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New York Massage – Where Are the Therapists?

Published
by
Terry
on March 29, 2010
in New York massage, licensing and massage licensing
. 0 Comments

New York state law stipulates that no matter what massage therapists call themselves – Swedish massage specialist, bodywork practitioner or general massage practitioner – they should all be licensed and must have a registration certificate.  This registration certificate must be renewed every three years if the massage therapist wants to continue practicing in New York.  Some MTs display their license, registration certificate and other licenses obtained in other states in their premises.  If you want to verify the authenticity of a registration certificate you can do so by contacting the Office of the Professions of the New York State Department of Education.

The number of massage therapy licenses issued in New York has remained fairly stable.  In 2004, there were 1,039 issued licenses.  So far, the highest number of NY licenses issued was in 2005 (1,225).  In 2008, that number was slightly lower (1,188).

As for geographical distribution, here are some interesting facts:

1.  There are 62 counties in New York.  Three counties have the highest number of registered licencees:  New York (1,601), followed by Suffolk (1,445) and then Nassau (1,083).
2.  The counties of Kings, Queens, Erie and Monroe follow closely behind with 983, 932, 777 and 698 respectively.
3.  Westchester County has 584 registered licencees.
4.  The counties with the lowest number are:
-  Hamilton (1)
-  Lewis (16)
-  Schoharie (14)
-  Yates (17)

For a massage therapist who is thinking of practicing in New York but desiring a less saturated market, it might be a good idea to review the geographical statistics available at the Department of Education.  Be aware, however, that these statistics may be a little skewed, because the MT’s primary address is the one that’s in the registration files of the Department but may not necessarily be the practice address.  Be aware too that the less saturated markets may mean “no market” for you.  Taking Hamilton County  (Lake Pleasant seat) as an example, it is the least populated county in the state of New York and is also the least populated in all of the eastern half of the United States.  The population density?  Slightly over three people per square mile!  As of 2000, there were about 5,300 inhabitants.

You might have better luck in Schoharie County which has a population of over 31,000 people based on the 2000 census, with a density of 52 people per square mile.

But if there’s a will, there’s a way, they say.  Job opportunities may be limited in smaller counties, but remember that licensed massage therapists can always find work in hospitals, recreational centers or health clubs.  The Basset Hospital of Schoharie County is located in Cobleskill, New York, but there are 12 family hospitals and health care centers that are within a distance of 27 to 50 miles from Schoharie.  Remember:  there may be 14 MTs registered in Schoharie County, but that doesn’t mean all 14 practice there, so there will always be room.  One final encouraging note:  people retire or relocate every year, and massage therapists are no exception!  You could well be the next replacement for the retiring MT in that county.

Ayurveda and Massage Therapy – What’s in a name?

Published
by
Terry
on March 24, 2010
in ayurveda, massage specialties and types of massage
. 0 Comments

by Tiffany Cox. LMT

Thirty years ago most people in the Western world hadn’t even heard of Yoga, much less how to define it. We’ve since integrated it into our culture so thoroughly, you’d be hard-pressed to find even a single manliest of men who could deny having some knowledge of its existence.

There have been many new ideas introduced into our culture over the past few decades that are only now being revealed and adopted into mainstream consciousness. Not surprisingly, the practice of Ayurveda has eluded that consciousness to the extent that even the pronunciation is baffling to the unfamiliar.

(Phonetically) eye-yur-vay-dah, encompasses a way of life that is widely unknown in Western culture. Even the minority here in North America who participate in its practices are novices at best, administering the most basic of treatments and routines. The moniker itself is a testament to its intricate constitution, meaning literally: ayus~life, and veda~the science or knowledge of.

A true Ayurvedic lifestyle is a manifestation of meditation on comprehensive betterment, by directing intention through every thought and action, creating an existence of singular purpose ~ wellness in, and of, everything.

One reason Ayurveda is not as widely known is due to the complex contingencies applied within the practice itself. The culture in which Ayurveda unfolded is vastly different from American life, and many vital components within these customs can be considered absurd, “weird,” or even taboo by conventional assessment.

One of the more recognized Ayurvedic treatments known in the West is Shirodhara as a result of it now being offered in elite, luxury spas and wellness centers. I’ve worked in two spas that have provided this service, and only one exhibited a consistent, effective application of the treatment. When administered by an educated, experienced provider, Shirodhara can have a profound effect on both client and therapist.

A greater number of therapists are now being introduced to these practices while still in massage school, when they’re at a heightened level of receptiveness, encouraging a more in-depth pursuit of the native science upon which Ayurveda was developed over 4,000 years ago. Recognizing and preserving the significance of the Ayurveda name, origin, and meaning by becoming an authenticated student of customary Ayurvedic teachings is the best way to inspire the adoption of this standard of wellness.

Bringing these treatments into Western view incites intrigue among the alternative-lifestyle seekers, and introduces a dialogue between themselves and a (hopefully) well-educated practitioner.

Focusing attention on its benefits will help ease trepidation and increase acceptance, encouraging the introduction and integration of these unique methods of optimal wellness, so that one day we can all pronounce words like Ayurveda with the tongue of more than just a novice.

New York Offers Massage Therapists “Licensure by Endorsement”

Published
by
Terry
on March 17, 2010
in massage certification and massage licensing
. 1 Comment

New York has this concept – licensure by endorsement – which applies to massage therapists wishing to practice in New York but hold licenses from another state or jurisdiction. There are requirements for this licensure by endorsement and if you have plans to move to this state, you may want to check out the eligibility criteria.

The Office of the Professions of the New York Department of Education says that to apply for licensure by endorsement, you must:

1.  Have at least two years’ of MT practice in another state
2.  Be at least 21 years old
3.  Submit the completed application for New York state massage license and pay the application fee
4.  Be a high school graduate
5.  Be a green card holder or US citizen
6.  Be of good moral character (as determined by the Department of Education)
7.  Not have taken (or failed) the New York State Massage Therapy examination
8.  Be of good standing as a licensee in the current state of practice
9.  Have completed the CPR exam within three years prior to application for licensure

Unfortunately, there are more requirements to the nine mentioned above, but don’t be discouraged, especially if you already hold a license from another state.  Here are the other requirements:  you must show proof of the 1,000 hour education requirement for New York state and also show proof that you have two years’ professional experience in MT after having obtained your original license.  This experience must include western and/or eastern MT techniques.  One final requirement:  you must have passed a written exam in the state, county or country where you first practiced and that exam must be considered acceptable by the Department of Education.  One exam that it will accept for purposes of determination is the NCETMB.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to these requirements.  It would be worth your while to find out as much as you can about applying for licensure by endorsement.  Critical factors are your number of years’ experience, clock hours you have to your credit, and the exam you took in the state or county where you originally practiced.  We strongly recommend that you contact the Department of Education of New York:

by email:  msthbd@mail.nysed.gov
by phone:  518-474-3817 ext. 150
by fax:  518-486-4846
by mail:  New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
New York State Board for Massage Therapy
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234-1000

The keyword here is “alternatives.”  If you don’t meet the first nine requirements above, the Department of Education mentions other ways you can apply for licensure by endorsement.  Look into it!

Massage Therapist Gender

Published
by
Terry
on March 10, 2010
in massage career, massage issues and sports massage
. 0 Comments

We live in an age where gender in the workplace has become less and less of an issue. Some of this is based on legislation which prevents discrimination but much of the advances are due to changing attitudes regarding gender. There are generally less hangups and prejudices among the general population. But when it comes to massage therapy, gender can be an issue.

Massage, by its nature, is an intimate experience. Touching someone all over their body, even in a therapeutic manner, requires a level of trust and confidence between therapist and client. How clients feel about the gender of their massage therapist and the whole notion of male vs. female massage therapists and how that affects career options is the subject of our most recent article.

Check out the article about massage therapist gender issues by clicking here. I think you will find it informative and helpful.

Lomilomi Massage Article

Published
by
Terry
on March 8, 2010
in lomilomi, massage techniques and types of massage
. 0 Comments

On our main website, we have posted an article describing the ancient  practice of Lomilomi, a Hawaiian massage technique. For anyone (like me for instance) that is sick of cold weather and snow, reading about the history and philosophy behind Lomilomi, which addresses the spiritual and emotional well-being of the recipient as well as the physical aspects.

As you read this informative piece you will almost be able to feel the warm tropical breezes and the hear the gentle surf rush onto pristine beaches. You will learn something and I assure you that you will feel refreshed just reading about the art of Lomilomi massage.

Just click here to read the article about Lomilomi massage.

Welcome Tiffany Cox!

Published
by
Terry
on March 1, 2010
in massage licensing and massage school
. 0 Comments

tiffanycWe are pleased to welcome Tiffany Cox to Massage Schools Guide as a contributing author. Tiffany became an LMT in 2003, and an MTI in 2005, in Austin, Texas, eventually migrating back north to her home in Southeastern, PA in 2007. Motivated by her interests in science, a quest for true wellness, and perpetual diversity, she has accumulated a wealth of experience in a variety of therapeutic environments, developing knowledge and skill in numerous techniques.

We are confident that Tiffany’s over 1,000 hours of schooling, her real-world experience, and unique and personal perspective will provide valuable insights for prospective massage school students, as well as those already practicing as massage professionals. She is currently dividing her time between the Blue Ridge Mountains of Eastern Tennessee, and the familiar Lancaster County countryside, with her beau, Jon, and her Great Dane, Roxxy, taking respite, studying for the NCBTMB exam, and looking forward to Spring!

Massage Licensing Trends: Confusing or What?

Published
by
Terry
on February 22, 2010
in certification, licensing, massage certification and massage licensing
. 0 Comments

Karen Menehen wrote an excellent chronology on the ever-changing licensing regulations for massage therapists from the period 2005 to the present.  Her article appeared on Massage Magazine’s Trends and Opportunities – 2009.  Because of state versus national requirements, the whole licensing issue can confuse new graduates of massage therapy who are planning to obtain licenses immediately.  Given these recent changes, would it be better to wait until the law is actually enforced and implemented and then see how things unfold, or should massage school graduates just go ahead and obtain whatever licenses and permits are presently required by the state they intend to practice in?

In our last two blogs, the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) was celebrating the passage of Senate Bill 731 but were still trying to figure out what schools would qualify and how much to charge for the licence fee.  Note that SB-731 was approved in 2008, but went into effect only in September this year, so this is one example where patience and waiting it out would be the smarter decision.  The only catch to waiting is that if massage therapy graduates are itching to set up their own business, potential income is lost if they don’t obtain that license right away.

In Karen Menehen’s article/chronology, she mentions that in May last year, the state of Florida voted that all new massage therapists must pass the MBLEx for state licensing purposes and that they should drop the NCETMB.  Most massage therapists are probably more familiar with NCETMB because this was one exam that up until April 2005 was used by most states  (in addition to their state-administered exam).  NCETMB stands for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

In May 2005, however, representatives from seven states and from the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP)  met and decided that the aim should be to introduce a unified licensing body for the sake of uniformity.  From that meeting, the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) was born.  Two years later, the FSMTB announced the MBLEx requirement.  Oregon and Arkansas Boards of Massage Therapy decided to use only the MBLEx, dropping NCETMB as a requirement; the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy voted that it would also use the MBLEx but as an alternative to the NCETMB but did not drop NCETMB altogether.

In May 2008, Florida voted to adopt the MBLEx and consequently dropped the NCETMB requirement.  This was challenged by officials who were behind the NCETMB and they went as far as asking Pennsylvania to vote no to the MBLEx but their efforts failed.  North Carolina hopped into MBLEx bandwagon as well.

Early this year – January to be exact – the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) said it would use the MBLEx over any other state licensing exam.  Also at about this time, a compromise was reached between the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and the NCBTMB:  both the MBLEx and the NCETMB would be used for state licensing.  This has not stopped the NCETMB however from doing all possible grunt work to maintain the NCETMB requirement for state licensing.  According to Kathy Menehen, so far 29 states have joined the FSMTB (the creator of the MBLEx), and 18 of them have adopted the MBLEx along with the NCETMB; two states have opted for the MBLEx exclusively. As for the other states and the District of Columbia, she said they offer either a license, certificate or registration to professionals in massage and bodywork disciplines.

Graduating from Massage School in California? New Legislation (Part 2)

Published
by
Terry
on February 21, 2010
in certification, licensing, massage certification and massage licensing
. 1 Comment

When we concluded part 1 of our blog on this same topic, we said it might be worthwhile to watch out for further developments as Senate Bill 731 (SB-731) unfolds.  It confers the right to a private, non-profit association like the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) to issue certificates for massage therapists.  In SB-731, CAMTC is referred to as the Massage Therapy Organization or MTO.

So what’s the difference between a state-issued certificate and a CAMTC-issued certificate?  The answer given by CAMTC is that under state certification, a body or agency which is part of the California government will issue certificates; under the new SB-731, a non-governmental and non-profit organization like CAMTC issues certificates, and those certificates will be deemed valid by the government of California.

Other highlights of SB-731:

1.  The fee for obtaining this CAMTC certificate has not yet been determined.

2.  The CAMTC certificate, once obtained, will have to be renewed every two years.

3.  Individuals or organizations who serve on the CAMTC are:  two representatives from any association that has at least 1,000 California members for the last three years.  So far, only the  American Massage Therapy Association, California Chapter, (AMTA-CA) and the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) meet the criteria; they have already appointed their representatives.  The CAMTC is also thinking of adding representatives from “the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Community College Chancellor’s office and any incorporated association of private postsecondary schools that collectively have graduated at least 1,000 massage students in each of the last 3 years. Currently, there are representatives of the CA Association of Private-postsecondary Schools (CAPPS), the Career College Association (CCA), and the CA Massage School Association (CAMSA).”

4.  On whether it is necessary to obtain the National Certification Exam to be eligible for CAMTC certification, no decision has been made as to what tests are required for eligibility although the aim of SB-731 and the CAMTC is to be as “inclusive as possible”.  No tests are required for the practitioner category.

5.    The CAMTC will issue certificates for two groups:  massage practitioner (minimum of 250 hours training/education at an approved school required) and massage therapist (minimum of 500 hours of training/education at an approved school required).  There are, of course, other requirements one of which is fingerprinting.  When asked why fingerprinting is required, the CAMTC said that SB-731 would not have been approved if this wasn’t stipulated as a requirement.  The argument is that other professions, like teaching, require applicants to be fingerprinted.  The good news?  It is done only once.

An interesting issue:  what California massage schools will the CAMTC approve for certification purposes?  The government body that approves schools no longer exists because of the sunset clause.  So as far as we’re aware, there are no approved schools yet.  This is just one of many issues that the CAMTC is working on.

For those of you who want to read SB-731 in its entirety (approved in September 2008 by the Governor of California and went into effect September 2009), go to:  http://www.camtc.org/Docs/SB731.pdf.

Graduating from Massage School in California? New Legislation (Part 1)

Published
by
Terry
on February 20, 2010
in certification, licensing, massage business, massage certification and massage licensing
. 2 Comments

Calling all massage therapists and would-be massage therapists in California!  Have you heard of SB-731?  It’s a new law that created the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) and has everything to do with massage licensing and certification matters.  Its principal mission is to issue certification on a state-wide, voluntary basis.

We’ll provide the highlights of SB-731 in this blog and in the next blog (part 2):

1.  It is not mandatory to apply for a certification from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) if you already hold a license as a massage therapist in California. But if you think you’ll be a long-term California resident, you may want to consider applying for one.  The way it works is that the local license that graduates apply for allows them to work only in the county they live in.  So if they moved to another county in California, they’d have to apply for a new license valid for that county.  The CAMTC wanted to eliminate this cumbersome process and pushed for legislation that would bestow a CAMTC-issued certificate upon graduates of California massage schools to practice anywhere in California.

2.  Application for a CAMTC-issued certificate is voluntary.  Based on the FAQ on their web site, they would start receiving applications in July-August this year, although certificates will not be issued before September 1, 2009.  When applicants will receive certificates is still not certain as CAMTC is holding a series of meetings and finalizing the process.  Remember that SB-731 is a new law.

3.   Certificate and city permit:  if you choose not to apply for a CAMTC certificate, you would be still subject to local ordinances.  Applying for one and getting approved means you need NOT apply for a local permit.  But you need to distinguish between a permit and a business license.  You won’t need a permit to practice if CAMTC-certified, but you would still need to comply with the county’s rules and regulations that apply to local businesses – that is, adhering to zoning, safety and health requirements and holding a valid license to operate your business.  Think of it as two separate entities:  you as a massage therapist and your business as a separate entity.  With a CAMTC-issued certificate, you won’t need to apply for a permit to practice as a massage therapist but your business would still be subject to local laws.  Of course this business license requirement does not apply if you work for an employer.

4.  The law also seeks to change the way titles are given.  Effective September 1, 2009, you won’t be able to call yourself – at least in the legal sense – a “Certified Massage Therapist” or “Certified Massage Practitioner.”  Only those who hold CAMTC certificates can legally hold these titles.  The CAMTC’s position on this matter is quite clear:  “Up to now, the term Certified Massage Therapist/Practitioner has actually had no legal meaning state-wide.  It might have meant that someone was issued a certificate by their school, or it might have meant that they were certified by their city or county.  Now the title will be recognized state-wide as referring to someone who has certified through the CAMTC.”

We’ll discuss more of the highlights of SB-731 and the ongoing efforts of CAMTC in our next blog post.  This development is worth watching as it may start a trend in other states as far as certification and licensing are concerned.  It could potentially lead to state governments transferring this authority to private, non-profit organizations like the CAMTC.

Massage Schools and Continuing Education (Part 2)

Published
by
Terry
on February 18, 2010
in continuing education, massage school, massage school locations, massage techniques, thai massage and trigger point massage
. 0 Comments

Let’s look at a few more massage schools with continuing education courses or at least have programs closely tied to continuing education.

Seacoast Career Schools in Maine

Seacost Career Schools with branches in Manchester and Sanford offer the Massage Therapy Program which focuses on “classical massage techniques, advanced therapeutic procedures and soft tissue manipulation.”  The program prepares students for the National Examination.  While the school’s web site does not have a section specifically for continuing education, you click on the “Accreditation” link at the bottom of the home page and you’ll see that Seacoast Career Schools work with the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) which involves the Department of Education of Maine, the Postsecondary Education Commission of New Hampshire, the Approving Agency for Veterans Education in Maine and the State Agency for Veterans Education in New Hampshire.

Seacoast Career Schools in Maine also have what they call “externships” aimed to provide students with opportunities to apply what they learned in a business, legal or medical setting.  This must be the school’s version of continuing education – instead of sitting in a classroom, you’re sent out “to the world” to learn some more.  Unfortunately, these externships are unpaid, although the school will assist you in obtaining an externship.

MTTI WellSpring (Center for Natural Health and Wellness) in Kansas City

MTTI WellSpring offers continuing education courses that are offered in the evenings and on weekends so that workers can fit the course of their choice into their busy work schedule.  Some of these courses are:

- Corrective Exercise Training (NASM Certification)
- Introduction to Energy Balancing
- Reiki I
- Lessons from Esalen (Introductory course)
- Advanced Esalen Massage
- Massage for People Living with Cancer

All the above courses are taught in MTTI’s Kansas City campus at 9140 Ward Parkway.  We were curious about Esalen and MTTI says that it’s based on Swedish massage although it borrows freely from Trigger Point, Thai massage and Energy massage.  The instructor is Ed Odell and the approach is described as a massage that “is done in a reverent manner and consists, in part, of long, flowing, rhythmic strokes combined with specific detail work, as well as elegant stretches and rotations. Emphasis for the therapist is on developing intuition when working with the client rather than performing a set routine.”

Given the growing popularity of massage therapy programs, it is no wonder that schools enthusiastically offer continuing education courses that are as valuable and stimulating as those offered in the regular programs.