Whether through exercise, yoga, tai chi, or just walking to a destination, our bodies move. Some move about unrestricted with fluid motion while others experience limitations resulting from various causes like injuries, lack of regular exercise, or limiting physical conditions since birth. Despite their physical status, many can benefit from massage therapy to help improve their movement. In order to function well as a massage therapist, massage therapy schools have risen to the challenge of producing well-balanced trained professionals in their field.

A massage school that accepted that challenge in 1983 is the New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts (NHITA). While it may be considered a Destination for Healing because it offers massage therapy at both of its campuses in Bridgton, Maine and in Hudson, New Hampshire, it’s primarily viewed as a Destination for Healers, for those that choose a career to help others through Therapeutic Massage.

Massage can be traced back over 5000 years to China. Initially viewed as a therapy in medicine, massage techniques identified points on the human body that responded to diverse movements including pressing, skilled body manipulations, and rubbing. Massage has evolved over the centuries with therapists employing various techniques to benefit their clients.

Robert Berube, MEd, DSc, DC and Patrick Ian Cowan, PhD founded NHITA. The institute has its roots in the Merrimack Valley Integral Health Center, in Hudson NH, where the founders recognized the need for thorough and professional training in Massage Therapy. The clinical experience of the health care facility figured prominently in the content and philosophy of the school’s Massage Therapy training program, emphasizing natural approaches to health care.

Efforts have been made in recent years to regulate Massage Therapy for the benefit of clients. The New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts supports that effort through striving to train Massage Therapists who will be effective professionals in the Healing Arts. To do that, according to Dr. Cowan, “the staff and faculty seek to provide professional preparation in Massage Therapy. As in any profession, it is essential to develop skills, discipline, and structure. Our goal is to produce graduates who are health professionals in every sense.”

As an independently functioning educational facility the therapeutic school gained recognition by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) in 1983. In 1992 NHITA was recognized by American Massage Therapy Association Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (AMTA/COMTA), and in 1999 was fully accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).

The Hudson, New Hampshire facility, at 153 Lowell Road, has remained in continuous operation since 1983 and the Bridgton, Maine campus opened in 1994, at 27 Sandy Creek Road in Bridgton. NHITA continued under the direction of Dr. Berube and Dr. Cowan until 1998 with the passing of Dr. Berube. In 1999 the school restructured its administration and educational directorship under the guidance of Dr. Cowan, Janet Alexis, and Karen Schilling.

Dr. Cowan’s quest for personal growth and good health led him to the field of natural therapeutics from a background as a civil engineer. His diverse training in disciplines associated with natural therapeutics such as counseling, nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, and massage therapy equips Dr. Cowan with the necessary skills as an administrator for a therapeutic school involved in a holistic approach to healthcare. Dr Cowan’s scope of practice in massage therapy with specific conditions includes spinal cord injuries, scoliosis, and spina bifida and disc compression with specialization in structural reintegration.

As Executive Director, Patrick Cowan whole-heartedly believes “in an inclusive, compassionate and ethical approach to education for all.” His diverse background in administration, health care, and education afford the school an individual able to oversee student affairs, faculty coordination, and curriculum development to communication with the school’s regulatory and licensing agencies.

Director Janet Alexis’ entire professional career has involved her in the field of health care. She began as office manager for the Merrimack Valley Integral Health Center, a natural therapeutics clinic that provided comprehensive health care through chiropractic, counseling, nutrition, physical therapy, and massage therapy. Ms. Alexis’ role of office manager, working with Drs. Berube and Cowan, positioned her to serve as administrator for NHITA at its inception. Dr. Cowan commented that, “her role has grown with the school and she is now Director at the Hudson campus. Janet participates in strategic planning for the institute as well as overseeing day-to-day operations of the Hudson campus with an emphasis on student affairs and faculty coordination.”

Karen Schilling has been Associate Director of the school since 1999. She’s been instrumental in curriculum development, policy and procedure, and strategic planning. Ms. Schilling brings a business perspective to the school from her past career as a CPA. Dr. Cowan explained, “She has a passion for natural therapeutics and strives to keep NHITA on the cutting edge of massage therapy education by continually observing new trends, networking, and involvement in the massage therapy community.”

With the many modalities offered for potential clients these days, what’s a person to do in deciding about which massage therapist to choose? A potential massage client should have the confidence that they could ask their massage therapist some basic questions for the assurance of a good, professional, and beneficial massage. To begin with, what techniques do they offer; Swedish, Sports, Shiatsu, Neuromuscular, or some other technique? This way the client can decide what is best for their particular needs. A qualified massage therapist should also be able to counsel the client if they are unsure of or need further guidance on the proper technique for them. A reputable massage therapist will not be offended by the simple inquiry, “That sounds fascinating. Where did you learn that technique?” If necessary, a professional therapist will also be happy to refer you to another therapist for a suitable or specialized treatment if they cannot help. Proper training through a qualified therapeutic school like NHITA prepares professional massage therapists.

NHITA offers two comprehensive programs for massage therapy, a ten month and a twelve month program. The ten month begins in September and ends the following June with classes meeting Tuesday and Thursday evenings and plus Saturday and/or Sunday during the day. The twelve month program meets on Mondays and Wednesdays during the day. It begins in January and finishes the following December.

The New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts trains students in academics as well as a diversity of massage therapy techniques including Swedish Massage, which has become the basis for many massage therapies. It stimulates circulation in the body, increases muscle flexibility, and fosters general balance in the structure and function of the muscular and skeletal systems. A technique in massage called Neuromuscular “relieves muscle tension, promotes structural integration, reduces mental and emotional stress, and improves organ and glandular balance.” Sports Massage speaks for itself. It addresses “conditioning, preparation, and treatment of strain or injury.” Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Circulatory Massage, and Trigger Point Therapy are some additional techniques also applied to massage. The New Hampshire Institute of Therapeutic Arts offers instruction in these techniques as part of its standard program along with other core courses required for massage therapists to be fully qualified upon graduation.

Many states require licensure giving potential clients some confidence about a therapist’s training. Licensure requirements vary from one state to another. Besides their state requirements, some therapists become nationally certified which requires an examination and Continuing Education Units (CEU) to maintain their certification. A massage therapist who cannot provide adequate information about their offered techniques and proof of instruction may not be a good choice. Once a student completes their studies and practical requirements, a graduate from the New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts should be qualified to meet licensing requirements for New Hampshire, Maine, and national certification boards.

Since the New Hampshire Institute of Therapeutic Arts was recognized and approved for Department of Education Title IV funding in 2003, financial aid is available for qualified students. The Institute is also VA approved under the Montgomery GI Bill for qualified individuals.

Dr. Cowan encourages people to contact the school for individualized tours and to discuss a career in Massage Therapy. “The New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts provides a well grounded career level curriculum, so graduates may leave with confidence to establish a private practice or join a group therapeutic practice as well as finding themselves well equipped to work with a spa, health club, hospital, or chiropractic clinic.”

The New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts can be contacted through their website www.nhita.com, telephone (207) 647-3794 for Maine residents or in New Hampshire at (603) 882-3022, and email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Kevin Pennell, an author from Bethel , Maine, wrote Two Feathers–Spiritual Seed Planter and has written for other periodicals and media. Kevin Pennell is an Usui and Karuna® Reiki Master Teacher, Herbalist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Shamanic Practitioner, and Psychic Empath. He conducts Reiki and other workshops that assist spiritual and personal development. Kevin, with his wife, Vickie Cummings, own and operate Spirit Wings, their Compassionate Healing Center and Therapeutic Store located in Bethel, Maine.Contact www.spiritwingsbethel.com or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .