Best institutions to study Asian Bodywork Therapy
A program that prepares individuals to provide relief and improved health and well-being based on Chinese medical principles through one or more of the traditional bodywork therapies of Asia.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 108 Asian Bodywork Therapy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3502, a specialization of Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35), and leads most directly to the Massage Therapists occupation (BLS SOC 31-9011).
About Asian Bodywork Therapy programs
A program that prepares individuals to provide relief and improved health and well-being based on Chinese medical principles through one or more of the traditional bodywork therapies of Asia. Includes instruction in acupressure, AMMA(r) Therapy, Chi Nei Tsang, Five Element Shiatsu, Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu, Japanese Shiatsu, Jin Shin Do(r) Bodymind Acupressure(tm), Macrobiotic Shiatsu, Anma Therapy, Thai massage, Tui na, Zen Shiatsu, Qigong, Okazaki(r) Restorative Massage, principles of Western and Chinese medicine, patient counseling and observation, practice management, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Asian Bodywork Therapy program, part of the Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services field, prepares individuals to provide relief and enhance health based on traditional Chinese medical principles. This program is ideal for those interested in holistic health practices and aims to equip students with the skills necessary to perform various bodywork therapies from Asia, such as acupressure and Thai massage.
Students will gain knowledge in essential areas including acupressure, different forms of Shiatsu, and principles of both Western and Chinese medicine. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills such as client assessment, treatment planning, and maintaining a professional practice.
Credentials awarded
What Asian Bodywork Therapy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years56 graduates / yr · 2 institutions52%
- Associate's degree49 graduates / yr · 2 institutions45%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.8%
Graduates over time
Asian Bodywork Therapy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 143 |
| 2013 | 149 |
| 2014 | 137 |
| 2015 | 81 |
| 2016 | 89 |
| 2017 | 129 |
| 2018 | 145 |
| 2019 | 157 |
| 2020 | 145 |
| 2021 | 115 |
| 2022 | 124 |
| 2023 | 116 |
| 2024 | 140 |
| 2025 | 108 |
Top 4 institutions for Asian Bodywork Therapy, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific College of Health and Science San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 66 | 77% | $40,515 | $21,955 |
| 2 | Pacific College of Health and Science New York, NYPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 38 | 56% | $46,003 | $17,304 |
| 3 | Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington, MNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 0% | $29,794 | $28,583 |
| 4 | Pacific College of Health and Science Chicago, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 78% | — | $21,955 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services field (CIP 51.35) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Asian Bodywork Therapy graduates come from. Each state links to all Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 | 66 | Pacific College of Health and Science66 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 38 | Pacific College of Health and Science38 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 3 | Northwestern Health Sciences University3 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | Pacific College of Health and Science1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 31-9011, Massage Therapists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Asian Bodywork Therapy program can pursue careers as massage therapists, with a promising job outlook. The field is expected to grow by 15.4%, offering approximately 24,700 annual openings. The median wage for massage therapists is around $57,950, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3502
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Massage Therapistsprimary SOC 31-9011 | $58,450 | +15.4% Much faster than average | ~24,700 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Asian Bodywork Therapy programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
- Maintain treatment records.
Tools and technology used
Other Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35).
Common questions
What is Asian Bodywork Therapy?+
It is a program that teaches traditional Asian bodywork techniques based on Chinese medical principles.
What types of therapies will I learn?+
Students will learn various therapies including acupressure, Thai massage, and different forms of Shiatsu.
What career opportunities are available?+
Graduates can work as massage therapists or health specialties teachers, with strong job growth expected.
What is the typical education required for this field?+
Most positions require a postsecondary nondegree award.
What is the CIP code for Asian Bodywork Therapy?+
Asian Bodywork Therapy is CIP 51.3502 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to provide relief and improved health and well-being based on Chinese medical principles through one or more of the traditional bodywork therapies of Asia. Includes instruction in acupressure, AMMA(r) Therapy, Chi Nei Tsang, Five Element Shiatsu, Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu, Japanese Shiatsu, Jin Shin Do(r) Bodymind Acupressure(tm), Macrobiotic Shiatsu, Anma Therapy, Thai massage, Tui na, Zen Shiatsu, Qigong, Okazaki(r) Restorative Massage, principles of Western and Chinese medicine, patient counseling and observation, practice management, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Asian Bodywork Therapy programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Asian Bodywork Therapy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 108 credentials in the year. That is 1.0% of all Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services graduates.
How much do Asian Bodywork Therapy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Massage Therapists occupation, which Asian Bodywork Therapy most directly leads to, pays a median of $58,450 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services field report median earnings of $21,955 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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