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ISRM | ISSUE 27 | DECEMBER 2014 Time for a new message – ‘Soft Tissue Therapy’… much more than ‘just’ Sports Massage! E From Mel Cash Through its origins at LSSM, the ISRM has been the pioneer and leader of the massage profession for 25 years, and we have continually set new, higher standards in training. I believe we now have the experience and confidence to start a new era. We should position ourselves beyond the massage profession by calling ourselves ‘Soft Tissue Therapists’, because this is a more accurate description of what we do, and the way our successful IN THIS ISSU therapists make their living... (continued on page 2). Contents Breaking news 2 Event work 21 Obituary - Peter Lindsell 3 Other ancillary news/updates 27 Editorial 3 Expand your knowledge... 28 Feature articles 5 Members’ offers 35 ISRM Conference 12 ISSUE 27 | ISRM NEWSLETTER | 1 Breaking news! Breaking news! Time for a new message – ‘Soft Tissue Therapy’… much more than ‘just’ Sports Massage! From Mel Cash ‘The level of clinical skill and competence we aim to deliver is now so far ahead of the rest of the massage profes- sion in our country that we need to set ourselves apart. People need to know there is something of much higher quality available, and we can only raise awareness by promoting a new title which identifies it.’ Through its origins at LSSM, the ISRM we aim to deliver is now so far ahead of mentioned, always state that what we has been the pioneer and leader of the the rest of the massage profession in our do is ‘“Soft Tissue Therapy”… much more massage profession for 25 years, and we country that we need to set ourselves apart. than “just” sports massage’! have continually set new, higher standards People need to know there is something of ‘Soft Tissue Therapy’ is not a protected in training. I believe we now have the much higher quality available, and we can title, so unfortunately anyone can use it. experience and confidence to start a new only raise awareness by promoting a new Word is spreading, and some therapists era. We should position ourselves beyond title which identifies it. with ‘ordinary’ massage qualifications the massage profession by calling ourselves It is disappointing when I hear about some have started using the title, which makes ‘Soft Tissue Therapists’, because this is a ISRM therapists who, after a few years, are them appear to be on the same level as more accurate description of what we do, still struggling to get enough clients when us. Although we cannot prevent this, it is and the way our successful therapists make there are many others who are thriving important that we take every opportunity their living. well. It often appears to be the ones who to make people aware that ‘BTEC qualified’ ISRM is about to go through a qualification stay in the comfort-zone of general massage Soft Tissue Therapists have been trained to: renewal process with BTEC, and we will treatment who do not do so well. It is the • Safely assess minor and chronic injuries have to change the Diploma title because therapists who apply their advanced skills • Apply a range of advanced techniques to ‘Sport and Remedial Massage’ implies that to the challenge of each new client and treat them we only use massage techniques – but who strive to find solutions to their minor • Offer practical advice on rehabilitation, this has been inaccurate for a long time. and chronic injuries, who prosper. and on postural, movement, and Although very important, massage is only With cut-backs in State-funded healthcare, performance improvement. one among the wide range of techniques alongside current trends in Physiotherapy Among the non-ISRM/BTEC-accredited we use, and many of us regularly give training, no other manual therapy sector professionals calling themselves ‘Soft effective treatments which do not include appears to be offering the essential hands- Tissue Therapists’, the majority will only any ‘traditional’ massage strokes. on treatment needed by people presenting have a lesser massage qualification which The rest of the UK massage training industry with non-critical aches and pains. So the will not back up this claim. The general has been very slow at trying to catch up market opportunities for highly skilled public should therefore be encouraged to with ISRM. Many sports massage courses Soft Tissue Therapy that can fill this void make sure they see a ‘BTEC-qualified’ Soft claim that their qualification enables is immense, because everyone can now Tissue Therapist. therapists to ‘treat athletes’, and people become a potential client for us. The content of our BTEC qualification has naturally interpret this to mean they will We can legitimately give ourselves any not changed significantly in many years, be able to treat sports injuries. In reality professional title provided that it fairly even though the Diploma title will. So it however, they are only taught how to give and honestly reflects what we do (and is is fair for ISRM to offer existing members, athletes a massage treatment. I have also not already a ‘protected’ title). Some ISRM with the ‘old’ title on their certificates, an witnessed and heard reports about some therapists use two business cards and updated one bearing the new title. This therapists who seem to have been taught titles, one for their sports-related work will be done later in 2015 when we have a style of so-called ‘sports massage’ which and another for their more general clients. completed the BTEC process. should really be called ‘brutal massage’, Others are now using the main title Soft causing their clients unnecessary pain and Tissue Therapist and list ‘sports massage’ bruising. Is this something we want to be and/or ‘remedial massage’ as a sub-text. associated with? So – I urge you all to get the message The level of clinical skill and competence out there. Whenever (sports) massage is 2 | ISRM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 27 Obituary - Peter Lindsell January 1946 – November 2014 The Southampton LSSM tutors are AC members, as well as the wider running shocked and saddened to have learnt of community. Peter was the inspiration the passing of their much appreciated behind several clients deciding in turn colleague Peter Lindsell. It is understood to complete the LSSM Diploma course. that he suffered a fatal heart attack during a recent holiday in the Full details of donations to the Charity Canary Islands. closest to Peter’s heart can be found at: http://compark.co.uk/peterlindsell/ Our heartfelt condolences go to Peter’s donations.html family at this difficult time, and specially to his wife Kay and daughter Claire, Peter, it was a privilege to know you. The who completed the LSSM Course a few memory of your unwavering patience, years ago. kindness, enthusiasm, and love for ‘active living’ will remain forever in Peter will also be fondly remembered our hearts. and sorely missed by his many friends, colleagues, clients, fellow Southampton The Southampton LSSM Tutors Editorial From Tanya Ball Welcome... As many of you are aware, 2014 has 2014 also marks a significant turning As always, a very warm welcome to been a milestone year for us as LSSM point with regard to how our profession our final ISRM Newsletter for the year, reached its 25th Anniversary, an and its perception by others have and a special welcome to all new ISRM achievement recently celebrated by the evolved, and consequently, what members. ISRM Conference held last November. professional title we should be adopting The School has successfully developed for ourselves going forward. I therefore I am very sorry to be opening this and expanded in numerous ways since invite every ISRM member to read Mel Editorial with the sad news of the its modest beginnings, from a single, Cash’s ‘Breaking News’ page on this unexpected loss of Peter Lindsell, a low contingent annual London-based subject, and carefully consider what dear colleague of the Southampton course to a training provider boasting designation would be most appropriate LSSM tutors, and popular therapist no fewer than five courses at Regent’s for them. and fellow runner in the South Coast College and two in Southampton area. It is understood that Peter died per annum in more recent years. In suddenly of a heart attack whilst on addition, LSSM has been decisively In this Issue... a recent family holiday in the Canary instrumental in the foundation of the As in previous years, this end-of year Islands. I am sure that every reader will join ISRM and emergence of a number hard and e-copy edition incorporates me in saying that our thoughts are with of high-quality accredited other all relevant contributions from the 2014 his widow Kay and family at this Schools, from Loughborough to the spring and summer electronic Issues, distressing time. West Country. alongside excellent new material. The ISSUE 27 | ISRM NEWSLETTER | 3 variety of content should ensure ISRM Conference: ‘Expand your knowledge, enhance that there is something informative, Pride of place in the centre pages your skills’ pages: entertaining, and inspirational for simply had to be devoted to the This section opens with three everyone, so I wish you all some numerous enthusiastic ISRM freelance job opportunity adverts very enjoyable reading. Conference feedback ‘snippets’ on behalf of existing members or from delegates, together with their clinics. Please read carefully Peter Storry’s abundant selection the specific conditions e.g. number Mel Cash’s ‘Breaking News’: of atmospheric photos of the of years’ post-graduate experience Building on this theme broached a event. I trust it will be a joy for required etc.