a community of practitioners

Is A&P Important For Students To Know?

An argument right now, going on with the BOK discussion is that, " Students don't need to take these classes to do massage."

What do you think? Is it important for students to learn this information?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on October 5, 2009 at 6:42pm

Thanks, Emma!

Permalink Reply by Kathryn Vanderplough on October 5, 2009 at 7:08pm

Hey Mike,
I hope the BOK discussion on A&P necessity ends soon. As a practitioner, previous educator and one who benefits from the effects of massage I believe A&P education is essential. How else do we discuss, analyze, and decide direction without having had studied the map.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on October 6, 2009 at 8:44am

Well, come on over to the BOK discussion. Because that's what they are saying there.

Rosemary Chunco said:

I can't believe that this topic is being questioned as not being an essential part of studying massage.
EVERY DAY AND WITH EVERY CLIENT as an MT I am presented with situations that require knowledge of it and I'm sure every MT has the same situation.
Also, if the direction of the profession is to make us more accepted by the medical field, then how can anyone not see this as important?
I'm sure many MTs have the same situation as me where physical therapists refer people to them. I doubt if any of them would refer anyone to me if I didn't know what they were talking about or if I didn't have the capability of asking more questions. As for Joe Public, I doubt if he'd come to me if I didn't know any A&P. It's like an accountant not knowing how to add, for Pete's sake!
Enough ranting.....I'm off to work and as part of that work I'll write SOAP notes - and I'll be writing about muscles in those notes - yep, muscles, and they have names!

Permalink Reply by Nate Ewert on October 6, 2009 at 9:26am

It is essential for students to learn this information. With every system in the body there is an effect from massage. A MT could work on someone without this knowledge, but it makes for a better understanding of what is happening in the body. i am often asked why massage has the benefits we speak of so often. Without my backround in A&P i would be standing there without an answer. It also helps to explain contraindications.

Isn't the BOK trying to further our field? it seems ridiculous!

Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on October 6, 2009 at 1:52pm

You "ARE" kidding right? Why would this even come up for discussion when our work is based on A&P. Geez. What next? or do I ask?
YES students need to understand how this pertains to massage. I cannot tell you how often I find students and LMT's utilizing incorrect techniques because they don't understand the A&P. There should be more of it in programs, not less.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on October 6, 2009 at 8:30pm

There really is "NO" discussion. Some are trying to confuse the issues, but they are failing. There will be A&P in all efforts. So breathe easy.

Kathryn Vanderplough said:

Hey Mike,
I hope the BOK discussion on A&P necessity ends soon. As a practitioner, previous educator and one who benefits from the effects of massage I believe A&P education is essential. How else do we discuss, analyze, and decide direction without having had studied the map.

Permalink Reply by akemi mckee on October 7, 2009 at 11:28pm

Absolutely! Massage has fought long and hard to be seen as an acceptable form of alternative care. If we are to compete with the medical profession it only makes sense to be armed with knowledge about our own bodies and its functions. A & P is critical to putting together the pieces about dysfunction, chronic conditions, and overall health. For those believing this isn't necessary, I would question their commitment to this practice and their integrity in the field itself. No self respecting auto mechanic, for example, would set out to fix cars without knowing "what makes it tick."

Permalink Reply by Joseph E. Muscolino on October 10, 2009 at 11:49pm

I like to say that the first requirement of a MT is great hands. But to be a great clinical MT, you need great hands informed by a great mind.

Permalink Reply by Trevor Chisman on October 13, 2009 at 6:00am

I couldn't do my job without the A&P knowledge I have, I would come unstuck during the first treatment and then again at the first client question.

How can I apply cross-fibre strokes without knowing the basic origin and insertion of the muscle and the direction the fibres go in?

Also my passion for learning my skill or art more deeply centres around understanding how the body works, only then can I try and effect any change within the body.

Permalink Reply by Vicki Walther on October 13, 2009 at 6:28am

The study of structure and function should be cornerstones to any training in massage therapy.

No one would consider having work done on the motor in their car unless the person doing the work understood how an engine functions. Nor would you have someone build you a house unless they knew about how a house is built.

I am off to seek the BOK discussion.

Yours in health
Vicki

Permalink Reply by Jeff Sims on October 13, 2009 at 8:29pm

BOK? that's a TLA (three letter acronym) i don't know. what's BOK?

Permalink Reply by Jeff Sims on October 13, 2009 at 8:59pm

never mind... i figured it out.... "body of knowledge"

i read some fo the posts... wow, that's way too much work to enter into that dialog. keep up the good fight Mike.