SIEAM Asian Medical Bodywork Certificate
Overview
SIEAM’s Asian Medical Bodywork Certificate is an immersive, one-year program that prepares students to become confident, skilled practitioners of East Asian medical massage and bodywork. Rooted in the principles of East Asian Medicine (EAM), the program blends traditional healing arts with essential biomedical knowledge, giving graduates the ability to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centered care in today’s diverse healthcare environments.
Over the course of three academic terms, students engage in a dynamic mix of classroom learning, hands-on training, and supervised clinical practice. You will study East Asian medical theory alongside courses in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and kinesiology to ensure a strong biomedical foundation. At the same time, you will gain direct experience with bodywork modalities such as Tui Na and Shiatsu, as well as adjunctive techniques and therapeutic Qi Gong practices that support both practitioner vitality and patient healing.
From the very beginning of the program, you’ll build practical skills in touch, assessment, and treatment planning, while cultivating the professional communication, ethics, and clinical judgment needed to thrive as a practitioner. Small class sizes and close mentorship foster a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, collaborate with peers, and refine their skills in real-world settings.
The program culminates in supervised clinic rotations, where you will integrate your knowledge of East Asian medicine and biomedicine in direct patient care. Here, you will gain the confidence to address both internal medicine and orthopedic conditions, and to collaborate effectively with colleagues and other healthcare providers.
Graduates of the program leave with:
A comprehensive foundation in East Asian medical theory and bodywork practice
Clinical skills to provide safe, effective, and ethical patient care
An understanding of biomedical concepts essential for communication and referral
A strong commitment to professionalism, collaboration, and lifelong learning
Whether your goal is to enter practice as an Asian bodywork therapist, deepen your skills as a healthcare provider, or prepare for advanced study in East Asian medicine, SIEAM’s Asian Medical Bodywork Certificate offers a rigorous yet supportive path to professional excellence.
Program Structure
The Asian Medical Bodywork Certificate is designed as a one-year journey through three academic terms. Each term builds on the last, steadily developing your theoretical knowledge, technical skill, and professional confidence.
Trimester 1: Building Foundations
In your first term, you’ll establish the essential foundations of both biomedicine and East Asian medicine. Courses in Anatomy & Physiology and Kinesiology help you understand the human body inside and out, while Fundamental Theory of EAM introduces the classical principles that shape diagnosis and treatment in Asian bodywork.
You’ll begin your hands-on training right away with Tui Na 1, learning the foundational techniques of this dynamic Chinese medical massage. Alongside this, you’ll practice Qi Gong to develop body awareness, balance, and vitality—qualities that will sustain you throughout your career.
You’ll also gain exposure to adjunctive East Asian techniques (such as cupping, gua sha, or moxibustion) and begin practicing essential clinic skills in a supportive lab setting. By the end of this trimester, you’ll be ready to approach your studies with both intellectual grounding and practical confidence.
Trimester 2: Expanding Skills
The second term deepens your study of the body and introduces new clinical contexts. You’ll continue with Anatomy & Physiology 2 and explore Pathology of Internal Medicine, giving you biomedical insight into internal organ systems and their imbalances.
On the practical side, you’ll advance your hands-on learning with Tui Na 2 and begin studying Shiatsu, a Japanese modality that emphasizes rhythmic pressure and energy balance. Kinesiology 2 refines your understanding of musculoskeletal relationships, while Qi Gong 2 continues to strengthen your inner awareness and practitioner vitality.
This term also introduces Pathology of Traumatology and Rheumatology, helping you recognize and address musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain conditions. You’ll take your first steps into supervised clinical practice, working with real patients under guidance and applying the skills you’ve been developing since day one.
Trimester 3: Integration and Professional Readiness
In your final term, you’ll integrate everything you’ve learned into a cohesive, patient-centered practice. Coursework focuses on advanced clinical reasoning, practice management, and professional communication, ensuring you graduate ready to step into diverse healthcare settings.
You’ll complete additional clinic rotations, providing bodywork to patients with a wide range of conditions, while honing your ability to think critically, act ethically, and communicate effectively. This capstone experience prepares you not just to graduate, but to launch confidently into your career as an Asian bodywork practitioner.
Your Path Forward
By the end of the program, you’ll be able to:
Provide safe, effective Asian medical bodywork treatments grounded in EAM theory and biomedical knowledge
Work ethically and collaboratively with clients and other healthcare providers
Continue your growth as a practitioner through lifelong learning and self-cultivation
This one-year immersion offers a transformative foundation in the healing arts of East Asia, equipping you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your clients.
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Designed exclusively for SIEAM Master’s graduates.
One year of specialized study in your area of interest.