posted Nov 8, 2011 11:40 AM by SI Admin
Hundred of runners put their weary body into the hands of students, faculty and alumni from the Massage Therapy Program at Swedish Institute after the ING NYC Marathon on Sunday, November 6. As part of their clinical training, supervised students provide massage therapy at this annual race, as well as at other high-profile sporting events. Alumni often join in as specialists who are part of SISTEM, Swedish Institute’s Sports Team and Event Massage. Students practiced sports massage techniques for the benefit of runners from the FDNY and NYPD at Park Central Hotel and for runners from Fred’s Team at the Hilton Hotel. In addition, senior therapists were placed in medical tents at the finish line that served all runners in need. According to Charles Pegg, LMT, director of the Offsite and Executive Director of SISTEM, the massage therapists lend a valued expertise in athlete care at the medical tents, particularly with specific techniques for cramp relief. About 150 students, faculty and graduate volunteers from Swedish Institute were scheduled to participate at various locations during and after the ING NYC Marathon, a very exiting event that attracts people from around the world. |
posted Oct 10, 2011 11:04 AM by SI Admin
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updated Oct 10, 2011 11:22 AM
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Charles Payne, reporter and videographer for CNN Money, visited Swedish Institute early this semester to find out about the profession of massage therapy.
He spent time in the classes of Liz Jacobs, Denise Lowe and Jaci Cappels, which gave him an overview of Western and Eastern approaches.
Charles also interviewed Meg Darnell, Dean of Alumni and Student Services, to find out about growth in the profession and what it takes to become a licensed massage therapist.
Finally, he spoke to alumnus Kip Yates (2010), who has just launched his independent practice, Massage Refresh. |
posted Sep 6, 2011 5:41 AM by SI Admin
The Swedish Institute campus is about to expand into a brand new space at 151 West 26th Street. We are excited about the facilities being custom built to house the new programs in Advanced Personal Training, Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant and Surgical Technologist. The ground floor at 151 will feature a welcome desk, as well as a street level gym with floor to ceiling windows. Personal training classes taking place there will be on view as New Yorkers walk by. The fourth floor will house classrooms, offices and labs for the Medical Assistant and Surgical Technologist programs. There will even be a simulated operating room! Classes are scheduled to begin in October. Check back here for news about our official ribbon cutting ceremony. |
posted Sep 24, 2010 5:36 AM by SI Admin
Which of our six founding fathers was a president of the United States? Was it: - George Washington
- James Madison
- Thomas Jefferson
- John Adams
- Benjamin Franklin
- Alexander Hamilton
Actually, the first four were all presidents. Benjamin Franklin became Minister to France and Alexander Hamilton became Treasury Secretary. These remarkable people were also among the framers of our Constitution, considered by some to be the most important legal document ever created. Find out more about how it was created and how it has been interpreted over the past two centuries in The U.S. Constitution and Fascinating Facts About It. As part of Constitution Day, observed on September 17, Swedish Institute is offering a free copy of this booklet to all students. You can pick one up in the library or at the front desk. |
posted Sep 8, 2010 8:03 AM by SI Admin
In a June 24 discussion on ABC-TV’s “The View”, Joe Scarborough initiated a conversation about a massage therapist who claimed former Vice-President Al Gore had made unwanted sexual advances. What started as a brief speculation quickly deteriorated into a description of massage as an experience that always borders on the sexual. Comments such as, “Nothing good happens after the first hour of a massage” and “massage always has the potential to go wrong; you’re one push away from something weird happening” were provocative enough to unite a community of healthcare professionals known for their individuality, independence and focus on helping others instead of themselves. Massage therapists rallied to action. Within 48 hours a clip was posted on YouTube, a Facebook page was created, and change.org had 1,500 therapists sign a letter of protest. Meg Darnell, a licensed massage therapist and Dean of Alumni Services for Swedish Institute, a college of health sciences in Manhattan that has taught massage therapy for almost 95 years, was glad to see the rally. “There are over 200,000 massage therapists in this country and over 18 million Americans have used massage therapy for its healing benefits,” she said. “The profession is one of the fastest growing in the nation. The provocative comments on ‘The View’ weren’t the first, but for some reason they created a watershed moment for massage therapists who decided to take a stand for the recognition and respect they deserve.” Getting the Word Out About Ethics and Education Les Sweeney, president of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) said in a statement that “It’s clear there are still a few folks out there—including some in the media—who aren’t clear about the code of conduct followed by massage therapists and the value of professional massage therapy. It’s professional work that calls for significant training, adherence to a code of ethics, and professional licensing in 43 states.” The ABMP invited the hosts of the show to receive a professional massage focused on its health benefits. Paula J. Eckardt, Senior Vice-President of Swedish Institute, agrees that on-going consumer education is a key to realistic views of massage today. "The licensing standards and laws governing the practice of massage therapy are particularly rigorous in New York State and, in fact, it is a felony to practice massage without a license. Many consumers are not aware of the requirement for licensure, which is unfortunate, because licensing ensures professional oversight and consumer protection. Consumers should know that all massage modalities—including Shiatsu, reflexology, and chair massage—are included under the massage therapy license regulations." Consumers who encounter unprofessional behavior or unlicensed practitioners can report incidences to the state's Office of the Professions. Changes in the Massage Therapy Profession If anything “weird” were going on, it is unlikely that massage would be such an important part of programs in medical institutions, such as Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY Presbyterian Children’s Hospital and the Mt. Sinai Palliative Care Center. Lucy Liben, Dean of the Massage Therapy Program at Swedish Institute, spoke with pride about alumni working in the field. “Pain reduction, rehabilitation, and stress-reduction are just some of the benefits offered through massage,” she said. “Our alumni provide these benefits through their work in medical facilities, fitness centers or private practices. We prepare students for this role through a curriculum that emphasizes professional boundaries and high ethical standards, as well as anatomy, physiology, pathology, and massage technique. Graduates of our program earn an associate’s degree, and must pass a demanding NY State licensing exam. “The sexual innuendo and slurs that massage therapists were subjected to on ‘The View’ are a throwback to an antiquated stereotype that evokes the massage parlor,” she added. “That stereotype can clearly still be resurrected for cheap laughs. In reality, studies have shown that public awareness and appreciation for massage therapy have moved well past this anachronistic view.” Response from Professional Organizations The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), representing over 50,000 members, added concern about the personal safety for therapists in its statement issued on June 25. AMTA President Kathleen Miller-Read responded to “The View” comments and posted a statement that includes a request to public figures to stop linking massage to sexual activity. It reads, in part, “Perpetuating this view not only demeans the profession of massage therapy, but also can threaten the physical safety of massage practitioners when an assumption is made that someone can demand sex from them.“ Meanwhile, The ABMP annual educational effort, “Everybody Deserves a Massage” week, takes on new significance this year in the wake of the ABC brouhaha. The organization is urging its members to amp up the effort to let the public—and the media—know about massage therapy, its benefits and its importance in emerging trends in health care. Paula Eckardt hopes for a positive outcome to the incident. "The massage profession is continually moving to raise standards of education and practice across the country,” she said. “Hopefully, the controversy around comments on ‘The View’ will lead to more public discussions about massage therapy, its healing benefits, and who massage therapists are today." For more information Locate a licensed or certified massage therapist on the following sites: Swedish InstituteAssociation of Bodywork and Massage ProfessionalsAmerican Massage Therapy Association Massage Therapy licensing information in New York State |
posted May 21, 2010 12:52 PM by SI Admin
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updated May 26, 2010 1:32 PM
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The Massage Therapy Foundation hosted its second conference highlighting research in and related to massage therapy in Seattle from May 13-15. Nearly 400 were in attendance to hear presentations by Leon Chaitow, Helen Langevin, Whitney Lowe and many, many others. The conference highlighted basic science research, clinical research, translational research and research methodologies. In the basic science arena, there is very exciting new work being done around the world on properties of fascia, its relationship to pain and dysfunction and new methods of observing and measuring it in vivo. This is exciting because it gives massage therapy researchers the tools to look at outcomes in new ways that address physiological changes and not just client-reported outcomes. In the area of clinical research, the field has been expanding in many interesting directions, including looking at the utility of massage in various populations, comparing types of massage for chronic low back pain, and starting to determine dosage for massage. Translational research is the attempt to bridge the gap between researchers and clinicians so that practitioners have access to the latest information and researchers are looking at issues that directly affect practice. Finally, there have been some strides in research methodology that are attempting to model the complexity of the practice of massage and think about the best ways to measure the effects of massage on clients. A few projects that are of note: The Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge (MTBOK) is now up and available. This is an attempt to articulate what it is that we do, so that we all share the same vocabulary and conception of the work. A new practice-based research network called Massage Net that utilizes practitioners from all over to perform research in their clinical settings has been set up. Cody Landis, LMT clandis@swedishinstitute.edu |
posted May 6, 2010 5:29 AM by SI Admin
On Sunday, May 2, about 35 Swedish Institute graduates returned to school for brunch and for a chance to share their successes, questions and concerns about the professions that they love so dearly. Meg Darnell, Dean of Alumni and Student Services, presided over the robust conversation that took place while graduates enjoyed a continental breakfast.
“We had a really great group from the different decades and the different programs,” Meg reported. “They were happy to get together to tell their stories, and excited that the school was interested in hearing about them and about what they were doing. There was a collective gratitude for the opportunity to meet professionally in New York, and for the chance to get a good deal on continuing education credits.”
While getting together in a group generated its own beneficial energy, a class on “Connecting to Your Qi”, led by Qi Gong master Robert Peng followed the brunch.
Alumni paid $20 for brunch and the class, which offered NCBTMB CEU’s to all who participated.
“We all agreed that we want more of these,” said Meg. She is committed to organizing massage therapists and acupuncturists in order to create a voice for our professions in response to local and national issues, and to provide a forum of support among like-minded practitioners.
[MD1]Link to his site |
posted Apr 12, 2010 10:59 AM by SI Admin
by Charles Pegg, LMT, SISTEM Executive Director A big “THANK YOU!” to the SISTEM team for doing a great job at the New York Road Runners (NYRR) New York City Half Marathon on March 21. Our group of licensed therapists, senior student therapists, and student assistants worked together to provide strong and capable support for athlete care at the finish line of this exciting event. SISTEM therapists worked in a special massage tent, as well as in the medical tents, providing massage and athlete care for some of the nearly 11,000 race participants. Preparation started only a week and a half before and I watched with heart-warming appreciation as the sign-up sheet got filled. Good help the night before the race from Brandon DeJesus had equipment, transport and team placements planned. An early start and dynamic equipment management by Will Germosen had us set up and ready when the team arrived. A sunny but chilly morning down on the Hudson River greeted our team of therapists as they signed in and prepared for a busy day. At the last minute, SISTEM therapists were asked to provide extra staff for the medical tents and finish line chute. We had to shuffle people around a bit, but we managed well and covered the need for our services. Our focus for the day was to provide first response sessions that included physical and emotional support, cramp relief, and temperature controls. Athletes experiencing difficulties were whisked straight to treatments. In a show of exceptional field skills, Thom Paul provided a timely assist to ease an asthma attack. In the massage tent the SISTEM management team, with essential help from our student assistants, had things running smoothly. Athletes moved swiftly through the process of signing release forms, listing injuries or medical conditions, and then went to massage tables for recovery sessions lasting between 7-10 minutes. Our SISTEM senior therapists, including Brenda Batka, Taiine Santiago, Celia Leone, Alex Cohen, Kendall Eaton and Jurandi De Silva, demonstrated their experience with quick applications of functional techniques and set an example of how best to provide post-event care. Lots of these skills have been developed over the last few seasons and because of their experience from previous events, the student therapists worked with confidence. Ro Copeland continued the tradition of visually-impaired therapists being an integral part of our team. Natalie Rammacher had athletes eagerly signing up for our Equinox Athlete Care SISTEM Clinics. Zoya Skir-Brodak took photos until she couldn't resist getting involved in the action and put down her camera to start providing massage. We refrained from taking photos in the medical tent, but big smiles outside show the joy, interest and relief of our therapists that experienced a boost from the experience. NYRR were pleased by our service and impressed with our ability to get the job done and finished on time! The NYRR’s new medical director, Stuart Weiss MD, was responsible for asking SISTEM back to work with the NYRR athletes. We have since discussed opportunities to develop their athlete care program and look forward to working with them throughout this year’s racing season. Thanks again to all of our therapists and students who worked on this event. I look forward to seeing you out in the field again soon. |
posted Mar 27, 2010 5:31 AM by SI Admin
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updated Mar 31, 2010 1:49 PM
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There is an important Bill pending in the NY State Senate that should be of interest to students and alumni, because it involves mandating that insurance in New York State cover massage therapy performed by a licensed massage therapist. State Senator William Stachowski sponsored the bill. To read more about the Bill, titled, “S2356: Prohibits limitations in health insurance contracts or policies with respect to massage therapy performed by a licensed massage therapist”, you can go to NY SENATE and read the actual Bill. Whether or not you would like to see this Bill pass, you can call, email or write to your local senator and express your opinion. To find your local state senator, go to the NY SENATE website. This is an opportunity to let your voice be heard. There are thousands of licensed massage therapists in the state, and hundreds of soon-to-be licensed students in the school, and if we let our representatives know what we are thinking, perhaps we can have some influence on the outcome of laws that will directly impact our profession. |
posted Jan 17, 2010 6:22 AM by SI Admin
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updated Jan 19, 2010 8:08 AM
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What role can massage therapy and acupuncture play in changing health care outcomes and reducing expenditures? During the debate about health care that has gripped the country over recent months, mainstream media has kept the focus on insurance coverage, affordability and reimbursement for doctors and drugs. However, there is another concern affecting millions of people that gets less attention from politicians and the press—the growing use of integrative therapies such as massage and acupuncture. Good news on outcome studies The Samueli Institute, a U.S. organization devoted to transforming health care through the scientific exploration of healing, has an exciting article on its website entitled, “Better Health, Lower Cost: Strategies for Bending the Cost Curve”, which provides evidence of effectiveness and savings for integrative medicine. One study it cites, based on 70,274 member-months over a seven-year period, showed that those who used integrative therapies along with conventional health care had a 60.2% reduction in hospital admissions, 59% reduction in hospital days, 62% decrease in outpatient surgeries and procedures, and an 85% reduction in pharmaceutical costs when compared with conventional medicine alone. Good news for individuals using these therapies! Practitioners as educators Many practitioners of massage and acupuncture empower an individual by emphasizing the healing power of the body, the importance of honoring inner guidance, and making educated choices. This approach, in which the patient is part of the therapeutic team, can have a great impact on lifestyle changes. Comparative effectiveness research, also on the Samueli website, has shown that lifestyle changes can benefit the progression of five chronic conditions—heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer and metabolic disease—which account for approximately 75% of the $2.1 trillion in health care costs. A shift of 25% of patients with these five conditions to lifestyle treatments would save the health care system over $230 billion in five years. What the people want People are already integrating complementary and alternative medical (CAM) practices into their lives. Out-of-pocket expenditure of over $33 billion per year in the U.S. is evidence that the public wants these therapies enough to pay for them without reimbursement. The reasons they want integrative care suggests other aspects of health care reform that deserve to be in the debate: a redefinition of health which makes wellness an active process, treatments with positive “side effects”, and an ongoing patient-therapist relationship (instead of the single session mentality) that moves the whole person in a positive direction. Going local with integrative health care The Organic Consumers Association, a public interest organization that campaigns for health, justice and sustainability, hopes to see greater access to integrative therapies through the creation of community health centers that will be funded by $14 billion in Congress’s health care plan. This group is looking towards local governments to address the demand for prevention and integrative care by creating centers such as the Coalition of Community Health Clinics in Portland, Oregon. The power to change the world Whatever your political persuasion, we now have a President actively seeking health care reform. Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, invited Americans to participate in creating a new health care paradigm. In her words, “Our current system is unacceptable and unsustainable. I’m here to ask you to work with us to make health reform a priority.” Acupuncturists and massage therapists, who see prevention and healing in unique ways, must become part of the discussion around health care delivery. The time has come to expand current concepts and join like-minded individuals, so we can have a voice as well as a vision. Keep in mind that the emergence of integrative care is a world- wide movement, with research and use increasing in countries around the world. Are you willing to take on the challenge of not only treating your patients and clients, but also educating people—whether they are patients, other health professionals, or even politicians? Any suggestions for how we can best go forward? Do you have integrative experiences you’re willing to share? Send your comments for publication to sinews@swedishinstitute.edu. For more information:Samueli Institute“ Better Health, Lower Cost: Strategies for Bending the Cost Curve” American Spending on CAM from NCCAMOrganic Consumers Association |
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