Recognized Forms of ABT
| Article Index |
|---|
| AOBTA Recognized Forms of ABT |
| Form Definitions |
| All Pages |
Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) is the treatment of the human body/mind/spirit, including the electromagnetic or energetic field which surrounds, infuses and brings that body to life, by using pressure and/or manipulation. Asian Bodywork is based upon Chinese Medical principles for assessing and evaluating the body's energetic system. It uses traditional Asian techniques and treatment strategies to primarily affect and balance the energetic system for the purpose of treating the human body, emotions, mind, energy field and spirit for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health.
Scope of Practice:
Methods of assessment and evaluation may include the Chinese Four Pillars of examination: observation, listening, asking and touching. Assessments are based primarily on Chinese Medicine parameters relating to the balance and circulation of the Five Essential Substances: Qi, Jing, Shen, Xue, Jin-ye.
ABT is one of the three branches of Chinese Medicine in which the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) certifies people for entry level into the profession. Treatment may include, but is not limited to the following: touching, pressing or holding of the body along meridians and/or on acupoints primarily with the hands, stretching, external application of medicinal plants or foods, heat or cold, and dietary or exercise suggestions. Cupping, guasha, moxibustion, and other methods/modalities may also be used by properly trained practitioners.
ABT Forms:
The AOBTA® uses the term "Form" to differentiate different kinds of Asian Bodywork Therapy, which we have been able to identify as specific and distinct.
All Forms that are defined here originally had their roots in Chinese Medicine. Over the centuries practitioners in China, Japan, Thailand, Korea and more recently, North America and Europe have changed and evolved these forms into separate and distinct modalities. The AOBTA® accepts all forms of Asian Bodywork Therapy that meet our professional curriculum standards. Once they have been accepted as qualified members, many of our members choose to use the more general titles of: Shiatsu, Acupressure, Amma or Qigong.
Learn more about any of the AOBTA®- defined forms of Asian Bodywork Therapy Forms listed below on the next page:
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, Nuad Bo 'Rarn (Traditional Thai Bodywork), Shiatsu, Shiatsu Anma Therapy, Tuina, Zen Shiatsu, Medical Qigong
© Copyright 2008 AOBTA®. All Rights Reserved.
AOBTA® is a registered trademark of American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia.
