HACC to launch Massage Therapy program in York in January 2014
 

 York, Pa. – Nurses looking for a career shift or integrating massage therapy into their work as health care professionals can receive a $700 discount when they enroll in HACC’s massage therapy program that begins at the York Campus in January.

“The field of massage therapy is one that’s growing and becoming more main stream in health care settings. In fact, it is the frontline provider – nurses – who are instrumental in recommending complimentary treatments to medicine, such as massage,” said Nina Kottcamp, HACC’s massage therapy program coordinator. Her interest was piqued at a national conference two years ago. “I visited a Minneapolis hospital that had a whole wing dedicated to complementary medicine [health care that combines the therapies and philosophies of conventional medicine with those of alternative medicines, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, biofeedback and massage therapy] and it was at that same convention that I also attended an open forum to discuss how educators might support the trend. When I returned, HACC’s health care team instituted a discount for area registered nurses (RN’s) and licensed practical nurses (LPN’s) to enroll in HACC’s massage therapy program.”

HACC massage therapy student Cheri Koons, an RN with experience in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, has long endorsed a holistic approach to medicine and views herself as a bridge linking conventional medicine with integrative care. She notes that the nursing curriculum and the massage therapy program include much overlap in terms of courses – anatomy and physiology, for example – and are a natural fit. “To me, massage therapy is one of the natural healing modalities.” She notes that massage therapy offers pain relief and - with increased awareness - is gaining added support from the insurance community as a component of complementary care.

For those who want to go into the practice, it’s one of the fastest growing fields - more than doubling from about 150,000 therapists nationwide in 2000 to more than 300,000 massage therapists in 2010.

Accredited by the Commission on Higher Education and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, HACC’s massage therapy program features a hands-on massage studio that’s open to the public, one-on-one counseling and mentoring for students, and higher-than-average job placement rates. Instructors are all trained professionals and have extensive industry experience.

To meet the increasing popularity and demand for massage therapists both locally and nationally, HACC in January 2014 will launch its 12-month course on the York Campus with classes held Monday-Wednesday from 5:30-9:30 p.m. as well as six weekends throughout the year. Registration is underway and those interested can call 717-221-1386.

The program focuses on the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of massage rather than the spa and relaxation form of instruction. Courses cover anatomy and physiology as well as training in Swedish massage, sports massage, reflexology, connective tissue therapy, neuromuscular therapy, chair massage, spa treatments, aromatherapy and integration and assessment.

HACC’s massage therapy curriculum is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and is a school member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Pennsylvania recently passed legislation that will require a state-issued license in order to practice massage therapy – and HACC's program exceeds the state licensure requirements.

Upon graduation, students receive a certificate of completion. Once a licensed massage therapist and employed as such, practitioners are also eligible to receive up to 30 college credits from HACC toward an associate degree in health science.