A Hands-On Experience

Just because you can work out a crick in the back of your significant other doesn't entitle you to open your own massage business, at least not without a license.

For those who want a career in massage therapy or reflexology can get licensed and educated through the National Academy of Massage Therapy at Lansdale School of Business.

The academy division of Lansdale School of Business offers diploma programs in clinical massage therapy. 

It presented its program on Wednesday during a spring open house, which marks the start of a new term in June at the school.

In June 2010, the academy became a part of Lansdale School of Business after its former location in Towamencin went up for sale.

According to William Mullen, admissions representative for massage therapy, a new term begins every three months. Each semester at the school runs nine weeks.

"The school is for anybody interested in becoming a student or anybody wanting to go back to school," Mullen said. "The massage therapy program is growing in popularity, even with the economy what it is."

The massage therapy program can be completed in six months full time and one year part time. Reflexology is a 15-week program on Saturdays. Students graduate with a specialized A.A. degree in each program.

"You can be out the door, licensed, and working," said Mullen. "If you start in June, you finish before Christmas and you're beginning the new year workign in the field."

The fact is one cannot work as a massage therapist in Pennsylvania unless licensed by the state.

"Before, there were no regulations. People were going out and doing massage when they were doing stuff they shouldn't be doing," Mullen said. "There are standards to conform to, and there are continuing educaiton requirements and license requirements."

Each student in the program must take two tests, and they must pass one of two before applying for a license. One test is the National Certificate Exam of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. The second test is called the MBLex.

Mullen said classes are small, with no more than 20 per class. Lansdale School of Business graduated 19 last year from the academy division.

"September is always has big classes for any program here," Mullen said. "People associate September with going back to school."

Courses include massage techniques, muscle identification, kinesiology, corrective muscle therapy, anatomy, sports massage and pregnancy and infant massage.

There is also a student clinic, where each student must complete 31 hours of massages to the public. The academy calls it "The Spa" and there are five treatment rooms where clients are practiced on by supervised students.

"They take what they learned and work in a clinical environment," Mullen said. "We have clients with different wants and needs. Students get to utilize all skills in the classroom here at the clinic."

Any member of the community can call the school and schedule a one-hour massage for $35 by calling (215) 412-4121.

Students in the program are also taught other core curriculums of massage like Swedish massage, deep tissue, aromatherapy, reiki and Shiatsu.

Students are also taught animal massage, infant massage and acupressure.

"It's a detailed, anatomy, physiology and pathology course," Mullen said. "Even with something like acupressure, it is an Eastern theory and some don't understand it. But you are asked about it on the boards."

Beware: don't refer to the business as "massage parlor."And get rid of the stigma of massage as a luxury.

"It's no longer looked at that way," Mullen said. "People are using it as a part of their health care. Rather than run to the doctor, they seek out ways to deal with aches and pains."

Surprisingly, more men than women take courses in massage therapy and reflexology.

"Some are just out of high school, some are in transition and retired and others want something new to do," Mullen said.

There is a difference between reflexology and massage therapy. Reflexology, Mullen said, relies more on reflex zones on parts of the body like the feet, hands and ears. These zones correlate to different organ systems of the body, he said.

Massage therapy is more body-focused, he said.

Students are aided through career placement, Mullen said. Most either work on licensure or on a temporary work permit at places like chiropractors, spas and doctor's offices.

"A lot of places are calling us to hire grads, and they are finding out that they need to be licensed," said Mullen. "We are taking that opportunity to educate the public about hiring therapists that are licensed."

Classes are held Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. full time, and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. full time. Part-time students attend twice a week.

More information on the National Academy of Massage Therapy Division can be found at www.nationalmassage.com or by calling (215) 412-4121.

Lansdale School of Business is located at 290 Wissahickon Avenue in Upper Gwynedd (North Wales mailing address). Contact the school at (215) 699-8770 or visit www.LSB.edu.

There is also a Phoenixville campus of Lansdale School of Business. Contact the campus at (610) 983-4635.