Why Is Education Needed?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on October 1, 2009 at 4:07pm

The facts about Medical Errors is part of the State of Florida's Medical Errors Class that you have to accomplish to qualify for re-licensure. I know a lot of therapists that are "education junkie's". I always wonder how much they retain and use. But that's another part of this great profession.

The BOK's effort is cetainly laid with potential harm, but the profession is being torn by EB and Medical versus Energy and relaxation. Everybody feels like, "not in my backyard." Therapists are wanting it both ways and I see it changing, one way or another. Either we will have input or not. I, personally, would like to see therapists organize. But, with all the different aspects, it would self implode. The Alliance for Massage Professionals (AMP) would be the way to go and be a steward to the program. But it doesn't exist. Even teachers are finally getting organized. Half of the therapists don't belong to associations, are off the radar and know nothing about BOK. How are they represented?

Bert Davich said:

I would agree that education regarding medical conditions should be part of our profession, and it already is. There are definite contraindications that accompany certain medical conditions. The statement regarding medical errors to be the 8th leading cause of death I would challenge as not realistic when applied to the profession of Massage Therapy. I would be surprised (and interested) if you could document 3 cases of a death caused through medical error by a massage therapist.

Regarding the hot stone incident defense "they were trying to make it smooth". That goes to show that no amount of education can cure stupid. It would be a shame to let incidents like this bum rush us into moving toward a situation like Physical Therapist's where they need a PHd to be qualified to work most (good) jobs. I know several who changed professions because the expense of maintaining the PT educational requirement was greater then the potential additional income earning return over a period of 10 years or more. One is now a personal trainer and massage therapist. Some of the great contributors in our field were once PT's and changed to pursue innovative treatment. (Which the "BOK" will erode if not held in check; see Body Of Knowledge discussion)

Of course education is needed, but why limit yourself to only studies that award CEU's? There are many awesome courses and avenue's of study that do not award CEU credits. Check out Art Riggs, Erik Dalton or Doug Alexander just to name a few sources. Massage & Bodywork magazine has articles that offer a wealth of usable information for a therapist with a good foundation of knowledge & practice who takes the time to actually study/learn rather than just speed read it. Check out Ben Benjamen's (2 part) articles on Posterior Tibialis and Tibialis Anterior..... really enlightening. I don't subscribe to the notion that a therapist with more CEU credits and "certification's" is superior to one who has less. There are therapist's who have a litany of CEU courses under their belt, sometimes so many courses taken in such a short period of time they cannot possibly retain and integrate much of the course work in their practice. In conclusion there will always be some of us who live to learn so we can mindfully heal our clients, and those who are satisfied to have 'paper' qualifications and go through the motions mindlessly.

It sounds like you are one one of the mindful who lives to learn. Don't hold on to what the older therapist said. It's not important to your mission or studies.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bert Davich on October 1, 2009 at 9:48pm

Thanks again for your thoughtful input Mike. I agree the concept of "The Alliance for Massage Professionals" (AMP) would be great. I also agree that we need to input, especially since I saw "Chips" comment about how the BOK would have no legal impact "for now". I interpret "For now" to mean that the long term goal (intention) is to do exactly what they say they are not about. I smell another "American Medical Association" anointment organization that will tell us what, when and how to 'dispense', and anyone who does not tow the line will be prevented form practicing. I know a physician who went through years of grief from the AMA and the state of KY (10 or more years ago) because he had the audacity to council patients to change their diet and and behavior (exercise) to control type 2 diabetes and hypertension while reducing their drug intake. And no patient was harmed or even complained.

Also I don't want it both ways, I just don't want to be pigeonholed by the language I see in the BOK.

If by saying half the therapists are not members of an association like the ABMP, AMTA, IMA, ect, you mean they are practicing without liability insurance, that is indeed scary.

Mike Hinkle said:

The facts about Medical Errors is part of the State of Florida's Medical Errors Class that you have to accomplish to qualify for re-licensure. I know a lot of therapists that are "education junkie's". I always wonder how much they retain and use. But that's another part of this great profession.

The BOK's effort is cetainly laid with potential harm, but the profession is being torn by EB and Medical versus Energy and relaxation. Everybody feels like, "not in my backyard." Therapists are wanting it both ways and I see it changing, one way or another. Either we will have input or not. I, personally, would like to see therapists organize. But, with all the different aspects, it would self implode. The Alliance for Massage Professionals (AMP) would be the way to go and be a steward to the program. But it doesn't exist. Even teachers are finally getting organized. Half of the therapists don't belong to associations, are off the radar and know nothing about BOK. How are they represented?

Bert Davich said:

I would agree that education regarding medical conditions should be part of our profession, and it already is. There are definite contraindications that accompany certain medical conditions. The statement regarding medical errors to be the 8th leading cause of death I would challenge as not realistic when applied to the profession of Massage Therapy. I would be surprised (and interested) if you could document 3 cases of a death caused through medical error by a massage therapist.

Regarding the hot stone incident defense "they were trying to make it smooth". That goes to show that no amount of education can cure stupid. It would be a shame to let incidents like this bum rush us into moving toward a situation like Physical Therapist's where they need a PHd to be qualified to work most (good) jobs. I know several who changed professions because the expense of maintaining the PT educational requirement was greater then the potential additional income earning return over a period of 10 years or more. One is now a personal trainer and massage therapist. Some of the great contributors in our field were once PT's and changed to pursue innovative treatment. (Which the "BOK" will erode if not held in check; see Body Of Knowledge discussion)

Of course education is needed, but why limit yourself to only studies that award CEU's? There are many awesome courses and avenue's of study that do not award CEU credits. Check out Art Riggs, Erik Dalton or Doug Alexander just to name a few sources. Massage & Bodywork magazine has articles that offer a wealth of usable information for a therapist with a good foundation of knowledge & practice who takes the time to actually study/learn rather than just speed read it. Check out Ben Benjamen's (2 part) articles on Posterior Tibialis and Tibialis Anterior..... really enlightening. I don't subscribe to the notion that a therapist with more CEU credits and "certification's" is superior to one who has less. There are therapist's who have a litany of CEU courses under their belt, sometimes so many courses taken in such a short period of time they cannot possibly retain and integrate much of the course work in their practice. In conclusion there will always be some of us who live to learn so we can mindfully heal our clients, and those who are satisfied to have 'paper' qualifications and go through the motions mindlessly.

It sounds like you are one one of the mindful who lives to learn. Don't hold on to what the older therapist said. It's not important to your mission or studies.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on October 1, 2009 at 9:58pm

If therapists don't organize they are allowing their voice to be silenced by those who"represent" a divided portion of it, each with their own agenda.

It really is scary. It's almost like you should have to prove you have insurance to be able to re-license. So, is it like no-fault insurance? Are we paying for those not insured?

Bert Davich said:

Thanks again for your thoughtful input Mike. I agree the concept of "The Alliance for Massage Professionals" (AMP) would be great. I also agree that we need to input, especially since I saw "Chips" comment about how the BOK would have no legal impact "for now". I interpret "For now" to mean that the long term goal (intention) is to do exactly what they say they are not about. I smell another "American Medical Association" anointment organization that will tell us what, when and how to 'dispense', and anyone who does not tow the line will be prevented form practicing. I know a physician who went through years of grief from the AMA and the state of KY (10 or more years ago) because he had the audacity to council patients to change their diet and and behavior (exercise) to control type 2 diabetes and hypertension while reducing their drug intake. And no patient was harmed or even complained.

Also I don't want it both ways, I just don't want to be pigeonholed by the language I see in the BOK.

If by saying half the therapists are not members of an association like the ABMP, AMTA, IMA, ect, you mean they are practicing without liability insurance, that is indeed scary.

Mike Hinkle said:

The facts about Medical Errors is part of the State of Florida's Medical Errors Class that you have to accomplish to qualify for re-licensure. I know a lot of therapists that are "education junkie's". I always wonder how much they retain and use. But that's another part of this great profession.

The BOK's effort is cetainly laid with potential harm, but the profession is being torn by EB and Medical versus Energy and relaxation. Everybody feels like, "not in my backyard." Therapists are wanting it both ways and I see it changing, one way or another. Either we will have input or not. I, personally, would like to see therapists organize. But, with all the different aspects, it would self implode. The Alliance for Massage Professionals (AMP) would be the way to go and be a steward to the program. But it doesn't exist. Even teachers are finally getting organized. Half of the therapists don't belong to associations, are off the radar and know nothing about BOK. How are they represented?

Bert Davich said:

I would agree that education regarding medical conditions should be part of our profession, and it already is. There are definite contraindications that accompany certain medical conditions. The statement regarding medical errors to be the 8th leading cause of death I would challenge as not realistic when applied to the profession of Massage Therapy. I would be surprised (and interested) if you could document 3 cases of a death caused through medical error by a massage therapist.

Regarding the hot stone incident defense "they were trying to make it smooth". That goes to show that no amount of education can cure stupid. It would be a shame to let incidents like this bum rush us into moving toward a situation like Physical Therapist's where they need a PHd to be qualified to work most (good) jobs. I know several who changed professions because the expense of maintaining the PT educational requirement was greater then the potential additional income earning return over a period of 10 years or more. One is now a personal trainer and massage therapist. Some of the great contributors in our field were once PT's and changed to pursue innovative treatment. (Which the "BOK" will erode if not held in check; see Body Of Knowledge discussion)

Of course education is needed, but why limit yourself to only studies that award CEU's? There are many awesome courses and avenue's of study that do not award CEU credits. Check out Art Riggs, Erik Dalton or Doug Alexander just to name a few sources. Massage & Bodywork magazine has articles that offer a wealth of usable information for a therapist with a good foundation of knowledge & practice who takes the time to actually study/learn rather than just speed read it. Check out Ben Benjamen's (2 part) articles on Posterior Tibialis and Tibialis Anterior..... really enlightening. I don't subscribe to the notion that a therapist with more CEU credits and "certification's" is superior to one who has less. There are therapist's who have a litany of CEU courses under their belt, sometimes so many courses taken in such a short period of time they cannot possibly retain and integrate much of the course work in their practice. In conclusion there will always be some of us who live to learn so we can mindfully heal our clients, and those who are satisfied to have 'paper' qualifications and go through the motions mindlessly.

It sounds like you are one one of the mindful who lives to learn. Don't hold on to what the older therapist said. It's not important to your mission or studies.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page