Accreditation?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on September 20, 2009 at 3:23pm

I understand "going on" after graduation. I also see there is a "hole" in this situation. You have to study new information and review old, before you test for most licenses.

If there is not a demand, the classes will die off. But if these advanced credentialling aspects involve anatomy (maybe will) and there are not refresher courses, the profession will suffer. You are asking people to advance without even the basics? We have to take and re-study ethics every two years; but anatomy and other basics were "implanted"? Teachers, at conventions and online, are telling us they weren't.

You are saying our profession would rather therapists go to outside sources (jr. college, online, etc) instead of teaching it ourselves? I think that we could employ a lot more instructors and maybe develop a more interesting way of teaching anatomy.

What do you think?


Laura Allen said:

The NCB approves providers of continuing education--meaning "beyond entry level." Their rationale is that continuing education must go beyond what one should have learned in the first 500 hours of massage school, which is considered the minimum standard (yes, I know some states don't have that or have none at all, but that's changing fast). They don't have anything to do with approving entry-level massage schools, other than assigning them an identification number for their graduates to use in applying to take an exam.

Basic Swedish massage is considered entry level that everyone should know when they graduate from school. If you look on the NCBTMB website, CE is allowed in NMT, DT, ortho massage, and other advanced techniques, etc, but Swedish massage is not a category. Any A&P must be advanced in order to be acceptable as CE, such as cadaver dissection or in-depth study of viscera, fascia, etc.

As for the lack of knowledge of A&P basics, there are several factors responsible for that. One, some people mistakenly think massage is only about giving a rub-a-dub, and they don't realize there is hard science involved here. They somehow manage to study enough to pass the test, or they were grandfathered, and then it promptly flew out of their head. Two, schools are at fault when they are just using the latest crop of inexperienced graduates for instructors; when they have no entrance standards other than people having the money to pay for their program; when they graduate students who aren't up to snuff just to get rid of them and make room for the next crop....need I go on?

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Permalink Reply by Laura Allen on September 20, 2009 at 4:01pm

I'm only saying that's what the NCB decrees, and at this moment in time, they are the whole ball of wax. Of course, with so many new entities on the recent horizon, that could change any time.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on September 20, 2009 at 4:15pm

Laura you know, "I love you"! I'm just arguing over the situation we find ourselves in. Some how, some way "common sense" needs to come home.

Laura Allen said:

I'm only saying that's what the NCB decrees, and at this moment in time, they are the whole ball of wax. Of course, with so many new entities on the recent horizon, that could change any time.

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Permalink Reply by Kim Goral on September 22, 2009 at 12:13pm

Hi Marla,

Your work sounds very interesting and exciting, and those are all areas that can always use help. Just for clarification, when you say you've been researching this work, do you mean you have actually completed research trials and/or case studies, or just based on working with people and them saying they feel better? Has any of it been published? I am very interested in the research field and would love to learn/read more of your work. It would certainly be very valuable to both the massage community as well as the general public.

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Permalink Reply by Marla Bishop on September 24, 2009 at 3:34pm

Hi Kim ~
Thanks for the response. I have been working with kids for over 9 years now. As far as "research", I have noted results, per child ~ I evaluate the child on the first visit. I also gather information from the parent. Each visit I will note progress based on many points of interest. Each child is different so my goals are customized for the individual. If the child is of age to communicate ~ that is where I pull most of what I document. Although the parents perception of the child's progress is of great importance, it is most important to get feedback from the child. As far as anything published, not at this time. There have been many studies conducted in children & massage. My objective has more about creating a method to teach other therapists, parents, & other caregivers. I hope to have a class available soon! Keep us posted should you do any research, I love to hear feedback from therapists, as well as clients. Keep in TOUCH!

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Permalink Reply by Rick Reddington on December 17, 2009 at 10:06am

Hi Marla, did u find anymore info on getting classes accredited.

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Permalink Reply by Toni Roberts on December 2, 2010 at 3:44pm

Marla, there are many ways to market a class. You can offer it:
1. through your state associaiton or local AMTA chapter.
2. through a local school that has state CE approval.
3. offer it without CE approval, possibly at a discounted rate.
4. by buying the list from the state for a mailout.
5. through one of the private national organizations that promote massage classes.
6. through ads in any local or national massage publications.
7. through word of mouth.
8. through any publication that massage therapists read, such as some of the new age tabloids in town.

Marla Bishop said:

Thanks so much ladies! I appreciate all the detailed info. I will continue my certification process per your suggestions. Connie as soon as I get approved I will let you know! =) Thanks Again... If anyone has any marketing suggestions - once the course is approved , I welcome them all! ~ Marla Bishop

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