Hello Lisa, Thank you for pointing out this site and for adding this Massachusetts group. It looks like a wonderful resource. Jeanne

Thanks for joining! Fun to geek around! Its so exciting to find new ways to connect with other therapists. Do you have a practice in Mansfield?

I just joined this group. Hoping to network/connect with other Massachusetts therapists. I've been an MT for 11 years, have a private practice in Quincy. I'm a sole practitioner, so I spend most working time communicating with clients (which is, of course great). But I'd like to have opportunity to communicate more with "peers". Hopefully this board will be an opportunity for that!
I also teach Massage techniques at the John Winsolow Institute of Massage.

Welcome Vinny! Id love to here more aobut the school you teach in-thanks for joining-invite your friends!
Warmly,
Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Busy times for sure. I hope everyone is keeping up with the Board of Massage issues. We are at a critical stage. You can see more about where things are at by going to Urgent Update on our site.

Be well and keep up the good work.

Great to see you as well-please spread the word about the site and the MA group to your list! I am encouraging therapists of all association affiliations to join this great community!

For anyone interested in developing their reflexology thumb walking technique you may visit www.orthoflexology.com
Click on the blue screen titled "Reflexology Fundamentals Introduction" there are 2 chapters from the DVD you may watch for free to improve or develop your thumb walking technique, the hip-sciatic/pelvic/knee-leg chapter is there as well and can be used for anyone presenting hip, sciatic or leg challenges. This area also works great for knumb toes.

All the best.

Scott

Hello, I'm just joining the group. I have a solo practice in S. Dennis, MA and I think it's great to have this forum to exchange ideas. Thanks!

Hello everyone:

I just joined. I am in private practice in Stoneham. I have been doing clinical and sportsmmassage for more than 25 years. I also specialize in trigger point therapy and somatic work. I am also a pyschologist and am a member of the Faculty at Tufts University. More than 60% of my practice is high school and college athletes.

I'm looking forward to the dialogue.

Larry

Welcome Larry! Are you involved with Sports Massage events? We just launched the new AMTA MA chapter site yesterday-I am looking to add events from the ENTIRE mt community-regardless of professional affiliation-so if you have an event that you would like posted-let me know! You can visit the new site at www.massamta.org

Lisa: I am excited to hear that you are welcome all MT's regardless of affiliation. When i have run sports teams in the past this was my approach as well. Bravo.... We are all healers and volunteerism should be encouraged regardless of professional membership organization....

Agreed! I am creating a form on the new MA chapter website so that folks can submit events and also CE opportunities-I am really keen on having the site be a resource for all massage therapists!

Hi, I am a recent graduate of Spa Tech Institute and I am in the midst of my job searching. Trying to find the right fit for me! I think a clinical setting is where I want to be. This site has been great for me to read about other massage therapists experiences, struggles, and successes... I hope to add insite in the months and years to come.

Welcome Ginnette! Congrats on your graduation!! Please feel free to ask any questions and let me know if I can be of any service to you. Also join the MA AMTA Facebook group-it is open to all!
http://groups.to/amtamachapter/ Also sign up for our newsletter at www.massamta.org

Great marketing info! Read full article here
“Massage is an inexpensive and easy way to manage pain, which is a big part of having Sickle Cell Disease ,” said Dr. Ranalli, attending physician in Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Nationwide Children’s and a faculty member at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Our own Lisa Santoro quoted!
Beat economy-induced stress with massage therapists' secrets Read here

Harwich Cranberry Harvest Half Marathon, 10/4/09
Massage therapists are needed for this event which promises to be a lot of fun. Therapists will be compensated for their time! Please contact Mary White for details on how to volunteer for this great event. mary@mmtcenter.com

Just joined this group so I wanted to say hi (-:

Hello! I am so happy I found this group. I just joined and I am looking forward to connecting with other practicing mts in the area! I am currently working with eldery and disabled adults. I looking to further my education and experience in this area of massage. I hope to utilize this site to find other therapists and workshops in the areas of working with compassionate touch.

Got my license today in MA. What a production. 3 other states no problem. 16 yrs of jumping hoops I'm used to.
Robin

For all of you friends on facebook, I envite you to become a fan of Massage Warehouse to get news, tips, and sneak peek looks at upcoming sales!
come join the fun!
www.facebook.com/massagewarehouse

I am confused, Sophie. As much as NCB wants everyone to believe one cannot get a license anywhere without them it is just not true. MA (until May) requires certification from a massage school... not NCB's cert. MA requires 500 minimum program. MA requires $225 (USD) fee. No exam is needed...

AFter May, 2010, MA requires 650 hours... currently, although the licensing board is still struggling with many requirements... no exam...

Sophie, You should be able to apply for your license without passing the National Exam. I recently sent in for my license and have no gone for the national's yet. As Vinny stated the requirements that are what is on the website. Look on mass.gov and search massage therapy and it will tell you all of the requirements.

Having just gone though this I can understand you frustration. I was national cert in FL in 1995. My school closed in 2003 so I had to track down my transcript only to be told it was invalid due to it's lack of Federally accredations required by MA. Had to go to NCB for that transcript...and waited and waited. No one would expidite the process even with the offer of overnight shipping. Then I was notified I had to reapply for my application under the grandfather clause.

I know this doesn't help much but to know your not alone. I spoke with Michael Hawley several times and he insisted that I could not work, volunteer or do anything until all was completed. He them said there would be no board meetiing in Oct. This is when they review your documentation for approval. I was going to have to wait until the Nov 20th and I was a bit pissed. Just as I was surrending to the process I got an email saying congratulations. Seems they kicked it through early. Yippee! The process took me 4months.

You also need to make sure the establishment has a license for you to be able to work. The spa/or where ever needs this b4 you can work there or you may get fined along with the business for not having this document.

Believe it or not I am now waiting for the spa to get this document b4 I can work. They went forward with advertising and are leaning on me to work...Not gonna do it. Worked too hard to risk it.

Hope this helped..

Where in CA? I moved here from Mission Viejo 2 yrs ago. Just north of San Diego

Sorry to hear that people are having such a hard time with getting their licenses. A recommendation. Get involved. I know the last board meeting was cancelled but i highly recommend people attend the board meetings. Even once you are licensed. The board is making a lot of decisions that affect your present and future working conditions. Perhaps consider applying to be on the board. There are stil vacancies and at least two board member terms are supposed to expire soon.
BTW Robin.. the spa you are at can legally offer up to 8 hours a week of massage services right now without an establishment license. It is only after 8 hours per week that the establishment license is required.
It is a shame that people are having a hard time getting licensed..but consider yourself fortunate because in 2010 it is going to get even harder. Even though Massachusetts only will have 650 hours for licensing it will be one of the hardest states to get a license for people who study out of state. ABMP as well as schools like Spa Tech Institute have been trying to work with the massagge board to keep the field of massage accessible for new therapists but more people becoming involved to help improve the situation for the longterm is needed.
One additional recommendation. For anyone hoping to get their license approved this Friday. You can attend the board meeting. This way if questions come up when the board is reviewing your school information you are right there.

Timothy, I may take your suggestion of getting involved by applying, yet again, for the licensing board; even though I don't expect much from that anymore than most of the other processes they are involved in.
First time I applied for membership consideration, (shortly after the application process started), I didn't even get an acknowledgement... four months later, when I applied a second time, I did recieve an aknowledgement, but it was a mistake...in that the acknowledgement they sent me was intended for someone else. When I pointed that out to them, they did acknlwledge receipt of my application for membership. (never heard from them again of course)
(never notified if I was even considered even t hough my qualifications included 12 years experience, three years teaching, completion of 1000 hour program, and various other certifications).
The third time I applied, their reply was that I had the wrong qualifications, they wanted a "consumer," not another massage therapist. (even though their website at the time continued to report they were short 2 members.

Rumor has it, that one problem is the Licensing Board is spending a great deal of attention to a power struggle with the Dept. of Education; a turf war over whoe controls what regarding education of massage therapists in MA.
Bad Karma!

Sophie, I would not think so, I certainly hope not. Especially in this "temporary" time, where they have stated no particular requirements except 500 hour certified programs.

I can't help but notice that there are a lot of places that don't have an est. licnses and are doing more than 8 hours a week. Is this just not on the boards top concerns at this point

The Office of Investigations is beginning to make the rounds and start to fine businesses that do not have their establishment license. At one of the last board meetings there was lengthy discussion about whether the massage therapist working in an unlicensed establishment can be held accountable and the answer is yew. They would be violating the code of conduct and are putting their own license at risk.

Vinny:

The board still does have one position open for a community member (not afiliated with any schools and the person cannot be a licensed MT. The oard will be looking for LMT's who are not school affiliated once the terms come up...but as i said..one term expired 11 months ago and that person is still on the board and another is due to come up in a month.

I have noticed that there are a lot of spa's that don't have a license. There are a few in Worcester, MA. which is near me so are they doing inspections of places that have a license too now???

"one term expired 11 months ago and that person is still on the board"
Interesting...how does that work? Maybe the Office of Investigations needs to look at this board as well ; )

Actually, good to hear there may be some enforcement of est. licensing... it does seem there are lots of est. (and people doing massage independently) without licenses.