I’ve had a passion for massage therapy ever since I was about 14 years old; practicing on my older sister as I learned new and exciting ideas that she got from the massage therapist she went to. I love the thought of helping people feel better. For instance, my grandmother has gone to a chiropractor for a while, which was becoming too expensive. I wanted to understand why she hurt and be able to help her feel better. My mother was also going to a chiropractor and was unable to get relief after many months of treatment. The practitioner finally told her that only massage therapy would help. I have enjoyed being able to help my mother with what I’m learning.
I have always struggled with understanding, comprehension and communication. Words do not come easy and I often do not understand things the way other people do. I was not able to get through the normal set of high school courses, but my mother encouraged me to go for the GED. For a few weeks, several days a week, I drove sixty miles to ‘school’ where a counselor helped me learn and I took many practice tests. At last my efforts were rewarded when I passed the GED. My mother told me it would open doors for whatever I may want to accomplish in the future.
Earlier this year, my mom told me about a massage school in our region and what day orientation was to see if I wanted to go. We attended the orientation and information session together. Right after the session, I signed up to attend classes that were scheduled to begin the following month. We knew it would be difficult, as it would be sixty miles to town every class day and I would have to work a job to pay the tuition. She always told me that learning was easier if you enjoyed it. I was very excited about the possibility of learning massage techniques.
As the weeks went by, everything that I was learning felt like it was going right over the top of my head; I was really struggling with understanding anything that the teacher was saying. I was feeling so overwhelmed with all that information at once. I soon discovered that the more questions I asked, the more I really understood what the teacher was saying.
Preparing for my massage exams in school
My first massage exams and midterms were coming up fast and I didn’t feel like I knew anything at all. I made flashcards and studied my books and notes, but nothing seemed to really stick until I decided to study with another classmate. We would quiz each other from our books. For instance, with anatomy, we would point to a spot on our friend Walter (the skeleton) and ask each other what that bone, process, or joint was called. Another helpful study tip was that we made up our own little stories of what the name of the bone, process, or joint sounded like. Even though studying by myself helped me a little, studying with another classmate was way more helpful. I’m a visual person, so I’ve discovered that with people who have a hard time understanding things like me, I’ve learned that building pictures of what and where things are helps a lot. The instructor really helped me learn through activities. We traced our bodies on large paper on the floor, then we would draw the name of the muscle in its place on the outline as she called them out. Another activity involved molding a cell with all its parts out of playdough. I also used online resources to visualize and learn the muscles and other anatomy.
I realize that continuing education will be required to maintain my license. I’m mostly interested in learning more about taping, scar therapy, and reflexology. However, I know there are many more classes out there that I’ll be interested in. I’ve already taken an optional focus course on cupping for scar therapy. Maybe the best form of continuing education I am receiving and will continue to receive is from those I massage as I listen to what makes them feel better and what does not feel so good; how to manage the pressure of the massage and the technique; and be flexible and sensitive to each person, not assuming everyone likes the same thing.
Tips for studying and test-taking
For those who would not consider themselves good at learning or taking tests like myself, I would like to encourage them to try to use what I’ve learned about learning:
- For those who would not consider themselves good at learning or taking tests like myself, I would like to encourage them to try to use what I’ve learned about learning:
- Find ways to enjoy it
- Ask questions
- Practice
- Quiz with a friend
- Draw pictures or make up silly mnemonics and stories
- Act it out
- Use online practice quizzes or phone apps to quiz yourself
- Take every opportunity to learn more and different things
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you just don’t understand
- Listen
I’m excited to see what the future holds; I have so much to learn.
