Potential Student Exploring Massage Therapy School Options

[Kojak]

Hi, Folks,

My name is Bill. I am a 32 year old legally blind man from Bowling Green, KY. I am seriously exploring the option of enrolling into Massage Therapy school. I am a client of my state's vocational rehabilitation agency for the blind (Kentucky Office for the Blind). My counselor has asked that I do some research into the field before we move forward.

Currently, there are two options for school:

Natural Health Institute (Bowling Green, KY)

-OR-

American University of Healing Arts in conjuction with Lions World Services for the Blind (Little Rock, AR)

The only information I have is the information provided on their websites:

NATURAL HEALTH INSTITUTE
natural-health-inst (DOT COM)

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF HEALING ARTS
academyhealingarts (DOT COM)
lwsb (DOT ORG)

I want my decision to be based upon the quality of the education received and not the accessibility for my blindness. I have spent my life adapting to the routines and opportunities in the mainstream society. In other words, I'll handle my vision problem - the school just needs to teach quality curriculum to prepare me for a professional career - regardless of career track within Massage Therapy that I choose.

I have done my research. I realize there is hard work involved and that Massage Therapy is not for everyone, but I do believe it is for me. I also am aware of the stigmatism that males who practice Massage Therapy have, but it is my opinion that, in time, that will pass.

Right now, I am in a unique situation - I am a vocational rehabilitation client. I can choose either option with little, or no, financial impact on myself. Unfortunately, these two options are the only two. I currently reside in Bowling Green, KY and that would make attending Natural Health Institute no problem at all because it is local. If I elect the American University of Healing Arts option, I won't have issues there, because, being partnered with Lions World Services for the Blind, I can reside on campus at LWSB during my time in school. If I looked elsewhere, I would have to physically relocate and that's NOT an option.

Once I complete my education I intend to seek licensure in Kentucky and practice there. If I opt to go to Little Rock, there is the chance that I may fall in love with that city and consider relocating there. I'm not sure of the AR requirements, but I am fully aware of the KY licensure requirements.

Having said all that, here's my questions:

1. If you are familiar with either school, can you please give me a list of pros and cons of attending that school?

2. From the information listed on their websites, what would you, as a student or LMT, suggest is the best school? Why do you feel this way?

3. Compared to the school you attend (previously attended), how would you rate these schools? Explain, please.

SPECIAL REQUEST: Try hard not to let the connection with Lions World Services for the Blind sway your opinions. I am very capable of adapting mainstream situations to work for me with little, or no, help from instructors or others. I am handicapable, not handicapped.


Thanks,
Bill

 

[raised by chimpz!!!]

Hey Bill, I know nothing about those schools but I know someone who is supposed to be doing this work when I encounter them. You are going to be great at this. Please keep us posted of your progress.

 

[Jennifer P]

Hi Bill ~ welcome to MassagePlanetL!

I spent the past year as a scribe and tutor for a totally blind man in the massage program that I myself graduated from at http://www.sandhills.edu . I am not sure if you checked community colleges in your state, but I can tell you that my accredited program is the finest massage education in our state (ok, I might be a bit biased!) Seriously, I've been shocked on these boards by stuff people say they were not taught in their Massage School classes, that we were drilled on in my class.

"My student" was not only at the top of his class, this 52-year old man passed with a 4.0 and received the President's award at graduation. I do not take any credit for his achievements; he worked very hard, giving up a lot of family and TV time to study. Most of my tutoring was adapting hands-on stuff such as draping and demonstrating techniques.

I'm sure that he would be happy to communicate with you if you are interested. He has scanned a lot of massage texts that weren't available for the blind and might be of assistance to you; PM (private message) me if you would like for me to check on this for you.

I'm sorry I can't give you any information on the schools that you are interested in, but I wanted to share this so that it might give you some encouragement.

Best wishes on your endeavor!

 

[ihateemopeople]

I have no knowledge of either of those schools but there are some things that I wish I had done prior to selecting the school I am currently attending.

Please take time to visit both schools. Talk to as many students as you can about the program. Ask them if the had to do it over again if they would have chose the same school. Ask them if they would recommend the program to someone they know. Visit the student clinic and get massages. Evaluate the quality of touch you receive. Look at the resources that the schools offer to help students succeed in the program and the industry after graduation. Try to find graduates of those programs and speak with them too.

I hope that you find out which school is right for you. Good luck.

 

[Woot!]

KY - I don't know about these two schools. Sorry. The school I attended was the Chicago School of Massage Therapy (they were purchased by Cortiva in roughly '06). I'm posting this response to you for a couple of reasons.

If the school is accredited, they are required (I believe) to offer you assistance in class work, hands-on work, and testing (and probably more). I was fortunate enough to have a handicapable (I like that term!) student who was much older than you. She had already been practicing as a massage therapist, but needed to brush up on things in order to sit for the national and become licensed (she hadn't qualified for grandfathering). She was amazing!

As for your school situation, I would suggest following the ideas listed above. Additionally, consider the subjects offered, if they offer connections to perform outreach, and do they have a student clinic for students to 'practice' on non-students. The more you're offered, the better!

I'm glad you've decided to pursue massage. As a male therapist, there's always room for more guys (sorry ladies). You sound to be very determined in your goal and I have no doubt you will succeed.

Keep us posted. And welcome to MassagePlanetL!

 

[shamar_online]

Thanks, guys.

Hi, folks,

Thanks for all your responses. Since I made my original post, I've spoken to my VR counselor. We are definitely looking at Massage Therapy as our final "vocational goal" for my "IPE" (Individualized Plan for Employment). We are using January as our target "Start Date" for school. Why? Because the local school is starting classes in a few weeks and I've not applied yet. Not to mention it takes time for state money to filter down to the payee. We don't want any problems with non-payment to cause me issues in school.

I've still not decided which school to attend. Both offer clinics and interesting courses of study. Currently, I am leaning toward the LIttle Rock, AR option for a few reasons:

1. Their program is a 700 hour program, as opposed to the 600 (minimum KY standard) hour program here in Bowling Green.

2. Money is tight right now - I know, it is for everyone. Because LWSB offers residential dormitories for people that enter their programs (or the massage program through them), I could skip out on paying rent to the people I live with right now. That would allow me to pay off some daunting bills and to save up some money to invest in my future as a LMT.

Those sound like win-win solutions to me.

I am excited also that I am waiting until the January term to go to school. This allows me to seek additional training from the Kentucky Office for the Blind and partnering agencies. They offer a Customer Service program where you learn to tackle difficult CS issues and the like. I am also interested in checking out the LWSB Small Business Management course. I think both will be extremely helpful to me in the long term scheme of things.

It also feels good to have a counselor that is 100% behind me. This will be my third (3rd) counselor since I was 18 years old. The other two did not make a connection with me and ultimately wasted my time, their time and lots of state money on my case that ended up with no employment results. This counselor hit the ground running with me and she's like a mini chearleading section in my life. She excited that I'm excited and that just ... exciting. Sorry, I know that sounds corny, but even in today's society people still give blind people a hard time and look at them critically when it comes to workforce issues. I still get asked if I know SIGN LANGUAGE by people when they have been told I'm BLIND. I just laugh and say, "No, but I SPEAK Braille." MOST people don't catch on - you can't speak Braille, but any other blind people within earshot when I say it get a laugh. So, yes, I get excited over an enthusiastic counselor that's actually willing to walk in faith and give me a shot at finding a career that will be satisfying for me and ultimately end up with my becoming dependent on government check no longer.

I will keep you guys posted on my advancement toward my goals. One question, though - do I need to keep my posts out of this forum since I'm not a student - yet? Or since I am planning on enrolling in January, is this forum appropriate?

Have a great day guys.

--Bill

 

[cta-music.com]

mid-term?

KY - sounds like you already know how to do your homework and you have a great plan!

Double check to be sure you can start in January. Again, I only know my community college program, and it starts Massage 110 in the fall which is a pre-requisite for Massage 120 taught in the spring, both of which need to be passed before 125 in the summer.

Edit: Now that I am on a computer, I've checked the two sites you referenced, and see that it appears you can start anytime in Little Rock. The classes in Bowling Green appeared to be all night and weekend courses -- that would be exhausting for me.

 

[AlwaysBored]

January will not be a problem at all. NHI in Bowling Green operates on a "Trimester" basis and the next term begins in January. It will also not be a problem for the school in Little Rock, AR. The school works with LWSB to offer open-ended enrollment and completion of the program. LWSB requires all their clients to undergo an evaluation before starting vocational training. That, too, is in January. THe actual massage program will not begin until February.

Have a good day guys.

--Bill

 

[meshmesh]

I agree with whoever it was that recommended visiting the schools and talking to everyone you can.

It is choosing a school that is best for you not necessarily what has worked for others.

Go and get a dozen massages or so too from the grads or student clinics and especially if you haven't ever had any massage yourself. So often people just choose a career because it sounds good but if you choose a career based on doing something you love you will be much happier.

I can't tell you how many massage therapists out there who never really had any massages before they went to massage school. I also recommend that you take a one day workshop which most massage schools offer to see if you like touching people!

Julie

 

[Plumeria Passion]

Hi, again,

Well, where to start. Visiting the school's clinic in Bowling Green isn't a problem at all - in fact, doing that is already in the works. I've been on the receiving end of professional massage sessions in the past - those interactions with the massage therapists (male and female - and different styles to boot) were what got me interested in massage therapy.

I am, most definitely, an altruistic person by nature. I want to help people. So much so that knowing at the end of my work day that I have helped someone (relax, heal, etc.) will be far more important to me than becoming rich. Let's face it, we all have pipe dreams of being rich, but I grew up being taught that wealth has nothing to do with the possession or money you have. It's in the experiences in life that mold your character and having the resources or skills to help another soul along life's journey.

Unfortunately, due to my lack of vision and not having reliable long distance transportation coupled with limited income, traveling to Little Rock just to visit the school/clinic is just not possible. I would love it if it were, but alas, we can't always have our way in life.

I suppose in the bigger scheme of things I have to ultimately go with my own intuition and feelings about the options ahead.

You guys have been great with the responses I've received so far. I will definitely look forward to communicating with you guys more as time progresses.

My own assessment of the options ahead me right now tends to leave me considering the Little Rock, AR program with more vigor than the local one. There will be investments to be made after I get my education phase finished and the only way I'll save that kind of money is to have the dormitory option that goes with the Little Rock, AR program.

On the other hand, I could look into a PASS plan with the local SSA office.

My counselor and I will be meeting face-to-face in the very near future to discuss the long road ahead and what modifications will be needed for me to successfully complete the program.

In the end, I will succeed. I may encounter speed bumps in my way, but I control my future. I can make it with either school. I may have to just pick out some really good CEUs and suppliment any holes in the curriculum with that - and, in the end, satisfy my CEU requirements for my first license renewal.

Thanks for the good advice, folks.

--Bill

 

[Vanessa]

Rich is a perception.

Being wealthy is just the number of days you can go without working.

You do need to make enough money to pay the bills, buy a nice house, take a few nice vacations a year and save for retirement and do what ever else is in your dreams.

The idea that being a massage therapists isn't about the money makes me crazy- it is about the money. You need money to take care of yourself. The more money that you have to take care of yourself - the more you can take care of others.

So many end up sacrificing money to help others and end up burned out, broke and unhappy.

Julie

 

[Sean Z]

Choosing a school is important but I think the real education starts once you are licensed and practicing. You will be required to and want to take continuing education for the balance of your career. You may wish to join a national and/or state massage organization. Something to consider if both schools seem to fit your needs is that state licensing is much simpler when you earn your education in the same state. I tend toward the practical when it is difficult to actually quantify. Meaning, you will no doubt get a good education from either school, the sooner you can start working the faster you will become competent. Good luck whichever route you choose.

 

[roadrunner4wd]

In prior careers, I had the pleasure of working with some blind people that were incredibly skilled. Their positions required high levels of training and experience, and they got there by being committed and driven by a real love of their chosen professions.

If you continue as you have begun, you too will become a highly skilled and respected professional. Technically, you have an edge over your sighted classmates. Historically, in some cultures (such as Japan), blind people were often trained to be masseurs due to a heightened sense of touch. I can imagine you working your way through the text "Trail Guide to the Body" by Andrew Biel and developing an amazing feel for the body.

I look forward to seeing more posts from you, hopefully on your progress through a massage training program!

 

[8***L]

Thanks, guys.

Natural Health Institute (Bowling Green, KY)

-OR-

American University of Healing Arts in conjuction with Lions World Services for the Blind (Little Rock, AR)

Having said all that, here's my questions:

1. If you are familiar with either school, can you please give me a list of pros and cons of attending that school?

2. From the information listed on their websites, what would you, as a student or LMT, suggest is the best school? Why do you feel this way?

3. Compared to the school you attend (previously attended), how would you rate these schools? Explain, please.

I've still not decided which school to attend. Both offer clinics and interesting courses of study. Currently, I am leaning toward the LIttle Rock, AR option for a few reasons:

1. Their program is a 700 hour program, as opposed to the 600 (minimum KY standard) hour program here in Bowling Green.

2. Money is tight right now - I know, it is for everyone. Because LWSB offers residential dormitories for people that enter their programs (or the massage program through them), I could skip out on paying rent to the people I live with right now. That would allow me to pay off some daunting bills and to save up some money to invest in my future as a LMT.

Those sound like win-win solutions to me.

Bill,

Hello!

I am getting a chance to sit down today and work on all of your well thought out questions.

I had the opportunity to teach Anatomy & Physiology to a blind lady a number of years a go. It doesn't make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things, except to say, there should be no reason that I can think of, why anyone would tell you that you can't make this work. She took all of her notes with a tape recorder and her Braille computer do-dad (sorry, but I don't know the techie term for that). I also helped her on her first few days in the swedish course, where the only thing she needed was to know where to go and "feel" how to get there for a few days, along with a place for her dog to lay down. And, unlike you, she was totally blind, so we had to get a SHARK mechanism placed on the computer system at the school and I had to ask for it in advance each time she took a test. She took the same tests I gave everyone else in the Anatomy class. Since I was teaching at a Community College at the time, the problems we had were the College getting their act together with her transportation and the SHARK system. I don't know how many times I requested she have a computer room prepared for the test and they let it fall through the cracks. So, all in all, the hold up seemed to be with everyone else and not her. Wouldn't you know it!

I think you'll do tremendously well, and have sent a PM to a friend of mine who's very familiar with being legally blind. So, you may be getting a Personal Message in your mail box here, at some time in the future from them.

Now, on to your questions.

I don't personally know a thing about either of the schools you mentioned.

I've looked at both websites you provided, and my only question is: How did you find out that the Amercian University of Healing Arts has a 700 hour program? I only found 502 hours. So, if KY requires 600, and they don't have but the 502, you'd have to make some preparations to get those extra hours.

BUT, lets work on the premis, that I just can't find the information correctly, shall we?!?

After look at the websites (since I'd have to travel to either school from Texas), without being able to look at either school in person, I would choose the Amercian University of Healing Arts. Why? I think they have laid out their core curriculum much better on paper than the KY school. That doesn't mean KY doesn't have a lot to offer - I think they do, but you need basics if you haven't done anything in the health care fields before, and on paper the basics look better in Arkansas.

Now, a few reasons why I would consider the KY school: If you could actually get the classes, and I am not confident that they aren't just listed and you can take them on occasion when they get the instructors.... They have 16 hours on the Eastern Modalities, which means more time to learn about the Traditional Chinese Medicine and meridians. They have Cranio-Sacral work, Ayurvedic, Lomi Lomi, almost triple the hours in Prenatal work, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Reiki, Myofascial and Lymphatic work. If you actually get the hours they are talking about in these classes, it may be worth it to look into that school a bit more in depth, since you live there. What you want is to be a Master of your trade, with good skill sets in as many other massage practices as possible so that in the future you can know which way you want to take your private practice. But, what you don't want, is to be taught a bunch of different skill sets, and not be very solid in your core curriculum. With the KY school, I don't think you can really know what you'll get until you go talk to them. If they can provide you with a true solid core set plus the extras and the AK school ends up not having the 700 hours, I'd then lean toward the KY school.

Now as to how they are compared to the school I completed. It seems they have a broader course avaliability. Since you mentioned somewhere that you love to grasp lots of info, this will be a huge benefit for you.

I like the idea of going to AK because you will get a chance you may never get again, to travel somewhere, live there for a while and experience new and different people from the ones you have been around for quite some time. New experiences, new friends and dare I say it, a possibly new love interest along the way... that's what trips like this are made of! If you are also saving money in the process, that surely can't be a bad thing.

So, I think for me the two main items to look into would be:

• Actually visit the school in KY and find out just what all you really can take.
• Would you rather travel for a while?

Please keep up posted! Now I am off to your third thread. *zoom*

 

[itscoredawg]

pueppi,

Thanks for your opinions! That's some very good advice.

Now, to address the question you asked about the school in Little Rock - yes, their website lists far less than 700 hours. That was a big shock to me, so, in my personal style, I took to typing up some lengthy e-mails to get to the bottom of it.

Lions World Services for the Blind is a major rehabilitation/training agency in the states. They have partnered with American University of Healing Arts to provide training to interested persons across the country. In order to do this and provide the training to meet the majority of the requirements of other states licensure boards, they have extended their training hours to 712 hours. This information is, unfortunately, not provided on their website. I only encountered this information by scouring the LWSB website, and through follow-up e-mail with American University of Healing Arts.

From what I gather from my conversations with former students of the Natural Health Institute is that they found their curriculum was lacking and that they did not get as much from their course of study as they had assumed from reading the curriculum.

I also took time to go to their clinic for a massage from one of their students and was not, by any means, thrilled with my experience. I communicated with this person the areas that I felt needed attention. I should have communicated these things with the wall - it might have actually listened better.

While, in some aspects, the curriculum looks more interesting locally, the gut feeling I get is that I can find quality education elsewhere that will dwarf that of the local option.

--Bill

 

[fox]

Thanks for letting us know the nitty-gritty. That was just what I was wondering. Sounds like you get to go on a little trip then! Whooo hooo!!!!!

:woohoo: