Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Hi. It might be worth you looking in the Sports therapy forum as this is discussed a lot there. I trained with ITEC but I believe that at the time (3 years ago) their Sports courses weren't really rated with some of the other bodies, though I am not saying the course wasn't good, in fact the tutor was a sports therapist of many years and was fantastic, but you need to make sure you do the right one.

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Thanks Candie

I will have another look under the Sports section.

I think I just need to research it all as much as possible before making a decision.

[&:]

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Hi,
firstly, you don't have to do an SMA approved course. What you would need to do is register as a member with them, once you have graduated.

If you do a course with ITEC or VTCT, then generally these qualifications are still regarded as beauty therapy based ones, so are not well received in the industry. Its unfortunate, but it happens.

If you graduate from a non-SMA course, then you would have to either bridging course, or sit an exam, and this would depend on the course you have done. The above ones would probably result in you having to do a bridging course, but if you do training with someone such as Active Health Group, then you would have to sit an SMA exam.

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Thats really helpful and clarified things for me.

Thank you

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

ITEC may be considered a 'beauty therapy' in the Sports World but it certainly isn't amongst others, so not keen on that one! I worked very hard for my ITEC qualifications and had to do indepth anatomy and physiolgy and sit a three hour written paper in that and all the other subjects, so that might be a bit misleading!

I have my own clinic now and we don't do any beauty stuff at all.:D

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

totally agree with you, but having worked in the sports industry for over 10 years i know its a fact.

I have trained lots of people on both VTCT and ITEC courses, who wanted to work in the industry, but its got such a bad name, they werent taken seriously. However, if you are a good therapist working in your own clinic this doesnt seem to matter as most clients dont know one qualification from the next, so as long as you are good, then they are happy.

Hopefully all the problems of massage in sport will be resolved soon with the shake up in the industry, which will benefit everyone.
😀

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

by the way, i wasnt having a dig at ITEC or VTCT qualifications or therapists in my earlier message 😀

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

I agree with you and am un-digged.:D

Agree with tightening it also, the sooner the better, despite the pitfalls of that also, ie being trained in multiple therapies and paying multiple fees!!![:@]

I take on therapists at our clinic and can say catergorically that the certificate is of no value when assessing them. Believe me, I judged VTCT also. However after a bit of experience now I can say that it is the teacher and the therapist themselves who make the excellent combination that is the end result.

All therapists should be able to train and know they are getting the best training and that it is consistent. Not sure how that will happen, but look forward to it!

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Hi
I was going to do sports massage so dutifully took myself over for many treatments to get an idea, all without fail were ridicously painful and left me in some pain or discomfort for upto 3 days afterwards, needless to say i changed my mind.....

I personally believe you can attain fantastic results without causing that much agony to anyone unless its a spasm or trapped nerve etc...
I did post grad courses in
Deep tissue (brilliant)
Soft tissue release (brilliant - also used in sports massage)
Neuromuscular techniques (excellent, have had it used in sports massage but in a more painful fashion for some reason)
Muscle energy techniques (good)

I now have sports therapists come to me for treatment as they dont suffer any pain the next day and also they cant get anyone locally to work quite so deeply and thoroughly....

It will also not stop you working with sports people, I have some GB Archery people I deal with on a regular basis, and a couple of the coaches use me for consulting if they have a problem, also done Female British Rugby Player and many a marathon runner.....

Good luck in finding the course that is right for you, I have to say the postgrads were excellent as it wasnt an ongoing commitment over months, you pay for the ones you do at a time so is more affordable (or can be)....

And before anyone jumps at me, I am not dissing sports massage but it was definitely not for me......................or the clients have I that have had Sports massage previously!

T
x

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Hi TigerBee

I totally agree with you on this as I also followed the same route. I have found that these techniques are all that I need but I also include trigger points for some conditions. Sometimes a more precise approach is all that is needed and apart from some conditions, frozen shoulder or as you said spasms very little pain is caused but with great results!

Again I am not advising that sports massage is not good just saying that it wasn't the right route for me.

Love and light
🙂

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Sports massage shouldnt be too painful, occassionaly any treatment you do is going to cause some pain or discomfort to your client.

One thing that has shocked me when assessing trainers/lecturers is how many of them teach the old 'no pain no gain' theory.

As ive said in previous postings, this truly gives sports massage a bad name, and thats why it needs regulating.

Active Health Group have developed a sports and remedial massage course that covers all the remedial techniques mentioned above, and more.

They have also developed a new series of myofascial release courses, which basically takes the massage therapist/bodyworker onto a level that is head and shoulders above everyone else. It is done a lot in Australia and America, and the effects are fantastic. Ive had treatments with these techniques for very long term problems (19 years worth!), that remedial massage has helped greatly, but with the myofascial treatments, the problems have gone!

These treatments are also pretty painless! 😀

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Hi sportstherapy

I too have beenn taught a few myofascial release techniques and have found them fantastic. I would be very interested in learning more so do you have a web site or phone number for Active Health Group please.

love and light
🙂

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Just wanted to echo what Sharon and Tracy say as they have opened it up a bit.

I trained in massage and then aromatherapy and have picked up all sorts since from other therapists and advanced courses. I have success treating people with various problems from back pain to neck problems and have success in alleviating headaches etc. I have learned all this through experience and people come back to me because of it when they need it again and send their friends to me. I also get sporting people come to me after they have overdone it and that works too, including an olympic hopeful sailing guy. He gets massage with essential oils as do all the others and I think it's a shame that people think aromatherapy is for softies.

I have no doubt that I could and will learn heaps more, but even without training in sports massage I can do a good job. I never hurt anybody but I do work deeply (ok sometimes they say 'ouch!' but it's only for a moment). I go in very slowly until there is a release and it seems to work very well.

It would be a huge crime if therapists like me were excluded in the future on the basis that we haven't done sports or remedial massage and I honestly don't think it will happen.;)

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

for Essence, its
🙂

RE: Remedial/Deep tissue/Sports Massage Course?

Hi sportstherapy

Many thanks for the web site address the courses look great and hopefully I will embark on one of them in the future.