Asian Bodywork Therapy

Asian Bodywork Therapy is an umbrella term for the touch-based therapies that have developed out of the theories of Chinese medicine. Unlike many Western styles of massage that are done on bare skin, most Asian massage is done with the receiver fully clothed.



Acupressure balances the body's energy by applying pressure to specific acupoints to release tension and increase circulation.

Amma combines deep-tissue bodywork to muscles and ligaments with the application of pressure to specific acupoints.

AMMA Therapy uses Chinese medical principles to assess and evaluate imbalances in the body's energy system. This therapy includes diet, herbs, nutritional supplements, and the use of external herbal applications.

Chi Nei Tsang is of Taoist Chinese origin and literally means "working the energy of the internal organs." Chi Nei Tsang practitioners are trained in Chi Kung and massage mainly the abdomen with deep, soft, and gentle touches to train internal organs to work more efficiently.

Jin Shin Do Bodymind Acupressure combines gentle, deep pressure to acupoints with simple body-focusing techniques to release physical and emotional tension. The practitioner holds vital points for prolonged periods of 1 to 5 minutes.

Medical Qigong uses breath training, exercises, meditation, and guided visualization.

Shiatsu uses pressure along meridian lines. Styles of shiatsu include:

• Japanese Shiatsu
• Five Element Shiatsu is based on a person's constitutional factor. According to five element theory, each person has a strong affinity with one of the five elements. The element you resonate with most is called your constitutional factor. The five elements are wood, water, fire, earth, and metal. Learn more about the five elements.
• Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu combines Japanese shiatsu techniques, traditional Chinese medical theory, and Western methods of soft-tissue manipulation.
• Macrobiotic Shiatsu uses pressure techniques and stretches to support a natural lifestyle.
• Shiatsu Anma Therapy is based on both traditional Chinese medicine and use of pressue on the neuromusculoskeletal system.
• Zen Shiatsu focuses on the use of meridian lines, rather than on specific points. At the core of Zen Shiatsu are the principles of Yin/Yang and the Five Elements.

Traditional Thai Massage (Nuad Bo Rarn) uses a combination of stretches, yoga-like poses, pressure along the body’s energy lines, and breathing to open up energy passages and release chronic tension. Traditionally, Thai Massage is done on a mat on the floor with you fully clothed.

Tuina is an Asian bodywork therapy that uses smooth gliding and rolling movements of the hands and arms to open stagnant meridian channels.

American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia is a professional membership organization representing instructors, practitioners, schools and programs, and students of Asian Bodywork Therapy.

In the U.S., national certification in Asian Bodywork Therapy is offered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).