Comments on: Massage Training Controversy

By: Julie Onofrio

Julie Onofrio — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:24:31 +0000

I was just thinking about you Brandon and had wanted to check in on your http://www.thefreedomride.org/

I also was thinking someday that I want to visit one of your schools and get a few massages from your graduates!

Julie

By: Brandon Raynor

Brandon Raynor — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:58:01 +0000

I totally agree Julie that 100 hours is totally sufficient
We have trained more than 5000 people worldwide in our 5 and 10 day programs and they are very good massage therapists. Better, I believe, than most of the people that have attended 500 hour programs.
Massage practitioners should always strive to get better but once a person is practicing they learn a lot from swapping massage attending short courses in the multiplicity of styles and approaches to the art

By: Jody Hutchinson

Jody Hutchinson — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:38:25 +0000

I would have to agree that running a business is very important in career longevity in massage. Unless you want to stay stuck in a spa or a chiro’s office for entry-level wages. I keep reading that most massage therapists hate marketing and love massaging. Well, that won’t get them beyond the first two years.
I’ve also noticed a lack of continuing education for MTs that’s business, relationship, and communication skill based. It all seems to be based on techniques. Hmm, I don’t think my business runs off my techniques.

What’s going on is the Wal Mart model in massage, cheaper is better, etc. Look what’s happened to chiropractic as far as their business models: high volume, large student loan debt, limited patient contact time, etc.
If education is controlled by large school corps. we will be in trouble.
jh

By: Alexander Kohl

Alexander Kohl — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:26:15 +0000

I do not know of any studies. However, for massage practitioners that are successful, the high hours of study required serves as a kind of barrier to entry for others, thus keeping competition down.

Even though in reality a much higher barrier to entry is the lack of training in marketing and running a business.

No wonder that 50,000 massage practitioners leave the field each year if they do not know anything about running a business.