What is massage like in your region?

[Tyclitoimmisy]

I am writing from Ontario Canada. Up here in order to be a Massage Therapist we must go through over 2000 hours of medical schooling and pass Provincial board exams. Once complete we are then regarded as "Primary Healthcare Practitioners" equal to Physio Therapists and Doctors. What is the schooling like in your area? What government regulations do you have for your state or country? What is massage like in your region? I do eagerly await your replies.

 

[ayadsadda15]

Hi Dynamo[/align][/align]In the UK things are a bit different, you can do up to about four years training in the traditional teaching institutions but you are still not classed as a medical practitioner, I think most therapists in the UK would not welcome that status, the national health service in the UK is unfortunately not very effective these days.[/align][/align]Most courses seem to be around a year in length and have around 90 - 120 hours instruction which seems to be mainly anatomy and physiology.[/align][/align]You can actually set up in the UK without any formal qualifications or training which is the most people used to do it until a few years ago.[/align][/align]Government regulations are still in the discussion stages at the moment, if the government do to us what they have done to the heath service then we might as well pack up and do something more worthwhile.[/align][/align]The governing bodies obviously want the government to make it compulsory for all therapist to belong to an organisation, hopeful theirs ;-) but that has a way to go yet and the majority of therapist do not belong any organisation, mainly because there is little benefit to the therapist or their clients/patients and we have enough business expenses without extra ones to pass on.[/align]

 

[kwepnuizicriwteud]

Wow! How insightful! Thank you so much for sharing. I had no idea the UK was like that. I was of the understanding that the health system in the UK was quite progressive. You are the first MT from the UK that I have spoken to.

 

[Chirag Ashok]

Hi Dynamo[/align][/align]The health service in the UK is literally grinding to a halt with all the red tape and paperwork, sadly patient care is coming second place to political intervention[/align]

 

[My Question]

Wow! I had no idea. How long has it been like this. Has it been a slow degridation? When did it begin? Wow.

 

[weeofuvgijdipzepp]

Hi Dynamo

The NHS has been like this ever since I can remember (I was growing up in the 80's and 90's). It's just gradually gotten worse from what I can gather.

Massage and other therapies are definitely seen as an alternative to treatment on the NHS. I have heard that Doctors are trying to move toward integrating a more holistic approach to treatment on the NHS, but sadly I have not seen any evidence of this whatsoever.

Donna.

 

[redsox fan36]

Texas has one of the lower requirement for Massage Therapy. It is currently at 300hours, but it will be raised to 500 at the end of the year.

I am currently working on a physical therapy degree. That should take me 6+ years to get my masters.

Hey Dynamo, my A& P instructor got his training in Canada. He was very knowledgeable and I learned alot of unusual styles from him.

 

[yahoooo!]

for Dynamo :-
I have worked for the NHS for the past 20 years, and have seem a dramatic change in the service,
[ul][*]firstly the biggest change, is the fact that Doctors are afraid seeing we as a country have become like the USA for 'sueing' everyone for anything - including the health sevice[*]Within the health service we have sub-contacted to different firms, so no one knows what the other department are doing, there is not one central database for all departments, - b vring back the matrons of the 1950's when they were in charge[*]Since having alot of immagrants and Asylum seekers they are draining our system, as they are not putting anything in the money pot,(Taxetc.,)as the majority are on benefit, or working 'cash in hand' so therfore they are taking and not giving into the goverment pot[/ul]
This is why our country is going down the drain, it is sad, as our NHS service 20 years ago was one of the best in the world...

 

[The Deranged Housewife]

Thank you for writing AlanOfDale. Is massage regulated in your area?

Thank you Chid. I understand the UK is quite progressive when it comes to alternative health research and addoption of natural medicine (at least when compared to North America) Is this still the case?