Clinic

Massage Therapy Teaching Clinics

The massage therapy teaching clinics are part of NYCHP's academic health care teaching clinics, providing affordable, fully supervised holistic treatments to the community while serving as a clinical internship for student practitioners. With over 3,300 patient treatments delivered annually, the teaching clinics are a vital resource for both student clinical training and community wellness.

All treatments are performed by student practitioners under the direct supervision of licensed clinical faculty.

Asian Bodywork (Tui Na)

Asian massage is part of an ancient healing system rooted in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Tui Na is a highly specialized form of massage therapy that combines deep tissue manipulation with the application of pressure, friction, and touch to specific acupuncture points and the channels on which they are found. These channels are the pathways through which energy (Qi) circulates throughout the body.

Asian bodywork focuses on the balance and movement of energy within the body. The techniques aim to remove blockages and restore the free flow of Qi, thereby promoting and maintaining optimal health. While the acupuncturist uses needles to stimulate the energy pathways, the Asian bodywork student practitioner relies primarily on the sensitivity and strength of the hands to manipulate the body's life force.

Asian massage sessions last 50 minutes and may include herbal and exercise recommendations. Patients wear a gown or loose clothing and are treated on a massage table. Under clinical supervision, student practitioners treat patients of all ages for both the prevention and treatment of a wide range of conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, circulatory disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and bronchitis. Preventive treatments can also help strengthen the immune system.

Swedish (European) Massage

European massage focuses on the manipulation of the body's soft tissue to promote a balanced state of health. Using techniques such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, vibration, and friction, student practitioners enhance health and body awareness while assisting in recovery from injuries.

Swedish massage has been shown to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, improve blood circulation and lymph flow, and increase endorphin production. It is also beneficial for pre- and post-sports events, stress reduction, relieving sports injuries, improving joint movement, soothing muscle aches and pain, and reducing muscle spasms.

Additional Modalities

The teaching clinics also offer supervised treatments in Sports Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Lymphatic Massage, and Pregnancy Massage. Availability of specific modalities may vary by trimester based on student enrollment and clinical rotation schedules. Please contact the Clinic Front Desk for current availability.