Say What?

 

  These days, I am much more of a massage consumer than a massage provider. As a consumer, I know what I like (no cold bananas, remember?), and I regularly see a favorite therapist as well as occasional new practitioners. It’s always interesting getting a massage from a new practitioner (new to me, not brand-new). In my case—and I’m sure some of you face this dilemma as well—I always wonder if I should mention I am a therapist, or if I should mention my affiliation with ABMP.   I usually leave the therapist/ABMP info out and stick to my middle-aged, running, hockey-player, dad narrative. One reason: I wouldn’t want the therapist thinking, “Wow, the President of ABMP really needs to get more massage!”   Drawing this line also limits the possibility of getting in too deep of a conversation. I am a 10-minute guy; I am willing to spend up to 10 minutes having conversation at the beginning of my session, but then I shut down (sometimes by simply falling asleep). Even with my regular therapist, my pal Angie—I tune out after 10 minutes.   Do you have a quiet-time guideline as a therapist? What about as a client? Any good tips to share with other professionals on quieting clients, or keeping yourself quiet?   Road to Boston: Week 16 My return to training is going slow. Between my time off, tweaking my left calf (that dang soleus is a chronic challenge for me), and a bout of wintry Colorado weather (there are three settings: cold; windy; cold and windy), my mojo has not quite returned to pre-illness levels. And I am starting to be more cognizant of how quickly time is passing. February and March will determine how my April 15th will be spent.   Care to receive more from Les, but in smaller bites? Follow him on Twitter at @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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