Saturday, March 2, 2013

5 Cold, Hard Facts About Cold Stone Massages


Do you prefer hot or cold things? Throughout our everyday lives, we have several options that involve hot and cold varieties of things. There is hot tea and iced tea. There is a hot compress and a cold compress. There is even piping-hot pizza and chilled-from-the-night-before leftover pizza. When selecting between hot and cold varieties of things, it is important to consider the situation. Iced coffee is certainly more refreshing on those summer days when a thermometer's mercury climbs towards its apex. Similarly, here are some facts to consider regarding cold stone massages:

1. Cold stone massages provide more options
Obtaining a massage kit can simply provide therapists with more services. For instance, some patients may simply prefer the feel of cold stones against their bodies, as compared to heated stones.

2. Cold stone massages are sometimes medically preferable
In some cases, a patient should undergo a cold stone massage, rather than a hot stone massage. That includes cases in which the patient's muscles are sore, or the muscle tissue has become damaged. In both cases, the heat from the heated basalt stone could further aggravate the soreness or damage, and increase the pain that the patient feels.

3. Marble stones are outstanding for reducing swelling
People acquire muscle swelling through a variety of activities, which could be related to work, sports, or everyday accidents. Muscle swelling is one of the conditions for which hot stone massages should never be an option. In fact, the heat could indeed worsen the swelling and the subsequent pain that the patient feels. Marble, on the other hand, helps to spread the swelling throughout the circulatory system of the patient. It serves as a means for reducing the swelling and quickening the healing process.

4. Cold stone massages can help to revitalize body parts
Cold stone massages can help to rejuvenate patients. Some applications include:

o Reducing puffy eyes
o Relieving tired eyes
o Lowering sinus pressure

It is important to place a protective cloth underneath the stone, before placing cold stones atop a client's face.

5. Marble stones retain coldness well
Basalt is the most common type of stone that therapists use to give hot stone massages. Basalt stones are ideal, as they have smooth surfaces and retain heat very well. When giving a hot stone massage, the basalt stones remain on the patient for roughly 20 minutes. Thus, the more effective the stone is at retaining heat, the more effective the massage will be.

However, in the case of cold stone massages, marble is the most popular stone of choice. What is so special about marble? Marble retains coldness as well as basalt retains warmth. Thus, the substance is perfect for treating patients with sore or damaged muscles.

Hot stone massages are effective, but they are not for everyone. When patients have sore muscles or injured muscles, or simply dislike the sensation of heated stones-consider a cold stone massage. While "a rolling stone gather no moss," a cold stone can gather adoration from your massage patients.

How to Massage Migraine Headaches


Massage, a common method of relieving migraine headaches, can be done by a professional - or you can do it yourself using this technique.

A light massage combined with migraine pressure points will give you the greatest relief. You need only a few simple points about how to massage a migraine headache.

Migraine Pressure Point Defined

It is important to learn the migraine pressure point or points that bring relief. A migraine pressure point is a point on your body that, when pressed, will lessen the pain in your head. Surprisingly, a migraine pressure point is not necessarily the point that hurts most.

A migraine pressure point may be pressed and released in slow, rhythmical fashion, and deliberately massaged to gain relief. This will release congested energy and blood from the head and ease your pain.

Migraine Pressure Point Technique

You will be treating each migraine pressure point with these simple steps.

* Use only the pads of your thumbs or first two fingers - never the ends.

* Keep the pressure light to moderate, depending on how sensitive the point is to your touch.

* Press hard enough so you can feel hardness or tension under your thumb or fingers.

* If a migraine pressure point hurts so much that you can't take a deep breath, apply less pressure on that point.

* Let your fingers sink into the migraine pressure point as you apply pressure gradually. Feel your thumb or finger going gently, gradually deeper and deeper.

* While your thumb or finger is as deep as you want to go, massage the point with tiny, circular movements of your finger.

* Keep your thumb or finger on the migraine pressure point until you feel a movement or change there. It may feel softer or warmer.

* Now slowly, gradually release the migraine pressure point until your thumb or finger leaves the skin.

* Repeat several times at same point.

Migraine Pressure Point Locations

Remember to be firm, but gentle. Insufficient pressure on a migraine pressure point will not be effective - too much pressure will create tension in your surrounding muscles.

Here are a few migraine pressure point locations to get you started. Start with the first, and work your way through each point, consciously relaxing as you do so.

1. Migraine Pressure Point at Base of Skull

Locate the bony base of your skull in back. Place your thumb pads under the skull's base, each thumb about 1 inch from your spinal column. Holding your thumbs against the two points, tilt your head back slightly. Now press upward gradually, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions of the thumbs, still holding the pressure. When you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 again. Repeat 5 times.

2. Migraine Pressure Point at Mid-Forehead

This migraine pressure point is located at the middle of your forehead, right between your eyebrows. Using the migraine pressure point technique described above, and your thumbs or one of the first two fingers, press inward gradually, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.

3. Migraine Pressure Point at Eye Corners

Feel the face at the outer corners of your eyes. Move your fingers away from the eyes until you find the spots just behind the bone. Using the migraine pressure point technique and one or two finger pads, apply pressure gradually inward, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.

4. Migraine Pressure Point on Hand

Surprisingly, you have a migraine pressure point on each hand. It's the fleshy part between your thumb and index finger. Using the thumb pad and index finger of your opposite hand, gradually squeeze the upper portion of this migraine pressure point, counting to 10 and breathing deeply. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.

5. Migraine Pressure Point on Foot

The last point you will use to massage migraine headaches away is located on the top of each foot. Locate the place where the bones come together between your big toe and your second toe. With thumb or finger pads, press downward gradually, counting to 10, and breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage with tiny, circular motions, still holding the pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 again. Repeat 10 times.

Different bodies respond differently to pressure points. These should work for you. If you want information on additional migraine pressure points, ask a local shiatsu professional. A professional will also be able to give you a complete treatment for relief or prevention of migraine headaches.

The History of Physical Therapy


The history of physical therapy is a fascinating one, as this field has journeyed from the ancient civilizations of the Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Persian and Roman empires to our modern world of today. It is described as a set of practices that are intended to help patients feel more comfortable and live better lives, to reduce periods of convalescence and to diminish residual physical disabilities. Many of the methods and tools used in modern this therapy are the same as or similar to the instruments of those great ancient civilizations, and many others are at least based on the same concepts. It is interesting to see how these ancient practices led to the modern medical field of this therapy.

Sunshine and Water

Some of the early practices of Chinese, Egyptian, Greek and Persian physical therapy include exercise and massage, which are two main components of modern physical therapy practices. Greek and Roman texts also describe how sun and water were used to aid in the physical therapy of patients suffering from various conditions and diseases or recovering from accidents and illnesses. As mankind moved into the 19th century, more modern methods were introduced as well-some of which are still used today, and some of which have been abandoned.

An Extension of Nursing

The modern form of this therapy most closely resembling what we see in the United States today can be traced to the late 1800s in Great Britain. Soon after the established physical therapy practices were set up in Britain, these practices were transferred across the Atlantic to the United States. Originally, it was looked at more as a branch of nursing than a branch of medicine. Young women were trained, usually by orthopedic surgeons, to care for patients who needed help recovering from various accidents, conditions, diseases, dysfunctions and traumas.

A Necessity of War

The large number of wounded soldiers returning home from World War I necessitated the first school of this therapy in the United States, which was developed at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., to train hundreds of young women to care for the wounded. There were 14 more physical therapy schools founded during the First World War, producing 800 trained professionals-then referred to as "reconstruction aides." Not surprisingly, World War II spurred another surge in the number of physical therapists, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars both necessitated massive further developments in the field, which have stayed with us to this day.

How Long Does It Take To Be Certified At Beauty School?


One benefit of choosing to attend beauty school is that is much quicker than getting most other types of a degree. This is beneficial for those who want or need to pursue a career in the near future, or for anyone who simply does not want to spend very much time in school. In fact, attending a cosmetology school usually means that a degree is awarded based on the number of hours spent training rather than on the number of credits which have been earned.

For a cosmetology diploma, for example, the student must spend 60 weeks, or 2,100 hours, of learning theory and practicing hands-on training in order to earn a degree. This is how the beauty school ensures that the student gains extensive knowledge about the business of beauty and spa. With this degree, there are endless options for career paths - from working in any type of spa to running a modeling agency.

A massage therapy training diploma, on the other hand, requires a much shorter 33 week, 650 hour attendance. In this short time, the student will learn exceptional skills in massage therapy from the hands-on training. The graduate must simply then apply for a state licensure, which tends to vary from location to location. This diploma opens up opportunities for careers in chiropractic offices, gyms, physical therapy offices, and more.

In order to become an esthetician, a student must put in 30 weeks or 600 hours of practice and learning theory at a beauty school. Estheticians specialize in skin care, spa services, and sometimes applying makeup. It is an excellent diploma to have for a person who loves to make themselves and others feel beautiful. There is such a diverse number of jobs available for graduates who are practiced in this discipline that it is always sure to offer a refreshing career.

The fact that getting a diploma from a beauty school is such a quick process may look very attractive to high school graduates. Even more so, though, is the fact that there are so many things a person can do with these certifications. No matter what career path is chosen, it is sure to always be changing with modern styles, so it will be different every day and the practitioner will never feel bored by his or her occupation.

The Medical Benefits of Massage Therapy


Most people know massages can help you relax, manage stress levels, re-align parts of your body, and help you feel rejuvenated.

Massage therapy is something people feel is a luxury, which it often is, but treatments also have many medical benefits to help you maintain good health and live a balanced lifestyle.

Besides stress relief and relaxation benefits, below are some other benefits you can expect to experience with massage therapy.

1. Improves Posture. People who improve their posture tend to look better and can lead to more self confidence. Plus, better posture keeps your body aligned and will lead to less body aches.

2. Improves Circulation. When you get a massage, parts of your body that might have poor circulation like certain muscles and joints get stimulated which cause a better flow of blood in those areas.

3. Lowers Blood Pressure. A number of scientific studies have shown that massage therapy can decrease diastolic and systolic blood pressure along with decreasing salivary and urinary cortisol stress-hormone levels.

4. Improves Flexibility. By working on muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints, massage therapy stimulates the production and retention of our bodies natural lubricants between the connective tissue fibers, making stretching and movement easier, and keeping the body limber and flexible.

Scientific research also suggests massage therapy increases a body's immune function and reduces the recovery time in many medical conditions including: allergies, depression, anxiety, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, bronchitis, circulatory problems, insomnia, a plethora of sports injuries, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and musculo-skeletal disorders.

With all the direct and indirect benefits of massage therapy, you should consider explore the benefits yourself to unlock a more healthy, energetic, and stress free lifestyle.

Physical Therapy For Children - Several Benefits Revealed


Physical therapy is not just for adults but also for children who suffer from a wide range of diseases and illnesses such as Neuro-motor, congenital and non-congenital diseases. Delays in development due to certain reasons are also treatable through physical therapy.

Benefits Of Physical Therapy In Pediatrics

These are no different from the benefits of physical therapy claims in adults, restoring, improvement and rehabilitation of movement, and improvement in quality of life being just some of them. Children when treated at early stages of their ailment benefit in longevity and also in the quality of their life. It has been seen in children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and various other illnesses that they find it tough to deal with the day to day situations of living. But if they go through physical therapy, motor reflex control improves significantly and that makes it a lot easier for children to perform their routine activities. With physical therapy, it is not uncommon to see children get a new lease on life and living. The reason being that physical therapy focuses on improving the child's ability to deal with the ailment.

How Does Physical Therapy Claim To Benefit Pediatrics?

Occupational physical therapy claims that it aims at removing the limitations placed on the child's life by his or her ailment. The physical therapist conducts thorough evaluation through several steps and decides on the correct course of action. These treatments aim to improve the performance of daily activities as well as reduce the problems faced during feeding. Physical therapy claims to even correct some neonatal complications. Even in children with prosthetics, physical therapy claims to help the children in understanding the need for prosthetic equipment and coping better with it. Children who did not get a good start in life certainly can hope to live better with physical therapy.

Physical therapy claims and rightly so, that it is excellent for rehabilitation of a person from any age group. Pediatric physical therapy is an excellent way of resolving various problems of children and children are also quick to respond to the conditioning and treatment. The results can be amazing if children are given physical therapy as they have a long life ahead that can be made better. Children respond faster than adults and even in those with developmental problems, the quality of life can be significantly improved, as physical therapy claims correctly. Children may lack certain skills and abilities due to birth related problems and development delays that they can be made to learn much faster through physical therapy.

High Paying Physical and Occupational Therapy Jobs


The opportunities for high paying physical and occupational therapy jobs in the United States are on the rise. Leading healthcare staffing companies provide skilled and qualified professionals competent recruitment services to help them secure placement in established medical facilities. These companies place qualified professionals in multi-specialty hospitals, acute care clinics, long-term healthcare centers, rehabilitation clinics, educational institutions, nursing homes, home healthcare agencies, and other facilities. The job package comes with good salary and several other benefits.

Rewarding Professions with a Range of Benefits

To secure physical and occupational therapist jobs, you must possess a master's degree in the concerned discipline from an approved university. A relevant licensure is also essential to work in some US states. Additionally, you must have excellent communication skills, good aptitude, a positive attitude and patience to help the patients of all age groups in each and every phase of the treatment. Besides high pay, these rehab jobs ensure benefits such as:

• Professional liability insurance
• Health care insurance
• Section 125 cafeteria plan
• Short-term disability insurance
• Continuing education programs
• Additional state license
• 401k benefits
• H1b visas and green cards
• Immigration processing
• Cancer insurance

Nature of Physical and Occupational Therapy Jobs

Physical and occupational therapy jobs come with a great deal of responsibility. As a physical therapist you would have deal with persons experiencing with limited mobility, and help them perform their routine activities that have been hindered due to medical problems, injuries, illnesses, or any other medical issues. Physical therapy jobs involve important duties such as diagnosis, planning treatment procedures to reduce pain, restore functions and improve mobility, patient progress analysis and maintaining treatment reports.

An occupational therapy job would require you to work with people with physical, emotional, mental or developmental disorders. As a responsible occupational therapist, you would have to diagnose and plan treatment procedures and therapeutic exercises that would help them develop abilities to handle their responsibilities efficiently in both living and working environments, improve their basic reasoning abilities, motor functions, and also build their confidence and skills to help them lead an independent and productive life.

Register with an Experienced Healthcare Staffing Firm

To get placed in high paying physical and occupational therapy jobs, both domestically or internationally trained professionals should register with an experienced healthcare staffing agency. Most established agencies can help both experienced and new job seekers secure permanent, temporary, part-time, long-term, full-time and short-term jobs, or travel assignments. Additionally, almost all healthcare staffing firms offer dedicated assistance for internationally trained job aspirants to complete immigration and licensing procedures easily, as well as to obtain green cards within a short period of time. They also help candidates to obtain convenient housing facilities and provide the fees for visas or Green cards. Most staffing agencies maintain online jobs databases that are updated frequently. Jobs seekers can easily locate suitable rehab therapy job openings. They offer facilities for online resume submission as well.

Friday, March 1, 2013

How To Set Up A Mobile Massage Business


Not only has the modern lifestyle provided for growth, career fulfillment, entrepreneurship and advancements in every sphere of life but it has also provided for more stress to perform well and thus increased the value of alternate healing techniques, such as massage therapy! It is not wonder then that what used to be chiefly considered a physiotherapist's domain is now so much in demand as a value-added service in parlors, spas, health farms and even hotels as people crave rest, relaxation and peacefulness that a good massage therapist can provide with a flick of the wrist and spin of the fingers!

While it may not always be possible to rent out large and grand looking offices or commercial chambers for a massage therapy business, one can start small with the venture of providing quality massages at affordable costs by investing in a van so as to offer mobile massage therapy packages.

It is also a considerable lower investment than renting or buying a place and employing many people with added overheads; besides, having a mobile massage therapy business allows one to decide schedules according to their convenience, have more than one location to operate from and thus wider reach to customers, they are self-employed and enjoy more freedom than massage therapists working in a parlor under a boss and can also thus be totally independent in setting regulations for work as they please and deem fit.

Investing in a movable massage therapy business also reduces the expenses related to a regular set-up in an office environment besides eliminating much of the equipment one would require to fill space or even the salary of a receptionist and manager as such; other headaches such as property insurance and utility costs are also considerably reduced in a mobile unit.

With the small private area afforded by a mobile massage unit, there is the added attraction of therapists being able to offer couple-massages that are a sensual treat for many partners who cannot enjoy the togetherness of such an experience at a parlor in quite the same way besides a mobile unit allows the entrepreneur to visit home-bound clients and those with a disability just as well. Even those with a time-limitation can be attended to in the privacy of the mobile massage unit with the therapist making the appointment somewhere near the client's office/home.

However, with all these heavy advantages to a mobile business as a massage therapist, there are equal number of downsides, which include taking care of self employment taxes that are typically more; having to take care of health and vehicle insurance on your own, incurring more fuel and maintenance cost for the automobile, extra commuting long-term, physical tiredness and mental strain of dealing with varied client demands at odd hours besides having to take care of advertising your services and business developments.

Weight the pros and cons of the decision and choose wisely if you are cut out for making it in the mobile massage therapy business - after all, nobody knows your needs better than you!

The Health Benefits of Massage Therapy to the Elderly


Massage therapy provides the aged people enormous benefits the will help improve their health conditions and well-being. As days go by, we must consider ways of helping the elderly since they are the ones who are greatly affected by their age.

Studies show that massage therapy can directly impact and control the adverse effects of getting old. The soothing sensations of massage can relieve the pain that the aged people are suffering from. It may also bring a feeling of comfort for people who are suffering from arthritis and other muscle pains.

As a person gets old, he becomes less and less active. Hence, the quality of his life is at risk. This condition affects the health due to lack of physical activities that should be regularly done by the body. It has been promoted by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) to use massage therapy as a way of curing physical ailments. Recent study shows that this practice has been commonly used but only few know the benefits of doing such.

Massage therapy can provide lots of benefits to the senior citizens. The Touch Research Facility has proven that therapeutic massage can help cure Alzheimer's disease by relaxation and communication brought about by the massage.

For those who are suffering from arthritis, this therapy will help reduce the pain and may also help the patient move in a wider range as it will trigger natural lubrication of the joints. Arthritis directly affects the joints which makes it hard for older people to move.

Aside from the relaxation and comfort that massage therapy can provide, it also helps enhance the strength and the coordination of the muscles. Another benefit of the therapy is that it improves the body posture as it reduces muscle tension. As a result, massage therapy may improve the quality of rest for the elderly.

Massage therapy will also energize the body together with mental enhancement since it provides relaxation of the mind. Studies have proven that the therapy truly plays a significant role in the health of the community.

As studies continue to instill in peoples minds that physical therapy can bring numerous benefits, the number of people who understands the significance of such therapy continues to increase as well. Nowadays, a lot of people are into pharmaceutical approach when it comes to the adverse effects of aging, but none of these treatments can be as effective and natural as massage therapy.

Quality Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Facility - Look For 3 Things to Get Back to Pain Free Living


Let's face it, getting hurt pretty much all around sucks. After all, not only do you have to deal with the pain and discomfort that comes from the injury, but you typically also have to deal with the limitations that the injury causes. In addition, injuries involving joint, muscles, and bones typically require follow-up treatment to get you back to 100 percent functionality. This is where physical therapy rehabilitation comes in.

But the good news is that by participating in physical therapy, you can get back on track and in some cases feeling better than you did before you started your rehab. However to ensure you get the best care to get you to that point, you want to look for 3 things in a quality physical therapy rehabilitation facility. They are:

繚 Hands-on, one on one care - This type of personalized treatment comes from smaller independently owned facilities. In this setting you have a therapist working closely with you, guiding you and managing your rehab closely. It's not a large center when you are one of hundreds of patients being observed and assisted by a handful of therapists.

繚 Certified professionals with constant continuing education - the human body is a complex machine and daily we learn more and more how it moves, functions, and works. As a results new practices and processes can be developed and taught to help therapists assist their patients to heal and get the most healthy possible in the shortest period of time. Look for therapists who are consistently updating their skills with continuing education.

繚 Rehabilitation involving strengthening of core muscles - Your body works as one whole unit with the source of it being at your core/abdominal region. As a result, your core area is involved in essentially every move you make. If you want to function the most efficiently and effectively, training and strengthening that core is imperative. Regardless of what injury you're dealing with, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, hip, etc., abdominal muscle work should be involved as part of your therapy plan. A quality physical therapy rehabilitation facility will ensure that its therapists are instructing on proper strengthening and use of core muscles as a normal part of your rehab process.

So while getting injured, can be a real "pain", (yes, pun intended), by looking for these prerequisites in a physical therapy rehabilitation facility, you will assure for yourself the best care and most qualified help to getting back on your way to a pain free life.

Choosing Between Speech Pathology Or Occupational Therapy As a Career


Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy are rewarding and challenging careers that involve helping people with a limiting physical condition. Both careers focus on helping people overcome life challenges so they can adjust and live a productive life.

When considering a career in either speech pathology or occupational therapy, most people will make a choice based on their own personal goals and desires. Speech language pathology is the evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders. Speech pathologists help individuals who have physical disabilities associated with speech such as difficulty in pronouncing words, hearing impairments, voice disorders, cognitive communication impairments, memory and problem solving disorders, and swallowing difficulties.  A speech therapist will work with people who have difficulty speaking, forming words or sounds, or who are recuperating from an injury or illness that has affected their ability to speak. Speech disorders can result from a number of conditions such as delayed development, a genetic disorder, an accident, or a medical condition such as a stroke. Although they are involved with helping adults, many speech pathologists tend to focus on children because early childhood is an important time for speech and language development. Those who want to specialize in helping children will often choose speech pathology as a career.

Many people choose speech pathology due to a number of specialized areas one can pursue. These areas can include disorders in fluency, neurogenic speech and language, language development, articulation, alternative communication, and swallowing. They employ a wide variety of assessment plans, diagnostic techniques, and treatment procedures. For those interested in research and development, speech language pathologists can specialize in seeking an understanding of the causes of a speech disorder and develop effective methods for evaluation and treatment of the condition.

One will often choose a career as an Occupational Therapist because they have a genuine interest in enabling people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapy is a career that focuses on activities regarding daily living. Their job is to help people with impairments to adapt and function in everyday life activities.  They help individuals with developmental, emotional, physical, and mental disabilities. The goal is to improve functioning and wellness. Functioning tasks can include such actions as meal preparation, showering and dressing, managing money, and implementing their daily routine. They will also help them function better in the workplace. Areas focused on include memory, cognition and perception and motor skills.

Occupational therapists assist patients with achieving their set goals by improving their ability to participate in daily routines, modifying the environment to help them function better, and adapting an activity to better support their needs. They work with individuals, children, families, groups and the community to facilitate health and well-being by establishing or re-establishing their previous occupation. As well, Occupational Therapists are becoming increasingly more involved in tackling the impact of social and environmental factors that affect a person's ability to return to their previous occupation.  

Occupational Therapists focus helping patients return to their previous occupation, while speech pathology focuses on the specific area of communication disorders. Both professions are in great demand and provide a valuable service to the community and health profession. Whichever one you pick, you are sure to have a rewarding career.

The Benefits of Giving a Thai Massage


Much is said for the healthful benefits of receiving Thai massage, the holistic, healing and often life changing energy based bodywork from Thailand. Its benefits lie in the fact that Thai massage addresses the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Its attention is broad, complete, hopeful, honoring and trusting of each person's innate ability to heal and become well. It is based on the concept that a life force energy circulates along energy pathways throughout the body, maintaining health and vitality. It works along these energy pathways to correct imbalances and remove any restrictions that can result in pain, tension or dis-ease. By facilitating energy to flow freely and unrestricted, tension eases, pain lessens, flexibility increases, blood and lymph circulation improves, elimination of wastes and toxins is enhanced, body-mind energies come into balance and the person relaxes and experiences an overall sense of well-being. Yes, much is said about the benefits of receiving, but less about the benefits of giving - and Thai massage is beneficial for the giver.

Traditional Thai massage, is the sacred healing bodywork of Thailand, but has influences from other countries, cultures and medical traditions. Its origin is credited to an Indian physician Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, also known as Doctor Shivago Komparaj, who is said to have been the personal physician and friend to the Buddha over 2500 years ago. It's influences include acupuncture, herbs, and Tui-na massage from China and Ayurvedic massage, yoga asanas (postures) and Buddhism from India.

An important aspect of Thai massage is that it applies the Buddhist teachings of the four divine states of mind - metta (loving kindness ), kuruna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy) and upekkha (equanimity). Metta is the desire to make others happy and the ability to show loving kindness. Kuruna is having compassion for those who suffer and the desire to ease their suffering. Mudita is rejoicing in sympathetic joy with those who have good fortune and never feeling envy. Upekkha is regarding others with equanimity, having a state of composure arising from a deep awareness and acceptance of the present moment, without preference, prejudice, judgment or criticism. While applying the qualities of metta, kuruna, mudita and upekkha with the desire for the receiver's well-being, the giver creates a moving meditation, mindfully flowing from one position to the next. This benefits the overall health of not only the receiver, but the giver as well.

Thai massage is also beneficial to the giver, as it encourages him or her to be healthy and balanced - physically, emotionally and spiritually. In order to give an effective and quality Thai massage, one must be in good physical and emotional condition with plenty of energy. Since Thai massage is such a close and intimate form of bodywork, it is important for the giver to feel as healthy, or healthier, than the receiver. Being in good condition makes it easier to focus, tune in to the receiver's needs and create a circuit of energy between giver and receiver that benefits both.

Thai massage appears more tiring and strenuous than it actually is. By using good body mechanics and leverage, rather than forced muscle strength, it is not straining and takes less effort than is apparent. Often, the giver feels invigorated following a session. When done mindfully and with proper technique it can be quite relaxing. The giver remains in a meditative state of mind while stretching and strengthening his or her own body. During the massage, it is important the giver stay relaxed, mentally scanning his or her body for areas of held tension. By constantly self-correcting, breathing into tight areas and releasing any areas of tension as needed, the giver receives the health giving effects as much as the receiver.

In the West, Thai massage is often called Thai Yoga Bodywork, since giving Thai massage is similar to doing yoga. It shares similar benefits, such as increased flexibility and strength and improved circulation. As in doing yoga, giving Thai massage is also beneficial for internal organs and glands, as well as for all systems of the body including the muscular, vascular, digestive, endocrine and nervous systems. It improves the givers posture, body alignment and body awareness as well as his or her breathing and ability to remain balanced, centered, present and calm. Done regularly, it helps keep the giver healthy and young.

The beauty of Thai massage is that both giver and receiver benefit. There is a circuit of energy that flows between them during their therapeutic dance that is mutually balancing. Giver and receiver become co-facilitators in the practical expression of loving kindness that improves their well-being. Because of this, the giver may continue to practice the health enhancing art of Thai massage for a long time, even into their old age.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Massage


The beauty of massage is that you can do it yourself and you can do it multiple times every day and that's how massage is best done.

Always feel around in the muscles for points or places that make you feel good and relaxed. Massage is a mechanical stimulant for the muscles and though it moves the muscles passively, it can be quite effective because it helps to keep the muscles soft and pliable.
Massage movements can help the muscles to twitch if the motor point (nerve muscle meeting point) of the muscle can be found and stimulated mechanically through manual movements. If you can find pleasurable and relaxing points within the muscle, then the massage is able to twitch (contract) these points which are the motor points and the massage will be even more effective in relaxing the muscles.

If some places in the muscle are too tender, do not use strong pressure in those areas because it can irritate and make the muscle spasm in these areas even more intense. Therefore massage can induce pain or aggravate pain instead of relaxing the muscle.

Pounding the muscles with your hand or using an electric massager can be very effective in massaging large muscles.

Briefly squeezing the muscle with your hand and immediately letting it go can be quite useful especially in the neck or on small to medium size muscles. Also, an effective way for massaging the forearm and arm muscles is to twist the muscles in clockwise and anti-clockwise motion across the shaft of the bone.

For massaging the small muscles of the hand and feet use two fingers, press or roll the muscle with one finger on the top of the hand or foot and the other finger on the palm of the hand or sole of the foot.

The most important areas to massage are the muscles along the side of the spine from the base of the skull to the base of the lower spine. Massage also the slopes the shoulder for the trapezius muscles and muscles over the shoulder blade and along the inner border of the shoulder blade and between the shoulder blades. Include also the latissimus dorsi muscle that runs from the back of the armpit along the back of the chest to the lower back. Massage horizontally also along the lower angle of the shoulder blade wrapping to the side and front of the chest. There are motor points along the upper border of the latissimus dorsi muscle and massage can help twitch to induce relaxation of the muscle.

You can effectively massage the muscles of the back by yourself by leaning against a 1-2 pound plastic coated barbell. This will help to also stretch the back muscles. If you have too much pain, you may wrap the barbell in a small towel or just use a soft rubber ball or a tennis ball to lean against.

You may find it useful also to lean the spine muscles against the edge or corner of a table, door, cabinet or wall. You can slide yourself sideways across that corner to get a better massage effect.

Massage to include as many muscles as you can. These muscles lie on the back and front of the body, the outer and inner aspect of the limbs. Massage to include the lower limb muscles, the gluteus maximus (buttocks), hip, thigh and calf muscles. Include the scalp muscles as well as the facial muscles.

The pressure of the massage should vary according to the tenderness felt during massage. If it is too tender, do not use too much pressure to avoid inducing or aggravating pain. If you should find points that are relaxing and pleasurable, you may massage these areas longer and also find more of these relaxing points.

Physical Therapy for Back, Shoulder and Knee Pain


Body pains especially neck, lower back, shoulder pain and knee pain are very common with more than 90% of all people experiencing such body aches at least once in their life time. Most structural related pains are associated with improper body posture such as excessive bending and seating postures that affect your neck and back.

There are diverse ways of treating structural aches including medication and in some extreme cases surgery. However, one of the more effective ways of dealing with these pains is physical therapy. Physical therapy entails both passive and active processes.

Passive Physical Therapy

Passive therapy, as opposed to active therapy are the processes that are done onto your body by a physiotherapy without involving exercising.

Massage

Deep tissue massaging is ideal for neck, back and shoulder pain relief as it applies sufficient pressure on tissues to relief pain and muscular tension. Massage is especially ideal for the simple conditions especially those associated with poor posture. However, to resolve the main cause of the condition, it is important to train the patient the right body postures to protect them from the re-occurrence of the conditions. If the pains are severe, massaging may not be ideal as it may cause further discomfort.

Heat Therapy

Heat therapy is very effective in treating aches since it helps relax muscles and allows for better blood circulation which in turn provides more oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas. Though heat therapy will not resolve the cause of the aches, it will help reduce it to manageable levels. Heat therapy is especially effective in resolving both back and shoulder pain.

Electric Muscle Therapy

Electric muscular therapy helps reduce muscular discomfort and body aches by reducing muscular tension. This therapy process also triggers the body to produce more endorphins that are used by the body to naturally relief pain. Electric therapy is mainly used for neck, hip and knee pain.

Hydro-therapy

Water is known to be a pain reliever and it simply helps muscles to relax as the water massages your body. Relaxing in a water bath helps in reducing structural discomfort especially back and shoulder pain. However, there are advanced hydro-therapy machines available with some physiotherapists to aid in relieving body aches.

Ultrasound

This is a physical therapy process that uses machine generated ultrasound waves to increase general body temperature and thereby allowing for better blood circulation. Improved blood circulation increases oxygen levels in the affected areas and therefore speeding the healing process.

Active Physical Therapy Treatment

Active therapy involves personal exercising of your body to relax muscles and improve blood circulation. These exercises may be used hand in hand with medication. However, in some more severe conditions, the victim may not be able to perform these exercises and therefore, other treatment processes may be used.

Abdomen Muscles Exercises

Abdominal muscles play a major part in maintaining body structure and stability. These muscles help support the back muscles that in turn help in supporting and protecting the spinal cord. Abdominal muscle exercise is therefore ideal for back and shoulder pain relief. These exercises include captain chair, bicycle maneuver, exercise ball crunch, vertical leg crunch and torso track exercise.

Muscle strengthening

Muscular strengthening exercises are exercises that work to build your muscular strength and thereby protecting your body structure from excessive strain and pressure in your daily chores. Furthermore, some structural pain conditions may be averted by the muscle strengthening processes.

Thai Massage Therapy - What Is It, How Does It Help & What Happens?


So what is Thai massage? Well it is a deep massage and stretching technique that is thought to help the whole body. individuals with all sorts of illnesses visited Thai massage therapists during its growth, hoping for a cure. This massage form through its development has become a blend of various techniques. It is thought that Thai massage began from an Indian massage form and then took on influences from other cultures in the Southeast of Asia.

This holistic massage therapy works both on the mind and the body; well without a healthy mind you cannot possess a healthy body and vice versa. Your joints become more flexible and circulation improves when you have regular Thai massages. It is held by the Thai massage therapists, that our bodies possess energy tracks called Meridian Channels and they become blocked if we are injured or sick. The aim of the massage is to unblock theses pathways and permit the correct flow of our vital energy.

What happens throughout a Thai massage? Believe it or not, but a Thai massage is typically carried out on a mat on the floor. This is obviously unlike most, if not all other types of massage. If you have a sore back or neck that you believe may stop you getting to the floor then it may be even more important you go!! Typically a Thai massage practitioner will have a solution for you if you cannot simply get on the floor but it is wise to talk over any physical difficulties you may have before making an appointment.

You will not need to undress for this massage. No oil is used during your massage so your clothes won't get messed up. You do need to wear loose fitting clothing though so as not to restrict any of the movements the Thai Massage practitioner puts you through and yes also you need to use clothes you don't mind getting creased. The massage is done in silence most times to help the therapists concentration.

A Thai massage can take anything from one to two hours to perform. The therapist typically moves up your body from the feet end and will use their knees, feet, elbows and hands to produce Yoga type stretches (you won't have to put any effort in), mobilize joints and compress specific regions of spasm in the muscles till they relax off (acupressure). Pressure is gentle and although could cause some discomfort at times during the session (well no pain no gain) you shouldn't feel like you have been beaten up afterwards for a few days.

Using Ultrasound Therapy in the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Injuries


The shoulder is stabilized by a group of muscles and their tendons. This group of muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis), and their tendons, is called the rotator cuff or rotor cuff. The rotator cuff is important in shoulder movement and in maintaining shoulder joint stability.

Muscles and tendons can be irritated or damaged, and as a result, a rotater cuff injury can appear. The shoulder injury may occur suddenly after a specific traumatic injury, such as an acute fall on an outstretched arm and hand. Alternatively, the tendon and muscle inflammation may be due to a chronic injury that gets progressively worse over time because of daily activities that aggravate the shoulder muscles. This chronic shoulder injury is called a repetitive or over use injury. In this type of injury, repeated activities cause damage to the tendons, and might require surgery.

A rotator cuff tear can also develop within the tendons over time due to the tendons wearing thin. This is called tendinitis, which is an inflammation of the muscles. Rotator cuff tendonitis usually happens to those over 40 years of age and who repeatedly do overhead activities. Calcium deposits can also cause rotator cuff tendinitis. Calcium may deposit in the tendons due to decreased oxygen and poor blood supply. Once torn, a rotator cuff has difficulty healing due to its very poor blood supply.

Therapeutic ultrasound modalities have proven to be an effective alternative in the healing of rotator cuff shoulder injuries, because the ultra sound waves increase blood circulation and oxygen to the site of the tear. Basically, ultrasound therapy stimulates tissue beneath the skin's surface using sound waves. These waves penetrate the skin, increasing the blood supply. When blood supply increases, local swelling and chronic inflammation are reduced. In addition, these sound waves cause the soft tissue to vibrate. These vibrations help to heal, and also reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Rotator cuff ultrasound therapy has shown good results, with pain relief and increased range of motion.

For a rotator cuff disorder, a portable home ultrasound machine can be very beneficial in relieving the pain associated with this condition and speeding the healing process. While ultrasound therapy treatments were once reserved for only professional athletes, it is now possible to treat many painful conditions in the comfort of your own home with a pulsed ultrasound unit.

A soft tissue injury such as a torn rotator cuff requires a specific kind of home ultrasound machine. An ultrasound physical therapy machine for home use should utilize 1Mhz ultra sound waves. The ultrasound device should also have FDA approval and be quality manufactured. You will also want to examine the details of the warranty and ensure that the unit is covered with at least a 1 year warranty.

While a physical therapist's ultrasound machine will use continuous wave ultrasound, pulsed ultrasound is just as effective at treating painful conditions, like a rotator cuff injury, but treatments will be more frequent. You now have the opportunity to treat your torn rotator cuff daily in the comfort of your own home with a portable therapeutic ultrasound machine.

5 Benefits of an In-Home Massage Vs A Day Spa


In home massages have lots of benefits over traveling to a day spa or massage center. Here are just a few benefits of receiving spa therapies in the comfort of your home.

No driving afterwords
When you receive an in home massage, you don't have to worry about driving home or getting stuck in traffic. You have to be alert to drive, and alertness can cut short the relaxation benefits of your massage.

Pro-long the relaxation benefits
An in home massage enables you to really prolong your relaxation. You can schedule the appointment right before retiring for the evening. Or you can plan a warm bath or other relaxation ritual before and after your massage.

Experience deeper relaxation
Relaxation requires focusing your attention within and withdrawing it from your five senses and the external world. When you travel to another location to receive massage, your senses are usually on high alert because of the sensory input of the new space.

When you're at home, you're so accustomed to the space, that you're better able to relax more quickly. This helps you move deeper into relaxation during the session. So if you're receiving a massage for stress relief, then in-home massages can deliver more stress relief in one session

Receive a full hour, not 50 minutes
Did you know that when you go to a spa to receive massage, you only receive 50 minutes? Spas do this to fit more appointments into the day. Many times when you get an in home massage, you'll receive an hour or a little longer because the therapist is not is as much of a rush since they usually schedule plenty of time in between clients to allot for travel time.

You're not just a number
At spas, massage therapist usually have about 5-10 minutes in between clients to change the sheets and set the room up for the next client. Talk about stressed out. They also do anywhere between 5 to 7 massages a day. So naturally, the quality decreases.

When a massage therapist comes to your home to do massage, they see your home, family pictures, and maybe even family, so they have more insight into you as a person needing their services rather than just a number. This can mean a higher quality massage.

Before booking an in home massage, keep in mind that when you book from an agency, especially one that's not local, many times they have never even met the massage therapist they send to your house. So there's no guarantee of professionalism or quality.

The best case would be to search for independent massage therapist who is licensed in your state. Google is a great tool where you can put in "in home massage" and your city, state to find a massage therapist. Once you find someone you like, just verify their certification before booking an appointment.

Trade, Career, Or Vocational School - What's the Difference?


In a nutshell, there is no difference. Whether you choose to go to a trade school, career school, technical school or vocational school, the purpose of each type of school is to teach its students specific job skills in their chosen field of study. It's really just a matter of what the school chooses to call itself.

There are vocational schools for Health care professions such as Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Nursing, Ultrasound Technician and others. These programs focus on providing students not only with essential book education, but hands-on training that allows graduates to enter the job market feeling confident in their ability to perform job duties on day one.

Career schools for those who want to work in artistic fields are also available. Creative types that prefer not to attend 4-year degree programs requiring a lot of general education classes that don't apply to their artistic ambitions can complete diploma, certificate and associate degree programs in Graphic Arts, Interior Design, Animation, Web Design and Game Development a number of career schools. Some of these programs can even be completed through online study.

The programs you find at trade schools are typically for careers in what are called "skilled trades" such as HVAC, Auto Mechanics, Plumbing, Welding and Avionics. These programs usually include an apprenticeship component that is required before you become licensed. Other skilled trades include Cosmetology and Electrician.

There are schools that offer all of these programs, and others that focus on one specific trade. A good vocational/career/trade school is accredited and provides student services such as job placement upon program completion.

Schools offering vocational training are ideal for those seeking specific career training that does not require a 4-year degree. If you are looking for a training program, Vocational School Searcher can help.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Which Schools of Massage Therapy Best Suit You?


Which would be the best place to work as massage therapist? It would be Hawaii. Being always known as a hot tourist destination makes Hawaii's massage therapy industry a requirement to making it a top tourist attraction to relax and unwind. And massage therapy always makes tourist relax and unwind. What would be a nice state to study massage therapy?

Again I say Hawaii. Hawaii's schools of massage have the advantage of having its Massage therapy industry booming making their faculty into top rate practicing professionals. Who better to teach the course than teachers who are both knowledgeable in theory and practice. Hawaii is also an accredited state making students who get their license instantly be nationally and internationally accredited. Giving the new licensed graduates more options to look for work. And of course, come on it's Hawaii, coming to school here would be like having a vacation without having to travel that far.

That's just an awesome reason to come study in Hawaii. So what would be the best school of massage that would suit you? This time the answer won't be Hawaii. Seriously though the answer would be to get into a massage school that offers you a general overview of all massage therapy styles and also teaching you the basic of all these styles. As you know there are a lot of massage therapy styles. A recently published article has even cited 80 styles. That's just too much to handle so it is important we begin with an overview and introduction to the basics.

Basic courses in massage schools would offer such massage therapy courses like massage tech, anatomy & physiology, shiatsu, lomi, jorei, hydrotherapy, assessment, reflexology, chair massage and aromatherapy. There are also basic courses for pre-natal, orthopedic massage, business tactics, ortho bionomy, neuro muscular therapy, treatment & pathology and clinical practice.

Then if you have taken up all the required basic courses, it is up to you to proceed to study in the specialization of a particular style of massage therapy or not. Which I would advise that you do. So that's it for now and I do hope you take my advice and study in a great school of massage in Hawaii. And if your parents wouldn't believe you that you really are going to study in Hawaii then let them read this article. They may even be convinced to come study with you. Is that a good thing or bad thing? Good luck, then. Aloha.

Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Programs


When searching for the right educational program for learning to become a physical therapy assistant, just as with any other study program, the quality of the course should be an important consideration.

While there are both short courses as short as 10 months, and full 2-year college courses available, what is most imperative is finding one that is accredited.

Only by doing so will students be able to enroll in schooling with the confidence that their program of choice is going to actually prepare them for their intended career.

The Importance of Enrollment in an Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Program

The main importance in getting an education from a physical therapy assistant program that is accredited is that the student can be certain they are being presented with correct, relevant information which will enable them to start a successful career as a PTA.

There are many different educational programs to choose from today, offered by colleges, vocational and business schools, both online and offline; not all of them offer the same quality of education, however.

Through accreditation with main the main governing associations that monitor course curriculums being sold to prepare prospective PTAs, students will know they are paying for the best information and education that is available to them, and in a format that will best prepare them for testing and/or licensure.

With an accredited program, study curriculums are created by these associations with students' futures in mind, and the understanding that proper training today will create the best-qualified professionals tomorrow.

They ensure that course writers are up to date on latest techniques, medical laws and requirements, and all pertinent information so that students are getting a relevant education.

While it is possible for those enrolled in non-accredited courses to become licensed, employers look at accreditation very favorably. To them, it is a way to gauge the education that an applicant has, and what kind of training they are likely to need before they can become a fully functioning member of the staff.

While it is possible for candidates to take their licensing exams or other necessary testing without having attended an accredited study course, employer consideration should definitely be recognized as a potential benefit.

Also, should the student wish to further their career in the future and go on to become a licensed physical therapist (PT), having attended an accredited program will ensure that as many credits as possible will count toward obtaining that more specified degree.

Recognizing an Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Program

In most cases, any type of educational program is likely to prominently state on their website and in their course information material that they are accredited, and whom with.

For a lesser-known course, or a program that does not specify directly, interested people can always inquire from accreditation bodies themselves whether or not a study course carries recognition or not.

In the US, the nationally recognized agency that monitors courses for educating to become a PTA is the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

There are currently 211 approved programs that hold this qualification in the US. In Canada there currently are no accredited programs for becoming a physical therapy assistant; students earn their title of PTA after passing a licensing examination only.

In the UK, while there are no "accredited" programs per se, there are educational courses that have been created in conjunction with the NHS to fulfill the necessary educational requirements for students to be eligible for employment as a physiotherapy assistant.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is a privately funded organization that helps guide and govern the available training courses, and offers approval to courses that fit their qualifications.

At this time there are 35 different universities and schools offering CSP Approved courses for physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants, and for physiotherapy assistants who are in need of more in-depth education in order to obtain specialty positions.

Although it may seem like any program with the same classes might be fine, it is highly recommended that students research to ensure that a program they are interested in is an accredited physical therapy assistant program before enrolling.

Doing so helps ensure that their tuition dollars are well spent on an approved, expertly crafted curriculum that will not only prepare them for licensing examinations, but look the best to prospective employers as well.

History of Massage Therapy & the Benefits of it


Massage has been an important part of medicine for over five
thousand years. It is also a major topic in the first medical
texts printed. The first medical texts were used by early
physicians who were primarily men. These men commonly practiced
the art of massage therapy when treating and caring for their
patients. I only mention this because I have spoke to many
people who find it surprising in today's world, that there are
men who are professional Massage Therapists. Today Massage
therapy is primarily a career chosen by women. Whether your
therapist is male or female should not be of importance, unless
you have a specific reason that makes you uncomfortable getting
a massage from a female or male therapist. What is important is
that your therapist is licensed or certified in the type of
massage that will help you most.

The massage therapy profession has been severely abused by
prostitutes that use massage therapy as a cover up for illegal
sexual activities. The places where they work are often referred
to as "Massage Parlors". That is why massage licensing and many
city ordinances were put into effect. Professional licensing
requires people who want to pursue a career as a massage
therapist to get a specified number training hours from a school
or college of massage. Most states also require that these
students pass a national certification exam that shows that that
person has the ability to identify specific pathologies and has
a good understanding of the human anatomy. This helps to make it
more difficult for illegal parlors to exist and helps to protect
you as a consumer. In recent history the profession has been
abused and still is in some places. If you are interested in
getting a professional, non-sexual massage you should not only
ask if that person is licensed or certified, but also be sure to
ask if they have had any specific training in the area you are
wanting massage for.

Hippocrates, who is considered "The Father of Medicine" was
highly respected in his findings. He is probably the most
respected man in medical history. That is why he is known as
"The Father of Medicine". I have read many historical books that
stated that Hippocrates said, "The physician must be acquainted
with many things and assuredly with rubbing" (Massage Therapy).
Hippocrates had an oath for Medical Doctors to take. I
personally feel that this oath is ignored often when it comes to
the use of Massage Therapy and other fine sources of alternative
health. One version of the Hippocratic oath is printed below if
you are interested in reading it. The first few lines of the
oath seem to be conveniently avoided or forgotten by many of
today's Physicians. I have asked many of my clients if their
physician has ever recommended they get a massage without being
asked about it specifically. Very few of them have ever told me
yes. I have had a few clients that asked their physician
specifically about the benefits of getting a massage in order to
help them with their specific condition or problem. My
experiennce has been that less than half of these people report
that they were ever told by their Physician to pursue treatment
by a Professional Massage Therapist. On the other side of the
argument, I have several Physicians and Nurses that are clients
of mine and they have told me that they often refer patients to
get Massages. Most of these Physicians and Nurses have told me
they feel the reason that their patients do not always pursue
their recommendation is because massage is seldom covered by
medical insurance. Over the past years there have been many
studies providing an abundance of proof that certain kinds of
massage therapy are very effective for treating many conditions
when used as either a primary or secondary type of care. Many
insurance companies have put an end to paying for massage
therapy because of a few massage therapists that have billed the
insurance companies for massages that were not considered the
appropriate type of massage for that patient or clients
particular condition. Insurance companies expect hard evidence
from clinical studies that have shown that a particular massage
modality or technique has helped with a specific condition,
before they want to reimburse anyone for it. I can't say that I
blame them for that because I would not want to pay for gasoline
if I was given a tank of water. Giving someone a simple
relaxation massage or Reiki treatment may be helpful, but isn't
necessarily the best type of massage treatment for someone with
a specific condition such as low back pain, frozen shoulder,
carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, lymph drainage, migraines, sciatica
and many other conditions. Whereas a professional Massage
Therapist with proper training in one or more of these areas
would be much more effective in treating a specific condition
that they have been trained for.

Most of today's society has been conditioned to believe that
drugs are the fastest and best way to get better. Our society
today wants and expects a drug or procedure that can be
prescribed and can quickly cure whatever is bothering them. I am
not against the use of medical drugs or Physicians. In fact I
highly recommend that you find a Physician who is knowledgeable
about the use of certain drugs and when it is appropriate to use
them. Find a Physician that will take the time to really listen
to you and explain what is wrong, what drugs or other treatment
or procedures you may need, and why it will be of benefit to
you. I say this because I have had several clients that have
come to see me about muscular pain that they have been having.
Muscular pain that they have often seen more than one Physician
or other professional about. These clients tell me that they
still have no idea what is wrong with them or why they have the
pain. Many of them come to see me as a last resort, because they
have exhausted all of their other options. I often ask what they
were told or how they were treated for the pain that they are
having. I often hear them reply that they were given a
prescription for some type of pain reliever and told to rest.
Most of these pain relievers will either help to relax the
muscles because of the effect on the central nervous system or
help to reduce inflammation. These pain relievers often help to
reduce pain and that is about it. What I have found with these
clients is that they have been taking pain relievers for a long
time and have tried many different therapies, rest, heat, cold,
traction, ultra sound, etc... without any lasting results. Many
of those treatments can be helpful for many people but do not
always solve the problem. Massage doesn't always solve the
problem either, but it has been my personal experience that many
of my clients have told me that it did do the trick for them and
that they are very thankful that they gave massage a try.
Sometimes, regardless of all they have tried, the pain continues
because the injury may have an excess of painful scar tissue or
keeps getting re-injured because of their daily activities. It
can even be because of swelling or tension in the muscle that
has caused a lack of blood flow to the area that causes it to
become ischemic (lack of blood flow). Blood flow is needed to
carry the cells that help to heal an area. Without good blood
flow it is unlikely to heal properly. Ischemic tissue may
collect toxins from the slow moving blood around it. Many of
those toxins cause trigger points to develop and cause pain in
the muscle.

So what can a professional Massage Therapist do that is
different for this type of muscular pain? The proper massage
given by a professional with knowledge of how to treat your
specific type of muscular pain may use friction and compression
to help reduce the amount of scar tissue in that area. Scar
tissue is not very flexible, but with massage it can be made to
be more flexible, thus reducing the amount of pain you may have
in that area. A good Massage therapist will be able to tell you
what muscle or muscles are likely to be causing your pain. They
should also be able to tell you what actions or movements these
muscles are responsible for making. This is important to know if
you need to rest the area, so that you do not re-injur it by
doing the same activities or movements that may have caused the
pain or aggravated an old injury. Massage will also help to
increase the blood flow in the affected area, allowing your own
blood to circulate better in the area of injury. This increase
in blood flow will carry cells that your body already uses to
heal injuries. These cells can then get to work on helping you
heal faster. The increase in blood flow will also help to carry
away any toxins from the affected area and help your body to
naturally dispose of them. In almost every case massage will
result in more flexibility, less formation of scar tissue, and
also help the area to heal properly.

So you see, pain relievers more often help to relieve the
symptoms and do not always treat the cause. Very few medical
drugs made will help your body to heal. They mostly cover up the
symptoms you are having. Although I have been told there are a
handful of drugs today that are used for specific conditions,
and I'm told that they can help the body to heal. Mostly they
are newer drugs and not commonly prescribed for everyday
conditions due to the expense and newness of them. Maybe in the
future we will have more medicines that will help the body heal
and can also be used on everyday conditions. But for now I
suggest that you have both a good Physician and a good Licensed
or Certified Massage Therapist on your side. Both that are
willing to work together to help you recover from whatever
conditions you may have. Your Massage Therapist as well as your
Physician should be willing to let you know if you have a
condition that requires someone else's expertise or a
combination of therapies and treatment. Massage is not always
appropriate for all conditions and Massage Therapists do not
diagnose or treat disease. Massage Therapists do not heal you
because they simply use their skills to help facilitate your own
bodies ability to heal itself. Massage therapists are not
Doctors, but a good Licensed or Certified Massage Therapist will
have the training and skills to know when it may be necessary to
refer you to see someone else.

Massage Addiction - Are You at Risk?


As a massage therapist, I work hard to earn repeat customers by way of offering a great service at a price that reflects value for money.

Getting to know a customer and their likes and dislikes over time makes the massage much more easier. Massaging is a highly personal service so any familiarity built over time, helps both the massage therapist and the client relax into what is a very enjoyable experience.

Where there is no 'standard' rate of frequency for being massaged, most Massage Therapists would suggest one massage per month is a standard rate of frequency for a repeat customer. More sessions may be required depending on whether an injury or health concern is being treated.

So what happens when a customer starts booking massages weekly, or twice per week, for no reason other than they just 'like being massaged and massaged by you in particular. In any other profession, accelerated frequency of a customer is a welcome event. In the world of massage, it may actually cause concern to the Massage Therapist.

Could this customer be addicted to massage? If they are, is this a negative thing?

One often associates addition to what are regarded as negative habits - smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive gambling, etc. Or, addiction is often associated to events that give people a 'rush' of sorts. High impact sports, bungee jumping, sky diving, etc. But massage? The act of being pampered into slumber!

If we break it down, my belief is that our society has become one where 'touching' others is at the very least, avoided - think about the discomfort of standing close to others in an elevator, or how one says 'sorry' when they accidentally touch by someone in the street (well most of the time). Consider how we bustle for our own patch of turf on public transport. How we act in the workplace is highly regulated and 'touching' of any type may point toward sexual harassment. I don't disagree with the need to protect all in a workplace against any form of discrimination.

Human beings are programmed to be social - we seek community and we seek the company of others.

Now think about a person, who is either single or in a non affectionate 'non touching' relationship. They wake up and go to work and in every instance where they have 'touched' someone albeit accidentally, they apologise.

It is actually possible that some people in our society today go through whole days, or even months and never get 'purposely touched' in a positive, healing, way by someone.

Could some be using massage as a way of simply being touched? Where does someone go who yearns being touched in a non sexual, healing, pampering way go?

In a society where touching is avoided, discouraged or legislated against, one can see how easily some may become addicted to what in its essence, is a basic human need - being touched.

How A Massage Therapist Can Help You This Summer


The temperatures are rising and that means summer is almost here. Warm days mean fun on the beach, boardwalk, and amusement parks. They also bring a host of issues that someone like a massage therapist can address. For whatever ails you this summer, consider getting a massage to make it go away and allow you to get back outside and enjoy the fun.

If it has been a while since you swam, you may experience some muscle strains following your first dip in the water. The key is not to overdo it in the first place, but if you just cannot help but show off for the beach bunnies, you may pay the price. While they are off enjoying a game of volleyball with guys who have six-packs, you will be writhing around in pain on your towel.

A massage therapist can work out those knots and relax tight muscles, getting you back on the beach in no time. For that tension that lies beneath the surface, a deep tissue massage may be necessary. If you have never had one of these before, prepare yourself. This is a feeling unlike any other and for some it is a bit painful. The discomfort should quickly subside and the result is pure bliss.

Summer means the kids are out of school and that can increase the stress level of any parent who stays at home. When the neck begins to feel like one big knot, it is time to schedule a massage. Request an aromatherapy treatment designed for calming and relaxation. Though the relief is only temporary, it is well worth it. Having a de-stressing massage performed every few weeks in the comfort of home will make summer break a pleasant experience.

There are plenty of outdoor sports to enjoy this season such as water skiing or taking a ride on the wave runner. Anyone can get tense zooming along behind the wheel of small watercraft, especially on the open seas. The first stop after lunch at the local crab shack should be to the massage therapist to work out any sports-related injuries.

Having fun in the summer often results in minor strains, pulls, and other muscular discomfort because we are exercising in different ways. A massage therapist can address these various issues and get us back into top shape. There are only so many warm days ahead so we need to make the most of them.

Massage Therapy Colleges in North America


Find Massage Therapy Colleges in the United States and Canada. Massage therapy colleges provide versatile training programs in a wide array of bodywork modalities and other natural healing therapies.

Depending on available healing arts programs, some massage therapy colleges extend introductory massage classes in basic massage techniques, anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology that may be as brief as a weekend seminar or as an advanced course of study that may encompass over 1,000 training hours.

In a number of massage therapy colleges, prospective students may apply to a professional massage therapist certificate programs whereby candidates are afforded in-depth instruction and hands-on training in a vast assortment of massage methods, including: shiatsu or Watsu (a form of aquatic shiatsu), Zen body therapy, trigger point myotherapy, reflexology, Thai or Chinese medical massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, Trager therapy, craniosacral therapy, Tai Chi, structural integration, Swedish massage, Rolfing, Lomi-Lomi and many others.

Some massage therapy colleges specialize in specific healing arts modalities such as reflexology, Qigong, prenatal or infant massage, orthopedic massage and the like. Several massage therapy colleges may offer certification in one or more of aforementioned training programs; and in some cases, may even extend degree opportunities in medical massage.

While each state and province differ in certification and/or licensing requirements, one should examine various massage therapy colleges for accreditation, curriculum, and tuition costs. While many massage therapy colleges make efforts to meet standards and requirements set by governing massage therapy boards, it is essential that potential students determine which courses of study will meet those standards - for example, if you are primarily taking a short course to gain an introduction to the art, then you may not be eligible to become nationally certified;* likewise, national certification is applicable to those students who have acquired a minimum of 500 training hours. (Applicable in the US) Some massage therapy colleges provide 300 training hours, which meet some state certification requirements; however, in order to become nationally certified, students must arrange to take additional advanced courses to earn eligibility to take the national certification exam.

Canadian students, who desire professional careers in massage therapy will find, too, that a number of provinces require licensure. In this case, a certain standard of training hours* must be met prior to becoming a licensed, practicing massage therapist. (Hours vary from province to province.) It is important that prospective students review curriculums at potential massage therapy colleges prior to enrollment.

Massage therapy colleges can provide promising educational opportunities to candidates interested in working the natural and complementary health care industry. Today, massage therapists can earn lucrative wages exceeding $30 per hour.* (Earnings depend on education, experience and geographical location.)

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding massage therapy colleges, let career training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs [http://school.holisticjunction.com/clickcount.php?id=6634739&goto=http://www.holisticjunction.com/search.cfm] near you.

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The Benefits of Baby Massage For Fathers


When it comes to baby activities in the early months, how many dads have the luxury to enjoy that special quality, one-to-one time with their little one? Because of work commitments, the truth is not many, but the good news is that baby massage is a wonderful way for dads to get that special bonding time with baby.

In a recent study: "A minority report: teaching father's baby massage" published in Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery, Dr Peter Mackereth, who led the study, observed that that although public literature actively encouraged father's involvement in childcare, dads rarely took part in baby massage classes. Although one factor was lack of time, the study did note that another influential factor was that dads were not used to comforting babies, particularly if they had not been used to being comforted by their own fathers as a baby.

However, research in Australia (cited in the same report above), reveals that fathers who did take part in baby massage enjoyed a more interactive relationship with their babies, involving more eye contact, vocalisation and reaching out. Baby massage also helps fathers feel more comfortable - and capable - in caring for their offspring.

What's more it can be a fantastic way to de-stress. Another study on fathers and infant massage conducted by The Touch Research Institute in the US also identified similar benefits. "As they learn to soothe their babies, fathers notice their own stress levels come down. Together they experience the calming, power of touch and begin to build life-long attachments," said Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine and co-author of the survey on father-infant massage. The survey showed that fathers who used massage techniques with their infants for three months experienced increased self-esteem as a parent due to increased involvement with their newborns. The babies, in turn, greeted their fathers with more eye contact, smiling, vocalising and reaching responses.

So why not let dad to experience all these fabulous benefits and take part in a very simple and short massage routine at the end of day? I've put together this short baby massage routine for dads to try as part of the bath and bedtime routine:

1. A great time to massage your baby is after bath-time. Make sure your baby is dry and content and the room is warm and dimly lit. Apply a little oil to the palms of your hand (make sure the oil is natural and chemical-free as little hands will end up in his or her mouth!).

2. Begin with the baby's legs. Supporting one ankle with one hand, use the other palm to firmly stroke the outside of the leg from the ankle to the top of the thigh. Then glide down the back of the leg. Change hands and repeat on the inside of the leg. Massage the leg several times then change legs.

3. Move to the chest area. Start with both your hands in the centre of the chest and make a lovely heart shape, sweeping down to the baby's abdomen. Repeat several times.

4. Finish with a short tummy massage. Using your hand make a gentle circular movement in a CLOCKWISE direction around the belly button. At the end slowly sweep your hands down the baby's body, from the chest down to the toes. Repeat several times. Take your time with the massage, enjoy it and see how relaxed daddy and baby will be!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Massage Therapy and the Power of Touch - Relieve Depression and Anxiety Naturally


Humans are tactile beings. From the moment of our birth and throughout our lives until death, touch plays an important role in our health. For massage therapists, it is very easy to see how the skin, as the largest organ of the body, reflects physical and emotional health. Looking back, we can all remember a time when hurt or distress has been "healed" by touch, such as Mom kissing a banged up knee, or when we've received a comforting hug from a family member or friend. Touch can also express joy and love, as well as the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, where touch can trigger fear and pain.

What role should touch play in our daily lives? It has been well researched and documented that positive touch, that being touch from someone you trust done with your consent and agreement, can affect us at a cellular and hormonal level. The release of endorphins makes us feel good, and actually contributes to not only our physical health, but also our emotional health as well. Much to our detriment, however, the inclusion of touch in our daily lives has taken a back seat to other priorities.

We live in a society where touching on a social level has become increasingly taboo. In a nutshell, we are touch deprived. A world-wide study done in the 1960's noted the number of times pairs of people touched each other when out at a cafe. Peurto Rico was at the top of the list, with 180 times an hour; at the bottom of the list was Britain, at 0 times per hour (yes, that's right,  ZERO). This would seem to indicate that a normal, healthy social gesture seems to have become degraded to something which is not appropriate and needs to be avoided. In our own culture we seem to be becoming more touched deprived; according to "The Touch Deficit" by Patti Wood, 15% of Canadians go for 3 or more days without touching another human being. Could this be a contributing factor to our soaring levels of depression and anxiety?

How might we change this unfortunate trend? In addition to changing other lifestyle factors, the inclusion of regular, positive touch may very well help turn the tide on our cultural downfall. Massage therapy has been extremely well researched, and we all know it can assist our function at a physical level, by relieving headaches, back pain and other common complaints. But did you realize that massage therapy also improves our function at an emotional level, contributing to decreased depression and anxiety, improved sense of well-being, and improved sleep?  The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School has devoted itself since 1992 to the qualitative and quantitative research of how touch affects us at every level.

I would suggest that if you are feeling even a little (or a lot) anxious, that Massage Therapy may be able to help you. If you feel great, I would hazard a guess that you may feel even better by taking an hour out of your day and taking care of yourself. Think of it as a preventive therapy, and enjoy the power of touch.

Is A Deep Tissue Massage Painful?


Massage therapy has been around for quite some time now. Over the years this method has been put to practice to help people relieve general bodily pain and enhance healing. There are several types of massage application meant for different applications.

One of the prominent massage types is the Deep Tissue Massage. This form of therapy is used for specific purposes and conditions. The method employs several techniques which target the connective tissues of the body. The main objective behind this form of massage is to get into the innermost muscles thus offering a cure to chronic conditions especially in individuals who engage in heavy manual work.

Deep tissue massage is known to offer solutions to chronic conditions such as rigid backs, taut shoulders and aching necks. There are numerous gains that one stands to reap from a deep tissue massage drawn from the expertise and method used to apply it. Additionally this type focuses on one specific area unlike regular massage which caters for generalized needs.

For clients willing to try deep tissue experience, one stands to benefit from secondary pain relief in cases of longstanding pain. Studies have shown this therapy's potential to relieve depression and vulnerability to anxiety. Additionally, the technique is believed to offer relief for Osteoarthritis and chronic cases of joint pains and poor posture. At the same time, this type of massage is known to offer cures to sports oriented injuries and mobility complications.

Deep tissue massage uses slow but deep strokes on a particular area to achieve the best results. This has led many to speculate whether the massage form is painful. In some instances, clients have testified to experiencing painful sessions though the pain is believed to disappear in a matter of days. Due to its tendency to narrow down on specific pain areas, there is a possibility that one may experience varying levels of pain.

The use of additional equipment and appliances like wooden, ceramic or glass props there is likelihood for one to feel some pain. It is advisable for clients to be in constant communication with respective therapist so as to handle the issue of pain during a session. Often, due to the intense exertion on trouble areas, clients who tense their muscle rather than relaxing them can expect pain. Usually, one may walk from the massage feeling numb and sore though the feeling is bound to go away in a day's time.

Although deep tissue massage has a tremendous effect most extreme cases, it can be a source of discomfort to some clients. In some instances, clients have shown preference to this form of massage on the premise that sometimes the pain experienced during a session is worth since it's the only way one is sure to feel better again.

How Does the Infrared Massage Bed Help Me?


Remember the last time you were sunbathing with sunscreen? Were you still hot? Of course you were because the sunscreen only stops the UV (Ultraviolet) light from hitting your skin. The far infrared waves penetrate your skin, giving you that wonderful natural warmth. Infrared light is part of the sun's invisible spectrum. One of far infrared light's characteristics is the ability to easily penetrate human tissue. When this happens, it creates a natural resonance, which has many beneficial properties.

Massage is one of the oldest healing arts. Today, the benefits of massage therapy are widely varied and broad. As an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs, massage therapy has also proven beneficial for many chronic conditions;arthritis, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure, immunity suppression, infertility, low back pain, diabetes, depression and more. As millions can attest, massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.

For years, therapists and physicians have recommended the combination of heat and massage to ease chronic back pain, speed recovery from injuries, improve rest, concentration, and promote a general sense of well-being. The far infrared massage bed employs patented far-infrared heat strips that line the inside of the bed. The far infrared heat emitted from these strips will penetrate up to 3" into your muscles creating uniform warmth that can be felt for up to one hour after use. The bed provides a head-to-toe massage. Once you lay down on the heated massage bed, you can feel the heat travel throughout your entire body and feel it relieve all your built up tension and pain. As you enjoy the feeling of warmth, comfort and tranquility, allow yourself to release all of your stress and anxiety.

The infrared massage beds are effective in treating headaches, blood pressure problems, chronic lower back pain and gastro enteric disorder. There is no more pleasant way to experience a headache remedy or lower back pain remedies than a relaxing rest on the thermal massage bed. Blood pressure problems are significantly reduced with the use of the far infrared bed due to its detoxification methods and reduction of stress, which leads to a reduction of adrenaline. So if you suffer from chronic lower back pain, blood pressure problems or headaches, try the thermal massage bed and test the results. There is no pill that will make you feel better than the infrared bed.

The far infrared massage bed targets your body's vital pressure points along the spine with a precise, relaxing massage to provide you with the combined therapeutic benefits of massage, chiropractic, acupressure and far infrared heat. With the push of a button, you can relax and revitalize and replenish your soul!

Copyright (c) 2008 James Carden

Massage Machine Helps Massage Therapists


Getting a massage from a professional massage therapist is a wonderful thing. A therapist's hands are trained to search out tension and knots in your back, shoulders and neck. By kneading the tense muscles, they are able to relax your entire body, leaving you feeling refreshed and renewed. While the many talents of the massage therapist have long been touted among everyone from athletes to homemakers, however, massage machines are only recently starting to get the respect they deserve. There are a number of reasons why people are starting to turn to massage machines to give them their daily dose of muscle relaxation. The main reason, however, is that these machines work.

If you are used to seeing a massage therapist, you know how quickly the cost can add up. In general, therapists charge by the hour, half hour or sometimes even by the minute. In spite of the fact that they can be horribly expensive, however, their work can be priceless. Using a massage machine between your regular therapist sessions, however, is a great way to enhance the work of the therapist while saving money. A massage machine is much less expensive than a therapist's hourly wage. By using a machine on a regular basis, you can drastically cut the number of times you need to see your massage therapist. While a massage machine may not have the same ability to single out spots of tension, it is able to loosen your muscles and provide an overall sense of relaxation. Once you start using a machine regularly, even your therapist will notice a difference.

Depending on the reason that you are receiving massage therapy, a massage machine may actually do a better job than a trained therapist. Consider the size of the human hand. While a therapist may be able to find the spots with the most tension, they cannot work on your entire body, or even your entire back, all at once. In cases of extreme tension, when you are tense all over, a machine can reach a much greater area in a much shorter period of time. If you need a full body treatment and you find that working with a massage therapist simply takes too long, you should try using a massage machine. Its fast action and its ability to treat a large area at once have made it popular among many who find standard massage therapy to be ineffective. In fact, many customers have come to like the machine more than regular massage.

Physical Therapy Scheduling Software - 3 Must-Have Features


The lifeblood of a physical therapy clinic is appointments. A missed appointment is lost revenue. That is why a physical therapist clinic must use robust scheduling software that not only manages appointments, but actually generates revenues for you.

What Are the 3 Must-Have Physical Therapy Schedule Software Features

1. Centralized scheduling on the cloud

There's two aspects to this must-have feature: centralized and "on the cloud."

Centralized means the scheduling software has a central database where all data is stored. What this does is if an appointment is made on one computer, it's entered and immediately posted to all computers. Essentially, the appointment is entered wherever the scheduling calendar is viewed. This is straight-forward, but important in order to prevent double booking.

"On the cloud" means you access your scheduling software through the Internet. It's stored and the application runs off the software company's server. This has the following four huge benefits:

  1. You don't have to mess around with downloading and installing the software.

  2. You don't have to worry about having the scheduling calendar available if you add more computers to your computer network.

  3. You can access your physical therapist clinic schedule anywhere you have Internet access.

  4. Your patients can log into the scheduling calendar on the Internet and book their own appointments. This is the biggest benefit by far. You can have patients schedule single or multiple appointments without using your or your staff's time.

2. Integrated with email autoresponder software

Don't you hate it when a patient cancels. But, what if you could automatically have that vacancy filled? You can if you get scheduling software that integrates with email autoresponder software. Let me explain with an example.

When a patient cancels, you can program your email autoresponder to send out a vacancy notice to all your patients. If you get the right scheduling software that enables people to log into the calendar, they can go on waiting lists for filled time-slots. If someone cancels, your email software can send out an email message to the waiting list first.

I bet you can see the advantage to this technology. You can significantly reduce vacancies without having to call your contacts which is time-consuming and practically impossible to go through the entire patient list for every vacancy.

The key here is that your physical therapist scheduling software also be integrated with your patient contact database. This way the vacancy notice email messages can be sent to your patient list because the calendar is hooked up to it.

3. Scheduling software integrated with credit card processing

Chasing money is not fun for any business. The best way to get paid is up front. if you can automate payment, that's even better.

That's why having scheduling software that enables you to collect upon auto-booking is so convenient and good for your bottom line.

Let me explain. With the right scheduling software (that includes credit card processing), you can have patients pay when they book their appointments online. You can offer discounts when they book this way to encourage online payment up-front. This will save you time in collecting and processing payments.

The power of online credit card processing is huge. You can sell packages and other services (if you offer other services) as well as equipment. The point is, incorporating e-commerce and online credit card processing opens the doors to generate more revenues and you're not involved in the process at all.

As you can see, all of these 3 features are necessary in order to gain the benefits of each feature. They all work together to automate and increase bookings which generates higher revenues for your physical therapy clinic.