Work on the MTBOK began a couple of years ago by a consortium of industry voices.  These entities include the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), the Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF), the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).  The stated purpose of this document is “to develop and adopt across the massage therapy profession a living resource of competencies, standards and values that inform and guide the domains of practice, licensure, certification, education, accreditation and research.”

The FSMTB has undertaken the task of creating the MPA as a template for state legislatures to follow when crafting massage therapy laws.  The FSMTB started five years ago with seven state boards.  It now has thirty-seven and counting.  While it is impractical to assume that all states will adopt the same legislation, this new and strong dialogue among state massage boards will result in further standardization of massage industry regulations.  Conformity of minimum education, continuing education, background checks, enforcement, scope of practice, etc., will create more portability and even reciprocity opportunities for massage therapists while increasing public protection.

These two documents will attempt to define subjects heavily debated by massage professionals for years.  While those debates still may continue, a new industry framework will result in which both supporters and detractors will have to exist.  Agree with this path or not, ignoring the inevitable evolution of the massage profession means forfeiting your say in your own livelihood.   Please join a professional association, volunteer with active organizations, and follow the happenings of your state boards.  The success of each of us relies on the collective wisdom of all of us.

NHI President Tim Veitzer with NCBTMB Chair and NHI Graduate Neal Delaporta

Massage and Texas!  Two of my most favorite things together!  It truly was a delight to join NHIPresident Tim Veitzer in representing National Holistic Institute at this year’s American Massage Therapy Association’s Council of Schools (AMTA-COS) Conference in San Antonio.

For three days, we discussed, debated, and dreamed about massage education.  We even ran into some old friends like Neal Delaporta (above with Tim), the new Chair of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) and an NHI graduate.

Ruth Werner, pathology author extraordinaire, dropped by to say hello (below).

Joe Bob Smith, Ruth Werner & Tim Veitzer

And we were privileged to meet AMTA President-Elect Judy Stahl (below).

NHI President Tim Veitzer & AMTA President-Elect Judy Stahl

Of course, what would a trip to San Antonio be without yours truly in front of the Alamo!

Remember the Alamo!

Jeremiah Zins & Daniel Carniglia

NHI‘s massage curriculum remains at the top of it’s field.  As a result, our graduates have greatly exceeded the average pass rates for the national certification exam according to the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB).  Nationally, 69.01% of massage therapists who attempt the exam actually pass.  In California, it’s slightly higher at 69.57%.  But National Holistic Institute alumni pass the exam at an astounding rate of 85.19%!  Way to go, grads!

But I should be clear, it’s not just graduates who pass the exam.  Even our students have an opportunity to pass it while still in school.  Jeremiah Zins from Group 21 (above) in San Francisco is the latest.  Congratulations, Jeremiah! 

Our first continuing education class of the year, Gayle MacDonald’s Massage for People Living with Cancer, comes to the Encino campus Feb 6, 7 & 8.  This class is a must for massage therapists specializing in the medical community.  When we last hosted Gayle back in 2007, participants raved at the chance to learn from this oncology massage expert and renowned author.

Comfort-oriented massage or touch can be administered to people with cancer regardless of the severity of their condition.  The purpose of this class is to train touch therapists in the basics of oncology massage.  The experience derived from this training creates new-found confidence in bodyworkers about working with clients, particularly private practice clients, who have cancer or are recovering from it.  Therapists who focus on hospice and hospital work also find this course to be valuable for their special needs patients.

Participants must be a professional massage therapist or other touch practitioner, a student who has completed the basic Swedish massage course, or be licensed in another health care field, such as nursing or chiropractic, that involves touch therapy, or by permission of the instructor.

This course will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – February 6, 7 & 8, 2009 – from 9am-6pm.  Students will receive 24 NCBTMB approved CE hours.  The cost is $495.  Enrollees who sign up before January 16 will save $25.  Call Denise at 818-788-0824 x 354 to register.

Gayle MacDonald, MS, LMT, is the author of Medicine Hands: Massage Therapy for People with Cancer, 2nd Ed. (Findhorn Press) and Massage for the Hospital Patient and Medically Frail Client (Lippincott Williams and Wilkin).  Her expertise comes from more than 13 years of work with oncology patients at Oregon Health and Science University.  She has also supervised massage students and therapists in the oncology unit, in chemo infusion, radiation oncology, and the bone marrow transplant unit. Find out more at http://www.medicinehands.com/.