Projects may give students the opportunity for hands-on experience or specific research. While the objectives vary, there is never an expectation that students will become expert in a particular technique. In the following project for NH 507 Manual Therapies: Massage, Reflexology and Acupressure, students may choose either of two options.
Project
You have two options for fulfilling this project requirement. To complete this requirement, choose one of them. The first gives you the opportunity to experience a massage or other type of body therapy, and the second allows you to compare Eastern and Western methodology on a theoretical level.
Option 1
On successful completion of Option 1, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate first-hand knowledge about the processes involved in one of the body therapies.
Instructions
Arrange to receive a body therapy session in which the modality is one of those discussed within this course. Please note the following points:
- Is massage/acupressure/reflexology for you? If you think one or all of these modalities are contraindicated for you, discuss this with the practitioner prior to your appointment, then decide, or choose Option 2 to complete this requirement.
- In most cases, there will be a fee for these services. Private practitioners will generally charge more, between 40 and 60 dollars. If there is a massage therapy, acupressure or reflexology school in your area, you may be able to receive bodywork from a student practitioner, in which case the fees may be reduced.
- Should you choose a student practitioner, be aware that he or she may be at a beginning level and it is important to communicate your needs with the student. For example, let the practitioner know if he or she is using too much pressure and that the pressure needs to be lighter. Also let the practitioner know if you do not want work in a specific area due to an injury or any sensitivity.
Write a paper about your experience. This should be 250 to 750 words in length and should answer at least four of the following questions:
- Was there an initial intake form and/or interview? If so, was it thorough? Was the practitioner comfortable interviewing you? Were you comfortable communicating with the practitioner?
- Was the atmosphere professional? Clean? Relaxed? Therapeutic?
- During your session, what did this practitioner do that indicated a sense of professionalism or lack of professionalism?
- Was the practitioner open to communication and feedback so he/she would be aware of your needs? Did the practitioner respond appropriately through verbal communication or by technique?
- If applicable, was the draping procedure appropriate and within your comfort level? Did you need to ask the practitioner to adjust the draping? If so, was the adjustment to your satisfaction?
- Comment on the overall experience. Is there anything you would have changed about this session?
- Did the practitioner provide follow up information or recommendations? For example, did he/she demonstrate stretches to relieve areas of tension, was water recommended?
Option 2
On successful completion of Option 2, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the similarities and differences between Eastern and Western methods of massage.
Instructions
Choose one of the contemporary massage techniques in Part III and one of the Asian bodywork traditions in Part IV of Tappan's Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques and compare these two modalities with each other. Summarize the results of your investigation in a 250 – 750 word paper.
In your paper, you must:
- List differences between philosophies and techniques of Eastern versus Western methods;
- Give examples of when each technique is used. For example, you might explain that effleurage is relaxing and is used to warm the more superficial layers of tissue, etc.; and
- Identify when each modality might be used and when it would be contraindicated.
This project will be worth 15 percent of your grade for this course. Full credit, based on a 100 point grading scale, will be granted if:
- Correct grammar and spelling, worth 10 points, is demonstrated throughout your essay.
- Following directions throughout
- Project completeness and content, worth 80 points, is indicated if:
- you have covered all of the points listed above; and
- you demonstrate that you understand the process.
Students who are participating in online testing must submit their projects online. For this reason, all projects should culminate in written documentation. Do not send in charts, diagrams, photographs, etc., regardless of whether you are mailing your courses or submitting them online.
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