A 48-year old man decides to attend massage school to become a LMT. I discovered this bit of background after reading a post on a blog that the author titles “Mole.” What prompted me to investigate more about the author of this post was the vivid, almost poetic description he provided about giving massage using a massage table that he has obviously owned for some time. I sense that this person is one who has that intangible quality that translates into a healing touch for his clients.
It is appropriate that the author pursued this career path because he definitely possesses a gift. The technical skills and knowledge that he has acquired by attending and completing training in massage school has only complemented the already innate quality that, no doubt, will bring many clients peace and relaxation.
I came across a blog by a massage therapist who has been contracted by a facility to provide massage for what he refers to as PWAs… people with AIDS. The therapist is documenting each of the 100 massages that he (or she – I can’t tell) is providing.
The therapist talks about the experience of giving a massage to AIDs patients and describes the personality and response of each. Some portraits are endearing, some not so flattering. The bottom line is that I found that reading these posts brought home the deeply personal aspects of massage therapy and gave even more relevance to the healing nature of the profession.
I couldn’t help but think about these patients as today’s equivalant of the biblical lepers, who were required to stay at a distance and cry out “Unclean” to anyone that was nearby. Yet this and other massage therapists provide relief by engaging in the very activity many fear – touch.
Time spent in massage school focuses on many of the technical applications of this healing art. The real world provides many opportunities to touch the heart and soul of clients in many different circumstances and conditions.
A study conducted at a Swedish University indicates that massage may be quite effective at controlling the aggression and attention level of young children.
The study was conducted in a day care environment and established a group that received a brief massage daily. A second group acted as a control and received increased attention but not massage. After 6 months, the group receiving the massage demonstrated reduced levels of aggression and problem behaviors. They also demonstrated an increased attention level at home and at school.
These types of studies reveal the power of human touch relative to neurological and psychological development and will further elevate massage as a therapeutic practice with significant rehabilitative effects. And as usual, this adds one more category of practice for massage school stiudents and exisiting massage therapists to consider.
No matter how old you are, beginning anything new carries the dual emotions of excitement and trepidation. A blog post by a new massage school student captures both of these feelings. Jenna, a wife and mother residing in Utah, has just begun classes at Utah College of Massage Therapy. She shares the experience of her first day and it was delightful to hear of her satisfaction as she pursues the goal of becoming a massage therapist.
Give the post a read. It is good insight into getting started on a new path and a new career.
According to a story in the Alexandria Town Talk in Virginia, Tricia Lemoine heard an ad for a massage school on the radio and found herself thinking that massage was something that she didn’t need to see to be able to do.
Apparently, she was absolutely right.
Ms. Lemoine was able to graduate at the top of her class and has now established a very successful massage business. It seems that her sense of touch has been heightened by her lack of site and has made her more effective at her profession.
Kudos to Ms. Lemoine and to the massage school that produced such an outstanding and inspiring massage therapist.
Periodically, you will read about the opportunity to save some money on a massage by visiting a local massage school and receiving a massage from a student. Personally, this seems a lot less risky that visiting, say, a cosmetology school for a haircut or a dental school to get a cavity filled. But there is no assurance that you will have an optimal experience either.
I like to think that I am helping a student become better at their chosen craft. Providing constructive feedback is likely helpful to a student seeking to provide a satisfying and relaxing experience.
That does not ensure that every experience at a massage school student massage will be positive. Read about one person’s unnerving experience on the blog “Maxine on the Run.”
California has been added to the growing ranks of states moving towards the regulation of individuals practicing massage. Gov. Arnold Shwarzenegger signed a bill that mandates minimum training requirements for massage therapists in order to receive state-issued cretification. The bill was strongly supported by the professional massage industry. But there were opponents.
One detractor referred to California as a “breeding ground for different types of massage.” This opponent to the law was the director of a massage school. Apparently, she felt that creativity would be stifled by requiring a minimum number of hours of training. I wonder if this opposition didn’t have more to do with accreditation than concern for the stifling of the creative spirit.
California will now require 250 hours of training to be certified as a massage practitioner and 500 hours to receive certification as a massage therapist. The training and certification is voluntary.
Read the full story here.
