Chapter 31- Alternative Therapy: Massage, Recreation, Art, Dance, and Music Therapies

When/how did massage therapy become popular?

In the 1970’s as part of the complementary and alternative medicine movement.

How/When/Where did Recreation therapy originate?

Recreation therapy originated as “Special Services” in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1945 it became known as Recreation, which was a section under the Rehabilitation Medicine Service Office of the VA.

What educational requirements are necessary to become eligible for certification or registration?

One to two years of postsecondary education training combining classroom study and clinical experience.

What are most massage therapists?

Self-employed (72%) and working an avg. of 27 hours a week

How do massage therapists treat their clients?

They use touch to manipulate soft tissues, muscles, tendons, and connective tissue.

How can a massage help patients?

It can improve joint mobility and range of motion, promote circulation, relaxes muscle tightness, and relieves stress of pain.

What can massage therapists specialize in?

Many different types of massage called, Modalities

What range of patients do massage therapists work with?

From premature infants to the elderly

What do those who are self-employed have to provide?

Their own equipment like massage chairs/tables, sheets, pillows, and body lotions or oils.

What traits are needed for deep-muscle massage?

Manual dexterity and strength to exert pressure.

What types of injury are common for massage therapists?

Repetitive motion injuries

How many hours of study and clinical experience in a postsecondary massage therapy program are typically required?

500-1000 hours however standards and requirements vary by state.

What is usually required for admission to a massage therapy program?

A high school diploma or equivalent degree

What do massage therapy programs usually offer upon graduation?

A certificate or an associate’s degree

Who administers the MBLEx for all states that require licensure for massage therapists?

The FSTMB

True or False: MBLEx is required in all 50 states and surrounding territories for licensure of massage therapists as of 2021.

False. As of 2021, the MBLEx was required in 49 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands

What may regulations for massage therapists exit by?

City or county

Who awards board certification for massage therapists which is considered a more advanced level of practice?

Awarded by the NCBTMB

What are requirements for becoming board certified by the NCBTMB for massage therapists?

• Graduate from a NCBTMB assigned school

• Have state licensure as a massage therapist

• Pass a national criminal background check

• Successfully pass the Board Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (BCTMB)

• Agree to practice the NCBTMB’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics

How often must board certification be renewed and what is needed for renewal for massage therapists?

Board Certification must be renewed every two years and a national background check and continuing education is needed.

Who are job opportunities available to for massage therapists?

Those who complete formal programs and become board certified

Where are hourly fees typically higher for massage therapists?

Typically in high-end spas and hospitals

What is the usual educational requirement for recreational therapists?

A bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation

True or False: Applicants for recreational therapy jobs will experience competition

True

True or False: A lot of states require a license for recreational therapists.

False, only a few states require licensure but certification is a general requirement for employment.

How does the American Therapeutic Recreation Association define recreational therapy?

A treatment service designed to restore, remediate, and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life and activities, to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in life situations caused by an illness or diabling condition.

What types of services are recreational therapists employed in? What do they do there?

Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Services. They plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses.

What do RTs help individuals with?

Reducing depression, stress, and anxiety. Build confidence. Reduce the impact of illness or disability on physical and mental functioning.

Where may recreation therapists work in acute healthcare settings?

Work at the bedside when doing an assessment.

Who do RTs treat in mental health settings?

Individuals with specific mental health conditions such as substance abuse or PTSD.

What do RTs do at physical rehabilitation settings?

Provide recreational therapy for those with severe physical injuries requiring extensive rehabilitation

What do RTs focus on in hospice or palliative care settings

Activities that promote relaxation to relieve stress and pain

What do RTs use in long-term and residential care facilities?

Leisure activities to improve and maintain physical and mental health.

Where may community-based RTs work?

Parks and recreation departments, special education programs, assisted living or adult day care, and substance use disorder rehabilitation centers.

Where do the majority of RTs work?

In hospitals (38%)

What is the credential the NCTRC offers?

Certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) credential

What does certification as an RT require?

• A bachelor’s degree with a concentration in therapeutic recreation

• completion of a supervised internship of at least 560 hours

• Passing an exam

What is needed to maintain certification as an RT?

Continuing education hours

Where are jobs most plentiful for RTs?

In states with a lot of VA hospitals and rehabilitation centers

What RTs have the best job opportunities?

• Those with a bachelors and certification

• Those who hold specialized certification

• Those who specialize in working with the elderly or who earn certification in geriatric therapy

Who paid RTs the best? Who paid them the worst?

Best: the Government at $64,100

Worst: Social assistance at $37,900

How does art therapy help those with head injuries?

Facilitates cognitive retraining

Who is best helped by art therapy?

Those who have experienced trauma from combat, abuse, or natural disasters

What do art therapists do?

Apply theories and techniques of human development, psychology, and counseling together with their knowledge and skills in the creative process of the visual art forms such as drawing, painting, and sculpture to treat clients.

What is the goal of art therapy?

To resolve emotional conflicts, manage behavior and addictions, reduce anxiety and depression, and encourage personal growth and self-understanding.

What are the educational requirements for entry-level Art therapists?

Completion of a master’s degree in art therapy.

What do master’s degree programs require art therapy applicants to do?

To submit an art portfolio to demonstrate proficiency in different forms of art media.

How does one become an Registered Art Therapist (ATR)?

They must complete a supervised clinical experience after completing a CAAEP- or AATA-approved master’s degree program.

How can an ATR become board certified as an ATR-BC?

Successful completion of an exam administered by the Arts Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB)

Who do DMTs work with?

Individuals, couples, families, and groups for those with developmental, physical, social, and psychological impairment.

How does Dance/Movement therapy treat the clients?

Use movement as the primary medium for observation, assessment, and therapeutic interaction/interventions for individual clients.

What do DMTS do?

Develop treatment plans and goals, document their work in clinical records, and collaborate with professionals from other disciplines.

What is the entry-level educational requirements for a DMT?

A master’s degree including an internship.

How many hours of supervised clinical training through fieldwork or internship training are needed for DMTs?

At least 700 hours.

What is needed for a student to be eligible to become a R-DMT?

A successful completion of a master’s degree and internship

What is required in order to be able to supervise and train others and to work independently in private practice?

Certification as a BC-DMT.

What are the requirements to be a BC-DMT?

• Having an R-DMT status for at least 1 year

• Two years of employment

• Completion of clinical supervision by a BC-DMT

What do Music therapists do?

Combine knowledge and skills in both music and therapy to assess client needs and develop an intervention using music as the medium

What is Music therapy used to facilitate?

Motor skills, cognitive abilities, communication, and positive social outcomes for individuals of all ages.

Music therapists often work as part of a ______ team.

Interdisciplinary team

What is the minimum requirement of employment for an MT?

A bachelor’s degree in music therapy in a program that includes 1,200 hours of clinical training including a supervised internship.

Why must music therapy students send an audition for application?

So their music competency can be evaluated

Who is eligible to sit for the national board certification exam for music therapists? If they pass, what title can they earn after?

Those who have completed academic and clinical training requirements. They can earn the title MT-BC.

How many states require a license for a music therapist?

15 states as of 2021