In Chinese Medicine were no schools for thousands of years. Today we may see a various number of schools which provide acupressure/acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. We will have a look at a brief Chinese history of the development of acupressure/acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in order to understand its development as it is taught today.

Taoist Healing Arts history

Well over 2000 years ago, the knowledge of Chinese Medicine was called as Taoist Healing Arts. The Taoist healers did not make a distinction between since and spirit. They say the system of the human body as a unique combination of physical matter, spirit and chi. At that time the Taoists were focusing on balancing the chi inside the patients body and develop the ability to synchronize it with the balanced chi of the nature and in this way of healing was believed that the chi inside the patients body was restored and preserve the patients health. The theory about the flow of the chi was firstly described in the oldest book known to describe Chinese medicine in detail is the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, which dates back to at least 2000 years BCE. This book described acupressure/acupuncture as a practice which brings the harmony of Ying and Yang energies and creates a normal flow of chi through the meridians by stimulating the acupressure/acupuncture points.

Over thousands of years the Taoist Healing Arts refined and the knowledge and pure secrets of acupressure/acupuncture were passed down orally and experience only from master to student. Even if acupressure schools did not exist, but existed families which members were healing masters who had a big knowledge of special healing techniques and integral practices. This lead to an enormous contribution to the wealth of healing knowledge.

What you can learn in a shiatsu schools?

Nowadays the shiatsu schools train students how to bring the patients body into harmonious balance. They acupressure schools teach about the great healing ability which relaxes the body, promotes stress reduction, and strengthens the immune system.

Shiatsu schools will teach students learn how to alleviate acute and chronic conditions including spinal-muscular pain, sinus complications, arthritis, and headaches. Acupressure schools teach acupressure as a preventative therapy. Acupressure schools teach students the great knowledge of alternative healing therapy for the body, mind and spirit.

In most acupressure schools students are taught techniques of “Shiatsu” and “Jin Shin”. Shiatsu being the technique to apply the vigorous pressure is mostly used therapy, as the Jin Shin technique takes a gentler form, with light pressure applied for just a moment or two. Acupressure is typically done in a relaxing environment and clients may remain clothed.

Last steps to become a professional acupuncturist

If you have the passion for oriental medicine and you are interested in acupressure/acupuncture you should enroll in one of accredited oriental medicine or acupressure/acupuncture schools in order to become a professional licensed acupuncturist. As a student in one of acupressure schools you will first study about comprehensive theories and philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupunctured, biomedicine, nutrition, oriental bodywork (such as Tuina) and a variety of general education courses in physiology, anatomy and other related subject matter.

After graduating an acupressure school and earning a diploma you will have to get a license in order to become a professional acupuncturist.

Acupressure/acupuncture professionals who meet all educational and certification requirements and also own an acupuncture license can expect lucrative earnings of around $36k to $45k annually.