Sports Massage CE Recommendations

[Freedom]

A couple of my friends made the team for the LFL (Lingerie Football League). Haha. They know I'm in massage school and have asked me to help them out during training camp. My issue is that I'm not going to be learning SM until the winter time and training camp is in the summer. I don't want to pass up this opportunity so I'm looking into getting the book 'Understanding Sports Massage', the 'Real Bodywork' dvds, and taking a CE course. What would be some of your recommendations for classes that come around the WI or IL area?

 

[Radagast97]

Sports Massage CE Recommendations

First, a book recommendation: Therapeutic Massage in Athletics by Pat Archer, LMT, ATC. Pat has been there, done that, and put a lot of excellent information and guidance into that book.

One of the best CE classes you can take for sports applications is Active Isolated Stretching with Aaron Mattes. Fortunately for you, he'll be in Chicago in mid-July. Seminar details are here: http://stretchingusa.com/seminarsSeminar.cfm?eveID=187

 

[Patient Paws]

Sports Massage CE Recommendations

Hi Jason,

I've been following your posts about working with elite athletes and your blend of PT and MT. Your advice has always seemed like the cream of the crop. I've already ordered Therapeutic Massage in Athletics. It sounds really good. I eventually want to take an AIS class but I might wait till after I graduate for that. I don't want it to be over my head and be the slow poke in class. I'm going to look into it more though.

Oh and Jason, you're lucky you don't live in WI or else I would bug you to be my mentor.

 

[Smoochy Tin Machine II]

Sports Massage CE Recommendations

Thank you for the kind words!

Just to cover my butt, I want to clarify something. You stated,

I've been following your posts about working with elite athletes and your blend of PT and MT.

In my state, "PT" is a title-protected term referring specifically to physical therapy as practiced by licensed medical professionals. I am a certified personal trainer, but NOT a Physical Therapist. I don't provide "PT" or "physical therapy" services. I do, however, provide massage therapy and personal training services within the appropriate scope(s) of practice. If someone needs PT or some other form of medical care, I refer them to the appropriate medical professionals.

:grin: Okay, that should cover it.

Always be mindful of the terminology you use to describe the work done by yourself and your colleagues. It will save you a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Also be mindful of how others describe what you do. Some clients will go on and on to their friends and acquaintances about the wonderful "physical therapy" they get from you, and it's very flattering until a letter arrives from your state's Board of Physical Therapy (or similar governing body). If you get wind of a client or acquaintance describing your work in that way, correct them immediately, explain why, and educate them on the correct terminology to use.

As a personal trainer, I am also very careful not to let others refer to me as an "athletic trainer", because those who are Athletic Training Certified (ATCs) enjoy a certain amount of title protection and have a great deal more professional education than most MTs and personal trainers do. Over 70% of ATCs have a Masters Degree, many are also have a Ph.D. - and they have a right to be possessive of their title. To them, most personal trainers are ill-prepared bumpkins... not unlike the perspective that many PTs, DCs and MDs have towards MTs.

I attended a class on "Being a Respected Part of a Sports Medicine Team" taught by Pat Archer, LMT, ATC at the 2010 AMTA National Convention. She started out by describing ways that MTs tend to blow their chances of working with athletic teams. She strongly recommended becoming familiar with the structure of a team's sports medicine and training staff. There is usually a head Athletic Trainer (ATC) who coordinates the training and medical care of each athlete. She advised always refering to them by their proper title, and NEVER just as "trainer".

I looked up the LFL after your post appeared. I had just heard that Minnesota is getting an LFL franchise, too. I have to admire the athleticism shown by some of the players, and the hits they take while so poorly attired are no joke! The phrase "rug burn!" came to mind when I saw a clip of a game played on artificial turf.

Congratulations to your friends for making the team, and congratulations for you having this rare opportunity to start practicing with a couple of more-or-less professional athletes while still in school. If you do well for them, you might find yourself building a very athletic clientele very quickly upon graduation. :massage: Just mind your ethics and avoid temptations to do work or accept compensation that would jeapordize your schooling or eventual licensure.

If you have the chance, go observe some practices and see what kinds of things the LFL players do and how their bodies and movement are affected. If your friends can introduce you to any of the coaching staff, try to learn more about what they do and what they want for their players. This may help you decide what CE classes to pursue upon graduation.

Hope that helps!

 

[Schrei!]

Sports Massage CE Recommendations

I looked up the LFL after your post appeared. I had just heard that Minnesota is getting an LFL franchise, too. I have to admire the athleticism shown by some of the players, and the hits they take while so poorly attired are no joke!

Congratulations to your friends for making the team, and congratulations for you having this rare opportunity to start practicing with a couple of more-or-less professional athletes while still in school. If you do well for them, you might find yourself building a very athletic clientele very quickly upon graduation.

If you have the chance, go observe some practices and see what kinds of things the LFL players do and how their bodies and movement are affected.

I just looked up the LFL too, and have to say it looks like it will be fun to watch. Just told hubby about it. *ha* I'll check out a little more when I get time and if I can think of anything useful I'll add it here.

Congratulations to your friends as well. I hope you'll keep us informed on what you find they need in the way of massage. Because they are not having as much clothing and padding as regular football players, it will be interesting to see how they are guarding themselves during falls and what areas need the most work. I expect that you will find more work is needed on the quads, perhaps. I'd also look at the QL's on a regular basis when working with them. It seems like there will be some extra guarding in these areas in order to block falls, although the game moves so fast that they may only do this sub-conciously, if at all.


I also like the idea that it is a 50 yard game. But, shorter plays may actually make everything more intense, depending on how serious they play. I can't expect that just because they are in minimal clothing that they will be faking the game. So, keep an eye out for anything that has to do with thier agility.

I don;t know a good CEU course to refer you to right now, but, I'd certainly go with something that has to do with orthopedics. I think that would be a really good base for you to start with for a nice base of info. James Walas.... (I'm tired so I won't look up the proper spelling right now, but will fix it in the morning for you) should be a good course to look into.

Have fun with this. It will serve you well!