Massage therapy growing field
CSC responds to popularity with new program
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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
GALESBURG - Growth in the field of massage therapy has led to a new program at Carl Sandburg College and new regulations by the state.The Massage Licensing Act of Illinois took effect last year, requiring that anyone seeking to become a massage therapist obtain a state license.
According to Elaine Long, dean of Allied Health at Carl Sandburg College, that act came about in part because "in recent years, massage therapy has been widely accepted to have real medical benefits." With that distinction come new responsibilities.
Another reason for the license requirement is that the newly recognized profession seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, which in turn calls for some regulation. As of July 2005, there were 4,591 licensed massage therapists in Illinois. At present, there are 6,507, nearly a 50 percent increase in a single year.
Knox County has five licensed massage therapists, all in Galesburg, and there are four in Warren County. While the numbers may seem small in relation to the state trend, changes may be around the corner.
This summer, Carl Sandburg College began a new Therapeutic Massage Program, a 13-month curriculum designed to prepare students for state licensing and national certification in massage therapy.
Fifteen students enrolled in the program. The cost of tuition is about $3,500, not including books and supplies. However, financial aid is available.
The required courses, amounting to 34 1/2 credit hours, cover topics such as anatomy and kinesiology; pathology, ethics and business practices; therapeutic massage clinics; principles and practices; first aid; medical terminology; and physiology. Overall, the program offers 700 hours of professional training, far more than the 500 hours required for state licensing.
Upon completion of the program, students must then take a National Competency Exam. Once they pass the exam, they are able to apply for a state license. The license costs $175 and is valid for two years.
The journey doesn't quite end there, though. Once licensed, a massage therapist must obtain what amounts to malpractice insurance, and must show ongoing proof of continuing education in the field.
"Licensing requirements provide reassurance to individuals who feel they've been given bad treatment in the past," said Susan Hofer of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. "The requirements cannot fully prevent abuse or misconduct, but at least now licensed individuals are held accountable for their actions. If they lose their license, they cannot practice massage therapy in Illinois. In fact, they cannot even advertise with the words 'massage' or 'therapy' if they are not officially licensed."
