I'M IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last week I was admitted into the DrPH program at the University of Arizona; yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Now to get the pre-doc fellowship that allows me to learn whole systems research in order to properly investigate massage therapy and CIM (complimentary and integrative medicine); fingers crossed.

Client Intake

I was asked today, by another massage therapist, what I felt was the value of separating subjective and objective information from a client during the treatment assessment. My response to her question was subjective information is vital to the treatment assessment. The information gained from the client at the beginning of a treatment evaluation not only allows them to be heard it ensures we are listening and sets in motion the healing process. The client knows what their needs are (either consciously or subconsciously) and we help them best when they become aware of the message their body is sending and of their own innate healing potential. We further facilitate their wellness process through the use of our objective knowledge which is based on our education and experience. By taking their history, hearing their goals, and collaborating in a plan for their successful experience of massage therapy we guide them in a partnership towards better health.

MT Students Rock!

I had the privilege of guest lecturing at Cortiva Institute of Massage Therapy a few weeks back, and enjoyed the experience immensely. The Research Applications class, part of an optional additional 4th quarter, invited me to share the current state of massage therapy research and to offer them guidance as they prepare for their required case report submissions.

I was prepared to present a power point of a recent literature review I'd completed and answer questions for an hour or so, but ended up staying three. It was wonderful to hear their bios, future plans, and to help them connect their interests to ongoing research; make it relateable, if you will.

Lots of interest in energy work; although we stayed on massage therapy and pain reduction for their case reports, for the most part. Many great questions and contributions to the discussion from students with a wide range of age, experience, and background.

Tucson Cortiva has impressed me with their leadership, direction, efforts to address research literacy in their curriculum, and support of their students. I look forward to addressing another class in the future.

Winter Break - Time to Catch My Breath....

WOW, busy semester; but I'm done for the winter break. My internship is in place and is called CAM Reach. We will be investigating the practice patterns and health care approaches of local CAM health influencers (MT'S, LAc's and DC's) in order to develop an office system smoking cessation intervention tailored to their needs. Close as I could get so far to research in MT. It seems I must have a doctorate before I can do research in the area of my interest. So, I have applied to the DrPH program in Public Health here at the University of Arizona. I am also applying for a pre-doc fellowship, in the spring, that will allow me to do research in other areas of CAM study at the U of A. Never thought I'd go this far but I REALLY want to research MT, and so here I go. I better live a long time as I've gotten a late start in research; better late than never, don't you think?

Changing Gears

Ok, PTSD MT intervention on the back burner, CAM Reach to the forefront. CAM Reach is part of a 10 year study of tobacco cessation and the public. I have joined a research team, at the University of Arizona, who is investigating getting the word out about tobacco education through CAM practitioners; ie MT's, Acupuncturists, and Chiropractors. We will be doing key informant interviews with 60 practitioners, here in Tucson, in a needs assessment effort. Then, based on what we learn from these interviews, we will develop a training tool for CAM practitioners about smoking and tobacco cessation. In other words, we hope to give them successful, evidence based methods of engaging smokers in a discussion around not smoking. That's as much as I know so far, and will post more later. Suffice it to say, the principle investigator on this project is a doc who recognizes the value of CAM, respects alternative practitioners, and thinks providers have failed in their attempts to educate their patients about smoking and tobacco use. She is reaching out to our industry for help in educating the public about smoking cessation. What are your thoughts about this plan?

Plodding along....

The fall semester is back in session and I'm adjusting to a new schedule once again. I'm trying to get through my internship prep class ASAP in order to have IRB approval for next semester. This is an internal review board that has to approve any project working with human subjects. Still waiting for my professor and his VA contacts to come through as well. In the mean time I have anthropology and public health, and a research methods class that look quite promising for content and student discussion potential. One more semester to go; I can see the light.

Internship progress

My meeting with the president of Cortiva, here in Tucson, went better than expected. She has offered up her students and clinic for my research design. Do I hear a hallelujah? My advisor has been out of town, but we were able to talk briefly twice while he was away, and he's still in. Next step, connecting with his UA contacts regarding our target population for our volunteer participants. I'm chomping at the bit here as I have a few contacts myself, but Pete says the VA has their own way of doing things and we have to play ball. I played volley ball for the army while serving years ago, does that count?