This semester has brought about many new things. A lot of new concepts and techniques along with some deeper understanding of what it means to be successful in the Massage Therapy field. A great example of a new concept as well as loading more knowledge onto previously learnt techniques is Joint Mobilizations.

First presented to us early in semester one, we have since gained a much deeper understanding of what constitutes a joint mobilization and how they can be used to treat pain, mobility issues and increase functionality of the affected joint.

The advancement in knowledge that pertains to joint mobilizations has allowed me to understand the importance of this practice. Especially in a society where mobility is left behind even by fit and active people, joint mobilizations can easily be the focus of practice. Specializing in these skills would be a great way to not only ensure success as an RMT, but also allow a large range of patients to help.

There are five grades of mobilizations, which can affect everything from pain levels to mobility.

Grade I
This grade is one that we have actually used before. It consists of small amplitude rhythmic oscillations (that’s a complex way to say gentle shaking) at the beginning of a ROM. It’s used to decrease pain.

Grade II
Similar to grade I as it is intended to decrease pain, however the oscillations here are much larger and occur mid-range. We’ve sort of done this one as well. Joint mobs are a great way to prep a patient for further treatment.

Grade III
Like grade II these are large amplitude. This occurs up to the point of limitation (which basically means where the join stops doing what the joint needs to do). This is where we get out of pain relief and into actually increasing mobility and stretching the joint capsule.

Grade IV
Back down to small amplitude for this one. As it occurs at the end range it’s probably best not to go crazy with the oscillations. This ones also designed for stretching the joint capsule and increasing mobility.

Grade V
Oh grade V, how the world loves you, and thinks you’re super cool! This one is all about the quick thrust. This one is considered manipulation and as an RMT it falls out of our scope of practice. It is small amplitude and is a quick thrust at the end of range. You know those awesome Instagram videos with cracking backs and clicking ankles? I can’t really speak on all inst-vids but they’re probably this technique.

The opportunity to learn and gain efficiency in this technique will present a door to success as an RMT. It’s challenging but the rewards of performing these techniques can be great. I’m sure there’s more in store during this program, lets see where we all end up. Seacrest, out.

Lets jump right into this final instalment of hastily written blogs about some semester 2 mumbo jumbo. Like all great sequel trilogies, I rely on the backbone of content in the original and use that to keep me going through this tiny flurry of words. This one is about something truly interesting to me; On-Campus Internship.

By far the most exciting topic of this semester (aside from maybe some philosophical discussions in General Education) has got to be internships. An honest look into the RMT’s world as a business person, and professional. I can honestly say that as it sits now, I’m not nervous in the slightest and have been looking forward to this. I have experience with being “self-employed”, working with clients of many walks of life, and handling the scheduling that goes along with it. I’m excited to have the opportunity to take those skills to the next level.

How could I forget to mention the most crucial aspect of the aforementioned internship? CLIENTELE. I can actually try and apply my skills to someone who can be objective in assessing my ability to treat, and not just my ability to do one technique out of context with a legitimate treatment plan. This will be the time where I can feel like an RMT, and get a true understanding of things. Don’t get me wrong, I still need to put my head down and be sure to be as educated and knowledgeable as possible, but an internship will add some perspective, and that’s where I feel I can really excel.

Just like that, this sequel trilogy of blogs has come to a swift and peaceful end.

For now.

In this iteration, I am to offer some reflections on a learning activity. I have chosen to use a case study assignment that we did in our Relationships and Interpersonal Skills class. This case study was meant to get our groups to stop and think about some ethical dilemmas that we may very well encounter during our time as Massage Therapists.

This assignment allowed the individual groups to discuss the topics as they arose, and it seems that as a class, most things were “cut and dry”. My group had to discuss the conduct we should take in the event that a client we referred to another practitioner was being sexually abused by that very same individual. The ethical dilemma comes from a few angles. First and foremost, sexual abuse is wrong, and illegal. Secondly, the healthcare practitioner who is abusing their power would have been a part of the clients circle of care, who is only involved because of our referral. lastly, the care they should have gotten is needed, and now the client must also deal with not meeting their recovery goals.

My group came up with a very simple response to this problem. The practitioner must be held accountable, the client must be taken care of and they should referred to someone who is deserving of trust. The CMTO has some specific standards that allowed us to back the response with rules and we didn’t encounter any blow back from the class regarding our decision.

I am not interested in group work. It is something that I am heavily against in an educational setting, however, in this scenario it did afford us the opportunity to discuss the problem with peers, something that may have been difficult in reality, especially given the SOP’s regarding privacy. I can’t say I’d love to do it again, but in the context of ethics, discussion is the best way to determine the correct course of action. That’s a little hard to do on your own.

That’s that, and another post done.

Howdy readers (reader?), and welcome back to my exciting and truly riveting blog series designed to help me help myself, and make random movie references. Truth be told, I thought my hiatus would be indefinite. I would be a liar if I said I hadn’t thought about writing on a more consistent basis, but I digress.

This post, like the others in my first trilogy of self reflection, is all about goals and (dare I say it twice in one sentence) self reflection. I have been tasked with completing three goals for semester 2 of the Massage Therapy program. Thats right 3, a trilogy of goals in the first episode of a new blog trilogy. Trilogy-ception. So without further adieu, here we go.

Learning Goal 1: Pass every class

This goal has got to be the most vague, obvious, and still very necessary goal. Nearing the end of semester 1 many things changed in my life. Without slamming details into your face(s) I’ve got quite the schedule, and many conflicts. It’s important that I don’t lose sight of long terms goals, and complete the steps I have put in place to reach them.

Learning Goal 2: Clinical Assessment Success

Here’s one that’s a little more specific than “pass every classes”. I have had some troubles with this course, both induced by myself and some outside factors. This goal has a simple(ish) solution. Work harder. Now I know what you’re thinking, working harder isn’t a “real” solution. I disagree. The execution of this solution is what can help or hinder progress. Here’s how I plan to execute my highly advance “work harder” model of success; Read more, ask more questions, seek council with my peers, bring to light my concerns in a productive matter and take criticism both seriously and with a grain of salt.

Learning Goal 3: Find my Passion

Clearly finding ones passion should be the goal above all goals, and Massage Therapy is something that I want. What I mean by this is truly solidifying what I expect to go into as an RMT when this course is over and done with. I’ve had a fairly specific idea of what I’d like to do with my learnt skills in the future, but I’d like to maybe experience the environment before I’m in over my head. Dip my toes in so to speak. I will do this by using the resources available to me to educate myself on possible avenues, continuing education and actually speaking with friends and educators who already work in the field.

Will I meet my learning goals? Will I find success in my future endeavors? What will happen to my social life? Find out on the next episode of Dragon Ball Z!

Welcome to the third (and final?) instalment of my necessary, yet greatly helpful blogging extravaganza. Like all great trilogies, the first was an amazing introduction to a new universe. Not without its flaws, but inspiring, and presented a new hope for future blogs. The second was (probably) the best, expanding on the first but striking back with it’s own identity. The third… Well let’s just say it’s gonna SUCK. In all seriousness, I hope that isn’t the case, but such is the trilogy curse.

I’ve had a great experience during this class, and if there’s anything to take away, it’s that I have horrible time management skills, and hope that Genevieve can see that I recognize my failings, and have come to peace with myself.

Lets get down to brass tacks. This past week has been trying to say the least. There were exams, classes, and of course some form of personal life, and thanks to the lovely Prof. of MSTH-108, everyone was educated about some stress management techniques (too much grovelling? Not enough?). We also had the opportunity to meet some Humber Alumni, and second year students of Massage Therapy. Since I plan to be brief, I think it’s appropriate to split this instalment into two swift parts.

Part 1: Stress Management

From what we’ve learnt in Blog Post II, I have a fairly healthy, or inflated, sense of self. I think it’s important to note that I am a stress free individual. Realistically to a fault, but stress free is who I’ve been my whole life. I can recall a few times where stress (at least the kind of stress we’re discussing today) has had a hold on me, but more often than not, I tend to keep level headed and confident. For the most part I have not led myself astray.

In class we discussed a plethora of techniques to curb your stress, and come out victorious. From talking with friends, family and loved ones, to using the resources available on campus, we had an informative discussion about what people felt stressed them, and some likely solutions. It seemed that seeking council from peers and loved ones was the most popular form of stress management. I haven’t been one to confide in many people, and tend to keep private. I prefer a tried and true technique. One that has NEVER let me down. It’s a two pronged attack that has led me to success anywhere I apply myself. Are you ready for the secret because here it comes!

LOVE WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND BE PREPARED.

I’ve had many experiences where things should have been hard, and should have been defeating, but loving the outcome means loving the process, and that makes everything a whole lot easier. Preparation you say? Well that’s as self-explanatory as it gets. Stressed for O/P’s? That’s okay. If you’ve prepared by reviewing content, practicing with family/peers, seeking clarification from Profs., and understanding the course content, it should be impossible to be ill prepared. If you’re prepared, it’s going to pretty tough to feel the pressure. Of course I understand that sometimes it’s easier said than down, but that battle is a little too individual for me to tackle here (maybe a new trilogy?!?!).

Part 2: Alumni and Year 2’s

Our most recent, and final class, we had the opportunity to seek some deeper information about our course, and possible future career. Finally the portion of this blog that might actually be brief. That’s not at fault of the guests lack of information, but really represents the parallels between all of our guests.

One such example is (ironically), RELAX. From every couple of guests we had the opportunity to speak with, that was the largest and most common conversation topic. We were informed again and again that we are being well prepared for our futures as RMT’s, and our futures in this program.

We got the opportunity to ask a lot of questions, both broad and specific, and throughout the entire experience, we were reassured of our positions in the course, and the speakers were great at instilling confidence in my fellow classmates.

Hopefully I was mild in my trilogy references. I assure you that I removed WAY more trilogy based jokes and nerdy anecdotes than you think. Maybe a new trilogy is on the way, maybe it’s best to cut my losses. But hopefully I broke the trilogy curse and this instalment was just as great as the rest.

The Blogposts will return?

Hear ye, hear ye, for I am back again with another blogpost about my many ginormous steps toward my life as an RMT.

It’s been a fair bit of time since my last post, and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that you’re in for a short one today folks. Not too much has changed since last time. Courses are going swiftly, and although some are providing little to no expansion on what I already know, others are doing quite the opposite (geeze, Clinical Techniques, am I right?)

In truth, I haven’t really “learnt” much in the way of new or exciting group skills, study strategies, note-taking techniques or tips and tricks to help me along. To be fair, this isn’t my first time wrestling with a post-secondary institution, and many of the techniques for better learning presented by my Professors aren’t quite groundbreaking. But they do offer them with resolve, and passion, and THAT is what I appreciate. I’ve come to learn that a large portion of my peers prefer the group education method, where working together to better the self is the name of the game. Myself, I prefer the solo act. Queue cards, silent study, practice exams and re-reading and combing the many pdfs and documents are all ways that I prefer to get my education.

Given that I clearly see myself as ahead of the curve (a slippery slope to being conceited, but I try my best to cool it), most would think that this is where the blogpost ends, and I sign off, looking into the night as a pat myself on the back.

False.

This is where I “wow” the crowd, and make an unexpected twist.

I fully intend to participate in all the activities, group assignments, study sessions, and the like, to cover my own conceited butt, and assure everyone in my life (especially myself) that I am dedicated to becoming an RMT, whose education and abilities are beyond stellar. I intend to look at group work and case studies as they are designed, to prepare me for dealing with patients and real world problems, that as an RMT, I will most definitely face. Forcing myself to adjust, and add some learning techniques will be challenging, and isn’t that the point? No amount of greatness occurred for zero resistance.

So, it’s time to look forward, apply the skills I’m being taught (whether I think I know them or not), and by god do my best to get to class on time. It’s going to be a good few years of education, and the best way to apply myself, is to get out of my own way. Short post finished.

TTFN

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton