Acupressure Classes and Schools
Acupressure classes may be found in schools that offer programs in natural healing, Oriental medicine or massage therapy. Continue reading for information on training programs and professional credentials.
What You Need to Know
Acupressure is a specific type of massage therapy based on traditional Eastern healing methods. Many related degrees or training programs include acupressure classes, and prepare you for your career by including hands-on work that can be counted toward certification and licensing.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b> Programs</b> </td><td>Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b> Courses</b> </td><td>Channels & Points, Oriental Medicine, Physical Arts , Asian Bodywork, Ethics and Practitioner Issues, Acupressure, Anatomy and Physiology, Deep Tissue Massage</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b> Schools</b> </td><td> Look for accredited universities and colleges specializing in Oriental healing, massage therapy or a combination of the two</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatProgramsOfferStudiesInAcupressure">What Programs Offer Studies in Acupressure?</h3><p>Schools specializing in Oriental, Asian or natural healing techniques may offer certificate, training or degree programs that include acupressure. Degree programs in alternative medicine might also provide studies in acupressure techniques. Many schools offering massage therapy degree programs offer acupressure training as well. Acupuncture degree programs may include training in acupressure; however, acupuncture is different from acupressure. Acupuncture involves the use of tiny needles on specific pressure points, while acupressure relies on the pressure of fingertips to heal.
</p><h3 id="section---WhereMightIFindSchoolingInAcupressure">Where Might I Find Schooling in Acupressure?</h3><p>Several private alternative medicine or Oriental medicine schools offer various degree and non-degree programs that include focuses on acupressure. Some public and private U.S. colleges and universities have programs in alternative medicine, or you could pursue a degree in massage therapy to learn about acupressure.
</p><p>Some schools where you will find these types of programs include:
</p><ul><li>National Holistic Institute
</li><li>New York College of Health Professions
</li><li>Northern Vermont University Online
</li><li>Arizona State University Online
</li><li>Metropolitan State University of Denver
</li><li>American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at California Institute of Integral Studies
</li></ul><h3 id="section---AreAllSchoolsAccredited">Are All Schools Accredited?</h3><p>Some private alternative healing schools may not have accreditation. You might consider researching the school you choose to see if it is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Completing an accredited program could be required to pursue certification or licensing in the field.
</p><h3 id="section---WhichCoursesWillITake">Which Courses Will I Take?</h3><p>Schools offering programs in Oriental therapies may focus on the scientific basis of healing techniques and include science-based courses, such as anatomy and physiology. Most schools offering degree programs in alternative medicine or Oriental medicine will offer a bachelor's degree or graduate degree program. You might participate in clinical training in hospitals or medical practices as part of your degree program. These programs prepare you to offer acupressure, combined with other healing techniques, to patients in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers or sports medicine practices.
</p><p>Schools teaching acupressure as a form of massage therapy may cover:
</p><ul><li>Anatomy
</li><li>Acupressure massage techniques
</li><li>Laws and regulations
</li><li>Business management
</li><li>Body structure and movement
</li><li>Massage therapy principles and theory
</li></ul><p>You may receive a certificate or diploma at the completion of your coursework. These programs may also prepare you to obtain licensing or certification. Becoming a licensed or certified acupressure therapist allows you to join a massage therapy practice or to open your own practice.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCertificationOrLicensingWillINeed">What Certification or Licensing Will I Need?</h3><p>Many states require a practicing acupressure therapist to hold a license or certification in order to charge for services. The requirements vary by state, so it is best to learn the requirements of the state you will be practicing in.
</p><p>Once you complete your training or degree program, you may become certified through an organization such as the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which usually involves passing an exam such as the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).
</p><h3 id="section---HowMuchDoAcupressureTherapistsEarn">How Much Do Acupressure Therapists Earn?</h3><p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes acupressure therapists in the category of massage therapists (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). According to the BLS, a massage therapist could expect to earn a median annual wage of $39,990, as of May 2017.</p>