Continuing Education for Massage Therapists

Comment

Comment by Donielle Saxton on July 11, 2009 at 11:50am

Thanks Ariana!
I have been lucky enough to study with Tom for my SI training, etc. I will be assisting Eli in this course.

Comment by Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB on July 11, 2009 at 11:36am

Dear Donielle - Thanks so much for your post. Here is Tom's URL: http://www.anatomytrains.com/at/people/tom-myers and here is additional information about him. Warmly, Ariana Vincent, Ariana Institute, www.arianainstitute.com

Tom Myers

Thomas Myers studied directly with Drs. Ida Rolf, Moshe Feldenkrais, and Buckminster Fuller. He has also studied less extensively with movement teachers Judith Aston, Emilie Conrad, and in the martial arts. His work is influenced by cranial, visceral, and intrinsic movement studies he made with European schools of osteopathy.

An inveterate traveler, Tom has practiced integrative manual therapy for over 30 years in a variety of clinical and cultural settings, including 10 years in London, and traveling practices in Hamburg, Rome, Nairobi, and Sydney, as well as a dozen locales in the US. He is a member of the International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI).

Author of Anatomy Trains (Elsevier 2001) and a set of supporting videos, Tom has also penned over 60 articles for trade magazines and journals on anatomy, soft tissue manipulation, and the social scourge of somatic alienation and loss of reliance on kinesthetic intelligence.

A certified Touch-in-Parenting instructor, Tom retains a strong interest in peri-natal issues relating to movement.

Living on the coast of Maine, Tom directs Kinesis, which conducts professional certification and continuing education courses worldwide.

Comment by Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB on July 8, 2009 at 3:56pm

Selecting Massage Therapy Continuing Education Classes
By: Ariana Vincent, Ariana Institute, Austin, Texas

There are many wonderful opportunities in the massage community designed to deepen your educational experience by participating in a classroom environment utilizing kinesthetic hands-on techniques or by participating in interesting and informative online massage therapy CE courses.

Researching CE Requirements

To begin your research, visit http://www.amtamassage.org/pdf/2006_StateLaws.pdf to obtain a list of state boards and CE requirements. This list is current as of November 20, 2007, so check with your individual state board to verify current requirements.

Here are examples of continuing education requirements:

• Texas DSHS: The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Massage Therapy Division requires 12 CE hours every two year cycle.
• NCBTMB: The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) requires 48 CE hours every 4 year recertification cycle.
• AMTA: The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Board Recertification Requirements require 48 CE hours every 4 years
• ABMP: The Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals Recertification Requirements include 16 CE hours every two years or every other annual renewal

Rules and regulations may vary by the city, state, county, region and may be subject to change. Each practitioner should assume responsibility for contacting the applicable massage therapy state licensing agency, NCBTMB, AMTA and/or ABMP to confirm that the online CE credit courses you are considering are acceptable for credit.

Consider Which Courses Could be the Most Valuable to You and Your Clients

If you are interested in working at a spa, contact several spas in your area and determine which CE courses would be best for you. Basic spas typically require good Swedish relaxation skills, deep tissue, sports, prenatal and hot stone. They may also require a good working knowledge of wraps and scrubs. Spas at the other end of the spectrum, for example The Crossings Wellness Spa in Austin, offer a wide assortment of services including Myofascial Therapy, CranioSacral Therapy, ShiroDhara, and Thai Massage.

A private practitioner may benefit more from participating in advanced CE courses that would carve out an area of specialization unique to that therapist’s vision of his or her successful practice. For example, if you live in an area where equine massage is popular and viable, then a good equine massage course may be just the ticket. If you enjoy working with prenatal clients, then focus on prenatal massage CE classes. A good Practice Building and Marketing CE course would be a valuable asset.

Determine whether or not you are at the stage in your career where you want to participate in classes that are easier on your body than more rigorous therapies. If this is the case, then you might consider focusing on classes such as Reiki, CranioSacral Therapy, Reflexology, Acupressure and Facial Massage.


CE Class Location

We are so fortunate that many awesome CE classes are offered nationally and internationally. Research classes that are offered in locations that are appealing to you or where you have family and friends you can visit. You could participate in classes in Austin, San Francisco, Sedona, Costa Rica, or Leicestershire, England.

Online CE Classes

First check with your state board and with NCBTMB, if applicable, to verify that online courses are accepted. Online courses that are acceptable in Texas, for example, must be cognitive in nature, and do not include the clinical application of theory pertaining to the practice of massage therapy or the manipulation of soft tissue. Some topics that may be of interest to you as online courses include Ethics, Practice Building, Pain Management, and Self Care.

Research the CE Provider

Take some time to check the credentials of the CE Provider to verify that the provider is qualified to offer the CE courses you are interesting in taking and to ensure that the provider has up-to-date licenses and/or certifications. Read the CE Provider’s website carefully and check references. Look for details on the website related to the course content; tuition; registration and payment process; class size; date, time and location of the courses; cancellation and refund policies; date of issuance of your CE certificate; whether or not you will have to bring your own table; number of students participating and CE provider contact information.

Enjoy the Process

If you like experiential hands-on classes where you’ll have an opportunity to exchange sessions with colleagues, check with your provider in advance to verify the ratio of hands-on practice to cognitive experiences. If you prefer a more cognitive class, ensure that is available to you before you register. If your preference is for classes of fewer than 300 participants, be sure and ask up front how many students will be accepted in the class.

View your CE classes in a positive light as wonderful opportunities to learn, grow and network with like-minded therapists with whom you can build a sense of community and have fun in the process.

Comment by Maria Troia on July 8, 2009 at 2:05pm

Thanks for opening this group, Ariana. I am approved by the NCBTMB as a CE provider. Most of my classes are here in AZ, with some scheduled in NY, and hope to be adding NC soon. My classes are mostly Eastern/Energy based. My passion is AMMA Therapy, 5,000 year old Korean bodywork brought to the US by the late Mrs. Tina Sohn. This month I'm excited to be teaching my own Clearing the Gates workshop at ASIS, near Sedona, AZ. Details about my classes may be found on my website: www.KIRAHolistic.com.

Thanks again!

Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH

Comment by Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB on July 8, 2009 at 1:30pm

Dear Sally - When researching CE classes, the first step would be for you to contact your State Massage Board to verify the classes that are approved for Continuing Education Credit in your state. In Michigan, for example, you are required to complete 18 hours of CE classes every three years. Once you determine which classes are approved in Michigan, then you could continue your search. It is also important to determine whether or not online courses would be acceptable for course credit in your state. Information regarding CE courses can be obtained from many sources including the ABMP website, the AMTA website, Massage Today magazine and website, and by Googeling. Wishing you the very best. Warmly, Ariana Vincent, Ariana Institute.

This post is in response to Sally Vidosh's post: I'm interested in either taking a class or ordering a book/test for CEU's. any suggestions of websites or schools?

Comment by ASIS Massage Education on July 8, 2009 at 12:10pm

Please Consider an EDU-VACATION with Fantastic Advanced Therapeutic Arts CE Courses at ASIS in beautiful Northern Arizona, near Sedona! ASIS is an NCBTMB approved Continuing Education provider.

ASIS massage education is offering more diverse & stimulating classes this fall & summer. Look below for more information on the following classes at ASIS:

* Meridian Stretching and the Five Element Theory
* Clearing the Gates, The K.I.R.A.™ Headache Protocol, Part I & II
* Peri-Natal Massage: Conscious Touch and Ethical Practices for the Childbearing Year
* Health Secrets of the Lympatic System: Healing Your Life by Healing Your Lymph
* ASIS Beyond the Table: Somatic Expression for Bodyworkers
* Rocking the Body: Effective, enjoyable and easy unwinding techniques for tissues along the kinetic chain
* Tui Na, Hand Techniques and Form
* Thomas Myers' "Anatomy Trains"
* Craniosacral: Riding the Wave, Touching Stillness, Level 1
* Transpersonal Somatic Therapy 1

Please see our web-site at www.asismassage.com for more details.


"Promoting Peace One Body at a Time." - ASIS Massage Education

Comment by Kristie Hogan on July 7, 2009 at 8:54pm

www.NCMassageSchool.com offers online continuing education classes as well as on-site classes. Online registration is available. NCBTMB Approved Provider for Continuing Education. Check it out!!!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 39
• 40
• 41
• Next ›
• Page