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Learning Massage In Fort Myers

February 17, 2006

Jeff describes his Massage education and gives some sound business advice also.

My name is Jeff Kaplan, and I attended massage school at Heritage Institute in Fort Myers, FL, from October 7, 02, through September 4, 03. It was a 900 hour course of study. I thought I could not afford the $7000 plus fee that it would cost, but I never had considered that I could take out a student loan, which made it possible for me to attend.

Our curriculum consisted of six modules, of 6 weeks each, four hours a day, Monday through Friday. We would have 2 hours of lecture, or test taking, followed by two hours of massaging each other. In this way, we gave, and received, a massage, every single day, 5 days a week.

In our classes, we covered Neuromuscular Anterior and Posterior, Marketing massage, the Musculo-Skeletal System, Hydrotherapy, Functional Assessment, Anatomy and Physiology- of the genito-urinary tract, the lymphatic system, the blood-vascular system, GI tract, respiratory system, and Immune system. We covered the Florida and National Laws and Massage Ethics. We also went over �medical errors� and Hiv/Aids.

At the end of our 6 six week modules, we had a 9 week clinical rotation, in which we massaged the public. We also had an introduction to sports massage and chair massage.

I was an R.N. prior to attending massage school, so it was fairly easy for me, since I already had some background in anatomy/physiology, and the medical side of it.

I was encouraged to enter into massage therapy by co-workers in nursing, as I have always been interested in helping people heal in natural ways, instead of being tied to the drugs and surgery approach, the way it is practiced in mainstream medicine. I graduated at the top of my class with a 103% average for all my modules.

The funny thing about massage school, to me, was the fact that I had to strip down to my birthday suit, on the first day of class. With all the schooling I have had, and that includes a Bachelor's degree in Biology, I was never required to take my clothes off, in the middle of the classroom. However, after the first couple of days, it was nothing to toss off my clothes and flip them over the sheet that my partner was holding. This is how we changed: one person would hold a sheet up while you were behind it, and against the wall, stripping. One particular time, a male classmate, had a partner who wasn't very well versed in the art of proper draping. He said he felt a "draft" down in the private section of his anatomy.

I had a very excellent massage instructor who was a Physical Therapist. He really knew his anatomy, particularly the musculo-skeletal system, and the actions, and origins and insertions of the various muscle groups. My favourite part of the school's course offerings, was clinical. Massaging the public was more fun than massaging classmates.

The only thing I didn�t like about massage school is that I thought it was too short. I would have loved to have learned a little cranial-sacral, and myofascial release, as well as hot stones therapy, while in school. I also didn't like it that a few of the students weren't really serious and didn't seem to care about doing well, or learning anything.

Since graduation, I have been working with a chiropractor, and have had to perform a lot of what is called, "medical massage". I wish we had learned more about that, plus how to eliminate trigger points. That is a major issue with just about everybody! We also didn't focus much on the opportunities that are available in seated chair massage. After attending a seminar on this modality, I found that the market for chair massage is easily 10 times that of table massage. It pays very well, as I have found out, and the expenses are much lower, compared to table massage.

I think that Heritage Institute is a good school. I had a total of five instructors while I was there, so apparently they didn't really have a high salary, but I considered them all to be well qualified to teach massage therapy. I learned most of the strokes I use today, from other massage therapists who I have gotten massages from.

I was under the impression from school, that male massage therapists have a harder time being successful, generally speaking, than females. I have really not had much of a challenge in that area. I am busy at the chiropractor\'s office 3 times a week, and I am getting busier with my own place, 3 days a week. I also do outcalls, with 4 regulars, which I do in the evenings, and on Saturdays. This does not include the many people who I have massaged at various other times in their homes, although not on a regular basis.

While in school, I worked part time for a home health nursing agency, which happened to be located right next door to the school. I have been there ever since, working part time, but recently, I have had to drastically cut back on my home health nursing visits, due to my getting busier in massage therapy.

Today, February 13, 06, a photo-journalist came out to take my picture for the Monday business edition of the Fort Myers-News Press column entitled, "In the Trenches". It is a column containing interviews with people from various occupations in Lee County, Florida. My interview questions were asked, and answered already via email, with the News-Press. The column should appear in a couple of weeks. I had the great fortune of massaging the lady who submitted my name as a candidate for this column.

I found that it does take some time to get your practice going, but it certainly pays off. The biggest challenge for me has been in paying all the money for the establishment license fee, as well as the wait period to get the inspection done of your facility.

I have had a great time doing chair massage for the medical staff at 3 of the local hospitals, plus I have done chair massage at the nursing agency where I am employed as a per diem nurse. The nurses greatly appreciate getting a massage! I feel a special bond with them, as I know what it is like to work in the stressful environment that they work under, especially hospital nurses.

I have found that a lot of people have pain, and I want to get rid of those painful areas. However, I find that everybody has stress. They know that massage feels good, and is good for them. I want them to know that I am a person who they can trust. One of the biggest stumbling blocks to people getting a massage is that they have to get in their birthday suit in front of a total stranger. Well, it isn't quite like that, but many people perceive it as such. I am also finding that a lot of guys and gals really don't care whether you are male or female. They just want a good massage from a therapist who knows what he or she is doing, and does a good job.

If anybody is in a workplace that could use chair massage, I work with anther R.N./L.M.T. like myself. We have done several chair massage assignments together at the local hospitals. When I do a massage, whether it is medical or relaxation/Swedish, I use therapeutic grade essential oils. I perform Raindrop Technique, and I teach it. I also do ear candling.

If anybody is looking for a chiropractor, I work with an excellent one in Jason Kaster, D.C., in Fort Myers, FL. The office phone, Primary Care Associates, is: 239-277-1772.
Thanks for your interest! If anybody is interested in getting into massage therapy as a career, I highly recommend it!
Jeff Kaplan, R.N., L.M.T. MA

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