My Info Blog

The New NCBTMB

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The NCBTMB has gone through a lot of changes in the last 6 yrs. Some that were good and some not so good. They’ve developed a reputation of having poor Customer Service, non-transparency in their dealings with others, Board members being removed without due process, difficulty in getting information from the main office, Board Chairs quitting or being removed without any clear explanation, and taking weeks or months to get a test date for taking the exam. Roomers of “strong-arm” tactics being used on State Boards in order to get them to stay with the NCBTMB were reported. All of this caused several members and states to leave the NCBTMB in favor of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board, and the MBLEx. I even wrote an article here in my blog criticizing the NCBTMB for their lack of professionalism, and a growing degree of corruption.

Something has happened in the last year and a half. The lazy corrupt people were removed and replaced with people of integrity, working to correct all the problems of the past few years, and to get the organization back on track.

I had a problem with my renewal a year ago that caused me to call the main office for help in solving. Expecting to have someone on the other end of the phone to tell me how they couldn’t help, and that nothing could be done, I was surprised to discover someone telling me not to worry, and that they could help me out. Shock and Awe!! Was I speaking to the NCBTMB? Not the one I was familiar with. Who was this masked person? It was Donna Sarvello, Approved Provider Specialist. She took care of, not only that problem, but a couple of others.

After picking myself off the floor in shock, and asking her if this was truly the NCBTMB, I was extremely surprised to see how things had changed. But, had they really, or was this just one of those rare experiences that comes along once in a millennium. I held my final judgement until I could get more info about the new personnel and if changes were REALLY going to take place. I’ve heard all of this before: “We’re going to improve Customer Service 100%, and get back to doing business the right way.” Yea, right. Well, it didn’t take long for me to find out the truth.

I began to have encounters and conversations with other department heads, directors, committee Chairs, and the new CEO, Paul Lindamood. I was met with people on the other end of the phone/email who appeared to be sincere. They would actually spend their valuable time to listen to me, and to ask “my” opinion about the massage industry and how I saw the NCBTMB. Well, they didn’t have to ask me twice. I let ‘em have it, with total honesty and candidness. They didn’t hang up, so I figured that they might really care about what my thoughts were. Hummmm? This was confusing. I’d never been treated this way by the main office before. And, when was the last time the CEO actually called me on the phone. Uuuuh...........NEVER! Okay, now they had my attention. Perhaps this was a new day at NCBTMB.

I was invited, and attended a gathering of heads of the major massage organizations, and schools, with some of the leading teachers, and therapists in the country to address the growing problem with the poor quality of CE Providers and their classes. Many of these people historically wouldn’t have spoken to each other, and have been combative towards each other for years. Here they were....sitting next to each other....in the same room. Wow! I needed a picture of this. No one would ever believe me.

Everyone in the room listened to each other, gave suggestions on how to solve the problem, was respectful, and even cooperatively playful, working together eagerly to come up with solutions. It was highly energetic and just plan wonderful! The realization that, “It can be done.” came barreling through. “We CAN work together.”, was my thought. But more than that, I saw that I was now dealing with a New NCBTMB. One who really cared about what I had to say, and correcting the problems of the past.

The sad thing is that these new people running the organization had to take the lashings from all of us who had been treated badly by the staff and Board of the past. “I” was one of those who were “us.” I wanted to be sure that if I was to get back involved with this organization, it had better show me some honesty and sincerity, or else I was gone. No more lying, deceiving, disrespectful, and hedging on answering direct questions as to what was going on with policies and practices of the Board and the office. And......what I found was that these people are genuine.

I saw Paul Lindamood, Donna Savello, Lori Ohlmann, PR Dir. & Gov. Relations Chair, take heat from critics of the NCBTMB time after time. Those of us who had been mistreated by the pasted Administration, Board members, and committee Chairs, would vent out our anger and frustrations upon these people who had nothing to do with how we had been treated. The one who took most of the heat was the new Board Chair, Alexa Zaledonis. They smiled and took it. These wonderful people have busted their butts to change the image of the NCBTMB, by working everyday to improve Customer Service, being honest to people calling in with problems, and more than that, really listening to people and taking their anger.

Yes, change is upon us. This IS the New NCBTMB. We should all give them a chance to show us how they have changed the organization for the better. We seem to be back on track. Let’s help them to keep it there.

To Study Asian Bodywork, or Not to Study Asian Bodywork. That is the Question.

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 12:12:22 -0500

I have been aware over the past 7 years that there has been a steady decline in interest among massage therapist to learn any Asian forms of bodywork like Shiatsu, Tuina, Amma, or Acupressure. When asked “Why?”, what I tend to get as an answer is that these modalities don’t really work, and that they aren’t based upon “science.” Therefore, we’ve been seeing MT’s move towards the Western sciences of Pathology, Kinesiology, and backwards towards modalities and techniques such as Myofascial Release (MFR), Deep Tissue, and Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT).

Now, don’t get me wrong, these are necessary techniques to know, and it is crucial that MT’s are versed in Pathology, Kinesiology, as well as Anatomy & Physiology. But, if therapists want to move forward from a position of performing “therapy” and into one of “healing,” they should look more seriously into the ancient therapeutic arts from Asia.

First of all, Asian bodywork is based largely upon Traditional Chinese Medical Theory. Which is definitely rooted in science. The Chinese system of medicine dates back more than 5,000 yrs, with its earliest form being massage. The first book ever written on massage in the world was published around 2694 B.C. in China. It covered bone setting, strains, sprains, dislocations, illness due to exposure to cold, heat, damp, wind, and dryness, the birthing process, pediatric disorders and sickness, hormonal imbalances, general injuries of an orthopedic and neurologic nature, and diseases of the elderly.

As the centuries, yes “centuries,” went by, research went into understanding the etiology and pathogeneses of all these aliments and diseases. Procedures and techniques were developed, refined, and re-developed in an attempt to discover what was the most effective in a treatment protocol. New schools of theoretical and procedural approaches were developed based upon research, observation, testing, examination, political environment, what was in fad, and what worked the best. Similar to how we develop new procedures today in therapeutic treatments.

As techniques became more and more medically specific, newer names were coined to represent these newer styles of massage. During the Sui and Tang Dynasty (581-907 A.D.), Chinese massage began to flourish. It was known as Anmo. At this time, massage had achieved the level of doctoral degree in the State Office of Imperial Physicians.

By the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.), a specialty department of Anmo was developed that was more medically specific than anything before. It was during this time that the term Tuina began to replace Anmo. Today, Tuina is practiced by doctors in medical hospitals, clinics, and at the Olympic Training Center in Beijing.

My point is that for all the non-western terms such as Yin & Yang, 5 Element Theory, and Theory of Channels and Collaterals, Chinese medicine and Asian bodywork is based upon a level of science and physics that we in the West haven’t discovered as yet. They explain physiological and pathological phenomena, and the changes that take place through physical and energetic manipulation from their cultures point of view which is obviously much different than ours. Unfortunately, by not understanding their approaches to illness and disorders, along with not clearly understanding the illness and disorder as a whole, we tend to ignore and ridicule the Asian explanation, and attempt to explain these physical phenomena as something else............running it through our filter of limited understanding, and stating that the observed condition is actually something of a neurological, neuromuscular, or orthopedic problem. It has nothing to do with some invisible energetic system of “channels” causing the phenomena we see.

In addition, the other argument I’ve heard against studying Asian modalities is that it “just takes to long to learn.” No one wants to take years to learn techniques and procedures to treat injured people. We don’t want to put forth the effort and discipline to develop skills that can actually “heal” a condition instead of only reducing or manage it. We want, “Instant gratification!” But, in fact, don’t we continue to spend hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on continuing education in an attempt to gain more knowledge and skill to do just that.............help people suffering in pain in the most efficient and fastest way possible.

One of my students put it perfectly. He said that we in this country have, “No sense of Kung Fu.” No, that doesn’t mean that we must learn to break bricks with our hands, and fight like Bruce Lee. The words “Kung Fu” mean “Skilled Man.” The closes word we have in our language is “Craftsman.” We’ve made inferiority the norm.

So, those of you out there thinking that taking a class in Acupressure, Shiatsu, or Tuina would be a waste of time due to that fact that it isn’t based on science, should think again. These therapies can take you to a much high level of expertise than you’ve ever been, or ever thought you could be. If you’ve taken a class in Asian bodywork before, and have found it not to be effective, I’d ask you to inspect the quality of your instructor. If they know what they’re doing, have the proper qualifications, and have taught you well, the techniques you’ve been taught will work on your clients. If they’re a poor instructor, then you won’t get the results. This is IF you have put in the proper amount of practice.

You should ask yourself this. “If these techniques and procedures have worked for thousands of years, and most of the other countries of the world use them effectively, then why shouldn’t I want to learn them, and integrate them into my procedures?” Just make sure your instructor is an experienced and qualified teacher of the modality they are teaching. And most of all, don’t be afraid to learn something that may take time and practice to develop. Remember that many have been where you are starting now, and have developed into amazing doctors and therapist that have achieved unbelievable results. You can too.

Massage Education in Texas

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:09:14 -0500

A lot has been happening with the massage curriculum here in Texas. Two hundred additional hours have been added to the 300 hr. curriculum raising it to a 500 hr. program. And, not just more hours, but new subjects of study are now required; Pathology and Kinesiology just to mention two. Some school owners and students are unhappy about this change, wanting things to stay just like it is, while others feel it is necessary and long overdue. Is it necessary? Well, that’s the big question.

For a long time, Texas has been lagging far behind the rest of the country in required number of hours and subjects of study. The skill and knowledge level of therapists in Texas has not kept up with its counterparts in other states, especially in the eastern and northern states. This has made it difficult for Texas-based therapists to transfer to other states through reciprocity. This has produced an image of therapists here in Texas as being substandard in comparison to other states requiring 500, 1000, or 1200 hours of study. Why has this happened here in Texas? I believe there are a few specific reasons as to why this is so.

First, there doesn’t seem to be any clear idea as to “What is the field of Massage Therapy?” The question is: “Is Massage Therapy a Vocation or a Profession?” The definition of vocation is: “a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation; a job, employment, trade, craft, business, or line of work. The definition of profession is: “a paid occupation, esp. one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.” When I’ve asked massage therapists, instructors, massage students, and school owners what they feel the field of Massage Therapy is, most have told me that massage therapy is a “Profession.” But, they only want to put forth the effort, self discipline, and study to attain and maintain the level of a “Vocation.” This places them on a much lower level of performance than someone who has 2-3 times the number of hours of study. It’s easy to say, “My school is great, and I got a great education there.” when comparing your school to other schools that offer the same curriculum. Try comparing your school to one that requires 1,000+ hours of study, including subjects that your school didn’t require you to learn. You can’t compare apples to peanuts and have your argument stand. And, no one wants to tell the world that they graduated from a substandard school with poorly qualified instructors. That would make them look bad as well.

Speaking of the quality of our schools and the instructors teaching there brings me to my second point. I have found that many therapists chose their school based upon convenience, and not on quality. When that becomes your measurement of deciding on what school to attend for your base education into the field of massage, then the result is often an experience that is less than what you thought it would be and needed. I often hear graduates say that they have no idea how to set up a business, advertise, keep files and records, or work on a client that presents real physical problems, like tight Scalenes, Rhomboids, or Piriformis. They appear frightened and at a loss as what to do. You get the exact kind of education that you go looking for. No more; no less. If you want a top education from a school, check out the school before you sign the contract and put down your money. Remember, this is going to be the foundation that all other techniques you’ll learn will be built upon. It needs to be strong and secure.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that there are instructors out there that have a passion to teach their students in the highest quality possible, and approach their job responsibility with a full heart. The results are students that are filled with the proper knowledge and skill to become a fine therapist, and help many people to obtain a level of health and wellness that they might not have achieved otherwise. I’m speaking more of the general level of education students in Texas receive, and the quality of therapist that are produced.

Third, and perhaps the most important, is Continuing Education. It appears that most of the therapists here in Texas seem to only be looking for the easiest, cheapest, 6 hr. class to get their required CEU’s, making sure not to take a class in something that may take time and practice to develop new skills in order to enhance their over-all performance. They seem content to just keep doing the same old routine. Continuing Education is there for you to increase your knowledge and skill base in order for you to be able to deal with a larger variety of disorders you may encounter throughout your career, and allows you to help more of your clients and future clients in easing their pain and suffering. When you look at it as a needless and irritating requirement you must do to keep your license, you reduce yourself to no more than a “body-rubber”, and should consider finding another line of work. In the long run, you aren’t helping yourself or your clients, and you’re reducing the industry’s standards to a lower level that those of us who have come before you have worked long and hard to raise. This hurts our image as well, and brings us all down far below what the public now expects.........and desires.

So, as long as schools are in the business to make a quick buck, and students are not wanting to study very hard, or put out much of an effort, looking for the “easy way”, the quality of massage therapy in Texas will remain below what schools in other states require from their graduates. A higher level of professionalism and pride! No matter how many hours are added to the curriculum, the result will be the same as long as the attitude remains.

If you want the rest of the Health Care professionals to respect you as a Health Care Professional, then you must see yourself as one, and develop yourself into one. That means never stop reaching for that higher level of expertise in your profession through more and better forms of education, with highly educated and experienced teachers. Continue to acquire more and more experience in the field of massage and bodywork.

As of last count, there are about 120 different types of bodywork modalities practiced in this country. Go out and find them. You may just find that magical technique that will spark your spirit to reach that higher level of therapist......professional......artist.....and you just might accomplish things you never thought possible.

Contact me at: tnt11@earthlink.net