Changes Afoot for The Massage Industry
1 July 2009For a fight to keep in the game, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) has proposed a new faction of their tentacles. An Association.
The USA Massage Resource Association (USAMRA) an insurance package, regulated by the NCBTMB sounds like a good idea, IF they pull their heads out their butts and clear the grime off their eyes. It is my opinion that because they have monopolized the market of CE certification and accreditation for schooling they can try to drowned everyone out of the examination and insurance facets as well.
A major portion of providing these types of services is the personal factor. They don’t try and relate with whom they are “servicing”. It appears that money in and money in is the philosophy at NCBTMB. If anyone has had the opportunity to subject themselves to NCBTMB’s “customer service” they know what I am talking about.
It would be great to have a one stop shopping center for Insurance, CE’s, Great resources and examination certification, IF they revamped how they handle working and communicating with those who put their trust in them.
Those who go for convenance are going to find out real quick that its not so convenant when they call and have someone flat out say “Nope, we cant help you, (click)”. True story and not just mine. Money taking and ignoring works well when you are the only certification available. Now we see how they are dealing with competitors. Please with these efforts you are undertaking within your corporation, take time to hire helpful, knowledgeable, experienced employees who have the best interest at heart to help where ever possible. Not when or if they feel like it.
Have You Read About Dupuytren’s Contracture?
25 June 2009It is interesting to me that when I have a question about my body issues, I come across articles that help me understand what is going on. MassageToday.com had an article By Judith DeLany, LMT of NMT Center, about pain on flexion of the palmaris longus. I strip my forearm muscles all the time, ice/heat hydro sometimes and use them most of the time. I guess I need more ice/heat contrast.
The article said massage hand tools can cause issues. I love my hot rocks, I don’t know if I could give them up. I am always watching my mechanics with the use of them and don’t feel like I am out of alignment, but their must be something I am doing that aggravates it. Maybe Volleyball? I don’t think I can give that up either. So more stripping and more hydro for me. I have only been Massaging for three years, I don’t want it to end I love it. Got to take care of myself as well as my clients.
Acupressure or Teishin
17 June 2009What is nice about CEs for Massage is that you have a wide range to choose from. I have always been interested in Acupuncture, it fascinates me. I have learned a few Acupressure points and I am familiar with the meridians (not as much as I would like to be) but Acupuncture is a 3-4 year program, and I cant afford that luxury right now with my time or money. Who’s to say I cant learn Teishin?
I have heard of it before and forgotten what it was. I found this information yesterday and was renewed in my thoughts to achieve the goal of learning more about TCM. I found other tools online for under $5 but not as cool. I would love the Jade with silver. Ahh wish list. So at this point it is personal study.
Massage During Pregnancy
10 June 2009In my daily readings I came across this article about the concerns of getting a massage during pregnancy. It has sound advice, it is always best to work with your doctor or midwife, high-risk or first successful pregnancy’s always need special attention.
Any women who has been pregnant will agree that we know what our bodies can and cant handle within the first few seconds. It is vital to be comfortable and healthy. If massage is one of the helpful tools you find works for you, go for it.
NCBTMB vs. MBLEx Round lll
2 June 2009Yes, hind sight is 20/20. If the NCBTMB were to have used this energy, time and money to make changes to their exam in the first place, they wouldn’t be loosing face in the sight of the massage industry not to mention saving a few bucks. I can see where they are coming from, desperation of being squeezed out of the exam world, but Florida and now Oregon. (Big Sigh) Cant we all just get along?
It looks like Oregon is reinstating the acceptance of the NCETMB and may even loose the funding for the Massage Board. Living across the river, I can honestly say with out a doubt that the poor state of Oregon is only getting poorer. Not just in Money management, but brains as well. They cut funding from schools and now licensing regulatory bodies who maintain professionalism and regulate the laws set forth to protect the citizen’s of their state. Ouch, can anyone say mismanagement of funds?
The switch from the NCETMB to the MBLEx for the government agencies was not personal (certificate vs. gov. license), but it seems that the NCBTMB is making it personal. They went after the current Pres. of the FSMTB’s state and now the past Pres. state. I admire their drive, but until they improve on their “issues” I cant support them fully. I am sure it is coming from a good place, its just hard to see what that good place is when their is lawsuits and backbiting.
Massage and Pathologies
28 May 2009Sometimes I feel like I need to have an answer for everyone’s issues. Last night I was humbled to know that I do not know everything. WHAT!!! Yes its true, I knew this, but more often then not, my brain doesn’t know this. Go figure they need to get together, my thoughts and brain waves.
For the life of me I could not remember what Bells Palsy was last night. I kept thinking that it was an Auto Immune disease. No not so, this is precisely why I love the Green Monster A.K.A. The Clinical Massage Therapy: Understanding, Assessing and Treating Over 70 Conditions. Ontario: Talus, Inc., 2000. by Fiona Rattray and Linda Ludwig.
This is every MTs best resource for knowledge about pathologies. If you don’t have it I suggest you spend the cash and get it, using it as a write off for reference material. Happy learning to us all.
EO Basics for Massage Therapists
20 May 2009Did you know that EOs (Essential Oils) Are not just for smelling? They also have Therapeutic actions. I recently took an Aromatherapy class of 16 credits. We covered the history and processes the first 8 hours, and 12 EOs the last 8 hours. Yup, can you say scratching the surface?
I was blown away, I went into the class thinking I will know everything I need to know to use EOs in my practice, Not so. For example, I learned that “Natural Oil” labels actually means that it is a synthetic, that the time and place the oils where derived is essential, how the oils are handled and distilled determines the functionality and potency of the oil, and how oils properties change with climate, weather and location. This is one of the reasons EOs are not used in the western medical profession= its not a constant chemical standard.
Working with EOs is an Art form. To be good at it and know what you are doing wont take 16 hours. An actual Registered Aromatherpist (RA) In the US has no less then 200 clocked hours and has passed an extensive exam. So, when you come across an “Aromatherapists”, the first question you should have is: Certified or Registered?
My next step is to get the oils (Natures Gift), some of the books that have been recommended for more research, and try blends out on willing participants. For I am 16 hours certified… hehehe Here is to learning 
However I don’t think I will make it a part of my practice until I have gained a better knowledge of the workings of EOs.
Physical Therapy vs. Massage Therapy
13 May 2009I was just looking over this PebMed research entry for CST (Craniosacral Therapy) and MFR Myofascial Release) being included in the entry-level PTs (Physical Therapist) Curricula. The majority of PTs were against having it. Could it be lack of education, or is it that they just want to leave the manual manipulations up to the Massage Therapists.
In the past I have talked with a few PTs that have given me this impression. I don’t know many and I have had only one say that he does actually use manual therapy techniques to release and strengthen his clients injured muscles. On the other hand the others told me they want to distinguish themselves apart from MTs and stick to helping them improve through exercise and strength training. My question to one PT was how many of her clients actually sought out an MT during PT treatments? She said she didn’t know any. Now this may be that she isn’t getting a full intake assessment or she stays away from referring clients to MTs or doesn’t really want a fast full recovery. Who knows, I have only had a few minutes to chat. The only PT I talked with at length was one on my table and he was the one who tried manual therapies to aid his clients.
In the beginning of Nursing there was in conjunction Massage curriculum, over time it was dismissed and PTs were born. Yet again Massage was part of the beginning stages of PTs but was also taken out of the curriculum. Now we have Massage that encompasses CE’s that can be obtained. Really any Manual therapy can be added to the base of Massage. So I wonder what CEs do PTs have to have. Is it refreshers on what they have already learned and are they limited?
In my quick look up of PT CEUs it was mostly wound treatment, stress management and Insurance billing info. While these things are important, what ever happened to broadening your horizons and helping the client’s quality of life in a more permanent effective way?
I probably need to talk to more PTs. I am sure their must be more that would encompass helpful tools for the enhancements of their treatments.
Lawsuit Settlement for FL Massage Board
6 May 2009Ok, this still is shocking, the NCBTMB had a lawsuit against the FL massage board and settled for a joint application submission with the MBLEx from the FSMTB.
Can’t we all just get along? Florida is the highest concentration of massage therapy growth, so can see why they would wine. This process could repeat in two years, but the board still has to implement the changes. The original goal was to only accept the MBLEx after May 1st 2009. Now we are told it may be August when applications are accepted.
The NCBTMB felt their was a conflict of interest, seeing how the FL board Pres. is a member of the FSMTB council. Well, that is to be expected. Government agency wanting a government agency MBLEx license rather then a personal organization’s certificate. Go figure?
The NCBTMB does have a place in the world of massage, CE certification and such. The fact remains, where do they get their support? Looking at tax records (open to public because NCBTMB is a non-profit organization) it used to be the AMTA who has seemed to have burnt that bridge. And other Massage organizations. But I think this message they have sent with this lawsuit is clear. They are winy babies who have bitten the hands that feed them, is it any wonder the FSMTB is gaining favor in the site of the massage therapy world?
Tips for Your Massage Business
29 April 2009Ok, so I have been checking into online resources for massage therapists. I found FutureLMT.com by MassageMag.com is quite good. When I first started reading the headlines of each issue I was sad, it all was money orientated. Then I read this article “Money and The Therapist” and was impressed. The way they bring up how to budget and monitor flow and even mentioning Balance. I was ready to read more. If you are looking for a free e-newsletter I say this one is beneficial to check out. Even if you have been practicing as a Massage Therapists for a while.
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