Massage therapists – Stop Complaining and Participate in Your Associations.

To really affect change in the massage therapy industry, therapists must stop being so complacent and exercise their democratic rights as association members. Much the same as voting for the leadership in your country, if you don’t make yourself heard by attending industry meetings, you don’t have the right to complain.

Yesterday I went to the SAGM of the Massage Therapists’ Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS). I admit I hadn’t been for a while, since the last one I went to 3 years ago was poorly run, unorganized, and really turned out to be a fiasco. All in all, it was very frustrating and unproductive. However, a lot has changed since that time, and since there are winds of change brewing in our profession, I felt the need to get involved again.

The most unfortunate thing about yesterday’s meeting, other than the whole insurance fraud issue wasn’t on the agenda, was that there weren’t even enough members present to reach quorum. This is really disappointing, as many of us, including and especially Board and committee members, had taken time out of our weekends and away from our families to be present and vote on critical issues in our profession. As it turned out, it was a great social occasion, but it looks like we’ll have to attend another meeting on yet another Sunday.

As I left the meeting with one of my friends and colleagues, she made a really great point – some of the people we know who didn’t attend are always the ones to criticize the association. It happens every year, and while these same people spend lots of energy complaining and criticizing the association board, they can’t be bothered to show up at meetings or sign the proxy forms.

Hmmm … it reminds me of politics, because in reality, it is. One look at world history has demonstrated that a vote can change the course of history, for better or for worse. One vote could make the difference to your association, your industry and your future. So, the next time I hear a complaint about policy XYZ, let’s just hope you were at the meeting, because if you weren’t, I don’t want to hear it. You have lost the right to complain.

© Copyright 2009
www.whymassagetherapy.com
All Rights Reserved.

How Do I Choose the Best Massage Therapy Education or School?

If you are considering a career in massage therapy, you need to make sure that you are going to purse the best education possible. This choice will set the stage for years to come, so choose your school wisely. After all, the best massage therapy education won’t be cheap or easy, but it will set you up for future success as a massage professional if you decide to go for it.

Here are some quick tips on how to choose the best education possible:

1. Get to know the massage therapy regulations in your state or province concerning the practice of massage therapy. Does the school in which you are interested comply with the standards? Is the college or education program recognized by these regulatory bodies?

2. How successful are previous graduates? Do they own their own businesses, or are they working in the type of field in which you’re interested? For example, sports, rehabilitation, spa etc. Keep in mind that someone’s ambition is not dependent on the school where they went, but a good educational foundation will help set a therapist up for success.

3. How interested are potential employers in the school’s graduates? For example, how many students have jobs before graduation, and where are the jobs located? (hint: graduates who are going to well-established and reputable clinics are an indication of the quality of the massage training program.)

4. Is there a job board at the school? What types of employers are actively seeking the graduates?

5. Are the students and graduates generally happy with the program?

6. Do students have the opportunity to treat members of the public at a student clinic, and do they have opportunities to network with professionals in the industry?

7. What do current massage therapists think of the program you want to pursue? No school is perfect, but if you get an overall thumbs up for the program then it will in all likelihood be worth your while.

There are several great options for massage therapy education, so sometimes it may just come down to how a college “feels” to you. If you get good feedback from students and professionals alike, and the school “feels” right to you, you can be quite confident that you are pursuing the best massage therapy education for your needs.

© Copyright 2009
www.whymassagetherapy.com
All Rights Reserved.