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The ABCs of ABT (Asian Bodywork
Therapy)
Acupuncture & Asian Healing
Asian bodywork therapy, or ABT, is term used to collectively
describe a wide range of manual therapies that treat the human
body. As with most forms of Asian healing, ABT treats not just a
person’s body, but also the mind and spirit, helping a person
achieve optimal health on a variety of levels.
All forms of ABT involve touching to some degree. Some therapies
involve only light touching on specific points or regions, while
others involve particular motions along certain body parts at
certain times. Some forms of ABT incorporate herbs, applications
of cold and/or heat, stretching, oils, or a combination of items.
In the vast majority of cases, ABT is virtually painless. In the
course of treatment, some Asian bodywork therapists may include
therapies such as cupping and moxibustion, which may cause
bruising and slight discomfort in especially sensitive
individuals. Because it is an external application that does not
involve puncturing the skin or any otherwise invasive procedure,
it is also considered extremely safe.
In the United States, there are more than a dozen recognized forms
of Asian bodywork, including acupressure; amma therapy; chi nei
tsang; Five-Element shiatsu; integrative eclectic shiatsu;
Japanese shiatsu; jin shin do; macrobiotic shiatsu; nuad
bo rarn; tuina; and zen shiatsu.
There is also a national organization, the American Organization
for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA), which provides details on
various forms of ABT, and a listing of certified Asian bodywork
therapists. For more information on ABT, visit the AOBTA’s website
www.aobta.org
or
www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask/abt.html |
