This is my first blog and I know it won’t be my last.  I went through the Massage Therapy program in 2006 and am currently the Registrar of Student Services.  I deal with current and former students on a day-to-day basis.  I help them with everything from attendance and grade issues to life events and graduation.  I’ve also helped many current and former students with state licensure for Georgia as well as many other states

Georgia passed a law that everyone who practiced massage therapy had to be state licensed.  It was put into affect on July 1, 2007.  Massage Therapists could get “grandfathered” in if they submitted their application before June 31, 2007.  This meant that they did not have to take the National Board Exam.  Applicants were required (and still are required) to submit a copy of their transcript from an Approved Massage Therapy School. I was originally hired in the Student Service’s office to handle the thousands of transcript requests we were receiving.

I’ve had a couple of massage therapists express disapproval of the licensure.  They believe that it’s just a way for them to get money and regulate what we do.  These people are definitely entitled to their opinion.  However, the new legislation will hopefully weed out all of the people who are unqualified and/or non-ethical.  This is an excerpt from the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy website :
“Massage is therapeutic and regulations are necessary to protect the public from unqualified practitioners. It is in the interest of the public to set standards of qualifications, education, training, and experience for those who seek to practice massage therapy; to promote high standards of professional performance for those licensed to practice massage therapy; and to protect the public from unprofessional conduct by persons licensed to practice massage therapy.”

Resources:
If you live in or are moving to another state, you will have to find out the requirements for that particular state.
State Regulation Guide: http://www.massagetherapy.com/_content/careers/MTreg.pdf

In order to be considered for the Georgia State licensure an applicant must pass an approved nationally recognized test.  You may choose to take either the MBLEX or National Certification Board test:

The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

Items needed from The Atlanta School of Massage 
• No diploma or transcript required

National Certification Board - There are two options: NCETM (National Examination for Therapeutic Massage) or the NCETMB (National Examination for Therapeutic Massage& Bodywork (http://www.fsmtb.org/)

Items needed from The Atlanta School of Massage
• Notarized copy of diploma sent by the applicant
•Copy of official transcript sent from the school
•NOTE: Atlanta School of Massage has permission to send both diploma and transcript directly to the National Certification Board.

The Georgia State Licensure (http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/massage/):

Items needed from The Atlanta School of Massage
•Copy of official transcript sent from the school or by the applicant in a sealed envelope.

I hope this information helps with any questions you may have regarding Georgia’s Massage Licensure. If you have specific questions, please feel free to email me at kendrasweezey@atlantaschoolofmassage.com. I will return your questions as soon as I can.

Request your diploma and/or transcript from The Atlanta School of Massage

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Graduate Survey Winner
Thanks to all of you who completed a graduate survey during our recent campaign. As promised, you were entered into a drawing for a $250 certificate to our bookstore. The lucky winner is Britney Simpson, from the AIA class of 2004.

We will have an annual drawing for a bookstore gift card. You can complete your Graduate Survey on-line at www.atlantaschoolofmassage.com on the Graduate Services menu, by fax 770-454-7367, or by mail. If you mail a survey, please attach a business card if you have one. We use the information collected to enhance our programs and for various compliance reports.

Thank you for your prompt response.

Georgia State Board of Cosmetology

In the most recent reporting period, 100% of AIA graduates passed the GA State Board of Cosmetology practical and written exams. Our graduates and their dedicated instructors are acknowledged for this great achievement

Georgia Board of Massage
The Board has recognized an additional exam for licensure. The Massage Board Licensing Exam offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards can be submitted along with your additional documentation for state licensure.

Continuing Education Requirements for
Massage License Renewal
Twenty-four (24) Contact Hours of Continuing Education (CE) each biennium renewal period (October 31 of each even numbered year). Exception: Massage therapist who received his/her license within one year of the renewal date shall only be required to complete twelve (12) Contact Hours of Continuing Education. The current biennium renewal period ends October 31, 2008. Every therapist who received a license during the initial licensing period MUST have the required number of CE hours by this date.

http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/massage

Laurie Craig Retires
I never thought I’d be making this announcement but each of us will retire at some point.

Please read the statement below that Laurie has thoughtfully written to us. The only thing that makes this bearable for me is knowing that she will always be available to us. I know I’ll be calling her from time to time. And after a much deserved rest Laurie will return to her first love–teaching. Please join me in expressing our great love and admiration for her.

Leticia Allen

There are clichés and song lyrics that are fitting for this announcement but I will simply state that I will retire effective May 12, 2008. At countless graduations over the past 23-years, I have expounded to our graduates about the importance of completion and moving into new chapters of one’s life. Please be happy with me and for me. I will now dedicate my time to my family. I am positive about the future of the school. I am leaving at a time when the curriculum and management are in great shape. I could not and did not choose this path until I was confident that this was true. I have a profound debt of gratitude to everyone who helped Atlanta School of Massage gain national recognition. I am proud of all of the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni. I thank all of you for your contributions to the fabric of my life.

Laurie Craig

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The class of April 07 MD created a wonderful clip during their time at the school.

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When I was a student, I witnessed the angst and frustration of classmates struggling to remember the vast amount of material presented. When I began my teaching career, I once again witnessed the so-called “test anxiety” in my students.

I was fortunate to have in one of my classes at Life Chiropractic College a student who was also a hypnotherapist. I observed this gifted young man sit in lectures without taking any notes. I asked how as able to listen so attentively, excel on the exams, and yet not enter into what I term “group hysteria”. He told me about a self-hypnotic technique that he employed. I was intrigued and scheduled a number of appointments with him to explore this skill.

As a result of my exploration into self-hypnosis, I experienced the positive effects of affirmations. I wrote this learning affirmation for my students and in this venue, I offer it to you.

TODAY

EVERYTHING I SEE, HEAR, READ, AND DO

WILL COME TO CONSCIOUS MEMORY

BY DESIRE

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Fashion and beauty trends seem to always go in cycles that are set by the runway fashion shows and multi-cultural designers. There is a shift away from black in both make-up and fashion. This year’s theme is “Going Beyond the Black”.

Eyes have been said to be the window to the soul. As a window commands more attention when we add window treatments, so the eye commands more attention when beautifying treatments are done. The current trend in eye make-up is to have lots of colorful eye-liner and shadows. This fall, black eyeliner has been deemed passé. However, gray is the current color in the fashion industry for clothes. Some of the hottest jackets of the season are cropped styled motorcycle jackets with fur and bombers ranging from beige to gray to cocoa brown.

Additional colors for this season include purple, rose, lemon, green, violet blue, blue gray green, deep turquoise, chili pepper red, burnt ochre and an espresso brown. Some of the more popular, trendy eyeliners are purple, aquamarine and dark bronze. Expect this season to be full of warm color in the cheek area. Lips are still full in gloss and color.

Remember that we are “Going Beyond the Black”. Therefore, many bold colors will be used this season. In fact, our lovely lemon is transferring from summer into this season with several other colors. Also, you will see a lot of geometric shapes. The trapezoid is going to be the most forward shape in the industry. We are also going to be visiting the 1940’s styles, including oversize knits, shiny shirts and pencil shaped skirts with high waists.

Have fun this season as we are Going Beyond the Black and into Boldness……

Abigail Meadows

“Everyday is a Supernatural Day” TM

AIA Program Director

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I have recently returned from the American Massage Therapy Association National Convention in Cincinnati, OH.  I had such a wonderful time at the convention that I have decided to use this forum to express my gratitude to all those who made the award ceremony and convention memorable.

Being named the Jerome Perlinski Teacher of the Year by the AMTA was a great honor.  So, in a very personal way, I need to express my gratitude to the members of my nominating committee.  This is actually the absolute best acknowledgment that I have ever received.  I have been blessed with recognition for that which I love to do, teach.  I didn’t have to do a thing to become the 2007 recipient of the AMTA Jerome Perlinski National Teacher of the Year other than play around with my students and learn about my nomination and subsequent selection after the fact.  No real prep time, not fingernail gnawing wondering if I would be the winner.  I wasn’t aware that I was in contention.

I have read and re-read the letters of support and sincerely thank my nominating committee members.  Can you imagine how fortunate I am to have received commendation from Rick Garbowski, my eloquent co-worker and friend, Jeffrey Wells, a formidable figure with the Metropolitan Opera and recent graduate, and Whitney Lowe who has grown from the young brainchild I remember from my classroom 20 years ago to the fine scholar and educator he is today.  None of the fun and frivolity could have occurred without the drive of Leticia Allen’s original commitment to excellence and Atlanta School of Massage.

I have received many congratulatory letters from graduates.  These have been heart-warming (which is not great to warm the heart of one who is suffering from the vasomotor challenges of menopause—did anyone say Hot Flashes?!?)  Back to the original thought, these letters discussed the language of Laurie Craig.  I laughed and laughed at some of the crazy things they remember from our days together.  I think that perhaps my classroom has needed a bit more decorum over the past decades.  Could be too late for that.

I shared a few old stories and some new data with those present at the awards luncheon.  Over the next few weeks, I will let you in on a few of the tales from the convention.

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Each year as one season transitions into the next, people often experience a change in skin condition and skin color. Typically, people’s skin color is darker in the summer than it is in the winter. As the skin continues to slough off cells during the fall skin care treatments should be done to clear the old season and dead skin to propel the fresher skin to come to come in. We must remove the old and stimulate the new growth. The best way to do this is an exfoliation treatment that is going to rid the skin of excess skin and to replenish it with hydration techniques. Microdermabrasion is one of the best ways to remove the dead skin and to stimulate the new cells. In addition, there are also certain serums that will help hydrate the skin better. This treatment can help improve both the condition and color of the skin during the transition from one season to the next.

“Everyday is a Supernatural Day” TM

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raison d’être /rayzon detr / ORIGIN French, ‘reason for being’
• noun - the most important reason or purpose for someone or something’s existence.

My grandmother used to tell me that we are all given different gifts, and I believe without a doubt that massage is mine - my raison d’être. I believe this because I have had the great fortune of having seen first hand (no pun intended!) the positive effects resulting from us placing on our hands on someone.

From the soothing touch of a mother’s hand to the therapeutic effects of applied, informed touch, there is no question of the power that literally lies within our hands - whether it is to comfort, or in our case as practicing massage therapists, to assist in providing optimal healing to the body.

One client specifically comes to mind, a former college football player who has been diagnosed and has been living with, Avascular Necrosis for the past four years. He has been told that he will be a candidate to total hip replacement in roughly four years.

To come full circle for a moment from my last blog on technology, when I first found out what my client had, I searched the internet like crazy for any kind of article regarding massage and this condition. Because of the word “necrosis”, I knew something was dying.

Avascular Necrosis also known as Osteonecrosis is a disease resulting from the temporary or permanent loss of the blood supply to the bones. Without blood, the bone tissue dies, causing the bone to collapse, which then leads to joint dysfunction. Although it can affect any bone in the body, the most commonly affected sites are the epiphysis (ends) of the long bones, particularly the femur. Check out the cool diagram below, which I found under Patient Education on www.orthogate.org.

At any rate, my client has lost a significant amount of flexibility in the affected leg. In addition, the affected leg has atrophied considerably, so much so that it is noticeable both visually and physically. The affected leg is not just visibly smaller, but lacks muscle density.

He walks with a pronounced limp, with a gait that seems like he’s swinging his leg forward from the hip. He often complains about a “bone-on-bone” feeling which gives him a lot of pain – not just sometimes pain, but constant pain. When I asked him what his doctors said, he indicated that he was told there’s not much they can do but wait. If they do hip replacement surgery too soon, he may have to get another one in his lifetime.

Seems like a terrible prognosis, no? Wait until what? The hip fractures? Gives me the heebie-jeebies, I tell you.

It took me several months to convince this particular client to come in for some work, especially since by his reasoning, there was nothing that his doctors had been able to do for him so far except prescribe him pain medication. I managed to wear him down finally, and he came in for his first appointment.

I knew at the point he came in that there was nothing I could do as a massage therapist to “fix” him, and that all I can do is help him manage his pain. I spent an hour and a half working on him. I incorporate a lot of stretching in my sessions, but I was very careful not to stretch his affected leg, which had an atrocious range of motion – or is it a lack of? Flexion at the hip of the affected leg was roughly 35 degrees, with his leg medially rotated. From the feel of it, it seemed as though the bone was “fused”. I didn’t dare apply any kind of pressure whatsoever.

While it took me a several months to convince this very skeptical client to come in for a massage, the payoff was completely worth it. I always send a customary follow-up email the day after I work on a client, and when I sent him my customary email, he replied that he had not felt that loose or pain free in two years and he wanted to book his next appointment.

That was all the validation I needed – I had found my “raison d’etre”.

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I have been passionate about this topic for decades! It is absolutely not okay to seek medical attention or have routine blood work and be told over the phone by a nurse that “everything is fine”, or that “your sugar is a little high”. An educated patient is one who is armed with vital data to which a life-style change, if in order, can be monitored for efficacy.

I urge you to request written copies of all lab results and tests. Keep these results in a file or scan them into your computer. You can have great fun being the subject of your own safe investigations. If your cholesterol ratio is not in a healthy range you might consider dietary modification and more exercise. Have your blood evaluated again to determine whether or not the changes had a life-saving impact. If not, then you and your medical practitioner should together plan the next step in your treatment protocol which may include medications along with your positive life-style changes.

What Numbers Should You Know?

• Blood pressure
• Blood glucose (sugar) level
• Cholesterol – this should include a total lipid profile that differentiates between high and low-density lipoproteins (cholesterol) as well as fat levels in the blood (triglycerides)
• For African American men over 40 and white males over 50 – prostate specific antigen/ cancer screening (PSA)
• Bone Density to screen for osteoporosis

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 Business cards are the primary way most businesses advertise their business on a personal level.   Business cards should represent the nature of the business without being an overwhelming  graphic production.  For the skincare and massage industry, one should think about what sector of the market they want to capture.  For example a make-up artist’s card may be different from a medical aesthetician. A make-up artist may include many colors and different photographs representing their work.   A medical aesthetician may choose to put only the name of the business with a simple logo on regular heavy card stock.

To properly understand what type of business you are trying to bring in you must be represented visually. Visual representation made include a logo or a picture.  The use of color is also an important issue when selecting business cards. Not only must people be able to see what is going on but they must also be able to distinguish the correct contact information easily. *Information that must be on card:  Name of business, Phone number with area code, Address and email or website if possible. 

The biggest questions I get when mentoring students in business development is if they should put their picture on their business card.  My first question to them is to think about what industry uses pictures.  Immediately, you think of real estate.  Right?  Well, again one must determine what type of market you are trying to go for.  In addition, pictures of people are similar to trademarks.  Remember that people must see the same symbol at least 11 times, hear it 11 times before they even recognize that business.  It is what people call branding.  Your company or business will be branded based upon how you portray your company.  Therefore, if you do choose to use a picture of yourself,  you cannot change the picture every time you need new cards.  People like to see consistency in a business.

Well, this is something to think about isn’t it.   To picture or not to picture, this is the question.  What do you think?

“Everyday is a Super Natural Day!” TM

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