New Board Members Elected!

NCBTMB certificants elected two individuals to serve on the NCBTMB Board of Directors for three-year terms. They are Neal Barry, LMT, NCTMB, and Robert Lehnberg, NCTMB. Nationally Certified Practitioners who are in good standing with the NCBTMB elected Barry and Lehnberg by way of a mail-in ballot. Both Barry and Lehnberg have contributed to the NCBTMB through work on various committees.
    Barry earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Georgetown University in Washington DC, and holds certifications in Classic Western Massage Therapy and Shiatsu. He has been a faculty member of the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy for more than 10 years.
    As a board member, Barry promises to address the needs of the certificants and the strategic plan of the NCBTMB, as well as “support and contribute to the evolution of the massage therapy and bodywork profession.” He brings to the board almost 20 years of professional experience in the bodywork and massage industry, including volunteer experience with the NCBTMB Eligibility Panel and the Recertification/Continuing Education Task Force.
    “I wish to continue participating in the process of maintaining a high standard of practice in the massage and bodywork field,” Barry said. “I am prepared to become a Board member and pledge my support to further the mission of the NCBTMB.”
Robert Lehnberg, NCTMB, was also elected to the board for a three-year term. Lehnberg earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Davidson College, NC, and holds certification as a practitioner and teacher of Body-Mind Centering®, and is an active member of the Body-Mind Centering® Association. He has been an educator for more than 13 years and currently teaches continuing education for massage therapists and bodyworkers.
Lehnberg believes that “obtaining and maintaining the NCTMB certification is more than passing an examination, it is participating in a program in a rapidly evolving profession.” Because of this belief, his vision for the NCBTMB is to “serve the ever-changing needs of its stakeholders and maintain the credibility and reputation of our profession.”
    Lehnberg began his volunteer activities with the NCBTMB in 1992 as an item writer for the NCBTMB Examination Committee. Later, he served as chair of that committee. During his volunteer tenure with the NCBTMB Examination Committee, Lehnberg was involved in the development of two Job Analysis Surveys and Content Outline revisions. He is also involved with the NCBTMB Strategic Planning Committee, which helps to ensure that the NCBTMB programs maintain a “healthy growth.”
    They will join Garnet Adair, NCTMB, who now serves as Chair of the NCBTMB, and Judy Dean, MEd, RN, BC, NCTMB, who was elected Chair-Elect, and elected Secretary/Treasurer Elaine Calenda, NCTMB. Other NCBTMB Board Members are: Whitney Lowe, NCTMB, Immediate Past Chair; Tree Bright, NCTMB; Elizabeth McIntyre, NCTMB; William Stoehs; and Pam Laubscher, DO.

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FROMTHECHAIRS

Looking Back

By Whitney Lowe, NCTMB

As we usher in the Spring season, it is also time for renewal in our organization. We have just elected two new members to the Board of Directors and we are very excited to have the contributions of both Neal Barry and Bob Lehnberg (see related story on this front page). They will bring a wealth of experience to the NCBTMB along with fresh new ideas.
Springtime is also the period of change in our leadership. This will be my last column as chair and I am honored to be passing the torch to our new chair, Garnet Adair. I have had the pleasure of working with Garnet for a number of years and in that time I have seen few people who are as dedicated to the mission and purpose of the organization as she. I know she will do a great job and will bring great energy to this position.
    Leaving a leadership position like this always brings mixed feelings. On the one hand there is the great sigh of relief from the removal of a significant load of work. However, on the other hand, there is also a sense of remorse for realizing the time for making your greatest contributions to the organization has passed.
I think back to one year ago and all the things I knew were coming up for the NCBTMB. I had an idea about some of the things I would be working on, but there were a number of surprises as well. I think some of my best contributions to the organization have come out of spontaneous meetings and conversations with key leaders in our profession and the numerous practitioners I have met and communicated with all over the country. It has truly been a pleasure to work with all of you. It is my sincere wish that all of you continue to strive toward a spirit of mutual cooperation and share ideas to further the massage and bodywork profession. We are truly gifted to be able to work in this field and I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to serve all of you.

And Moving Ahead

By Garnet Adair, NCTMB

By the time you read this edition of the NCB Connection, the gavel of leadership will have already passed from the hands of Whitney Lowe into mine. I’m excited about my year as Chair of the Board and accept the responsibility of wearing a new set of glasses that continually bring focus and clarity to the work of the Board. My “custom created” glasses are the result of watching Whitney’s leadership during this past year as he led the Board through open-minded discussions toward decisions that affect the future of the NCBTMB and the world of credentialing. I am honored to follow in Whitney’s footsteps and I will continue to build upon the foundation that he has set in place.
    This next year brings a flurry of activities for the NCBTMB. Based on industry input, we now have a wide variety of options for recertification and we eagerly wait to evaluate the change to this portion of the NCBTMB program. This year also brings validation of—and changes to—the current National Certification Examination, in addition to continued work in the development of two new, massage specific examinations that we anticipate will be available by late 2003 or early 2004. The validations of the need for three credentials are also the result of a wide variety of input from the industry. Another activity this year is to refresh the NCB Strategic Plan, which normally receives an annual review and update. The board members use the strategic plan to confirm their commitment of professionalism to the industry, much like certificants use the NCBTMB Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice to ensure a commitment of professionalism to the consumer. The members of the NCBTMB Board of Directors look forward to continually supporting our position of being THE credential you want hanging on your wall.

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Spreading the Message of Massage
Local, national media attention help spread the word about National Certification

With its mission in mind of “fostering high standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of services through a credible, recognized credentialing program that assures the competency of practitioners of therapeutic massage and bodywork,” the NCBTMB is working with the media across the U.S. to garner attention for the massage and bodywork field and National Certification.
    During National Massage Safety Week (May 4-10), the NCBTMB provided media across the country with a new research highlighting the consumer perception of National Certification, and the value they place on National Certification. This outreach included a video news segment on the importance of massage safety and National Certification; a checklist of what consumers should ask before receiving a massage; and information about the importance of using a Nationally Certified Practitioner. The research and information was covered in media outlets across the country and the news video was shown on more than 250 TV stations in all major markets.
    The NCBTMB also provided the soldiers at the Fort Myer military post in Arlington, VA. with safe, stress-relieving seated massages as part of National Massage Safety Week. To stress safety in massage, three Nationally Certified Massage Therapists, Vicki Hux, Rick Rieger and Lois Weik, were on hand to provide seated massages to more than 50 soldiers who took part in the event. The soldiers at Fort Myer were also encouraged to seek out massage services from Nationally Certified practitioners and were provided with a massage safety checklist of questions to ask before receiving their next massage and where to find Nationally Certified Practitioners.
    The NCBTMB is working on a daily basis with journalists from national and local newspapers and TV stations, massage/bodywork/spa magazines and other media outlets to get the word out about massage and the importance of National Certification. Not only does this raise awareness about the massage and bodywork field but it also benefits Nationally Certified Practitioners. As consumers read and listen about the importance National Certification for massage and bodywork, they understand the benefits of using a Nationally Certified Practitioner.
    Over the past few months, news about the NCBTMB and National Certification has reached an audience of more than 4 million consumers. The NCBTMB has been covered in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Day Spa Magazine, The Detroit News, Muscle & Fitness, The Kentucky Post, The Star-Ledger, American Fitness, Bergen Record, Cincinnati Post, Natural Health, Health and Medicine Week, Career World, Women’s Health Weekly, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, Rocky Mountain News and American Spa.
    Look for more coverage on the NCBTMB and National Certification in the future!

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Look, Ask, and Understand

According to industry studies, consumers visit massage therapists 114 million times each year for a variety of reasons including stress relief, treatment of sore muscles, relaxation, and wellness. As this number continues to grow, the NCBTMB continues to educate consumers about the benefits of massage and the importance of seeking services from a Nationally Certified Practitioner.
With this in mind, during this year’s Massage Safety Week, the NCBTMB encouraged all consumers of massage therapy and bodywork to “Look, Ask, and Understand.” This theme for the Massage Safety Week, which was celebrated May 4-11, was designed to encourage consumers to look for Nationally Certified therapists before they make an appointment for a session, ask questions about the services and process, and understand what rights they have as a consumer. The NCBTMB also provided consumers with a massage safety checklist of questions that consumers should ask their therapist before receiving a massage.
The NCBTMB created Massage Safety Week to educate consumers about the value of seeking massage services from a Nationally Certified provider and to educate practitioners about the value that consumers place on credentials.

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CERTIFICANTSCORNER

Get the Numbers!
When registering for a class from a massage/bodywork school, please remember that the learning institution or individual instructor who claims to be an NCBTMB approved provider must provide all registrants with the necessary identification numbers. These identification numbers confirm that the learning institution or individual instructor is an NCBTMB Approved Provider. Furthermore, these numbers are necessary when completing the application for NCBTMB recertification.
    If you have any questions regarding a learning institution’s NCBTMB Approved Provider status, please contact the NCBTMB office at 703-610-9015, or 1-800-296-0664, or visit the approved provider listing on the NCBTMB web site at www.ncbtmb.com/ continuing_ed.htm

Category A or Category B-What’s the Story?
The Category A and Category B levels of the NCBTMB Approved Provider Program are being phased out over the next several years, but please do not worry. For those who are in the process of recertification, the Category A & Category B credits still count, and will continue to be available as a continuing education option until the end of year 2006. The NCBTMB is working with all existing providers of continuing education, and new applicants to the NCBTMB Approved Provider Program, to phase all providers into the new “Approved Provider” status. Certificants who will be recertifying in year 2007 and beyond will need to earn continuing education credits from “NCBTMB Approved Providers,” or may select from the other options for Recertification as described in the NCBTMB Requirements for Recertification handbook.
    A complete listing of formal continuing education programs—including Ethics courses—that are conducted by NCBTMB Approved Providers can be found on the NCBTMB web site at www.ncbtmb.com. If you would like this information but do not have access to the Internet, contact the NCBTMB office at 703-610-9015, or 1-800-296-0664, and that information will be mailed to you by the next business day.

How to Renew Your State License
All questions regarding the renewal of your state license must be directed to your state offices. The NCBTMB does not have any jurisdiction over any state’s licensure renewal. Many states do not require continuing education in order to renew a license; thus, be sure to confirm all state licensure requirements with your state offices.

Is It Your Time to Recertify?
The NCBTMB office staff members have mailed recertification packets to those certificants who are scheduled to renew their certification through the end of 2003. Many certificants have received the new NCBTMB Requirements for Recertification handbook. If you are scheduled to renew your certification before the end of 2003 but have not received a handbook, please contact the NCBTMB office at 703-610-9015, or 1-800-296-0664. The recertification packet will be mailed to you by the next business day. You can also visit the NCBTMB web site at www.ncbtmb.com to view and download a current version of the NCBTMB Requirements for Recertification handbook.

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NEWLYAPPROVEDPROVIDERS

Editor’s Note: Below is a list of NCBTMB Providers who have completed the application and review process for the NCBTMB Approved Provider Program since the last issue of the NCB Connection was released (Volume 2003, Number 1, Winter 2003). Categories A and B are being phased out and will no longer be a recertification option beginning in year 2007. In accordance with the new NCBTMB Approved Provider Program, providers who have completed the application process for the program will be considered “NCB Approved Providers.” Those who are using the previous recertification option that incorporates the NCBTMB’s Category A and B approved provider list may do so until the end of the calendar year of 2006.

AMTA-NC Chapter
626 Cobblestone Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
910-452-3464
www.amtanc.org

Nelson Bach USA
Wilmington Technology Park
100 Research Drive
Wilmington, MA 01887
800-334-0843
www.nelsonbach.com

Baltimore School of Massage, York Campus
170 Red Rock Road
York, PA 17402
717-268-1881
www.bsmyork.com/

Cary Bayer
1051 Hillsboro Mile, #604E
Hillsboro Beach, FL 33062
954-788-3380

Michael Blate
The G-Jo Institute
PO Box 1460
Columbus, NC 28722
828-863-4660
www.g-jo.com

Dahn Healing Institute of Massage Therapy
111 Human Avenue, #201
Closter, NJ 07624
201-768-9995
www.dahnhealinginstitute.com

Linda H. Foster
Seashore Bodywork Resources
6 Brookdale Road
Cape May, NJ 08204
609-886-3145

Vince Guagliano
240 Sepulveda Boulevard
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-796-6955
www.aimtreatmentcenter.com

Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa
14848 Densmore Avenue North
Shoreline, WA 98133-6612
206-440-1284

Steven J. Long
Soul Space Reiki and Energy Holistic Health
2933 Englefield Drive
Raleigh, NC 27615
919-829-3754

Pierce Salguero
300 Rambling Road
Ruckerville, VA 22968
434-882-2279
www.taomountain.org

Heath Reed
Nicole Reed
6105 South Mckemy Street
Tempe, AZ 85283
480-839-0770

Spinal Reflex Institute International
1111 Camino del Rio
Durango, CO 81301
970-946-0951

Jose Tharakan
601 North Santa Rosa Street, #D-5
San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: 210-225-4443

Michael J. Young
Repetitive Use Injury Therapy
PO Box 358
Evergreen, CO 80437-0358
303-674-7948
www.reptitiveusetherapy.com

Leonard M. Vaughn
176 Wheeler Avenue
Nashville, TN 37211
615-832-6019

VMG Medical Inc
542 Walnut Hills Road
Staunton, VA 24401
540-337-1996
www.vmgmed.com

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Call for Applicants—2004 Election

The NCBTMB is seeking Nationally Certified Practitioners who are dedicated to certification for the massage therapy and bodywork profession and committed to moving forward with the goals and objectives set forth in the NCBTMB’s Strategic Plan.
To be considered for a board position, an applicant must:

• Be nationally certified and in good standing with the NCBTMB;
• Hold all applicable licensing requirements;
• Declare all possible conflicts of interest; and
• Have the ability to commit to the time and travel necessary to be a fully participating member of the Board.

If you are interested in serving as a director of NCBTMB, please submit a letter of intent to the NCBTMB office at the following address.

NCBTMB 2004 Election
8201 Greensboro Drive,
Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102

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STRATEGICPLANUPDATE

Continuing Education/Recertification Panel
Bob Helfrich, Chair
   The NCBTMB Continuing Education/Recertification Panel members are working to assess the patterns of non-compliance within the application process. The panel members are formulating a response to these challenges to present to the board.
In addition, the panel members have begun to employ the new application for NCBTMB Approved Providers and will also be using the revamped application for Recertification. In the process of rewriting these applications, the panel members sought to clarify anything that may have been confusing to a candidate on the previous version of the application.
   The panel members continue to monitor the massage and bodywork profession, as well as other health care professions, to keep abreast of new developments in the area of continuing adult education and the profession as a whole. New panel members are being recruited to better serve applicants and reduce application time.

Ethics Committee
Brad Enerson, NCTMB, Chair
   The NCBTMB Ethics Committee members are preparing a report to present to the board that will contain feedback on the committee’s activities from its various stakeholders.
In addition, the committee members are developing a survey that focuses on the sections of the Standards of Practice that address invasive techniques and voluntary consent. The results of the survey will be used to make recommendations to the NCBTMB Board of Directors for revisions to the Standards of Practice.

Examination Committee
Sandra Anderson, NCTMB, Chair
Members of the NCBTMB Examination Committee will meet at Chauncey headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, in June to review upcoming forms of the National Certification Examination (NCE). Each test form that the committee members will review will be the final version of the NCE. It is the result of many intense review sessions and is definitely a well-kneaded examination!
The June meeting at Chauncey headquarters will also include a review of the reference list that is printed in the NCBTMB Candidate Handbook. Committee members will review massage schools’ use of texts (from information gained in a previously conducted survey), availability, and coverage of relevant subjects.
Sandra Anderson, NCTMB was appointed Chair of the committee as former Chair Bob Lehnberg was chosen by the certificant population to serve on the NCBTMB Board of Directors in the latest election (see related story).

Government Relations
Sally Hacking, Legislative Consultant
   The California Massage and Bodywork Conference was held in San Jose, March 20-23, and the NCBTMB presented an exhibit to the conference attendees. The NCB representatives provided information about the new NCBTMB credentials, and the new NCBTMB recertification options.
   Mark Dixon, NCBTMB Government Relations Panel member, attended the conference with Sally Hacking, Garnet Adair, NCBTMB Chair, and Berlos Davis, NCBTMB staff member.

• Attest to their commitment to quality programs;
• Enhance the potential of having their hours accepted by more states as more massage therapists and bodyworkers are mandated by local or state laws to obtain continuing education in order to retain their license to practice;
• Potentially reduce cost and paperwork associated with getting their courses approved by individual states, and eliminate the need for having to get each program approved; and
• Receive retroactive approval for their courses once approval status has been granted.

CALENDAROFEVENTS
This list of events is provided for informational purposes only. For specific information about participation in the events listed below, please contact the host organization.

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Update Your Address

Make sure the NCB office has your most current mailing address.
The NCB now offers several ways for you to update your mailing address:

• Online via the web site, www.ncbtmb.com;
• By fax, 703-610-9005;
• By regular mail to the NCB, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102; or
• By phone, 703-610-9015.

NCBTMB
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
703-610-9015 … 703-610-9005
1-800-296-0664 (totally automated line)
e-mail: snicolais@ncbtmb.com