Pressroom: NHI and Massage Therapy in the News

Read stories about the growth of massage therapy in a down economy

“Therapeutic Massage: Significant Advancements in the Field” (PDF)
Alternative and Complimentary Therapies - Volume 17, Number 6
By: Jane Hart, MD
December 27, 2011

Innovative health care professionals, consumer interest, and proven clinical benefit have led to significant advancements in the field of therapeutic massage, and, as a result, massage therapy services are increasingly integrated into hospitals' patient services. Learn more...

“National Holistic Institute Announced as Massage Therapy School of the Year”
MASSAGEmag.com (Online Magazine)
Jan 9, 2012

The World Massage Festival is pleased to announce the National Holistic Institute in California has been named as the 2012 Massage Therapy School of the Year.

Carol Carpenter began the massage therapy institute in a house on College Avenue in Oakland and it grew steadily. The National Holistic Institute became accredited, the first massage school in California to do so. Learn more...

“Face massage: How to give yourself a face massage”
Chicago Tribune
By Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz
October 5, 2011

A common plight of the "office athlete" — whose sport entails sitting for hours staring at a computer — is facial pain brought on by long bouts of reading, screen glare and teeth-grinding. Left unchecked, facial pain can produce sinus and tension headaches, toothaches, blurred vision and the pressure-cooker feeling that your head might explode, said Cynthia Ribeiro, president-elect of the American Massage Therapy Association and an instructor at the National Holistic Institute, a massage school in California. Read more...

“Full Circle: Neuromuscular Therapy and Pain Management”
KPFA - 94.1 FM
July 1, 2011

Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapy Program Instructor, Dr. Jeff Rockwell, is a guest on KPFA'a Full Circle, and discusses how Neuromuscular Therapy helps manage pain and facilitate the body's healing process.

“National Holistic Institute expands to Sacramento”
The Sacramento Bee
By Mark Glover
February 27, 2011

The massage therapy industry is helping provide a healing touch to the area's ailing economy...

Next month, the Emeryville-based National Holistic Institute will welcome the first classes at its new sacramento campus at 1610 Arden Way. NHI, Clifornia'a largest massage therapy school with six campuses, expects 100 students this year and 150 by early 2012. Read more...

“National Holistic Institute expands to Sacramento”
PressDemocrat.com
By Lori A. Carter
February 23, 2011

While many other businesses have barely hung on or even gone under during the recession, Petaluma's National Holistic Institute is in the midst of an unprecedented growth spurt.

Since opening in Petaluma in 2005, the Oakland-based school has launched four other campuses, including its newest one in Sacramento.

“It's been a phenomenal time for us during this recession,” said Tiahna Skye, the manager in Petaluma. “We're finally coming into our own.” Read more...

“National Holistic Institute expands to Sacramento”
San Francisco Business Times
By Steven E.F. Brown
December 15, 2010

Emeryville massage therapy school National Holistic Institute Inc. is opening a campus in Sacramento.

Berkeley resident Evan Clontz, who graduated from NHI in November, praised the school’s curriculum for its breadth.

“It’s really hard work to do well, so having a huge faculty and an all encompassing program was really great. You were exposed to a lot of styles,” said Clontz, who studied four hours a day, five days a week during her 10 month training at the Emeryville campus. Read more...

“Massage therapy school coming to Arden”
Sacramento Business Journal
By Kelly Johnson
December 15, 2010

A California operator of massage therapy schools is expanding to Sacramento.

National Holistic Institute will operate its school and a massage therapy clinic from 5,500 square feet at 1610 Arden Way.

Interest in massage training is increasing due to high unemployment and reports showing that massage therapy is one of the state’s 50 fastest-growing professions, with job openings expected to increase 26 percent by 2016 statewide, according to the California Economic Development Department. Learn more...

“National Holistic Institute Advanced Program Developer and Instructor Cynthia Ribeiro announced as president-elect of the American Massage Therapy Association”
American Massage Therapy Association
By Ron Precht
December 14, 2010

The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) announced the results of its 2010 national election, conducted electronically among its Professional members. Cynthia Ribeiro of California was elected President-Elect. She will serve in that position from March 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012 when she will assume the position of President. Learn more...

“Massages offer more benefits than just relaxation”
KGO-TV(the ABC affiliate for the San Francisco Bay Area)
By Carolyn Johnson
December 7, 2010

Almost anyone who goes for a massage expects to feel better, relaxed and rejuvenated. Now new research suggests there's a scientific reason for that -- massages may actually change the body's chemistry.

For two dozen students learning to give professional massages at a Bay Area school, the dialogue is anything but laid back. At the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, instructors are going over techniques that some researchers now believe could potentially benefit patients with health issues beyond soreness or muscle injuries.

"Everyone who's had a massage knows they feel fantastic when they get off the table, but this really puts it in medical terms," Tim Veitzer from the National Holistic Institute said. Learn and watch more...

“NHI Instructor and Teaching Training Coordinator Melissa Wheeler wins the 2010 Teacher of the Year Award from the American Massage Therapy Association"
Massage Magazine
By Karen Menehan
December 2010 Issue

When Melissa Wheeler graduated from the National Holistic Institute in 1991, she was quickly recruited by the school’s founder to be a faculty member. Today, Wheeler oversees the training of 40 teachers across five campuses, is a member of the school’s education council and is helping develop 400 hours of a new advanced curriculum…

Wheeler’s many and varied accomplishments led to her being awarded the American Massage Therapy Associations 2010 Jerom Perlinski Teacher of the Year. Learn more…

“Why Ask Why: An existential meme infects Silicon Valley” (PDF)
WIRED Magazine
By Ted Greenwald
November 2010 Issue

What do National Holistic Institute and Google have in common? They both stay on the cutting edge of training. Read more...

“Get a massage, give to Haiti relief”
As seen in Mercury News, Oakland Tribune and Contra Costa Times
January 26, 2010

The National Holistic Institute will donate all proceeds from massages given Thursday at their Emeryville and San Francisco campuses to a Haiti relief fund.

The institute is a training school for massage therapists. The cost for a 50-minute massage is $35.

“Tissue Stimulus: Emeryville massage school growing as demand soars” (PDF)
As seen in Contra Costa Times, The Argus and Oakland Tribune
May 23, 2009

Even in an economy has been called the worst since the Great Depression, people aren't giving up their Swedish, shiatsu or sports massages. Every year, massage therapists give more than 114 million massage treatments, according to the National Massage Therapy Institute, a training center with several U.S. locations.

And massage therapy is among California's 50 fastest-growing professions, just behind environmental science, according to the California Economic Development Department, which projects job openings to increase by about 26 percent statewide by 2016. So, it's not surprising that the National Holistic Institute, the state's largest massage school with a campus in the heart of Emeryville, is building a new 24,000 square-foot campus across the street from its smaller Hollis Street space. Learn more...

“NHI Celebrates 30th Anniversary, Continues to Shape Massage Therapy Education” (PDF)
MASSAGEmag.com (Online Magazine)
May 21, 2009

Over two thousand years ago, Confucius wisely stated: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” For the past 30 years, the National Holistic Institute (NHI) has graduated thousands of massage therapists for whom those words have real meaning. Learn more...

“Massage Therapy Schools Feeling Boost in Business” (PDF)
San Fernando Valley Business Journal
By Andrea Alegria
April 27, 2009

As unemployment rises, and more people are forced to explore new career opportunities, massage therapy, one of the nation's fastest growing professions, is luring prospects to established schools in the San Fernando Valley such as National Holistic Institute in Encino. Learn more...

“Petaluma massage school launches accelerated program”
North Bay Business Journal
By Ashley Furness
April 13, 2009

A long-established massage therapy school has chosen its Sonoma County site to test an accelerated certification program. The program was created to help laid-off workers find employment quickly in one of the state’s fastest-growing professions. Learn more...

“Free massages for police officers in April at Emeryville school”
Oakland Tibune
By Kristin Bender
March 31, 2009

Following the killings of Oakland police Sgts. Mark Dunakin, Erv Romans, Daniel Sakai, and Officer John Hege on March 21, the National Holistic Institute massage school will be offering free massages to any police officer in the East Bay who is feeling stress from the tragedy.

“Massage: The Secret to Recovery in the 2008 Nike’s Women’s Marathon”
MASSAGEmag.com (Online Magazine)
October 31, 2008

San Francisco is a runner’s paradise, attracting thousands of people hoping to achieve their personal bests. While some might argue that one 26.2-mile marathon is the same as the next, most marathoners would agree that it’s what happens in the first two hours after the race that makes the biggest difference in how their body feels. Learn more...

“Proposed Massage Certification Changes in California”
Today in LA
KNBC-TV (Los Angeles, CA)
August 27, 2008

NHI Studio City Campus Manager Joe Bob Smith featured as an authority on proposed legislation regarding how California massage therapists are certified. Watch the Video...

"Salon & Body Care"
East Bay Express (Berkeley, CA)
August 26, 2008

"A typical hour-long massage these days runs about $80, not counting the tip. There is, however, one place in the East Bay where you can get one for a mere $35 – and tipping is prohibited. Yes, there’s a catch: the massage therapists are students at the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville. But we challenge you to tell the difference – we can’t."

"How to Give a Massage"
Mahalo Daily (Online Magazine)
August 22, 2008

"Leah D'Emilio visits the National Holistic Institute and learns some tips on how to massage, the theory behind massage therapy, and how to give a 15 minute "relaxation massage". Watch the Video...

"Getting a Massage Without Paying For One"
The View from the Bay
KGO-TV (San Francisco, CA)
August 13, 2008

"We all love massages, but how can you give a really good one? Melissa Wheeler, massage therapist and faculty training coordinator at the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, has some advice."

"Giving Back to Firefighters"
KGO Radio News (San Francisco, CA)
July 2, 2008

NHI San Francisco Campus Manager Tiahna Skye interviewed about free massage for firefighters at NHI locations throughout the Bay Area as a way to thank them for their hard work fighting wildfires.

"Myers Has a Finger on the Pulse at Massage Therapy School"
East Bay Business Times (Pleasanton, CA)
February 13, 2006

"For a man who heads a business that stresses relaxation, Mason Myers has lived a particularly frenetic decade.

After graduating from Duke University, he organized a cross-country bike ride from San Francisco to Wilmington, N.C., that raised money for charity and was the subject of a documentary film "The Cycle Also Rises" that appeared on PBS stations." Learn more...

"Massage school says city is the hands-down place to be"
Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal (San Jose, CA)
October 7th, 2005

"The growing need for a good rubdown in Silicon Valley has led the National Holistic Institute to open a school in San Jose." Learn more...

"There's the rub"
San Francisco Business Times (San Francisco, CA)
November 26, 2004

"Therapeutic massage, the ultimate hands-on business, has begun to rub the government and health establishments the right way. " Learn more...

"How Massage Heals Sore Muscles"
NYTimes.com
By Nicholas Bakalar
February 6, 2012

A massage after vigorous exercise unquestionably feels good, and it seems to reduce pain and help muscles recover. Many people — both athletes and health professionals – have long contended it eases inflammation, improves blood flow and reduces muscle tightness. But until now no one has understood why massage has this apparently beneficial effect.

Now researchers have found what happens to muscles... Read More...

"The 50 Best Careers of 2011"
U.S. News and World Report
By Alexis Grant
December 6, 2010

Our list of 50 Best Careers answers those questions. We've highlighted dozens of high-opportunity professions—careers you may want to consider as you decide where to look for your next paycheck. Based on job-growth projections, salary data, and other factors like job satisfaction, these occupations span a variety of industries, so you can find the right position for you no matter what your interests. Details...

"Massage Careers in a Down Economy"
KGO Radio News (San Francisco, CA)
January 11, 2010

NHI President Tim Veitzer interviewed about having a career as a massage therapist during difficult economic times.

"Job opportunities in day spas" (PDF)
San Jose Mercury News
By ARA Content
April 19, 2009

"With high unemployment rates and a widespread recession, one might think jobs in a 'luxury' industry would be in short supply. Yet many day spas have seen an increase in demand..." Read more...

"Massage therapy gets boost from California law"
Los Angeles Times
By Marnell Jameson
February 9, 2009

"A new law could bring peace of mind and guidance to those who hesitate, as well as some welcome regulation to massage therapists who say it's about time." Read more...

"Little Luxuries Faring Well In Flagging Economy"
National Public Radio (Online Article)
By Tovia Smith
January 26, 2009

"Looking for who's doing well in a down economy? You'd expect that bargain-type businesses, like thrift shops, would thrive in tough economic times. But, surprisingly, a slew of businesses that deal in more luxury-type goods and services are also doing well." Read more...