Hello
People's replies were so useful to me the last time I posted on here I couldn't resist raising another conundrum.
I'm now pretty sure I want to study sports massage, with a view to adding to it again in the future. I want as thorough an understanding of the body I can get without going back to college to study physiotherapy (something that has some appeal but in my late 30s with no A-level in biology I'm not sure it's practical). I'm interested in sports massage for gaining remedial skills, and less so for the sports aspect, although I'm a serious yoga practitioner (and beginning teacher) so it has links to what I do elsewhere. I have qualifications in holistic ITEC level 3 and Thai massage diploma. I also attended myofascial release (sort of) course last autumn and loved it. I'm beginning to use my current skills by subbing at a health centre.
My conundrum is the course that is the most attractive (I've ruled out alternatives such as lssm due to my timetable) is the nlssm btec level 5. For this I will need to apply for another bank loan. Or I have the option of doing an ITEC level 3 or 4 at a reasonable reputable college where I teach (a different subject altogether) pretty much for free. Being skint, this is an attractive option!! But as I'm getting on in years I'd like to progress in this new direction in leaps and strides. So I guess my question is, is the difference in the itec/btec qualification worth two and a half grand?
Any thoughts gratefully appreciated!
Obviously I don't know the college where you teach but I would guess that there is quite a bit of a difference - but it does so much depend on the tutors! Would you be able to sit in on a lesson to see what the teaching style is like?
With the qualifications you already have you obviously have a lot of knowledge already so the cheaper option might be ok - and let's face it, training that's nearly free is very attractive indeed!
If it's an itec syllabus, it should be on the itec website, so you could have a look to see exactly what it covers and how it compares to the lssm course.
Not sure if that's helpful at all but didn't want to read and run.
Good luck! x
Hello
People's replies were so useful to me the last time I posted on here I couldn't resist raising another conundrum.I'm now pretty sure I want to study sports massage, with a view to adding to it again in the future. I want as thorough an understanding of the body I can get without going back to college to study physiotherapy (something that has some appeal but in my late 30s with no A-level in biology I'm not sure it's practical). I'm interested in sports massage for gaining remedial skills, and less so for the sports aspect, although I'm a serious yoga practitioner (and beginning teacher) so it has links to what I do elsewhere. I have qualifications in holistic ITEC level 3 and Thai massage diploma. I also attended myofascial release (sort of) course last autumn and loved it. I'm beginning to use my current skills by subbing at a health centre.
My conundrum is the course that is the most attractive (I've ruled out alternatives such as lssm due to my timetable) is the nlssm btec level 5. For this I will need to apply for another bank loan. Or I have the option of doing an ITEC level 3 or 4 at a reasonable reputable college where I teach (a different subject altogether) pretty much for free. Being skint, this is an attractive option!! But as I'm getting on in years I'd like to progress in this new direction in leaps and strides. So I guess my question is, is the difference in the itec/btec qualification worth two and a half grand?
Any thoughts gratefully appreciated!
Hi there,
I have had quite a few people that have done the NLSSM L5 course on my Sports Therapy courses, and they are usually much better than ITEC graduates - I dont mean to upset any ITEC therapists, but that is what I have found. I think the reason is that NLSSM have control over their own qualification, whereas the likes of ITEC and VTCT are offered in hundreds of colleges, so the standards can vary drastically, though in my opinion more on the VTCT side than ITEC.
That said, if you know the college and they are ok, and its a question of cost, then ITEC do seem to offer a good quality sports massage course.
I would say to expect changes in colleges, as it appears that the vast majority are delivering them in far less hours that QCF require, and the awarding bodies will be forced to act. For example, QCF level 3 sports massage HAS to be delivered in 210 hours or 26 days (8 hour days) or equivalent; QCF level 4 HAS to be delivered in 130 hours or 16 days (8 hour days or equivalent. Have a look and see how many are doing this?
Thank you Bobswife and sportstherapy,
That's good info. I've spoken to other people who've studied the SM at the college I teach at and they said it was good. I did my holistic massage training there. But I did feel that we were very much only being taught to the itec syllabus - which is kind of a good thing, but got a bit frustrated with itec after a while. The course, though was good, and the department and tutors are good, and yes, there's generous time allowance for the course in terms of hours. I enrolled on one of their itec SM course last year but it was cancelled due to a tutor's illness, and they were unable to appoint anyone who satisfactorily met their requirements, which is kind of a good sign! There are differences in the syllabuses (syllabi?!), most of which seem to be assessment and diagnostic skills. But as you say a lot depends on the teaching and how much depth the course goes into. I shall probably turn this question around and around in my head until places disappear on whichever course I decide to do!
Thanks:confused::)
Thank you Bobswife and sportstherapy,
That's good info. I've spoken to other people who've studied the SM at the college I teach at and they said it was good. I did my holistic massage training there. But I did feel that we were very much only being taught to the itec syllabus - which is kind of a good thing, but got a bit frustrated with itec after a while. The course, though was good, and the department and tutors are good, and yes, there's generous time allowance for the course in terms of hours. I enrolled on one of their itec SM course last year but it was cancelled due to a tutor's illness, and they were unable to appoint anyone who satisfactorily met their requirements, which is kind of a good sign! There are differences in the syllabuses (syllabi?!), most of which seem to be assessment and diagnostic skills. But as you say a lot depends on the teaching and how much depth the course goes into. I shall probably turn this question around and around in my head until places disappear on whichever course I decide to do!
Thanks:confused::)
your initial post refers to wanting to gain remedial skills, and that suggests you will be working with damaged tissues, yet sports massage therapy discriptors clearly state that you WILL NOT be working with damaged tissues, more in a maintenance setting, injury prevention and pre and post event etc, I therefore suggest you alter your search slightly and move away from SM towards a remedial massage course. However as the current regulaotr does not recognise remedial therapy in its own right. I have assessd students from many many colleges over the years and agree with sportstherapy in this thread, the major awarding organisatins lose control of their awards during the delivery process. Im not going to comment on individual colleges but find that generally you get what you pay for, so if you pay a subsidised FE college rate, dont expect the same quality of training that you would get from a specialist private training provider. That said do lots of research and ask to sit in on a class and meet tutors before you commit to spending
one last thing, you wont be diagnosing anything after a sports massage course, you can only do that if you are a medical practitioner
regards
BGFL
Thanks BGFL
I did initially start looking for remedial courses, but most of the ones I found assumed you had an initial diploma in sports and remedial massage. But I'll have another root around. Yes - I appreciate I won't be able to diagnose anything with a sports massage course - I've had enough of my medic family generally mocking my newfound interest in bodywork enough over the last couple of years for me not to take myself that seriously! But I was simply quoting from the btec syllabus, and I'm guessing by diagnostic skills they mean assessing what's wrong enough to have a fair idea what to address rather than just blindly applying a few techniques and hoping for the best. Which is a little bit how I feel at the moment and why I want to move forward!
All the best,
Canard
.
I would say to expect changes in colleges, as it appears that the vast majority are delivering them in far less hours that QCF require, and the awarding bodies will be forced to act. For example, QCF level 3 sports massage HAS to be delivered in 210 hours or 26 days (8 hour days) or equivalent; QCF level 4 HAS to be delivered in 130 hours or 16 days (8 hour days or equivalent. Have a look and see how many are doing this?
Sorry but I have to (slightly) disagree
AO's can only monitor courses to ensure that learner evidence which is used to claim certification meets VARS requirements (Validity, Authenticity, Reliability, Sufficiency) when compared with the assessment criteria on the qualifications framework.
(Ofqual are the only ones who can act on abuse of QCF criteria ie GLH)
The VTCT units have been written in such a way that the learner can 'get away" with almost anything leaving (allowing?) the assessor very little choice but to issue a "pass" on the flimsiest of "evidence"
eg: (from the level 4 unit)
[COLOR="SeaGreen"]The learner will
3 Be able to assess clients for complex sports massage / soft tissue methods
the learner can
[COLOR="Lime"]3.4 Carry out subjective assessments of clients
Does it hurt?
[COLOR="Lime"]3.5 Carry out objective assessments of clients
Where? Try lifting your arm (leg) up
PASS 😎
note: "be able to" means the learner needs to demonstrate competence using a skill
There is no requirement to demonstrate understanding in the entire unit!
This is (probably) why other AO's choose to share this unit in order to form their own qualification in preference to the far more prescriptive alternative which is on offer
ps
The other other has an entire unit just on examination, part of it being:
3 Understand how to conduct an objective physical assessment
3.1 Define A.R.T.S
3.2 Explain the importance of looking and comparing (asymmetry) when conducting a physical examination
3.3 Describe what it meant by active range of movement
3.4 Describe what it meant by passive range of movement
3.5 Describe what it meant by resisted range of movement
3.6 Explain the value of palpation (‘touch’) within the assessment process
3.7 Explain the purpose of range special tests
4 Be able conduct an objective physical assessment
4.1 Assess the client’s condition by observation
4.2 Assess the client’s condition using ranges of movement
4.3 Assess the client’s condition by palpation
4.4 Assess the client’s condition by the use of appropriate special tests
4.5 Demonstrate how to assess the client’s condition by the use of functional tests
4.6 Record objective assessment findings in an appropriate format
However the VTCT unit meets SMA requirements but the other doesn't :confused:
just to try to clarify my comments as i know this is causing ripples of unrest, I will post later the descriptors that were agreed AFTER CONSULTATION by the awarding organisations regarding "working on pathalogical tissues".
the fact that PAs are not aware of this is not my fault, we have been telling PAs that their membership levels are ambiguous for several years, combined with automatic recognition of awards, despite glaring discrepencies in their delivery. And to be clear we are contacting all insurance companies as we feel VERY STRONGLY that in the event of injury caused by an under qualified therapist working outsifde their limitations, the insurance would become void and personal damages may be persued against individual therapists.
you only have to look on twitter and facebook to see the vast numbers of masseurs claiming to be injury specialists..............................we all know it is an important part of the rehab process but therapists are being misinformed as to their codes of conduct under membership rules.
please do not shoot the messenger..........
in my opinion this has come about by AOs trying to raise course levels, and in doing so have watered down the basic application level 3 courses, which previously allowed work on injured tissue.
its a shame when we have to use HP to get a major AO to take note of our intentions to publicise these facts, despite several years of emailing them about this issue
regards
BGFL
direct website quotes;
not wishing to offend persons on HP who are aligned tpo these awards, merely publishing what is out there for all to see;
ITEC
The main aim of the ITEC Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy is to enable learners to gain the practical and theoretical skills necessary to provide Sports Massage Therapy. It has been designed to provide learners with the requisite knowledge, understanding and skills to work in an unsupervised capacity as a sports massage practitioner, with non-pathological (non-injured) tissue. In this qualification learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of the theory underpinning the practise of Sports Massage Therapy, including functional anatomy and physiology, nutrition, classification of sports injuries and the stages of healing. It will also provide learners with the understanding, skills and techniques to plan, prepare for and apply a range of sports massage methods to uninjured clients. Learners will also develop the skills to evaluate massage strategies and methods to inform on future treatments.
VTCT
VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy (QCF)
The Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy (QCF) has been designed to provide you with the requisite knowledge, understanding and skills to work in an unsupervised capacity as a sports massage practitioner, with non-pathological (non-injured) tissue.
In this qualification you will develop your knowledge and understanding of the theory underpinning the practice of sports massage therapy, including functional anatomy and physiology, nutrition, classification of sports injuries and the stages of healing. In addition you will develop the understanding, skills and techniques to plan, prepare for and apply a range of sports massage methods to uninjured clients. You will also enhance your skills to evaluate massage strategies and methods to inform on future practice.
Active IQ
Aim:
To provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to be able to provide sports massage therapy to a range of clients who have no underlying pathological conditions.
CYQ
Qualification aim
To provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to be able to provide sports massage (soft tissue therapy) to a range of clients who have no underlying pathological conditions.
we have been telling PAs that their membership levels are ambiguous for several years, combined with automatic recognition of awards, despite glaring discrepencies in their delivery.
Just tell me about it!
:banghead:
ps
interestingly all my concerns about this get censored (ie removed) when I try and post them on the sports massage forum in linkedin