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Before even graduating from Coosa Valley Technical College, Bobby Garrett already has a job working at a spa in Cedartown.
A member of the upcoming neuromuscular therapy class graduating in March, Garrett has spent the last two years studying massage therapy and rehabilitation treatment at CVTC.
“We have learned a lot of anatomy — muscles, bones, organs — I thought massage was just about relaxing, but I learned here that it was about so much more, that it can help people with chronic pain,” he said.
Students get strong hands-on experience in the program through two series of clinical classes — the first going over basic massage techniques and the second actually allows them, under strict instructor guidance, to work with patients over a 10-week period to improve whatever the concern is.
“The students in this program learn to assess and address several factors t
Leona Moore practices the stretches she has learned in Coosa Valley Technical College’s neuromuscular lab. Ryan Smith / RN-T |
hat are usually involved with chronic pain patterns and dysfunction,” said Bobby Lewis, director of the program at CVTC. “In doing so, there is a significant amount of anatomy and physiology that must be understood. Every student says the program is much more involved than they expected it to be.”
Lewis said the students go through 1,500 hours of training, three times the 500 hours the state requires for licensing.
In the second and fourth quarter of the clinical year of the program, local residents can go to CVTC and get massages or treatments at discounted rates. In addition to a diploma, students can also earn an associate’s degree.
Robbie Brownlow was interested in going into sports medicine to work with athletes, but would like to find a job in physical therapy while he finishes his four-year degree, possibly at Berry College.
“I like learning how to make life better for someone in pain, like if they have a lot of lower back pain, it could be from sleeping all curled up; or working with someone to make their work environment more ergonomic,” said Brownlow. “I’ve been working with one guy who had a spine curved in a ‘C’ and by his third visit it was almost 100 percent straight.”
A local chiropractor has hired former graduates of the program at CVTC and is very happy with their expertise.
“Graduates of CVTC’s … program are professional and effective with patient care. They are equipped to assist me in treating my patients,” said Dr. Chris Nelson of Chiropractic Center of Rome. “They come into clinic and immediately begin treating patients. I do not have to offer additional training except for tasks that are specific to my office. This is a huge asset with time-saving benefits for our office.”
