Massage Therapy Radio

Check out Massage Therapy Radio, if you haven't already. They bill themselves as "the voice of the massage profession." A couple weeks ago, I listened to Diana Thompson and Ruth Werner as they talked about the upcoming CIM Conference in Seattle; Highlighting Massage Therapy (MT) in Research. Great discussion from the past and current presidents of the Massage Therapy Foundation.

Last week they had Tracy Walton on who specializes in MT for cancer clients. Tracy writes, teaches, and has completed research in her speciality area. Tonight they have Whitney Lowe discussing creative clinical applications of MT research. After their evening broadcast the MT Radio keeps the recordings available for you to listen to at your leisure. There's quite a list already, on other pretty interesting topics, including business, techniques, treatments, and technology.

CIM

Last week I went to a breakfast meeting with the AZ Integrative Wellness Coalition. Great group of different complimentary and integrative practitioners (CIM; my new word for us instead of CAM). They have recently merged with the Holistic Chamber of Commerce so there were other business owners there selling their alternative products as well; for example supplements, dietary aides, etc.

A presentation was given by an MD and his wife who told us about their research trip to Cuba. They have a national health care system that includes CIM in a system that is based on egalitarian methods. Doctors make about $15 a month and citizens have their choice of medical approaches. The doc to patient ratio is better than ours, people are living longer, education is free (even to US students as long as they go back to their homes to practice afterwards) and they haven't the health care crisis we have in the US.

The fact is, we are out of control here for two main reasons; cost of hospitalization and physician referral for procedures (profit driven). No one with adequate insurance wants to hear this because it's our right. For example, the AMA came out with new guidelines this year about prevention testing that is a 180 from what we've come to know. Women are now told to start our baseline mammograms at age 50 with subsequent testings once every 3 years or so thereafter (instead of baseline at 40 and yearly testing). The creator of the PSA test recently told the NY Times his test has been abused as well. It was meant as a guideline but has been used to refer untold unnecessary procedures. The fact is the body most often will self regulate fibroid and prostate issues given the chance; a cautionary, watchful approach should take place, not a jump to medications and surgery. Yes, the mammogram and the PSA test have saved millions, however, twice that many have had unnecessary tests, procedures, and the associated trauma of fear and tissue invasion.

Integrative health care is happening folks; MT's, Ac's, DC's, MD's. It's all good.

Somatic Research

Great article in the current Massage and Bodywork March/April issue. It's by Diana Thompson on Somatic Research and she does an excellent job of explaining research in our field; much like I've been promoting whole system research methods to investigate MT and other CIM (complimentary and integrative medicine).

I have to admit to becoming somewhat disillusioned by the recent discussion threads in Massage Professionals online and the Science Based Massage Therapy group on Ning. There are a few researchers who are narrowly focused on RCT's only for MT and ignore the value of qualitative research, pilot studies, and whole systems research. If we want MT's to become research literate and the public to appreciate the benefits of MT we have to give equal value to ALL research methods; many of which do an excellent job in TRANSLATING research.

The effectiveness of MT is realized in the whole experience of the session including it's context, the client/practitioner relationship, the values and beliefs each bring to the table, and the experience of the treatment by the client. A MT session is client centered and collaborative, so our research methods should not only reflect this but be inclusive as well.

Thanks Diana, for your hard work, AND for being a leader in our industry who's not afraid to say RCT's are not all that. Move over guys, think outside the box; don't be so attached to your own theories that you're not leaving room for the possibilities that could more fully capture our work as MT's.

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?