Purpose Statement & Disclosure of Association
The North Carolina State Massage Championship is a community-based gathering of licensed massage therapists and massage therapy students who want to learn new techniques, be inspired by the work of other therapists, showcase their talents, and network with like-minded professionals in a fun, rewarding network marketing atmosphere. We’ve chosen a contest environment to challenge therapists to do their individual best and to help with the burnout rate in our industry by way of evaluating basics within standard categories that all therapists can excel in, given any chosen modality.
The North Carolina State Massage Championship is run by Stephanie Ashcraft, LMBT and is a recognized member of the U.S. Assoc. of Massage Championships and is supported by the World Massage Festival and the American Massage Championship (licensee of the International Massage Association). We also co-market with Massage Magazine Insurance Plus.
Costs and Non-Refundable Registration Fees
Professional Registration (1 category) $150
Professional Registration ($150) + Additional Category ($50) $200
NC Student Registration $50
Good Massage, Gone Bad with Tina Hopkins $99
8 CE CREDITS NCBTMB Approved
Categories
Contestants may enter one or two categories.
rev. 20240321
11 USAMC CATEGORIES WITH SPECIFICS 1
1. Swedish massage - please declare if you are doing Western Swedish or Classic European Swedish. Classical European Swedish is not a recognized IMA sub category, but it is the original Swedish massage and the original “Orthopedic Massage.”
A. Western Swedish: This modern version (late 1800s-now) of Swedish massage should contain the basic techniques Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotment, Friction and Vibration.
•Declare “relaxation” or “therapeutic.” Tools are allowed (recommended for maximum 20%)
• Stretching and forearms are allowed (recommended for maximum 20%). If you are using more than 20% tools, forearms or stretching, then you need to be in the Wellness Category.
• Is mostly performed on a massage table, but can be done on a floor mattress
• If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category. Innovation will be a big criteria with this sub-modality. This sub-modality is effectively “Western Freestyle Light” with less stretching flare and less new innovative techniques, or “Wellness” with less tools and flash.
B. Classic European Swedish Massage :
This original Swedish modality was developed by 2 founding-fathers Ling, Metzger, Mennell and Cyriax (codified and canonized mid 1700s to the mid 1900s).
· It uses the basic techniques above.
· Direction of fluids is guided by the “Uncorking-the-bottle” theory (Mennell).
· Depth of tissue is guided by the progressive Three Degrees of Petrissage and range of motion.
· In this category there are no tools, no stools, no stretching, no forearms, no kneeling.
· Techniques should be complete, clean and flow seamlessly from one technique to another.
· Ergonomics are extremely important - no ankle shearing, ulnar pressing, wrist extension/carpal pressing or leaning on the table.
· Tai Chi stance/posture/movement while being grounded to the earth is integral (Ling).
· Tapotment timing should make sense and contain multiple hand postures to fit the area and purpose.
· Declare “relaxation” or “therapeutic.” Innovation is not as important as perfect technique, flow and ergonomics in this sub-modality.
2. Sports massage
Please declare that you are doing either pre-event or post-event
• Stretching and mobilization of joints in combination with massage techniques is allowed (recommended for maximum 30%)
• Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 30%)
• It is mostly performed on a massage table or mattress * If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category
3. Wellness massage
It includes all services that are provided in spa and wellness centers such as Cellulite therapy, Hot stones massage, Bamboo and other wellness techniques.
• Stretching is allowed
• Mobilization of joint is allowed
• The use of special equipment like stones, bamboo, cups is allowed
• It can be performed on a massage table as well as on mattress
• If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category
4. Thai Massage
Techniques used in this style aim to relaxation and to the treatment of musculoskeletal as well as psychological issues.
• Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 20%)
• Stretching is allowed
• The receiver is mostly fully clothed
• The use of oil is allowed (recommended for maximum 20%)
• It is mostly performed on a mattress but can be done on a massage table
•Mobilization of joint is allowed
• Shoes is not allowed in Thai massage
• If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category
5. Freestyle Massage (Eastern Inspired)
Techniques that are derived from Eastern massage styles such as Shiatsu, Thai massage, Tui na, Acupressure and Reflexology as well other Asian techniques.
• Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 50%)
• Stretching is allowed
• Mobilization of joint is allowed
• The use of oil is allowed
• It is performed on a mattress or on a massage table
• If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category
6. Freestyle Massage (Western Inspired)
Techniques that are derived from Western massage styles such as Swedish massage, Myofacial release, Muscle energy techniques, Sports massage, California massage and other Western techniques.
• Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 50%)
• Stretching is allowed
•Mobilization of joint is allowed
• The use of oil is allowed. It is performed on a mattress or on a massage table
• If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category
7. Chair Massage
The style is mostly performed with the receiver on a special chair. Techniques that are derived from both Western and Eastern inspired massage techniques such as Sweidsh massage, Thai massage, Shiatsu, Hot stones, as well as many other techniques.
• Use of tools is allowed
•Stretching is allowed
• Mobilization of joint is allowed
• The use of oil is allowed
8. Facial Massage
It is performed on a chair Facial massage table. It includes all Facial techniques such as Kobido, Japanese Facelifting, Swedish, Wellness as well as many other techniques and services that are provided in spa and wellness centers.
• Use of tools is allowed
• Stretching is allowed
• Mobilization of joint is allowed
• The use of oil is allowed
• Massage of neck, chest and arms is allowed (recommended for maximum 20%)
9. Body Contouring
New IMA category to be debuted at the WMC 2024 - no information available at this time.
***NCSMC WILL NOT HAVE THIS AS AN OPTION.***
10. Student/New LMT (under two years)
This is not an IMA category. It is a new USAMC approved category. You may use any IMA-modality (categories 1-9 above) or combination of techniques while competing under this category heading. Your scores for this category will be ranked nationally under “Student/New LMT” and not under the modality that you decided to use.
11. Clinical Challenge Category3 - 60 minutes + interviews
3 Clinical Category written by Melissa Strautman August ‘23, editorial contributions from Robert Tiberend and Nathan Nordstrom
This is not an IMA category. It is a new USAMC approved category. You may use any IMA-modality (categories 1-9 above) or combination of techniques while competing under this category heading. Your scores for this category will be ranked nationally under “Clinical” and not under the modality that you decided to use.
You must show that you can …
● Assess and treat a problem area
● Demonstrate/explain how and why the treatment type was a good choice
● Exhibit efficacy
The event coordinators will randomly select the receivers with their areas of complaint. If a receiver says that they have no area of complaint, it is up to the therapist (contestant) to make the judges aware of this so that they can get a new body to work on. The championship will not provide any necessary items for client intake or assessment. The therapist must be able to attain any necessary information to treat during their interview. Time will be called at the start of the 60 minutes and not again until the end. The therapist is expected to manage his/her own time appropriately and be able to keep time for themselves in this category. The participants will have 60 minutes to compete. If the therapist ends early (before 60 min), points will be taken off in the “Flow” criteria.
● Assess the receiver's health/condition and develop an appropriate on-the-fly treatment protocol. This can be done through a written intake, verbal intake, physical assessment, and other metrics needed. Tools, computers, and resource manuals may be used.
● Execute an appropriate protocol for the client’s pathologies and/or deficiencies reported or discovered.
● Reassess the receiver after the treatment (efficacy) and communicate a further treatment plan if needed.
After this sixty minute bell is called for the END of the round….
• The client will get dressed (5min) and stay at the massage table.
• The therapists will say goodbye to their clients after they have made sure their client is dressed and able to get up. If the therapist fails to see to this detail, points will be taken off in the “Client Contact” criteria.
• The therapist will then leave the room to finalize any thoughts they may wish to write.
The judges will now interview each therapist privately for approximately 5 minutes or less.
• The therapists may show any assessment tools or post-treatment evaluations and/or follow-up documentation at this time.
• The judges will at least ask these five relevant questions to the therapist
1. What was the client’s complaint or Area of Focus (AOF)?
2. What specific techniques did you use?
3. What did you find? Were there any surprises? How did that alter your original treatment plan?
4. Did you fix the problem (pain scale)?
5. What SPECIFIC instructions or recommendations did you ACTUALLY give your client?
[Judges: Do not ask vague questions like, “What should the client do next?”] The participant interviews are meant to be very specific to the treatment and brief. This is not time for judges to give feedback or make any suggestion - just to gather information pertinent to their ability to give an accurate score.
*FOR THE TRAINING OF JUDGES, CHAMPIONSHIP DIRECTORS AND USE IN CHAMPIONSHIP PREP CLASSES
Round Cards - Write “Clinical” as the category and write “N/A” as the IMA category.
How does the USAMC criteria apply to this category?
● Techniques 1-20:
a. How many techniques - not as important as “how effective” the technique is.
However, just doing manual massage will not be as good/advanced as using multiple techniques such as manual massage with some tools, mobilization, stretching, breathing, assessment, communication, etc.
b. Variations of each technique - for addressing the client's unique/complex problems or limitations. Example: if the client were kicked by a horse (closed, indented wound with distal swelling), you’d use two types of Kinesio Tape® application: mechanical correction (classic) at the indention and an FP-EDF (not classic) or fan cut for the swelling depending on the stage of injury (acute, subacute, chronic).
c. Combination of techniques - appropriate use of multiple techniques performed at a high level. These techniques may be standard or innovative for our industry. The therapist must be able to explain every aspect and purpose of the technique or combination of techniques and their planned or realized effects on the client’s issue.
● Ergonomics 1-10:
a. Table height
b. Power transmission from therapist to client - Is it appropriate for the issue and the client?
c. Therapist’s body alignment
d. Client positioning - important for access to the area of focus, comfort, and effectiveness of the proposed treatment. Example: reducing tension in a hypertonic Trapezius using Graston Technique’s® GT1 is better done seated than prone. When you measured the angle of a joint, was the client weight-bearing? Did you put the muscle on stretch when taping for an overactive muscle?
● Flow 1-5:
a. Rhythm - This is the least important sub-criterion of a Clinical massage.
b. Transitioning - grip to grip, hand to tool (did the therapist fumble, or was there a lot of dead time that didn’t make sense?)
c. Work/treatment within the time frame (60min) A very efficient and thorough therapist may not need a full 15 minutes to do an intake or reassessment, thus leaving them more time for treatment. A less capable therapist may be unable to do an intake/assessment, develop/deliver a protocol, and reassessment/ recommendations in an hour.
● Innovation 10: - Many advanced clinical techniques are available for therapists, but how have you mastered them, and then how have you made them your own? How have you made those techniques work better for you and the client? Elevating oneself in this criteria shows a therapist's clinical development stages that move from novice, to advanced beginner, to competent, to proficient, and then to expert.
a. Development of new moves
b. Innovation through your own unique style
c. Style combinations
● Client Contact 1-20: - No matter the stage of a therapist's proficiency in a given modality or technique, this criteria has to be solid.
a. Insight and empathy - Do they listen to the client and ask good questions?
b. Technique versus the client. For example, an elderly, thin-skinned person would need Kinesio Tex Gold Light Touch+ and not the stronger Classic tape.
c. Pressure and depth versus the client
d. Therapist’s…
· Workwear - Is it neat, clean, and odor free? Does it represent the modality? Wearing a cat t-shirt has nothing to do with Sports massage, whereas a Relay-for-life may, and a Nike shirt definitely would. Does it get in the way or distract?
· Tools - Is the therapist competent and/or qualified to use their tools? Can they explain them? Are they clean (sheets, towels, cups, etc.)? Do they have sanitary wipes/gel, etc? Do they have tools to evaluate the client's issue?
· Accessories (ex., presentation components/table) - judges should not take off for a therapist not having this. However, having a presentation shows another level of communication of the therapist’s art and intention. Presentations should represent the modality or treatment and not be a show of the therapist’s personal likes or personality (i.e., cat sheets, cat figurines, etc.)
· Draping of the client - failure in this area (exposure by the therapist, thin sheets, or loose draping) is unacceptable in a clinical setting.
● Efficacy 1-10: out-take, degree of improvement to specific area of focus.
● Hot Seat 1-10: Presented SOAP note (we will not take off points if they do not have), answers to the Q&A
*Disclaimer: You must be present for the hot seat when called upon. You may break down your area and pack your things up. You will 5 minutes to report to the Head Judge/ Volunteer/Director when your name is called. If you are not present within this 5-minute time frame, you receive a zero for the hot seat. This will affect your score tremulously.
All scores are reported back to USAMC are congruent and comparable across the U.S. in USAMCsanctioned championships, nationally with AMC and internationally with IMA.
1. Open Category - You must declare one of the nine IMA approved categories in order to be scored in the correct category. These categories include: Sports Massage (pre, post or therapeutic prep), Wellness Massage, Thai Massage, Eastern Freestyle Massage, Western Freestyle Massage, Chair Massage, Facial Massage. *Disclaimer: When one of these categories reaches a participation rate of 5 or more contestants, then it will be its own free-standing category to receive its own 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Until then this category will receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place regardless of the subcategory you declare.
2. Clinical Challenge Category - You will be scored under the “Clinical” category (a non-IMA category).
3. Student - this is a non-IMA category
4. Swedish Category
All LMBT’s will give and receive massages.
All participants must prepare to receive massage as a fully willing recipient during the championship. Participants that encounter recipients that are difficult (i.e. “don’t mess up my hair and makeup,” “Don’t work my back and legs,” “Im not taking my clothes off,” “I don’t wear underwear.”) should bring this to a judge’s attention immediately. If necessary, NCSMC will arrange for suitable massage recipients to be a replacement. Participants that behave in a difficult manner when it is their turn to be a receiver may be disqualified. A strong esthetic presentation at your massage table, while competing, is highly encouraged. Non-English speaking or disabled participants must bring their own translator/assistant for general communications and assistance throughout the event.
Spectators
Spectators are allowed in preliminary and final rounds. Please note there are no shower facilities. NCSMC decides which music will be played during the championship. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to play any music or automated vibroacoustic sounds/voices out loud during the competition. Sounds from tools and your normal volume voice are allowed.
Meals & Water
As catered meals within a commercial venue of this sort are very costly, we encourage participants and their guests to either bring water, snacks, and a packed lunch or venture out to the many less expensive restaurant options. There is a mid-priced cafe inside the hotel. If staying at the hotel, breakfast and Kickstarter dinner will be included in that price. Hotel rooms are $147 per night.
Rules & Regulations
1) Each contestant will need to provide proof of an Active License, Active Liability Insurance, Valid I.D. such as a Drivers’ Licenses, and a Professional Headshot. Students will need to provide school and program information.
2) We are an open state, meaning we allow any massage therapist from any state to participate in. Out of state participants will need to provide a massage license from their state. If coming from a state that is not regulated or licensed, proof of professional status will need to be provided. However, ONLY NC LICENSED therapists can win the Overall Prize. The Overall First Place Winner will receive an entry into the American Massage Competiton and entry into the World Massage Festival for a week of CE classes. This is a $750 value.
This prize is NON-TRANSFERABLE.
3) Dress Code: Participants are allowed to wear personal sponsorship clothing or any other outfit that fits the category. Participants must wear sports shoes, sports pants or yoga pants, T-shirts etc. Shoes are not allowed in Thai Yoga Massage or any other barefoot category.
4) Participants are to bring their own supplies (sheets, towels, tools, tables, oils, lotions, cleaning items, and Massage table and/or Thai mattress). You are encouraged to bring multiple sheet and blanket sets in different colors, this will help judges see your hygiene ritual.
5) Each contestant will be required to wear underwear (bottoms) at all times. Ladies are allowed to remove bras. Any area which is not being worked on must be covered/draped. Underwear is defined by any piece of clothing that will cover the private areas of the participant (for example, bikini, briefs, boxers, cheeky, etc.) Thongs are not allowed, as this will give a massage therapist an advantage. Draping of the glutes are allowed. Participants who intentionally expose or who repeatedly expose their client-receiver accidentally will be docked points. Judges may approach the massage table to assist receivers who are put in this predicament.
6) No cameras are allowed during the rounds or the final. Unauthorized use of cameras and recordings can result in expulsion. We have professional photographers and videographers for this. Videotaping just your routine during championship is not allowed. Do this at your private office.
7) Insurance – It is your own insurance that covers both you and the participant that you treat during the competition. We will need proof of liability insurance.
8) There is an absolute zero tolerance policy concerning inappropriate behavior of any kind. Any behavior deemed as harassment by the NCSMC Director can lead to disqualification and/or expulsion. Any massage of sensual/sexual nature would result in immediate disqualification and expulsion from the State Championship.
9) All participants are required to give massages within their scope of practice. No chiropractic and osteopathic manipulations are allowed during the competition.
10) Each Massage Therapist can participate in 2 categories. The first category is $150. Each additional category is an additional $50 to enter.
ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
Awards, Medals, Oh my….
Each category will have a gold, silver, and bronze winner and will be awarded with a medal and certificate to help brand your business in a new way.
The Overall First Place Winner will be awarded with a FREE entry into the American Massage Championship. Plus, FREE entry into the World Massage Festival. The WMF is a weeklong festival that helps LMBT’s educate themselves through CE classes. You earn as many CE’s you can fit into a week.
This event is scheduled in Las Vegas.
Mark your calendars for this event.
Competition Timing
Depending on the number of entrants, participants will be divided into groups of two or three. The location of each participant's table/ chair and receiver will be chosen at random by the judges/ organizers. Each round lasts 60 minutes. You will be given an additional 10 minutes before the starting bell to examine your client or do an intake if you wish, so that you can….
~ Ensure your awareness of their physical condition (looking for any cautions, contraindications, or preferences)
~ Ensure their understanding of the massage process. During these 10-intake minutes, the judges might approach you and ask what you will do for your client in the round (introduce yourself, give category/style, disclose any innovations or new methods, etc.).
The Final
The Duration of the Final is 60 minutes. The “Final” is to determine the NCSMC Overall winner for the year. There will be one participant from each category (Open Category, Swedish, Clinical & Student). Massage recipients (Professional and highly educated Massage Therapist Judges) hand up to 6 points depending on their experience of the massage they receive. The remaining judges can hand out 3 points each to only one finalist. The Winner of the final will be the Massage Therapist who gets the most points during the final round.