Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Sensual and Erotic Massage - An Introduction


As opposed to modern day massaging techniques, the art of erotic and sensual massage, as espoused in the Kama Sutra and Tantra has deep roots. Although, sensual massage was not mentioned directly in Kama Sutra, but its various tips and techniques can be applied safely in sensual and erotic massage, like understanding the power of communication, understanding the body chemistry and paying attention to details.

There is a general feeling that Kama Sutra is all about sexuality, perhaps the topic where most people are wrong is that the biggest Kama Sutra sex lesson is about how to live life and approach human relations in a rational and logical way. It is not necessarily means only sex, but pleasure from deep within. However, sometimes that includes sex, sometimes marriage and even sometimes, it means group interactions and other social skills.

Instead of being just a book of sex tips, artistic and gymnastic sex positions, the Kama Sutra makes it clear that technique is no substitute for deep passion and love. Sex, love, and intimacy need to be approached as an artistic ritual. So if we see the art of sensual and erotic massage from the perspectives of the Kama Sutra and Tantra, it is not just about relieving the physical tensions due to stressful situations or to get sensual pleasure, but much more than that to heal the body, mind and soul together.

It is all about rejuvenating the total personality of the person from the deep within. It is all about celebrating our life together, as we are, by finding something deep within us. In ancient India body was considered to be the temple and all sensual pleasures were considered to be holy and sacred rather than perceiving as dirty.

From the teaching of Kama Sutra and Tantra you can entice, allure and charm your lover with sensual massage. In actual sense, sensual massage creates a bond of communication between you and your partner, thus yourself becoming aware of your whole body and its role in giving the massage, allowing you to let go of the world outside. This new world is something that we generally haven't seen and experienced before.

If done correctly under the right environment by a right person, these massaging techniques can heal you from the deep within, as sensual massage is a holistic therapy in that it works on the person as a whole. Moreover, it is an excellent way of treating minor ailments, stress and negative emotional states in any person due to any reason.

In any massaging technique, whether it is therapeutic, sensual or erotic massage, the art of touch plays a very important role. Sometimes, it differs from person to person who touches and to whom massaging is performed (giver and receiver).

Basically, it is the quality of touch that takes one on a journey into the deepest realms of self and soul, and that subtly, gently and ingeniously encourages one to access the imprints and holding patterns that limit the freedom of the body, mind and soul, and encourages the deepest safety to let go, to dance freer and soar higher than ever before.

But that doesn't mean that you can't learn this special art. Surely, you can learn, relearn and unlearn secrets that will help you to becoming absolutely irresistible to your partner.

It is stimulating and soothing touch sensations with exotic aromatic oils that is both titillating and healing. It is all about learning to touch and being touched, for a wonderful and intimate relationship. For your physical experience to last for a long time, the physic must be healed first, especially energy of past relationship which lingers within the physic (it may be due to any number of reasons, sometimes known and sometimes unknown to us). This energy, usually negative energy, has made lots of compatible relationship fail. Whereas, the true art of sensual massage uses sexual energy to rejuvenate internal energy, frees blocked emotions from past and present life and thus makes us more relieved and pleasured.

Sensual or erotic massage, as the name suggests, is all about communicating with your partner by touching. It is a better way to feel one another through body, mind and soul. In the physical world we sense in different ways such as by taste, smell, sight, sound and touch but among all of them touching affects us much. For an instance take an example of a kid who has just joined the school, you can explain a thing to him, it will not affect him much but if you give a thing to him to touch, to play, he will better understand and certainly will not forgot it for long time.

The same thing applies in real life; you can express your feelings for your lover more efficiently by touching because touch is the primary sense we develop, the first one that an embryo experiences within the womb as it strokes its thumb or finger across its skin. You like to touch things you love, you like and you want to get. The same principle applies here in our relationships, but we generally fail to recognize it.

When it comes to relationship touch plays a very vital role. A touch tells who we are and it gives a sense of ourselves from deep within. Touching is the best way to express our love, feelings and thoughts and it makes us feel that we are not lonely and somebody's around us.

In fact, a huge part of our' brain is given over to the sensory and tactile department. All of our senses, particularly our skin responses, are the bridge between the outer realities of life and our internal experiences of them. Touch, skin, feelings, sensuality are inextricable from one another. By touching we can examine our surroundings more deeply, more closely in short they are the antidotes to our thinking. The way that we as lovers, touch defines the bond between both the partners.

Introduction to Occupational Therapy in Every Day Words


Occupational Therapy is now one of the most popular jobs for those looking to make a difference in the lives of others. Before you choose Occupational Therapy as a career, it is important to know the career, especially its good and bad sides. Working as an Occupational Therapist has its good sides and bad sides and it is important to gain the right information before making occupational therapy your main profession. This guide will help you understand the role of an occupational therapist so you can make a decision before moving into the field.

The objectives of this guide are below:

Who needs occupational therapy?
What does the occupational therapist do during rehabilitation?
An overview on occupational therapy
Decide if you are interested in pursuing a career in the field

Who Needs Occupational Therapy?

People who have become affected by physical problems will need an OT's help. Patients range the gamut from children who are having trouble developing certain motor skills up to seniors who are trying to regain the fine control they had when they were younger.

You may also encounter people who have lost their motor skills due to various accidents, trauma, or injuries. The responsibility of the occupational therapist is to help these patients find control of their motor skills or even, develop their motor skills.

Occupational therapists are given the opportunity to help children become more independent and participate more effectively in school and help adults return to work once they have cured their physical problems. From time to time, you may also be assigned to help older people care for themselves after a fall or injury.

What is the role of a therapist in rehab?

As an occupational therapist, you will identify the individual's current condition sometimes with the help of family members to determine the goals of therapy, perform these activities and realize these objectives. It is also your task to oversee the growth of your patient. When modifications are required, you will be responsible for those, as well.

On certain dates, you must visit your patients at their homes, schools, or workplace to inquire about their developments. The occupational therapist will help the family of the patient get any training needed to make the therapy successful. Your explanations will help to ensure the patient recovers as soon as possible.

The Truth Behind the Name- What is "Occupational Therapy"?

People often think that occupational therapy is associated with office work. The term "occupations" refer to those daily tasks that are required for normal functioning, and can include brushing hair and teeth, tying shoes, and self feeding. These are known as "occupations".

Anyone who begins to lose the ability to go about these daily activities will be affected tremendously. As an occupational therapist, it is your job to help these people regain their ability to care for themselves. You will definitely help people live their lives normally once again.

Occupational therapy is not a career for everyone, but those who pursue the career often find it to be deeply rewarding.

Alternative Massage Therapy Techniques


Many people are interested in exploring alternative medicines. Whether people are tired of the pharmaceutical companies or going to the doctor for years, more and more are seeking other options to reduce pain. Some pains can be completely eliminated with alternative medicine, and others used in conjunction with traditional means. Message therapy is one of the alternative practices that have gained notoriety.

The natural approach to healing pain is the main focus of alternative medicine. Some people with chronic pain seek out a certain form of massage therapy known as rolfing. Rolfing is a very deep massage that stimulates tissues in the body. The rolfing technique is often used to alleviate chronic ailments like certain types of arthritis, tendinitis, an other connective tissue pain.

The rolfing therapy lasts for ten sessions to fully see the reduction of pain. Rolfing massage therapy is often quite uncomfortable, so it is important that those seeking this treatment find a massage therapist certified in this technique. Patients that have used this therapy said they felt soreness afterwards, but the intense pain they experienced lessened. Some have even stated that they felt great improvement in less than five sessions.

Alternative medicine has come a long way in the field of health care. However, it is still important to make sure that the administration of the treatment is within an experienced, controlled atmosphere. Massage therapy is a wonderful health care technique that has been proven to reduce pain and stress. Research other massage therapy techniques to find the one that is best for your situation.

3 Things to Consider When Choosing a School of Massage Therapy


It seems that all things natural - as far as the environment and the body are concerned -- are hot right now. Massage therapy is no different. It is growing by leaps and bounds in popularity. If you want to jump on the bandwagon of this exciting career, following are three things to consider when choosing a school of massage therapy.

Certification: Ensure that the institution you're considering is recognized by state and other educational authorities. This usually means making sure that it is accredited.

This cannot be stressed enough when choosing a school of massage therapy, for it will impact your employment opportunities upon completion.

Massage therapy training varies state by state and institution by institution. For this reason, many states won't accept training that was done in another state. You compound this problem if you don't attend an accredited institution, which can greatly enhance the likelihood of your training being accepted by other states.

How do you find out if an institution is accredited? There are a number of ways. You can: (i) go online and do some research; (ii) ask school officials; and (iii) check with the Better Business Bureau. In this way, you don't want valuable time and money considering with non-certified institutions.

Tuition: It's a fact of life that many of us are limited in our educational choices based on the cost. Choosing a school of massage therapy is no different. However, student-focused institutions offer a wide variety of financial aid packages to help students afford it.

Look for schools that offer flexible payment programs, federal loan programs, scholarships, and/or work exchange programs. The more financial aid options a school offers, the better chance you have of finding one to fit your needs.

Specialization: Just like other disciplines, when choosing a massage therapy school, seek institutions that specialize in their educational offerings.

In the case of massage therapy, a school that is primarily a healthcare educational provider would be ideal. This way, you get the benefit of the best instructors who tend to be specialists in their field, which is probably what attracted them to that school in the first place.

What Equipment Every Massage Therapist Should Have In Their Arsenal


If you plan to become a professional massage therapist then you have to know what massage equipment you should have in your possession. Having the necessary massage equipment along with your massage skills will help you boost the quality of your massage services to make massage a pleasurable experience for your clients.

As every client's purpose of having a massage is to free their mind and body of everyday stresses, you as the massage therapist should have the proper equipments to meet their needs and that includes their comfort and safety. For the massage equipment to help with your success, take note of the following on out list.

  • First on our list is the massage table, the equipment that you should pay careful attention to since you will have to consider a lot of things before buying one. For client's safety as well as yours, you should make sure that the table you are going to buy is made of durable materials that should support even the heavier clients.

  • To further meet your client's needs you should purchase accessories such as head rest to support the client's face and neck and foot rest that will serve as an extension for clients who are taller than the massage table.

  • Along with the table you need to buy massage table covers that you can spread over the tabletop so that the client will not come in direct contact with the surface of the table, which can be quite uncomfortable. In buying table covers, be sure to buy a material that is hypoallergenic since you will never know if the client has skin allergies, and can withstand frequent washings since you will have to wash them after each use.

  • Linens and towels are also a must for massage therapist. There are massage sessions that will require the client to take off their clothes in which case you will need the linen to cover the body parts that does not need to be exposed. Towels on the other hand are used after the massage session to wipe off excess oils or lotion from the body.

  • For both massage equipment, it is important that the material is made of durable cloth but at the same time it should be smooth to the touch. As a reminder, you will have to buy several of these equipments since you will have to use one per client.

  • The last but not the least on our list is the all important massage oils, creams and lotions. As massage therapies primarily involve rubbing movements there is a need to apply these to the skin to serve as a lubricant to make the massage movements smooth. And since it will depend on the client whether they want oil, cream or lotion it is better to stock one for each.

Buying the must-have massage equipment on the list is an absolute necessary to make your venture a successful. Customer satisfaction will not only depend on your massage skills but will also depend on how you take care of them by the quality of your equipments so remember to invest wisely.

Postnatal Massage Therapy - Benefits of Post-Natal Massage For the New Mother


This article focuses on postnatal massage therapy and how it can be of enormous benefit to the new mother.  We will look at the top benefits, some traditional methods to administer post-natal massage, and also some precautions to consider.

Some pregnant mothers experience an easy birth while others go through a prolonged and difficult process with many hours of labour. One thing is absolutely for certain, after the delivery process, new mothers are tired or even exhausted.  And then having to breastfeed and nurse a newborn several times per night can add to the exhaustion.

The new mother today does not have much time to relax and rest during her postnatal 'confinement' period at home. Many mothers also need to return to work quickly which for some means facing additional pressure to lose weight in order to fit back into their work attire and feel more comfortable reintegrating into social situations.

Post-natal massage therapy may be an effective solution for at least some of the new mothers needs. Here are the top 6 benefits of postnatal massage therapy for mothers:

1. Relaxation

2. Stress Relief

3. Relieves aches in neck and shoulders

4. Reduction of fluid retention.

5. Help uterus to return to original size

6. Reduction of cellulite and helps to tone up the body.

Postnatal massage also provides an important sense of continuing comfort for the new mother. The aim of this massage is to give nurturing and emotional support as well as alleviate the muscle aches from the strain of labour and childbirth. Some post-natal massage therapies may also be done in conjunction with a detoxification program that assists the abdominal area to reduce post birth 'bagginess'.

In many parts of Asia, it is common for women prior to delivery to actually pre-book sessions with a massage therapist for a series of post-natal massages. 

In Indonesia, postnatal massage is a traditional treatment which has been handed down from generation to generation and is still widely practiced today. This treatment involves the use of massage oil applied to the stomach and a stomach wrap called a 'bengkung' made up of a cotton cloth several metres long. The bengkung is used to wrap the body in order to push up the uterus, clear water retention, relieve wind and spasms, shrink the stomach and help to reduce weight. Post-natal massage is usually done within the privacy of one's home.

For a mother who has delivered her baby naturally, it is generally considered safe to go proceed with postnatal massage. For those that delivered by caesarean, be sure to consult with your doctor or professional massage therapist first. Most often it is recommended to wait a few weeks before proceeding with post-natal massage therapy after caesarean birth.

Postnatal massage therapy is widely practiced and has numerous benefits for the new mother.  If interested a mother should consult her doctor or locate a professional massage therapist who specializes in post-natal massage therapy.  The benefits are certainly worth the effort.

Ohio Massage Therapy Licensure Exam - What to Expect After Taking the Exam


Okay, so you study like crazy and finally "sit" for the Ohio Massage Therapy Licensure Exam in either June or December. You know you have to wait about 4-6 weeks at the minimum to get your results. Did you pass or not? How will you be notified? What is the earliest you will know? What are the next steps after you find out you passed or failed?

Read on to get some information about what to expect as far as results and when.

First of all, the State of Ohio Medical Board (SMB) committee typically meets the second Tuesday of each month. At the July and January meetings, time is devoted to approving those people who took the massage therapy licensure exam the previous month. Results are made public that same week.

Secondly, you can get your results by:

1. Calling the SMB office at 614-644-5920 on the SECOND THURSDAY of July or December.

2. Checking the SMB website for your name to be listed on the SECOND FRIDAY of July or December (maybe, if lucky, it will be posted on Thursday). Look on this web page on the left side for "Newly Licensed Massage Therapists" and click it to get this list.

3. Waiting for snail mail confirmation of your results (should be ON Saturday or shortly after).

THEN WHAT...

If you PASSED the exam, you might...

1. Get disability insurance especially if you are making massage your full-time gig. Try the information at the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) OR do a Google search for other options.

2. Get a job. Ask your instructors, check your massage school, get out the yellow pages, join your classmates in a business, do an on-line search for a job, check out the chiropractors and gyms that are close by, look for rental space, prepare a room in your home.... The possibilities are endless!

3. Broaden your options by getting certified nationally in massage or as a personal trainer. The latter option will allow you to offer multiple services to the same client (don't need as large a client list!) and is recognized INTERNATIONALLY. The former will allow you to practice massage outside of Ohio in some warm, sunny, beautiful climate!

Those NOT PASSING the exam should...

Wait for their results in the mail to determine if one part of the exam was passed and THEN...

1. If you have failed that part LESS than three times, you can register for the exam again. The letter you receive with your results from the SMB will tell you about the process.

2. If you have failed either part MORE then three times, you must take competency school work just for the part that you failed BEFORE you can retake the SMB exam. There are a limited number of schools that provide this service. You can find all the schools offering competency programs on the medical board web site under the "Information for Massage Schools and Students" tab.

My recommendation is to go to Stark State (Google this to find their web site address) and take their ONLINE class so you have no travel expenses. LOOK IMMEDIATELY on this web site since their class begins SOON after each SMB exam.

Preparing and taking the Ohio massage therapy exam is a stressful event in the lives of most massage therapy students. Knowing how to find you exam scores and when to expect them helps relieve some of that stress. The procedure taken by the medical board in reporting has been fairly consistent over the years. Trusting the process I have outlined above should help with the "unknown."

Friday, April 26, 2013

Learn Marketing Ideas for Massage Therapists to Gain an Edge Over Your Competition


As a massage therapist, your key to making money is by having clients come into your practice. To see a regular number of clients on a steady basis, you must have ways to get the word out about your practice, so people will be aware of what you have available. By using marketing ideas for massage therapists, you can learn what you need to do in order to get the clients rolling in. Another way of looking at massage marketing is that it is the way you let your community know that you can provide a solution to their problems. And the marketing ideas you come up with are the ways to make it possible for them to find out about you. It's really cut and dry. You must take certain steps that will ensure people will know about you and what you do.

Some great marketing ideas for massage therapists can be as simple as getting out and meeting people in your community. You can provide your own massage marketing by simply handing out your business card and/or flyer to passers-by.

Maybe you can stand in front of your practice, hand people a flyer, and tell them you are offering a discount on massages that day. Or, maybe you can offer a two for one special, meaning you can do two people at the same price.

If you live in an area where people are often stressed, you can highlight that in your literature and when you talk to people on the street. You don't have to be too expensive with your rates to start of with. Just give them a good deal.

By using such marketing ideas for massage therapists, you can be a part of that group of therapists that gets a lot of clients. Use massage marketing to your advantage. You don't have to just appear at street corners or in front of your practice. You can give a block party and invite everyone in your neighbourhood. Pass out flyers to all people. Advertise in your local paper. Let people know the day and time. When they come, you can hand out your card and give them special deals.

Why not write an article for your local paper. In the article you can talk about what you do and what your practice involves. Maybe you can go into the scientific aspect of massages and end the article by suggesting people stop by to find out more about it. People will be curious. By doing this, you will soon see how quickly people will come to your location, asking for a massage. When they get one and see how great you are, they will spread the word around town. Before you know it, your reputation as a massage therapist will spread quickly. You'll begin to see many clients come into your door.

Top 10 Questions You Never Thought to Ask in a Physical Therapist Interview!


As generations change and the world of Physical Therapy changes, hiring the right staff becomes a daily challenge. Understanding the needs of Generation X, Generation Y and now the Millenialists can be confusing and leave the employer wondering "What do they want!"

In the process of interviewing new Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation staff, the conversation can be turned on the employer leaving her caught off guard and feel as though the benefits, or schedule, or pay scale is not "good enough" for the prospective job candidate. Instead of feeling as though the interviewee must be impressed with the company, they must be impressed upon to understand the company's ethics and values. It is important to remember that many skills can be taught; true character is either brought to the table or left home.

Too often during an interview the standard questions are asked; "What are your strengths and weaknesses?", "How did you improve a procedure at your current job?"and the most standard of all interview questions "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Only a very secure person would answer this last question the way we would all like to answer it, "On a beach in Hawaii retired!"
Provided the prospective employee has the correct qualifications and experience to apply for the job, assessing someone's character during an interview can be difficult. The employer must find ways to go beyond the obvious questions and truly assess the person they are interviewing. These are some suggested ways to perform a character assessment during a Physical Therapy job interview:

1. Constant Learning: A true lifelong learner will never admit to having all the answers but be able to logically state how to find answers and are ready to admit to needing to find answers. After locating an answer, does the interviewee circle back and close the conversation with appropriate information or follow up? Does the interviewee openly admit a time when they made an error and how they were able to address the issue? Does the person have a plan to continue to grow both professionally as well as personally? Too often we worry about only the person who walks in our door from 8-4:30 and not the person as a whole.

2. Have a Guiding Vision: Does the person have a clear idea of what they want to accomplish, again personally and professionally, and the strength to persist in the face of difficulties and failures. Ask them what obstacles they have overcome to achieve past goals and how did they maintain their focus during difficulty. What is the person's ultimate professional goal?

3. Service Oriented: Too often we hear "What can you do for me?" instead of "What can I do for you?" Is the person truly invested in making a difference? Do they see their role as a career instead of a mission or just a means to justify the end? What drove the individual to this profession and what motivates them to embrace Physical therapy and will they embrace the continued growth of the profession?

4. Radiate Positive Energy: You know those people! They can sell water to a drowning man and make them think it is a great idea! You want to sit and talk to them for hours! They are cheerful, pleasant, happy, optimistic, and upbeat and have the ability to translate those feelings into their views of others. Ask the individual the types of teammates they work best with or get a sense of the types of people they surround themselves with both personally and professionally.

5. Have Passion! Do they truly believe in what they do as a Physical Therapist professional? Do they do what they love and love what they do? Are they able to answer "What is your passion?"

6. Work in Synergy: In a team environment, is the person able to build on their own strengths while complimenting their weaknesses with the strengths of others? Build on the basic concept of "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" It is not so much what their strengths and weakness are but how they use them and adapt them to lend these attributes to their overall success. Are they able to share accomplishments with their teammates for their contributions and able to recognize the success of each person is intricately linked to the success of many?

7. Have Courage and be Daring: Does the individual demonstrate their ability and their undaunting attitude to tackle tough issues? Are they able to accurately assess the level of risk involved in a situation and how adept are they are accepting risk? Is the individual driven by the "popular" choice or are they willing to be unpopular at times while daring to do the right thing? Ask them "Tell me about an unpopular decision you made but knew it was the right thing to do?" Assess if the individual is a low, medium or high risk taker through this discussion.

8. Lead a Balanced Life: Each person should ask themselves this question! Is life balanced in their eyes while not being consumed by any one thing? Is there a balance between business, physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual well being? Balanced life activities will keep you satisfied as a whole person and these individuals are much happier at their jobs and are able to radiate positive energy while taking risk. If someone over emphasizes one area of their life and then struggles in that one area, it could lead to an unraveling of abilities and discontent. A well balanced individual lends depth of character as well stability to themselves and to others.

9. Be Internally Motivated: Too often individuals are motivated by factors out of their control like financial gain, benefits or time off. Problems arise when there is a different level of expectation between employer and employee regarding financial motivation and the employee is at higher risk for "job hopping" thinking the grass is always greener if they are offering more money or better benefits! Internal motivation and the ability to appreciate your own goals and accomplishments as well as the goals and accomplishments of others is truly a unique ability and will keep dedicated employees for years to come.

10. I Can Do It! A "can do" attitude is contagious and essential for both customer service as well as project and team management. Someone who believes in them self will also believe in others. The success of the practice is directly linked to the success of its individuals!

The interview process can be very difficult on both a facility as well as the individual. Use the prospect's resume and their ability to communicate while setting up the interview as a way to begin to decipher whether or not the candidate would compliment your practice. Give the person a task to complete prior to the interview as a mini job assignment. If it is completed easily as requested, continue on. If the prospect suggests three other ways the same thing could be accomplished and presents unprepared to the interview, you may have saved yourself precious time as well as thousands of dollars.

Use the time you have both prior to the interview and during an interview wisely. Each step of the process provides valuable information about the candidate. By incorporating some of the techniques listed above, a more complete picture of the candidate is formed which will lend itself to a better match and a more successful employee.

Benefit of Hot Stone Massage


More and more, hot stone massages are being appreciated worldwide because of their healing benefits and their ability to relieve stress. It is being increasingly demanded at many spas and wellness centers and is also being used in therapy. While stones have always being used for construction or decoration, in the past few years, some specific stones have being found to be good instruments for body massage. A massage stone is a smooth, flat and heated or cold rock used for body massage.

The massage stone was first used traditionally by some tribes in South America and Asia. The recent revival of hot stone therapy in the U.S was by Mary Nelson of Arizona who introduced the LaStone Therapy.

Different types of stones are used for stone body massages some of which are sardonyx, marble, jade and basalt. Basalt is the most used stone for this purpose because of its greater capacity to retain heat energy. It is placed in water and heated to attain a certain temperature range; then it is placed at specific points (generally the back or other parts like palm of hand and legs) of the body. The heat energy transferred to the body generates great benefits to the body.

Hot stone massage is known to have several benefits some of which are:

Muscle Relaxation: The heat from the stone causes greater relaxation of the muscles. This helps the therapist to manipulate the inner tissues more effectively. Some athletes have particularly tense muscles which make regular massage a challenge; these stones provide the energy required to soften them before the therapist continuous with deeper massage.

Improved Circulation: The therapists generally allow the stones to lie on the body parts for a while before starting the massage. The energy absorbed by the body tissues penetrates deep and causes the widening of blood vessels and the result is a more fluent circulation of blood round the body. This is important for an improved state of health.

Pain killer: All other methods of massage can help relieve pain generally caused by injuries, stiff joints or tense muscles. However, heated stone massage is more effective because of the intense nature of the massage. A heated stone massage leaves a better feeling because it permits the therapist to perform a deeper massage effectively as compared to other methods. Many times, pain is stress related and nothing eases stress as effectively as a heated stone massage.

Mental benefits: The relaxation gained from a warm stone massage helps ease mental stress and tension. Hot stone massage has been used in a complimentary way to traditional medical therapy and has many times been incorporated into the treatment plan of a patient. It is not a substitute for professional care but it is a great enhancer.

Wellness: Warm stone therapy is also used to achieve wellness as it is associated with balance and harmony. Hot stone massages have been known to cure insomnia and depression. Since they are used to release deadly toxins from the body, they naturally augment the curing of whatever condition was tied to those toxins.

The benefits of heated stone massage cannot be over emphasized; it promotes a feeling of peace and harmony and eases tension in a stress-filled world.

Learn Massage Therapy Courses Offer More Healthy Benefits Than You Might Think


Almost everyone knows what a massage is don't they? You may imagine a large, possibly rough, person working your body over in a way that feels slightly good but hurts even more. That is certainly not what a good rub down should be all about!

A Little History

Modern massage therapy was perfected in Egypt in the time of the pyramids and passed down from generation to generation to the present. It's true all the cultures have utilized massage therapy for both therapeutic healing and for sensual pleasure. Massaging techniques were also used throughout the middle and far east civilizations. Ancients in India, Japan and China made this technique a key part of their healing and medicine routines.

Definition Of Massage Therapy

A clinical definition is an organized form of touch. The therapy will use the hands and arms to knead, rub and glide over the skin which will apply pressure to the muscles in a system of practiced movements. Most often the movements consist of stroking, pressing, kneading and rubbing. Massage will not cure everything but maintain normal body functions and repair the effects of tension, stress and muscle injury.

Why Does A Massage Feel So Good?

As the body responds to the variety of touch techniques the benefits of massage become apparent. Normal function of the affected area return as the techniques are performed. The rubdown imitates natural stimuli for the body which then responds in a number of different yet positive ways. A good massage also can provide a boost to your mental health by giving you a general sense of well being, managing your body's waste products and toxins, and reducing stress.

So who doesn't love a good massage?

The power of touch is absolutely amazing. It can heal aches, cure ailments, and just make a person feel great! Many people will happily pay big money to experience a professional massage. Getting a massage is an amazing journey into total relaxation and new sense of health. You may be one of those people who not only enjoy getting one but would like to learn how to give a professional massaging experience.

If you are interested in learning massage therapy courses are available on the internet at various outlets like this one...

Using Therapeutic Home Ultrasound to Treat Plantar Fasciitis


Plantar fasciitis is a common, persistent foot injury that requires proper treatment. Plantar fascitis results in acute inflammation and severe pain in the fibrous band of tissue running across the bottom of the foot. Because the ligaments, tendons, and tissue in the foot move every time the foot is flexed, when they are inflamed, every movement hurts, making daily activities very painful. Once the plantar fascia tissue is injured, 100% recovery is difficult and re-injury occurs frequently. But, therapies such as ultrasound can hold the key to complete plantar fascia healing. And luckily, ultrasound technologies are advancing and new affordable and portable ultrasound machines are becoming available for home users.

Causes:

Because the plantar fascia can only stretch 102% of its length without tearing, the stress of an extremely active lifestyle can be too much. This condition of the foot is caused primarily from overloading and overuse in jobs that require a person to be on their feet all day, such as teachers and waitresses, to push heavy loads, such as shippers and construction workers, and to participate in vigorous sports, such as running, dancing, football and basketball. Plantar fasciitis is one of the top five most common foot and ankle injuries among professional athletes.

Poor biomechanics, foot muscle and/or ligament imbalances, and faulty foot structures can also contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. Other causes include obesity and poorly supported shoes.

The inflammation in the arch of the foot experienced by plantar fasciitis suffers can also lead to an intense stabbing pain in the heel and eventually, heel spurs. For this reason, it is critical to properly treat an inflamed plantar fascia at the onset of the condition with ultrasound therapy or another modality.

Treatments:

The intense flare-ups of pain in the arch of the foot associated with plantar fascitis can be best managed through conservative, regular treatments. Patient education on how to treat plantar fasciitis and self-care are critical components in healing from plantar fasciitis. Patience is also key, as an inflamed plantar fascia can take six months to a year to completely recover.

By modifying daily activities and exercise, wearing properly fitting shoes, taping the feet, and massaging the foot arch, the acute inflammation of plantar fasciitis can be minimized. After strenuous activities, RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate) is generally the prescribed procedure for plantar fascitis sufferers. However, for 100% injury recovery, using therapeutic ultrasound prior to RICE treatment is best because the ultrasonic waves efficiently decrease inflammation and relive pain for diagnosed or chronic plantar fasciitis within the first 48 hours of a flare-up. Daily ultrasound physical therapy can be a very effective way to manage and heal plantar fasciitis and heel spurs and is best accomplished with a personal, therapeutic ultrasound device.

For those suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis, foot and tendon rehabilitation at home is now possible with the advent of portable ultrasound machines. The ultrasound therapy utilized by these devices can be used as an advanced treatment of plantar fasciitis and the chronic tendon pain that accompanies the condition. Therapeutic ultrasound can be used to reduce pain and heal foot and ankle injuries twice as fast.

Ultra sound waves provide gentle deep tissue heating that decreases pain and inflammation to speed healing by penetrating the skin and causing vibrations in the tendons and soft tissues of the foot. Ultrasound therapy relaxes muscles and decreases swelling by increasing blood flow and oxygen to tendons and ligaments. Ultrasound deep tissue stimulation can be used as a pain therapy system to control plantar fasciitis flare-ups and can now be used in the comfort of your very own home.

A home ultrasound unit works the same way as bigger machines, found in physical therapist and chiropractor practices, but is more compact and priced reasonably so home users can afford to purchase. Portable ultrasound machines are also safe for use by the general public because they utilize pulsed, instead of continuous, ultrasound waves, which are just as effective when used on a daily basis. Plantar fasciitis physical therapy involving ultrasound will provide users with immediate relief and continual healing over a 3-4 week period.

Because plantar fascist involves soft tissue and tendon inflammation, a specific kind of home ultrasound machine is required for treatment. A home ultrasound physical therapy machine should emit 1Mhz ultrasound waves. It is also important to purchase an FDA approved ultrasound unit that is quality manufactured. The portable therapeutic ultrasound device should also be covered with at least a 1 year warranty. And best of all, with a portable therapeutic ultrasound machine, you can treat your plantar fasciitis daily when it is most convenient for you.

Tips to Better Marketing and Advertising for Massage Therapists


Massage therapists have been taught that successful marketing attempts are primarily word-of-mouth (WOM) advertising. We are influenced to use advertising tools such as business cards, coupons, fliers, and newsletters to help generate customers. To many, these epitomes are the Holy Grail in becoming successful but much to their disappointment, these efforts fail to generate a sufficient number of customers.

Many advertising tools used by massage therapists are used in a manner that results in disappointment. Learning how these advertising tools should be used in a well thought out marketing strategy is paramount to a successful advertising venture.

A marketing strategy is a planned selling effort that utilizes the most effective advertising tools directed towards a preferred customer. Mistakenly, many massage therapists are taught that everyone will benefit from their services; therefore, everyone is their preferred customer. Although the demand for massage therapy services is increasing, there are still a number of individuals for which massage will not be an option whether it is by choice or health.

Massage therapy customers can be categorized into three primary groups.

▪ Stress and Tension Reduction

▪ Pain Management or Injury Care

▪ Pampering and Self-Wellness

Identifying which category your primary customer belongs will help you to direct your marketing efforts towards the correct audience. Those that are already familiar with and interested in your services will give you the more successful results.

For instance, one massage therapist had blogged that her most successful advertising attempt was through newsletters with a $10 coupon. Whether she was aware of it or not, she aimed the newsletter to individuals that were already within her preferred customer group.

This is even true with whom you choose to leave your business cards. Your business cards are an excellent way to attract customers to your practice. Recognizing where these potential customers are categorized will help you to develop a strategy to lure them to make their first appointment by using the back side of the card. Use it as a punch card for a free or reduced rate treatment, to announce a discount rate for bringing a friend or family member, or as an appointment reminder.

Fliers have long been a traditional method of advertising for massage therapists, even for Phoebe on Friends. Distribution to your preferred customer is the best route for these popular circulars; not on the random windshields of uninterested and environmentally conscience individuals. Get permission from local businesses where your preferred customer frequents and leave them there for interested parties to pick up.

Yes, the many different variances of word-of-mouth marketing are excellent ways to attract customers and even retain customers, if you know the "who, what, when, where, and how" of your preferred customer. Starting with that understanding will save your much time and resources. Try these tips here and begin your journey to a more successful massage therapist entrepreneur.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Unknown Health Benefits of Using Massage Chairs


Do you know about massage therapy? Well it is pretty obvious. Massage therapy is the art of one of the oldest healing methods. It is the natural process of pushing, pulling and stretching your muscles and joints which gives relaxation to your mind and help in revitalizing your body. Few years ago, you might found massage therapy only in spas, clinics, hospitals etc. But now massage chairs have bridged the gap and now all of us can enjoy the ultimate health benefits of massages. Wondering, how massage chairs help out you? Let us see that,

• Swelling and poor circulation: Massage chairs are designed with calf and foot massagers, which provide a successive compression of the legs which enhance blood circulation in your leg. This might not only reduce swelling but also help the body to remove unwanted toxins which contribute muscle pains in your body.

• Muscle spasm, aches, and pains: As like as said above, muscles are comprised of toxins. Massage chairs will help to remove or flush out all these toxins from your body. It can even reduce muscle spasm by releasing endorphins in your blood stream. You might think now what is endorphin? It is just nothing body's natural pain killer.

• Reduce stress: For any health related issues, reducing stress is the very important aspect. If stress continues unchecked, then it'll lead to stiffness and eventually muscle fatigue. Massage treatments are the best and effective ways to get relieve and release from stress in its early stages.

• Improves flexibility: Massage therapy aids you to keep your body more flexible and to manipulate soft tissues and improve the breakdown of scar tissues.

• Sleeping problems: Massaging just tends to relax everything like muscles, joints, and postures as well as nerves. Just you might enjoy a little bit better sleep after you sit in your new massage chair.

• Reduce your blood pressure: Massage reduces hypertension, by stimulating pressure receptors that prompt action from nerve emerges from the brain. Massage might also enhance the immunity power in your body.

• Increases energy: Massage therapy helps to revitalize and invigorate your body. It aids you to improve the circulatory and get you to stay relieve from muscle pains and aches.

These are the few unknown benefits of massage. Now I hope that you might know about the unrevealing benefits of massage. Just buy massage chairs and start your home work today to stay stress free and healthy.

Preparing for a Massage Interview - What Every Massage Therapist Should Know and Ask


Before you can start working as a massage therapist, you have to perform a massage interview to get the job, and interviewing for a massage position is quite different than most other interview processes. For many massage therapists, the first job they hold directly out of massage school is for a chiropractor, or a spa / salon owner instead of working as an independent contractor, and it's important to know what to ask in order to accept the right position. Understanding if you will work as an employee or an independent contractor - especially when a massage therapist is beginning his or her practice - is helpful when deciding where to work.

Why You Need a Resume and Cover Letter When Interviewing for a Massage Position

While you will not be sitting at a desk or crunching numbers, you do need to prepare a resume and cover letter for your anticipated massage interview. Even though it is a non-traditional environment, your employer will want to see that you are a professional massage therapist who can represent himself or herself adequately, and a well-written cover letter can show that you have good communication skills - an invaluable asset when working with a diverse set of clients. Be sure to include information about your school, your modalities, and your intended certifications - the more a potential employer knows about you and your specific interests, the more you will stand apart from the rest of the crowd and the higher the likelihood that you will soon be interviewing for the massage position.

Coming in for a Massage Interview

When you receive a call to come in for an interview, prepare to actually give a massage. This might surprise some applicants, but you are interviewing for a massage position, and your employer wants to know what you can do and what your style is like. Because you want to be comfortable while giving the massage, be sure to wear an appropriate outfit for both a massage and an in-person interview. Often, clean, long black yoga pants and a collared shirt will do just fine. Unlike most interviews where applicants are expected to wear slacks and a button-down shirt, your potential employer will expect a massage therapist to be dressed for the test massage. Just to be sure, when you schedule the massage interview, ask over the phone what would be appropriate attire. Additionally, it is always a good idea to arrive at the massage interview fully prepared - a massage therapist should bring supplies to the interview such as sheets, and lotion or oil. While the interviewer will likely have these supplies on hand, it is always a good idea to be in control of the session by being fully prepared.

When interviewing for a massage position, depending on the size of the business, a human resources person or the owner will likely be the first person to sit down with you for a few moments and talk with you about your education and experience. During the massage interview, be prepared to talk about what you learned in school, what your strongest and weakest modalities are, what you envision for yourself as a massage therapist, and about your previous experience with clients. Then you will give a test massage, either an abbreviated (30 minutes or less) or standard (one hour) massage, showing your abilities to give Swedish and deep tissue massage. Interviewing for a massage position sometimes, but not often, involves you being asked to display competence in additional modalities that you have listed on your resume such as hot stone therapy, or sports massage.

It is important to be yourself during the massage interview. Just relax and give the same massage that you would give to a client. Do not be nervous, because it will come through in your touch. Your employer is looking to see your skill as a massage therapist, and the more natural and relaxed you are the better interviewing for the massage position will go.

Getting the Job and Working

If the massage interview goes well and you get the job, you will likely begin either as a full-time or part-time massage therapist. Be sure to speak with your employer up front about the method of compensation and your designation as either an employee or an independent contractor, because these are very different and can make a big impact on your revenue and tax filing at the end of the year. This is a very important question to ask when interviewing for the massage position as employees are expected to work during a set number of hours, can only work for one employer at a time, and must comply with the employer's standards of service and instructions about how to deliver massage therapy. From a financial standpoint, make sure that you understand during the massage interview if you will be an employee, as employers pay the majority of the employee's taxes, and the massage therapist is often eligible for benefits such as health insurance and paid vacation time.

Unlike employees, independent contractors are typically able to set their own hours, and are paid a percentage of the total revenue they bring into a business. They tend to have more flexibility about the type of massage protocol delivered and the types of services offered. If this is the type of work environment you have envisioned, you should establish this when interviewing for the massage position. For example, a massage therapist who is an employee at a large spa will be expected to adhere to the standard services as listed on a published menu of services but a contractor should legally have more flexibility. During the massage interview, ask if customers expect to receive a comparable massage regardless of which therapist they see, and if therapists are expected to closely maintain a massage protocol. If a massage therapist works as an independent contractor in a smaller spa or for a chiropractor, he or she is more likely to be able to decide upon which services to offer, the rate of the services, and the hours during which those services will be available. Another reason to clarify your status as an employee or contractor when interviewing for the massage position is because independent contractors are responsible for their own client records, and have control over those client records when and if they decide to leave their place of business. It's important to understand this early on in the massage interview, because with this independence comes the expectation of independent costs - contractors do not have taxes paid for by their employers, and often pay a large amount of money out-of-pocket at the end of the year.

Longevity as a Massage Therapist (Employee or Contractor)

It is important to understand all of the different elements that go into interviewing for a massage position, and know which questions to ask before you get hired. In addition to being prepared to give a hands-on trial massage, you should also determine during the massage interview what your potential employer expects from you in terms of compensation, hours, employee status, massage type, and career ambitions. That way you can be sure to begin a long-term, profitable, and enjoyable job as a massage therapist, either as an employee or an independent contractor.

National Massage Chains Continue to Expand


The massage therapy industry is changing to meet the needs of consumers. Massage therapy used to be a luxury for most people, but as it has become more popular with the general public for its therapeutic affect, business models are changing and adapting to a more main-stream approach.

According to the 2009 AMTA Massage Therapy Industry Report, national massage chains are growing as new players enter this market and current chains expand into new locations. Seeing the growth of spas and the consumer acceptance of massage, these organizations have found a niche in the market - offering a branded product in numerous locations.

As opposed to spas, these companies only offer massage, although some firms are testing locations that offer more traditional spa services in addition. Some massage therapists have a poor view of national massage chains, seeing them as detrimental to the profession. But, as these chains continue to grow, many massage therapists see them as a place to get steady employment and potential benefits.

Because massage therapy is the only service on the menu, national massage chains are able to cut overhead from less profitable services and offer lower cost massage. The number of these firms and the lower prices available could have a significant impact on massage use in the future and employment opportunities.

Currently, only 1 percent of consumers report receiving their last massage at a national massage chain. This number is expected to grow as more chains open, and consumers look for a lower cost massage. Additionally, consumers may not understand the difference between a spa and a national massage chain.

Physical Therapy - The Prerequisite Steps


Are you about to apply for college admission and ultimately want to become a physical therapist? There are some important things you need to know. A good college application is imperative to getting accepted and taking the first step towards this career. The most important factors in a college application are a good academic record, a well written and constructed application essay, good results on your SAT or ACT test, participation in extracurricular activities such as community service, volunteer work or participation in organised sporting clubs. Lastly a letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor or coach supplements your application well.

The next step to becoming a physical therapist is completing a bachelor degree. There are some prerequisite subjects that you must complete in your undergraduate studies in order to be accepted into most postgraduate programs. These subjects allow you to gain a good base of knowledge leading into physical therapy school. The most common prerequisite subjects are chemistry, physics, anatomy and/or physiology, statistics, social and behavioral sciences, biology and math. A degree in exercise or health science will usually include all of the prerequisite subjects required and typically takes four years to complete.

Once you have completed your undergraduate studies and have made sure to take all the prerequisite subjects, you can now apply for physical therapy school. Every PT program must be accredited by the Commission of Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). You may only sit the final exam if your program is accredited by CAPTE. So be sure it is! Of the 210 programs across the U.S., over 200 are a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), with the rest either a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) or Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT) program. To help simplify and facilitate the application process, the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) has been developed. This service allows applicants to complete a simple, user friendly, web based form and one set of materials to apply to as many programs as they wish. Keep in mind, however, that not all CAPTE accredited programs use the PTCAS application service. You can apply directly to those schools that do not use the PTCAS and follow their specific instructions.

Lastly, on completing your two year physical therapy postgraduate program, you must sit a licensing exam called the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The exam is designed to determine if you have the knowledge and skill required to practice physical therapy at an entry level. The NPTE is a 5 hour computer based exam composed of 5 sections each containing 50 multiple choice questions. To pass you need to score more than 600 out of a possible 800. If you fail the NPTE you can take the test up to three times in a 12 month period.

So there you have it - the prerequisite steps to becoming a physical therapist. Study hard and follow this guide and you will be rewarded with an exciting and lucrative career.

Massage Training in the 21st Century


Find Massage Training in the United States and Canada. While massage therapy has an age-old history, massage training today has taken this healing art to a whole new level by integrating a variety of bodywork modalities to meet growing health demands of people from all walks of life.

In addition to basic massage training, students enrolled in one of several massage therapy schools gain essential skills and knowledge to compete in the increasingly growing job market. Today, it is not unusual for students to learn fundamental theories and principles of the art, in addition to hands-on training in sports massage, Swedish massage and deep tissue massage. Likewise, students enrolled in a massage training program will begin to comprehend kinesiology and the application, thereof. Advanced massage training courses often include natural health concepts, herbology, aromatherapy, nutrition, and progressive massage techniques.

Though a great number of massage training programs involve at least 300 class and clinical hours, more and more healing arts schools are beginning to present more in-depth training options, entailing upwards of 1,000 hours or more. In cases such as these, students will qualify for state certification and national certification as well.

One can expect to encounter a vast assortment of practical massage training classes as diverse as their names imply. For example, Tuina is a Chinese medical massage that integrates meridian therapy into bodywork. This massage training is commonly taught at Oriental medicine schools, as well at a number of massage schools.

It is no longer uncommon for major sports teams to have a sports massage therapist at the ready, so if you’re interested in helping athletes, specialized massage training in sports massage may be ideal for this career goal. Other fascinating massage training options that may be of interest include animal and equine massage. Since public opinion for natural healing techniques has favorably shifted in recent years, more pet and horse owners are turning to animal/equine massage as a non-invasive alternative for common musculoskeletal disorders and conditions.

The growing trend of combining mind, body and spirit medicine has become quite the phenomenon. For instance, students wanting to become entrepreneurs in the field will find that many massage training programs now carry extra education in spa and salon management. Common massage training classes in these programs entail aromatherapy and aromatherapy massage, spa and salon management fundamentals, essential oils, body wraps, facials, holistic skin care treatments; and an assortment of bodywork methods including facial massage, craniosacral therapy, hand massage, Swedish and Thai massage, as well as other related practices.

Overall, massage training is the modern complement to both conventional and alternative medicine and is quickly gaining leeway in the educational industry. In many cases, students who qualify may apply for financial aid programs and other scholarship options that are now afforded through a number of accredited massage colleges and schools. Once candidates have successfully completed all massage training and education, they have an assortment of work settings from which to choose – whether on the playing field, on the horse track, in a primary care clinic or on a sea-faring cruiser, massage therapists can enjoy both professional and personal rewards of the trade.

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

Massage Training in the 21st Century
© Copyright 2007
The CollegeBound Network
All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?


Pediatric physical therapy is a healthcare profession that encompasses evaluation and treatment of infants, toddlers, children and adolescents. It's very important to discover and treat problems in children on time. Research proves that early intervention works well with many pediatric diagnoses including but not limited to ADHD/ADD, ataxia, autism, brachial plexus injuries like Erb's palsy, cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, developmental delays, down syndrome, gait abnormalities, muscular dystrophy, neurological impairments, orthopedic conditions, plagiocephaly, premature birth, scoliosis, sensory processing disorder, torticollis, toe walking, and traumatic brain injuries.

Physical therapists' entry level degree has changed throughout the years. It started with the bachelor's, continued to the master's, and now its the doctorate in physical therapy. Now little patients are treated by highly professional people with the highest possible degree.

Did you know that not every pediatrician specializes in child development? Only 15% of pediatricians are such specialists. Also, it is easy to miss signs of developmental delays during routine visits. That is when pediatric physical therapists can help.

Physical therapy evaluation usually starts with observation of child's appearance, movements, activities, behaviors. It may then continue to neurological and orthopedic exam, and it continues to testing with peer-reviewed assessment tools like Peabody Developmental Motor Scales - 2 (PDMS-2). The scores are then carefully calculated and conclusions are drawn as to whether the child requires physical therapy intervention.

To treat children, therapists may utilize stretching, strengthening, thermal treatments, aquatic therapy, and joint mobilization. However, children do not usually even notice that they undergo "therapy". They are engaged in games and activities thus they have lots of fun while exercising and working on improvement of their health.

Another important part of pediatric physical therapy is family education with home exercise programs. Family plays a crucial role in fast recovery and progress in therapy. To insure carryover, exercises need to be practiced daily.

It is convenient to have pediatric physical therapist come to children's houses to provide care in the natural environment where the children spend most of their time. Home pediatric physical therapy companies are happy to help their little patients. If you or somebody you know have a child that may benefit from pediatric physical therapy, research and find a home pediatric physical therapy company providing services in your area.

Besides watching and taking care of children's physical health, pediatric physical therapists always screen kids for potential problems in other areas like speech pathology, occupational problems, as well as learning and behavioral delays. If necessary, they may refer their little patients to other specialists in child development. That is how every aspect of child development is covered, and children can grow happy and healthy.

All About Massage Therapy - Natural Ways in Treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome


Along with the continuous invasion of high technology in our society, comes different ways in treating different diseases. Medicines that are highly effective are also invented and discovered as a part of this situation. And the fact that traditional medicines and natural ways of treating a disease are surpassed and are left behind either unapplied or applied but with minimal.

There are a lot of different diseases that does not only depend on the use of medicines that are commercialized and high technological machines. Though, this equipment really plays a major role in advance medicine, some patients still need something lighter and more natural way of treating a certain disease.

Diseases like polycystic ovarian syndrome and others need long-term treatment for the symptoms. Since symptoms should be treated in periods of time, some woman with these diseases are looking for something that is lighter in pocket yet effective and more of natural- derived. There are a lot of treatments both conventional and natural with regards to this disease. One of which is included in the list of treatment is massage therapy.

Massage therapy is the combination of science and art that aims in providing a relaxing experience done by artistic hand strokes on the body. Hand strokes rejuvenate or replenish the boy and help it eliminate any stress. Though massage therapy also existed for thousands of years ago, the use of this as treatment and as an aid in promoting wellness is used in minimal ways. However, as new studies are released, they proved that massage therapy is really effective and beneficial in health care.

Massage existed first from the Ancients of Chinese, Greeks, Romans, Indians and Egyptians. It was on the 2700 BC where a book called Yellow Emperor's Classic Book of Internal Medicine emphasized the use of breathing exercises, massage of the flesh and skin and hand and feet for the treatment of many diseases. Such diseases include paralysis, chills, fever and many others.

According to the Greek and Roman physicians, massage therapy is the primary method in alleviating any pain felt by a certain person. It was also used by many physicians during the early early years to cure fatigue, injury and illness basing on how the body works. Moreover, the limited and unapplied massage therapy is caused by the separation of the Greek and Roman civilization until to the nineteenth century.

Furthermore, massage therapy is now welcomed by many people in the whole globe nowadays. Especially that massage therapy does not only aid in treating different diseases like polycystic ovarian syndrome, but it also aids in promoting wellness and preventing any illness development.

Physical Therapy Assistant Job Description


The main role of a physical therapy assistant(PTA) is to provide support to physical therapists in the rehabilitation of patients. Currently, there are more than 114,400 PTAs working all across America. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in this profession is only going to rise in coming years with an annual growth rate of 45%. The salary of a physical therapist assistant is $37,710 annually.

When a patient visits the medical facility, he is first supervised by a physical therapist, who then prepares a treatment-plan for the patient. The treatment plan is specific for each patient and contains various treatment and procedures as per his requirement. The entire plan is conducted by the PTA under the supervision of physical therapist. The PTA is supposed to constantly report the progress made by the patient and, if needed, the therapist may change the treatment plan as per his understanding.

In order to become a physical therapist assistant, one needs to have an Associate's degree from a recognized school. Currently, there are more than 233 accredited schools all across America that offer this program. The duration of the course is two-years, which includes the summer training program. Various subjects like biology, anatomy, chemistry, and psychology are added in the curriculum. In the end of the summer training, students are evaluated as per their dedication. This evaluation report plays a great role in determining the employment prospects of an individual after graduation. Most of the PTAs are hired in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and home-health service facilities. Some PTAs are also hired on contract basis by patients. The duration of the contract is usually a week or two during which they have to stay with the patients at their home.

The salary of an individual is determined by his skill and experience, as well as the job location. A physical therapist assistant with an experience of 20 years can earn an average salary of $42,000 to $65,000, whereas a fresh graduate has an income range from $30,000 to $40,000. The home-health service facilities pay the highest amount followed by nursing homes and hospitals. Schools and physician's office pay the least salary, comparatively. Texas and Virginia has highest average salary scale for physical therapist assistants whereas Pennsylvania and New york has the lowest.

This is a career for those ambitious individuals looking for careers that pay well but also allow for satisfaction. It is always a great feeling for physical therapist assistants to use their skills to make a difference in somebody's life.

Do Physical Therapy Schools Teach Marketing?


The physical therapy schools do a great job of training health care professionals to care for people who need to recover and recuperate from an accident or injury. But most learning institutions do not teach students how to successfully run a health care based business which every business person needs to know how to do. There are many ways to advertise a physical therapy clinic such as using articles on the internet, using print media, and by networking.

Providing the right care for patients in stages of recovery is of the utmost importance of any clinic owner but getting patients is just as important. Without patients there is no clinic and therefore no business. Marketing is an ongoing task and must be performed daily. Spend a minimum of one hour a day promoting the business even if the patient calendar is full.

Put the word out to the community about the services offered at the community. Business owners can use print media by taking out full page ads in the local shopper weekly newspaper. Once the word spreads people will start talking with friends and relatives about the clinic they read about in the various print media.

Join the local chamber of commerce and network with other business owners. Networking is still a great way to get the word out about a new business in the area. Marketing is a trial and error practice for the new business owner but it never hurts to get out and start talking face to face with people in the community.

The internet is a great place to advertise and there are free ways to advertise on line and there are fee based advertising methods on line. Writing articles is a free method of advertising on the internet and is still an effective way to promote one's business on line. Write and submit helpful articles on physical therapy and post them on internet article directories.

Sign up for local search engine optimization so that the clinics website will appear when people do an internet search for clinics in a particular area. Some clinic owners use a fee based ad campaign such as pay per click. The pay per click ad runs on the sponsored listing category on the search engine results pages. Some clinic owners buy banner advertising on websites related to health care so people can read about the services offered by the clinic after seeing the banner on a different but related site.

Many people new to the business try to get doctors to agree to send them some referrals. But it is difficult to simply approach a doctor and expect a flood of patient referrals. Instead the new business owner, once out of physical therapy school, needs to think of a different approach to his marketing plan.

A new business owner might consider offering a new and unique service that will separate him from the competition. Physical therapy schools prepare people to help others who are in need of recovery or recuperation. A clinic owner however needs to employ marketing methods in order to build his patient base and to insure his present and future success.

Holistic Health Practitioner Jobs - Career Explained


Although holistic practitioner jobs have been around for thousands of years, these alternative medicine professionals have seen a career boom in recent years. Roughly 38 percent of all American adults are currently using some type of complementary or alternative medicine, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Holistic health practitioner jobs are now being recognized as viable forms of patient care as people continue seeking alternatives to traditional health care and pharmaceutical medicine.

The belief behind holistic practitioner jobs is that there should be a safer and more natural way to diagnose and treat various ailments, and that the whole emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects of a person's health must be addressed. This way of thinking has become much more popular in recent decades. There are holistic health practitioner jobs in acupressure, herbology, nutritional counseling, reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga and many other fields. Some practitioners focus more on healing the body, while others act more as counselors or teachers who guide individuals on a healthy lifestyle from the inside out.

In order to be a holistic health practitioner, one must have a passion for alternative or complementary medicines. These aren't just jobs; they are part of an entire lifestyle that focuses on greater health and well being. There are schools focused on holistic health that can prepare you for such holistic practitioner jobs as acupuncturist, biofeedback therapist, energy healer, meditation leader, massage therapist, kinesiologist, yoga instructor and many others. You may work in a spa, professional office, private office, from home, or you may go to the clients' homes. There are many options in this promising field.

Now is a great time to get started in one of these careers, as there has been a substantial increase in alternative medicine and holistic health practitioner jobs since 2002. There are also many indicators that the growth will continue through 2016, and it will probably continue after that as well. If you have a passion for holistic living and believe that total health encompasses the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual, this is an ideal career for you.

Institutions offering quality Holistic Health Programs include American Institute of Holistic Theology, Clayton College of Natural Health, New York College of Health Professionals and Spa Tech Institute.

Ohio Massage Therapy Exam - Steps to Getting Licensed to Practice Massage


Massage therapy licensure in Ohio is governed by the State Medical Board. This is unique. Most states, maybe none, have this kind of governance. If a person graduates from a board-recognized massage therapy program in Ohio, s/he would be eligible to "sit" for the licensure exam. There are also some schools outside of Ohio that one could graduate from and be "permitted" to sit for Ohio's licensure exam.

Beyond this, what would you have to "do" to become an Ohio licensed massage therapist? Follow these steps and you should be well on your way to a legitimate massage therapy practice.

Step #1. Graduate from a board-approved school with a curriculum of at least 750 clock hours and a minimum of a nine month course of instruction. For a list of these schools, go to the State of Ohio Medical Board web site.

Step #2. Get a criminal records check, a requirement for initial massage therapy licensure. You will need both a Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal records checks for initial licensure. The State Medical Board won't be able to complete your application to take the licensure exam prior to having this check completed.

Find a vendor that participates in the "National WebCheck (NWC)." Have the results sent directly to the State Medical Board of Ohio and give the reason for fingerprinting. If you are out-of-state, contact the Medical Board by email to request the appropriate forms. You will be sent these forms for your fingerprints to be processed. See the Medical Board web site for more complete information.

Step #3. Apply to take the State of Ohio Medical Board Exam for Massage Therapy. Ohio students will be given their applications from their school. Out-of-state applicants should email the Board to obtain the Request for Application form and Preliminary Education form OR get these forms from the Medical Board web site. All forms and contact information can be obtained at:

http://med.ohio.gov/mt_about_massage_therapy.htm

Step #4. Purchase study materials or attend a review class to prepare for the exam and what you really need to know to pass it. The Massage Therapy Board exam is a two part exam. The first part of the exam is 110 multiple choice questions on basic science. The second part is the limited branch portion of the exam. It is also 110 questions. A person must pass both parts of this exam to receive their license to practice massage in Ohio. The exam is currently a paper-and-pencil exam administered twice per year, June and December. Deadlines for the $250 exam fee and application are February 1st for the June exam and August 1st for the December exam.

Taking this exam is usually a sizable undertaking for most people. Because it is only offered twice per year, it makes it even more important to be successful. Knowing forms to complete, fees to pay, deadlines to make, can make the process less stressful.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Prostate Massage Therapy - A Natural Tool To Improve Prostate Health


Men are often left wondering if they have a natural choice when it comes to helping problems with their prostate. Prostate massage therapy has been used for hundreds of years as a natural tool to improve the health and well being of this male only gland and is worth considering because of the potential benefits.

This male only gland is located beside the rectum and is a necessary part of the male reproductive cycle. Its main function is in the production seminal fluids. This gland is highly prone to infection as it is situated near the rectum which is always full of bacteria. Studies show that 1 in 3 men by the age of 60 have at least one problem related to the prostate so it is important if possible to avoid all such problems as early as possible.

In a medical setting, a urologist often performs this type of massage. This can be an uncomfortable experience for the patient as the massage is performed through the anus. The doctor will insert his finger and massage the prostate gland. This gland is like a small rubber ball and can be accessed through the anus but never directly touched.due to the wall of the rectum. The massage should only be performed by experts or professionals as any sort of inappropriate massage can cause damage to the prostate gland.

This procedure also helps in checking out any sorts of carcinomas present in the gland. An inflamed prostate can also be caught by this massage. The therapist will be able to tell if there is any problem with the gland by massaging it. This therapy can alert the patient of any existing ailment however, certain drawbacks need to be kept in mind. If a cancerous growth is present, it can spread to other parts of the body if the massage is improperly performed. Also, presence of prostatic calculi can cause the membranous lining of the prostate to rupture. If the patient is already suffering from prostatitis, then blood poisoning can be caused by this massage.

So as we see, this type of massage can be a very good tool medically speaking to check the health of the gland as well as possibly giving some relieve to men with certain conditions. As well, this type of therapy helps to release accumulated fluids that can can additional pain in an unhealthy prostate. Consider finding a qualified therapist or clinic that has experience in doing this to make sure you won't have any problems.

So in summary, prostate massage therapy can help to diagnose potential health issues as well if done correctly, relieve certain problems in a natural manner that can be very beneficial.

Simple Tips to Manage Everyday Pain


As I have been watching, the past few mornings, my children getting ready to go to school, I am reminded that pain is unfortunately an unavoidable part of life. Whether it is getting up early in the morning to go to school, the result of a fall or accident, or even chronic poor postures, pain can disrupt our day-to-day lives.

In my profession, I deal with managing pain every day with my patients. In some shape or form, every patient who walks in my door has some sort of discomfort that results in their inability to do something that they like or need to do. Although it would be wonderful for me if everyone who had pain would come to seek the care of a physical therapist, most types of pain can be cared for using relatively simple methods. Here are some simple tips to manage everyday pain that you experience.

1. Exercise. It is been said that if scientists could package exercise into a pill, it would be the most prescribed pill ever. If such a pill is ever invented, I would probably be in line right behind you to get my prescription filled as well! However, it is unlikely that any of us will see that pill anytime soon. In the meantime, regular, relatively gentle, safe exercise is not only good for overall health, but can do quite a bit to minimize painful joints and muscles. Proper exercise maintains flexibility and strength, which are necessary for proper efficient movement. My local TV provider even has free exercise segments that can be accessed on your remote control. These 10 to 15 minute routines can make a difference. As always, consult your healthcare professional for safe prescription of any exercise routine.

2. Meditation. As I am reminded every fall when school begins, stress is part of life. Your body responds to stress in the short-term by producing pain killing substances. However, over the long-term this can prove damaging to your body. Meditation, or any other relaxation techniques, has been proven to reduce tension which will reduce muscle pain. Meditation does take some practice, and there are numerous free resources at your library and even on the Internet to help you get started.

3. Massage. Although most of us consider massage to be a luxury, regular human touch has been demonstrated to reduce stress levels, reduce pain levels, and release tension. Massage increases circulation to painful areas, which in turn decreases pain and stimulates healing. Massage is very helpful for people who have chronic muscle tension issues. My advice is to go to licensed massage therapist (spouses don't count, sorry!)

4. Medicine. You hate to take pills, I hate to take pills, but sometimes you need to take pills. Simply put, see your doctor. I say this not just for prescription medications, but for over-the- counter medicines as well. The average person is simply ill-equipped to understand all the possible interactions between different substances. My philosophy is that everything has a side effect, including water (take too much and you drown!)

5. Sleep. Getting enough good quality sleep is vital for many things, including dampening pain. When you don't sleep bad things start to happen. This is true of all ages. Recent studies even link babies' lack of sleep with later problems of obesity.

For example, in our practice, we see quite a few patients with fibromyalgia. This is a condition where the patient perceives even non-painful things as pain. Along with regular exercise and getting enough water, we recommend anything they can do to get good nights sleep. Quite simply, when you are not well rested everything hurts more. Getting quality sleep is a whole separate article, but suffice it to say that unless you are getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night; you are probably chronically fatigued, which can add to pain.

So, consider these areas in helping yourself to manage pain independently. I can't help with the pain of the new school year!

Acupuncture Massage


Part 3.

Acupuncture Massage.

It is the Great combination of two words.

Acupuncture is an ancient study. It is a technique that has been done for thousands of years as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture uses a method of inserting needles into specific points (acupuncture points) in the body. Acupuncture points are located throughout the body.
There are yin and yang points throughout the body including the hands and the feet.

Massage is the practice of applying structured pressure, tension, motion or vibration -- manually or with mechanical or electrical aids -- to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, joints and lymphatic vessels, to achieve a beneficial response.

A form of therapy, massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to heal injury, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, and improve blood circulation. Where massage is used for its physical and psychological benefits, it may be termed "therapeutic massage therapy" or manipulative therapy.

To summarize, Acupuncture Massage is the practice of applying structured pressure, tension, motion or vibration -- manually or with mechanical or electrical aids to specific points on the body.

The Advantages of Acupuncture Massage in short are:
You are not using needles. You are applying massage to precise points to achieve the most benefits in the shortest period of time.

The balance of Chi, or Qi in some books (is a term used to describe vital energy in the body) is the very foundation of being alive and functioning in Traditional Chinese Medicine technologies.
If there are deficiencies of Chi, there can be pain and illness.
Pain is supposed to mean that there is a blockage or a poor flow of Chi.

If there is a problem with the systems or a disease is present, acupuncture tries to address this by attempting to modify the activity of one or several of the systems of function.
Each acupuncture point, one way or another, are connected to each organ in the body.

Addressing massage to specific acupuncture points, releases blocked Chi and helps your body's immune system to finish the job. Some acupuncture points are very easy to identify. They are points of pain (back pain, neck pain etc).

Even though there are more than 1000 acupuncture points on the body, you don't need to know more than 10-20 acupuncture points to help you or members of your family with some "everyday" problems without a deep knowledge of acupuncture science.

Just keep in mind You always have to consult your doctor before do anything yourself.

Relaxation is necessary for maximum therapeutic benefits to be achieved.
The procedure treats the body as a whole. It works to improve the function of several systems of function that are associated with several physical organs in the body.
This is why acupuncture massage is so good for you.

You are archiving relaxation by massage and unblocking Chi by massaging acupuncture points. They help to restore the body through a method of yin and yang.
It is like Killing two rabbits with one shot, so to speak.

There are many ways in which acupuncture massage can provide excellent results and without the harmful side effects of medications. In fact, in many cases, it can be safer to treat conditions with acupuncture massage than with medications.

In the next articles I will cover Acupressure and Electro Acupuncture, even more advanced techniques to restore your body's health and energy and assist with reducing pain using today's technologies.

To Your Health and Happiness!

Should You Choose Physical Therapy For Frozen Shoulder Relief?


Of the numerous options available for treatment of a frozen shoulder syndrome, physical therapy remains the most widely accepted conservative choice. Physical Therapy, if provided by a therapist specializing in disorders of the upper extremity, can address not only the loss of motion and stiffness that accompany this condition, but also can provide a significant measure of pain relief during the process.

A good program starts with an accurate diagnosis by your physician. Simply trying to "self-treat" a frozen shoulder with randomly chosen exercises runs the risk of inducing further loss of motion and increasing the amount of pain. However with a properly chosen PT program a patient with this condition can make a difference in his/her recovery, although it is almost always preferable to have "hands-on" care from a specialist who can provide joint mobilization.

An advantage of a well designed exercise or treatment program is the education it provides regarding expected outcomes and progression of frozen shoulder syndrome. All too often a patient is evaluated by a therapist and then will attend 2-3 sessions or perform a few sessions of self treatment and abruptly stop because they are perceiving minimal progress. These patients will subsequently begin to rely on quick fixes such as medication which only serve to mask the underlying problem. Conversely, a patient who understands what each exercise is meant to achieve and understands the progression of the stages of adhesive capsulitis will be less likely to halt their treatment and follow through to the end.

Treatment techniques used by physical therapist to treat a stiff or frozen shoulder include the use of thermal modalities such as moist heat (provides short-term pain relief and increases blood flow into the affected shoulder), electrical stimulation (reduces muscle spasm and pain), ultrasound (focal deep heat of shoulder soft tissue), joint mobilization (increases the joints' mobility), and targeted exercise (increases strength and function affected by immobility or disuse of the shoulder). These techniques are used in specific combinations depending on the stage of adhesive capsulitis the patient is in or severity of the patient's symptoms.

Treating a frozen shoulder requires consistency and daily action to reduce the debilitating effects of this condition. Use of pain medication is short term at best and will not help the sufferer regain use of the arm. Surgery or manipulation under anesthesia should be a last resort and only when all other conservative methods fail. Other treatment options such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, or homeopathic treatments should be researched carefully as they often provide minimal to no relief but cost the patient hundreds of dollars. Physical therapy for frozen shoulder relief is the best option for those who wish to get to the root of the problem and maximize their recovery.

The Many Benefits Of Sports Massage


Today sportsmen and women push themselves to the extreme limits of their physical capabilities and place massive amounts of strain on their bodies, at a professional level as well as the normal public like you who attend boot camp and work your ass off in the gym. These strains and stresses result in muscular and connective tissue problems, of varying severity, which can be alleviated through massage.

Sports massage is usually briefer in duration and more vigorous than a general full-body massage focusing as it does on the particular muscles relevant to your athletics activity.

Receiving a massage prior to athletic activity will loosen your muscles. Massage used in combination with stretching can help ensure that your muscles will be warmed up and ready for intense activity. Post event massage can help to relieve your pain, prevent any stiffness and return your muscles to their normal state more rapidly.

Sports massage can be just as important in preventing injury as warming up and cooling down, it's also a lot more enjoyable!!

There are many benefits of a sports massage program, so have a read of these and see what you think:

• reduced muscle tension and resulting pain
• aiding recovery from training by reducing delayed onset muscles soreness (DOMS) and removing waste products
• improved flexibility through stretching, breaking down scar tissue and promoting circulation of blood and lymph, providing your muscles and soft tissues with optimum amount of nutrition
• improving posture
• reducing anxiety
• relaxation
• promote overall muscle balance
• enable you to recover more rapidly from injury
• reduce the likelihood of further injury by increasing flexibility to tight muscles or tendons that might otherwise tend to tear or pull
• help you to avoid developing chronic problems
• help you to maintain a more consistent higher level of training and performance
• effectively reduce adhesions and some degree of scar tissue formation in your soft tissues, allowing for restoration of your muscle integrity and full range of motion
• provide and invaluable psychological boost
• Enhance your awareness of your body, helping you to find the full range of expression and strength for each movement you make.

Just two quick examples when a degree of caution should be taken before a massage:

Recently Injured Areas

The site of an injury will be swollen, bruised and painful to the touch. There may also be a reduction in function of the muscle or joint. Massage will act to disturb the process of healing and may make the condition worse through increasing blood flow and thus swelling.

Pregnancy

Massage is not advised for a pregnant woman who is experiencing nausea and vomiting, as it may make their symptoms worse. Massage of the back and abdomen must be avoided during the first sixteen weeks as the friction could promote miscarriage. However, in the later stages of pregnancy massage of the lower limbs may be beneficial in promoting venous return.

So hopefully this article has proved helpful and opened your eyes a bit more to the many benefits of massage. Indeed it does help to relax you and make you feel good but it is also vital in maintaining performance and will help you stick to your fitness goals, whilst reducing the chances of injury.

Thanks for reading,
Richard Clarke

A Comparison of Chiropractic Vs Physical Therapy


While there are many overlapping areas of expertise between chiropractors and physical therapists, there are essential differences. The chiropractor is the expert in spinal manipulation and the correction of spinal subluxations.

Chiropractors practice the art of manipulation daily and are often trained in numerous methods of adjusting the spine. The very fact that physical therapists embrace spinal manipulation and want to be able to provide this service as well demonstrates how effective spinal manipulation is for relieving various musculo-skeletal conditions.

The problem is that physical therapists often do not achieve the mastery of correcting spinal alignment in a week-end course. Physical therapists do not provide manipulative therapy with the frequency that chiropractors do nor have they had the same number of hours or years of training in adjusting techniques. Would you rather see a generalist or a specialist when it comes to adjusting your spine?

Chiropractors are also trained to diagnose your problem through physical examination and radiology. Chiropractic care focuses on the whole being not just an injured part. Chiropractors are trained in anatomy, physiology, pathology, public health, nutrition, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. An average of 4,820 hours of combined classroom, laboratory and clinical experience is completed prior to graduation.

Physical therapists complete an average of 3,398 hours of classroom and clinical study prior to graduation. They are trained in stroke rehabilitation, cardiorespiratory and post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation. They work with patients suffering from brain damage and other disabling conditions.

Both chiropractors and physical therapists have national licensing examinations. Both professions have residency and internships. Board certification is also required in both fields. Doctors of chiropractic must complete a four year undergraduate degree before completing the four year full-time doctorate of chiropractic program. Three academic years are required for a doctorate in physical therapy and two years for a master's degree. In other words both professions are well trained in what they do. Both professions can also specialize in areas of orthopedics, spinal cord injuries, pediatrics, geriatrics and other specialties.

Some treatment techniques which overlap include manual therapy techniques ranging from soft tissue mobilization to therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular re-education and gait training.

While there are many similarities chiropractors stand apart from physical therapists with their training in diagnosis and their expertise in spinal manipulation. Chiropractic patients were found to be more satisfied with their back care after four weeks of treatment than were medical patients. Results from observational studies suggested that back pain patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than medical care. Additionally, studies conclude that patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than they were with physical therapy after 6 weeks.