First Meeting of the North Texas Chapter
of the TAMT
The first meeting of the North Texas Chapter of the TAMT was held on Tuesday Feb. 17 My Place Massage in Las Colinas. This chapter is a branch of the Texas Association of Massage Therapist (TAMT). We explained to all that attended that the purpose of the chapter is to help in networking among massage therapist, to keep therapist informed as to any new changes to the current massage law, or any proposed changes that will effect individual therapist, massage business owners, and massage school owners in our area. It will also offer quality Cont. Ed. instructors for those wanting to get there CEU’s for both state and NCBTMB requirement. We were surprised to see that more than 60 therapist came out for our first meeting. Yeah!!
Each month at the meetings, any new info concerning changes to the law, or any updates as to the NCE or MBLEx will be presented to the group. A “Presenter” will offer a short class on a particular procedure addressing some type of ailment, disorder, or injury that massage therapist may encounter in working with their clients. Participants will receive CEU’s for attending.
James Waslaski was the first presenter of our first meeting. He discussed techniques used in the treatment of lateral epichondylosis. His demo/lecture was very informative. Along with his presentation, James had several of his DVD’s for sell. Several of the attendees signed up for his up and coming class in Orothopedic Massage.This chapter was set up by Shelli Davis, and is the Board’s Pres. There are a number of Board members, with some positions still available for anyone interested in joining the Board. Currently, the Board is as follows:
Selli Davis - Pres. Lynn Wester - Community Outreach
Terry Norman - Vice Pres. Grant Smith - Special Programs
Carolyn Weeks - Sec. Robert Egnoski - Volunteer Coordinator
James Waslaski - Professional Consultant
There are several other positions still open on the Board. We encourage involvement in this newly formed Chapter of the TAMT. It’s in your best interest to get involved in “your” industry. Improvement doesn’t just happen. You have to work hard to make it happen. We all benefit by active involvement in networking with other MT’s, and the political process in our state.
We meet on every first Tues. of the month. For info on the meetings, and as to who will be the monthly presenter, you may contact me at: tnt11@earthlink.net. Don’t just set on the sidelines. GET INVOLVED!! This is “your” industry.
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North to Toronto!
Later that month, I flew to Toronto, Canada to teach a weekend workshop on Sports Tuina at the Institute of Traditional Medicine. It is a school that offers a 4 year program in Trad. Chinese Medicine, along with several levels of esoteric and spiritual disciplines. It is definitely a school that seeks to develop the Mind, Body, and Spirit of the individual.
The group was very eager to learn more on Tuina, and the treatment of sports related injuries and trauma sustained from world class and Olympic level athletes.
Students really became focused on finding the acupoints for each procedure, along with developing the proper Tuina techniques and skills to affectively address each specific injury site covered in the class.The main injury sites covered were for treating trauma to the following areas: ankle, knee, lumbar, neck, and shoulder. Students had to know not only the acupoints and Tuina techniques used in treatment, but also the anatomy, physiology, etiology, and pathogenises at each injury site.
Some students were so seriously focused on feeling tissue changes to the body, finding the correct acupoint used in treatment, and administering the proper Tuina techniques, that you could hardly pull them away. As in the case of Melissa at the right, her determination was so intense, that wild Texas horses couldn’t pull her away from getting the ankle procedure right. The look on her face says, “Go away, and leave me alone. I’m gonna get this if it takes me all day!”In all my years of teaching, this was one of the best groups I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. I look forward to going back and working with them again. Below is a group shot of the entire class. The only thing I wasn’t able to accomplish was to pronounce the word “about” in the Canadian way. Oh well, I’ll keep trying, Melissa. As long as you will keep trying to say, “How ya’ll do’n? Do’n Fine.”, the Texas way.
For more information on the school, check out their web site at:
March Issue 2009
