Healing Hands Transform Teaching at Northwestern
Posted on April 3, 2008
Some may regard massage therapy as simply a luxury, a reward for the long, tedious hours many Americans put into their careers, families, and personal lives. However, more and more people dealing with pain and stress are discovering that massage is an important part of health care; from treating injuries to preventing illness.
As the demand for massage therapy increases, so does the need for teachers. Not only does Northwestern Health Sciences University offer an exemplary program for massage therapy, but the University features four of the most educated and experienced massage therapy professionals in Minnesota, if not the Midwest, on its faculty.
Karen Brezinka, NCTMB, BA, instructor; Beth Burgan, MFA, MA, NCTMB, assistant professor; Joanie Holst, NCTMB, BS, instructor; and Denise Radcliffe, MS, NCTMB, and assistant professor, have about 75 years of massage therapy and teaching experience combined. Such credentials are both rare and impressive, particularly when stacked up against other massage therapy programs, says Dale Healey, DC, dean of the school of massage therapy at Northwestern. Dr. Healey explains that at many massage therapy schools, their teachers are plucked from the graduating class of those in a particular school’s program. While they have received a massage therapy education, most do not have teaching degrees or much experience. This is not the case at Northwestern, Dr. Healey says.
"They bring many years of experience to the table, and you can’t create that,” says Dr. Healey. “They are extremely dedicated to the profession and the school. It shows in everything they do. In my mind it’s very important to have teachers with both teaching and practical experience, which is a difficult thing to find. It is a general criticism of the vast majority of schools, that those teaching are not trained to teach.”
Not only are these four women dedicated to their work, but they also approach it with a passion that is evident when they speak about their work. They each own their own private practices while continuing to teach at Northwestern. In addition, three have teaching degrees in other fields, which they all say has helped them bring together their unique knowledge and channel it to their students.
"I like to work with the new students, to see the excitement they have to start a new career,” says Brezinka, who has not only practiced in Minnesota, but also Maine and on a Native American reservation in North Dakota. “I enjoy teaching the different facets of the profession. It’s not just the hands-on part that is important, so is teaching about the actual business.”
Brezinka, who is a clinical supervisor at the University’s Natural Care Center and the Derusha Center, says it’s a very rewarding part of the program.
"Watching them work in clinic is fun because it’s their first experience with the public,” Brenzinka says. “It’s a great learning experience for them, and each week they build up their stamina. To see the way things have changed is incredible. When people talked about massage therapy in the past, they would roll their eyes. Now it’s so much more legitimate.”
Brezinka, who has her BA in psychology, says she believes in the healing power of touch.
"It’s important because people are so busy that stress is a main cause of sickness,” Brezinka says. “I think if there was more access there would be less illness. To be touched in a way that is therapeutic can make a positive difference in how you feel, and we want to help make that difference.”
For Burgan, massage therapy has been a way to continue her love of working with her hands. Burgan, who has a MA in fine arts, taught sculpture for many years, which transitioned into work as an art therapist for people with disabilities, and eventually, massage therapy.
Burgan says the profession has changed drastically, and she is pleased to see it grow. When she graduated, Burgan says there was no employment for massage therapists available.
"To find someone who was doing legitimate massage was rare, there were many part-timers and those working under the radar,” Burgan says. “There was a very diverse group of massage therapists in the Twin Cities at that time.”
Burgan eventually became the first massage therapist in Minneapolis to work in a chiropractic office, something that was virtually unheard of at the time. She says the promotion of a multi-disciplinary approach is just one of the things she appreciates about working at Northwestern.
"Northwestern has given us a platform, which we appreciate,” Burgan says. “We have experts here that the alumni can get answers from about anything they ask. I doubt many other schools have that depth.”
Holst says she, too, enjoys working in an environment that combines healing efforts with chiropractors and acupuncturists, also making it possible for them to learn from one another.
"What really fired me up about Northwestern was the multi-disciplinary approach, operating under the same roof with the same beliefs,” Holst says. “We can teach them about us and vice-versa. Also, we offer cadaver labs, which is very unusual. We are the only massage therapy program that offers a cadaver lab, and it’s become a very intricate piece of our curriculum. This is a very academic, science based university.”
Holst says her belief in the profession has only grown stronger over time, and despite the hurdles she has encountered, her desire to raise the bar continues.
"There is a mentality of this being a trade rather than a profession, which is a public perception we’re trying to change,” Holst says. “Professionalism is very important to me. We’ve had to dig our way out and claw our way to the top to be recognized, much the way chiropractic had to about 40 years ago. Northwestern has been integral in this growth process. There’s no doubt in my mind we’re the best massage therapy school in Minnesota.”
Holst has also had personal experience in the healing aspect of massage, after being in a car accident that left her with pain only massage therapy relieved.
"I saw a non-massage therapy practitioner for three years which helped, but was still left with pain,” Holst says. “After my first massage I experienced more relief than I had in those three years, and was curious about it. I pulled out my old school books and realized it was the soft tissue. I haven’t looked back since that point. I love massage therapy and am totally committed to it.”
Radcliffe, who also has a degree in teaching physical education, says she has always had an affinity for anatomy.
"I absolutely love teaching massage, and have always been fascinated with the human body, how it works and how it heals,” Radcliffe says. “While I was teaching, I was in a cycling group with a massage therapist. He sparked the idea for me to consider entering the profession, so I got a sabbatical, enrolled in an intense four-month massage therapy program, house-sat to save on rent, and had a marvelous experience. I had a shift in life, how I perceived it, and fell in love with massage.”
Radcliffe says she recognizes and is proud of the vast experience she and the others have at Northwestern.
"We have such a common thread,” Radcliffe says. “I view us as the pioneers for massage in this state. We have such high standards and beliefs for our profession. We want to create the best curriculum, better ethical therapists, and offer continuing education for those already in the profession. We’ve all fought through the same perceptions and issues. We are all very supportive of each other and dedicated to keeping a high level of professionalism.”
Students recognize this attitude, and embrace it, says Cristi Trow, a T3 massage therapy student and vice president of the Student Senate for massage therapy.
"My experience here has been nothing but phenomenal,” Trow says. “We have a lot of opportunities other schools don’t offer, such as the cadaver labs. We complete 780 hours in our program. Beth has taught me, and her class is one of my favorites. You can tell she is really here for the students. She listens to us and works on making things available to us.”
It has been a long road for these women, says Burgan, mentioning that at one point she even slept in her single-room practice to try and make it in the business when there was none. The important thing, however, is passing along their knowledge and paving the way for students entering the profession.
"It’s extraordinary,” Burgan says. “We really are a rare breed - the fact we’re all still up on our continuing education, owning private practices, teaching, and loving what we do. We want to share that with the next generation and create better health care.”