. Reasons for wanting a new job vary, but some common signs indicate you should probably seriously explore not just a new job, but a new career path. Consider investing in switching careers if you: … Read More

If you're considering holistic health careers, now is a great time to get into the field. Holistic health considers a whole person and emphasizes the connection between their mind, body and spirit — more and more people want treatments that address all three, or therapies that compliment traditional medicine focusing on the body. A growing interest in wellness and healthy living has fueled an increase in the need for practitioners of massage, acupuncture, Chinese medicine and other complementary treatments. … Read More

Editor's note: Updated 8/3/2017 for clarity of content. Acupuncture treatments and their ability to maintain well-being and health have a basis in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) refers to a wide-set of related medical practices that originated in China almost 2,000 years ago. By 111AD, TheYellow Emperor's Inner Canon, had already become an authoritative text in Chinese medicine, as it explained why people get sick and how to remedy it. According to the Canon, people get sick when Yin-Yang become unbalanced and that balancing it can be done through acupuncture. While these concepts may seem foreign to Western readers, the Canon explains this by establishing a view of the body. … Read More

Take the time to explore the pros and cons of massage therapy before making the leap into a new career. While you'll likely find the positives of massage therapy far outweigh the negatives, understanding all aspects of the practice will help you come to an informed decision. The pros touch on various aspects of the massage therapy practice and its impact on health, from the business side to the clinical, and including massage therapy types and techniques. For many patients, massage therapy tends to complement mainstream medicine, adding a positive and synergistic effect to treatment. One of the benefits of practice includes the fact that a massage client can choose between modalities, or types of massage, and customize their treatment. Massage can also be very effective when performed immediately after a workout session at the gym, when the treatment can help relieve pulls or strains, and have a lasting effect for days afterwards. After a day of work, massage can provide calm and relaxation, and a window of serenity in the midst of a busy and hectic work schedule. Massage also provides other general health benefits, including: Improving circulation Aiding the body's healing processes Increasing the range of motion in joints Releasing toxins Reducing pain … Read More

High blood pressure affects no small number of people — about 70 million people in the United States have the condition. That means approximately one in every three Americans, or 31.3 percent, has high blood pressure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and nearly half of those aren't properly managing it. High blood pressure increases the likelihood of suffering a heart attack, stroke and other serious health conditions, so it's important to get it under control. … Read More

If you have trouble sticking to an exercise routine that’s based on getting in shape or losing weight, it might be because your approach to fitness lacks an important element. A mind body fitness routine — in contrast to one that just focuses on just the body — emphasizes the interconnectedness of the physical body and the mind and spirit. … Read More

Do you suffer from hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism or another ailment that affects the gland that regulates your body’s metabolism, growth, development and temperature? If so, you’re not alone. More than 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from thyroid disease, according to the American Thyroid Association. That’s more than 12 percent of the U.S. population. Many people don’t even know they have thyroid problems. … Read More