Introduction: Current industry data suggest that the rise in occupational injuries for massage therapists is contributing to a significant number leaving the profession after a few short years. While many massage therapists are taught meth-ods for proper body mechanics and self-care within their career educational programs, there are few consistencies in the theoretical approaches to these concepts, even though it is a required component in massage therapy career training.Purpose: This study demonstrates a measurable and effective teaching method using a combination of experiential and transformative learning theory models and authentic ergonomics measurement tools to teach effective body mechanics in entry level career training that may be sustainable for new massage therapists entering the field. Methods: Four cohorts of students (N = 17) enrolled in a kinesiology course for massage thera-pists were studied using a mixed-methods time series experimental design. A pre- and post-test was conducted by utilizing two industry standard ergo-nomics risk factor assessment tools as measurable data for score comparison, to denote improvements in each student’s risk factor tendencies and provide evidentiary support of learning transfer. Between the pre- and post-test, students participated in a series of experiential learning exercises within class sessions during the semester and completed two reflection journals discussing their experiences. Results: The results showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in ergonomics risk factor scores for all students studied. Conclusion: The success of this study demon-strates that the instructional design using expe-riential and transformative educational theory and general ergonomics concepts is an effective approach to teaching proper body mechanics to massage therapy students which can be adopted into universally accepted curriculum on many levels and could eventually contribute to reduction of occupational injury in the future.
Looking to help novice scientific writers improve their skills and enhance the likelihood of scientific publication, the IJTMB launched a writing mentorship program. Research indicates that when novice writers have a mentor and work on writing as a team, the authors can gain self-efficacy, manuscripts are improved, thoughts and writing are clarified, and differing perspectives are added. This editorial identifies the process for being recommended to use a writing mentor, discusses recommendations in the forming of a mentor/mentee relationship, describes the qualities of good mentors and mentees, and offers suggestions for improving writing for scientific publication. As our database of writing mentors grows, we encourage those who join this program both as mentors and as mentees to consider what it means to be in these roles and that the suggestions herein help in developing the relationships.
From an informal conversation to a peer reviewed, open-access, indexed journal, we are now celebrating the 10th anniversary of the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork: Research, Education, and Practice. We celebrate the uniqueness of the Journal as the only fully open-access journal that addresses massage therapy and bodywork. Scholarly open-access journals have changed the face of scientific publishing in recent years: providing wider dissemination, allowing findings from taxpayer supported research to be available for free, and providing an avenue for researchers in the developing world to connect with researchers in developed countries. The editors of the Journal are regularly looking and soliciting articles from massage therapy researchers. This editorial describes the progress of the last ten years— from an article and readership standpoint—including changes in partnerships and increased visibility through social media.
This interview introduces the Journal’s readers to a new massage therapy researcher, Danielle Gentile, PhD, who is a Health Services Researcher and Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Depart-ment of Supportive Oncology at the Levine Cancer Institute for Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Gentile’s research focuses on social media in health care, integrative oncology, and the effects of integrative modalities—including mas-sage therapy—on pain in patients with cancer. In the interview, Dr. Gentile describes what excites her about the field of massage therapy and how she integrates massage therapists into her research.
First she became a licensed massage therapist in Kentucky. Then, in a quest to improve the care she provided to her elderly clinical population, Niki Munk continued her journey by furthering her education and receiving her doctorate in ger-ontology. Dr. Munk, a massage therapy researcher at Indiana University’s IUPUI campus, shares in this interview her optimism on the future of the massage therapy profession and massage therapy research. Dr. Munk also provides insight into the way she makes decisions, and from whom she would like to receive advice.
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