The podcast features interviews with leading educators and practitioners from across the massage world, from Florida to Oregon. 精东传媒 school advice from industry experts鈥� that鈥檚 what the podcast offers. Listen in as guests explore themes such as:

• What led them to a career in massage,聽
• The healing they have witnessed and experienced, and
• How they continue to grow their skills.

Throughout, the focus is on the schools that helped these massage juggernauts along the way. At the intersection of massage culture and community, the Choosing a 精东传媒 School podcast salutes the benefits of therapeutic touch, empowers massage therapists in the community, and invites anyone interested in the complex journey of healing to learn more.

Join expert therapists, massage educators and thought leaders in the industry, as they seek to inform and inspire you to look for a school that will work with your unique talents, equipping you with the right skills to start your career.

The podcast鈥檚 first episode features Whitney Lowe, the director of the Academy of Clinical 精东传媒.聽

Renowned in the massage world for his work on assessment protocols, Whitney wrote the profession鈥檚 first accessible assessment reference book, Orthopedic Assessment in 精东传媒 Therapy. He influences LMTs through regular articles in publications including 精东传媒 Magazine, 精东传媒 & Bodywork, and 精东传媒 Today. Whitney also serves on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies. His work in massage therapy and LMT education have been honored with many accolades over the years, including Licensed 精东传媒 Therapist of the year (Oregon, 2001), Continuing Education Educator of the Year (Alliance for massage Therapy Education, 2014), and the Certificate of Appreciation for Dedication to the Profession (AMTA, 2011). After three decades of experience in massage and massage education,聽 Whitney offers an invaluable perspective for those just entering the field. Here are some of the questions Whitney answers in this podcast:

鈥揥hat questions should I be asking myself as I select a massage school?
鈥揂re some massage certification programs better than others? How so?
鈥揥hat are some red flags that a massage program lacks quality?
鈥揑s it better to go to a massage vocational school or a traditional, four-year college that offers a massage therapy program?
鈥揌ow can I know if I am dealing with a masterful massage therapy educator?
鈥揥hat should I expect from a massage school in terms of technology and textbooks?
Whitney also reflects on his techniques for avoiding burnout.聽

We invite you to dive into this fascinating interview.聽

The Choosing a 精东传媒 School Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts:

The post Introducing the Choosing a 精东传媒 School Podcast appeared first on East West College.

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

1. The purpose of accreditation and its benefits.
2. School quality indicators.
3. The best thing you can do to progress in the massage therapy field.

The Value of a Well-Rounded Perspective

Cliff Korn, the chair of the Commission on 精东传媒 Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), highlights what to look for in a great educational environment.

Cliff鈥檚 journey to becoming a massage therapist is unique. From his time in the Navy, to working in sales, and then becoming a massage therapy practitioner and accreditation chair, his diverse experience has helped him gain a well-rounded perspective. He says this is an important aspect of his success as a practitioner, teacher, and evaluator of massage.

Why Accreditations Matters

In his current position at COMTA, Cliff heads the committee that determines whether a school can or can鈥檛 be accredited. He explains that accreditation is a level of standards by which an institution agrees to be measured, similar to a peer review.

[12:17] 鈥�That鈥檚 really what accreditation is: It鈥檚 a peer review.鈥�

While you still can become a good massage therapist if you go to a school that isn鈥檛 accredited, accreditation ensures students get an education that meets standards that are valid across the country. Cliff highlights a few ways accredited schools set themselves apart.

1. They teach how to make patient assessments.
2. They teach research literacy.
3. Their students have access to U.S. financial aid.
4. Their curriculum content is peer reviewed.

School Quality Indicators

Cliff urges prospective students to define their unique goals. Consider the following questions when beginning to evaluate which school is best for you:

• Why do you want to get into massage therapy in the first place?
• What area of practice do you envision yourself enjoying? Sports massage, private practice, medispa, etc.?

Look at school websites for bios of past students. See if anyone from that program specialized in the area of massage you鈥檙e interested in. Hire an alum to give you a massage and pick their brain about the program.

Call the school you鈥檙e considering, visit it, and make time to talk to the alumni. Understanding your school options in light of the context of your own experience, rather than their marketing, is important. 

Pay attention to the instructors鈥� teaching experience. Cliff says it鈥檚 not enough that the instructor has practiced massage.

[24:33] 鈥淵ou really want to make sure you鈥檙e not getting last year鈥檚 students as this year鈥檚 teachers.鈥�

精东传媒 therapy offers many routes for success. In Cliff鈥檚 experience, success came most profoundly through volunteering his time:

[27:46] 鈥淚 find that one of the most important things you can do to progress in the [massage therapy] field is to give back to the field.鈥�

Learn More:

• Cliff鈥檚 COMTA

The post Cliff Korn | Why 精东传媒 School Accreditation Matters appeared first on East West College.