AOS Medical Massage Class

If it is time to take your massage therapy training to the next level, you are in good company. Practitioners of massage from many different schools around the country/world who have practiced for months or years have the opportunity to attend classes to receive an Associates Degree in Massage Therapy here at BCMT. Your next question is likely: what will an Associates Degree get me? Besides further education in a growing field, you will take classes that will make you more valuable to employers and your clients. (Yes, you can charge more.) You will specialize in 2 or more fields of choice in addition to training in Medical Massage, Trauma in the Body, and Advanced Practitioner Skills with a focus on Cranial-Sacral techniques. While discovering these new found skills you will also participate in conducting a research study,  either in literature or a case study on 1 or more clients.  I had the privilege of observing the case study presentations from the recent class of medical massage students. What an inspiring, knowledge filled evening. I observed 12 students presentations delivered with confidence and passion.  Here is a little information about the first 6:

The evening started with Michelle K. on Relaxation for people with Gastritis, Esophagitis, Diverticulosis. Did you know that 38 million people a year go to their doctors for digestive problems? Can massage therapy have a positive affect on those who suffer from these conditions?

Andrew, Alex and Instructor Dr. Melis, DC

Andrew P. followed up with Treating Acid Reflux with Reflexology. His focus was on an Eastern Medicine approach to a very common western problem. Even examining the correlation between the emotional and physical component to this disease.

Alex R. focused on a disease that plagues somewhere between 3-6 million Americans (mostly women). His topic Effects of Massage Therapy on Sleep Patterns with Fibromyalgia Clients. Fibromyalgia is determined by an eleven point tenderness evaluation. Due to many symptoms related to the disease sleeping is rarely a relaxing activity.  He measured whether or not the massage would help, movement during sleep, the # of hours slept, twitching and temperature control, and waking up confused.  (Here’s the scoop,  it works:))

Melissa J. did her research on Massage and Adolescents with Behavior Problems. She found interesting research primarily from the Touch Research Institute in Miami. She focused her interest in 4 main types of behavioral issues: Bulimia, ADHD, Aggressive Disorder and Depression. Very interesting.

Anne W. (below) delivered a stellar presentation on The Effects of the Standard Orthopedic Clinical Massage Protocol on Chronic Knee Pain. Her case study had Genu-Varum (bow-legged) and substantial knee pain. She compared the stretch- weakened muscled to the adaptively-shortened ones. She found treatment of all involved muscles in the leg to be of great importance.

Sandy M. I think won the award for the most unique study. Her interest resulted from her practicing a new technique from Advanced Practitioner Techniques with a Focus on Cranial-Sacral class on a friend, with amazing and surprising results. Her study; Cranial-Sacral Therapy Effects on Hemianopsia on Stroke Victims. (I didn’t know what it was either.) Fascinating information, that brought up questions for us as massage therapists and the effects of relaxation on the brain.

So there is just a tasty sampling of these students time and effort to expand the knowledge and research of massage therapy. Yes, we know it’s  an amazing and ever expanding field, it’s time the western medicine field sits up and takes notice. Next week 6 more students exploring different topics. Any golfers out there, stay tuned!

I have been receiving massages for about 15 years. I have no idea how many I have gotten over those years before I came to school here. But I can tell you the ones that stood out as the best and worst massages I have recieved. The best 2 were a couple of  therapists that practiced out of  small offices in Lyons. With both of these therapists I felt comfortable, I felt they were able to give me the depth I wanted and needed. I’m one of those people that needs alot of pressure I have some old injuries that love to haunt me,  and they need to be beaten into submission. Well at least that was my thinking at the time. I’ve since communicated with my body, and now we love several different kinds of massage.   However, the worst massage I ever endured was from a spa on a little island off the California coast. At the time I was working as a telecommuter, so needless to say I was on the computer constantly.  It was my last day I forwarded all my information to my supervisor, found someone to doggy sit,  and drove to California on a whim.  I felt at the very least I deserve a great massage and some beach time. So, I made an appointment with the spa and walked over from my hotel. I paid extra for a deep tissue massage and happily climbed onto the warm massage table. AHHHHH Yes, it was time for the relaxation to begin.  My therapist came in and didn’t say much, so I just let it be known that the day before my 96 pound lab had decided to dart after a squirrel with his rope wrapped around my leg so I had the worst rope burn around my ankle.  I thought it was also noteworthy to bring up my computer neck  and that I just sat in a car for 14 hours. (That should give them enough to work on.) It began on my back with a rapid shaking and pushing. My shoulders were pushed, pulled ,and stretched and in quick abrupt manner. It actually made me feel more stressed.  So I thought to myself maybe I need to be more clear, I told them I just quit my job and needed to wind down after an insane week. The shaking continued.

Me After My "Massage"

The therapist still had said no more than 10 words to me,  so I decided to be open to this new technique and ride it out. Until they grabbed my leg very abruptly to move the sheet, yep, my rope burned scabbed ankle.  I hollered, “please” I begged ” be careful my ankle is so sore and tender”. My comment was met with a mumbled ” oh sorry” and on the the procedure went on.  I was indeed a martini, shaken and not stirred to any relaxation. After a gruling hour and having my ankle grabbed 3 times. I was done in more ways then one! 

I survived my “massage” and went on 5 months later to go to massage school. This expierence did not turn me sour on massage;  just short  programs that don’t teach communications classes on how to work with your client and their injuries (the therapist had attended a short massage program).  I have to add too, that the 2 really good massages I had, both the therapists graduated from BCMT. I didn’t know any of this until I started researching massage schools a few months later.

Interesting information on why to choose a 1000-hour program:

• With a 1000 hours you can practice anywhere in the U.S. no state requires more then 1000 hours of education.
• If you choose to do a shorter program and then move to New York or Nebraska or other various locations that requires 1000 hours; they most likely will not honor your previous hours and you will have to start over to fulfill the 1000-hours. ( Can you hear the flush as the money goes down the toilet.)
• You only go to massage school once, do it right the first time.
• Be prepared, if you want a job who do you think they are going to hire first, 250-hours, 500-hours or a 1000?
• A well rounded education is worth the time and money to help you be the best: Kinesiology, Communications, Anatomy, Ethics, Career classes, in addition to the hands-on modalities only make you a better more prepared therapist.
• Most 500-hour courses take about 7-9 months, in 12 months you can have 1000.  Don’t sell yourself short.

Do you want to be the best therapist you can be ? Then, really weigh your choices before deciding where to go. Visit the school get a good picture of the education you are getting.  If they don’t have communications classes, and chances to use it in the real world like an Internship program, think twice, because you may fall into the snare of not listening to your client and really hurt someone.

There’s that moment in a massage when the moan just slips out. Oh, that tight muscle finally lets go, or you just really needed to be touched, and out the energy goes… with a moan or a sigh. Lucy was moaning. Her eyes were half closed and she blew air out her nostrils… she was enjoying her massage so much. She really needed it.

Click here to read the rest of this article and interview with BCMT grad Ian Hewins.

Last week when I was in the Boulder College of Massage Therapy Student Clinic, I was reminded of its importance in an overall massage education.  The BCMT clinic enables students to learn how to work effectively in a professional atmosphere and to develop skills in charting, assessment, massage treatment planning, and in administrative functions.  For those living in or visiting the Boulder area, the clinic provides a tremendous  opportunity to experience th is a tremendous resource for those seeking the benefits of therapeutic massage.

Kathy Weiss in the Student Clinic

About the BCMT Student Clinic 

• The teaching clinic is a major part of each student’s education.
• The BCMT student and professional clinics provide over 8,000 massages to the community each year.
• The clinic consists of 12 treatment rooms designed for privacy and relaxation
• BCMT students provide massage therapy to clients of all ages.
• The professional clinic allows students who are working on their Associates Degree in massage therapy to work with clients while at BCMT.

One Student’s Experience

Adriana Kalland

NST student, Adrianna Kalland, was beaming following one of her shifts in the clinic recently.  One of her clients had just handed her a business card saying that she would love to see Adrianna for professional massage once she graduates.  It is not uncommon for students at BCMT to find potential clients through their clinic and service learning experiences. 

Adrianna says that working in the clinic is her favorite aspect of  the program.  She looks forward to working in the clinic, explaining that it really gives her a chance to “dive in” to massage.  She has gained a sense of accomplishment by having repeat clients request her as a therapist.  She has even used the clinic to schedule some of her massage sessions with service learning clients.  For Adrianna the clinic always feels safe and professional.

In Adrianna’s words, “the BCMT student clinic serves as a bridge to the outside”.  Through the clinic experience, it is much easier for Adrianna to see herself as a professional and to become confident about “making it” in the field of massage therapy.  She is confident that she will have clientele when she graduates.  She is also looking ahead to becoming a contract employee in the BCMT massage clinic while she completes the her Associates Degree in massage therapy. 

Do you run, swim, bike, hike, climb, or power-walk everyday? Have you been in a race of any kind? Have you ever thrown up or cried crossing a finish line? If no pain no gain is in your regular vocabulary, then sports massage is right up your lane .

Boulder draws elite athletes from all over the world with hopes and dreams of becoming Olympic quality athletes or just local heroes with an obsession to push their bodies to extremes. With such endeavors in the forefront of their minds, they will sometimes experience the moment when their body decides to snap. It could be a tendon, muscle, ligament and/or the dreaded bone! Even though this is always a possibility, it rarely prevents true athletes from holding back to pursue their goals. This honored group of dedicated overachievers deserves a hand. No, stop clapping, I mean a massage hand!

Sports Massage In-Class Clinic-Students Using New and Varied Techniques

Every athlete knows that stretching, good diet and enough water are keys success, but Boulder athletes know that massage is just as important in keeping the body and mind ready to compete. I regularly work with athletes and I do love it. I have an Orthopedic and Sports Certification from BCMT, which gave me additional knowledge and understanding of the athletic body and mind. Most if not all, Olympic athletes have a massage therapist that travels with them; this is not surprising considering the benefits that come from regular massage.

Massage affects blood flow to tissue of all kinds. So depending on whether you want a pre-event, mid, or post-event massage it is going to have a variety of positive effects on the body. To put it in the easiest terms: blood is a train; bear with me, I love illustrations. So your train brings good stuff to town like supplies to feed the tissue and give it necessary nutrients to build you up and take care of any depletion in the system. It has many cars filled with oxygen and chemicals that do a bunch of different jobs. But on the other hand it has lots of empty cars that take away the rif raf.  Things like metabolic waste and damaged tissue have to be transported away. So anytime you are helping the body to move the wastes away and bring in more supplies you are going to perform better. Not only will your performance be smoother but you are less likely to get hurt because the body functions in a more economical way. We use stretching techniques that prepare the body to be pushed to its limits and it keeps the joints lubricated in the process to help prevent tearing.

Happy Athletes- Getting Out the Kinks.

Every quarter our Sports Massage Elective class gets to try their hand in working with serious athletes. After 9 weeks of classes they are assigned by their instructor to work with some of the amazing athletes from here in Boulder. It’s a great deal for everyone involved; the students get a supervised hands-on experience, and the athletes get a free massage with the only obligation being an honest open feed back be given to the students. Everyone wins! A massage is a gift you can give yourself, your body and your mind will thank-you.
So, if you are one of the die hard athletes that grace the streets in the early morning or run by me at top speed as I meander the walking paths, I give you a hand, you can clap now, or come see us for a massage!

So you’ve decided that you want to attend massage school… or at least you have become intrigued with the idea.  This is a big decision and it is important that you make the right choice.  As one of our students said, “You only go to massage school once.”  Therefore, you want to understand all that is involved with your decision.  Here at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy we offer many events to help you understand the school philosophy, the curriculum, and the various programs.

Last Friday night we had a Career Night.  Eight times a year we offer this wonderful opportunity to explore a career in massage therapy. Third quarter student, Michael Durisen, began the evening with a massage demonstration for prospective students.  Each time we have a student do a massage demonstration I am very impressed.  Michael hasn’t quite finished his third quarter of massage school but his work looked like that of a true professional.  Prospective students gathered around to better understand all that is involved in giving and receiving a massage.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend a Career Night?  You will expect to be greeted by Jan Combs, College President, who will  give you an overview of what makes the Boulder College of Massage Therapy one of the premier massage schools in the world.  A BCMT student, like Michael Durisen will tell about his/her experience as a student.  We always invite one of our alumni, such as Todd Ackerman who makes it very clear that one can really have a successful career as a massage therapist (even in Boulder, CO).  Esteemed faculty members, like Melanie Russell, tell their fascinating stories as massage therapists and teachers.  Have you wondered about the “hands-on” experiences at massage school?  Each teacher creates an opportunity for prospective students to engage in experiential activities.  You will learn about current events  from Rebecca little, alumna & Admissions Coordinator, who continually provides updates of the latest happenings with our Massage for Peace campaign, capturing everyone’s attention with descriptions of service learning  in Tulum, Mexico and assisting Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala, India.

If you missed out on this opportunity to visit the Boulder College of Massage Therapy, plan now to attend our next Career Night on Friday, April 24th from 5:30 pm -7:00 pm.  Contact BCMT to reserve your space.  Better yet… register for the Into to Massage Therapy Weekend Class  in addition to Career Night and get 1/2 off of this amazing class.

Not only do humans love, need, and benefit from massage, so do our four-legged friends. At Boulder College of Massage Therapy we have an excellent Canine Massage certification program. Canine massage helps dogs maintain muscle tone and joint flexibilty, increases blood and lymph circulation, flushes toxins from muscles and joints, relieves discomfort from arthritis, lameness, and hip dysplasia, helps to prevent injuries, helps in the recovery of injury or surgery, and most of all, it feels great!

     My Dachsund friend in the photo, Quita, comes to my office regularly for short massage sessions and look at the thanks I get! Quita’s owner got her from a Dachsund Rescue program.  Abused to some extent, massage and touch has definitely relieved some of the anxiety in this cute little pooche’s life.

The Canine massage certification program is offered through our continuing education department to massage therapists as well as veterinarians, vet techs, and others who have work experience in the animal world.  If full certification isn’t what you are looking for, you can take an intensive 32 hr Canine Massage Preparatory Course for the Non-Professional. This course is available at the end of March, so start planning now!   The full certification courses take place in June.  If you want to feel some love and appreciation from man’s best friend….this just might be for you!

I rarely feel ahead of the crowd. Let me give you some examples: Only started texting 2 years ago. Up until 3 months ago I had no idea what blog was. Stopped wearing my 80’s clothes somewhere around the late 90’s. Thought myspace was a movie.  My point? I finally got ahead of the crowd.  Yes, I completely love being a massage therapist and it’s also the up and coming frontier. Being in this industry I completely feel like we are pulling ahead of the crowd and making our way to better money and careers.  I have felt this way for the past couple years but I have the statistics to confirm my beliefs.

According to MSN and Career Builders Best Part-Time Jobs for 2009

·         Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 20 percent from 2006 to 2016.

·         Job growth for massage therapists is expected to be faster than average with very good job prospects, particularly for those seeking part-time work.  Salary: $19.39/hour**

If you read the article you will see that this is higher then every other job listed except librarian. Interesting too is that I know tons of massage therapists and everyone I know makes way more then that, between $45.00 to $95.00 an hour. (in this area)  

If you want to really wrap your mind around it the AMTA published this:

• The average annual income for a massage therapist (including tips) who provides 15 hours of massage per week is $30,000, compared to $28,170 for full-time health-care support workers; $27,190 for full-time medical assistants and $23,290 for occupational therapist aides.
• Charging an average of $60 for one hour of massage.
• Earning an average wage of $39 an hour (including tip) for all massage related work.

My ultimate point? Do what you love and make great money doing it. This economy calls for being smart and getting the best job possible.  It’s all about low over-head and high returns. This job is the epitome of that notion. I can only speak for myself but I love this profession and what it means to me and my clients. For me freedom, compassion, giving, receiving, and healing. For them support, kindness, relief from discomfort, a place to let it go and be okay with that notion. I can’t put a price on that, but my monthly bills require me to put a price on something, so I get the best of both worlds.

Laina, 3rd quarter student

Last week I decided to get a massage in our student clinic…one of the definite benefits of working at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy.  My student massage therapist was a 3rd quarter student named Laina.  I was totally impressed with with her calm, caring manner and the confidence she exhibited.  I knew right away that I was in good hands.  Everything from the relaxed atmosphere and ability to assess my needs  to the perfect music made for an outstanding massage.

Laina came to Boulder, Colorado from Westchester County, New York in the spring of 2008 after researching massage programs accross the country.  It is interesting that about 45% of our students come from out of state or out of the country, especially when most of them have massage schools in their hometowns.  Laina looked at several other massage schools which she would describe as good schools but throughout her search, she kept coming back to BCMT.  Laina is a graduate of Oberlin College, a small Liberal Arts college  in Ohio.  She has a dance background.  Throughout her life she has become facinated with the human body.  She loves human sciences and is intrigued by the energetic connections of the body.  She says, “It is the diversity of offerings at BCMT that drew me in.  It is where I need to be.” 

Now that Laina has been at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy for three quarters, she can see that the innovative curriculum is organized in a way that makes so much sense.  For her, classes seem to be structured so that they really fit well together.  She expressed that her first quarter experience was built around introduction, the student mind, and nurturing.  She learned what it meant for each person to be here at BCMT.  Classes in the second and third quarters have been more academically challenging for her but again structured in a way to support each other. 

Perhaps Laina’s experience is best summed up in her own words;  “Everyday I’m excited to come to school.  It challenges and stimulates me.  I love what I’m learning and everything I’m learning feeds me.  The Boulder College of Massage Therapy is a nurturing, fullfilling, and exciting place for me to be.”