I would also like to say that i would like to go into buisness when i have completed my course but surley if i can not massage they way it should be then my buisness would fold rather quickly so wouldn't that problem be just mine because of lack of knowledge and practical? Plus isn't it the job of the client to check me out to see what training i have before treatment then it is up to the client then if they want me to treat them or not
I would also like to say that i would like to go into buisness when i have completed my course but surley if i can not massage they way it should be then my buisness would fold rather quickly so wouldn't that problem be just mine because of lack of knowledge and practical? Plus isn't it the job of the client to check me out to see what training i have before treatment then it is up to the client then if they want me to treat them or not
unfortunately it would not only be your problem, the way I see this situation is as follows.
If you qualify through a distance learning school, take up their own insurance and then provide sub standard massage treatments, then the industry as a whole suffers, your disillusioned clients will think that "massage" is the problem and not that you administer it poorly.
whether we like it or not, massage has become regulated, steps are underway from GCMT member PA's to police their accreditations more effectively, I also know of one major Pa who have recently taken Stonebridge college from their approved list of accredited schools, for the very reason that its courses fell far short of the current NOS,
as the meerkats say SIMPLES, hands on therapies need hands on training from experienced and appropriately qualified instructors. there is no negotiation here in my book, it either satisfies teaching aims and learning objectives or it doesnt.
Sorry to disagree here with those who have suggested "swapsies" as appropriate methods of learning, by going to see another therapist does not guarantee correct techniques are being taught or learnt, there is no assessment process to satisfy evidence requirements from awarding or accrediting bodies.
an interesting thread that deserves more input from those practising therapists, assessors, tutors whose livelihood is being diluted by some really quite shocking standards which a minority of HPers seem happy with
a slightly concerned BGFL who will be forwarding this thread to my PA to raise at GCMT and CNHC level.
I would also like to say that i would like to go into buisness when i have completed my course but surley if i can not massage they way it should be then my buisness would fold rather quickly so wouldn't that problem be just mine because of lack of knowledge and practical? Plus isn't it the job of the client to check me out to see what training i have before treatment then it is up to the client then if they want me to treat them or not
Hi Susan,
I wasnt going to get involved in this discussion as my views on this topic are widely known on here.....however, my fingers are too itchy!
Firstly, I have to commend anyone that wants to further themselves by education, and the fact that you are doing this is commendable.
Over the years I have done many, many distance learning courses, some good, and some diabolical, I also develop distance learning programmes, because I know that they are a much needed way of learning for lots of people, many in the same situation as you.
I have to say, that I dont think that ANY hands-on therapy, including massage, can be studied to practitioner level via distance learning (nor indeed one or two day workshops). That is not just my opinion, but the opinion of the leaders in these fields, who are part of the governing bodies of the therapies, and also the regulators.
With massage in particular, it has already been mentioned that there are National Occupational Standards, and we are a regulated profession, whether therapists like it or not. This has been brought about so that we can move the profession forward with higher standards, which will eventually bring about more benefits for therapists.
The reason there are training providers out there that offer these courses is simple....they are great money earners, and they choose to ignore the fact that there are National Occupational Standards in place, and their courses do not meet them. They also ignore the fact that neither the governing body nor the regulator recognise the courses, however, they still take your money, knowing these facts.
Just to answer your previous post, which I have quoted above.
Unfortunately, even if your business did fold quickly, and believe me, if you offer a shoddy service, it will, the clients who would have paid for this service would probably not bother using the services of other massage therapists, which does us all a dis-service, and we all lose out. On the other point, I have been practising for almost 20 years, and I have only been asked for my qualifications once, by a client. Most clients do not know one training school, or qualification, from another. They trust that we are well trained. We should not breach that trust.
In my opinion, you should do your studies, do a workshop, research, research, research, practice, practice, practice.....on people you know, and then if you like what you are doing, you should find someway of doing a recognised qualification. Believe me, you will benefit in the long run. There are so many recognised courses all over the country, run in all different formats, one day a week, one night a week, one day per month etc etc.
I would give that advice to anyone looking at training in hands on therapies.
Good luck in whichever route you take, I wish you all the best.
Hi All,
I've just read this entire feed with great interest. I have to fully agree with Sportstherapy. I have been a full time therapist for 13yrs and have witnessed some interesting things during my time. Hands on professions can not be learnt via distance learning. I would want my surgeon to have had some practise before he/she worked on me, should I need any surgery in the future. Why do we not hold our profession in the same regard?
To be a great massage therapist takes - skill, passion, perseverance, intuition, dedication and education - this is acquired over time - usually years. I would dearly love to see the strict regulation similar to the US implemented here.
All too often I see under trained beauty and massage therapists damaging themselves through incorrect and/or insufficient training. We don't hold supervision and mentor ship in high regard and newly trained therapists expect to be able to do what I've spent years learning.
I dearly love what I do and feel so sad about the dilution of training and therapist biodynamics that lead to crippling injury.
Such is life. I do what I can, when I can.
Best of luck all those embarking on their new path.
Cheers, Sue
I think we do also have to remember that there is good and bad in every service. My mum had a hip replacement 3 years ago and the surgen broke her leg in theater and now has had to have several pins plus the replacement hip!! Same with dentists too etc. So sportstherapy i have tried looking at different courses as close to me as possible to do training one day a week etc but there isn't any. I am in stafford so if you can come up with any i will be willing to have a look at them and perhaps posting these courses will help others too. We need help not to be put down all the time when we are only trying to do our best in the situations we have at home.
Hi again just been having a think while sorting the kids for school. Why don't we change this debate around and why don't you more experianced therapists start listing some decent colleges that do full time, part time, evening and one day a week courses that are all over the country. There are enough therapists on this site that are from all over and the question has been asked several times on here about good colleges so if we are looking for advice on this why not give it to us by listing some colleges because we are more likley to take your advice more than anyone with being in the buisness. Help us out not throw us to one side!
I don't know your area at all (live in Scotland) but I've just googled 'colleges stafford' and Stafford College appears to be offering a part-time A&P and part-time aromatherapy course - over 34 weeks - Monday 5.30-7 and Wednesday 5.30-7. There are also alot of other courses on offer. VTCT accredited. Costs vary.
I first trained in 1977, when massage therapy was available in limited centres. I spent 13 months travelling between Portsmouth, London and Blackpool two weekends each month, to qualify in basic body massage and A&P. Since then I have done intensive courses in the USA and Austria and attend courses as and when I can afford them - always learning. In that time I have watched therapists come and go at an alarming rate, and I'm sorry to say that the people who have done distance courses are the first to go - they may have sound theoretical knowledge, but their practical work is always what lets them down.
I'm not knocking you in any way - I've done several distance learning courses myself, but not 'practical' ones as I can't see the point. If child care is an issue, then perhaps it would be better to stick with theory training until such time as you can attend classes whilst the children are being looked after.
Part-time training does work - one of my good freinds completed an HND in Comp Therapy 2 years ago (it was a part-time course over 3 years) and she is now a very successful business owner. She is also a single mum and has 5 children aged 23 - 9.
Yes this is where i do get stuck as my husban works alot of long hours so my only option it between school hours which for me would be something like 9.30 till 2.30 allowing traveling time in that and that is just for stafford. At least if i can get some training in a salon for the time being then i can fit that in.
Hi Susan,
I really dont think anyone is throwing anyone to one side, in fact, what the governing bodies are attempting to do is to work with the distance learning providers to see how they can alter their courses to make them more of a stepping stone to recognised courses, after all, everyone has to start their learning somewhere.
Ive mentioned many times on this forum the route to training should start with the governing body (in massage) GCMT, if you google General Council for Massage Therapies, you will find them. They have a list of all the recognised Professional Associations, and from there you will have access to all the recognised schools and colleges. Bit of work involved, but its worth it, as there are lots of schools, some of them very small, that dont show up in search engines, but they are usually the ones that can tailor courses to suit.
For beauty therapy, the best route is to become Babtac recognised, and their training providers are listed on the CIBTAC website, again, if you google it, they will come up.
I was lucky enough to be 'mentored' after I had finished training in 1979, by a woman who was a retired physio - she was one of the first physios in the late 40's. She was very encouraging, but always had to emphasise that she was not a teacher - she just helped with encouragement and recommendations - I wasn't allowed to touch any of her clients, I could only observe and make notes about treatments. I would only work on people that came to me once I was fully insured. Check with any salons you apply to that you will be allowed 'hands on' - I'm not sure their insurance will cover it.
Yes i will do that. I do have to send the college a copy of their insurance too. Thanks
Just looked on the council for massage therapists and the only thing near me is wolverhampton and that does not fit in at all it is full time.
This is off topic - so apologies - but I've just had a thought:
Might I suggest that you contact a couple of local therapists and ask if you can shadow them. Many of them will have regular clients who probably won't mind someone sitting in on the session. I've found that I learn a lot by watching. In addition you could also find a willing therapist and a willing body and then both work on the body at the same time - this way, getting feedback from the body. You'll build confidence this way. You will be relying on people being prepared to give up time for you but therapists are generally supportive people.
Thank you so much for that i think that would be really helpful to me and give me more confidence. Will try a salon if not i will find someone close by who just deals with holistic therapies as i do have to do facials etc too. I would love to work along side someone then practise more on my husband when he isn't working! I have dome some massage on him as he does suffer from back, neck and shoulder problems and he always falls to sleep but says that he feels alot of the stiffness has gone and i know he is not lying because he actually stops moning about it!!!!! Thank you
Massage is a 'hands on' discipline
I find it an interesting concept that massage can allegedly be taught without the PREDOMINANT focus being actual touch which seems to be the case with the Stonebridge course (which I have no first hand knowledge of, just what I've read here).
However I do take issue with a high minded attitude about diploma's, accreditation, membership of professional bodies etc etc before a massage therapist is 'allowed' to touch a client.
Eric Clapton did not get a diploma in guitar playing, does that mean he should not be 'allowed' to play on a stage? At the same time I'm sure he did not learn to play by reading a book on guitar playing only. He had a guitar in his hands.
I went to a college and saw some students learning brick laying, sorry 'trowel trades' today and thought hmmmm wonder if there's a distance learning course in it?
There's no getting away from it, massage is [COLOR="Red"]hands on, that's what you are being paid for, and has been mentioned knowing about contra-indications and how to react to them, work with them to still provide a service.
Knowing about contra-indications is more important than knowing about draping (clue, massage the area uncovered, cover the area not being massaged).
However it seems mainly circumstances that's preventing Susan from following all the advice given and she is enthusiastic to learn which is 90% of the battle so maybe needs to change her routine and if that's not possible right now just take it as far as she can safely do and practice as an amateur on family and friends until able to get the proper practice and experience required.