Sports Massage Diploma- is it worthwhile?

[baseball*dreams]

I am/was keen on doing an SMA approved Sports Massage Diploma. As a keenrugby playerI thought it would be a good hobby, usefull for my mates at the club& perhaps could earn a few beer tokens.
I've looked at the SMA website, contacted a couple of the training providers, looked attheir prospectus& am keen to enroll.
However after stumbling across this forum it seems the Sports Massage industry could be in turmoil/conflict.
Is this just a bad patch, with all this SMA / LSSM conflict? or should I pay £2K for an SMA approved course & hope I am embarking on a worthwhile adventure?

 

[Fearless]

Hi philthy,
why do you need sma approval, there has been much discussion on this forum about sma and the internal turmoil, also with the approval for state regulation of sports therapy may have effects on the industry.
As a rugby player have you considered sports therapy as an option, it would give you a better understanding of sports related injuries, movement patterns etc instead of just soft tissue techniques and massage,
regards
Gaz

 

[fajpliqk]

I like the idea of Sports Therapy, seems to offer a bit more opportunity, especially for what I plan to do.
Now, who would be a good training provider? There seems to be a lot of mention of the Active Health Group, but their courses are Manchester based. What I would be interested in is a 10 month, 10 weekend course but a little closer to home. I am Milton Keynes based, so anywhere in a 60-70 mile radius would be great, i.e. N. London, Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Nottingham.

 

[StarStruckk Is A Monstur!]

sorry dony know of any course in your area, but i did intensive ahg course and travelled, perhaps the 10 month course would suit you, i know accommodation is cheap in manchester and AHG is equidistant between 2 manchester rail stations, ther is a hotel less than 50 yds away and plenty locally.
regards
Gaz

 

[Differenttrash]

If you do take up Gaz’s suggestion of learning ‘sports therapy’ rather than simply ‘sports massage’, then I would definitely recommend that you do a course at NVQ level 4 or above. The only two which have been strongly recommended on this forum are AHG (Manchester) or Raworth (Dorking).
If you are reluctant to travel to Manchester or Dorking, I would have thought that Pulse Training Solutions was the most suitable course provider in your area. Its ‘sports and remedial massage’ course is affiliated to both SMA and ISRM, so that you can join either association. Its course includes STR and MET, which are very useful techniques for treating minor soft tissue injuries and improving flexibility. Mel Cash has a high opinion of Pulse Training Solutions, and it was recommended by DFNU on the thread [link=http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=55112]VCTC vs UWIC [/link]

Regards

Alan

 

[Expecting First Child]

Ive just looked on the AHG website, and it looks as though they are venturing South again! Swindon, in June 2007.......

Biggaz do you know where their forum has gone??

 

[Teresa]

The Pulse Training course was one of the courses which first caught my eye. Seems to be well regarded & has the only website witha decent testimonial & is the nearest geographically.
This is all so confusing- my one comment as someone from the outside looking to come in, is there is a huge amount of conflict with this subject & it is putting me off somewhat,I know this is what forums are all about but there seems to be a few strong mindedcharacters out there.
However thanks for all your quick responses so far, it goes to show this is an actice industry.

 

[NaTuReS BeAuTy]

What I don't get is when the state regulation come in, how some one who's done a 5-10 week intensive course would be considered equalto someone who's done 2 year at A level biology/chemistry/PE then followed by a 3 year full time degree in Sports Therapy.

Basically I don't think people who have done a 5 week -9 monthcourse should be put in the same bracket as someone with a degree. Thats why I'm doing the sports and remedial massage course,if i want to further my prospects I'll use this course to get me into to uni doing sporty therapy, osteopathy or physiotherapy.

 

[FizzbinLogic]

hi gman,
which course are you doing,
i take your point about the mismatched training that is out there and this is one of the reasons that state regulation would be a beneifit to the industry. however I think that some people make assumptions with out knowing other peoples history. I for example am nutritionally trained to level 5, have formal grammar school education toA level in 5 subjects, including the sciences. Iam fully qualified as a master butcher, hold catering qualifications which put me in the top2% of chefs in the country.(previous career)level 3 fitness industry advanced gym trainer. I hold advanced diplomas in sports nutrition and sports therapy, coaching quals in football,basketball, SAQ advanced trainer, FA referee. I coach at county level at present and looking to join up with england u16.17 coaching earlynext year, but at present am sidelined due to shoulder replacement.
Teaching qualifications from 3 industries.(previous career again).
Personal circumstances have prevented me taking the degree route but I feel that I am suitably qualified through the university of life and can bring positive contributions to my chosen career. I was due to further my career with a physio degree starting sept 05, then decided after advice to change back to my sports development and coaching starting last sept. This has been sidelined to accomodate an oppotunity that came my way in the summer, I do however continue with my education and have just enroled on C+G 7307 for the new year. I do have a busy life with 5 kids and 2 businesses jointly ran with my wife.

with regards to the AHG forum, from the information I have rec' it has been out of action for a couple of weeks since the site was updated and admin access was lost, attempts to get back online by end of novemeber are being made at present.

I had a meeting this week with a friend from CSP who informed me that 97% of this years physio graduates will not find work in physio this year, hence the reason I decided not to pursue that avenue. I have also found from personal experience that doing a 2/3/4 year degree in sports therapy is sometimes no better than an intensive short advanced diploma course, one of which is equivalent to foundation degree or higher diploma, and accepted by SSt at full member level.

I offer advice based on personal experience, and do not comment or give recommendation about courses I have not completed, I accept that others may disagree with my opinion but that is why this is such a good discussion forum from which to seek advice, there are lots of good quality posts here from a wealth of experience and backgrounds.
Best regards for your chosen career path ,
Gaz

 

[MarGiauiuo]

forgot to say that anyone wishing to go thru' the grandparenting route if regulation becomes approved, will have to show evidence of working in the industry for a qualifying time period, but dont know what the dates are, so diploma graduates working in the industry should I think be ok , however dont know if this will be the case in the future.
Gaz

 

[Pompal 09.]

Cheers Gaz.

I agree with what you are saying, and partly agree with gman. However, I am happy in the knowledge that I have worked hard to gain my qualification, and am as competent as the next person (in sports therapy). I am also happy that I chose a route, that will allow me to gain state registration when the sports therapy industry is regulated, without having attended university (which is exactly what happened when physiotherapy became HPC regulated, and none university graduates gained it through the grandparenting route).

Having a degree does not mean that you are better trained than anyone else, in fact at a recent CPD I attended there were Sports Therapy degree graduates that I chatted to, who I wouldnt have felt confident visiting for a treatment, but then the same can be said for physios, osteos, and the like.....you get out what you put in, and the fact that I do not have a sports therapy degree pushes me harder to prove myself.

I also agree that 97% of physios graduating this year do not have a job to go to (info is on CSP website), having spent 3 years at a cost of £27,000 per student physio, hence the reason why a lot of them are turning to sports therapy/massage, I did my training with a chartered physio on my sports therapy course,(and there was also a chiropractor on it too who did 5 years studying).

 

[ACMILAN!]

just to add, another reason I took this route, was that I researched and became aware of the regulations in progress, and felt that what I could learn in 3 years of clinical experience would far outweigh what i would learn sat at at desk at uni (been there, done it, got me nowhere!)

I already have a thriving practice, and have graduates of both sports therapy (degree) and physiotherapy writing to me with their CV's looking for work....

 

[Ramez]

hi,
what does grandparenting mean?
abbi

 

[LIFE]

Hi abbil,

in simple terms, when a health profession becomes allied, ( state regulation) there are certain criteria set by HPC by which standardises all training and codes of conduct/ethics etcfor that profession.
For people working in the industry prior to state regulation without degree qualification, they possibly have diploma or advanced diploma, foundation degree etc they are required to show the HPC that they have been working in the industry for a qualifying period, ie held public liability insurance and held membership of a professional body , ie SST orSTO for example, which basically says you are working and making a living from this industry.
This is commonly known as the grandparenting route ( simple explanation). in the past there have also been other hoop to jump through aswell as the above criteria.

To disallow these people from becoming Allied health professionals would be too discriminatory, and so during the application process they would not give support in the first instance, and possibly jepordise the application being approved.
hope that helps a little, I am sure someone else can fill in any blanks.
regardfs
Gaz

 

[bluebonnetgranny]

hi big gaz,
when is this regulation happening? I have been following the threads but I am still very confused,
I have a sport science degree aswell as a vtct level 3 diploma in sports massage therapy, I also have 3 years clinical experience, 3 years of being insured and a member of the FHT, will I be ok? I am not a member of the sma, does that matter?
abbi

 

[JHP]

hi abbil,
unfortunately I am not privvy to the timesclale of regulation as there are a number of hoops for SST to jump through set by HPC and then the government become involved and I beleive they take 2 years to bring it thru' their statute books. It is worth noting that the industry is expecting a cut of date after which further training will be inevitable,
I dont know if you are aware but in your situation you could take advantage of a sports therapy licensing course which would enable you to fulfil the criteria set for joining under the grandparenting route. I know of a couple of people( sports massage background) who have become "sports therapists via this route.
I have also "observed" in one of the classes relating to exercise therapyprescription, and was able to give feedback on the content as this is a subject I teach to other therapists and personal trainers. I beleive the course is 5 days and involves filling outa detailed questioairre about previous experience and qualifications, compliling a home study file and attending the 5 days. I know that each course is different as the standard of prior training and knowledge varies considerably. If you Pm me I will give you details as I am not trying to advertise here just letting you know what is available. I am afraid that you will have to be a memeber of either SST or STO to gain support, I think SMA are opposing the regulation but not sure. I have a contact who recently attended a high level meeting where HPC were present and SMA were there , but I am not sure in what capacity, ie board level or members.
This is another interesting thread that has somewhat deviated fropm the original posting but has unearthed some useful information, there is another thread doing the rounds which is again a good read with positive information from AlanD, madmonk, myoman who are all very knowledgeable and great sources of advice. AlanD's knowledge of previous postings is unequalled as is his knowledge of the industry which reveals his vast experience.
I am sure there wiull be further discussion and look forward to reading.
Regards
Gaz

 

[Fashionislove]

Thanks for getting back to me Gaz with all that info, to be honest I'm just going to sit and wait to see what happens first and then make decisions from there.
Thanks
Abbi

 

[Mark Fisk]

Hi,

There seem to be politics everywhere these days and this is causing a big shake-up to occur in the fitness industry in terms of who is/isn't officially recognised. There are a lot of cowboys out there.In the current climate theimportant thing to look for is accreditation by a highly regardedexam board like EDexcel as well as arecognised massage organisation.
I too am interested in doing Sport & Remedialmassage so I did a bit of sifting around and came to the conclusion that the best options in the south are either LSSM or NLSSM. They are run by Mel Cash and Susan Findlay respectively who both set up theISRM. I decided to go for NLSSM, which is accredited by Edexcel, the SMA, ISRM and it is a member of GCMT. I also heard that NLSSM had better tutors and was much friendlier and open. To be fair I did hear that Mel Cash is the dogs wotsits in terms of massage but that he can be abrasive etc etc.
I did the introductory course this weekend with NLSSM. There were 18 people on my course and 4 tutors. The tuition was excellent, the atmosphere was relaxed and open and I felt like I have already learnt so much. Interestingly half of the tutors, who I met on the weekend,trained with LSSM but have come to work with NLSSM because they prefer working with Susan. Ireally rate Susan Findlay and I'm looking forward to doing the diploma when I've saved up the cash.
Good luck, Z