IMO A Nurse just needs an order!

EdMeiggs · Jul 23, 2011

I think this is true, an order from a Doctor, or other provider, makes all the difference. I am an LPN and work in a physical therapy department. I have done massage many times and utilize myofascial release as well. I was taught massage by our physical therapist. The massages I do perform meet the expectations of both our providers and patients.

Miss Molly · Apr 11, 2012

What sets massage education apart from nursing education is the amount of depth with which the muskuloskeletal system is covered. In an accredited massage program, students learn every bone and its processes, and the origin, insertion and action of every muscle. Nursing curriculum has too many other topics to be able to spend that much time on muscles and kinesiology.

wellbeing12 · Apr 12, 2012

Most Physical Therapist are not Massage Therapists, and few of PTs have enough experience in MT to be teaching it.

I have a BA in Social Work, BS in Nursing, and my graduate studies are in Psychology & Sociology. I have Certificates in Jin Shin Do, Polarity Therapy, and Therapeutic Touch, Therapeutic Massage, Seated Massage, and have studied Sports Massage, and Clinical Aromatherapy.

There is NO WAY you can obtain the knowledge necessary to be a very good Massage Therapist with 250 hours of study. You need a MINIMUM 500 - 750 hours. Most states now require this for a license. BTW, I learned more Anatomy in MT school than I ever learned in the BSN program. Nursing programs just do not provide the education needed to become a MT. You DO need specialized education to be a MT.

sauconyrunner · May 13, 2012

I am recovering from a somewhat tricky hip surgery. I had to relearn how to walk and then run.My First Physical Therapist did not follow protocol and I therefore became injured - causing me a lot of pain and anxiety as I really need to walk for my job, and I LOVE to run. He spent a lot of time doing what he called myofascial release....which instead of releasing anything led to huge bruises.

My new Physical Therapist immediately referred me to a Massage Therapist. She mostly does sports stars and does not do any "relaxation" massage. (I'm so sad, she is headed to the Olympics for a few weeks soon.) So Every time I went it was an exercise in real pain...I scream in there all the time...it is not relaxing, but then again, I had a lot of adhesions and imbalances. (She did not tell me this, the surgeon who was in my leg told me that my hammies were over developed and my hip flexors looked sort of deconditioned. talkabout a mis match)

Between the PT and my MT I was able to finally return to running. When she first started to work on me, i was a little hesitant. She pointed every big and little muscle out on a chart while she worked and explained the whys of what she did. (SHe does my toes every time...I HATE it...but I have pretty happy feet these days.) Without her...I would not have recovered. There is no way that I as a Registered nurse with some classes in static stretching could do what she does. My PT actually goes to her to learn technique, and he has a doctorate in PT. So yeah, don't kid yourselves. MT is a different profession. you might satisfy your clients and their doctors...but they are probably not getting the full benefit that a true massage therapist can give. Now...if I could get her to do it without making me want to holler!

elkpark · May 14, 2012

There is a big difference between a thorough, relaxing, "therapeutic" backrub (which I would expect any RN to be able to do; my old diploma program also covered some basics of massage) and what massage therapists know and do. IMO, to say that RNs know as much (and can do the same thing) as massage therapists is the same as saying that, because someone has been shown how to clean a wound and apply a dressing, that person knows as much (and can do as much) as an RN.

redfoxglove · Aug 7, 2012

I'm a Licensed massage practitioner with basic training in massage therapy of 750 hours, and over 300 hours of continuing education in related manual therapy CEUs, and more than 15 years in practice as an LMP.

I'm also an RN with an ADN two year nursing program, and one year of practice as an RN.

There is no way that RN training given today is sufficient to prepare one for giving therapeutic massage as done by a trained professional massage therapist.

A relaxing back massage, hand massage, foot rub, neck rub done at the bedside, ok, maybe some nurses feel comfortable with that. It was not taught in our program. We were too busy. It was fondly recalled by a few of the older instructors nearing their retirement, as being something done "back in the day."

I can't speak to how well a 300 "medical massage" program qualifies one to deliver the specific treatment given by an LMP. I do know that the nursing license gives the legal scope to touch the body therapeutically.

If you want to deliver effective, non-harmful, restorative and healing massage, go to a good massage school and get a massage practitioner credential.

If you want to deliver comfort at the bedside, your nursing credential is enough.

redfoxglove · Aug 7, 2012

Check out the National Association of Nurse Massage Therapists, or the American Holistic Nurses Association.

awebbRN · Sep 11, 2012

I have been a massage therapist since 2003, and went back to school to be and RN in 2007. I would love to incorporate both fields, however, I do not believe that there is a market for it where I live. Does anyone know what types of offices would be looking for these skills? Thanks for the input

anglscr127 · Jan 25, 2016

I noticed that a lot of you share experiences about your MT and NURSING combination I am very pleased to hear that the passion for what you do is so deep. I have been an LPN for 36 years, I have use massage since I was a teenager on my Granny's arthritic knee's and myofascial release.. latter in the Air Force and a bedtime sleep aide. I have studied massage and do have the 500+ hrs in a class room. I do give a good treatment and have great results. My problem is I don't understand the need for being so hard on people that know how to get this work done. We all want and know how to be safe, those that don't they will learn. MY POINT IS