Northwestern Health Sciences University Emerges as a Leader Among Massage Therapy Schools

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - Just eight years after being founded, The School of Massage Therapy at Northwestern Health Sciences University has emerged as a national leader and trendsetter among other massage therapy schools. According to Dale Healey, D.C., dean of the School of Massage Therapy, "Northwestern is seen as a beacon for massage therapy schools. The university's curriculum and clinical training have earned our School of Massage Therapy a national reputation for excellence."

Healey has been invited to speak about the school's approach to massage therapy education at a series of upcoming conferences. In September 2010, he will present on hospital-based massage therapy and strategies in gaining partnerships with medical facilities at the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) National Convention.

The convention will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it is the largest gathering of massage therapy professionals in the country with attendance exceeding 1,000. According to Healey, conference coordinators are considering placing a tour of Northwestern in the schedule of events. "This is the first time that the committee has ever considered planning a facilities tour," said Healey. "No school has ever risen to that standard."

The Massage Therapy Foundation Research Conference will be held in May 2010, in Seattle, Washington. While there, Healey will present a best practices initiative with six professionals from across the nation. The initiative is a collaboration of massage therapy best practices, and focuses on various topics, such as stress reduction and low-back pain. Previous evidence, expert advice and current guidelines are all being taken into consideration.

"I am lucky enough to be the face of Northwestern at all of these conferences," said Healey. "I look forward to more faculty members from the School of Massage Therapy getting involved."

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health-care education, including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage and human biology. The university has nearly 900 students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minnesota.