What's Important?

  Have you thought recently about what really matters in life? What are the important issues? How about in your practice? What factors are crucial to your success?   Do you focus on what you don’t have, or what you do have? Do you complain about how many clients you wish you had, or strategize about how to get more people into your practice?   About eighteen months ago, I wrote a post called “These Are the Good Times People.” One of my last sentences was, “But we have lots to feel good about in our chosen profession.”   As our Presidential election nears the finish line, we are being bombarded (at least in Colorado) by messages of impending doom and gloom should “the other guy” win. However, last time I checked whatever mess we are in was aided and abetted by both parties. So, we have two opinions circulating: we’re either doomed regardless, or we’ll be fine. I choose to believe the latter.   Same goes for the massage and bodywork profession: we are challenged by a volatile education environment and shaky economy, our teachers need to be better prepared for today’s students, and now Massage Envy—the nation’s largest employer of massage therapists—has been purchased by a company that owns Cinnabon. Saints preserve us!   People, it’s all good. Don't get all caught up on who owns who—the sun will still rise and set, at least for a while. Last time I checked, people still enjoy massage therapy and bodywork. All we need to do—all of us—is continue to provide the work, educate our clients about why it’s important, and encourage them to return to reap the benefits of regular therapy—no matter where you practice, that’s the recipe.   That’s what’s important.   Prefer to receive more from Les in small doses? Follow him on Twitter — @abmp_les.  
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News

Tennessee Increases Minimum Education Hours

On April 16, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law House Bill 1610 and Senate Bill 1588, increasing the minimum massage curriculum hours that an applicant for massage licensure must complete at an approved school for massage, bodywork, or somatic therapy to be eligible for licensure under the Massage Licensure Act. Find out the new state minimum requirement.

Alaska Massage Board Remains Independent and Autonomous

Executive Order No. 129 sought to dissolve the Alaska Board of Massage Therapists and transfer its functions to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED). The executive order was successfully overturned.

Gainful Employment Rules Compliance Updates

Over the past two weeks, the US Department of Education issued updates to the new “Gainful Employment” (GE) regulations for vocational programs published last fall. This web post addresses the updates to prepare school owners and educators ahead of the July 1, 2024, new GE rule effective date.

Blog

Avoid Pulling Clients' Hair

Massage therapy students practicing in a classroom.

It’s the finer details that matter in a massage therapy session, and unintentional hair pulling is a detail that carries more weight than you might think.

Faces of Bodywork: Adriane Maxwell

Massage therapist Adriane Maxwell stands in front of a palm tree.

Adriane Maxwell is the owner of One Healing Touch Reiki & Massage for Women in Charleston, South Carolina. Maxwell was featured in the May/June 2024 issue of Massage & Bodywork magazine in “Faces of Bodywork.”

Benefits

Podcast: Cancer, Clots, and COVID—A Complicated Client

A client was recently treated for colon cancer—and it didn’t go well. She had surgical complications, a bout of sepsis, and more. Is massage therapy safe? We discuss on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner.

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