Sports Massage training

[Lizzi(:]

Hi all

I am new to this site and found it extremely helpful.

Currently I am training VCT Swedish Body Massage at the local College. I enjoy it immensly and I will also train in the Hot Stone Massage. I am very sporty and do lots of running and other sports and I am considering doing the VCT Sports Massage. I would like to work as a Therapist as I am not keen in my current job. I also think that if I can offer different types of therapy that I have a better chance to work for myself.

Can anybody offer me advise about the Sports Massage and how you have taken it further once qualified? Was the Sports Massage course what you have expected and how different is it from the other massages?

Any advise about the course and how to take it all further would be much apreciated.

Thank you.

Bearchen

 

[danceswithwolves]

Hi

I'm not sure how many of the previous threads on this forum you have read, but I would suggest spending some time browsing through the 'archives'. For a discussion of how sports massage differs from other types of massage, I'd suggest reading the thread What is the difference between sports and swedish massage?

For a discussion of making a career out of sports massage or sports therapy, I'd suggest the threads Work? and VTCT - Route to Sports Therapy Career??

And for a discussion of different sports massage courses, I'd suggest reading SM Courses - who's the best?

Regards

Alan

 

[canada goose parka online]

Hi Bearchen,
I have no doubt you will find a course that will train you to certain standards that will allow you to practice safely.

However the first question you should ask yourself is how suitable you are to withstand the rigors of this very physically demanding career.

As far as I know the schools and colleges that are only to happy to take your money, do not access your individual suitability to pursue sports massage as a career !

Eg are you Hyperflexible, do you have any potential injury problems that may be made worse, how strong are your hands ect, ect.

I dont want to put anyone off but there have been too many wide eyed students that have failed to take this very important element into account.

Regards steve

 

[Amit Feinstein]

In answer to Stve's post above, there are demands made on your body as a sports masseur, however you will become accustomed to these, and as your knowledge improves your posture and technique will too.
dont be put off if you dont automatically fit the demographic of a fit agile sporty looking person.
Also as a lecturer myself I would find myself in hot water if I tried to discriminate against someone wanting to attend a sports massage course by using my own prejudices or those of others to select students.

Follow your dreams, I know extremely good masseurs with disabilities, ranging from blindness to physical disabilities.

To put it another way, how many marathon runners look like olympic distance runners, or how many set out and train to achieve their goal, thru' hard work- determination and a desire to better themselves..............
Follow Alan's advice and conduct your research, find a course that will fulfill your needs and aspirations, talk to training directors and tutors, if possible go and meet them first, have a look round and then make an informed decision.
regards,
Gaz

 

[coritine]

OK Gaz we are both trying to help prospective students make informed decisions on what they see as a potential career to provide an income.

Lets ask those reading these posts who have passed their sports massage qualifications and then made a full or part time career if they felt there was enough focus from the course providers on their physical potential to achieve this goal ? A while back there was a post from a student who was very hypermobile who although enjoyed the course found it could not offer her the career she wanted because of her condition.

The analagee you give of the olympic marathon is perfect, the informed student (blind disabled ect ) needs to know that its their physical capabilities combined with excellent training that will determin their future income.

How many students realize they are linning up for a marathon before they start their course ?

regards steve

 

[Chloe J]

Hi all

Thank you for the replys and advise.

I have looked through the threads and although some are quiete a few years old, some have good advise.

The Sports Massage Course I was looking at is the VTCT as it is the only one at my College. I am interested in the Sports Massage because I think that Sports is more promoted now then a few years ago and because I am a runner and do other Sports. I also have a BTEC in Sports.

With regards to stephen jeffrey's post about the physical demands it puts on the therapist, I know that it is more demanding then Swedish Massage and that maybe you are right that schools and colleges should point that out to students before they pay and sign up. I am physical strong and keep myself fit and healthy, have no injurys and so I am hopeing I will be alright. I will ask more questions at the college about the physical demands and the syllabus and then make my mind up for sure.

Regarding working as a Therapist, I am working as a volunteer in a well being centre and like it so far as it gives me experience. I do that along my part-time job which I hate at the moment. I was sort of asked if I would like to work as a Massage Therapist there once I have qualified. The pay is £6 per hour which i think is poor but on the other hand I am thinking that it will give me experience for a start and maybe work for myself eventualy.

I will keep looking into this forum for advise and inspirations.

Anyway, I am not for from biggazfromlincoln. I am in NorthLincolnshire. Particulary liked your advise.

Thank's again
Bearchen

 

[Monster]

As a training provider, I have been approached on numerous occasions to ascertain the physical suitability of students. There has only ever been one occassion where I felt the candidate was unsuitable, because she had very severe dystonia. Having had a lengthy chat with the lady and her mother, I decided that I was not going to stand in the way of her ambition. I have to say, that I was 100% wrong to doubt her ability, and from then I decided never to be blinkered by my own ideals. The lady in question passed the course and achieved her ambition. She adapted everything she was taught, to ensure she passed the course. She was later thrown off a highly respected sports massage course (which she took just for SMA recognition, much to her disappointment), because, in the words of the principal (and if you are reading this, you should hang your head in shame), 'you couldnt do deep tissue work on a 20 stone rugby player'......my friend replied 'neither can the 5' tall, 6 stone girl on the course with me, but you arent throwing her off'. She actually reported the school for discrimination.

I realise that this lady would not have a long career due to the nature of her condition, but the work she did, she thoroughly enjoyed.

I have taught other students, with many different 'problems', and the one thing that they learn to do is 'adapt'.

I think the only reason someone would suffer is if they have to follow the tutor 'point by point and step by step', yes, some of my students would not have been able to do this, but by adapting, they learn how to do things differently, to get the same or similar results.

If anyone out there is looking to train in massage, its not all about the hands.......

 

[Clessteelry]

training providers are required by discrimination legislation to make reasonable adjutments to allow access to learning for all irrespective of race,creed, religion, gender, sex, ability or disability. Anyone who does not comply with this legislation is leaving themselves open to the full force of european and english law.
If someone wants to do a course for either a career change or for personal development alone, they should be allowed to do so, training providers can not play god and make judgments on someones ability based on their own prejudices. I know of personal trainers who are wheelchair bound but very effective at their profession.

regards
Gaz

 

[Alcoholic Notary Public]

I think it is very fair to say that this is a physically demanding occupation especially when doing events and continued periods of treatment. The best answer I believe is to ensure the course provider teaches the importance of joint allignment and posture. Using the couch is important i.e. kneeling on it or sitting by it and positioning of the client to suit you. I remember my tutor was utterly obsessed with this and quite rightly so. It's what makes a good therapist become an excellent one.
Therefore your physical ability becomes less important as your skills will easily compensate.

As for the above quote from SportsTherapy, I totally agree with you this tutor should be sacked for two reasons- 1. It's his job to teach these techniques and 2. You very rarely come across a 20 stone rugby player so he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Just goes to show not every SMA course is worth shouting about but that's another thread entirely.