MSK TRAINING PROGRAMS

CREATION OF A LICENSED TRAINING PROGRAM

Due to the depth of training required to work at MSK Specialists, we decided to turn our clinic into a training facility called The Institute of Advanced Bodywork and Movement (IABM). Our school is a certified massage school in the state of New Mexico. This license is transferable to other states. However, this is not your ordinary massage school. We spend only a short time on the traditional therapeutic massage that is done in a spa. The rest of the time is spent taking on the many other modalities of cutting edge manual therapy and exercise. This basic program is 838 hours long and is taught over 12 months.  Completion of the program allows the student to take the national massage board, receive a license as a massage therapist and get to work.

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FROM ADVANCED TRAINING TO A LIVING WAGE

All of the most advanced manual therapy techniques are within the scope of practice of the massage therapist.  We do not teach or do chiropractic type adjustments. We have other techniques to accomplish these joint alignments. The year long program sets you up for a mentored year work in the MSK clinic. Due to the depth of knowledge and skills required in this field, it is expected that the students will remain with MSK Specialists for at least one year of mentorship. This post school mentorship is well paid work. We try our best to get all of our employees a living wage as soon as possible.  We do not typically train people without a clear path forward to employment. Our goal is to hire trainees and keep them in-house upon licensure, although employment is not guaranteed.  

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PRIOR EXPERIENCE NOT REQUIRED BUT STRONG WORK ETHIC IS

Due to the new information in the evolving field of fascia science and therapeutic exercise, we do not require any prior experience to join the program. However, this program is a lot of work and study. We are highly selective of who joins the program to ensure success and hopefully employment with MSK Specialists. All students must have High School Diploma or equivalent and must be 18 before the programs end.

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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU GET YOUR LICENSE?

After licensure as a massage therapist and employment at our clinic:

To receive a Musculoskeletal Specialists Certification, the student must complete the 4 hour oral and practical examination. Most IABM students will need at least a year of additional clinical practice and study to pass the MSK Specialist exam. Our basic educational program prepares the student for success in the clinic and intellectually prepares them for the study of the most modern concepts. You do not need to complete the MSK certification to work in our clinic. Our trainees are exceptional bodyworkers, there is plenty of work for everyone. Being a MSK Specialists increases your opportunities with our clinic such as mentoring, teaching CEUs, and more pay.

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To receive a Medical Massage Certification the student must have passed the entire IABM program with an 80% or better, passed the National Massage Board, and be on track towards the MSK Certification.

 

We are primarily a healthcare clinic. We will only run a school program if we need practitioners. Our last cohort had 7 students.  Our drop out rate is zero, 100% of the students passed the massage board, 100% of our students are employed as bodywork and exercise therapists at MSK Specialists.