Popularity of massage for health care helps neuromuscular therapy program grow

The programs are based on the school’s Rome campus, but applicants can complete core work at any of the college’s four campuses or online. Prospective students should take their core courses this summer and fall to be accepted for the Spring 2011 term.

"Some of the best therapists are former athletes who have been in pain and appreciated someone helping them out of it, but anyone can learn the necessary skills. You don’t have to be big and brawny," Lewis said.

His students range from recent high school graduates to people in their 30s and 40s who are looking for second careers.

Program graduates are working at medical facilities, chiropractors’ offices, rehabilitation centers and medical spas all over North Georgia. The majority work as independent contractors running their own practices.

Neuromuscular therapists locate and apply pressure or massage to "trigger points" in muscles that are causing pain. Lewis puts students on a strength-training program and teaches them the proper body mechanics for doing massage.

"If therapists try to rely on the strength of their hands alone, they’ll develop physical problems and eventually be unable to work," Lewis said. "There are right and wrong ways to do massage techniques."

While only 500 hours of experience are required for state licensure, Georgia Northwestern’s students will complete 1,720 hours of clinical lab practice before they graduate.

"We give more training than other schools, because we want to close the knowledge gap of therapists," Lewis said. "Trained professionals can help someone get out of pain, but they may not know why a technique works. Our students will know why on a chemical and cellular level, and they’ll be able to explain it to patients and the community."

Students attend classes for six hours Mondays through Fridays. Every lecture is followed by lab time, because students learn best through demonstration and practice, Lewis said.

Students receive specialized training in Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, myofascial release, postural analysis, identification of diseases and conditions, medical documentation, therapeutic stretching and client care.

"We’ll spend about 40 weeks learning the musculoskeletal system in depth, which is very intense. There’s also neuroscience and pathology of the nervous system," Lewis said. "Many students find these courses the most challenging academically but if they put forth their best effort, we’ll meet them halfway."

Learning the law and ethics of the profession is part of the program, as is learning how to manage a business.

"About 99 of neuromuscular therapists work as independent contractors and operate their own practices, so they need excellent hands and business skills," Lewis said.

Interpersonal skills are also important, because neuromuscular therapists work one-on-one with clients.

Lewis advises students to treat their businesses like patients by doing an initial assessment and making a plan. If the plan isn’t working, then re-evaluate it and make adjustments.

"Our students come into the program because they are deeply passionate about helping people," Lewis said. "They leave knowing they have the knowledge and skills to do so."

Tuition for the programs ranges from $3,500 to $4,500. The HOPE grant pays for most of the costs for Georgia residents, Lewis said.

Graduates earn about $20,000 to $35,000 if employed with a business, and about $45,000 and more if they are self-employed.

For information, go to www.gntc.edu or call Patti Oliver at 706-295-6882.

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