Acupressure is the answer to those seeking the benefits of alternative medicine. Read below to learn the various courses in acupressure.

Acupressure Courses

Acupressure is a concept that is found in Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM). It is basically an amalgamation of ‘acupuncture’ and ‘pressure’ which basically means that unlike the use of acupuncture needles, this method involves applying pressure on acupuncture points or meridians by the hand, elbow, or other devices. According to the TCM theory, pressure applied on such acupoints stimulates the meridian system by rebalancing the yin, yang, and qi. Acupressure is now an important component of Alternative Medicine and an increasing number of people are adopting this treatment because of its affordability and lack of side effects. In coming years, the need for acupressure professionals is going to increase and so there are quite a lot of institutes that offer courses on acupressure. Read below to get details on acupressure courses.
 
Career In Acupressure  

Eligibility
Candidates who wish to pursue a diploma in acupressure should clear their senior secondary or any other equivalent exam. A high school diploma or a GED certificate will also allow you to join this course. Those who wish to pursue a bachelor degree in acupressure should either be a medical professional or student. For MD in acupressure the candidate must be a medical graduate. There are also various certificate courses that can be joined by complete beginners. Another option is to clear a certificate course in Traditional Chinese Medicine along with associate degree programs. 

Details Of The Course Curriculum
The basic course curriculum includes the following areas:

  • The basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
  • Organ systems
  • Ying/ yang concepts
  • Health care
  • Business
  • Clinical experience
  • Shiatsu
  • Acupressure
  • Sports massage technique
  • Other topics that can be taught here are:
  • Eastern & Western approaches to health
  • Five elements theory
  • Acupressure techniques, treatments and therapeutic areas
  • Meridian system
  • Acupressure techniques and treatments in special situations
  • Emergency treatments
  • Alternatives to fingertip medicine
  • Acupressure points
  • Human energy field 

Specialization
Many massage therapy centers offer acupressure as a specialization. Other areas where a specialization can be sought are:

  • Reflexology
  • Therapeutic massage
  • Swedish massage
  • Deep tissue massage
  • Chair massage
  • Shiatsu 

Skills Required
The candidates should have excellent problem solving skills and be able to apply critical thinking when faced with real life clinical situations. The student should know the body well and also cultivate knowledge of medicine. In addition, the student should be diligent and be desirous to exert extra effort in learning acupressure. They should have strong communication skills so that they can generate new clients. They should have the skill to make their clients relax before and after the session. 

Career Prospects
After the acupressure course, the candidate can join companies providing personal care services. Some health care practitioners and physicians also hire acupressure specialists for their office. Candidates can also find employments in hotels, resorts, and spas. Even travel, amusement, and recreational businesses hire such specialists. Acupressure specialists also can opt to be self-employed offering their services independently to clients. The career prospects in the field of acupressure is fair as according to one estimate this market is set to grow by 19% between 2008 and 2018. Such professionals are constantly in demand in the Alternative Medicine health sector. 

Some Of The Best Institutes Offering This Course Globally

  • National Institute Of Acupressure Research, Training And Treatment, India
  • University of Bridgeport, USA
  • Bastyr University, USA
  • Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, USA
  • New England School of Acupuncture, USA
  • American Institute of Massage Therapy, USA
  • Zhejiang International Exchange Center of Clinical TCM, China
  • Zhe Jiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
  • Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
  • International Centre for Holistic Healing and Allied Research (ICHHAR), India


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