Institute of Therapeutic Massage

Tools for Learning

2015-02-05T11:10:00.002-05:00

Everyone is unique and not everyone learns and processes new information the same way. While some students gain knowledge by listening, others are more visual. The Institute of Therapeutic Massage uses both teaching methods, auditory and visual, since our end goal is better learning retention for all.

In addition to the standard classroom lecture, the instructors at IOTM try various ways of incorporating unique and creative learning techniques in the classrooms. Modeling clay, skeletons, anatomy models and iPads are just a few of the examples. The students in the picture below used face paint to map the muscles of the face on a partner.

Obviously, being a hands on school will also allow for the visual learners to watch massage demonstration before they attempt the technique themselves. Everyone can benefit from this because the instructor will also verbally narrate the technique as it is performed.

As you can see, our #1 goal is your success. Success not only while attending our school, but also for the MBLEx state licensing exam and your future success as a massage therapist. Enroll today and get the tools you need for success!

Career Enhancement Classes at IOTM: Pregnancy Massage

2015-01-21T08:26:00.002-05:00

At IOTM, we take pride in our curriculum and we offer our students and grads a variety of classes, called Career Enhancement Classes. In these classes, you will learn advanced massage techniques that can give you a competitive advantage when you're searching for your future career. The classes can be tailor made to fit your future career goals. For example, if you want to work in a nursing home after you graduate, you would probably want to sign up for our Geriatric Massage and Cancer Massage class. If your goal is to work in the spa environment, some classes you might want to take are: Hot Stone Body Massage, Chair Massage, Clay or Paraffin Muscle Toning Facial Massage and Pregnancy Massage, like demonstrated in the picture below.

Pregnancy Massage is the study of massage techniques and contraindications for the mother and baby to be. Nurturing, pain management and body preparation are the keystones of this course. Massage has entered the delivery suite and is now readily encouraged by the OB-GYN Specialists and Midwives. Massage is considered by most to be essential for the well being of mother and baby.

Pregnancy Massage is just one of the many CEC's you can experience while attending the Institute of Therapeutic Massage. IOTM is also the only area school that offers our students 100 CEC hours included in the program. Please take a tour of our Advanced Spa Massage CEC Classes and our Advanced Medical Massage CEC Classes and see which classes will fit best with your future career!

New Year...New Career

2014-12-29T09:45:00.001-05:00

A new year can be a new beginning. A time to reflect on choices you've made this year, to start fresh. A time to make resolutions and a time to make changes. Why not begin the new year by beginning the journey to a new, exciting career in massage therapy?

Massage Therapy is a great choice because there is a real demand for qualified massage therapists! The U.S. Department of Labor predicts employment for massage therapists will increase by 23% by the year 2022. This is faster than average for all occupations. The reason for this is simple: people love getting massages and more and more people are getting massages on a regular basis. Doctors and other healthcare providers are not only recommending massage to their patients, but they're also hiring licensed massage therapists to work along side them to help carry out treatment plans for their patients.

New classes at IOTM begin on January 5th, just in time to start the new year and fulfill at least one of your New Year's resolutions. Call 419-523-9580 or toll free 866-897-0949, go online www.iotm.edu or stop by our campus at 311 East Market Street, 3rd Floor in Downtown Lima to begin the enrollment process today.

Stop putting off your future! Make a resolution today to become a licensed massage therapist...a rewarding career that's in demand!

Massage Event to benefit Toys for Tots

2014-11-07T11:27:00.002-05:00

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage is hosting a massage event to benefit the Toys for Tots program on

Saturday, December 6th
10:00 AM-3:00 PM

Donate a new, unwrapped toy and you'll receive a
FREE 1/2-hour massage!!

Call 419-523-9580 to schedule your massage time.

We will also be accepting walk-ins. Limit one half-hour massage per person.

Congratulations IOTM Class of Fall 2014

2014-10-20T10:11:00.000-04:00

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage is proud to introduce to you, our newest graduating class. They completed our 900 hour massage program, earned certifications in numerous Career Enhancement Classes and 6 of them passed the Ohio state licensing examination, MBLEx before graduation!

IOTM's 900 hour program meets and exceeds the State of Ohio's (as well as most other states) requirements for massage licensure. Our massage program consists of:

Medical Terminology- 48 hrs.

Anatomy & Physiology- 192 hrs.

Muscles- 96 hrs.

Massage Theory & Practical- 224 hrs.

Pathology & Pharmacology- 48 hrs.

Advanced Therapeutic Techniques- 96 hrs.

Ethics- 24 hrs.

Study Skills- 24 hrs.

Business- 48 hrs.

Career Enhancements- 100 hrs.

Our Career Enhancement Classes do just that, enhance your future massage career. Career Enhancements are advanced techniques such as Sports Massage, Cancer Massage, Hot Stone Body Massage and many others. As an IOTM student, you will receive 100 hours of Career Enhancement Classes as part of your program and we are the only area massage school to offer this. As a result, you will be able to tell a future potential employer that you are certified in Pregnancy Massage and it may give you a competitive advantage over another candidate who does not have certifications.

The six students who passed MBLEx before graduation achieved this because they were prepared. We have a campus computer lab with a program installed on the computers that asks similar questions that may be on the MBLEx. Once you score at a certain level, an instructor will let you know you are ready to take MBLEx. IOTM has a 100% MBLEx passage rate and we believe this is one of the reasons why.

Finding the Right Massage School

2014-09-02T10:21:00.000-04:00

Choosing the right massage school for you can be difficult, but it's probably the biggest factor in determining if you will have a successful career in Massage Therapy. Here are some factors you need to look at that can help you decide:

Accreditation- your school should be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. IOTM is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. We are both institutionally and progamatically accredited.

Curriculum- While the above items are very important, if your main goal is to be a great massage therapist, you really need to examine the school's curriculum. Future employers will want to know what classes you took during your education. IOTM offers many classes that are not offered in the same way at other area massage schools, including our Career Enhancement Classes (CEC). Our CEC's include: Chair Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Hot Stone Body Massage, Cancer Massage, Sports Massage, just to name a few. These classes teach advanced massage techniques and take hours to learn effectively.

In addition to your massage diploma, you will receive certifications in all the classes you successfully participate in. These certifications will give you a competitive advantage when you're applying and interviewing for jobs after graduation. IOTM is the only area massage school who will offer you as a student, 100 hours of CEC classes, which are included in the program.

Also, our 600 series of classes, Advanced Therapeutic Techniques. In these classes, students will learn the most common soft tissue injuries and dysfunctions related to injuries and trauma. Students will have the opportunity to practice the proper techniques for these common problems during the lab portion of this class. The student will also learn specific protocols for treatment of conditions and injuries encountered in a massage practice, including strengthening and stretching advice for clients.

Employers may look to see if you took these classes specifically, especially if you're going into the medial field. Even if you choose to work in the spa industry, they may not ask if you've had these classes, but you're probably going to be a better massage therapist because of these classes.

Preparing for MBLEx

2014-08-12T11:47:00.001-04:00

MBLEx, or Massage Bodywork Licensing Exam, is the test recognized by the State of Ohio that is taken by massage school graduates or students, in order to obtain their license to practice Massage Therapy. MBLEx is accepted in most states, including: Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Florida.

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage has a 100% MBLEx passage rate. Every student we have sent to take MBLEx has passed it and can now obtain their massage licensure. The way we achieve this impressive statistic is by preparing our students for the test. Our on-campus computer lab has a testing program installed on each of the computers. Students take practice exams in order to find areas of weakness. Eventually, when they score high enough, the instructor will clear them and let them know they are ready for MBLEx.

Ten of thestudents in our last graduating class were cleared to take MBLEx and passed the test BEFORE they graduated. This allows them to get their state license much faster because that part of the requirement is fulfilled and all they have to do is send their diploma to the state once they officially graduate.

IOTM is fully committed to preparing you for your future career in massage therapy. We prepare our students for success!

IOTM Graduate Jamie Hernandez, LMT

2014-06-25T10:22:00.000-04:00

Jamie is IoTM's Administrative Assistant and she recieved her massage therapy diploma in March of 2008. Not only does Jamie assist in the day to day needs of IoTM's administration and instructors, she also performs the majority of the massages in our Professional Clinic.

While attending the Institute of Therapeutic Massage, Jamie became certified in Chair Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Reflexology, Infant Massage, Nerve Entrapment, Hot Stone Body Massage, Sinus Treatment Massage, but her real passion is Sports Massage. This passion brought her to the University of Northwestern Ohio, where she is currently working with the Athletic Trainers to gain experience.

Her love of massaging athletes also led to her to take required classes so that she can apply for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Some of the classes she has completed are CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator). One more required class, First Aid, is needed and then Jamie will be able to submit her application to the Olympic organization. She has also been trained with Kinesiotape with The American Kinesiotaping Association and is working on getting certified.

Recently, Jamie was also selected as an Alternate Delegate to Ohio AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association). Her responsibilities include reviewing position statements made by the AMTA regarding policy and legislation. It involves research to be able to thoughtfully and critically review the position statements and getting feedback from other members. A well informed position statement allows AMTA to promote the massage profession, using scientifically based facts.

Jamie is asking for help to fund her travel expenses to and from the Olympic training and to Rio in 2016. You can donate by clicking HERE.

Jamie is a Thyroid Cancer survivor, so if her plans change and she is not able to use these funds or if there is more than she needs, she will donate the remainder to the Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association.

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage is proud of Jamie and all her accomplishments. We wish her much success during the Olympic interviewing process and wish her good luck in all her future endeavours. Great job Jamie!

Career Enhancement Classes at IoTM

2014-06-10T10:46:00.004-04:00

IoTM offers our students a variety of classes, where you can learn advanced massage techiniques and give you a competitive advantage when you're searching for your future career. These classes can be tailor made to fit your future career goals. For example, if you want to work in a nursing home after you graduate, you would probably want to sign up for our Geriatric Massage and Cancer Massage CEC class. If your goal is to work in the spa environment, some classes you might want to take are: Hot Stone Body Massage, Chair Massage, Clay or Paraffin Muscle Toning Facial Massage and Reflexology, like the students pictured below.

During our Reflexology class, students learn to "map" the feet. Each foot contains 7,200 nerve endings. These nerve endings have extensive interconnections through the spinal cord, brain, and, throughout the body. When your feet are massaged in certain areas, it has positive effects in other areas of your body. This explains why it feels wonderful to have your feet massaged.

Reflexology is just one of the many CEC classes you can experience while attending the Institute of Therapeutic Massage. IoTM is also the only area school that offers our students 100 CEC hours included in the program. Please take a tour of our Advanced Spa Massage CEC Classes and our Advanced Medical Massage CEC Classes and see which classes will fit best with your future career!

IOTM Student Clinics

2014-05-15T12:20:00.000-04:00

Once a week on Wednesday, our students and instructors open our doors to the public and hold Student Massage Clinics. Times of the clinics are 10:15-11:30 AM and 7:45-9:00 PM. The clinics are held at our school and all of the clients are supplied for the students; they do not have to find a location or their own clients. Keeping the clinics on site also allows for supervision by the instructor.

Our students start participating in clinics at week 12 or their education, after learning a full body therapeutic massage. Clinics are a great learning tool for our students, as they learn to ask medical questions and interact with the client during the massage.

We would love for you to attend our Student Massage Clinics and get a feel for what you may soon be taking part in at our school! Call 419-523-9580 to schedule your Student Clinic massage today!

From a Student's Perspective

2014-04-10T14:30:00.004-04:00

Recent IoTM graduate Dorothy Daniel wrote a nice letter to our school that we would like to share with all of you. We hope it gives a little perspective about different aspects of our school and adds clarity to help you make an informed decision about where you should attend massage school.

“My experience at IoTM was the most exciting, life changing experience since I become a mother. From my first meeting with the enrollment officer to meeting new classmates, I knew IoTM was the school for me.

When I needed to take two weeks off prior to finals, the administration’s willingness to help me, enabled me to graduate on time. When I wanted to change my program length, they changed it with no problem!

The classes were both enjoyable and challenging. I was impressed with the range of required classes- they covered more than just the basics of massage. The student clinics were invaluable to me. They not only allowed me to practice on real clients, they also allowed me to incorporate what I was learning into the massage I was giving and I also got client feedback.

The CEC’s* offered at IoTM are also impressive. They also give you a valuable edge over your competition. The instructors make the classes fun, so it seemed like I was there for fun- not for class!

When it comes to the instructors, I can’t praise them enough. Their passion for massage and massage education shines through in their teaching styles. They encourage and engage you. They take the time to make sure you understand the concepts being taught both during hands-on and lecture.

I was blessed to have some of the most thoughtful, helpful and wonderful classmates. They helped make my time at IoTM unforgettable.

If anyone is considering massage for a career, IoTM will give you the education you need-- and more!”

*Career Enhancement Classes

The Power of Touch

2014-02-17T13:10:00.005-05:00

All human beings, from infant to elderly, need the power of touch to sustain us. So many of us go day to day, living our lives and not touching or being touched by others. You will not notice the effects right away, but lack of touch will eventually negatively effect your mood, confidence and even your health.

As a baby, you required touch from your mom and dad to develop both psychologically and physically. Infants who are touched on a regular basis gain weight and grow at better rates than those that do not. Massaging your baby can lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. At the Institute of Therapeutic Massage, we teach Infant Massage and you can become certified after enrolling and participating in this 7 hour career enhancement class. Infant Massage will be taught on June 3rd, and again on November 8th this year.

Adults also need to be touched, but it can be difficult to find the time. Touch can reduce your anxiety, lower your blood pressure, improve your outlook on life and bond you to your loved ones. All the more reason to get regular massages. The added bonus is that, as a Massage Therapist, you also benefit from giving the massage. The power of touch benefits the therapist in much the same ways as a massage client.

Our older population, unfortunately, receives the least amount of touch. Touch deprivation in old age is a very real problem and can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, pain, loneliness, boredom and helplessness. Perhaps you can make a difference in the life of an elderly person? IoTM also offers a Geriatric Massage Career Enhancement course. This 7 hour class is offered on March 4th and again on August 23rd this year.

As a Massage Therapist you can help people in so many ways with just the power of your touch. Start on the path to your new career in helping others today! There are many ways to contact us; call us at 866-897-0949, go on-line and fill out our form above or stop by today at the 311 Building in Downtown Lima.

Back to Basics: How does massage work, exactly?

2013-12-30T11:50:00.001-05:00

The term massage alone brings to mind thoughts of relaxation and stress relief. Researchers are now discovering the science behind how massage works to relieve pain, reduce stress and promote healing.

Researchers at McMaster University in Canada found that massage affects the activity of certain genes which reduces inflammation in our muscles. This is the same result you would get by taking aspirin or ibuprofen.

Massage not only alleviates pain, but it also improves our mood. Massage reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which makes us happy and lowers our blood pressure. It also boosts the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which are involved in depression. Also, it just makes sense that when you are extremely relaxed, the world around you seems more wonderful and less stressful.

Massage also promotes healthy sleep. A number of studies have concluded that massage has positive affects on our delta waves- brain waves that are connected to deep sleep.

Decreased cortisol levels accomplishes many positive changes in our bodies; stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, lower heart rates, better memory and more alertness, just to name a few.

There have also been studies that have shown that giving a massage can also have some of the same benefits as getting one! Immediately after giving a massage, a therapist also has less cortisol levels!! It just stands to reason that helping others makes us feel better about ourselves. Could there be a better reason to call us today??

Fastest Growing Career Fields

2013-12-02T09:10:00.001-05:00

1. Service Unit Operators 6. Human Resource Specialists
2. Petroleum Engineers 7. Coaches & Scouts
3. Music Directors & Composers 8. Personal Finance Advisors
4. Interpreters & Translators 9. Personal Care Aides
5. MASSAGE THERAPISTS 10. Skin Care Specialists

Above, is a list of the top 10 fastest growing jobs released by 24/7 Wall St., a data analysis company. 24/7 Wall St. compiled the list using figures reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). The report states the number of massage therapists grew by 162% from 2002-2012, landing massage therapists at #5 on the list. Currently, there are 71,040 employed massage therapists in the United States, with the majority of them being self-employed. Also according to the report, massage therapists make a median annual wage of $35,970.00 and the median hourly wage of $17.29.

The report claims the reason for the surge in massage therapy jobs is the rise in spas and massage clinics in our country during this 10 year time period. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also refers to the increase in our nation’s elderly population as another factor in the demand for qualified massage therapists.

Here at IoTM, we believe there is also a growing acceptance of massage therapy as a legitimate form of pain and stress relief. More and more people every day are discovering the numerous benefits of massage for themselves. Massage is not only a form of pampering, it is an important component of overall health and wellness.

You too can be a part of one of the fastest growing career fields! Please find our contact information below and act now! New classes begin the week of January 6th, so call, go online or stop by and see us today!!

Call: 866-897-0949
Go Online: www.iotm.edu
Stop by: 311 E. Market Street on the 3rd floor in Downtown Lima

Details People Care About

2013-09-27T10:22:00.003-04:00

Here at the Institute of Therapeutic Massage, we like to think we offer more than just a diploma. There will be many elements in your IoTM experience that will not only make your time with us more enjoyable, but your life after school more successful. The following are just a few examples:

Class Schedule & Program Length: New classes begin every 6 weeks, so your first day of school is never far away! We also offer convenient morning and evening class times that should easily fit anyone’s schedule. Another way we try to accommodate our students is with the length of your education. For our more daring students we have a 9-month program. This is a very challenging pace, but we have had students that have completed the program successfully. If you have a full-time job and/or a family, you could choose the 18-month program, but most students choose our 12-month program. You can also switch program lengths any time you feel it’s warranted.

Business Class: This class includes topics such as: interviewing skills, how to run a business and marketing. It’s full of real-world scenarios that will teach you how to survive after you graduate and receive your massage license.

State Licensure Preparation: IoTM boasts 100% EMBLEx passage rate! This is mostly because of the achievements of our students, but also because we provided them with the tools to succeed. We offer a class geared towards the test and we also provide our students a computer program with over 4,000 questions aimed to prepare them. The program helps the students and instructors find any weak points and areas that need further study.

Job Placement: While we cannot guarantee you a job, we will do everything we can to help you find one. Currently we have a 92% job placement rate, which means 92% of our graduates are working in some area of massage. We have a closed Facebook group for alumni only, where we post job leads as we receive them.

The Not So Known Benefits of Massage

2013-08-22T09:53:00.001-04:00

Most of know the obvious ways massage therapy can help our bodies; alleviating pain,

reducing stress, increasing joint flexibility, etc., but do you know some of the often unfamiliar benefits of massage? We’re about to share these well-kept secrets with you!

Massage can make you more productive- regular massage lowers the body’s production of cortisol, a stress hormone which suppresses the immune system. The lower the levels of

cortisol in our bodies means less colds and more work days!

Massage can make you a better driver- crashes caused by drivers not checking blind spots rose 50% between 2009-2011 because safety features on our cars made those blind spots larger. Those of us with stiff necks can attest that turning and checking blind spots can be difficult. Massage therapy improves blood flow to the stiff area, thus making it easier to turn your neck and allowing you to better check those blind spots!

Massage can help you lose weight- many times after a workout, our muscles become sore and that makes us less likely to repeat the workout. When legs are massaged after a workout, there tends to be less pain the next day and therefore, we are more likely to workout again!

Massage can improve digestion- massage has been shown to help release enzymes that aid in the digestive process. This process not only makes digestion easier, but it also increases the absorption of nutrients. Massage has also been linked to increases in antioxidants and peristalsis, which neutralizes acids in the stomach and aids in moving food through the

intestines, respectively.

Massage can make you smile- evidence suggests that massage therapy can decrease the symptoms of depression. This is accomplished in two ways: the bonding between therapist and client can lead to relaxation and stress reduction and massage also promotes the release of oxytocin, a hormone believed to bring about optimistic feelings and better self-esteem. Go get a massage today and smile more!

These benefits of massage, while not well-known, are just as important in our daily lives as the more evident benefits. Would you like to bring more productivity, healthier living and more smiles to the lives of your clients? Call the Institute of Therapeutic Massage today and we will start you on the right path to becoming a massage therapist, so you can be helpful to those who need it most.

What to Expect: Getting Started & Enrolling at IoTM

2013-07-29T08:29:00.005-04:00

You have already shown interest in enrolling at the Institute of Therapeutic Massage, otherwise you wouldn’t be receiving this newsletter, so have you ever wondered how to enroll at our school? How do you get started? What are the steps you will be taken through? We want to make it easy for you with this guide through our enrollment process!

Your first step can happen a few different ways. You need to contact us! We have a handy form on our website, www.iotm.edu, and this is the easiest way to reach out to us. You can also call us, 1-866-897-0949. Dial extension 1003 for our Enrollment Specialist, Andrew Meyer. You can also visit our campus in the 311 Building in Downtown Lima (311 E. Market Street). Take this important first step today to begin your path to becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist.
After the initial contact, if you are still interested in attending our school, we will ask you to come to our campus. You will then speak with Andrew and he will assess your situation and answer any questions you have. You will then receive a tour of our facilities; the classrooms, clinic massage room, computer lab, etc.

As you can see, the process is simple and our staff will be there to assist you every step of the way. Be sure to fill out our online form, call or stop by today and we’ll get you started right away! What are you waiting for??

Medical or Spa Massage: Which is right for you?

2013-06-25T12:17:00.001-04:00

Lately in the massage community, many people are noticing a divide between two fields of massage; clinical, or medical massage and wellness, or spa massage. These fields, while both equally important, are fairly diverse. We would like break down these differences and also inform you of classes we offer right here at IoTM to help you decide which industry is best for you.

Spa massages taught at IoTM include: hot stone body massage and muscle toning facial massage (also with paraffin or clay). These types of massages focus on the satisfaction and relaxation of the client. The environment is private and attention must be made to details such as music, aromatherapy and high-end linens, in order to retain your client base. If you choose this field of massage, you would charge your client by a set number of minutes and tipping would be expected.

Medical massages offered at IoTM include: cancer massage and pregnancy massage. These massages focus on functional outcomes and results must be measureable. Medical massages typically occur in a doctors offices, chiropractic clinics and hospitals. Prices are typically defined by insurance companies and tipping is rarely involved.

When deciding on your future massage field, it is important to note that all areas of professional massage have therapeutic value. You will be helping people either by providing essential relaxation and stress relief or a medical necessity. Both are equally important, as stress and tension is often the root of physical pain. Which field will you choose?

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage in the Community

2013-05-30T08:14:00.005-04:00

The students have been working hard toward their massage degrees and part of the process here at IoTM, is they participate and receive certification in specialized massage techniques we call Career Enhancements. The reason for this name is simple. These massage certifications “enhance” your massage degree, therefore giving our graduates a competitive edge while they are searching for employment. Some of these classes include CHAIR MASSAGE, REFLEXOLOGY, HOT STONE BODY MASSAGE and SPORTS AND PREGNANCY MASSAGE, which we will discuss further. Career Enhancements are only available locally at the Institute of Therapeutic Massage and our students can choose 100 hours, as part of their regular curriculum. Which classes will you choose?

IoTM students recently participated in the MS Walk in downtown Lima, where they were able to obtain their SPORTS MASSAGE certification. SPORTS MASSAGE is performed pre and post event, therefore the students massaged the walkers before they began their walk to loosen the muscles and again after the walkers finished.

Another group of students got the honor of massaging volunteer moms-to-be and earned their PREGNANCY MASSAGE certification. PREGNANCY MASSAGE is performed in the expectant mom’s most comfortable position, on her side and with a multitude of pillows and blankets.

As you can see, students at the Institute of Therapeutic Massage truly get a hands-on education and have the opportunity to learn an assortment of massage techniques. Our goal at IoTM is to provide our students with the best education possible and Career Enhancements are one way we obtain this goal.

IOTM Graduates

2013-04-24T07:57:00.002-04:00

Recently, 11 of our students graduated and received their shiny, new IoTM diploma. Remarkably, 7 of these students have already passed the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination, or MBLEx, given by the state of Ohio. How did these exceptional students achieve this, you ask? To simply answer your question, they were trained well while attending our school and met or exceeded all of our expectations.

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage developed standards for our students to participate in the Ohio licensing examination. These standards are based largely on a review class that we offer in our student’s last grading period. This thorough review class is not offered at other area massage schools in the same way that we test our students and the overall content that is provided to our students. Our review class has proven time and time again to be first-rate, as we boast a 100% passage rate on the state’s licensing exam for the last 3 years running.

IoTM would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the following students on this wonderful accomplishment: Melissa Clark, Megan Davis, Ellen Marie Gilfillen, Erin E. Knott, Vanessa Saenthavisouk, Holly Denise Workman and Angie Marie Yaeger.

Good luck in your future endeavours!!

Ohio State School Registration #02-0520-1636T

The Growing Acceptance of Massage in the Medical Field

2013-02-25T09:48:00.001-05:00

Across the globe and locally in our area, massage is gaining more and more acceptance by the medical community as a legitimate option to address health concerns. In a study conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association, they concluded that 50% of their respondents claimed they were “encouraged by their doctor to receive a massage” and 61% said their doctor “recommended they get a massage1”. Furthermore, an increasing amount of doctors, chiropractors and hospitals are hiring massage therapists because of demand and also to supplement their income by offering additional services to their patients.

Physicians and hospitals are looking for massage therapists who have graduated from an accredited massage school, has completed their state licensure and has up-to-date career enhancement credits. Fortunately for you, the Institute of Therapeutic Massage meets and exceeds all of these qualifications and we can provide you with the education needed to compete for these sought-after jobs.

We are working on updating the Career Enhancement section of our website with easier navigation and more information. Please visit our site at www.iotm.edu/workshopceu.html for a detailed explanation of the classes we offer. Remember, these classes are not offered at any other area massage school and we offer 100 hours as part of your core curriculum, at no extra cost.

Author: Katie Gerdeman

1Consumer Survey Fact Sheet" American Massage Therapy Association. n.p., n.d. Web.

Ohio State School Registration #02-0520-1636T

The IoTM Difference

2013-01-14T10:43:00.002-05:00

Our mission is to provide each of our students a quality education that will prepare them for their future career. We take great pride in this simple philosophy and believe we offer many clear distinctions from other massage schools in order for us to achieve our mission.

1. Well Rounded Curriculum- We exceed all state requirements in our 900-hour program. We offer not only massage courses such as Anatomy & Physiology, Muscles and Massage Theory, but we also offer Ethics, Study Skills and Business Mastery. Perhaps the most exciting opportunity we offer our students are our Career Enhancement Courses. These classes include Sports Massage, Cancer Massage, Reflexology and Chair Massage and grant our students a competitive advantage in their job search.
2. State Licensure Preparation One of the Career Enhancement Classes we make available to our students is Certification Prep era ti on. In this class, we help prepare our students for MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination), which is the exam now given to all graduates from massage schools in the State of Ohio.
3. Accreditation- IoTM is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health
Education Schools. Both our institution and our massage program is evaluated by ABHES through strict and rigorous standards. Be aware that all accreditation standards are not equal and should be looked at closely when selecting a massage school.
4. Convenient Schedule- Classes at IoTM begin every six weeks, so your first day of school is always quickly approaching! We offer morning and evening class times that should fit in anyone’s busy schedule.
5. Quality Instructors- IoTM Instructors are second to none! Each of our Instructors are Licensed Massage Therapists with added certifications in the classes they teach. Take a look at our website and click “Instructors” under the “Staff” tab and see for yourself!

Call us at 1-866-897-0949, stop by the 3rd floor of the 311 Building (311 E. Market St.) in downtown Lima, visit us online at www.iotm.edu or at Facebook.com/IOTM.Ohio to see the IoTM difference for yourself!

Author: Katie Gerdeman

Ohio State School Registration #02-0520-1636T

Holiday Stress

2012-11-08T09:47:00.007-05:00

The holidays are just around the corner and with them brings a multitude of stresses. Wether it’s family strain, not enough time, lack of money or just the general sense of feeling overwhelmed, the holidays can do a number on us and leave us feeling not so jolly. Here are some tips from IoTM to help prevent holiday stress and depression:

1. Stick to a budget- Decide how much you can spend on food and gifts and stick to that budget.
2. Plan ahead- Figure out specific days for shopping, baking and visiting friends and family. Plan menus and make shopping lists.
3. Be realistic- You can be everything to everyone and everything doesn’t have to be perfect.
4. Don’t abandon healthy habits- Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Continue to eat healthy snacks, get plenty of sleep and work out.
5. Take a breather- Spending just 15 minutes by yourself may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. GO GET A MASSAGE!!

Your last chance to begin classes at IoTM in 2012 is the week of November 12th. A degree from IoTM will assist you in obtaining a lucrative new career as a massage therapist, a flexible new work schedule and many relaxing massages along the way! All these things can lead to more enjoyable holidays in the future. Call, go online or stop by today and get started on your way to relaxation!

Call: 866-897-0949
Go Online: www.iotm.edu
Stop by: 311 E. Market Street on the 3rd floor in Downtown Lima

Ohio State School Registration #02-0520-1636T

Form, Mold & Shape Your Future Career

2012-10-09T09:15:00.002-04:00

This past week, 17 students graduated from the Institute of Therapeutic Massage. They were very excited and full of promise and hope for their futures. During their time with us, these students formed, shaped and molded their massage careers by choosing from many advanced massage courses, or Career Enhancement classes (CEU), that we offer. These classes will benefit our new grads by helping them determine what area of massage they want to work in and what area they will work best in. These classes also give them a competitive advantage over other applicants vying for jobs. IoTM grads will be able to boast to potential employers and clients their pediatric massage certification or stone facial massage certification, for example.

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage is the only school in the state of Ohio who offers these Career Enhancement classes. This is yet another example of how we strive to help our students prepare themselves for their future careers. Some of our more popular CEU courses include: chair massage, hot stone body massage, infant massage, pregnancy massage, reflexology and sports massage. You can select from 30 different Career Enhancement classes from both medical and spa modalities and you can also choose 100 hours of CEU classes as part of your curriculum at no extra cost.

We hope you take advantage of these courses, like our new graduates have! At IoTM, YOU have the capability to form, mold and shape your future massage career into what YOU want it to be!! Your future is truly in your hands at the Institute of Therapeutic Massage.

Our CEU classes are listed on our website here.

Our CEU schedule can be found here

Ohio State School Registration #02-0520-1636T

Be Happy and Be Lucrative

2012-08-21T09:35:00.002-04:00

Most Massage Therapists will tell you they are very happy and satisfied with their job. They will say it is a very rewarding career because they have the opportunity to help people with stressful, demanding lives to relax and help relieve pain from those with arthritis, cancer and chronic pain, to name a few. Massage Therapists will also acknowledge they love their flexible work schedule and hours. They will also tell you that it is hard work, but because of the personal satisfaction they gain, it is well worth it.

Some LMT’s will say they are not in it for the money, but massage therapy can be financially rewarding and we all have to earn a living, so we wanted to share with you some of the highest paid massage therapy jobs.
•The highest paid overall is the self-employed massage therapist. Overhead costs will reduce net pay, but the self-employed therapist will receive the full amount of their therapy sessions.
•The Reflexology Specialist is on average the highest paid massage therapist for those working for an employer. The Reflexology technique uses gentle pressure on the hands and feet based on zones to improve corresponding organs and body parts.
•A massage therapist can also earn a lucrative career working with a Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist Assistant helps patients regain physical function or experience pain reduction.
•For those who want to inspire others and help shape future LMT’s, they can become a Massage Therapy Instructor and earn a great living while doing so. Speak with the IOTM instructors and they will tell you they love their job!
•If working in an athletic environment is for you then become a Sports Massage Therapist. This job would require the massage therapist to massage athletes before, during or after a sports event and it also pays well.

Ohio State School Registration #02-0520-1636T