The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) has announced a partnership with The Heart Touch Project (THTP) to introduce the profession’s first Pain and Palliative Care Specialty Certificate Program.
“We are thrilled to partner with The Heart Touch Project to introduce the profession’s first nationally recognized credential in this important area of work,” says Donna Sarvello, vice president, educational support, NCBTMB. “This comes at a crucial time as massage therapists and bodyworkers work with hospitals to provide safe, effective massage to patients interested in alternative, non-drug treatment options for pain. THTP training program is an essential foundation to understand the role of massage in pain and palliative care, effects of medications on massage therapy, working as part of an integrative pain and palliative team in a hospital and hospice setting, and much more.”
Candidates become eligible to obtain a Specialty Certificate by either completing the Heart Touch Pain and Palliative Care Massage Training Program and passing the NCBTMB Specialty Exam, or completing the NCBTMB Portfolio Review Process and passing the NCBTMB Specialty Exam. Upon completion of one of those pathways and passing the exam, candidates will earn an official NCBTMB Specialty Certificate in Pain and Palliative Care.
For more information on the Heart Touch Pain and Palliative Care Massage Program, visit www.hearttouch.org/pain-and-palliative-curriculum.