THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408050478
SECTION: HAMPTON ROADS WOMAN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
RIGHT BETWEEN the shoulders, no, a little higher. Yes, riiiiight there. Who, at any given minute, wouldn't sell her soul for a massage? Forgo a new dress to be kneaded into a blissful coma?
But as enjoyable as a massage can be, massage therapists say their job brings them just as much satisfaction.
``Healing through touch is such a wonderful thing,'' said Kathy Abramson of Portsmouth, who does massage therapy on a part-time basis.
``To see someone relax and feel better by something you do with your hands is a wonderful experience. It's a wonderful job to have.''
And a promising one, too.
Massage is an ancient form of bodywork that induces relaxation, reduces stress and helps rehabilitate certain injuries. As more Americans take a more holistic approach to their diet and lifestyle, therapeutic massage is becoming one of the fastest growing professions in the field of natural health care.
``Sixty-percent of people seek massage for stress reduction,'' said Joe Arida, director of the Virginia Institute of Massage Therapy in Norfolk.
``Forty-percent are for sports injuries, whiplash, lower back pain, migraine headaches, TMJ.''
As the demand grows, so do the job opportunities. Health spas and clubs, fitness centers, hair salons, athletic teams or dance troupes, chiropractic and physical therapy private practices all can use massage therapists on their staffs. And the profession offers enough flexibility and viability for therapists to work on their own.
``Most therapists get into it because they can be independent,'' Arida said.
Dorothy Shaffer, a psychiatric nurse clinical specialist, will graduate soon and will use therapeutic massage on the job and as a part-time occupation.
``As a nurse, I've been always interested in touch therapy and bodywork,'' said the Norfolk resident.
``Thinking in terms of wellness and healing, stress management, massage can be a very spiritual thing. Doing massage can be like a healing prayer. . . I see it as very important in integrating body, mind and soul.''
Therapeutic massage has all the makings of a lucrative career. Supplies are basic - a massage table costs $200 to $400, oils, linens, relaxing audio tapes. With an average hourly rate of $40 for a body treatment, the financial potential is there.
Training, the length and cost, depends on the type of program. The state requires students to complete a 200-hour course for certification, but there are 300-and 600-hour courses that offer more specialization. All schools offer a basic study of the various forms of bodywork, such as shiatsu, sports massage, Swedish massage and reflexology.
At the Harold J. Reilly School of Massotherapy in Virginia Beach, which is affiliated with the Association for Research and Enlightenment, students are taught the usual range of bodywork and the Casey-Reilly technique, developed by psychic-diagnostician Edgar Casey and physiotherapist, Harold Reilly.
Many of the school's students travel from Canada, Europe and the Far East to study the unique method.
``Swedish massage is more of a stimulating massage, while the Casey-Reilly technique is known for being extremely relaxing,'' said Gary Blauert, director of the school.
``We use very similar strokes, but a little differently and the sequence of the body parts we move are different. It allows the body to relax completely and go into a homeostasis,'' a natural balancing state in which the body can heal itself.
In addition to in-class and hands-on bodywork study, students take courses in business management and ethics.
Most schools are moving toward a larger course load as the industry moves toward licensure and national certification. Starting in November, students will need 500 hours of study to take the national certification exam and within the next few years, the state will adopt the same requirement.
``The national certification lets the public know there's a certain standard set for the therapist,'' Arida said.
``When I first started, people would ask me, `What do you mean, massage? What is that?' I've seen it blossom in terms of being accepted as a viable alternative or aspect of one's wellness program.'' ILLUSTRATION: JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI/Staff color photos
Student Hollie Chapman plays a willing volunteer to student Lori
Applegate for a facial massage.
Joe Arida, director of the Virginia Institute of Massage Therapy in
Norfolk, presses his hands on Hollie Chapman's back to show Dorothy
Shaffer, a psychiatric nurse clinical specialist, a massage
technique. Both women are students.
Graphic
IT'S YOUR TURN
Some of the training schools in the area. Check the phone book
for additional schools.
Fuller School of Massage Therapy in Virginia Beach - 340-7132.
Harold J. Reilly School of Massotherapy in Virginia Beach -
428-0446.
Virginia Institute of Massage Therapy in Norfolk - 625-4564.
by CNB