Why SMART-Massage and Why Now?
Texas massage therapy laws and rules are going through an overhaul. These
changes include documentation requirements, increased hours of study, increased
knowledge of study and a higher expectation of professionalism. Alex Matthews
has worked diligently with law makers and other massage therapists to make
sure the best interests of the Texas massage therapists are not forgotten.
These changes in Texas do demand more from the therapist and unfortunately,
these skills have not historically been taught in most Texas massage schools,
simply because they were not required. These are skills and knowledge that
have been expected from therapists nationally and though it is a little
intimidating to the seasoned therapist, it is an exciting change for the
profession.
Alex is a passionate, charismatic massage therapist and massage therapy
instructor who has trained hundreds of massage therapists throughout Texas
and challenges them to become accomplished therapists by employing their
individual talents, body type, personality and special interest in regards
to the health and well-being of their clients. In his classes, he challenges
his students to rid themselves of a basic routine as soon as possible in
order to meet the clients’ expectations and needs. The primary goal and
objective for each student is critical thinking skills.
What is SMART-Massage and How Was it Developed?
For years, Alex has been developing the curriculum for SMART-Massage. It
is designed to aid each therapist in employing his/her current knowledge,
experience, and technique to meet their clients’ needs in a clinical, professional
approach. The curriculum utilizes many advanced bodywork techniques currently
being taught and used by massage therapists and envelopes them into an
easy to understand course of instruction. It also includes several didactic
courses that educate the therapist in additional fundamental skills.
Alex Matthews has been a massage therapist for 16 years. He is certified
in Neuromuscular Therapy and has assisted with Paul St John’s Technique
instruction. He has studied Myo-Fascial Release and was fortunate to have
studied Trigger Point Therapy with Janet Travell along with stretching
and ROM from Aaron Mattis. He has worked with Chiropractors and Medical
doctors in Active Release Technique instruction and assisted in course
development. He is certified in Sports Massage from the Florida School
of Massage and is a member of the Academy of Pain Management.
Alex teaches SMART-Massage modalities utilize Swedish techniques: range
of motion, compression, friction, effleurage, and petrissage. The only
thing that changes is intensity, intent and critical thinking. For instance;
what is Myo-fascial Release? Deep slow effleurage, with the intent of affecting
the Myo-fascial tissue rather than the muscles. Alex believes Swedish Massage
offers every hand movement needed to impact the body and work towards balance,
no matter how that balance takes shape for any particular client. SMART-Massage
utilizes the skills and talents you already have as a Massage Therapist
and “ups the volume.” Smart-Massage courses teach the therapist to modify
their techniques safely, effectively and efficiently.
Classes Currently Offered
SMART-Massage – The Essentials (12 CE Hours)
The introduction course is the first step in mastering critical thinking
skills. You will learn to assess client needs through looking at posture,
history and habits and then learn how to document and develop a session
history for each individual client. During a session you will utilize skills
you have already mastered, and integrate them with your new SMART-Massage
techniques. Through documenting sessions and results, you and your clients
will become partners in a true therapeutic relationship. With practice,
you will master the use of your time in therapy sessions and develop true
therapeutic results, whether they are relaxation, stress, pain management
or postural distortions.
Components of SMART- Massage The Essentials:
· Clinical Assessment
· Documentation
· Postural Distortions and Biomechanical dysfunctions
· Ischemia and Nerve Compression or Entrapment (as well as what
is a pinched
nerve)
· Basic components of Clinical Critical Thinking Skills
· Integrating Research into massage sessions and why it is important
to understand
research in your practice
Classes Coming Soon
Cervical and Cranium Region (12 CE Hours)
Low Back (12 CE Hours)
Mid and Upper Back, Abdomen, Chest (12 CE Hours)
Upper Extremities (12 CE Hours)
Lower Extremities (12 CE Hours)
Shoulder (12 CE Hours)
Hip (12 CE Hours)
Hands and Feet (6 CE Hours)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alex Matthews is the coordinator for the Austin Community College Alternative Health
Care Continuing Education program and the ACC Massage Therapy program.
He is the co-developer of ACC’s teaching Adult Learners curriculum which
eventually became state law and is an advisor for the Texas Workforce Education
Curriculum Manual on massage therapy training. He is a past president of
the Texas Coalition for Massage Schools and Instructors, along with the
owner of Advanced Therapeutic Massage in Cedar Park.
Alex has over 2500 hours of massage training and is certified in Equine
Massage, Sports Massage and St. John’s Neuromuscular Therapy in addition
to other advanced pain relief modalities. Having had the privilege of training
under Aaron Mattis and Janet Travell early on in his career and using massage
to recover from his own debilitating back injury has led to his appreciation
of Massage in mainstream medicine as a pain management tool. He has worked
in numerous medical settings in addition to presenting workshops for hospitals,
university veterinarian hospitals, higher educational institutions and
professional associations on the benefits of massage. Alex uses his passion
for massage to instill zeal and enthusiasm in his students and represent
his student’s wants in legislative issues..
