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Acupuncture & Shiatsu Career Prospects

The Benefits of Combining Acupuncture and Shiatsu in one treatment...

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) goes back over 3,000 years. It was not developed by any particular individual; rather it grew out of the necessity of maintaining good health among Chinese people. The ancient Chinese, like all of us, had to struggle against diseases in order to stay in good health. In the process, they came to see the benefits of consuming herbs (known as Chinese Herbology today), inserting needles in the body along found pressure points (known as Chinese acupuncture today), eating the right foods (known as Eastern Nutrition today), massaging the body (known as Tuina, a form of Chinese manipulative therapy or Shiatsu, a form of Japanese therapeutic massage) and exercising the body (known as qi-gong and tai-ji).

Today, traditional Chinese medicine is practiced in China side by side modern Western medicine. When you go to see a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, the doctor will observe your complexion and look at your tongue, take your pulse and ask you many questions about your symptoms, your eating habits and your food preferences. Then the doctor will come up with a diagnosis of what is wrong with your body and tell you whether you need acupuncture and/or herbs in addition to providing a hands on therapeutic massage (either Tuina or Shiatsu) as well as discuss what foods are good for your bodies' current state of health.

The 2200-hour shiatsu graduate enjoys the skills and knowledge to have a definite competitive edge. Graduates work in a variety of situations. Some establish a private practice by working at home.  Some do house calls.  Many rent their own office, or share office space with other shiatsu therapists or with health care professionals such as massage therapists or chiropractors. Spas, health clubs and sports clubs also hire shiatsu therapists. Public education and teaching are other career options.  

By adding the 1900 hours of accumulative acupuncture training, students benefit from being able to offer health insurance benefit coverage, thus making the combination of shiatsu and acupuncture a perfect approach to successfully treating clients from a true holistic approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Employment Options Upon Completion...

Demands for shiatsu and acupuncture treatments are growing as people work to educate the public on shiatsu's health benefits and acupunctures recent provincial regulations/standards.  Insurance companies are becoming aware of the cost benefits possible, as well as the medical advantages of shiatsu and acupuncture.  With an aging population and growing demand for holistic care, the demand for and acceptance of shiatsu and acupuncture as a combined treatment are growing too.

What salary and other benefits can I expect as a practicing as a Combined Shiatsu therapist & Acupuncturist?

Shiatsu therapists and/or acupuncturist can earn between $80,000 to $110, 000 based on full time work, 35 treatments a week before expenses at a $60/hr rate.

If one combines a treatment, the hourly rate can range between $80 to $100 for a 50 minute treatment. Thus, 35 sessions a week before expenses for providing a combination treatment could potentially equate to $134,400 to $168,000 annually.

Figures are intended as a guideline only and would fluctuate based on a variety of factors. Please call (416) 323-1818 ex.25 to discuss this in further detail.

What are the hours and working conditions?

You are likely to make your own appointments and set your own working hours. However, to meet the needs of clients, you may need to cover some weekend and/or evening appointments.

You would be based either in a health clinic or in another therapeutic environment; either your own private clinic or working with other therapists in a multi-faceted therapeutic clinic environment.

Some therapists travel to clients' homes or place of work for longer or shorter treatments. Some therapists work in or next to doctors offices or hospitals aiding in the complimentary care of western medicine.

What skills and knowledge will I need?

-good communication and listening skills

-a keen interest in the body, health and wellbeing

-self awareness and emotional maturity

-a logical approach to problem solving

-the ability to create good working relationships with a range of clients

-the ability to empathize with your patients' circumstances

-commercial awareness with the ability to develop and run a business

Additional information about:

What is Acupuncture?

Why Study Acupuncture?

What is Shiatsu?
Why A 2200-Hour Program of Shiatsu?

Please contact our Coordinator of Communications and Recruitment for further information, (416) 323-1818 ex.25 or toll free 1-800-263-1703 ex.25.

The Shiatsu School of Canada reserves the right to make changes to any course, program, fee, policy or procedure with respect
to availability, delivery mode, schedules, or course requirements described in this calendar, at any time, without further notice.

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