courses in sports therapy/injury/massage??!

[And 1]

Hi, i was wondering if someone could help... i am a beauty therapist, but recently have been focusing more on the massage side of thingsand really want to do further training in this. i think sports therapy would be the best way to go but there are soooo many options i am getting counfused! confused by what level to study, ie, do i do a certificate, diploma, hnd,degree? do i do sports injury, sports massage, sports therapy?? i feel as im deciding exactly which path to go down, a degree could end up being a waste of time and money, so i'm warming to the idea of a diploma. but, you can study a diploma for two years, or 3 weeks!!! obviously, i would love to do a three week course (AHG course) and am i right in thinking they are moving to swindon in june? but in 3 weeks, would i really learn enough to work in perhaps a clinic?this is my main concern really... i dont want to spend £2,000 plus and come out with a diplomabut no confidence in myself from what ihave learnt... also, could i call myself a sports therapist from the AHG course? or would i be a sports bodyworker/practitioner?

sorry for going on, there are just so many decisions to make i need to get an honest opinion from someone that has perhaps taken a sports therapy course.

advice/commentswould be appriciated!!!

louise

 

[King]

HI Louise,
AHG are not moving to swindon, they have just moved to manchester and are running a course in swindon in june, it is somwething they do every year, last year was guildford. The three week course is sports and remedial massage loevel 4 National occupational standards, the 4 week is advanced sports therapy level 5, both have a home study pre course aspect and having done both courses I can tell you first hand that both require firm commitment and full attendance to gain the qualification. With the aplication for regulation taking place for sports therapy it is important to do a course recognised by society of sports therapists or sprots therapy organisation. I have also done a year long college course which tuaght me less than I covered in the first week at AHG.
Ther has been a lot of previious information about alternative course providers so search the forum, I am sure some regular contibutors will give advice on other courses, but I can only comment on the courses I have completed. you will have enough confidence to work in clinic after completeing these courses and you can call yourself a sports therapist after completitng the advance course.
A degree course would not be a waste of time, it just depends on whter you have the time/ resources availble to complete it, and where the course are situated.
Best of wishes whichever direction you choose to take, incidently sports massage left too many questions unanswered for me hence the further training.
Gaz