Online Resources (MAT110 Students)

Welcome to the program!

My name is Jessica Smith, I'm a Licensed Massage Therapist and a tutor in the Therapeutic Massage program. I've met some of you already, but there are many of you I still have to meet. Hopefully I will be able to meet all of you next semester!

I normally blog every week, different resources for the massage classes. Since there is only one massage class at the moment, I probably won't be blogging every week, but I did want to provide you guys with a few online resources that may help you in your online classes.

The first line of links is for free word processing software. That's kind of irrelevant now, because all students have free access to Office365, which gives you programs such as Word and Powerpoint. You can set up your account through them (if you haven't already), by going to your AccessBCC and clicking on the "E-mail" tab. I'm keeping the other links just in case you want them, but you'll have free access to Microsoft Word as long as you're a student.

Free word processing software 1, 2, and 3 (or just use Google Docs)

Make your own online flashcards or use other people’s here and here.

Turn a web page printer-friendly here and here.

Brainstorm on this free online white board.

Multiple different online calculators.

Store your online documents here.

If you need a quick place to paste some text, use this.

Fine-tune your typing skills with this fun game.

Browse tons of free documentaries here.

I also want to add that I am a tutor in the Purchase Street campus. I have a large availability this semester, and all you have to do is call the Academic Support Center at extension 4013 and ask for an appointment with me. Tutoring begins next Monday (September 8th).

Good luck this semester!

~Jess

MAT 126 - CCBC Photo Gallery

The semester is finally over!

I just had my final massage of the semester, and I'm now in the Academic Support Center, looking at all these awesome pictures from the Cape Cod Bay Challenge. I already miss you guys! I hope that we can do a little reunion down the road. You were all awesome SMT's and I know you will be even better LMT's :-)

Here are the pictures I've taken/collected from the CCBC. Save and share as you please!

Best of luck to all of you <3

~Jess

To All Students - Facebook Advertising

Hey guys,

I want to start out this post by saying I have a Facebook profile AND a Facebook business page. I'd also like to point out that some people I know actually have clients visit their business simply because, as they said, "I saw you on Facebook."

Personally, I have a little over 70 "likes," mostly from friends & family and I have a few people who interact on my page constantly... when I remember to update it.

Facebook is constantly asking me to pay money to "boost" my posts, or to get more "likes." I've never bothered, because I didn't really know how that worked and I figured any "likes" I received now would be from credible people that I know, instead of random strangers who just enjoy clicking the "like" button on everything they see.

I still have a few random strangers who've "liked" my page that never interact with me and I've never heard of them in my life. But it doesn't bother me.

Anyway, today I was browsing some of my favorite YouTube channels and I had to click on this video, because it pertained to Facebook and I use it all the time! It's 9 minutes long, but if you're considering using Facebook as primary advertising source, especially if you plan on investing money in it, please watch this first.

I'm not discrediting making a business Facebook page. In fact, I'm all for it, since people are more likely to go to your business if they can find you online and feel more familiar with you. And nearly everybody I know uses Facebook nowadays.

Facebook is a great way to quickly share information and to use social media as an advertising tool. But as the video says, be careful not to buy popularity. Those "likes" could be totally fake and could actually hurt your page. Rely on sharing your posts, or asking your friends and family to share your posts and your page, instead of paying Facebook to have fake people "like" it.

This was an interesting bit of information that I just wanted to share. What are your ideas on business advertising?

~Jess

MAT120 - Final Practicum Reminders

Hey guys!

The semester is already almost over (Sharon said it would fly by). Final practicums are this Saturday!

This Open Lab was supposed to be used for final review, and I know some of you were working in the make-up clinic so you couldn't come to Open Lab, but I only had one student show up today (so far).

I wanted to post a couple of reminders for you guys that might save you a few points during finals. Remember that none of us are trying to trick you, and we've gone over the scenarios plenty of times, so you don't have to panic over it!

Finals Reminders:

~ Don't forget the simple things! Be on time, clip your nails, wash your hands thoroughly, and have your client put all of their belongings away!

~Keep communication open with your client. Ask constant questions, keep checking in, keep obtaining pain scales.

~ Always test both sides of the body when doing assessments, so you have a baseline to compare the bad side.

~ Make sure you can effectively explain, locate, and treat trigger points! Don't forgot the isometric contraction/passive stretch!

~ Make sure you know the proper procedure when it comes to hydrotherapy.

~ You should probably do ROM and a MMT.

You have the scenarios to practice with. Go through them! I'm available by appointment only for one-on-one tutoring in the Academic Support Center. If you want to meet with me just to discuss the practicum and review the scenarios/notes/tests, send me a text. I have limited availability but I will try to work something out with you if you need it.

Good luck!
~Jess

A Couple Of Things

I'm here in open lab... And I know two students are on their way but other than that, nobody is here!

Today I'm hoping to review the pin & stretches we practiced on Saturday (for the rotator cuff).

I'm also hoping to review trigger point competencies and get a couple done. Everybody in the class has at least attempted the 1st competency. Nobody has done the 2nd on trigger points as of right now, and now we have a 3rd one added for hydrotherapy. These aren't graded assignments but they are mandatory for the MAT120 class.

If you can't make it to an open lab to complete the competencies, you have to see me during class to complete them.  Please contact me, either via text/e-mail or during class to plan when we can get them done. :-)

And just a tip for your massages (Swedish and Deep Tissue): when you're bringing your fingers up the neck and into the occiput, don't stop at the hairline. Most people stop at the hairline and it makes me feel short-changed. Stop above the hairline/occipital ridge. THAT'S where some of those muscles attach, so you don't get a full release unless you keep going.

Hopefully I see most of you today. One student is already here :-)

~Jess

Last Week in Open Lab

Last week in open lab, we did something a little different. Instead of me writing a deep tissue treatment outline on the board, I wrote the main categories and had the students brainstorm their own ideas. This is what we came up with (the notes on the right were something different). 

You can use this as a reference if you'd like! I loved some of the unique answers that were given that I've never even thought of! If you don't understand some of them... maybe you should come to open lab! ;-)

~Jess

MAT120 - Orthopedic Assessment Screenshot Tutorial

Hey guys! I'm hoping this will clarify how to do an orthopedic assessment.

I'm sorry the last one was cut off on the right. That was because, when I typed out my treatment, it moved the entire screen to the left and I couldn't get it all the way back to the right.

For the last part, "Techniques Used," you HAVE to check off all of the boxes and write something in them or it won't let you submit. Just type in "n/a." In the example above, I didn't do that, and it didn't let me submit the note.

If you have any other questions, let me know. I may edit some of this if Sharon tells me she wants me to change it.

Also, don't forget that you can't just complete this and think you're done. For each assessment you do, you have to go to the dropbox and submit it there. For instance, this note example I did was for "Week 4, Client 1." After you submit this note, go into the MAT120 class under week 4, find the dropbox for Client 1, and type "Done" in the text box. Submit that. That is how Sharon will grade you and provide feedback.

You're all doing great! :-)

~Jess

MAT126 - Clinic Reference

Welcome back guys (and for some of you, welcome to the program)!

Congratulations, you are now in charge of running your very own massage clinic :-) I know during orientation there was a lot to take in. Therefore, I'm writing down a list of crucial things to remember as a reference for your future clinics. You had plenty of assistance the first day, I'm sure, and it's understandable to make a few mistakes, but I want to make it as easy as possible for you guys to get comfortable running your own clinic. It may be something you have to do in the future as your job!

For all SMT's:

~Make sure you leave no personal belongings in the clinic. Laptops, iPads, etc. are okay if you're using them for a clock or a SOAP note.
~It's a good idea to have a computer or phone displaying the time for you in your station.
~Make sure your table is wiped down and made (with a blanket) and you have a chair, a rolling stool, a bolster, holster, and an empty drawer.
~Turn on the table heat and put on the candle (unless it's really hot out or you know your cl. doesn't want it).
~CHECK YOUR SCHEDULE, ALL MED INTAKES/SOAP NOTES BEFORE YOUR CLIENTS START ARRIVING.
~When checking your clients in, ask how they're feeling, if anything has changed since their last visit, and remind them about the donation (or take the donation in advance).
~Don't start cleaning stations until all clients are out of the room.
~Make sure the blinds are shut and the music is playing.
~Towel warmers and oil warmers aren't mandatory, but they're a great addition to a treatment!

For the desk workers:

~All the codes and passwords you need are in the ID holder, which Berly has already shown you.
~Check messages right away.
~ONLY WRITE MESSAGES IN THE MESSAGE BOOK (and make sure the cardboard is behind the paper so the pressure doesn't go through).
~Call back clients in this order: Cancellations, reschedules, new appointments, and other.
~Never answer questions in the negative (i.e. no, we aren't open that day). Instead, answer with a positive (i.e. we're actually open these days).
~Make sure all clients sign the consent form when they arrive.
~Make sure clients fill out satisfaction surveys before leaving.

I'm sure if there are more things to remember, Berly will have me edit them in. In the meantime, here's your quick reference. You guys will do great! I'll see you next Saturday :-)

~Jess

All Students - Slight Schedule Change

Open lab will be taking place this coming Wednesday at the same time. HOWEVER, next week it will take place on Monday, May 12th at 1-4.

Hope to see some of you there!

~Jess

All Students - Coming to a Close

Hey guys!

We are nearing the end of the semester! Yes, time flies when you're having fun... or when your brain is being stuffed with information. Either way, finals are in less than two weeks. I am confident that all of you will pass with flying colors :-)

To give you an update on the schedule, we will be having TWO MORE open labs this semester. This week Berly is here to give 111 students personal one-on-one feedback to help them prepare for the final (so why aren't you all here!?) and I'm here to help out both the 111 and 120 students. Next week will be the last lab before practicums, and the week after you are welcome to come here to brush up on your online course material or just massage each other to decompress after a long, triumphant semester.

For the summer semester, the open lab will be on Wednesdays from 8am to 2pm. That is a 6 hour block of time for you to use to your advantage! TO ALL CURRENT MAT120 STUDENTS: you may utilize this lab time as practice time to keep up your massage skills while you wait to get your license!

For future MAT120 students, I suspect that I'll be seeing many of you in the summer open labs because the course load is quite different and stressful at times. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE that class, but it can be tough. So I'll be here to support you throughout the semester :-)

Good luck on your final exams, everyone!

~Jess

Helpful Resources - All Students

Hi guys!

I'm sorry it's been a while, but I'm back in action! I have a couple of useful resources that can be used for all of your classes (especially the online ones). I haven't used all of these, but I've heard they're extremely useful!

Free word processing software 1, 2, and 3 (or just use Google Docs)

Make your own online flashcards or use other people’s here and here.

Turn a web page printer-friendly here and here.

Brainstorm on this free online white board.

Multiple different online calculators.

Store your online documents here.

If you need a quick place to paste some text, use this.

Fine-tune your typing skills with this fun game.

Browse tons of free documentaries here.

The semester is coming to a close! We have plenty more resources at open lab (flashcards, body crayons, clay... massage tables) for you all to utilize. Practice and start preparing for finals!

~Jess

All Students - YouTube Playlists and National Certification Links

Just in case you guys were wondering, there are playlists on YouTube for MAT111 and 120.

Linked here:

MAT111:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtYLAlcLULLZGImBSD9U0WZihqaMefpyK

MAT120
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtYLAlcLULLYzUEpKoClt2WxNLGO0lLAi

Also, per student request, I have a link for National Certification (no info as of yet pertaining to the test's difficulty).

http://www.ncbtmb.org/

See you guys in open lab soon!

~Jess

All Students: Catch-Up and Study Tips

Hello everyone!

I hope you're all enjoying your vacation! After pushing through half a semester of work, you deserve a break. I know you all have families, jobs, etc. to tend to, but at least you don't have the weight of a hundred deadlines hanging over your head.

Please, cut out some "me" time for yourself.

On another note, some of you have work to catch up on. Maybe you don't know your muscles as well as you should, you're missing homeworks, or your documentation isn't up to snuff. Now is a good time to catch up on that stuff while you have the time.

I suggest that you all check your gradebooks and see what assignments you're missing. A good way to do this is to click the "Report" tab at the top of the course space, change it from "Attendance" to "Grades" and click "Run." Some teachers don't have all of your grades put in so your final grade won't be accurate, but most do. You can see what assignments you haven't turned in yet as well, and can check to see if you're still able to turn them in for partial credit.

MAT126 students, you've probably already done this for the midterm evaluation, but I suggest you tally up your hours so far and record them somewhere.

Reminder: we have tons of resources to use in Open Lab: Anatomy flash cards, face paint crayons to draw muscles on each other, all kinds of textbooks/reference books, clay, skeletal models, and (obviously) space to practice. Come on over and get stuff done this Wednesday :-)

Also, here are a couple study tips I've seen help students immensely:

• I had one student make a dotted list for each class of everything due for the week in a notebook. At the beginning of each class week, she'd write down what assignments, quizzes, and discussions were due and when, and she'd write it down in an organized list. As she completed her assignments, she'd check them off.
• When writing a discussion post, always type it in a word doc. first and save it. Then you can copy & paste it over to the discussion board. If the class times out for some reason, or the internet goes out, you won't lose your work.
• Some people need tangible assignments to hold in their hands. Because of this, some students have printed out everything and organized the papers in three-ring binders. It's a non-eco-friendly option.
• If that's not an option, every week go through your classes and save everything to your computer. Copy & paste any info into a word doc. and that can't be saved otherwise and save that as well. If the internet/web site goes down, you can still see what is due and complete those assignments.
• When I saved my class assignments, I was very organized. I'd have a folder for every class (ex. "MAT111") and a folder for every week (ex. "Week 8") and then I'd specifically name every assignment/doc. I saved (ex. "Ppt Hydrotherapy" or "Disc Ethics" Ppt = powerpoint and Disc = discussion).
• If you have a calendar (virtual or otherwise) mark down when the course week for each class begins and ends, as they're usually different. That gives you a general understanding of when assignments are due.
• Now that you know your professors, make a mental note of what they look for and keep that in mind when completing their assignments!

Hope these help! And again, enjoy your vacation. :-)

~Jess

MAT111 - Jon's Advice

For all you students working on giving the best relaxation massages ever:

Jon was given an extremely useful tip from one of his own therapists recently, and I highly suggest you follow the advice. If you're working on an area of the body with a lot of hair (i.e. legs) USE EXTRA OIL. If you don't use a lot of oil, you'll actually be pulling the hairs around the follicles (sometimes even out of the follicles). Even if it doesn't hurt the client at the time, they can wake up the next day with rashes and irritation from the pulling.

Something to consider! Thank you, Jon :-)

~Jess

All Students - A Couple Things

Hey Everyone!

I know with the 120 class we've gone over "The Four Agreements." I'm not sure if we have with the 111 class, but it's important to me to share. Kimberly introduced me to "The Four Agreements" a short time ago and I LOVE THEM! These are four agreements that we want you, as students to follow. In return, we staff/faculty members will also commit to them.

1. The first is one of the easiest to follow, even though it may not seem like it. Classes get stressful. Sometimes you feel like the teachers, or another student, isn't being fair. There is no need to talk them down behind their backs (or even to their face). Politely discuss with them whatever issues you're having. This will reduce your stress level while helping to fix the problem! It's a win-win.
2. The second one is important to remember as a student MT. We will coach you throughout these courses, sometimes providing feedback that you perceive as negative. Don't take it personally! We only want to help you! At the same time, if someone is having a bad day and you feel they aren't treating you respectfully, realize that there's something going on within them to make them act this way. Odds are, they're hurting. Don't take it personally, just let it go.
3. The third is simple: don't assume. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. Honestly, speak up if you're wondering about something, even if it's via e-mail or you have to pull us aside. Communicate with us and your fellow students to get the most out of your experience here. :-)
4. Last, but not least, always do your best. Your best is whatever you can do at any given time. Your sleep-deprived, 20-assignments-due stressed-out best is not going to be your well-rested, spring-vacation-just-ended best. Just give it your best effort. No stress, no worries, we understand that your best changes, but as long as you try, we can't ask for anything more.

Also, for those interested in learning a bit of ASL, here is an excellent little chart of the alphabet and numbers 1-9. Practice makes perfect!

Thanks guys! I hope you're feeling better now that midterms are (almost completely) over!

~Jess

MAT112 - New Resource

I found a really cool muscle resource web site for you guys :-)

www.getbodysmart.com

It's linked to go automatically to the muscular system. If you find discrepancies in it, let me know!

MAT120 students, you may find this useful as well!!!

~Jess

MAT120 - Pin & Stretch Quick Reference

As requested by Nathan, here is a quick reference list of the major muscles you guys will pin & stretch!

Which I wish I had when I was a student. It should make studying a bit easier.

The best way to commit it to memory is to practice!

Tibialis Anterior

Cl. is supine. Start with the foot dorsiflexed. Pin the tib. ant. as distally as possible. As you move proximal towards the knee, bend the foot in plantar flexion.

Gastrocnemius

Cl. is prone. Start with the foot plantar flexted. Pin the muscle distally, as you move proximal towards the back of the knee, put the food into dorsiflexion. Make sure cl's foot is hanging off the edge of the table. Start by using your hand, then push the foot in with your leg.

Quadriceps Group

Cl. is supine and close to the edge of the table based on which leg you're working on (for example, if you're working R quads, cl. is towards the R edge of the table). Put a towel around cl's ankle like a hammock and hold at the top. Pull leg so the foot/knee are off the table. Start with the cl's leg straight. Pin the quads distally, as you work your way up towards the hip, slowly drop the foot in knee flexion.

Hamstring Group

Cl. is prone. Pin the tissue distally (be careful of the back of the knee). Bring the foot up in knee flexion as much as you can (but make sure you can still move your hand). As you move towards the hip, bring their foot down in knee extension.

Quadratus Lumborum (will add later)

Subscapularis

Cl. is supine with the arm abducted at 90 degrees and the elbow bent at 90 degrees. Pin the muscle anterior to the scap. Hold while horizontally adducting the cl's arm. GO SLOW, IT HURTS.

Rhomboids

Cl is either prone or supine (most likely prone). Have cl protract scap, then retract as you strip it. You can have them horizontally ab & adduct, just make sure the scap protracts/retracts. Cl's arm should be hanging off the table.

Levator Scapula

Supine. Cl's neck starts out rotated and laterally flexed to the side you're working on. Sit at the head of the table. Pin the attachment near the mastoid process. Do a combination of rotation/lat flex to the opposite side as you work your way to the other attachment site on the superior/medial border of the scap.

Or start with the cl's shoulder elevated, pin near the shoulder, and bring the shoulder down as you bring your thumb up towards the skull. You should be sitting on that side of the table for this one.

Let me know if I have to add/clarify anything!

MAT111 - Leg Reference

For the MAT111 students... and anyone who wants a leg reference video:

Here is one of my favorite videos showing how to massage a leg in supine/prone. Since we only have you students on Saturdays and only have time for a short demo, I want to provide all possible resources to help you outside of the class for practice.

Open your laptop, play the video, and massage your client while watching, or watch the video first, then practice. Or both!

This second video is mostly a repeat of the first. Skip ahead to finish the entire leg.

If you need to practice and you want someone to physically show you these techniques, you can always come to the Wednesday lab and I'll help you out :-)

~Jess

Open Lab

There's been massive success in the open lab this week and last.

Last week I had five students show up for all different courses. This week I already know of 3-4 students that will be here.

All helping each other out, all getting work done.

However, I've noticed that the blog hasn't been getting many views. Probably because I haven't been posting due to an increased work load. Normally I write articles during the open lab, but last week I had no time to sit down and type. Which I think is a great thing, personally.

I also don't know what you guys want outlined. I have put information on here and it doesn't seem like many of you guys are reading the info I'm writing, because you ask me the same questions repeatedly when I put the info here for reference.

So I've changed the name of the blog to make it easier to access ("bccmassage" is easier to type). I will try to write at least one post a week for each class I SI in, and I will link it to Facebook.

That being said, lab is open, I'd love to see you here, so come on down!

~Jess

MAT111 - SOAP Notes

Hey guys!

This morning Berly reviewed how to be a proficient SOAP note writer. You all have access to the lecture notes she had displayed on the board in your MAT111 class.

Here are some highlights from the lecture/tips on writing your notes:

~ Be specific, clear, and concise.

~Too little information will be detrimental to your notes, esp. if they're requested for legal or medical use. Ex. "FBM [full body massage]. Cl feels great."

~Too much information takes too long to write and doesn't look professional. Sorting through excess info takes time and you may miss the important pieces. Ex. "Massage began at the head. Circular friction was applied from the base of the skull to forehead. Cross fiber friction applied to the forehead with the thumbs..."

~ "S" stands for "Subjective," or what the client SAYS. Ex, "Cl. stated 'I worked out yesterday. My hamstrings are sore."

~ "O" stands for "Objective," or things you OBSERVE. Ex, "Multiple adhesions found in R rhomboid major and minor along the scapula." Or, "Cl's feet laterally rotated."

~ "A" stands for "Assessment," where you DESCRIBE your treatment and RECORD any changes in your client. Ex, "Full body, 60 min Sw. tx. [treatment] including back, legs, feet, arms, hands, and chest. Adhesions in rhomboids reduced. Cl. claims to feel "very relaxed."

~ "P" stands for "Plan." What is your PLAN. What do you suggest your client does? For example, "SMT advised cl. to hydrate, esp. day of tx. Rebook appt. in 3 wks for 60 min. Sw. tx."

~ Abbreviate. There are a list of medical abbreviations somewhere (I will find them eventually). Abbreviations like "cl." for client, "tx." for treatment, "R & L" for right and left, etc. Be careful not to over abbreviate or other therapists may not be able to read your notes. If you have a doubt, spell it out.

~ You can write things you want to remember for the next time your client comes in. "Cl. is sensitive to candle smells," or, "Cl. requested no bolster," or, "Cl. preferred lotion, claimed sensitivity to oil." It isn't all medical-specific information.

~ Write your notes as soon as you can after you perform the treatment. The information will be fresh so you'll remember more important details and it will be accurate.

~ Listen to Berly's feedback!

I hope these tips help! Use them as a reference when writing your notes.

And have a good week :-)

~Jess

MAT120 Assessments

Hey guys!

I know we covered a lot of material in class today. You guys are on the ball, though! I can already tell you'll do very well in this class.

Just for future reference I wanted to put a majority of that information here. That way, if you have questions about submitting homework or something, all of the information will be right here for you.

Every week you will be completing 3 homework massages. These will begin in Week 3, next week. Client 1 will always be done in class, probably on Tuesday. The remaining two massages will be due the FOLLOWING Thursday.

Your first homework will be done Tuesday, February 4th. The remaining two homework assignments will be due by Thursday, February 13th.

To complete your assessments, you're going to open the "Orthopedic Assessment Form" in the MAT120 course. On the top of the form will be a paragraph with a link to create an account that says "CLICK HERE."

Click on the link before completing anything.

Create an account, and a unique password for that form. Every time you do a homework, click that link. You can use the same username, but change your password for each form you do. That way, if you need to go back and change something in a past form, you can log back in with your username and that specific password, and it will bring the filled form back up again.

After you fill out the form, click "Submit." That form will go directly to Sharon, but you still have to go to a dropbox and let her know you submitted the form so she can grade you.

For instance, say you did your Week 3, Client 2 assessment on Meag's forearm. When you go to complete the form, click the link at the top, use your username and make a password like "meagsforearm" or something. Submit the completed form. Then go to Week 3 in the class, and find the dropbox for Client 2. Write a quick note in the dropbox saying you submitted the form. Sharon will grade you through that dropbox.

If you have to go back to that form for some reason, click on the link at the top of the form and log in using your username and the password "meagsforearm." It will automatically bring up the completed form and you can make whatever changes you need to.

When writing down problems, setting goals, and recording solutions, remember to be specific. For instance:

1. ^ Pain L ankle (5/10).
2. \/ PROM ankle d. flex. 30 %
3. + Tg P tib. ant. (6/10)
4. \/ Cl. edu evident by lack of self-care.

Then set an attainable goal:

ex. \/ Pain (3/10)

And record the results at the end:

ex. M (which stands for met). \/ Pain (2/10)

OR

NM (not met) \/ Pain (4/10)

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send them to me or Sha. If there's anything I can add to this or change, let me know and I'll work on it right away. I want you guys to have a really good reference in the future, because I know this stuff can be confusing at times.

Have a great weekend :-)

~Jess

MAT Open Lab

Hey everyone!

Today is the first open lab of the semester. I'm not expecting many students to show up, considering you don't have much to work on (yet).

I also realized I haven't given any guidelines to the newer students about the open labs, so here are some rules for the new students, and refresher for the last semester:

~Come to open lab in your uniform (scrubs or polo and khakis).

~If you're planning on doing hands-on work, bring your own sheets!

~Although open lab isn't as strict as the classroom, we still need to act as professionals. Sometimes small school tours will walk through and come in to the clinic.

~Because of that ^ we also need to keep the clinic relatively neat while we're using it. Your stuff doesn't have to be in a locker, but don't leave a mess all over the place.

~Bring all materials (books, etc) to complete desired coursework. If you don't have a computer, we have laptops here.

~Come prepared with questions. If you come in and say to me "I don't understand massage," I can't really help you. If you say, "Can you show me how to use proper body mechanics?" THAT I can help you with.

~If you want to get a homework massage done, you are allowed to bring in a friend/family member. Just remember you have to remain professional.

Last but no least:

~You don't have to be nervous coming into open lab. We actually have a lot of fun here, and I know a lot of tips and tricks, some directly from Sharon and Berly, for passing the class and becoming a successful therapist. Second semester students can help first semester students, and vice versa! Many times I'll have my music playing on the speakers and there will be multiple students in the clinic working with each other and enjoying themselves at the same time. It's not a strict classroom where you have to sit down in silence unless I call on you. Trust me, I couldn't pull that off if I tried!

This is a safe, convenient (and free) space available for you to use for practice. Take advantage of it! It's totally worth it.

Hope to see you soon :-)

~Jess

MAT120 - Postural Evaluations

Hey guys!

I'm so glad to be back :-)

So, like Sharon said, deep tissue massage is a whole different ball game compared to Swedish massage, but we do build on the principles of Swedish, particularly body mechanics, types of massage strokes, and feeling the muscle tissue instead of just seeing it.

However, now we'll be adding an entire assessment component, as well as deeper pressure, new massage strokes for your toolbox, and a whole lot of stretching and hydrotherapy.

In case you want to go back and practice an innominate test, I'm linking the video here so you can watch it and practice at home. And yes, that's me in the video.

MAT 120 Innominate Pelvic Test

I love this class and I know what Sharon expects/looks for throughout the semester. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me.

See you next week!

~Jess

Open Lab

Hey everyone!

The open lab this semester will run from 10am-2pm in the clinic. We had to move it an hour earlier, which actually works out better for most people's schedules, anyway. The first open lab will be next week on Wedensday, January 29th. I hope to see you there!

~Jess

Welcome!

Orientation is this Tuesday! Or, if you're reading this on Tuesday, orientation is today.

I'd like to welcome all of our new students to the program! I hope the name of the blog doesn't scare you. I can't exactly remember why I called this a "survival guide" but it really isn't hard to "survive" this program. In fact, most (if not all) of you will thrive here!

I created this blog last semester with the intention of giving tips to new students so they'd feel comfortable in the program as quickly as possible, and to give some information I wish I'd known when I started. It sort of evolved over the course of the semester, and I plan on adding more pages, one introducing you to the staff, another on local bus routes, anything that I think would be helpful for you guys.

And of course, any constructive criticism is appreciated.

By the middle of the semester it will become more of a blog answering questions you guys have pertaining to massage, the entire program, BCC, or anything else I might be able to help you with. Last semester it was a HUGE success. Along with this I do open labs where you (the students) have a four-hour window to come into clinic on Wednesday and practice whatever you need for free. I'll be available to answer questions and show you different techniques that we might not have time to show you in class.

So welcome to the program! My name is Jessica Smith, I've been an LMT for over a year and I graduated from the Complementary Healthcare program in June of 2013. This will be my second year/4th semester as an SI/tutor for this program. I adore this job and helping you guys out. That's what I'm here for!

Ask Sharon or Kimberly for my cell phone number. I'd rather all of the students have it in case you have a quick question (I usually text back pretty fast). You can also contact me on here or through the Massage Community, but your best bet is texting.

I'm an SI in two classes this semester (as far as I know), I run the open lab, and I also do drop-in hours in the Academic Support Center located on the first floor of the eHealth campus.

If you want one-on-one computer help (or book work, anything but hands-on, really) you can call the Academic Support Center to make an appointment with me. I'm there from 2-5 on Thursdays.

The number for that is the main BCC number (508) 678-2811 ext. 4013, and ask for me. If you forget to make an appointment, I'm a drop-in tutor so I may not have a student and you can drop by and see me. I can't guarantee that I'll be available but I'm there every week on Thursday unless I specify otherwise. And I'll try to let everyone know what days I can't come in as soon as I find out.

Please don't be afraid to ask questions. I can't stress enough that I'm here for you guys if you need me. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

I'm looking forward to another fantastic semester :-)

~Jess

Potluck Pictures

To all my second-semester students on break, I may be a little late but congratulations on completing your finals, and I hope you're enjoying your well-deserved vacation. I wanted to post some of the potluck pictures for you (in case you didn't get any).

To all incoming students: we do a lot of work in this course, but we also have a lot of fun. If you're already enrolled, welcome! I hope you enjoy the class (which doesn't start up til the end of January).

Happy New Year!

~Jess