The Massage Institute of Memphis, LLC
“Educating Touch”
Program authorized by:
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation
Arkansas Vocational Rehabilitation
Karen E. Craig • Owner • Director• Senior Instructor
Advisory Board
Daniel P. Marshall, M.D.
Sharon Scandrett, Ph.D.
Raoul Arreola, Ph.D.
Rich Olcott, L.M.T., Ph.D.
Sharon DeCelle, P.T.
Michael Wingard
The Massage Institute of Memphis is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.
Member of the American Massage Therapy Association Council of Schools.
Most programs are approved for the education of veteran students.
See director to be certain which programs are approved.
The Massage Institute of Memphis does not discriminate on the basis of
sex, race, ethnic origin, age, religion, handicap, or sexual preference.
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
Our mission is to consistently provide a well-rounded education for all who are dedicated to learning the art and science of therapeutic massage. We accomplish this by providing an accepting, supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth. Our holistic comprehensive program with inspired faculty and staff facilitates students in becoming skilled, motivated, and successful professionals.
Upon completion of our program graduates will...
Karen E. Craig opened The Massage Institute of Memphis in the Harrison Fitness Center on New York Street with a 100 hour massage program in 1987. In 1988 the school extended its program to 200 hours and in 1991 to 300 hours. The next year The Massage Institute of Memphis (MIM) moved to Cooper Street and became a 500 hour program. In the same year, 1992, MIM became the first massage school authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. In the Cooper Street location several graduates rented studio space from the school, developed their clientele and named themselves The Massage Professionals of Memphis. In 1995 Beverly Chumbley left her Nursing instructor’s position at The University of Tennessee to join our faculty as the science instructor, increasing the faculty to six. Steadily outgrowing Cooper Street, MIM relocated to the current facility at Poplar and Holmes in the Greystone Center. By 1998 MIM’s faculty consisted of fourteen instructors and the program was 600 hours. Being committed to educational excellence The Massage Institute of Memphis remains abreast of state laws, requirements and national trends and continuously incorporates appropriate changes necessary to prepare students for licensure and registration in the Tri-State area. The school currently has a faculty of twelve instructors and two staff. It has grown to a 750 hour program that meets requirements for registration/licensure in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee.
MIM’s dedication to continuing education and higher standards has brought awareness of massage to the community. In 1997 the school became a Category A Provider through National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (N.C.T.M.B.) and has sponsored workshops by Robert K. King, co-founder of Chicago School of Massage Therapy and Pierre Bolszac, from Paris, France, presenter of Manual Lymph Drainage, Eutony and Feldenkrais. Rick Owings gives workshops on chair massage and advanced neck techniques. In 1996 Karen began participating in massage research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, writing massage protocols and recommending graduates to perform the massages. Karen has given presentations at UT Medical Center in Memphis and involves graduates in the experience of offering chair massage to the third year medical students. MIM also gives presentations on massage to various groups including public libraries and career days at local schools. The school has been active in chair and sports massage events such as health and wellness expos, marathons, nurse appreciation days and festivals. Several instructors have been involved with radio and television interviews including The Jerry Lawler Show, Bob Hughes’ Total Health and Relaxation and most recently Trainer’s Corner with Eddie Cantler. Owner Karen Craig has been featured in several publications such as HER Business News and the American Massage Therapy Association’s quarterly newsletter. In 2006 Karen received an award as one of “50 Women Who Make A Difference” in Memphis.
The Massage Institute of Memphis has a commitment to professional and public education. MIM is dedicated to “Success Through Educated Touch”.
KAREN E. CRAIG, LMT, NCTMB
OWNER, DIRECTOR
Senior Instructor: Massage Theory and Practice
Karen holds a B.A. in Education from University of Central Florida and received a diploma in massage therapy from American College of Natural Healing Sciences. Since 1976, she has practiced and taught in California, Alaska and Tennessee. Karen founded The Massage Institute of Memphis in 1987. A charter member of the TN chapter of the AMTA, she served for six years as the Director of Education. She holds a massage license in Tennessee and Washington and a Massage Therapy Instructor’s license in Arkansas and massage registration in Mississippi. She has attended many council of schools leadership and teachers’ conferences. Karen has been a consultant for several massage research studies at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
BEVERLY CHUMBLEY, R.N., LMT, NCTMB
Instructor: Pathology, Hygiene, Massage
Bev received a B.S. in Nursing from University of Florida, a M.S.N. from Texas Woman’s University, and taught nursing at University of Tennessee from 1988 to 1995. She is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and currently holds memberships in the AHNA and AMTA. Bev has maintained a massage practice since 1987, and has been appointed to the Tennessee Massage Board. She has attended several AMTA teachers’ conferences.
DIXIE FLETCHER, M.S.
Instructor: Massage History, Ethics, AIDS Awareness, Touch for Survivors of Trauma
Dixie holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Psychology. She has studied massage, Healing Touch, Reiki, and Barbara Brennan’s Energy Healing. Dixie is active in several AIDS organizations and teaches workshops on AIDS prevention.
NATHAN HOFFMAN, LMT
Instructor: Business Principles
A native to Memphis, Nathan has been successfully practicing massage therapy and teaching Business Theory in Los Angeles for the last ten years. Having returned to Memphis, he offers his expertise to the students of The Massage Institute of Memphis in demonstrating Myofascial Release techniques and teaching Business Principles.
CINDY MCKEE, LMT
Director: Student Labs & Clinics
Cindy holds a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from Ramapo College and is a graduate of The Massage Institute of Memphis. She has furthered her education through workshops and seminars in massage therapy. Cindy currently practices crystal therapy and Healing Touch energy techniques in her sessions. Cindy is the Director of Student Clinic.
DIANE RIGGS ORR, R.N.,LMT
Instructor: Pathology
Diane is a graduate of The Massage Institute of Memphis. She has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2001 and has a private massage therapy practice in Memphis. She has been a Registered Nurse since 1990, and is currently a practicing hospice nurse. Diane teaches the Pathology course to the day class.
KIRSTEN VANDE BERG, LMT
Instructor: Kinesiology, Massage Techniques, Law
Kirsten holds a B.A. in French from Rhodes College and is a graduate of The Massage Institute. She has twelve years experience in office administration and corporate training. In addition to teaching, Kirsten currently maintains a private practice in therapeutic massage, and was on the Tennessee Massage Board.
DAN WOOD, LMT
Instructor: Sports Massage, Reflexology, Hydrotherapy, Massage Techniques
Supervisor: Student Clinic
Dan is a graduate of The Massage Institute of Memphis and has practiced therapeutic massage since 1991. He has furthered his education through workshops and seminars including Reflexology with Pierre Bolszak, Sports Massage with Benny Vaughn, Injury Evaluation with Ben Benjamin, and an intensive study of myofascial release at The Chicago School of Massage Therapy.
JULIE MONTGOMERY WOOD, LMT
Instructor: Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Hydrotherapy
Julie holds a B.S. in Biology from Rhodes College and is a graduate of The Massage Institute of Memphis. She maintained a private therapeutic massage practice for four years. She has attended several teachers’ conferences. Julie is director of the science department.
Our adjunct faculty is made up of seven licensed massage therapists, a chiropractor, a psychologist, a physical therapist and an acupuncturist.
A variety of highly qualified therapists will present demonstrations in related therapies such as Trager, Acupuncture, Manual Lymph Drainage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Shiatsu, Tuina, Structural Integration and others.
The facility offers a classroom for lectures and hands-on work. An extensive library of books, journals, video and audio tapes on massage and related fields is available for student use. Students have access to a private therapy room for massage practice. Educational equipment includes various audio/visual media, anatomical charts, models, and several skeletons, including a human skeleton. The Massage Institute’s entire facility is a smoke-free environment for the health of our staff and students.
LOCATION
The Massage Institute of Memphis is located at 3251 Poplar Ave., Suite 25,at the corner of Poplar and Holmes, in the Greystone Center. Our office hours are 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday, except major holidays. Please call before visiting our facility, out of respect for our students and instructors.