Belonging Matters

As September begins, KCHA is taking the time to harness the energy of the harvest season. September invites us to actively align our intentions by sowing the seeds of our dreams. As some of our students are nearing the end of their training and practicing their skills in the student clinic, new graduates are stepping into their careers, new students begin their studies, and we continue to offer training opportunities for local Massage Therapists.

We are reminded daily that “the only constant is change,” and like all of nature, we are capable of navigating change with grace and gratitude. As the month unfolds, may we embrace the spirit of the season by acknowledging the abundance in our lives and consciously making room for our dreams to grow and flower.

As KCHA prepares for fall, we share our abundance and gratitude for our September 13 & 14 Improving Therapy Outcomes training with Pete Whitridge, BA, LMT, and October’s CranioSacral Wisdom Workshops with Doreen Hart, LMT, CST.

September Reminder: KCHA’s Student and Intern Clinics are open and ready to help relieve any discomfort caused by Autumn fun. You can learn more below.

Hello. I’m Lydia, and I am a current student at KCHA.

As I reflect on the events that led me to KCHA, I can clearly see that while I was uncertain about my career path for a time, I never doubted that I felt called to care for others. In hopes of fulfilling this goal, I attended Grand Valley State University for nursing. During my time at Grand Valley, I worked at a nursing home. Then Covid-19 happened. The grueling impact of the virus on patients and the demands that came with caring for them led to my experiencing burnout before even becoming a nurse.

Recognizing the need for a more healthful pathway to caring for others, I attended esthetician school at Douglas J Aveda, where I learned about skin and was introduced to massage and spa treatments inspired by Ayurvedic techniques and rituals. This training gave me a new appreciation for my previous education, and I wanted to further my knowledge about the human body, but I wasn’t sure where to turn to best gain that knowledge.

Serendipitously, I met several KCHA alums who highly recommended the school. Their sharing resonated with me, and it didn’t take long to confidently enroll in the Massage Therapy program.

Lydia Rogers, KCHA Massage Therapy Student

KCHA has helped me reach my goals by providing me with the education and core fundamentals essential for having a successful career rooted in self-care, ethics, proper body mechanics, professional boundaries, and amazing therapeutic techniques.

While continuing my Massage Therapy training, I am currently working at an LED Light Therapy Medical spa in Grand Rapids as an Esthetician. Once licensed as a Massage Therapist, I will grow my practice to include both face and body treatments. My career focus is to promote healthy aging and how to age gracefully and positively through the connection of the mind and body. I’m very excited that I have found a career in something that supports everything I am passionate about, and I am beyond thankful for what I have learned at KCHA.

Pete Whitridge, BA, LMT

Join us September 13 & 14 from 9 AM – 6 PM, when Pete Whitridge, BA, LMT, travels from his home in Florida to Kalamazoo to offer an excellent hands-on workshop focusing on how to apply current massage therapy research findings to improve and refine your clinical practice.

A licensed Massage Therapist since 1988, along with Pete’s practical experiences, he is a founder and past president of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education. His career has been dedicated to helping establish high standards in massage therapy education, teaching throughout the U.S., and frequently speaking at FSMTA, FCA, and AMTA meetings and conventions.

Pete Whitridge, BA, LMT, Teaching

Additionally, Pete has served as Chair of the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and received the FSMTA Charles Canfield Award for service to the massage profession in 2004. In 2016, he was inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame at the World Massage Festival.

During Pete’s two-day workshop at KCHA, he will focus on topics such as affective outcomes, inflammatory response, pain science, and trauma and resilience. Additionally, you will learn the proper use of thermal therapies, the reeducation of post-traumatic injury response in wound repair, and functional movement patterning.

When: September 13 & 14

Where: KCHA 5320 Holiday Terrace, Kalamazoo, MI 49009  

CEU Hours: 16 NCBTMG         

Cost: $295 (before August 22)

For registration information, please call or email KCHA at (269) 205 -3165 or KCHA@kcha.com.

Contact Information for Pete Whitridge:  (772)-332-6116 or justaskpete@mac.com

Instructor Doreen Hart, LMT, CST

Join us in exploring the light touch technique of CranioSacral Therapy with Instructor Doreen Hart, LMT, CST

CranioSacral Therapy, or CST, is a non-invasive technique that directly connects to the central nervous system and the body’s innate wisdom, allowing it to heal itself when given the opportunity and possibility. It can release tension, pain, and dysfunction deep in the body where long-lasting effects of past trauma may have gone unnoticed, yet still influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Besides physical changes, CST can help release emotions that are buried in the tissues.

CSW 1 and CSW 2 are being offered as a Package for the greatest value.

CSW 1 will be October 11-12, 2025

CSW 2 will be October 25-26, 2025

Investment for this workshop:

CSW1 & CSW2 Package – $597

CSW1 only – $397

CSW2 (pre-requisite is CSW1)- $397

Your investment includes a workbook with material covered in the workshop. Participants will learn the basics of CranioSacral Therapy, utilizing a gentle touch that directly affects the central nervous system. This is a hands-on experience, so you will be giving and receiving each day. Comfortable loose-fitting clothing and no jeans are recommended.

Space is limited, so register now! Payment plans are available for a limited time.

For Massage Therapists, proper posture and technique are essential because they directly impact your physical well-being and the quality of service you provide. By reducing injury and increasing efficiency, proper body mechanics have been shown to improve the quality and length of your Massage career.

Poor Body Mechanics in a Physically Demanding Career  

Repetitive movements, awkward postures, and force are risk factors that increase the likelihood of injury. For example, applying too much force or using poor posture can significantly raise the risk of fatigue or injury. Proper body mechanics help minimize these risks by ensuring that you use less energy while delivering effective treatment.

Common Injuries in Massage Therapists  Many massage therapists suffer from repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and rotator cuff injuries. Most of these injuries are caused by poor posture or overuse, especially in the hands, wrists, and upper body. They often start as mild discomfort but can become debilitating over time if not properly addressed.

Using Proper Body Mechanics Doesn’t Just Reduce Strain 

 It also allows you to work longer and with more precision. By focusing on posture, force, and alignment, you can deliver effective treatments without overexerting yourself. Studies show that the applied force at different table heights and postures can impact the stacking of joints and locking of the back knee, which could increase force by 20% without extra effort. These results highlight the impact of proper body alignment and body weight transfer. Without a doubt, Massage Therapy is physically intense; however, with good body mechanics, you can enjoy a longer, healthier career while providing the best care for your clients.

Improve Your Body Mechanics

To protect yourself from injury and improve your performance, follow these tips:

Ensure your massage table is at the right height.

A higher table reduces back strain and wrist stress.  To set the table at a supportive height for you, stand away from the table with your arms at your sides. Bend your hands at a 900  angle, palms down. Walk towards the table. Your hands should be just above the top of the table. Adjust the table according to the type of work you’ll be doing and the client’s size. If you are doing deeper work, or the client is larger, lower the table so you can use your body weight for more downward pressure.

Val Erlandson modeling proper body mechanics

Keep your feet shoulder-width apart with toes pointed forward (horse stance). Consider an asymmetric stance (one foot forward/archer stance), and always align your body in the direction of the stroke. This helps distribute force efficiently.

Use uphill strokes whenever possible, as they provide better mechanical advantage. Avoid excessive reaching—move your body forward instead of stretching with your arms.

Use your forearms, supported fingers, or fists for force.

Avoid relying on thumbs or elbows, as they can lead to strain. Leverage your body weight by using counter pressure from the table or leaning back.

Tap on this image to view our proper body mechanics video

Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice, by Susan G. Salvo

Pre-Session

Am I hydrated?

Have I warmed up?

Do I feel relaxed and focused?

Do I have the space I need?

Is the table height appropriate?

Am I wearing comfortable, appropriate attire?

While in Session

Are both of my feet firmly planted on the ground?

Am I using the proper stance?

Is my spine aligned and my core engaged?

Is my head erect and not looking down at my hands?

Are my joints stacked and wrists straight?

Are my thumbs and fingers supported while applying direct pressure?

Am I using gravity and body weight when applying pressure?

Am I using a variety of massage techniques?

Is there a stool nearby?

This September, consider gifting yourself the time to refresh your wellness routine; massage therapy is an ideal way to do just that! 

Whether you’re looking to relieve stress, recover from muscle tension, or recharge, regular massage can help you embrace the season with a renewed sense of energy and well-being. A massage at Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts is a perfect gift to give or receive. As students near the end of their training and new graduates hone their skills, they are ready to provide massage for the public with relaxing, affordable sessions.

Gift certificates and monthly specials are available.

“September has come, it is hers whose vitality leaps in the autumn, whose nature prefers trees without leaves and a fire in the fireplace.”  – Louis MacNeice

As the summer’s heat wanes and the leaves start to transform, we are reminded of life’s cyclical nature and encouraged to release the old and open ourselves to new possibilities.