ACM GRADUATE INTERVIEW - Ian Fischer

16/08/2010

ACM Graduate Ian Fischer received a massage four years ago and has been hooked on it ever since

From serving post match beers for footballers to becoming a key contributor in a Rugby clubs turnaround season, Ian Fischer is another successful ACM Graduate who has made a career change into the Massage Industry.

What first interested you about Massage?

Growing up I was interested in undertaking a physiotherapy degree after completing school.  My life took a different path and that didn’t eventuate. I received my first massage about four years ago when a friend of mine was studying massage therapy. I was suffering from headaches and tension in the neck and shoulders and her treatment helped reduce my pain significantly. Looking back, I am sure that once I started receiving regular massages and when I began to fully understand the benefits of massage first hand, I became more interested in pursuing an education with Massage.

I’ve always had a keen interest in the rehabilitation industry and specifically the sports rehabilitation industry.  I wanted to become involved with more of a “hands on” approach to rehab work and that’s where the interest in studying a full Diploma of Remedial Massage came about.

How long have you been massaging?

I have been massaging for almost 2 years. In comparison to my previous occupation in hospitality I would say that Massage and Hospitality, whilst they have some similarities, are really like “chalk and cheese”. I feel that my hospitality background has given me great skills in conversing with all kinds of people from all types of backgrounds. However when it comes to working as a Massage Therapist, I feel incredibly privileged to be able to directly help people in a one-on-one scenario, it is a very satisfying job. Also working as a Massage Therapist has given me a great work/life balance. I no longer have to be concerned with shift work and I can now choose my working hours and fit them around my life rather than having to fit my life around my work.

What do you enjoy most about massaging?

I enjoy the feeling of being able to educate and assist people in the management of their injuries as well as that “hands on” approach that massage gives.  Massage is quite unique in that there are so many applications as well as massage techniques that can be used to improve the well being of your client.  It can be as much a “thinking game” as a “feeling game”.  I think when you learn to successfully blend these two, that is when you become a great therapist.

I also enjoy being a part of a team again, with my work at Orange CYMS Rugby Club. It is great to be involved at the club and have interaction at all levels. The footballers really get me involved in everything and are always appreciative and fun to work with.

What was your experience at ACM like?

Fantastic! Everything you need to become an excellent graduate remedial massage therapist is included in the course.  I sometimes get graduates from other courses wanting to look through my course material! 

The course is presented in an unbiased way so that it can encompass the different origins of massage: be it the scientific method of study; or the more holistic studies or origins.  It presents a path showing you where you might like to undertake further study.

How have your studies at ACM assisted preparing you for working in the massage industry?

It has indeed.  My focus at the moment is to be able to work within a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, preferably within the sports and rehabilitation industries. I am already working with a semi-professional rugby league in providing sports and rehabilitation massage on game day and days leading up to the game.

My studies have taught me importantly what I can help with and what needs to be referred on to other health practitioners. In turn, other health practitioners are really starting to learn the value of massage and the importance of professional remedial massage treatment in rehabilitation process of a patient.

ACM set the highest possible standards for hygiene, client comfort, massage technique and therapist ergonomics, which in my opinion places me above other trained therapists in the industry.

What advice would you give aspiring massage therapists?

If you like interacting with different people and love to help others then consider massage.  It is a discipline that rewards effort, time and time again.  Never stop trying to help and never stop learning.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Career highlights so far are my work with Orange CYMS Rugby League.  Player talents range from local/recreational players to former NRL and English Super League players.  From what I have learnt with ACM I have been able to assist players in recovery from games and injuries, to the point where some have said they would not be on the field if it were not for those learned skills.  In turn it has given me a great amount of satisfaction to be part of a team who, at the time of writing, have just won their first minor premiership in 22 years. 

 I would like to think that I have played some part in this (maybe a small part). But I suppose the most satisfying thing is that I have already been invited to work with the team again next year.