home study massage courses

[bridgeee]

can anyone tell me if they recommend doing a home study course in massage. I already have a diploma in massage and sports massage which i did in ciollege, I would like to study indian head at home because i would like to get the ball rolling. what are the one day courses like are they classed as diplomas?

 

[Naughty]

I would think this would be extremely difficult, to be honest.

The massage element of the course really needs you to see the massage strokes performed, and to feel them. The different techniques, pressure, moves etc are not something IMHO that you can effectively learn from a book.

K

 

[xweygunrizdiaoedj]

Hi Beccie.

Why would you want to do that, you don't say?

As Kpuck says, it really isnt a good idea. As you have already done massage I am sure that you can understand that it is very much 'hands on.'

There have been lots of discussion on here about home study courses and for such therapies I just can't see it is a good idea.

If you want to do it yourself then why not get a book and practice?

 

[FeveDrercor]

Hi
Agreeing as per the baby massage thread and Kpuck and Candie, needs to be done. The one day courses are just about ok in my opinion but good therapists need good courses and generally this is not done in one day.

T
x

 

[hdoxmvvd]

hi,
i am interested in doing a aromatherpy massage course from home, after i have pass i am going to go around all the salons asking if i can sit in and watch a massage being done and ask if i can do a massage as well this way i can make sure i feel i have what it takes also i will ask my family if i can do a massage on them.
so i would back the home courses 100%
love dye

 

[Trenton]

Hi Dye

Many salons will not let you sit in on a massage it is just not the done thing and you have to find a client who is willing.....I for one even if I were not heavily qualified in varying massage types would never ever consider having a massage with someone who had not practiced in a tutor setting, you need someone to watch you and your posture (to protect you and your career) and only when you have people working on yourself do you realise how it should feel when you give a massage....

If that is your choice then I wish you luck but do think carefully...

T
x

 

[Cyn]

hello dye,

i have to agree with tigerbee on this. i am ITEC qualified in massage and reflexology but i have done some home study courses, this year actually and really, if you have never done body work before, i'd say at least start at college with a basic anatomy, physilogy and massage course. you really do need the tutor led hands on training.

once you have that and some experience, then home courses are ok to a point. i did aromatherapy as one and practise it BUT only because i am confident with my massage and knew a good amount about oils anyway.

 

[Zacaria Zaki]

Yes, I would agree with Tigerbee and Ro§ie.

Home study courses may be ok if you already have the basic grounding and experience of massage, but I wouldnt recommend them for a first time course.

I would definitely also NOT let an unknown person in to watch a massage, and certainly wouldnt let them "have a go" afterwards! This is definitely something for an experienced tutor to be showing you. You MUST have the knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology to be able to perform a massage to a competent level - particularly if you are expecting to do so professionally. Friends and family may be ok for practice, but I certainly would do an approved hands on course as well.

K xx

 

[Waverly H]

hi,
thanks for that, i know that pratical courses are better and you know then that you are doing things right.
how ever i do think some courses are better at home but i dont know i kind of agree with what you are saying.
love dye

 

[gavin S]

Sorry dye, but as the owner of an holistic centre I wouldn't consider this.

I had to do an anatomy and physiology course and sit an exam, a massage course next, sit an exam (three hour written papers in each) and a practical and then I was allowed onto the nine month aromatherapy course with a further three hour paper and practical. This involved months of study and hard work. I did 20 case studies for the massage and 40 for the aromatherapy. You can't really compare that can you?

Essential oils are very powerful substances and the study involves many aspects including chemistry, the uses, the origins, the latin names, blending and treatment, contra-indications etc etc.

But this was just the beginning. The real learning began when I started practicing and I am still learning. There is much to consider and learning at home isn't going to do it I am afraid.

I really don't think anybody would consider you unless you are properly qualified, insured and trained.

You have to do a recognised course to get insurance and without insurance you won't be able to work in a salon or clinic.

The whole industry is being tightened up and regulated eventually and you wouldn't be allowed to work without the minimum standard when that comes into force.

Personally I feel very strongly that therapists should have the highest training and I won't allow anybody at our clinic unless they have that and then pass an interview and give myself and my business partner a treatment. We have worked really hard to establish a name for ourselves and it is very important to maintain it. I couldn't let anybody loose on clients that wasn't properly qualified.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I think you might be wasting your time.

 

[jeallytaita]

What about the fact that with Home study there is usually an intense two day practical training as well.

When I did IHM from home I found the practical really thorough

 

[Butweakedut]

some courses that include a practical are going in the right direction. hmmm, i am not qualified in IHM, although i know how to do it and its possible to get the idea over 2 days.

however, i'd say 2 days of practical would not be enough for massage or reflexology... not enough to become confident and proficient, imo of course.

 

[Errapolis]

For the majority of courses a couple of days is no where near enough and you cannot work on a different variety of situations peoples types etc without going out in the field and doing different case studies....

I am off the opinion that whilst you can teach IHM over a day or a weekend that this is not good enough and examinable courses are the only way to make sure.....however I accept this happens and dont have a problem with it except I would only go to someone who had undergone full indepth training (my neck and all goes with it is very vital to my wellbeing!) with Massage, Reflex, Aroma, etc you have to do case studies and be guided....if you were experienced and qualified with massage then maybe a theory on Aroma would be ok but that would be my limit.....

With practical therapies I see no positive reason for home study, but I guess it depends on what standards of service you set yourself and what type of clientelle and returning customer levels you are after...

T
x

 

[Saksham]

hi,
i think that home study courses have got better the course i saw was aromatherapy these are the subjects, human anatomy, psychology, massage, history of aromatherapy,3o different oils, carrier oils,first aid, nervous system, manipulation, yin and yan meridians, table of therapeutic oils, blending procedures, uses and contra-indications of oils , how to present yourself as a professional therapist.
then you have an advanced course. after you have pass you get a diploma.
i am not saying all home study courses are great as you do need to look around , however i think it is unfair of the ones who had to do the courses for years say that this is wrong way to go as i have done many a course where its been hands on long test papers and bad teachers.
not everyone should do home courses, and i would say that if its the first course on the beauty side of things that they should do a hands on but i strongly want to put across that there is good and bad in both pratical and home courses.
if i did not think i felt right doing the treatment on a client then i would not even do it.
at the end of the day you will learn what you want to learn be it a home your pratical course or long or short course.
love dye

 

[Mr.Z]

Hi Dye
There is no question that your course has the requistites its just the point I and the others are making is that for the practical side of it - its just that no getting away with it and you need to be observed and taught it is so easy to go wrong and not even notice and then you are stuck with it!

Anyway it looks like you have made up your mind and we will have to agree to differ
Good luck
T
x

 

[Moses]

I think home study courses are ok to teach you some of the theory before you do your practical, but I do think that these home study courses in bodywork and the like, which let you think you are a qualified therapist after you complete them, should be banned, or at least non-certified. I think they are very dangerous.

As a lecturer/assessor and 'industry watchdog' I have seen so many of these courses that give you less information than the text books you can buy from your local bookstore.

If you dont have hands on tutor support then I dont think you should be practising, and even if you get insured by one of the few unscrupulous brokers (of which in this industry there are thankfully very few), then be aware that somewhere in the very very very small print will be something to say that your insurance will be void if you havent done any practical training to back up your course.[sm=soapbox.gif]

 

[broorgefupe]

I think there is a point to be made here that even with "taught" courses you still need to do hours and hours of home study . Just turning up is not enough to get you through. When I did my ITEC AP&M we had 120 classroom hours split between practical and theory over 9 months but with my own study and practice i did easily 3 times as much on my own as "home study. And I havd done for every other course I have done since.

I think it is important to see the practical side in the flesh but you have to practice it on your own to make it work - hence the case studies. And I strogly believe the case studies are actually the miniumum you should be doing

 

[I pity duh Tardlings]

I agree there and most courses insist on case studies and home study, which should be done. My arguement is the 'distance learning' only courses which are available can be quite harmful.

I recently read, on the website of a 'distance learning' only company, which arent even based in the UK, but in Spain, informing prospective students that the way to get the practical training is to work through the home study packs and get your training practicing on friends and family and getting feedback from them!

Surely you agree that you need to have been 'taught' by a professional in a classroom environment to practice on the public? Obviously home study is there to help fill in the gaps left out in class and also to further your own knowledge.

 

[Aja]

I agree you do have to see the moves in the flesh - but i think a few weekend workshops over the course should be enough , if you are kinesthetic enough to want to work with your hands you should be able to pick up the moves from that. as I say it is hours of home practice that make the difference .

I do believe you should have an independent or recognised practical exam to test your practical skills too.

As with all these things there are good and bad courses what ever method is employed. It's always a case of buyer beware when you are chosing them . and doing lots of research. There have been loads of topics on the student forum about colleges that have given very bad teaching and poor value for money too. For schools you need to go and see them , ask for sample course material, speak to ex or current students etc. For distance learning the same and go with whatever suits you and you is reconised enough to ensure you can get insurance at the end.