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I just developed a curriculum for a new massage school in asheville, nc that actually has
a segment for Medical/therapeutic type techniques, pathologies, pharmacology etc. and another
segment for Spa modalities, which are also going to be approach for"more than relaxation", but also therapeutic and
provide all therapists an understanding of what Spa modalities can offer.
Unless I am misunderstanding you requiring an MT to apply knowledge of pathologies and pharmacology sounds like it is way out of our scope of practice. Applying any training in that area depends on differential diagnosis and a far deeper understanding of medicine than we should practice. Incomplete training can be dangerous because the practitioner may not have the training to know when not to apply their limited knowledge.
Extending our scope of practice increases the responsibly not only to know when to apply the knowledge but not to miss things that our training should have caught. I think a better approach to spa work is to teach it separately from therapeutic. People who want to do both can cross train. But if people do not do a lot of therapeutic work they lose the training. Clients generally don’t go to a spa for therapy. Mixing the two also creates confusion with the public. They are separate services and intermingling the two lessens the image of both.
Gloria Coppola said:I just developed a curriculum for a new massage school in asheville, nc that actually has
a segment for Medical/therapeutic type techniques, pathologies, pharmacology etc. and another
segment for Spa modalities, which are also going to be approach for"more than relaxation", but also therapeutic and
provide all therapists an understanding of what Spa modalities can offer.
I would like to personally address some of the few comments I'm receiving on the survey to those that
have made some derogatory and sarcastic comments directed at these questions or me personally.
Please understand I am attempting to help this industry. To raise the standards and stop the
exploitation of massage therapists. I am not asking for my personal curiosity. I want to see
what is happening nationally.
If the questions weren't worded perfectly, I apologize.
If you do not want to respond to any specific question, nothing requires you to do so.
If you want to make sarcastic remarks how do you expect anyone to try and speak out and be your voice
to make positive changes in our industry!
To compile this information and do personal interviews takes a lot of my personal time. I am also paying out of my pocket for this survey, no donations or sponsors.
So why would you think that I am being self serving in any way?
It saddens me to see how some individuals in this profession can be so hurtful, angry and sarcastic to a community that is trying to help you all!
I am doing my best. What are you doing?
I have been in this industry for almost 25 years. I have been apart of the many positive changes. I have helped massage therapists succeed and strive with long careers. I offer assistance and support to any that have asked.
Success doesn't happen through negativity, it happens as a result of positive support.
To all of you, the majority, that have made personal comments to thank me and stated you enjoyed the survey or provided some interesting and positive, helpful comments. Thank you ALL! I am truly hoping to compile an interesting and informative article that addresses our needs. While I can't change it all, I can be your voice.
Much gratitude for your cooperation.
Gloria
Today's Update!
The count is 306 !
For all of you asking about marketing tips!
The response to the most successful marketing tip is WORD OF MOUTH @ 86%
So, that means you need to get out there, meet people, talk to them, tell your clients to tell others, give a great massage and they will tell others!!
Next, do you feel your massage school prepared you well?
53% said yes and many comments included :
Wishing there was more business and marketing preparation
Spa Employees responded to the best thing about working at a spa facility?
1. 48% said ambience
2. Many of the comments over 30%: said "nothing". What spa uses dirty sheets? Shame on you!
Spa owners what is going on?
Where I work we use National Linen Services. They come Twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. We receive nice clean and wrinkle free sheets. Scarely about dirty sheets.
Gloria Coppola said:Today's Update!
The count is 306 !
For all of you asking about marketing tips!
The response to the most successful marketing tip is WORD OF MOUTH @ 86%
So, that means you need to get out there, meet people, talk to them, tell your clients to tell others, give a great massage and they will tell others!!
Next, do you feel your massage school prepared you well?
53% said yes and many comments included :
Wishing there was more business and marketing preparation
Spa Employees responded to the best thing about working at a spa facility?
1. 48% said ambience
2. Many of the comments over 30%: said "nothing". What spa uses dirty sheets? Shame on you!
Spa owners what is going on?
Update @ 3pm Sunday
325 Participants!
Top %'s as follows; ( a sampling of the most common responses and highest percentages so far)
Preferred technique to perform : 54% Deep Tissue
Average years in practice participating in the survey: 1-5 leading at 33% followed by
5- 10 years in practice @ 25%
Francise Employees - Not happy for the most part
We need participation from those employed at franchises
Location of Participants:
SE Leads with 36%
Mid West @ 20%
North East @ 19%
Where is everyone else in the west???
Most people look for massage resources through the Internet = 92%
Marketing is still the most challenging for employers @ 56%
69% of the participants are in private practice.
24% spa
How many hours do people feel massage school should be?
37% = 500 to700
36% = 700-1000
Less than 3% feel there should be no set standards
How would you improve upon your career? Some responses =
1. more training in all areas!
2. marketing skills need big improvement
3. Really would like my own office
4. Find other like minded therapists to work in group homes, whom I felt confident to give referrals.
5. I would like to take more continuting education. I really havent taken much because every job I have had I had many hours of training on spa treatments. Now since I am on my own I want to learn a lot more.
6. Clone myself! lol
If you work in a spa setting what benefits do you receive?
1. Most comments (almost 50%) = " None" :(
2. 42 % Flexible schedule
3. 16 % get continuing education
What is the best thing about working at a spa?
Comment: Keeps me off the unemployment line!!
How many years do you feel people should have under their belt before they teach massage?
47% feel 3-5 years of massage experience.
Comments:
1. More...many, many more. Not an MD, not a PT, but an experienced well rounded educated Massage Therapist.
2. It's not so much their massage experience as it is their teaching ability that concerns me.
3.I think our most experienced practitioners should be teaching. After all, an anatomist can teach anatomy; a physiologist can teach physiology; but only a truly experienced and seasoned practitioner can thoroughly teach masasge theory and techniques.
Do you feel potential instructors should take a teacher training?
67% = YES
Comments:
1.Unless they have prior teaching experience...private or public...business or school
2. I'm a certified educator, but some people don't really understand how people learn. It depends on what is taught in the program.
3.I think massage educators should be "educated" like teachers in other schools. I do not think they need a college degree in education, but a teaching "certificate" would be more than appropriate.
4.it depends...some people don't need it
Participant Personal Comments:
Your voice is asking or telling us:
1. Massage franchise owners should have working knowledge about massage therapy and should be tuned in to creating progressively improved conditions for both the franchise and the therapists and not focused so highly on turning a quick profit. There should be a limit on the number of franchises a particular owner can acquire in one city.
2.I have been very disappointed with CE providers who refuse to provided accessible accomodations for MTs with deafness and hearing loss. Classes, workshops, conferences, even videos / DVDs all inaccessible to those of us with hearing problems. The ADA for people with disabilities has been in effect since 1990's. But all doors accept for local community colleges are closed to us. Our state does not even bother to require that CE providers are in compliance with the ADA. This needs to be changed! There is a lot more I would like to learn, but I don't have access.
3. My peeve is the outrageous fees for CE credits, then no one takes into consideration of travel expenses. Most of the time the ones presenting usually gets free hotel & travel expenses, some don't but most do. I have worked in several places over the pst few yrs. so my opening my own business was more like going from scratch as the saying goes. The place I use to work is 30 miles away people won't drive that far, I don't care how good you are.
4. I had the worst instructor situation ever. It was a nightmare. He had zero teaching experience and he ultimately gave up even trying. I had to study on my own so that I would have a chance in hell of passing national certification. I did it and have managed to become a good therapist by learning from other therapists and trusting my own instincts. I'm proud of myself but so ashamed by the sad state of the education that I paid for.
5.I would like to see more articles, in the massage publications, involving male practitioners and what they do to or have been doing to be successful, instead of all women
Gloria, I have a very different concept of the meaning of pharmacology. I think of dosing, drug alternatives, drug interactions. I agree that you need to look at the drugs a person is taking to see it the person is being treated for something or taking drugs that may cause conditions that contraindicate massage or require special precautions.
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