I was raised by a veteran. My dad was drafted into the Vietnam War and stationed overseas at a military base in Germany for years. Although he was not in an active military zone, he did have a hard time being abroad and giving up the comforts of home. While he returned home, he joined the Minnesota National Guard and, years later, completed his service as a Sargent Major.

Before I became a massage therapist, my dad, like many veterans, had never received a massage. Experiencing seizures on a weekend drill with the National Guard brought my dad around to the idea that massage therapy might be able to help. I had graduated from massage school about one year prior and was honored to be his first massage therapist.

What I realized quickly after beginning work on my dad is that there are limited educational resources for massage therapists who work with the veteran population, and that veterans really would benefit from massage therapists who had an understanding of some of what makes them different as massage clients. That is why Crouse Health, Clear Path for Veterans, and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) have teamed up to further support education in this area and better prepare therapists for the amazing opportunity it is to further serve our veterans.

The Importance of Education

When providing massage for veterans, we, as massage therapists, must have adequate training. In fact, many organizations who promote massage for veterans look for therapists with advanced education and experience—as well as credentials—before being comfortable making a referral.

My own personal experience with hospital-based massage therapy strikes me as similar: I was required to be Board Certified and complete hospital-based massage therapy training before I could work in the hospital. Just imagine being a hospital-based massage therapist without any credentials or the proper foundational training before being assigned to work in a specialty unit with patients of all kinds, with medical equipment and health conditions you need to understand. It would not make for a good experience for you or the patient.

The collaborative Specialty Certificate Program created by Crouse Health and NCBTMB will set you up for success when working with military veterans and their caregivers. Furthermore, you’ll receive a nationally-recognized certificate from NCBTMB proving your dedication to this population.

Crouse Health/NCBTMB’s Massage for Veterans Program

The Crouse Health and NCBTMB Specialty Certificate Program in Military Veteran Massage is an 80-hour, comprehensive professional development program for massage therapists and allied health professionals who want to work with U.S. Veterans and active duty military personnel in clinical, volunteer, and service-organization or outpatient settings.

This program is twofold, dedicated to both education, as well as outreach and advocacy, that connects massage therapists, veterans, and veteran-specific clinicians including VA staff. Through this collaboration, massage therapists learn up-to date methods and skills from veteran service providers while also giving these providers insight into the benefits of massage therapy. Best of all, veterans are supported during their acclimation to massage therapy through clinic, outreach events, or a local VA Referral Program.

Why This Program is Different

The Crouse Health and NCBTMB Specialty Certificate Program in Military Veteran Massage is truly a community education designed to provide an authentic learning experience, public community integration with the VA, and medical community participation—it is much more than a weekend course.

The curriculum was designed and implemented with advisement and suggestions provided by Crouse Health’s professional partners in health, including the Syracuse VA, local veterans support services, Clear Path for Veterans, local orthopedic massage professionals, and mental health practitioners, to name a few. Such input allows this program to deliver experience-based learning and community outreach opportunities that correlate with the diverse health care and therapeutic massage needs of U.S. Veterans. 

Nicole Miller, Integrative Health Coordinator & Instructor at Crouse Hospital, further described the program: "We are personally grateful for NCBTMB's concept of converting our original clinic class to a comprehensive Specialty Certificate Program. Through the expansion of hours, topics, and lessons, we were able to develop a multi-faceted approach to learning that includes the participation of veteran clinic providers and services. As an educator, I am personally grateful that NCBTMB embraces the authentic learning model and encourages creativity in design. Our students often comment that this program is a 'life event' for them, helping them grow personally as well as professionally."

How to Get Involved

If you have been active in the massage therapy profession for a year or more, chances are you have worked with a U.S. Veteran. Just as I quickly realized, having the proper foundational education, credentials, and experience on working with our diverse population of U.S. Veterans is not only desired but required.

Learn more about the NCBTMB Specialty Certificate in Military Veteran Massage.