The Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine (SIEAM) is expanding its long tradition of apprenticeship-style education with the launch of a new Certificate in Asian Medical Bodywork (CAMB) program, scheduled to begin in May 2026. Pending current review by the Washington State Board of Massage, the program will meet the education requirement for graduates to become licensed massage therapists (LMTs) in Washington state, and be eligible to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) for state and national licensure.1,6
While this inaugural program is based in Washington, its structure offers a practical template that other institutions can adapt: It aligns with new national standards, integrates East Asian medical bodywork with biomedical training, and creates an entry-level pathway that can stand alone or lead into master’s and doctoral programs in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
On the National Level
After a comprehensive standards review process that included seeking and evaluating input from national stakeholders, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) issued standards for the CAMB program in August 2022.
The CAMB is exciting for the profession for multiple reasons. It offers a structured route for students to enter the field of East Asian medicine directly as bodywork practitioners, while continuing on to master’s and doctoral programs in acupuncture and herbal medicine. The CAMB also supports a distinct career track for those who wish to specialize in bodywork within an East Asian medical framework.
The CAMB arrives at a time of strong growth in the massage therapy profession. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% increase in massage therapy employment between 2024 and 2034, much faster than average for all occupations.5
Schools will need to complete the process of state approval to ensure graduates of a CAMB program are eligible for a massage therapy license in the state in which they operate. Assuming schools are successful, they will begin to introduce licensed massage therapists trained in tuina, shiatsu and other Asian bodywork systems to the healthcare field.
The SIEAM Model
The Certificate in Asian Medical Bodywork at SIEAM is a 690-hour, full-time program that blends East Asian healing arts with essential biomedical education. It is ACAHM approved [to begin enrolling students, but accreditation is pending as of press time].1 The program is scheduled during evenings and weekends to allow working professionals to participate.
Over three academic terms, students progress through a dynamic curriculum that integrates classroom study, hands-on learning and supervised clinical rotations. SIEAM has developed dedicated coursework in East Asian medical theory, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology, combined with instruction in modalities such as tuina and shiatsu, adjunctive therapies like cupping and gua sha, and therapeutic qi gong practices that support both practitioner vitality and patient healing.1
From the onset of the CAMB, students develop practical skills in touch, assessment, and treatment planning, alongside professional communication, ethics, and clinical judgment. Small class sizes, capped initially at 12 students, ensure close mentorship and foster a collaborative learning environment.1
In alignment with SIEAM’s other programs, clinical training is central to the CAMB. Students will participate in supervised rotations in SIEAM’s teaching clinic, applying their knowledge of East Asian medicine and biomedicine in direct patient care. This integration prepares graduates to address musculoskeletal and internal medicine conditions, while collaborating effectively with colleagues in diverse healthcare settings.1
Tuina is the program’s core modality. An essential part of East Asian medical practices, tuina is used to treat both orthopedic and internal conditions. Research has documented tuina’s effectiveness for chronic pain and primary insomnia, among other conditions.2-4 The curriculum also includes qi gong classes each trimester, which supports self-cultivation, proper body mechanics, and practitioner resilience, as well as applications for rehabilitation and patient self-care.4
For SIEAM, the certificate reflects continuity with its existing programs, which emphasize tuina instruction and clinical integration. In addition to its core tuina curriculum, SIEAM’s MAcHM / DAcHM students complete a one-year bodywork internship in SIEAM’s onsite community clinic.
Graduates of SIEAM’s new CAMB program will be prepared for multiple pathways: practicing as Asian medical bodywork therapists in solo or group settings, expanding an existing healthcare or wellness practice, or pursuing studies in acupuncture and herbal medicine while being gainfully employed in a directly related field. In essence, the CAMB program will train massage practitioners who are grounded in East Asian medicine and well-equipped to embark on a rewarding profession, while continuing to learn.
References
One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
Migraines are unilateral, throbbing headaches, often with concurrent nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Approximately 10% of the global population suffers from migraines, with women more than three times as likely as men to experience them. Medication remains a mainstay treatment option, making nondrug alternatives critical to safer practices. New research suggests auricular acupuncture may be one such alternative.
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