Day 43 - Are You Respiring?

This evening's class went well, despite being combined AGAIN with another class. Their instructor took vacation and apparently, somebody dropped the ball on communication and about 60 of us were crammed into a classroom built for about 35. This does not make for a pleasant learning experience, but despite this, we managed. In some ways, I think it made our class more attentive.
It was our first class of Anatomy VI (that's a Roman numeral 6 for those of you who don't read Roman), and according to the syllabus, we were to be learning about the lympatic/immune system. However, due to the circumstances and class size, we learned something far easier: the Respiratory System. From the nasal cavity to the alveioli of the lungs, we learned it and will have a quiz on it next week. I can see that during my holiday weekend I will have my nose in some books for at least part of it.
When we take anatomy classes, we get to color with colored pencils so we can learn parts and functions better. Sometimes I feel like a kindergartner again. I'm still not very good at coloring in the lines. Especially when the instructor is also writing important notes on the board that I need to copy down as soon as I'm done coloring.
Don't you wish you could take some fun classes like this?

Day 42 - Mas Mater

Tonight was the first night of learning the Cranial Sacral modality which helps with headaches, neck and back pain, and other stuff I don't seem to remember that was on the list. I found it quite fascinating to know that the head expands and contracts in a rhythm and actually makes the whole body move due to its rhythm.
Through the lecture, we got to hear more about the central nervous system and the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. I'm very glad that we had anatomy and learned about the nervous system before having this class.
We partnered up and all we did was just see if we could feel the cranial expansion rhythm. My partner felt mine, and I believe I felt his.

Day 41 - It's Not Personal, It's Business

Part of the Massage Therapy program includes "Professional Development" classes so that once we are certified and licensed, we have the knowledge and tools under our belts to start and operate our own Massage Therapy businesses if we so choose to do that.
After tonight's class, I'm a little overwhelmed with all the things that need to be planned out prior to opening a business. I guess that's why it can take weeks and even months to write an effective business plan. I can get the main points of operating a business, but I'm very glad that we have this opportunity to learn in this environment from somebody who's done it. Our instructor even talked about where the business is located - in a strip mall next to a strip club or in a destination place with an exclusive feel. She got very detailed. I guess that's why I got overwhelmed.
I don't know what my EXACT plan is for after I get licensed, but at least I'll have a foundation for the option of opening my own business.

Day 40 - Finally, Finally

Tonight we had our Trigger Point final exams, part written, part hands-on. I have been struggling with the material throughout this class, and it showed in my written exam grade: 82. At first I was told it was 79, but then later I was told 82. I have a suspicion that it was graded on a curve...a really big one. Regardless of what my grade was on the exam, I get the "point" of the Trigger Point modality. Especially after the hands-on portion of the exam.
During the class bodywork, I had thought, "Oh this is a trigger point" or "that is a trigger point." At least until tonight. My partner went first on the table so I was the practitioner. The TA graded me and I ended up getting a 98 for the practical, which incidently raises my grade for the class to a 90% - whew. Then it was my turn on the table. My partner worked on my quads, which I think I mentioned the other night that they seemed a little jacked up. She got her exam portion done and then it was time to just work on my legs, as in giving a massage. When she worked on the outside portion of my quad and hit one spot, I nearly stood up on the table! She found a TRUE trigger point. It referred pain to the inside of my knee and there was definitely a "jump sign" - as in - when I nearly jumped off the table. These are indications of a trigger point.
Now that all is said and done with Trigger Points in my certification program, I'm happy to be done with it for now, but I want to take another class to learn more. The more I know about Trigger Point therapy, the better bodyworker I will be for my clients.
And I got a 90% for the class! My GPA is still an untarnished 4.0!

Day 39 - Anatomy of an Exam

We came in, took the exam, and waited to get our results. The exam consisted of multiple choice, True/False, and a couple short answers.
When all was said and done, I got a 99% on the exam, missing ONE LOUSY QUESTION! But, hey - out of 200 possible points for the class, I have 198.5. Not too shabby for never really liking biology classes in high school.
Trigger Point final exam (written and hands-on) tomorrow. This one will be a killer.

Day 38 - Gotta Hand It To Ya

The state of Maryland requires 500 hours of instruction to become licensed. At BSOM, the program is 768 hours, which is well over the minimum requirement. Needless to say, whenever we have the opportunity to get out a little early, we jump at the chance.
For fun, we studied the trigger points in the hand. This information won't be on our final on Thursday, but it will be really good information for us to know, especially with so many people sitting in front of computers all day...or whatever job with the hands. They just need a lot of love.
After we studied about the hand, we went over the study guides for our final so that we are all working with the same study information. We thought we might get out early, but ended up getting out only about 10 minutes before regular time.
So much for getting out and being able to enjoy a little more of the evening. Anatomy final exam tomorrow.

Day 37 - Trigger Me Quads

Shiver me timbers and trigger me quads. Well, that's about all I have for PIRATE tonight. After a lovely weekend of relaxing, studying, and seeing family, it was back to the grind today. The J-O-B went well - you know, another day. Actually, I went to lunch at a gracious friend's house and enjoyed a pork BBQ sammie with coleslaw, beans, and some grapes. A lovely lunch, I must say.
Sorry, I got distracted by talking about food. I guess that happens after a full evening of class and eating dinner about six hours ago.
In our challenging Trigger Points class, we studied the Anterior Thigh and its treatments. Since I had been doing so much studying over the weekend, I actually was able to follow along and "get" most of what the instructor was saying. We learned about some pathologies of the knees, which are some of the most easily injured joints in the body.
After the lecture portion of class, it was time for bodywork. I got to work on my partner, who had pretty tight IT bands (iliotibial bands). He nearly came off the table a couple times as I worked on them. And then it was my turn. My IT bands were fine, but it seems that my Vastus Intermedius was the more sensitive of the muscles. Apparently, there's even a golfball sized knot in one of my quads. I look forward to getting that one worked out. I think.
My classmates are definitely getting to be a tight-knit group. What else do you expect when you see each other four nights a week, and many times, in - uh - less than flattering positions? You get to know people pretty well when you know that they wear boxers or briefs, or boxer-briefs. How their kids are doing or how their kids relate to other kids in school because we share stories. Hearing their tummies growl while you massage their legs.
I'm finding that it's truly honoring to have a "client" allow me to do what I need to do to help them. Whether it be to really work the muscles to get them to where they need to be or it's just to help the client feel good with a lighter session, it's an honor to share that sort of connection with them.