"Many students are attracted to massage therapy because of the flexible work schedule it offers," said Martha Malina, director of HACC's Massage Therapy Training Program. "They also are interested in self-employment and having a fulfilling job."
HACC will host an open house for people interested in learning more about the program on October 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Three Penn Center, Room 340, 349 Wiconisco Street, Harrisburg. Participants will have the chance to meet teachers, tour the lab, obtain financial aid information and even register for the first program, which begins on January 16, 2007.
The open house is planned during National Massage Therapy Awareness Week®, which focuses on promoting the benefits of massage therapy and awareness of massage therapy as a profession.
"I am so happy that HACC has decided to offer this program," said Malina. "HACC has such a great reputation for providing high quality education especially in health care."
The 23-week program will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and offer students a very broad base of training. The first nine weeks will focus on Swedish massage followed by a variety of other massage therapy approaches. In addition to the hands on training, students will complete 160 hours of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology.
"They will have a lot of tools in their pack," explained Malina. "They will be able to help people presenting with a wide variety of conditions."
The program also covers ethics, professional communication and awareness.
"They will learn about boundaries and the professional relationship," Malina said. "We're going to talk about what is appropriate in a clinical setting - for the therapist as well as for the client."
Students who complete the program will receive a certificate and can sit for an exam to become nationally certified in therapeutic massage and body work. In addition to having the ability to choose from a broad base of specialty practice areas, students who successfully complete the program can articulate credits into an associate degree.
For more information on the program or the open house, call 717-221-1386 or send an email to the address below.