Research into working realities for LMT's

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on March 12, 2012 at 11:04pm

I think it may have been done. I know many MTs who have been in the business for over 20 years. I'm coming up on 13.

Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on March 13, 2012 at 4:09am

The mindset of massage therapists has to change...That means the educational system has to change....Not change within the same system...There needs to be a complete new system...Like I said...As long as  our text books say go see a medical doctor if you think you might be getting carpal tunnel. The career span will remain short. 

Permalink Reply by Gabriella Sonam on March 13, 2012 at 5:59am

Daniel, thanks for your response.

Could you please elaborate? What you've written gives me the impression you don't recognize a need to learn about the experiences of our colleagues, far too many of whom leave the field within 3 years of initial licensure. Why wouldn't we want to investigate to learn about ways to improve working conditions, education, legislation, etc. etc. Surely that's not what you mean to say, is it?

I too have been a happy and successful LMT for nearly 20 years, but that doesn't mean I'm not interested in the experiences of my colleagues, and the prospects of my students. Not to mention improving the experiences clients are having. High turn over in the field doesn't serve anyone. 

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on March 13, 2012 at 6:54am

First step is to determine why they leave and removing the first three years see what % stays. Massage has been a profession that people can "try out". They don't invest as much time as many others nor the money to certify. Part time work as an income supplement is easily available. So people can try a year or two to see if it works for them. It also takes self initiative to keep going. So we have a profession where people can test the water and expand to full time or leave. Personally I think if that is why many drop out then it needs no correction.

Then we have the category of "Out Call". Many of these decide to work unlicensed and go off radar.These appear to leave the profession but don't.

Next are those who start a family or worry about their future and leave to take corporate jobs for the benefits. This is beyond us and with the way the healthcare debates go, beyond our nation.

Another category which we can help are those who have RMS and leave because they are concerned with their own health. This the schools can help by teaching to use arms instead of hands in certification curriculum strokes. It is a simple change and should be done without needing research. We should be teaching Massage not Swedish from the start.

If your goal is to make better Therapists than concentrate on learning touch and seeing through the contact of your body on another rather than preparation for testing. The most important questions I think should be asked of the schools.
1) How much do you incorporate forearm application to your strokes and basic pattern?

2) How many hours do your students spend giving massage blind folded?

So first research to determine if there is a profession problem and if so, what is it. A poll with specific questions to determine this could be circulated rather than just asking for experiences. Associations could be used to get it out to members and former members. It is difficult to get response from those no longer in the profession and even those of us that join forums only a fraction participate actively. This skews any validity to the data collected.

Again I say first determine if the profession has a problem. But if the question is do we need to have longer work life to justify higher tuition fees and longer study then I see the point. But we already seem to have a base acceptance of a 500 hour curriculum. In my opinion already too long if used effectively.

Another question is: Is it beneficial to the Massage Profession (and that is different from asking is it beneficial to the Massage Industry) to be accessible to many who are interested to try or for part time work for all ages rather than as solely a young persons life long career opportunity?.

The answer could reduce the diversity of the profession and set a new direction.

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on March 13, 2012 at 6:57am

By the way, the new requirement of credit card possessing companies to issue 1099s may bring back some of those working under the radar to coming on screen. However most only take cash.

Permalink Reply by Katherine Ferranti on March 13, 2012 at 7:00am

Gabriella, Lots of interesting possibilities here. I just took a continuing ed class and there were many professionals present who had little to no continuing ed for the whole of their careers (15 + years). They expressed how the baseline education has dramatically changed since they went through the program (fascia was not stressed like it is today and most didn't have a basic grasp of its effect on the body). Also, just the simple review of anatomy..."where is QL", "what is/where is the sacrotuberous ligament" were all too common. I think the new CEU requirements are one step in the right direction (though it's a new, and not perfect system) to keeping people motivated. Self care is something we each have to figure out for ourselves on the job and in the moment which is also a challenge! Something else I am learning is that I thought I didn't have a problem with boundaries, but realized that I DO!!  Not professional boundaries, but just giving too much of myself to my clients. I also meet 1x/month with some classmates where we can share everything we have been through. I can't tell you how much it helps to restore my energy and remind me that I am not in this journey alone.

Permalink Reply by Gabriella Sonam on March 13, 2012 at 8:40am

Daniel,

Thank you for your thoughts, I appreciate that you have a lot of ideas. However, I must point out that your approach to sharing feels very much as if you think I need you to tell me how to do the study. I feel I must push you back a little bit and establish some respectful boundaries by reiterating that I simply asked for thoughts and ideas on the matter. I did not ask for instructions on how to conduct a social research study. I have plenty of support and experience with that; I am more than competent to do my own work, thank you. 

Daniel Cohen said:

First step is to determine why they leave and removing the first three years see what % stays. Massage has been a profession that people can "try out". They don't invest as much time as many others nor the money to certify. Part time work as an income supplement is easily available. So people can try a year or two to see if it works for them. It also takes self initiative to keep going. So we have a profession where people can test the water and expand to full time or leave. Personally I think if that is why many drop out then it needs no correction.

Then we have the category of "Out Call". Many of these decide to work unlicensed and go off radar.These appear to leave the profession but don't.

Next are those who start a family or worry about their future and leave to take corporate jobs for the benefits. This is beyond us and with the way the healthcare debates go, beyond our nation.

Another category which we can help are those who have RMS and leave because they are concerned with their own health. This the schools can help by teaching to use arms instead of hands in certification curriculum strokes. It is a simple change and should be done without needing research. We should be teaching Massage not Swedish from the start.

If your goal is to make better Therapists than concentrate on learning touch and seeing through the contact of your body on another rather than preparation for testing. The most important questions I think should be asked of the schools.
1) How much do you incorporate forearm application to your strokes and basic pattern?

2) How many hours do your students spend giving massage blind folded?

So first research to determine if there is a profession problem and if so, what is it. A poll with specific questions to determine this could be circulated rather than just asking for experiences. Associations could be used to get it out to members and former members. It is difficult to get response from those no longer in the profession and even those of us that join forums only a fraction participate actively. This skews any validity to the data collected.

Again I say first determine if the profession has a problem. But if the question is do we need to have longer work life to justify higher tuition fees and longer study then I see the point. But we already seem to have a base acceptance of a 500 hour curriculum. In my opinion already too long if used effectively.

Another question is: Is it beneficial to the Massage Profession (and that is different from asking is it beneficial to the Massage Industry) to be accessible to many who are interested to try or for part time work for all ages rather than as solely a young persons life long career opportunity?.

The answer could reduce the diversity of the profession and set a new direction.

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on March 13, 2012 at 8:54am

Sorry you take it that way, you asked me for my thoughts on the subject and I gave them. Just my thoughts and opinion, no coercion. Only you can decide how you will do something. But the responder decides also their own thoughts.

Namaste

Gabriella Sonam said:

Daniel,

Thank you for your thoughts, I appreciate that you have a lot of ideas. However, I must point out that your approach to sharing feels very much as if you think I need you to tell me how to do the study. I feel I must push you back a little bit and establish some respectful boundaries by reiterating that I simply asked for thoughts and ideas on the matter. I did not ask for instructions on how to conduct a social research study. I have plenty of support and experience with that; I am more than competent to do my own work, thank you. 

Daniel Cohen said:

First step is to determine why they leave and removing the first three years see what % stays. Massage has been a profession that people can "try out". They don't invest as much time as many others nor the money to certify. Part time work as an income supplement is easily available. So people can try a year or two to see if it works for them. It also takes self initiative to keep going. So we have a profession where people can test the water and expand to full time or leave. Personally I think if that is why many drop out then it needs no correction.

Then we have the category of "Out Call". Many of these decide to work unlicensed and go off radar.These appear to leave the profession but don't.

Next are those who start a family or worry about their future and leave to take corporate jobs for the benefits. This is beyond us and with the way the healthcare debates go, beyond our nation.

Another category which we can help are those who have RMS and leave because they are concerned with their own health. This the schools can help by teaching to use arms instead of hands in certification curriculum strokes. It is a simple change and should be done without needing research. We should be teaching Massage not Swedish from the start.

If your goal is to make better Therapists than concentrate on learning touch and seeing through the contact of your body on another rather than preparation for testing. The most important questions I think should be asked of the schools.
1) How much do you incorporate forearm application to your strokes and basic pattern?

2) How many hours do your students spend giving massage blind folded?

So first research to determine if there is a profession problem and if so, what is it. A poll with specific questions to determine this could be circulated rather than just asking for experiences. Associations could be used to get it out to members and former members. It is difficult to get response from those no longer in the profession and even those of us that join forums only a fraction participate actively. This skews any validity to the data collected.

Again I say first determine if the profession has a problem. But if the question is do we need to have longer work life to justify higher tuition fees and longer study then I see the point. But we already seem to have a base acceptance of a 500 hour curriculum. In my opinion already too long if used effectively.

Another question is: Is it beneficial to the Massage Profession (and that is different from asking is it beneficial to the Massage Industry) to be accessible to many who are interested to try or for part time work for all ages rather than as solely a young persons life long career opportunity?.

The answer could reduce the diversity of the profession and set a new direction.

Permalink Reply by Gabriella Sonam on March 13, 2012 at 8:55am

Hello Katherine,

So great to hear from you! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. I agree with you on the importance of continuing ed, keeping relationships with colleagues vital, and the need to occasionally check our boundaries!  We know that isolation, excessively permeable boundaries, and getting into a rut using the same techniques are highly correlated with burnout, compassion fatigue, and overuse injury. I will be looking very specifically at these elements. I wish you well, it sounds like you are off to a great start! I'm honored to be your colleague! 

Katherine Ferranti said:

Gabriella, Lots of interesting possibilities here. I just took a continuing ed class and there were many professionals present who had little to no continuing ed for the whole of their careers (15 + years). They expressed how the baseline education has dramatically changed since they went through the program (fascia was not stressed like it is today and most didn't have a basic grasp of its effect on the body). Also, just the simple review of anatomy..."where is QL", "what is/where is the sacrotuberous ligament" were all too common. I think the new CEU requirements are one step in the right direction (though it's a new, and not perfect system) to keeping people motivated. Self care is something we each have to figure out for ourselves on the job and in the moment which is also a challenge! Something else I am learning is that I thought I didn't have a problem with boundaries, but realized that I DO!!  Not professional boundaries, but just giving too much of myself to my clients. I also meet 1x/month with some classmates where we can share everything we have been through. I can't tell you how much it helps to restore my energy and remind me that I am not in this journey alone.

Permalink Reply by Barbara Helynn Heard on March 13, 2012 at 9:34am

Aloha Gabriella,

 

I like your questions, and am interested to hear the responses from people.

I heard Daniel's contribution differently.  I found it to be thoughtful and carefully written respolnse to your questions, and juice for the conversation on this forum.  I don't sense any disrespect in his tone, nor implication that he's telling you what to do.

 

aloha,

Barbara Helynn

 

Permalink Reply by Gabriella Sonam on March 13, 2012 at 1:13pm

Thank you for your response Barbara, I appreciate it. I too am very  interested in hearing MT's ideas about these questions.

Gabriella

Barbara Helynn Heard said:

Aloha Gabriella,

 

I like your questions, and am interested to hear the responses from people.

I heard Daniel's contribution differently.  I found it to be thoughtful and carefully written respolnse to your questions, and juice for the conversation on this forum.  I don't sense any disrespect in his tone, nor implication that he's telling you what to do.

 

aloha,

Barbara Helynn

 

Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on March 13, 2012 at 1:39pm

A skilled massage therapist can treat anybody a chiropractor can treat, and get them well faster.....Until that reality and confidence is taught..Until then, massage therapists will get burnt out, suffer repetitive stress injuries, not make enough money, and quit.  Ive been doing this work for 28 years now.  Once you rule out any underlying pathology, massage rules.  I know what I'm capable of.  If you think  you might be getting carpal tunnel why run to a medical doctor? Therapists should be taught that massage is the most effective modality for any repetitive stress injury and be able to fix themselves as well as  any client or patient that comes in with a carpal tunnel problem...The whole educational premiss is wrong.  A weak foundation creates a short career span...Chiropractors are taught that they are 1st tier providers.  They have long career spans...They are naught taught to run to a medical doctor if they think they are getting carpal tunnel. 

Gordon J. Wallis said: 

The mindset of massage therapists has to change...That means the educational system has to change....Not change within the same system...There needs to be a complete new system...Like I said...As long as  our text books say go see a medical doctor if you think you might be getting carpal tunnel. The career span will remain short. 

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