Tools for Learning

Everyone is unique and not everyone learns and processes new information the same way. While some students gain knowledge by listening, others are more visual. The Institute of Therapeutic Massage uses both teaching methods, auditory and visual, since our end goal is better learning retention for all.

In addition to the standard classroom lecture, the instructors at IOTM try various ways of incorporating unique and creative learning techniques in the classrooms. Modeling clay, skeletons, anatomy models and iPads are just a few of the examples. The students in the picture below used face paint to map the muscles of the face on a partner.

Obviously, being a hands on school will also allow for the visual learners to watch massage demonstration before they attempt the technique themselves. Everyone can benefit from this because the instructor will also verbally narrate the technique as it is performed.

As you can see, our #1 goal is your success. Success not only while attending our school, but also for the MBLEx state licensing exam and your future success as a massage therapist. Enroll today and get the tools you need for success!

Career Enhancement Classes at IOTM: Pregnancy Massage

At IOTM, we take pride in our curriculum and we offer our students and grads a variety of classes, called Career Enhancement Classes. In these classes, you will learn advanced massage techniques that can give you a competitive advantage when you're searching for your future career. The classes can be tailor made to fit your future career goals. For example, if you want to work in a nursing home after you graduate, you would probably want to sign up for our Geriatric Massage and Cancer Massage class. If your goal is to work in the spa environment, some classes you might want to take are: Hot Stone Body Massage, Chair Massage, Clay or Paraffin Muscle Toning Facial Massage and Pregnancy Massage, like demonstrated in the picture below.

 

Pregnancy Massage is the study of massage techniques and contraindications for the mother and baby to be. Nurturing, pain management and body preparation are the keystones of this course. Massage has entered the delivery suite and is now readily encouraged by the OB-GYN Specialists and Midwives. Massage is considered by most to be essential for the well being of mother and baby.

Pregnancy Massage is just one of the many CEC's you can experience while attending the Institute of Therapeutic Massage. IOTM is also the only area school that offers our students 100 CEC hours included in the program. Please take a tour of our Advanced Spa Massage CEC Classes and our Advanced Medical Massage CEC Classes and see which classes will fit best with your future career!

New Year...New Career

A new year can be a new beginning. A time to reflect on choices you've made this year, to start fresh. A time to make resolutions and a time to make changes. Why not begin the new year by beginning the journey to a new, exciting career in massage therapy?

Massage Therapy is a great choice because there is a real demand for qualified massage therapists! The U.S. Department of Labor predicts employment for massage therapists will increase by 23% by the year 2022. This is faster than average for all occupations. The reason for this is simple: people love getting massages and more and more people are getting massages on a regular basis. Doctors and other healthcare providers are not only recommending massage to their patients, but they're also hiring licensed massage therapists to work along side them to help carry out treatment plans for their patients.

New classes at IOTM begin on January 5th, just in time to start the new year and fulfill at least one of your New Year's resolutions. Call 419-523-9580 or toll free 866-897-0949, go online www.iotm.edu or stop by our campus at 311 East Market Street, 3rd Floor in Downtown Lima to begin the enrollment process today.

Stop putting off your future! Make a resolution today to become a licensed massage therapist...a  rewarding career that's in demand!

Massage Event to benefit Toys for Tots

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage is hosting a massage event to benefit the Toys for Tots program on

Saturday, December 6th
10:00 AM-3:00 PM

Donate a new, unwrapped toy and you'll receive a
FREE 1/2-hour massage!!

Call 419-523-9580 to schedule your massage time. 

We will also be accepting walk-ins. Limit one half-hour massage per person.

Congratulations IOTM Class of Fall 2014

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage is proud to introduce to you, our newest graduating class. They completed our 900 hour massage program, earned certifications in numerous Career Enhancement Classes and 6 of them passed the Ohio state licensing examination, MBLEx before graduation!










IOTM's 900 hour program meets and exceeds the State of Ohio's (as well as most other states) requirements for massage licensure. Our massage program consists of: 

• Medical Terminology- 48 hrs.
• Anatomy & Physiology- 192 hrs.
• Muscles- 96 hrs.
• Massage Theory & Practical- 224 hrs.
• Pathology & Pharmacology- 48 hrs.
• Advanced Therapeutic Techniques- 96 hrs.
• Ethics- 24 hrs.
• Study Skills- 24 hrs.
• Business- 48 hrs.
• Career Enhancements- 100 hrs.

Our Career Enhancement Classes do just that, enhance your future massage career. Career Enhancements are advanced techniques such as Sports Massage, Cancer Massage, Hot Stone Body Massage and many others. As an IOTM student, you will receive 100 hours of Career Enhancement Classes as part of your program and we are the only area massage school to offer this. As a result, you will be able to tell a future potential employer that you are certified in Pregnancy Massage and it may give you a competitive advantage over another candidate who does not have certifications.

The six students who passed MBLEx before graduation achieved this because they were prepared. We have a campus computer lab with a program installed on the computers that asks similar questions that may be on the MBLEx. Once you score at a certain level, an instructor will let you know you are ready to take MBLEx. IOTM has a 100% MBLEx passage rate and we believe this is one of the reasons why. 

Finding the Right Massage School

Choosing the right massage school for you can be difficult, but it's probably the biggest factor in determining if you will have a successful career in Massage Therapy. Here are some factors you need to look at that can help you decide:

Accreditation- your school should be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. IOTM is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. We are both institutionally and progamatically accredited.

Curriculum- While the above items are very important, if your main goal is to be a great massage therapist, you really need to examine the school's curriculum. Future employers will want to know what classes you took during your education. IOTM offers many classes that are not offered in the same way at other area massage schools, including our Career Enhancement Classes (CEC). Our CEC's include: Chair Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Hot Stone Body Massage, Cancer Massage, Sports Massage, just to name a few. These classes teach advanced massage techniques and take hours to learn effectively.

In addition to your massage diploma, you will receive certifications in all the classes you successfully participate in. These certifications will give you a competitive advantage when you're applying and interviewing for jobs after graduation. IOTM is the only area massage school who will offer you as a student, 100 hours of CEC classes, which are included in the program.

Also, our 600 series of classes, Advanced Therapeutic Techniques. In these classes, students will learn the most common soft tissue injuries and dysfunctions related to injuries and trauma. Students will have the opportunity to practice the proper techniques for these common problems during the lab portion of this class. The student will also learn specific protocols for treatment of conditions and injuries encountered in a massage practice, including strengthening and stretching advice for clients.

Employers may look to see if you took these classes specifically, especially if you're going into the medial field. Even if you choose to work in the spa industry, they may not ask if you've had these classes, but you're probably going to be a better massage therapist because of these classes.

Preparing for MBLEx

MBLEx, or Massage Bodywork Licensing Exam, is the test recognized by the State of Ohio that is taken by massage school graduates or students, in order to obtain their license to practice Massage Therapy. MBLEx is accepted in most states, including: Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Florida.

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage has a 100% MBLEx passage rate. Every student we have sent to take MBLEx has passed it and can now obtain their massage licensure. The way we achieve this impressive statistic is by preparing our students for the test. Our on-campus computer lab has a testing program installed on each of the computers. Students take practice exams in order to find areas of weakness. Eventually, when they score high enough, the instructor will clear them and let them know they are ready for MBLEx.

Ten of thestudents in our last graduating class were cleared to take MBLEx and passed the test BEFORE they graduated. This allows them to get their state license much faster because that part of the requirement is fulfilled and all they have to do is send their diploma to the state once they officially graduate.

IOTM is fully committed to preparing you for your future career in massage therapy. We prepare our students for success!