Asian Massage and Bodywork therapies are traditionally based practices that takes into consideration the patients body AND mind for diagnosis, prevention and treatment. These theories are based on observation or experience rather than scientific principles. While there are more and more studies that show that these methods work, it is based on the assumption that there are actually meridians and ki that run through the body.
There are many different types of Asian Massage and Bodywork:
- Acupressure
- Amma
- AMMA Therapy®
- Chi Nei Tsang
- Five Element Shiatsu
- Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu
- Japanese Shiatsu
- Jin Shin Do®
- Bodymind Acupressure®
- Jin Shou Tuina™
- Macrobiotic Shiatsu
- Medical Qigong
- Nuad Bo ‘Rarn (Traditional Thai Bodywork)
- Shiatsu
- Shiatsu Anma Therapy
- Tuina
- Zen Shiatsu.
These various types of Asian Massage have roots in Chinese medicine and the philosophy of Yin and Yang, the energy meridians, the five elements and the concept of Ki, or energy. This concept of affecting the balance of energy is a traditional based type of massage therapy. The generic term for the different types of traditional Chinese massage is Anmo (or An Mo).
Anmo is made up of two ideograms, 按, an, means to put the hand on, to press down with
the hand, while 摩, mo, means to rub. There are, of course, many more techniques used,
but these two comprise the basis of Chinese massage.
Legitimate practitioners do not typically present themselves as practitioners of ‘Oriental Massage’ or ‘Asian Massage. The American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia has provided a guide (PDF) for law enforcement officials to use when trying to discern Sexually Oriented Businesses from Legitimate practitioners.
Asian Massage and Bodywork has the very unfortunate problem of always being associated with brothels disguised as massage businesses. This is an absolute travesty and needs to be addressed.
American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia® (AOBTA®) Certified Practitioners have been verified to meet or exceed the professional entry-level standards of the Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) profession.
