Is Shiatsu Training Alone Marketable?

[Alex ?]

I'm interested in possibly completing a 730hr program (part time for 16 months) to train in acupressure shiatsu . I would then take the exam to be certified in asian bodywork. My only concern is that if I train in only shiatsu, no one seems to be as familiar with it as they are with traditional swedish types of massage, and if I am only able to do shiatsu, I might lose money. I am very interested in Chinese Medicine and see myself possibly becoming an acupuncturist one day, so I saw Asian Bodywork as a good way to start (ie. see if I like working one one with patients, creating my own business, etc). Who knows...maybe I will be satisfied doing just shiatsu. I would complete this program while working full time, so there would be very little financial risk, whereas starting acupuncture is a giant risk, since it is costly and I would not be working full time. Any opinions? Could an asian bodyworker make it without also offering traditional swedish, deep tissue, etc. types of massage? or do you recommend that I attend a traditional massage school instead?

 

[n i n j a - c o o k i e]

I would expect you could do just fine with just shiatsu. You may need to market it as acupressure so that the public understands what you do, but I see no reason that wouldn't be a viable business. I say go for it! You have solid reasoning behind your desire.

 

[callmejohn]

Thanks for the input

 

[Fillet-O-Fish]

With proper marketing, any niche market is viable. More and more people are getting interested in, and familiar with asian techniques. I know several therapists, who although they are fully trained in western massage also, practice only Shiatsu, and are doing well.

I would say that the most important thing is whether or not you LOVE shiatsu. If you are passionate about your type of work, you will have a much easier time promoting yourself.

 

[magnoliafan]

I would expect you could do just fine with just shiatsu. You may need to market it as acupressure so that the public understands what you do, but I see no reason that wouldn't be a viable business. I say go for it! You have solid reasoning behind your desire.

Shiatsu is so much more than acupressure, that I wouldn't change the word in your advertising. Instead, when you market, speak to the benefits, history, as well as the uniqueness of the experience.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I would say that I'm passionate about eastern medicine in general and I also love massage, so even if I didn't reach the goal of acupuncture, I know that I would definitely enjoy doing acupressure shiatsu. Although, I imagine if I followed your philosophy and applied it to studying acupuncture, I should be able to succeed in that as well. I just hear a lot of horror stories about people failing in massage and acupuncture (mostly acupuncture), so I want to be cautious about how I do it. Thanks for all the helpful comments