Welcome to Healing Touch Institute

A 501(C)(3) Non-Profit Organization

1. How is Healing Touch, as a non-profit organization, different from other Massage Therapy Schools?

Non-profit is simply one way to structure an organization. Non-Profit or Not-for-Profit organizations do not pay state or federal taxes (other than with-holding taxes for employees). In exchange, they may not distribute any profits to employees. No one owns a non-profit. A Board of Directors elects, and determines a salary, for the School Director. Members of the Board of Directors receive no payment for their service to the organization. Healing Touch Institute chooses a non-profit status because it helps us focus on education in preference to providing profit for owners or investors. The absence of owners/investors also helps us moderate the cost of tuition.

2. As a Non-Profit, how do your educational standards compare with the other schools?

Healing Touch is licensed by the Department of Education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Private Occupational School. The program is also accredited by the Integrative Massage & Somatic Therapies Accreditation Council (IMSTAC).  The requirements for Licensing and Accreditation are the same whether a School is a Non-Profit or a For-Profit organization.

3. I have seen schools listed as "approved for Institutional Membership". Is that the same as "accreditation"?

No. Educational programs or schools pay a membership fee, primarily for the purpose of obtaining liability and business insurance, as well as certain other benefits. There is no actual approval process involved in becoming an Institutional Member. Accreditation is an approval process that recognizes an Institution as outstanding, and as maintaining standards qualifying the graduates for admission to higher or more specialized institutions, or for professional practice. 

To achieve accreditation,  every aspect of the school's program--including management, finances, operations (for example, record-keeping and computer back-up schedules), curriculum, and teaching staff--is subjected to a detailed review. We are Institutional Members of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP). To become accredited, we  chose to submit full documentation, and to undergo a rigorous on-site review during which IMSTAC examiners observed Instructors in class, examined records and reviewed computer operations, and extensively interviewed the Director. Examiners also interviewed students to learn whether the program and Instructors met their expectations. In awarding Accreditation, IMSTAC stated they believed the Massage Therapy Certification Program at Healing Touch "exceeds standards" for Massage Schools.

4. How many hours do I need to obtain a license in Massage Therapy? 

Hours required for licensing vary by state. The National average is 500 hours, however some states require additional hours, ranging up to 1000 hours. In Massachusetts, practitioners must obtain a license in each individual city or town in which they will practice. While most Massachusetts cities and towns require that applicants have completed 500 hours (at a school licensed by the Department of Education), a town may require more hours, or may not allow the practice of massage therapy. Many towns also require that the applicant has passed the National Certification Examination in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Eligibility to take the National Exam requires completion of a minimum of 500 clock-hours.  

During 2005, the requirements to take the National Exam will change:

The exam will require candidates to graduate from a school that is approved to provide massage therapy and/or bodywork training in the state in which it is located,  and complete a minimum of 500 hours of in-class, supervised instruction broken down as follows:

• 125 hours of in-class supervised instruction in the body’s systems and anatomy, physiology and kinesiology (increased from 100 hours);
• 200 hours of in-class, supervised instruction in massage and bodywork assessment, theory and application
• 40 hours of in-class, supervised instruction in pathology (increased from no requirement);
• 10 hours of in-class instruction in business and ethics with a minimum of six hours in ethics (increase from a minimum of two hours of ethics); and
• 125 hours of additional in-class, supervised instruction in an area or related field that theoretically completes the massage program of study.  

For additional information about the National Certification Examination: www.ncbtmb.com

 5. What is a "clock-hour"?

A clock-hour equals a minimum of 50 minutes of in-class time. If a school is receiving federal funds for students (for example, a program that is offered at a community college), the program may list credit-hours for each class instead of clock-hours. By measuring class-time in clock-hours or credit-hours, the school assures the student they are receiving the full amount of hours they have paid for, State licensing boards often ask for documentation that Certification hours are actually clock-hours or credit-hours. Although Massachusetts does not have a State Licensing Board, a bill is in the legislature that, if passed by the end of 2004, could establish state licensure during 2005. The bill specifies a minimum of 500 clock-hours (or equivalent credit hours) be required for licensure. As a consumer, prospective students are well-advised to add up in-class hours so that they feel comfortable that all hours taken will meet the clock-hour or credit-hour rule.

5. What is "holistic massage therapy"?

In my viewpoint,  competent and caring massage therapy is--or should be--holistic. Individual massage therapists may practice modalities emphasizing a medical approach or an energetic/intuitive approach. The medical approach focuses on objective analysis of pathologies and measurable results in resolving injuries or dysfunction. Energetic/intuitive therapy emphasizes  a client-centered approach, addressing the whole person in preference to their symptoms. The latter paradigm embraces unity of mind and body--even including lifestyle and  environment (both socially and physically) of the client. Traditional cultural practices, emerging scientific data, and both touch and non-touch therapy (for example, pairing hypnotherapy and aromatherapy with massage) may be combined to create an integrative approach.

At Healing Touch, we integrate the best of all worlds. Although we are a small school, Healing Touch staff members are highly trained and experienced in disciplines ranging from physical therapy, sports and medical massage to  traditional cultural forms of massage  (Thai, Tuina, Indonesian and Russian Medical Massage) to Aromatherapy and Hypnotherapy. Our primary focus is on western modalities, however we offer some Oriental Theory and Bodywork in the Massage and Aromatherapy programs, and are adding Acupressure and other courses to our ever-expanding Continuing Education Division.

4. I notice you include the word "spirit"...what does that mean?

Individuals new to Complementary and Integrative Allied Health Modalities often question this, feeling that it might be strange or too personal. We demystify "spirit", and encourage each student to develop their own concept. Consider our every day language, in which we might characterize someone as having "spirit" in meeting health or life challenges, or, for example, by saying he is in "high spirits" today.  When a client receives competent and caring individualized health treatment, she or he will naturally be in "better spirits". We also know from contemporary research that thoughts and emotions positively  influence immunity and overall well-being.

ASK YOUR QUESTION: healingarts@mindspring.com