Why Consider a Trade School?

It's an assumption that holds as strong today as it has throughout the last hundred years or more: if you want to be anybody, you need to go to college or university. Trade schools have argued against this assumption but it has always seemed an uphill battle, fought against parents, teachers, guidance counsellors and just about everyone else. Why go to trade school? While it has always been a simple fact that college is not for everyone, trade schools - also called career schools, vocational schools and tech schools - are an increasingly smart option for many young people. Let's look at some reasons.

Trade schools can be the most financially responsible choice. Of course, the average pay rate for many trades - right out of school - is higher than many other entry level jobs. But on another hand, you are investing a lot less to begin with. Many apprenticeship programs and other trades programs are two years or even less, resulting in a significantly lower student debt load than any four year college or university degree program.

Job opportunities are often far less volatile than other areas. If you want a steady, solid career investment where you know where you are going to be, a trade or career school is probably a far better gamble than other options. We all know the volatility of technology, marketing and other areas. Meanwhile, trade school grads working in fields from electrical to massage therapy have a steady career with very little changes in the needs of the market. Trade schools sometimes receive bad press for making promises of employment, but it has to be noted that most colleges and universities would never have the backbone to claim that graduates will find jobs.

Trade schools set students on careers that are uniquely challenging. Many college graduates end up at desk jobs or sitting at a computer all day. Grads in skilled trades often have jobs where they are outside or out in the field all day, often working with people. They often work with new technologies and tools, combining practical hands-on work with problem solving in fields like electrical, plumbing, construction and others. Careers in trades such as massage therapy or physical fitness (for example) mean working with people daily to improve their health. These also can offer time flexibility and the opportunity to run your own business.

IB Physics - How Hard Is It To Get a 7?

Well, it depends on a lot of factors. It depends on the student and their style of learning, their strengths, the teacher, the text book, the time spent etc.

But there is a way to get a general idea of the difficulty, thanks to the IB statistical reports. Let us look at the statistics from the November 2009 session:

There were 764 Candidates taking Physics SL:

31% of candidates received a 7, 17% received a 6, 14% received 5, 17% received a 4, 17% received a 3 and 5% received a 2

There were 751 candidates taking Physics HL:

20% of candidates received a 7, 16% received a 6, 16% received a 5, 19% received a 4, 19% received a 3, and 10% received a 2.

So what can we tell from this data? Well, it is VERY possible to get a 6 or a 7 in both SL and HL, given that this represents over 35% of the candidates.

Now lets take a look at the cut-offs for the November 2009 session:

At Higher Level:

7 = 71 - 100%

6 = 61 - 70%

5 = 52 - 60%

4 = 42 - 51%

At Standard Level:

7 = 68 - 100%

6 = 58 - 67%

5 = 49 - 57%

4 = 39 - 48%

The cut-offs for a 7 don't seem very high. Most people however, like to insist that the reason its not very high is because Physics is hard. What I say is that the cut-offs are very FAIR and the higher grade boundaries are very attainable.

In fact, through systematic revision, this can be easily achievable. And by systematic revision, I mean going through the Syllabus point-by-point, such that you have an awareness of all of the possible questions that you could be examined on. Additionally, by practicing through past papers and scrutinizing mark schemes, you can actually gain a very clear idea of the expectations of the exam.

Comparing the cut-offs to other science subjects:

Chemistry HL: 80% for a 7

Chemistry SL: 77% for a 7

Biology HL: 82% for a 7

Biology SL: 80% for a 7

So, even if Physics is "harder" this difficulty is more than made up for by the significantly lower cut-offs.

Let us compare this to some of the other IB Science Subjects.

For Biology, in November 2011:

Only 3% of students achieved a 7 at Standard Level. And only 11% of students achieved a 7 at Higher Level.

This is a remarkably low percentage that cannot be accounted for by intelligence alone.

For Chemistry, in November 2011:

14% of students received a 7 at Standard Level and 26% at Higher Level.

This is much higher than Biology but still lower than Physics.

Why? Being an ex-student who has completed both subjects, I found Chemistry and Physics similar in raw difficulty. However, when an equally difficult subject has a much lower cut-off for a 7, i.e. Physics, the overall subject becomes much easier.

Wishing You Success,

Owen Yang
Founder - IB Blueprint
Executive Tutor - Australian IB Tuition

Massage Therapy Careers - Tips To Get You Started On A Rewarding Career

Massage therapy careers are becoming more and more popular day by day, due to heightened awareness, growing demand and general acceptance that massage therapy treatment is a key part of health management solutions. This in turn has led to increased opportunities for new graduates of massage therapy programs as well as for therapists having experience.

People in the know forecast a bright future for massage therapy careers. The United States Department of Labour, Bureau of Labour Statistics, has said that careers linked to the massage therapy field are set to grow at a faster rate than other careers. This rate of better than average growth is expected to continue till the year 2014. Opportunities in the massage therapy field include both part time and full time jobs. Nearly two -thirds of the massage therapists in the United States are supposed to be self employed, either working as contractors or running their own massage therapy centres.

Massage therapy careers differ according to the settings they are housed in that may be either public or private. Self employed massage therapists may opt for a salary, hourly rate or contractor arrangements. Massage therapists can work in any of a wide range of establishments that includes self-employed positions, salaried, hourly, and contractor arrangements, massage therapists can be found working in any of a wide range of establishments that include spas & health clinics, resorts & salons, offices of physicians and chiropractors, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, gyms & fitness centres, private houses, nursing homes, corporate offices and fitness centers, alternative health centres & yoga studios, airports, mall, universities and basically any place that people need to fix their health.

The nature of jobs linked to massage therapy are those of Physical therapist, a therapist's assistant, sports massage therapist, masseuse, mobile massage therapist, massage therapy instructor or teacher and massage therapist.

A career in the massage therapy field can be quite demanding, both physically as well as in the toll that it takes on personal life. In physical terms, the body of the massage therapist may feel the effects as the job of a therapist involves standing for long hours and exerting physically. Fatigue sets in due to having to stand for a long time. People using an incorrect technique could even sustain physical injuries. Therefore, following the right technique and correct scheduling of appointments, with time gaps between each, can solve these problems.

As the job is physically very strenuous for the therapist, most massage therapists are able to actually perform massages for only about thirty hours each week. The US Department of Labor in fact considers fifteen to thirty hours of therapy per week as a full time job. All the same, the therapist may have to spend additional time to complete related administrative tasks.

The personal toll that the massage therapy profession takes is because the services of massage therapists are asked for mostly in the time that is off from work for people. Evening and weekend appointments are quite common even though once a therapist has built a name for himself or herself, they may be able to schedule client appointments in normal working hours.

While being demanding, a massage therapy career can also be very rewarding. All the same, people who are willing to take up the challenge also get all the rewards.

What Is Indonesian Massage Therapy?

Indonesian massage therapy is an oriental type of massage method that uses both traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic method in healing, revitalizing, calming and soothing a patient's body. Much like its Asian style counterparts, it also uses special massage oils and scented oils on the patient's skin for several benefits on the skin as well as for making the work more convenient for the masseuse.

This type of massage therapy was brought to Indonesia by traveling Buddhist monks which later on passed the medical care to practicing monks who developed and improved it by adding herbal medicines inspired by the ancient Chinese. Indonesian massage therapy traces its roots back to 4000 years ago which was then used as the main source of medical care for the public. Even royalties during that time uses this type of natural treatment for passing time and as a way to relax and relieve stress.

A common belief and practice of Oriental massage therapies is that the body has life force or energy within the vessel. These energies should be kept in constant good flow and should be in balance at all times to ensure health and prevent sickness due to the fall of the immune system of the body. In case of imbalanced energy within the patient's body, realignment, balancing and breaking of clogged energy path ways are the methods of retrieving the lost healthy condition.

If you are into deep massage therapy, this type of massage method fits your taste as it relies upon deep pressure massage in breaking formed tissues that have stiffened on the muscle tissues of a patient's body. These tensed muscles if not treated will result to muscle spasms, sprains and cramps as well as stress and the stiffening of the whole body. It will also limit the flexibility and mobility of the muscle and joints of the body. Addressing the problem helps reduce certain risks and promotes many beneficial improvements in the health of the patient. Deep thumb pushing using acupressure technique on the different vital parts of the body helps in stimulating and relaxing the soft tissues within the patient's body. Acupressure is known to be a type of technique that tackles the very essential areas within the body. These key areas are also known as meridian points more similar on acupuncture treatments, however without the good use of thin needles of the acupuncture method. Expect an increase and improvement in the circulation of blood and the lymphatic system. A good Indonesian massage therapy does not only release stress but also triggers the self-healing capabilities of the human body allowing it to recover much quicker than the normal rate. Regular sessions of this type of therapeutic massage do not only improve your overall health but also leave you feeling much better as you get relaxed, energized and rejuvenated.

Prior to a massage therapy session, make some preparations by asking your doctor's comments and opinions regarding the massage therapy. Check out for skin allergies or reaction from massage oils. Doing this will not only keep you from any problem but will also ensure you a successful and pleasurable massage session.

Fight Lymphedema - Learn Lymphadema Massage Training

Lymphedema, otherwise known as lymphatic obstruction is a condition characterized by swollen arms or legs. It is caused by a lymphatic fluid build- up in the soft tissues of your body. The lymphatic system is referred to as the second circulatory system of the body. It consists of the lymph vessels and lymph nodes. It is responsible for collecting and filtering the lymph fluid which is made up of fats, protein, water, and cellular wastes of the body. The filtered fluid is then returned to the blood. When the lymphatic system becomes damaged, the lymph fluid then builds up and results to swelling.

If you want to learn how to deal with lymphedema patients, you may choose to attend a training. There are actually two types of lymphedema: the inherited and the acquired. Some people may be born missing lymph vessels and lymph nodes. During these people's adolescence, the swelling usually appears in the foot or calf. However, another case of which may develop during infancy, this is called Milroy's disease. Acquired lymphedema on the other hand may occur due to an injury in the lymphatic system due to surgery or radiation treatments, or even liposuction procedures. These treatments can actually damage the lymphatic system.

People suffering are dangerously prone to infections. Even a slight cut or insect bite on the swollen affected area can cause severe infection. The infection can affect the connective tissue under the skin and recurring infections can scar the skin which makes it more prone to further infection. The onset of lymphedema may be detected through a number of symptoms including pains, weakness, tightness or heaviness on your arm or leg. Also, your wrists or ankles may not be as flexible as it used to.

Lymphedema, according to some medical experts, is incurable. However, if mild it is treated accordingly, the condition can be prevented from worsening. There are some institutions that offer training in Maui. These establishments teach people the proper way of handling the illness. The treatment includes exercises, massages, pneumatic compression, and the proper usage of bandages and compressions garments.

Light exercises of the affected limbs can help pump out the lymph fluid out of the limb. Also, the affected lymph must be cleaned regularly and must be applied with lotion. There is a special massage technique that can be performed on the affected limb, called manual lymph drainage which can further help in pumping out the lymph fluid out of the affected limb. Then, bandages should be wrapped around the affected limb to promote movement of the lymph fluid from the affected limb and into the trunk of the body. Also, when doing chores, make sure to wear protective gears to avoid getting cut.

Some may be advised to undergo pneumatic compression wherein the infected limb is inserted into an inflatable sleeve. The sleeve is connected to a pump which will be inflated at certain intervals to put pressure on the limb and will eventually encourage the lymph fluid to move. And lastly, the use of compression garments may be advised to prevent recurrence of the swelling of the affected area.

Prenatal Massage Therapy - Benefits of Pre-Natal Massage For the Expectant Mother

Every pregnancy comes complete with aches and pains. It's not a welcome inclusion but it is a non-negotiable part of the deal. Prenatal massage can be of enormous benefit to expectant mothers.  We will discuss here the top benefits, some precautions one should consider, and some of the methods used when applying pre-natal massage therapy.

Muscular tensions, aching back, neck and shoulders, headaches, pooling of blood in the legs, and all other manner of physical discomforts and pains occur due to the inevitable increase in weight, the resulting shifting of posture and centre of gravity, and changing hormone levels.

Prenatal massages aim to alleviate aches and pains, improve circulation, reduce muscular tensions and help to ease other pregnancy related symptoms.  An additional benefit is an improvement in the expectant mother's emotional moods and mental attitude.

A full body massage including attention to the head including the scalp and face area, as well as the feet and hands provides relief from tensions and is found to be extremely soothing and nurturing. All areas should of course be massaged gently, with appropriate levels of pressure applied.

An experienced prenatal massage therapist can choose methods which are effective and safe that provide much needed comfort and pampering.

Prenatal massage offers numerous benefits of a broad range.  The top benefits of pre-natal massage are:

- Reduction of fatigue

- Increased circulation

- Improved digestion

- Reduced swelling in the hands, feet and lower legs

- Fewer calf cramps

- Lessens the severity of backaches, headaches, shoulder and neck aches

- Reduced pain in the pelvic/hip area

- Alleviates stress on weight bearing joints including the lower back, knees and ankles

- Improves sleep and decreases insomnia

- Promotes deep breathing and relaxation

- Reduces stress hormones

- Assists in maintaining correct posture

Prenatal massage therapy during pregnancy can also be greatly beneficial emotionally as it allows expectant mothers to relax and feel a sense of calm. They also report feeling comforted and healthy during what is a period of emotional and physical stress.

Pre-natal massage can be applied in different ways. The pregnant patient should lie on her side and the therapist is trained to modify the massage techniques to adapt to this position. Lying flat on back is not recommended as it reduces blood circulation to both mother and child.  The mother-to-be can lay on her back with the body in an elevated position by using pillows to support the mother's body. Body pillows can also be used for side lying positions as well.

There is a specially designed pillow now available to assist when massaging expecting mothers in a face down position. This pillow has a deep centre cut-out which allows the mother to lie flat on her belly and feel comfortable and relaxed.

After giving birth, new mothers experience a kaleidoscope of physical and emotional stresses, commonly including sleep deprivation. Prenatal massage can aid the birthing process, and then continuing with postnatal massage can be highly beneficial and therapeutic by assisting the new mother's body to return to its former state.

Pre-natal massage is generally considered safe for expecting mothers, although it is always advisable to consult with your doctor before beginning a program.  There are some precautions. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, prenatal massage is not advised. You should certainly tell your therapist if you have had, or are having any complications or problems with your pregnancy.

Prenatal massage may be from 10 minutes to an hour depending on your available time and your level of comfort.  If the massage brings discomfort, you may like to have shorter sessions more often.  If the massage causes no abnormal discomfort, then once per week during the 2nd trimester and twice per week or more during the 3rd trimester is ideal.

If considering prenatal massage therapy to assist with a pleasant and positive pregnancy and birth, consult you doctor or pre-natal massage specialist and begin.  The therapy has enjoyed long and wide spread use and offers many therapeutic benefits to the pregnant mother to be, and ultimately to her child as well.

What You Need to Know About Physical Therapy

Read this article to get complete information on "what you need to know about physical therapy." To start with, here's the definition - it is a treatment procedure to preserve, restore and improve physical function and movement threatened or impaired by injury, disability or disease that makes use of physical modalities such as electrotherapy and massage, therapeutic exercise and patient training and education instead of surgery and drugs.

Physical Therapy Rehabilitation - The Initial Evaluation

When a patient arrives at a PT's (Physical Therapist's) office, the PT would carry out a detailed assessment of the patient's mobility, range of motion, functional movements and strength. The basis for these assessments is the individual's complaints. The treatment strategy would incorporate therapeutic exercise, manual therapy and modalities such as heat, mechanical spinal traction, electrical stimulation and ice to achieve the patient's treatment objectives and help him get back to a favorable level of function.

Therapeutic exercises are of different types depending on the nature of the problem. This includes exercises to increase endurance and improve balance, and exercises for strengthening, stretching and post-surgical rehabilitation. The exercise plan for a particular patient is determined again based on his individual complaint. Manual therapy involves application of the hands on areas of the patient's body with the intention of increasing mobility and reducing pain. Soft tissue, joint and nerve mobilizations are some examples of how manual therapy is used to improve joint mobility, loosen and stretch muscles and reduce nerve irritation such as that observed in sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome and other musculoskeletal conditions that may lead to tingling and numbness in the arms or legs. The physical therapist might additionally use modalities to assist with the reduction of swelling, pain and inflammation.

Ailments Treated

People suffering from any of the following conditions can benefit from the treatment:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Rehabilitation following surgery

• Balance problems

• Cardiac rehabilitation

• Stroke rehabilitation

• Hip fractures

• Neck pain

• Muscle strains and sprains

• Arthritis

• Constant respiratory problems

• Ankle, knee or foot problems

Finding the Right Professional for Physical Therapy Treatment

If you think you could benefit from physical therapy services, the first thing you should do is find yourself a good physical therapist or a multi-specialty healthcare center where these services are offered. You primary care physician, friends, colleagues or relatives might know of some good practitioner or two. Look for websites pertaining to these professionals, information about their qualifications, reputation and experience and prepare a shortlist. Get in touch with these practitioners and use your judgment to determine whether a particular practitioner would be suitable for your requirement.

Researching Massage Therapy Education

Nowadays, massage therapy is an extension of physical therapy and goes along with the same educational standards as any medical therapist would. Meeting the requirements of national, local and state certification requires individuals to approve stringent training courses in an assortment of related subjects.

Despite the fact that there are numerous accredited schools that offer a complete message therapy education, the selections will not be simple. The benefits, naturally will be the acceptance by other medical practitioners, respect and trust of your future patients and acknowledgment by health insurers.

The Training

Over half of the states regulate the practice of massage. The requirements of the state all vary. Every one of them require at a minimum 500 hours of training as well as education and several require even more than that. There are some states that require national certification prior to a therapist being able to apply for state recognition. The national level of certification also requires at a minimum 500 hours of training in massage therapy education in an accredited school.

There must be included in the training at least 125 hours of physiology and anatomy, 200 hours of massage and/or bodywork application as well as theory, 40 hours of pathology, 10 hours of ethics as well as business and at a minimum 125 hours of related coursework. A practitioner with 500 hours of experience and training as well as knowledge of the required areas can also submit for review a personal portfolio of examination.

The national certification exam has a minimum of 160 questions that covers all of the required areas of massage therapy education. To maintain your good standing, a professional needs to be certified once every four years. Standards in the Canadian provinces will require a minimum of 2,000 hours.

Prior to choosing a school, a practitioner should determine on what the kind of massage that he or she wishes to specialize in. A general massage therapy education must include rehabilitation, pregnancy massage, sports injuries, pain relief and relaxation massage.

Be sure that the school you choose is fully accredited so that you can qualify for loans and grants. Massage therapy education tuition ranges from about $6-$17 per hour. The needed 500 hours typically runs from $5000-$9000.

Once you have graduated, there are numerous opportunities for seminars and workshops to maintain your massage therapy education and keeping up to date. When you understand the minimum that these educational and training requirements are that you need to complete, you will have a very good idea of what your competition will be like.

Other massage therapists in your area will have at least these levels of training plus contacts and experience. If all of these hours of massage therapy education as well as training sound interesting and exciting, you might have what it takes.

Methods of Physical Therapy for Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is the condition of pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint accompanied by loss of motion. An inflammation in or around the shoulder may trigger the body's normal defensive response of stiffness. When the shoulder becomes stiff, it becomes too painful too move. Someone with frozen shoulder may not be able to reach above and over the head or touch the back.

While there is no definite cause of frozen shoulder, over 90 percent of patients experience full recovery. Doctors recommend physical therapy for frozen shoulder as the best treatment.

Physical therapy for frozen shoulder starts with reducing the pain and stiffness of the shoulder and increasing blood circulation through heat. One effective way of the heating method is taking a 10-minute hot shower or bath. Alternatively, the physical therapist may apply heat to your shoulder locally with the use of heating pads, wraps or towels. Hot water bottles and heat creams and ointments may also be used.

Shoulder massage is also a good way to start physical therapy for frozen shoulder as it increases the flow of blood and oxygen into the area. Once pain is reduced either through heating or through massage, the therapist proceeds with a series of physical therapy exercises.

In physical therapy for frozen shoulder, you will first perform weight and non-weight stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of your shoulder joint. The common exercises include arm swing with weights, arm raise, overhead stretch, stretching your arms across your body, and towel stretch.

It is important to note that during these stretching exercises, you should feel tension but you should not overstretch your shoulder to the point where you feel pain or severe discomfort. These exercises are done once or twice daily until the shoulder restores its normal range of movement.

Your doctor will advise you should you need to perform other exercises to tone and strengthen your shoulder muscles such as rotation exercises. Remember not to force movement in your shoulder. This does not mean you should not move it at all but instead to limit activities that may further injure your shoulder.

If physical therapy for frozen shoulder does not work for you, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment. The good news is physical therapy for frozen shoulder is usually enough for patients to get effective results that improve with time. If you have frozen shoulder, consult a physical therapist and get the treatment that you need.

Neuromuscular Therapy - Description and Benefits

If you've been checking out massage lately you may have come across the term "neuromuscular massage" or "neuromuscular therapy". You may be wondering what they are. Are they different? Are they types of massage? What are they good for, anyway?

The terms "neuromuscular massage" and "neuromuscular therapy" (also called NMT) tend to be used interchangeably. They refer to a style of bodywork that uses constant, focused pressure on a specific area. This pressure is applied for a period of time lasting up to 30 seconds and uses the fingertips, knuckles, elbow, or possibly a small tool called a t-bar. NMT is based on the following premise: Muscle spasm does not have to involve the entire muscle. There can be small areas of spasm that refer, or transfer, pain to another area. These areas are called trigger points because they trigger a pain reaction in a different spot from where the spasm is located.

When a muscle (or part of a muscle) spasms, the flow of blood to that area is cut off or severely decreased. Blood carries oxygen, so when blood can't flow to an area, oxygen can't get there either. This lack of oxygen results in a buildup of lactic acid (the same chemical that causes the "burn" that people who work out sometimes feel), which itself causes muscles soreness. The trouble is, soreness and pain can cause even more spasm and therefore less blood flow, less oxygenation and even more lactic acid buildup. It can turn into a vicious cycle which is very hard to break.

Also, spasm can put pressure on nerves running through the area, which can cause symptoms of nervous involvement, like numbness or tingling, as well as pain. And because nerves transmit impulses along their entire route, these symptoms can be felt fairly far away from the source of the trouble.

What the NMT practitioner does is apply continuous pressure to the trigger point for a fairly long period of time, until they determine through their own touch and feedback from the client that the spasm has released. While they are putting pressure on the area no blood can get through anyway, but when they release the pressure the blood will flow back in, providing the area with needed oxygen and helping it heal. Sometimes the effects are immediate and the client feels the pain resolve right away; at other times it may take up to a day or two for the residual soreness to subside.

Obviously this can be a very intense technique; it is meant to be used for serious pain. If a client has a lot of trigger points it can take more than one session to treat them all. Even without the actual trigger point work itself, it can take time to locate the source of the pain (remember, the trigger points are located somewhere other than where the pain is felt). Also, the practitioner will probably use lighter work like Swedish massage to "warm up" the tissue before the trigger point work and to promote general relaxation afterward.

NMT can be used for the following conditions, as well as many others: - low back pain and stiffness - neck pain and stiffness - headaches - repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and temporomandibular joint syndrome - athletic injuries - problems with numbness and tingling in the extremities (arms, legs, hands, or feet)

Of course the primary effect of NMT - and the desired one - is pain relief. But other effects include improved flexibility and range of motion, better posture, more balanced muscle tone and increased energy.

So if you have problems with chronic pain or other symptoms that might be coming from muscle spasm, but other forms of massage have not helped much, you might want to consider neuromuscular therapy. Its intensity can be worth it.

Massage Courses - How to Select a Best Massage School

To get going on discovering the best course for the massage therapy, research on the internet or in the telephone book for courses just near you. You could as well get in touch with Association of United States Massage Therapy or the best business concern agency (which supplies schools profiles throughout Canada and United States on their site).

Later on discovering various programs that concern you check the prospectuses and have appointment to trip the school or campus and contact the admissions faculty.

Obtaining the license for massage

Once picking out the massage courses, it is really crucial to understand the necessities to do massage therapy in your land. As well guaranteeing that the program you are looking at will fit your land certifying demands, you ought to validate that the potential campus is recognized.

To find out your land certifying necessaries, get in touch with the Association of American Massage Therapy state's chapter.

Massage courses

To discover a massage therapy campus that is good for you, consider these queries about the classes provided:

Does the campus provide business-associated classes (comprising courses on merchandising)?

What percent of course work is dedicated to hands-on coaching?

Will you actually be capable to do work with the wide kind of instructors?

What sort of certification and go through does the staff have?

How great are the courses?

You ought to as well read and learn the syllabus to find out whether the campus concentrates on the massage techniques, modalities and approaching that you would almost wish to study.

Cost of Massage courses

As you are figuring out the massage course cost, do not leave to factor out fees that might not be comprised in the tuition fees (like the price of books and issues). You ought to likewise inquire the school more about the availability of fiscal help.

The Massage Therapy profession

Once looking at the massage therapy course, get in touch with the placement faculty and inquire how far their servicing will be accessible subsequently after you grad. You ought to as well investigate just about the percent of course grads presently doing work in the industry of massage.

Picking out the massage school

At last, fix up an engagement for the session of massage therapy at the clinic of student campus. In addition to assisting you discover about the excellence of the campus coaching, a trip to a clinic will assist you to know the campus surroundings more closely.

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT Specialist: How To Become One

Who doesn't want an upgrade? Whether it's in your PC's memory, or in your Tab's games, or in any other techie stuff, who doesn't even want to have one? Even in our careers, we need an upgrade. Specializations are one of the most dreamt-of steps in an individual's career; you get to have the edge among the others of your same kind, and you get all the benefits - well, most of it.

You are on a steady, or shall I say stagnant career of being a physical therapist. You attend to various patients, come up with plans for their conditions and do the same routine without even a spark of adventure, and suddenly you thought of an upgrade, a specialization, some new pinch of spice to your PT career! To get started, here's what you do:

1. Secure your license. Your license should be your current one, which allows you to practice physical therapy in the United States or any of its places under. The council requires you to submit only one license verification of the two ways accredited. One is the submission of a print copy of on-line license verification. Some states have this and if you could locate one, print a copy from the website. Just ensure that your name, state, license number, expiration date, and verification are in good standing. Another way could be through state licensing agencies (mostly applicable to states without on-line verification). You may have such verification by sending a letter to your state board physical therapy with the request to send license verification from the licensing agency to the Specialist Certification Program.

2. Plot down your patient care forms. Two thousand (2,000) hours of direct patient in the specialty area is a requirement for the specialization. These 2,000 hours should be within the last ten years, wherein 25% or 500 hours of it occurred within the last three years or through the completion of an APTA credentialed cardiovascular and pulmonary residency program. These forms serve as evidence to your direct patient care experiences. The Description of Physical Therapy Experience relates your exposure per facility, wherein one form should be for each facility, and another for each position acquired for the experience per facility. The other form is the Summary Chart of Physical Therapy Experience makes a rundown of your exposures for the past ten years. The summary would include the following factors: year, facility name, number of weeks, hours per week, total hours of General Physical Therapy practice, Percentage of Clinical Practice, Total Clinical Hours in Specialty, Percentage of Direct Patient Care Hours in Specialty, Total Direct Patient Care Hours in Specialty, and Cumulative Total of Direct Patient Care Hours in Specialty. It is also recommended by the specialty council that practice settings should vary in acute and rehabilitative environments.

3. Comply with the other requirements. Aside from the two mentioned above, there are other requirements that need to be complied of: (1) ACLS Certification - applicants should be currently certified with Advanced Cardiac Life Support by the American Heart Association, and (2) Research - participation to the research process within the last ten years of PT practice is needed. The experience should be printed in a form (a) relating a brief statement of the experience and your involvement in the study, and (b) the abstract summarizing the study.

4. Fill out your application form. Once you're done with the above your requirements, you are now legible to fill out the forms for application of the Specialty Program.

5. Pay the prescribed fees. Fees may vary per membership of the APTA. Review fees are $500 for APTA members and $845 for non-APTA members, and testing fees are $800 for APTA members and $1,525 for non-APTA members.

6. Know your schedule. Your schedules and other miscellaneous information are given after your application has been approved by the council.

7. Prepare for your exams. Part of preparing for examinations is knowing the coverage of it. You may browse on some advanced books, journals and the Description of Specialty Practice (DSP). Another is to get familiar with the software. Since the examinations are through computers, getting familiar with the software makes it easier for you to toggle with questions and answers.

8. Pass the exams. You get the passing rate and you get your certificate for the specialty area, a label pin, and your name in the online directory of specialists in the field.

Take the steps and you're on your way to becoming a specialist - a Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy Specialist to be specific!

Client Focus - Marketing Your Massage Practice From the Inside Out

Marketing theory tells us that businesses can compete in 3 ways - cost, product differentiation, and client focus.

Which of these do YOU think is the easiest to achieve? And which will be the most effective? Let's see what these 3 things mean to us as massage therapists:

Cost: if we decide to compete on price and cut our fees to make ourselves cheaper than the competition, will this have the desired effect of building a successful massage business? It may well bring us more clients initially, clients for whom price is an important factor in choosing to buy services/goods. However, this group of clients doesn't always stick around for the long-term, as they are continually on the look-out for the next bargain. Lowering fees could also, of course, put off clients who equate price with quality - they will perceive our bargain price as an indicator of an inferior quality treatment and service. It will also reduce the amount of money we take each month; how little can we afford to be earning and still feel that it is a fair exchange for our efforts? And is it sustainable in the long term? We will be doing the same amount of work for less money - which over time can often lead to us feeling resentful towards our clients, even though we set the prices in the first place!

Product differentiation: a fancy way of saying "What sets us apart from the massage therapist down the road so that clients will choose us rather than them?" Some clients love new, different, exotic therapies and extra special touches. It's definitely worth finding a way of making your own massage treatment, or way of practicing massage, unique to you, as this will make you memorable and special; clients will be more likely to return and refer others to you. But - make sure you are memorable for the right reasons! By trying to make yourself different just for the sake of being different, you run the risk of becoming "gimmicky", and this can trivialise what you do. In fact, it seems to me that by "just" doing a really great hands-on treatment, offering excellent customer service, and showing a real commitment to improving your knowledge and skills you will already be head and shoulders above the competition! What clients really want is a great massage from a reliable, professional practitioner - and sadly that seems to pretty hard to find according to many people that I speak to.

So by all means find your own unique style, but not to the detriment of your "core" services - excellent massage and great customer service.

Customer focus: in other words, customer service, or client care - putting the client at the centre of everything we do, and making sure we are providing what they want and not what we think they want.

There are many massage therapists out there all offering pretty much the same treatments as you, and all at a similar price. Making your levels of client care the absolute best is one of the simplest, quickest, and cheapest ways of getting clients, keeping them for many, many years, and getting numerous word of mouth referrals.

I say simplest - but simple doesn't necessarily mean easy; it may mean a radical change in your mindset if customer service hasn't really been on your radar up until now. But that's also the reason why it's relatively quick and cheap to implement - a change in attitude costs nothing more than taking a little time to give it some serious consideration. Figuring out ways to change your practices in order to offer clients their best massage experience ever is a sure-fire way to get and keep loyal clients; the foundation of every successful massage practice.

Benefits and History of Clinical Trigger Point Therapy Massage

Although not considered a part of conventional medicine, trigger point therapy has been widely used for decades. Sometimes referred to as myotherapy or neuromuscular therapy, the therapy involves using concentrated pressure on specific 'trigger points' within affected muscles to relieve pain and treat muscle spasms.

A trigger point is a malfunction of an area of muscle fibers. The fibers undergo a strong sustained contraction at the nerve/fiber junction of the innervating nerve. It is the malfunctioning of the nerve junction that produces tension and pain, either locally within that muscle or referred pain to other areas of the body. The locations and associated referral areas of these malfunctions are consistent from person to person. The therapist applies pressure to specific points, in a particular order to properly affect a change, releasing malfunctioning fibers and relieving the associated pain and/or tension.

Some in the medical community are beginning to acknowledge the validity of this manual therapy. Patients dealing with chronic pain have also reported vast improvement in their conditions. However, the overall benefits of this therapy extend beyond pain relief. These benefits include increased flexibility, improved circulation, better range of motion, reduced stiffness or muscle tension and fewer headaches.

American physicians Dr. Janet Travell and Dr. David Simons are widely credited with developing many of the theories of trigger point therapy. Dr. Travell treated US President John F. Kennedy for back pain leading to her becoming his personal physician. Having published a number of papers on the subject, Dr. Travell wrote and published Volume 1 of The Trigger Point Manual, later continuing her work with her colleague Dr. Simons to publish the manual's second volume, released in 1992.

The Institute of Trigger Point Therapy was founded in 2001 by Dr. Laura Perry and her husband Jeff Geanangel. Frustrated with the current state of the health care industry, the two sought to establish an alternative option for general public that would offer highly effective clinical services in a less formal setting. Based on the work of Drs. Simons and Travell, Dr. Perry developed the Institute's protocols for Clinical Trigger Point Therapy and a curriculum for educating therapists in this most effective treatments.

Dr. Perry's approach is based on the premise that:

1. Pain is a message.
2. One must learn to "speak the language" of pain to understand its message. And
3. If one acts on this understanding [of pain], the "message" will be received and the pain will cease.

Clinical Trigger Point Therapy is the application of the peer reviewed science of Drs Simons and Travell combined with the real world practice and further development of Dr. Laura Perry to form a system that is comprehensive and effective approach to relieving physical pain.

Can Vertigo Be Treated With Physical Therapy?

People who have vertigo experience episodes of dizziness or headache when they move their head. It makes it difficult to perform normal daily duties and they often develop disabling headaches. They also can experience nausea or vomiting especially when they wake up in the morning.

Benign positional vertigo is a condition marked by vertigo and dizziness and associated symptoms due to disorders of vestibular system. The primary pathology is hypersensitivity of the balancing system of the brain that gives wrong messages to the brain. Semicircular canals are very sensitive to the movement of inner hair cells (the input from organ of Corti is responsible for the maintenance of your head posture and body balance), but in the presence of calcium crystals that may occur due to aging, tumor, trauma or infection related conditions, the sensory system receives wrong information and you will experience dizziness, vertigo and headache with mild and abrupt head motion.

Although, doctors and healthcare providers suggest medications and pharmacological interventions, nothing really works for benign positional vertigo. But in majority of cases, physical therapy exercises have proved fairly helpful in treating and managing the cases of vertigo due to inorganic causes.

The aim of physical therapy exercises is to prepare and train your body to learn to differentiate different types of head motion. When the vertigo is caused by the movement of calcium crystals or bony fragments in the inner ear, physical therapy exercises help in relocating and readjusting the fragment to limit the duration and frequency of episodes. Physical therapy exercises are perhaps the most preferred mode of therapy in benign positional vertigo (when there is no organic cause of vertigo and other associated symptoms).

Epley or Sermont Maneuvers are performed in the doctor's office or in a physiotherapy clinic because the aim of therapy is to re-lodge or relocate the crystals in inner ear ossicles. During Epley and Sermon maneuvers, your therapist tilts your head at different angles while properly supporting your head in his arms. The overall therapy procedure takes no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. The calculated movements of the head help in shifting the crystals back into the canals.

The Brandt-Daroff exercise is normally performed in the home setting and it is very important to seek the advice of a healthcare provider before performing these maneuvers. Brandt Daroff exercise deals with performing step wise motion that may help in stimulation and habituation of inner ear cells to repeated head motion. Brandt Daroff exercises deal with maintaining a sitting posture and then tilting your body on the right side of the body to support the head on the side of bed. Sudden movement or tilting of the head will produce characteristic headache, vertigo and dizziness that may last for 30 seconds or more. Once you begin to feel stable, sit straight and stay in this position for another 30 seconds or until your symptoms subside. The next step is to drop your body gently but steadily onto the left side of the body and holding this position for good 30 seconds or until your symptoms subside. This finishes one complete round and you may have to repeat the steps based on the recommendations of your doctor or healthcare provider.

Other physical therapy maneuvers include movement of the hand in anterior-posterior plane 10 times, maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet habits and the movement of eye muscles in all directions.

Always seek the advice of your doctor before performing these exercises and to determine the number of times you have to perform these maneuvers. With the Brandt Daroff technique, always lie on a 45 degree angle when lying on the side of your body. If the Brandt Daroff technique does not produce any symptoms, you can stop the exercise after discussing with your physician. Generally these maneuvers are safe, effective and hazard-free and help in correction or at least management of benign positional vertigo. Perform all physical therapy exercises in a sitting posture to avoid the risk of falling or hurting yourself due to vertigo and dizziness.

The Best Stones for Use During Hot Stone Massage Therapy

While stone massage can be done using both hot or cold rocks, the types of rocks used for hot stone massage vary greatly from those used for cold stone massage. Hot stone massage is a variation on massage therapy that utilizes heated pebbles placed at strategic points along the clients' body. These pebbles are heated by first being soaked in clean utilized water and then heated electrically before being placed on the clients' body. Heated stone massage is used to help improve circulation and relieve the body of aches and pains.

Basalt is one of the best rocks for use in hot stone massage therapy. Basalt is actually a volcanic rock that's formed while under pressure and heat. Its high density makes it ideal for hot stone therapy, as it's a dark and heavy rock. Basalt stores heat well because of these properties. When a therapist uses gentle pressure to place these rock on the body, clients experience an intense relaxing sensation. The smoothness of these rocks is credited to the way in which they are formed. The fast cooling of these rocks following eruption from a volcano, combined with years of "natural rock tumbling" in large bodies of water, make the surface of these rocks extremely smooth. These rocks are readily available for a reasonable price, which is why they are so popular with massage therapists.

Jadestone is another popular choice for use in hot rock massage therapy. The types of jade used for this type of therapy are actually available in two varieties; nephrite and jadeite. Jadeite is actually considered a precious rock, which makes it a far more expensive option for therapists. This also makes it more difficult to find, which means most massage therapists utilize nephrite instead. Nephrite is easier to find and while it's most often used for hot stone therapy, it's equally useful in cold stone therapy as well. This makes it a very versatile stone as it can be used for different kinds of treatments.

A final variety of rock that's best used for hot rock massage therapy is quartzite. While it doesn't look like sandstone, it's origins are as sandstone. As sandstone changes over time, thanks to environmental forces like chemicals, pressure, or heat, it becomes a smooth rock known as quartzite. This rock is highly dense, which means it's ideal for retaining heat, as is required in hot stone therapy. This density also makes it versatile in the same way nephrite is, which means it also works well for cold rock massage therapy. The way in which the environment forms these rocks makes it readily available both in quantity and different shapes and sizes. Therapists like working with quartzite since the variety in stone sizes means smaller rocks can be placed on more specific pressure points for a better result.

Choosing the best rock for hot stone massage involves evaluating roxks largely based on their density. Rocks that are high in density are able to retain heat longer, which is essential for this type of therapy.

A Review Of Couples Massage Therapy

Couples therapy using massages is fast becoming a popular technique being used by marriage counselors. The process of getting couples to forget their troubles and relax together creates an atmosphere that can be easily replicated when the masseuse is not available or around.

The calming and relaxation that is brought on by having a NYC couples massage seems to have some effect on both men and women. Undoubtedly if there is a deep rooted problem then definite counseling is needed. However doing this in addition to counseling can have a major effect on the couple. Let's look at the real purpose of a massage.

A massage is aimed at relieving stress and muscle tension. Stress leads to muscle tension, by gently massaging muscles, there is relief of this stress. When the main cause of stress lies in a marriage or relationship, then relief of the stress simultaneously with the man and woman can really have results. Empirical evidence documented by psychiatrist's shows that a couple having a massage in the same room, speaking together at the same time seems to relieve some emotional and physical tension that has built up between two people. This is important here for many people to fix their ailing relationship.

There are several types of massage and categories that have been used. Primarily both the deep tissue massage and Swedish massages have resulted in some really excellent results. This goes across the categories of troubled couples, prenatal couples and even geriatric massages. The important aspect is to get the trigger point for both couples; this can be achieved using things such as hot stones. This not only causes and increases in body energy but leads to a level of intimacy between both man and woman.

1. A NYC couples massage relieves tension between you and your spouse as it allows you to relax together.

2. It permits both to take part in a very pleasurable moment, together - not something that causes undue stress between the two.

3. It removes apprehension that men feel as having their spouse in the room removes the inhibition of nudity or partial nudity inside a room.

4. It fortifies your mental health by making your body completely relaxed. Reaching that combination seemingly between body and spirit.

5. It improves blood circulation, removes painful knots that are as a direct result of stress.

Orthopedics - Many Different Career Choices

Orthopedics is a lucrative segment in the medical career field. There are a variety of different jobs one can have in this field. It does require a lot of schooling to be employed in the field; however, the paycheck is worth the investment.

If one is interested in studying the muscles, nerves, bones and ligaments of the human body, he or she would be well-suited for a career in orthopedics. Many people think that the careers this field are limited to just doctors, but that is not necessarily the case. From a biology degree to a business degree, there is something for everyone in this field.

Careers in the orthopedic industry span from anywhere doctors to sales people. This field is full of well-paying jobs, if one just knows how to look for one. It is important to know what exactly he or she is qualified to do and what he or she wants to do.

If one is interested in becoming a physician who works in this field, an orthopedic surgeon is a good career field. A surgeon can operate on many different body parts including hands, feet, knees, elbows, shoulders, etc. Basically, anywhere there are bones and joints. There are a variety of specialties in this field including surgeons who specialize in just hands, for example. Not all cases require surgery, sometimes, medications are enough to rectify a problem. Other cases, however, may require physical therapy.

A career in physical therapy is also another job that allows one exposure to orthopedics. In this field, the physical therapist will help rehabilitate a person who has gone through orthopedic surgery. Physical therapists do this by recommending and assisting patients in doing exercises to fix a problem. For example, someone with a knee problem will be prescribed exercises to do that focus on strengthening the muscles and joints in that area. Being a physical also requires several years of school and in the field practice. A physical therapist must know how the joints and muscles of the body work, therefore must study while in school.

If one is not interested in being a doctor, he or she could pursue a career in orthopedic nursing. While it still requires schooling, it is not intense as a surgeon and still allows one to be exposed to orthopedics, although not as first hand as a doctor.

Lastly, there is a business side to the orthopedic industry by working in sales. If one is interested in orthopedics, but more from a business stand point, he or she can pursue a career selling equipment to orthopedic doctors. This requires significantly less schooling than a surgeon or a physical therapist, but needs more on-the-job training. One still needs to know how the different muscles of the body function so that he or she can best sell the products to the orthopedic surgeon.

Clearly, there are a lot of different career paths to explore in this one lucrative segment of the medical field. It really just depends on what interests you most and what side you can see yourself working in. Which means, are you interested in being more hands on with patients or more on the business end. Whichever you choose, jobs in the orthopedic field are well-paying, highly sought after careers.

Massage Enhances Athletic Performance

Being an athlete requires a tremendous amount of determination and hard work to be on top in any competition a sportsperson decides to embark on. More than just having exceptional abilities and mental capacities, athletes needs to invest more on their physical abilities if they want to surpass rigorous training and achieve on-the-top performance. With a hefty amount of time devoted on drills, how can athletes make sure that their bodies keep up with the standards of training and be able to recuperate faster for the next set of work outs? With a fallible physical body, how can athletes boost athletic performance? The answer is quite simple; your old, plain massage can do tricks for you.

Massage benefits athletic recovery and performance, says a comprehensive review that appeared on the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. Following an evaluation on available research literature, the databases suggested that through massage, athletes will experience delayed muscle soreness after training, accelerated muscle tissue restoration, as well as a positive psychological frame. Through these interesting potentials, massage might just take your athletic performance to the next level.

Generally speaking, there are several important ways by which therapeutic massage aid athletes in their sports endeavor. In a study conducted by researchers from McMaster University, chosen male athletes were subjected to muscle examination before and after exercises. With one leg receiving the massage and the other serving as control, muscle biopsies were taken and examined to determine any possible benefits the massage may render. The leg receiving the deep tissue massage has significant improvements in the number of mitochondrial cells, the components responsible for the translation of nutrients into energy. As a result, the muscles can endure longer hours of exhaustion as more energy is being directed into and utilized by the muscle cells. Thus, athletes who underwent massage have more endurance compared to those who don't regularly benefits from it.

Moreover, therapeutic massage has also merited attention as it can also enhance recovery period. Through this alternative medicine, increased blood flow, improved range of motion and reduced muscle tension can be experience by athletes. Expectedly, this list of advantages can help athletes prevent undue accident or injury. Furthermore, a study that appeared on the publication of Journal of Athletic Training stated that through therapeutic massage, delayed-onset muscle soreness can be assuaged by as much as 30% with accompanying lesser muscle swelling. Delayed-onset muscle soreness is a condition characterized by muscle pain and soreness usually occurring after exercise or when athletes have returned to intense training after short periods of inactivity.

Lastly, massage does not only affect the physical aspect of sports performance but it also touches the psychological arena of sports competition. It has been noted that athletes undertaking massage, experienced improvements in mood and have notable reduction in anxiety levels. This in turn, is responsible for the relaxation of the athletes subsequently putting them in the right frame of mind, ready for a peaked, action-packed performance.

Involving our body into sports also means subjecting ourselves to greater strains and pushing ourselves beyond our limits. Thus, if tangled into any sports endeavor, we owe it to our body to reward it with the best kind of treatment. Whether you are a novice or a leading sportsman, a massage can be highly favorable for you. Do not neglect that disturbing twitch in your muscles or that injury you sustained from your previous performance, instead, go to a therapist and discuss on how sports massage can be of value.

So, are you fresh from a training or competition? Treat your body to massage now and your muscles will thank you for it.

Shoulder Pain Exercises That Heal You Fast

Are you suffering from shoulder pain that seems to be getting worse? Any ongoing pain in your shoulder needs to be taken seriously. The small muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff are very prone to injury and if you're not careful you could end up needing physical therapy or even surgery. Here are some tips on how to heal your shoulder quickly and naturally.

Tips on shoulder pain exercises

The rotator cuff muscles respond best to light weights and higher repetitions - around 15-25 is about right. Any exercise movements must be performed in a very strict and slow manner so as to avoid aggravating your injury. Consistency is the name of the game... perform your routine 2-3 times per week, giving at least one day rest in between sessions.

Pain management

Icing will help to reduce swelling and pain. Try to ice your shoulder a couple times per day. Rotator cuff pain tends to increase while sleeping, so it is a good idea to ice right before bedtime so you sleep better. Over the counter pain relief medication like can help manage the pain also.

Rotator cuff therapy exercises

If your shoulder pain is severe, it is probably a good idea to get on a good physical therapy program you can do at home. Be careful not to choose a random group of exercises you read about online. Shoulder pain exercises need to be in a very specific and progressive manner. Only follow a strict routine developed by a physical therapist who specializes in shoulder injuries. Luckily there are several available you can choose from.

Hand Massage Therapy To Relieve Daily Stress

Why do we need to turn to a hand massage every once in a while? Our hands are one of the most abused parts of our bodies when we work. Whether you're a typist, a clerk, an assembly line worker, or an executive, it's inevitable for your hands not to take a beating day in and day out at work. Even the simple task of driving puts a big strain on our hands.

There are some simple techniques that you can do to ease the tension building up in your hand muscles and tendons. Sure, you can stop for a moment and give yourself a hand massage, but since you're working with one hand to relieve the stress on another, it's not as effective as being hand-massaged by a professional.

A hand massage would only take a few minutes of your time and would mean a lot, especially when your work involves repeated hand movements. To give someone else a soothing hand massage, first use good quality oil or lotion.

Next, gently spread the oil or lotion on the other person's hand with light strokes. On the backside of the hand, use your thumbs and start from the center. Use outward strokes and move the thumbs from the center, outwards. Next, massage the tendons on the backside of the hand by pushing up in the direction of the wrist. Follow this with a rubbing of the wrist grooves.

Each of the fingers are then given gentle squeezes and are vigorously rotated by their joints to loosen the stiffness residing in the tendons. This will also provide flexibility and ease any soreness.

The next part of the hand massage is pulling the fingers to release any tension building up in them. Often, a hand massage professional will even wait for the popping sounds which mean a release of gases that build up in the joints and make hand movements difficult.

You can do tiny circular motions on the palm of the hand and finish off by holding the person's wrist with one hand while sliding your other hand up and down his forearm. Do this several times.

A hand massage works three ways: First, it improves the circulation. By doing so, we can perform better with our hands, especially if our work entails meticulous hand movements such as playing the piano or painting.

Next, it enhances the flexibility of the wrist and the digits. A hand massage eliminates the stiffness in the fingers, and the gentle pulling of fingers helps make them more dexterous.

Health Benefits of Massage Chair Therapy

You should think of a massage as another tool in your health care toolbox. Throw away any thoughts you may have that massage is just a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. Actually, massage can be a very powerful tool. It can help you take charge of your health and well-being. There are many positive benefits to receiving regular massage treatments. However, they must be received on a regular basis just like diet and exercise to be effective.

Stress Relief: One of the more important features of regular treatments is the reduction of stress. Massage cannot eliminate the source of stress but it can certainly reduce the symptoms arising from it. Massage helps you to relax which releases the tension that the mind is holding over the body.

Managing Anxiety: Some people are overly anxious. This can be quite distracting to getting things done in our lives. Massage chair therapy helps to reduce the symptoms of anxiety through relaxation. Anxiety can cause stiffness and tension in the body. Massage helps your mind to relax and release its negative thoughts.

Pain Reduction: Massage is a natural way to relieve pain. If you bump your arm against a table, for instance, your first reaction will be to rub it. You can see through this example that massage is a natural way to relieve and reduce pain.

Body Stiffness: Our bodies can become stiff and sore for a variety of different reasons. It could be sitting in one position for long periods of time or from working out hard. Our muscles become stiff and begin to ache. Massaging them helps to restore the flexibility and reduce the tightness in the muscles and soft tissue areas.

Blood Circulation: Many massages can be very invigorating which helps improve blood circulation. Massage helps by stretching and elongating the muscles in ways not commonly done. This helps to enhance blood flow through the body.

Boosting Immunity: Massage is healthy in other ways such as healing and immunity. Massage helps to release toxins that build up in the body and also to breakdown lactic acid. Massage helps the body to recover from strenuous activity to jumpstart the healing and recuperation processes.

These are just a few of the more prominent benefits of receiving regular massage treatments. The key as with diet and exercise is to receive massages on a regular basis. The easiest way to get massage therapy on a regular basis is with a massage chair.

Many people simply don't have time to commit to see a massage therapist every week. Their schedules are just not flexible enough to make this happen. A massage chair, on the other hand, helps you to gain access to critical therapies when you need them.

The key to getting many of the health benefits of massage is the frequency in which you receive your treatment. This can be quite a challenge to us in our busy schedules. One of the best ways to accommodate regular massage treatment is with a massage chair.

Get the benefit of frequent massage therapy with your own massage chair. Massage chairs have been programmed with many of the most popular massage techniques. It is common to find techniques such as Swedish massage, shiatsu, sports massage, trigger point and also deep tissue. This gives you a variety of different treatment options at the touch of a button. See how a massage chair can help you meet your health and well-being goals.

Consider Massage Therapy Schools Now For Your Future

Careers in Massage Therapy are growing and this area of health care is also becoming more a part of Western culture in the USA and worldwide. The ability to work in a field with so many specialties to choose from is also very attractive in therapeutic massage. Become a massage therapist and take control of your career and lifestyle in a very short period of time.

There is no better time than now to explore the opportunities of this career in massage than now, with the outlook of this area expected to be one of the fastest growing job markets now and in the new few years. Consider the over 80 different modalities of massage therapy to specialize in, you can continue to explore and expand your practice and expertise after completion of the basic schooling to obtain your massage license.

Once you review and then decide on the best massage school for your area and specific situation, you will learn massage theory, techniques and history along with other modalities that may include:
neuromuscular therapy (NMT), myofascial release (MFR), Reflexology, sports massage, stretching technique, Shiatsu and several other areas of related interests.

Programs will vary from school to school, so be sure to review the specific curriculums, ask a lot of questions and compare while they will help you decide based on your own personal preferences. Some programs are based on 500 hours and up and can range from 7 months to 18 months or more. Once you are licensed as a massage therapist from an accredited massage training school, you will be ready to specialize in your choice from a wide range of job opportunities or start your own practice.

Take a look at training for a career in massage therapy today. You can make a difference in your life and those you help through this discipline.

Medicare Therapy Fraud - How to Combat Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy False Claims

Physical therapy is the treatment of functional limitations to prevent the onset or to retard the progression of physical impairments following illness or injury. Medicare pays for physical therapy in at least two contexts:

I. Through the Part A hospital insurance benefit, Medicare pays for physical therapy as a component of skilled nursing care, in either the acute care setting or in a post-hospital skilled nursing facility. In order to qualify for reimbursement, such therapy must meet the criteria for skilled nursing care under 42 U.S.C. - 1495i. In order to qualify, a patient otherwise appropriate for Medicare must show a qualifying hospital stay of three or more days within the 30 days prior to entering the skilled nursing facility. A physician must order procedures for the patient that are appropriate to be performed only in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), such as rehabilitative therapy, and must certify that the patient's condition is such that he or she can practically be cared for only in a SNF. In so certifying, the physician must determine that the patient's condition should improve or achieve stability in response to curative care. The SNF medical staff is required to write a plan of care for each skilled nursing patient based upon the individual's needs and circumstances. Upon satisfaction of those requirements, Medicare will pay for 100 days of skilled nursing care per-patient per-illness period - though after the first 20 days a co-payment of 20% is required of the patient. Once a patient qualifies, Medicare bears all expenses of the skilled nursing facility, including the patient's custodial care and room and board (custodial care is not otherwise covered by Medicare). Typically, an SNF receives approximately $650 per day from Medicare for a qualifying skilled nursing patient.

II. Additionally, through Part B supplemental insurance, Medicare reimburses for physical therapy under limited circumstances. In order to qualify for reimbursement, outpatient physical therapy services must: (1) be reasonable and medically necessary; (2) be furnished to a Medicare beneficiary under the care of a physician; (3) be furnished under a plan of care periodically recertified by a physician; and (4) be furnished by or under the direct supervision of qualified personnel.

Medicare regulations require that physical therapy services be performed either (1) by a State-licensed physical therapist or (2) by or "incident to" the services of a physician or other medical professional licensed to perform such services under State law pursuant to 42 C.F.R. 禮 410.60. Under the "incident to" rule, a physician may bill for physical therapy services performed by non-physician personnel so long as those services are (a) commonly furnished in a physician's office and integral to a physician's covered services; (b) included in a treatment plan designed by the physician and in which the physician is actively involved; and (c) furnished under the physician's direct supervision.

In order to bill directly - rather than through a physician - a physical therapist must be State-licensed. Physical therapy services performed incident to a physician's services may be performed by personnel without a license - however, such personnel must otherwise meet all qualifications of a licensed physical therapist including graduation from an approved physical therapy education program.

Regardless of who performs physical therapy services to be billed to Medicare or Medicaid, such services must be furnished in accordance with a sufficient plan of care established by a physician or by the licensed physical therapist who performs the services. Under 42 C.F.R. 禮 410.60, the plan must "prescribe[] the type, amount, frequency, and duration of the physical therapy... to be furnished to the individual, and indicate[] the diagnosis and anticipated goals."

Abuse of the Therapy Medicare Benefit

Unfortunately, fraud in physical therapy is rampant. In 1994, the Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services published a report finding that 78% of physical therapy billed by physicians did not constitute true physical therapy. In 2006, OIG published another report, stating that a staggering 91% of physician physical therapy bills submitted in the first half of 2002 were deficient in at least one regard. Through intense investigation and research, we have identified and uncovered the following types of physical therapy fraud:

(a) billing for therapy services performed by unqualified personnel;
(b) billing for therapy services that were never performed or only partially performed;
(c) billing for therapy services when, in fact, the service performed was unskilled, or amounted to maintenance therapy, or both, and did not constitute physical therapy;
(d) billing for therapy services performed under a deficient plan of care;
(e) billing under individual therapy codes for group therapy services.

Under the federal and some state false claims acts, whistleblowers can file suit against fraudulent therapy and skilled nursing companies under seal and may share in as much as 25% (and in some circumstances 30%) of the award. Blowing the whistle on corporate fraud takes courage, however, and the law rewards that courage with certain protections. The False Claims Act provides for a whistleblower's case to be filed under seal and for the identity of the whistleblower to be protected during the course of the government's investigation. Further, federal laws protect against retaliation by mandating the reinstatement of wrongfully fired employees at the same seniority level, and an award of double back pay, interest, and attorneys' fees. More than $22 billion of taxpayer funds have been recovered under the False Claims Act over the past two decades. Despite all of the efforts and success by government and private attorneys policing the Medicare program under the False Claims Act, the only way that such fraud can be fought effectively is for people with knowledge - industry insiders, administrators, nurses, and therapists - to come forward and say that enough is enough.

Opening Your PT Clinic: How Physical Therapy Software Can Help

If you've decided to stop simply dreaming about owning your own PT clinic and are ready to do something about it, congratulations! Few careers are as rewarding as working with patients who need your help to get back on their feet, relieve their pain or improve their mobility and good health. But before you throw open the doors and start seeing patients, you'll need to consider what kind of patients you want to focus on: athletes, accident victims, those who need post-operative or occupational rehabilitation...the list is a long one. Whether you want your practice to be general or specific, make a choice and stick with it so that you can establish your reputation in that area.

Private Practice Or Clinic?

Do you want to be a sole proprietor and work for yourself, or do you want to bring on some staff members? If you're going to be hiring employees, will they be office staff or will you bring on some additional therapists? If you're concerned about handling the bookkeeping for your staff, look into physical therapy software solutions that can automatically track schedules, payroll and other employee issues. These will make your life easier and document everything for referral in the future.

Fees & Insurance

The most successful PT clinics work closely with a group of referring physicians and most health insurance providers. Before opening your doors, you'll need to decide if you want to accept most health plans as well as major medical, and what other payments you'll take. If you have physical therapy billing software in place, you'll be able to accept a variety of payments, including cash, checks and major credit cards. Simplifying payments for your clients is essential, so consider investing in physical therapy billing software that lets you set up payment plans for those who need it. Most good PT programs can also prepare and print out required insurance submission forms and minimize the problem of incorrect billing codes.

Patient Tracking And Office Organization With Physical Therapy Software

Whether you're going to be a sole practitioner or you'll bring on therapists for various specializations, the right physical therapy documentation software is a must. It protects your staff, your patients and your clinic by clearly outlining protocols, medical evaluations, course of treatment and patient progress over time. Look into a complete physical therapy software package that can set you up from day one with a flexible, customizable scheduling system that allows you or your staff to seamlessly tie appointments and procedures to copays and insurance documentation and billing. You'll get paid more reliably and your patients will appreciate quick and accurate billing of copays.

There are also PT scheduling options that can give you a great overview of individual patient progress, how often they should be scheduled for future treatment, and what their treatment modalities are. Some physical therapy documentation and software programs will even alert you when clients fall away from the schedule, prompting you to follow up with them and their physicians in order to reassess their progress and encourage their return to your clinic as needed. Prescription reminder tools can also help.

Any PT clinic, large or small, will benefit from having the right physical therapy software in place before opening its doors to patients. By having a complete suite of billing and tracking services available, you'll minimize confusion and maximize your patients' outcome and satisfaction.

Bowen Therapy - Benefits

In most cases a Bowen Therapy treatment produces rapid and lasting results. Benefits are usually apparent within two, or three sessions, even when long-standing conditions are being treated.

Bowen Therapy is completely safe and appropriate for everyone from the chronically ill to the highly conditioned athlete, from the elderly to the newborn baby.

There are few contraindications for using the Bowen technique. The technique is gentle and noninvasive and can be performed through clothing.

Results experienced by clients.

1) Misalignments commonly correct themselves.

2) Muscle pain and stiffness are relieved with normal lymphatic flow restored.

3) Meridians show spontaneous improvement.

4) Fascia rehydrates, adhesions release and scar tissue softens.

5) Internal psychological and emotional shifts often occur.

6) Enhanced state of relaxation, and heightened sense of well-being and ease.

Everyone wants to know how such a gentle and noninvasive technique can produce such profound results.

It has long been understood that homeostasis and balance of all your bodymind's organs and systems is fundamental to your experience of good health.

And harmony between the two branches of your autonomic nervous system is the essential key for helping you maintain optimal balance of your body, mind and spirit.

When your bodymind experiences ongoing stress, trauma, or shock the sympathetic branch of your autonomic nervous system gets chronically triggered into "fight or flight."

Please join me for the next segment of my article about Bowen Therapy - How It Works!

Holistic MindBody Therapy, including pure essential oils, are gentle, noninvasive complementary forms of health care for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind and spirit and a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being. Holistic health care often produces satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.

Tips for Taking the National Physical Therapy Exam

Nothing is more important at this stage of your career than preparing for the National Physical Therapy Exam. After all, you've been a physical therapy student for 3 long years, and you're ready to move on to the next step of your life. It's just a little exam-how bad could it be?

Format of the Exam

The NPTE is a 5 hour exam that attempts to test every facet of your clinical reasoning skills. It has 250 multiple choice questions that will tax every ounce of critical thinking you have. The passing score is 600/800, or 75%, but there is some variability to this score. The Federation for State Boards of Physical Therapy (who administers the test) will adjust the passing score slightly to account for exams that are generally harder or easier than normal.

The questions for the exam are constantly changing to reflect current best practice in physical therapy. Of the 250 questions, 50 will not be scored and are "pilot questions" that will be judged on their difficulty and may be included as scored items on future exams. There is no way of distinguishing between the 200 scored items and the 50 "test" questions. This means that you could miss 50 questions and still receive a perfect score! Don't count on it, though.

Preparing for the Exam

If you're reading this during the last semester of your third year of PT school, you're probably going to wish that you had started studying a little sooner. If you're in your second year, you're probably going to ace the thing because you've started studying early. Really, the most important part of your preparation is starting early. The test gives you 5 hours to test your knowledge of 3 years' worth of classwork. In fact, I realized when I was preparing for it that there were some things that we had only had very brief exposure to, such as patient safety details and ethical dilemmas. While we had some experience and knowledge to draw from, we hadn't really been exposed to a test that integrated things like that into the anatomy and physiology of physical therapy. Thus, gaining exposure to these sorts of questions and exam formats is critical.

Now, if you search the internet for the best PT exam study guides, you'll come up with about 6-10 solid programs that do their best to train you for the test in a variety of ways. The hard part is trying to figure out which one is the best fit for you. Some use just a textbook with sample questions and review guides, while others integrate a weekend review course into the study material. It's a big decision trying to figure out whom to go with, but if you don't want to have to buy all of them on your slim student budget, go to this review guide to compare all of the systems.

If you learn nothing else from reading this, just remember- Study Early and Often!

How to Get the Most Out of Massage School

Massage school will teach you how to do massage. It doesn't really teach you about becoming a successful massage therapist. You can learn how to get the most out of massage school and get through training easily when you know a few things about the massage profession.

The number of schools has been increasing for the most part until recently (2007). What this means to a massage student is that teachers are in low supply. Most teachers are right out of massage school themselves and may not have any teaching experience or any real work or massage business experience. There are also many very talented massage school teachers.

To get the most out of your training and education it is important to stay out of the drama and focus on learning and your studies. Get as many massages as you can. Work on as many clients as you can. If you find the classes and teaching to be less than you needed or find it to be overwhelming get the support you need. You can form a study group with other students or find a mentor to help you get through.

Find one of the really good massage teachers to help you. Have them work on you doing massage and work on them as often as you can to get more accurate feedback.

Part of the problem is that massage school requires that you yourself get massage. Massage can bring up many emotional issues that are often buried in your unconscious mind. Combine that with learning new things like anatomy and physiology as well as the massage itself and a massage student can easily become overwhelmed. Others will be in the same boat so don't worry.

The first thing you will learn as a successful massage therapist is how to take care of yourself first. You can start doing that right off the bat as a massage school student and just stay focused on your studies.

NMT: Trigger Point Therapy and What to Look for in a T Bar

Massage therapy is as ancient as noodles. People have been striving to reach a state of ultimate comfort and efficiency, while at the same time, cutting the work load.

I believe that is a great goal to work towards, and I want to highlight how my experience with Sorbo Vibe rubber has changed my life! I recently heard from a co worker of mine that attends a massage school in Texas about a true blue massage tool that took the classic trigger point staple, the t bar, and made it more comfortable and ultimately better.

In my occupational field of massage therapy, every little bit helps.. When I tried this Sorbo Vibe t bar, I was amazed! Their uniquely created polymer is smooth to the touch, and perfectly hard, allowing just enough give to achieve the vibratory absorption needed to relieve the stiffness associated with t bars I have relied on for all these years. It makes perfect sense once you get to touch the smooth blue polymer they're so proudly calling Sorbo Vibe.

For those of you unfamiliar with t bars and NMT as a whole, I strongly recommend you take the time to unwind with or without the massage tool. If you have not discovered the miracle of trigger point therapy, then you surely are holding more tension and muscle stiffness in you than I am.

Fit or not, the body stores tension deep within the muscle tissue, and t bar massage tools have been the answer for so many massage therapists to this day, that massage schools all across the globe require their students to learn the ways of the perpendicular shaped massage tool and trigger point therapy as a whole.

My friend and massage therapy partner has changed my life and though my job is still rigorous and constantly active, I am confidently able to say that massage tools beware! Sorbo Vibe has created a solution to make comfort more accessible to those working so hard to comfort everyone else on a daily basis.

Ask your family doctor or chiropractor about trigger point therapy and massage therapy in general as an alternative or supplemental level of therapy for any muscle related fatigue or stiffness. Having frequent headaches? NMT, might be just what the doctor ordered!

Give it a shot, I promise the t bar is your friend and will always be a mainstay at the therapists office.

8 Strategies Every PT Should Use to Protect Practice Revenue

Focus on a Complete Solution, not Just Software

Typically, PTs begin a technology initiative by calling a list of selected vendors. Usually, their first question is, "Do you offer scheduling or documentation?" This leads to a discussion about the features and before you know it, the process becomes a scavenger hunt. To find a comprehensive solution, ask questions like, "How can you help me manage my practice?" or "What can you do to help me reduce my claim denials?" Asking these types of questions will focus the search on real practice solutions.

Identify and Leverage Growth Opportunities

Physician referrals are one of the keys to success in private practice. Here are a few steps to help make you a more attractive option to referring physicians:

• Market your niche - When marketing yourself to physicians, hone in on your area of expertise, such as sports medicine or knee rehabilitation.

• Communicate with referring physicians - Keep the lines of communication open by leveraging electronic communication. This demonstrates your responsiveness and professionalism to the physician.

• Get online - Many patients research their therapy options online on evenings and weekends. Having a website for your practice and even a patient portal gives you an edge over the competition.

Reduce Appointment No-shows and Cancellations

The ultimate solution to the no-shows problem requires a practice-wide commitment. In today's busy world, people need constant reminders. Everyone organizes their personal calendar in their own way. Some prefer a reminder letter while others respond best to phone messages and many prefer electronic reminders via text or email. A multi-channel reminder program can work wonders in lowering your no-show rate.

Deliver all Authorized Care

When a patient receives an authorization for a set number of visits and you fail to complete those visits, the patient loses out on care and you lose out on revenue. Having a comprehensive patient compliance program in place is essential to your success. A crucial component of that program is the multi-channel reminder program discussed above.

Once you have the patient there, it's important to make sure you get paid for the care you deliver. The most efficient way of keeping track of authorized visits is to use a system that can automatically track the number of remaining authorized visits and deducts each visit against the correct authorization.

Incorporate Technology at the Point of Care

In recent years, electronic medical record (EMR) systems have been proven to help physical therapy providers enhance care, rather than hinder the interaction with the patient. For example, automated documentation prompts users for measures during an evaluation so they can focus more on the patient without having to remember the next steps in the documentation process.

Having a physical therapy EMR that prompts users for specific measures at the point of care can actually help providers work faster, raise the quality of care, collect more revenue and eliminate the human errors that can easily occur during documentation.

Avoid the Payer Reimbursement Downward Trend

Politics, budget shortfalls and skyrocketing healthcare costs are all driving public and private payers to take an aim at providers. In addition to focusing your management attention and resources on ways to increase payer reimbursement, here are a couple of ways you can make improvements in your practice:

• Make co-pay collection automatic - Incorporate a system that automatically reminds front desk staff to collect patient co-pays so they don't fall through the cracks.

• Speed up Physical Therapy Documentation - Use an EMR system for documentation to help dramatically speed up the documentation process, improve accuracy, decrease the time it takes to submit claims and receive payer reimbursement.

Understand the Difference Between Billing and Revenue

Many physical therapists tend to look at billing as the "moneymaker" of the practice and build their office technology around whatever comes with the system. However, even the best billing system can only submit the claims for the work you've done. The real revenue comes from building a solid referral network, retaining patients, reducing appointment no-shows, accurately capturing and coding every treatment you provide and increasing staff productivity. All this can be accomplished with a physical therapy management solution in place.

Don't let Paper and Cumbersome Process Take over Your Practice

Many private practice owners don't realize the cost involved with paper processes. Consider all the costs associated with paper documentation - the time it takes to manually document, the human errors that result in claim denials, filing time, the floor space needed to store files and the cost of paper and files. It all adds up to a fortune! This can all be prevented with electronic documentation.

To thrive in today's challenging environment, physical therapy providers need to respond to both what payers are doing, and what they can do to drive efficiency in their practice. The challenge is you don't have many chances to get it right. Today, many practices and hospitals rely on innovative technology. There are many resources available in the market. However, going with a physical therapy EMR will be the best option for an all-encompassing practice management solution.

Physical Therapy Assistant Salary - Why Physical Therapists Need You

It's really a no-brainer on the part of the physical therapist when he decides to hire one or two assistants. Physical therapy assistants are great help for the therapist and even though he will be paying out a competitive physical therapy assistant salary, the therapist will obviously be earning more income.

How is this so? Once the physical therapist has evaluated the patient and a treatment plan has been devised by the therapist, the assistant can now take over and provide many of parts of the treatment to the patient. The key here is hiring a very reliable and competent assistant and the therapist should still be always supervising the procedure. By having things set up in this way, the physical therapist can attend to other patients whilst the treatment programs of other patients are being taken care of by the physical therapist assistants. By having more patients that can be treated at the same time, the therapist can lower the cost of his physical therapy services with enough income to keep the practice going. With a lower service cost, more people who need these services can now go see the physical therapists for a consultation and treatment.

All of these benefits will be good for the assistant too, because as the practice grows, and as the assistants gain more skills and experience, they will in turn receive a higher physical therapy assistant salary. When done properly, this is a win-win situation for all parties involved. However, physical therapy assistants need to make sure they are in the position to be given these chances of career advancement and a better physical therapist assistant salary first and foremost.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an assistant is $48,950. If you'll be working in the offices of other health practitioners, aside from that of physician, you'll be receiving $46,910 a year. Most therapist assistants tend to work in this setting. Working in physicians offices, meanwhile, will give you $44,120 in annual compensation. If you want to receive the highest therapy assistant salary possible, you should aim to work in home health care services, because assistants here receive a little bit more than $60,000 a year.

Aside from the work setting, another factor that affects your physical therapy assistant salary is the level of experience you have, the training and additional education you have, and the geographical location; as each State has its own level of salary paid to these assistants. Requirements to be a physical therapy assistant vary State by State also; although the minimum educational requirement is an associate's degree, obtained by finishing an accredited physical therapy training program. For more specific information on the requirements, you can and should call your State's licensing board immediately.

Campus Life at a Massage School

The campus life at a massage school will most likely be different from the experience you would get at a traditional four-year college campus. The students at massage therapy schools are dedicated to learning the skills necessary to work in this exciting and rewarding field of healing and alternative medicine. The ages of the students range from recent high school or college graduates to older individuals who have decided to change careers later in life. Much of the work is done off-campus, and classes look different than they do at your traditional institution of higher learning.

Students all over the country are experiencing campus life at a massage therapy school right now since there are massage therapy classes and programs in major cities as well as smaller towns across the nation. If you are considering attending one of these schools, you will want to make sure it is recognized by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Because you must complete your schooling and put in hundreds of hours of practice before taking the required exams for most states, you want to make sure your campus experience is not only enlightening but that the school is accredited. The National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage are the two most common exams. At the end of your campus experience you will most likely take one of these.

Your campus life at a massage school will include numerous classes as well as field experience. You and your fellow students will learn about anatomy, body systems, kinesiology, pathology and physiology. You will also learn all the most common therapeutic massage assessment methods and their application. Students also often learn about professional business practices, ethics, legal practices and standards. After completing this education, finishing at least 500 hours of massage practice and passing any examinations that are required in your state, you will be ready to use your campus experience in the professional world as a real massage therapist.

If you think the campus experience at a massage school might be right for you, there are many schools to choose from.

Institutions offering quality Massage Therapy Programs include American Institute - Cortiva Institute, Apollo College, Kaplan College, Keiser University, Utah College of Massage Therapy and Western Career College.

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy College and start your path to a rewarding career.