SEATTLE, July 9 /PRNewswire/ — Three recent graduates of Cortiva Institute – Seattle, School of Massage Therapy were among the top winners in the Massage Therapy Foundation’s annual Student Case Report Contest.
The student case report contest promotes research literacy in massage therapy schools by integrating research into schools’ existing programs, supporting the Foundation’s belief that education about research will build a deeper appreciation of massage therapy.
Amy Axt Hanson, a Tacoma resident, won the first place Gold Award for her report, titled “Improving Mobility in a Client with Hypochondroplasia (Dwarfism).” Ms. Hanson’s report followed a middle-aged woman with hypochondroplasia, who in recent years had been unable to walk more than a half block before having to stop due to muscle fatigue.
“During our sessions, I found that her lower legs had fascial adhesions (the muscles seemed stuck together),” said Hanson. “With myofascial work, we were able to get some of the restrictions eased and by the end of the study she had enough feeling of ease that she was able to walk two blocks before having to stop.”
Hanson’s work is ground breaking in that there has been no precedent in massage research and literature for people with any form of dwarfism.
John Sherwin, also from Cortiva Institute, won the second place Silver Award for his report, titled “Impact of Massage Therapy on Treatment of Adhesive Capsultis” (frozen shoulder), while Monica Hocklander, another Cortiva Institute student and resident of the Madrona area of Seattle, won an honorable mention for her report, “Intuitive Learning/Body Reading: are they viable tools in massage and bodywork?”
All three recent graduates are currently in private practice with massage spaces in and around Seattle.
“All three reports were exemplary of what we — as bodyworkers — are capable of when we step into the role of true clinician,” said Michael Hamm, LMP CCST, an instructor at Cortiva Institute. “We can be dynamic contributors to a very young research field, and we can help scientists understand how we think.”
About Cortiva Institute
Cortiva Institute is a community of Massage Therapy Schools with 10 locations nationwide, offering full and part-time massage therapy instruction, continuing education courses, student clinics that are open to the public, and career services for graduates. Cortiva schools take a holistic and integrated approach to ensure that our graduates are prepared to work in clinics, hospitals, health clubs, spas, resorts, sports therapy clinics or start their own private practices. Go to www.Cortiva.com for more information.