The Benefits of Therapeutic Massage For Senior Citizens

Complementary medicine, including massage therapy, is becoming increasingly popular among senior citizens. The results of a recent survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association showed a threefold increase in the percentage of older adults who received massage therapy within the last year. More than 40 percent of those surveyed said that they use massage therapy to treat health conditions. 

Most people experience a rise in aches and pains as they grow older, and range of motion begins to decrease. Depression is also on the rise in older adults, which can be a result of lifestyle changes as well as an increased sense of isolation. Geriatric massage employs particular techniques that aid in pain management, improved stability and muscle tone and an enhanced sense of emotional well-being.

Geriatric massage uses a gentle approach, and can be performed with the client lying down or seated in a wheelchair. Special attention is given to the hands and feet, improving circulation and creating a heightened sense of body awareness. Massage encourages natural joint lubrication, which reduces pain from conditions such as arthritis.

Senior massage is beneficial for a number of conditions, including poor posture, which results from muscle tension.  Massage improves muscle tone and has a positive impact on muscle strength and coordination. This results in improved stability, which in turn helps to reduce the occurrence of injuries due to falls arising from loss of balance. 

Disruption in normal sleep patterns, inability to sleep through the night and insomnia are common complaints among the elderly. Massage has been proven to be beneficial in triggering the relaxation response and has been lauded as an effective treatment for insomnia. As we age, it is crucial to receive consistent, restorative sleep. Chronic lack of rest can have detrimental effects on mood, cognitive abilities and immune system function. A gentle massage performed in regular intervals can reduce the need for prescription sleeping aids.

The power that therapeutic touch has on the emotional state of the client is undeniable. Many seniors experience feelings of isolation and increased levels of anxiety as they undergo lifestyle changes and begin to experience the deaths of close friends and family members. It is often difficult for an elderly person to accept their own physical limitations that make it difficult or even impossible to perform the activities that brought them a lifetime of enjoyment. This causes a rise in anxiety and depression, often adding to a senior's existing feelings of isolation. A gentle, caring touch can convey feelings of intimacy, empathy and can foster a deep connection between client and caregiver.

A study by the American Public Health Association (APHA) concluded that senior citizens who were given therapeutic massage experienced improvement in vitality, anxiety, depression, positive well-being and general health. These results were found in both independent and community dwelling adults. Moreover, the simple comfort that human contact conveys can be a cherished occasion for seniors who experience depression and loneliness. Geriatric massage is indeed an important tool to enhance the health and well-being of our aging loved ones.

Wii Fit, The Balance Board and Its Role in Physical Therapy

There is no doubt that the Wii Fit has becoming something of a gaming phenomenon. In fact it has become completely synonymous with the Wii console itself, a kind of flagship title which rivals Microsoft and Sony can only gaze upon in envy.

Its success is due to the fact that its appeal is wide, it appeals to both the old and young and most importantly it reaches people who are not traditional gamers. In fact it's probably fair to say that Wii Fit fans will never have played on a home gaming console before.

This across the board appeal has been well documented elsewhere, yet one area which is still in its infancy is the idea of Wii Fit being used as a serious tool in the medical sphere.
The game is starting to find fans in hospitals, old people's homes and physiotherapy units across the world and both patients and staff alike are starting to see the benefits.

22 year old Nathan Ellis from Lancashire, England suffered horrific injuries to his limbs when he was unfortunately hit by a car. Thankfully he survived, and as a 12 month stretch of physiotherapy loomed Nathan suggested that using Wii Fit as opposed to traditional methods of physiotherapy may provide the necessary fun factor which would help him get through the long and occasionally painful treatment sessions.

The idea was a deemed a great success and resulted in both the Royal Preston and Chorley and South Ribble Hospitals in the North West of England introducing Wii Fit as a legitimate tool to assist their younger patients requiring physiotherapy.

Lesley Walters, the head of physiotherapy at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, recognised that by adopting play or diversion techniques you can assist children to overcome discomfort and stiffness whilst undergoing physical therapy.

At the other end of the age spectrum, the elderly have also discovered Wii Fit provides a great activity with some residents deciding that knitting and bridge are out and Wii Fit and the Balance Board are in.
Some staff members at the WilMed Nursing Home in Milwaukee USA had the game at home, and decided that some of their residents may enjoy it. They were right.

It proved to be a big hit with residents even up to the age of 84, with resident Everlyn Dawson getting out of her wheelchair to try her hand at bowling. Although she initially got a nothing more than a 'gutter ball' she smiled and with determination said "I hope I am getting better at bowling, it's certainly a lot of fun. It's nice and I look forward to doing it.'

And it's not just the gaming scores which are seeing improvement, Susan Swain, the in house physical therapy assistant, feels that an improvement in hand eye co-ordination is noticeable too, and most importantly, there are a lot more smiles too.

So far we have looked at two examples of how the Wii Fit can be of use in two separate environments which are at opposite ends of the age spectrum. Finally it is worth adding that Wii Fit is also being adopted as a method of physio therapy for athletes in recovery from a variety of sports related injuries.

Sue Stanley-Green, a professor of athletic training at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, told Reuters Health, 'We are looking to incorporate Wii Fit into the athletic training room as far as rehabilitation, for example, on post-operative knees and ankles.' It is the fun aspect of Wii Fit which makes the game so attractive for this purpose, with many people finding it takes the repetition and monotony away from such exercises

These three areas have all utilised Nintendo's Wii Fit either as a means to provide fun and entertainment for the elderly, a method of distraction for youngsters undergoing sometimes painful physiotherapy , or athletes who find repetitive exercises easier to swallow when then they are coated in the fun guise of the Wii Fit.

Whatever you think of the Wii Fit, it's surely going to be a long time before another game will have both the same level of appeal and functionality.

Health Benefits From Balinese Massage

Balinese massage is a popular type of Oriental massage therapy which focuses in bringing deep relaxation, whole body wellness, and unclogging of blocked qi pathways. This therapy includes the use of gentle long strokes, reflexology, aromatherapy and acupressure as its total package for healing and soothing the client's body. Skin rolling, kneading, and gentle stretches are also utilized during therapy sessions of this technique.

This Indonesian traditional form of massage therapy, like all types of therapeutic massage developed in Asian countries, follows the simple concept that the life force or qi holds the balance between health and wellness. With this type of therapy, unblocking the pathways for the energy inside the body is crucial in attaining good physical and emotional condition. The methods used for this process is through applying pressure on the meridians with acupressure therapy. The therapist conducts various techniques with his or her hands while applying a varying force of pressure on key areas. Blood and oxygen flow in the body are improved with every sessions of this therapy as it helps in unblocking the pathways.

Special oils are used during therapies in which they possess healing properties, vitamins and minerals that are helpful in treating and preventing physical and mental problems. During the therapy, these oils are used in their warm temperature to help nurture their calming effect on the body. These oils have specific scents that have varying healing, calming, and energizing abilities. Essential oils are usually used for this kind of special massage oils used for Balinese massage therapies. Massage therapists choose three or a blend of essential oils to be used on the patient in a massage therapy. The client also has the liberty to decide on his or her own regarding the selection of the massage oils. Proper selection of these oils plays a huge role on the success, benefits and effects of the therapeutic massage. The patient should be careful though in picking his or her preferred oil as some oils can cause skin irritations, especially to sensitive types of skin. There's no need for worries though as the therapist can always assess and assist the client in choosing the right essential oil for the therapy.

Balinese massage is good for treating:

• Stress - acupressure on pressure points, reflexology and simple Swedish massage strokes such as effleurage and petrissage helps in relieving stress within the body.

• Muscle pain - acupressure acts as a deep therapeutic massage technique which improves the condition of stiff muscles groups. The body benefits by being relieved from chronic and acute muscle pain. Gentle strokes also helps in stimulating and soothing muscle problems that causes various types of body pain.

• Sleep problems - Balinese massage improves the sleeping pattern of the client by calming the body and setting the mind in a good condition, thus allowing proper sleeping pattern to occur.

• Anxiety and depression - nerve stimulation from the effleurage and reflexology sends messages to the brain thus manipulating the emotion to succumb to a better mental condition. Balinese massage is good in treating and removing anxiety as well as depression.

Physical Therapy Continuing Education - How to Assess for Lumbar Spine Dysfunctions

Many hours, both in Physical Therapy school and Physical Therapy Continuing Education courses, are dedicated to learning how to access patients. We recently interviewed one of the leading rehab experts in regards to how he assesses the lumbar spine. Here are some of the questions and answers.

Interviewer: If we switch gears here to more assessment, can you describe how you assess lumbar spine patients?

Spine Rehab Expert: Yes. It's probably not what people would expect a standard fare. If I'm really needing to sort out a back it will take me about three hours and it begins with an interview. I ask the patient about their pain patterns. What they perceive is causing the pain, in terms of activities, and motions, postures, and loads. What can they do without getting pain? When they roll over in bed, for example, do they get sharp pains? That would be an indication of unloaded spine instability, for example. So, we have a set of questions like that, probing them to try to understand the nature of their pain. Also other things, like what do they currently do for their back? What therapies have they tried in the past that haven't worked, and this kind of thing.

Then we watch their movement habits, and this is huge. We watch from the very second they enter the waiting room. How are they're sitting for example. Patients often sit in a way that causes their back pain. It's almost paradoxical. If someone is flexion intolerant, they sit in flexion. If they're extension intolerant they almost always sit in extension. So, that's a huge clue. Simply watching them get out of the chair. If you know the signs you'll see if they have gluteal deficiency and are hamstring dominant, for example, which is a very common pattern of those who've had chronic pain.

Then we watch them walk. Then if they are say an electrician, we might be watching them bend over, get down to the floor, get back up again, all this kind of thing. If they're a sportsman or an athlete we will ask them to perform some of the athletic moves that are both painless and painful. So, these are signature movement patterns or habits that quite often, if they are not changed, will thwart the recovery of the patient.

Interviewer: Right.

Spine Rehab Expert: So, now we've understood what causes their pain and we've got some good ideas on taking it away. We now prove it with provocative testing. We try to provoke their pain. Does this make you worse? If they say, "yes" now we're starting to fine tune it and hone in on levels, specific levels of their tolerance and capacity.

All of this is now used to guide the design of corrective and therapeutic exercise. Correct the patterns, the habitual patterns that are causing their pain and within their tolerance, and then design a progression; a therapeutic exercise starting off with corrective exercises. Stabilize those elements that need stabilizing. Mobilize those elements that are too stiff perhaps.

Then move into endurance training which has to found all strength. Adding more strength to a painful back is usually problematic in that strength, in the literature, doesn't prevent future back troubles. The reason, as we've discovered, is you can take a strong person and they can do three or four perfect repetitions of a strength move and they are protected. On the sixth rep they're starting to fatigue and they break form a little bit. That's the time that they get their bad back. So, if you're going to give repetitions of strength the patient or athlete absolutely has to have the endurance underneath to ensure perfect form.

Then once that is achieved we can move onto the real performance variable such as power and speed and that kind of thing. So, that's a synopsis of the assessment and the progression through exercise.

A Bit About Different Massage Therapy Techniques

As you will soon discover there are number of different massage therapy techniques a person can avail of. Some will help a person to relax whilst others can help to improve a person's health or repair injured muscles etc., in the body. Below we will take a look at some of the different types of massage therapy now available and how they can help a person.

Ayurvedic Massage

Also known as Abhyanga Massage originates in India and has been used by this culture for more than 5,000 years. Generally this form of therapy will be carried out by 2 therapists who through the use of a blend of heated herbal oils will be aiming to establish a balance between a person's mind, body and their spirit once more.

Traditional Persian Massage

Also referred to as Cachunga (pronounced Ka Khn Ga) it was introduced to the Persians by Darius III. This particular type of massage works and focuses on the breasts of women. This is a deep tissue massage therapy and is performed to help improve circulation of the body.

Chinese Tui Na Massage

This particular form of massage therapy from China will push, stretch and knead the muscles in the body. It has been seen to be effective in helping to treat such disorders to a person's digestive, respiratory or reproductive system. Plus helps to treat many kinds of musculoskeletal problems as well.

Deep Tissue Massage

This type of massage therapy will be used to work on specific joints, muscles or muscle groups in the body. Often the therapist will start with the higher levels of softer muscle tissue before working there way down into the depth of the muscle that is causing the problem. This in turns much more freedom of movement after the therapy session has taken place. It is important however that the therapist does not rush the treatment by applying pressure too quickly or deeply as this in turn can cause the muscle to tighten in order to protect the area it covers. This in turn can cause damage or inflammation to the area that is being treated. Little if any massage oil is used during this therapy as the pressure being applied should not travel too far over the person's skin.

Shiatsu

This form of massage therapy originates from Japan and uses the thumbs to apply pressure to a person's body. Often a person remains fully clothed whilst they are laying flat on a mat on the floor.

Stone Massage

Usually with this form of massage therapy the therapist will place hot or cold stones on to particular parts of the body. Often it is hot stones that will be placed on the body and these help the muscles to relax more easily. Which in turn allows the therapist to actually work deeper in to the person's muscles but will not feel as uncomfortable as if you were having a deep tissue massage carried out.

Above we have looked at a few of the different types of massage methods a person can now use to help treat them. But there are plenty of others available also and these you can easily learn about on the internet today.

Ruptured Bicep Tendon - Exercise Tips

When you realize you have ruptured your bicep tendon the world of fitness and exercise seems to come to an abrupt stop for the time being. Of the three tendons of the bicep muscle, two attach in the shoulder and one on or around the elbow. The two shoulder tendons seem to be more fragile then the attachment at the elbow and, account for roughly 88-97% of all ruptures. The tendon most effected is the long head.

The biceps muscle is involved in a multitude of functional movements of the upper extremity. The two heads of the biceps tendon that run through our shoulder, have attachments to our scapula which is involved in the timing and coordination of the shoulder movement as well. Needless to say, when one of the tendons in the shoulder rupture it can put undue stress on other areas of the shoulder complex.

Injuring or rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon generally occurs in individuals between 45-65 years of age. When the tendon ruptures the biggest problem becomes ultimately the loss of power in the affected shoulder.

If you are a younger individual involved in athletic activities, you may want to consider getting the tendon repaired and repaired quickly before permanent damage is done. If you are over 40 and you are still able to complete your activities of daily living,then that choice is up to you. Repair would not be mandatory, you can still complete everyday activities with the detached tendon without a problem.

The long head of my biceps tendon was ruptured in 2004 and I chose not to have it repaired. I was in my mid-forties and found it did not effect my activities of daily living. As a bodybuilder however, I lost power in the shoulder and found I had to compensate for it in several ways along with living with a slightly disfigured bicep.

Below are three tips that I have followed with great success and have been able to continue my fitness and bodybuilding regimen.

1. Decrease the amount of weight you use. Again depending on your age there is no need at this point to try and power up large amounts of weight when in fact the shoulder will not handle it. You can use lighter weights to increase the intensity with more reps at this point and still have success.

2. Work and concentrate on strengthening the entire shoulder complex including the rotator cuff muscles. It's imperative now that you strengthen the stabilizers around the affected shoulder to prevent problems later on. Muscle atrophy will set in if you choose not to work on and make good use of the intact muscle attachments. If imbalances occur you may be up against prolonged cases of bursitis in the shoulder in the years ahead.

3. Work unilaterally from time to time to prevent the strong shoulder from wanting to pick up the increased workload and keep the effected shoulder from doing it's part. You will want to isolate the affected shoulder with dumbbell presses for instance to be sure it is worked to it's maximum level. If you do not isolate the effected shoulder it will not get any stronger and you end up with noticeable muscular imbalances.

Follow the three tips that I have discussed with you above and you will have continued success with the injured shoulder if you choose not to have it repaired. It is not the end of your fitness or exercise career. With a little imagination you can learn to work around it and can continue to function at a high level.

Cranial Sacral Therapy - Head Massage Therapy at Its Healing Best

At times, it feels as though all our body needs to begin the process of healing is the touch of a trained massage therapist... head massage therapy is healing at its best. Head massage - or cranial sacral - therapy as it is also known, is a form of safe, gentle medical treatment that focuses on the movement of the liquid around the skull and spinal areas.

It's no big secret that the keys to good health include exercise, proper nutrition, less stress and avoiding harmful habits. But what about the suggestion that a healthy body and mind originates from the inside via our internal self-healing system? Our bodies are designed to defend us from disease and aid in the healing process, as when a cut heals or we fight off the effects of a cold or flu. Cranial massages are one form of a hands-on technique designed to assist the healing process.

By utilizing a light - or soft - touch technique to move the bones into the correct alignment, pressure is applied that is similar to the weight of a nickel. Some medical problems can lead to a loss of function and pain... a head massage hones in on these areas to prevent the loss and pain from occurring and is utilized by therapists as both the primary and secondary treatment for existing health issues.

So if you engage in head massage therapy, what benefits should you expect? Some are listed below:

• Provide relief from damage to the brain or spinal cord;

• Lessen the pain brought on by migraine headaches;

• Reduce the effects of chronic fatigue;

• Improve motor skills;

• Lessen chronic neck and back discomfort;

• Correct joint dysfunction;

• Relieve tension-related symptoms;

• Correct orthopedic difficulties.

The main focus of cranial massage therapy is to identify the source of the problem, but it also relieves the symptoms associated with them. Because it is so gentle and effective, many choose to include head massages as a part of their overall health regimen. As a result, they sleep better, have more energy and experience less instances of illness.

So how does head massage therapy work? A trained massage therapist works with you to offer support to your body's self-correcting instruments. Using the light-touch technique, your therapist will begin the head massage by evaluating your body's cranial sacral system (membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord) which plays the important role of maintaining the environment where the central nervous system functions.

Because the spinal cord and brain are a part of the central nervous system, this area has powerful influence over a variety of body functions. So during a cranial massage, your therapist helps your body overcome obstacles that block it natural self correcting tendencies. To do so, he/she takes cues from your body regarding the treatment to follow, in a way that is extremely effective and safe.

Another attribute of the head massage is that less time is required, also making it a more affordable option with less investment of time and money. If you spend a lot of time on a computer each day, you know that at the end of the day, you can end of with knots created by tired, achy muscles. A neck massage can revitalize your body and eliminate the pain and harmful toxins typically caused by over-extension.

Simply put... by enjoying a head massage which takes about half the time of a full-session massage... your body will benefit from head to toe.

Your Guide to the Best Physical Therapy Marketing Tips

In order for any business to grow, there has to be a business strategy in place. Medical practitioners like physical therapists, also need to market their practice, expertise and services effectively. The question that a physical therapist would commonly ask is, "What am I going to do to get more patients?" Clearly, just like any business, the answer is "Strategy". What you need is to have an effective physical therapy marketing strategy.

To effectively market your physical therapy practice, keep in mind that it's not only all about getting patients but also to be able to constantly reinvent your strategies in order to keep up with the marketing trends. Your services should always remain competitive and cost effective so your patients would always come back to you. From time to time, if you're having difficulty promoting your practice, you can always refer to some experts.

Nevertheless, if you want to do some marketing on your own, here are some best therapy marketing tips you can follow.

1. First off, you really need to be good at your job. Your practice requires you to be efficient always. So make sure that you are. Doctors will vouch for you and recommend your services to their patients if they see that you are efficient.

2. Spread the word of your practice and expertise by giving out flyers or brochures. Not only make your flyers and brochures visually appealing but also, it's important that you put a detailed background of you as a physical therapist and the therapeutic procedures that you do.

3. Don't be afraid to try out new things. Explore online marketing. This is the fastest way to have your practice noticed. Make use of the internet as part of your marketing strategy. Spread the word by joining social media sites like Facebook and twitter, write a blog, have your own website, and you can write articles about your practice and services and submit it to online article directories. Online marketing as tool is limitless, you just need to explore and the good thing about it, it's for free.

Like time and technology, marketing strategies evolve. What's effective today may not be anymore tomorrow, so it's important that you keep an open mind in trying out new things. Your Physical therapy Marketing strategy besides continually keeping yourself updated with the latest trends in your practice, should always be competitive business wise, to keep up with competition. At this day and age, even though how good you are, if you don't know how to market your expertise, you may just not be on board like everybody else. I hope these tips will be useful in your quest to effectively run your physical therapy marketing strategy. Good luck.

Physical Therapy and Direct Access

Physical Therapists have historically been required to work under the direction of a referring physician. While this has been a relationship that has worked in the past, the profession of Physical Therapy is growing with advanced degrees now required of all new graduates to have their Masters in Physical Therapy and more programs offering a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. As Physical Therapists and the profession of Physical Therapy advances, the relationship between the therapist and the physician must be redefined.

In order for a client to seek the services of a Physical Therapist, they have been previously required to see their primary care physician first for an initial assessment. The primary care physician then had the option of writing a referral to therapy services or referring the patient to a specialist such as an orthopedist, cardiologist, neurologist, or one of many other specialists. While this diagnostic assessment is critical to the success of the patient and the therapist, the time it took the patient to be processed through these systems has been extensive. With more time lapsing, the patient often suffered from increasing pain and decreasing function. Without the immediate intervention and education provided by a Physical Therapist to compliment the ongoing diagnostic assessments, patients have had to unnecessarily wait to solicit and initiate the services of a Physical Therapist.

Over the past several years, the National American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in cooperation with each state's Physical Therapy Association has lobbied congress for Direct Access in each state. Direct access, as stated by the APTA, "is the ability of a physical therapist to provide evaluation and treatment to patients without the need for a physician referral. At this time, more than 35 states have some form of direct access as part of their state practice act. Physical therapists in states that currently have restrictions to direct access are actively working with those state legislatures to make the changes needed to permit patients/clients to having access to care."

As the nation accepts Direct Access for Physical Therapy services, clients will now be able to go directly to a therapist for assessment and treatment. In most states, it is still required for patients to follow up with their primary care physician or specialist as a script for therapy services is still required to continue ongoing PT treatment. This immediate access to therapeutic care in cooperation and conjunction with the diagnostic assessment of the physicians and supporting medical community leads to a much higher rate of success in a timely manner for the individual seeking services.

The National APTA has issued a Vision Statement for Physical Therapy services over the next 12 years. The APTA Vision Statement for Physical Therapy 2020 is "Physical therapy, by 2020, will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy and who may be board-certified specialists. Consumers will have direct access to physical therapists in all environments for patient/client management, prevention, and wellness services. Physical therapists will be practitioners of choice in patients'/clients' health networks and will hold all privileges of autonomous practice."

More Physical Therapists are graduating from college with their Doctorate of Physical Therapy. There is also a growing trend of practicing Physical Therapists with their Bachelors and Masters Degrees to go back to school to earn advanced degrees in order to achieve the Vision of the APTA. As advanced clinicians, we are now able to achieve and support the APTA's vision to provide direct access to Physical Therapy services in our communities.

How to Give Your Partner a Prostate Massage

Prostate massage, when performed on a regular basis, can be used as a preventative treatment against prostate cancer. It is good for prostate health in general, and can decrease the risk of prostate enlargement--that is, benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). Prostate massage is also a form of sexual play. Whatever your reason may be, let's say you would like to do prostate massage on your husband or partner. Here is how to go about doing it.

First of all, make sure he is okay with having a prostate massage. Let him know the procedure so that he understands what will happen. If he seems comfortable with it, then you can go ahead with it.

Keep your fingernails neat and trim. File off any jagged edges.

Ask your partner to urinate or do a bowel movement before having a massage. It is important that he should be as relaxed as possible. You may want to try a relaxation technique as well.

Clean your hands, use a sterile latex glove, and dab a bit of water-based lubricant on the glove's fingertips. Then gently insert your fingers into his anus. Carefully push them inwards and upwards, against the rectal lining towards his front side. Move your fingers roughly the direction of his navel.

You do not have to push in too far, just a little more than an inch--about 3 cm. Then you will touch the prostate gland, a small round bulb of tissue about the size of a large walnut. Give it a gentle massage by rubbing it lightly along its sides. Do not press hard on the gland's central portion, as that is where some sensitive nerves are located. Do not touch the prostate gland with your fingernails.

At some point, your partner may feel like he wants to urinate, even though he does not have to. That may feel somewhat confusing, but try to reassure him and, if he is okay with it, you can continue.

Your partner will become stimulated and may even ejaculate--but it is all right if ejaculation does not occur, as it doesn't always happen.

And that is how you give your partner a prostate massage.

What Is Balneotherapy?

Balneotherapy is a form of hydrotherapy where the patient submerges in either cold or hot water containing minerals that are recipes for healing. This type of therapy associates the use of massage therapy to improve its healing benefits as well as to give the patient a relaxing experience while enjoying the soothing water therapy.

Although the hydrotherapy is commonly practiced in Japan and in most countries of Europe, it still is quite popular all around the world. The therapy is mostly used on hot springs although cold water is also used to treat certain conditions. The use of springs in this type of therapy is essential as these natural wonders are enriched in minerals that are necessary in assisting the healing process of the therapy. Magnesium, calcium, sodium, arsenic, manganese, potassium, bromine, and iodine are present in the waters of hot springs. The therapist can also use herbs or essential oils to help improve the benefits and effects of the therapy to the body of the client.

During the massage therapy, the patient's body is almost submerged in the water. The head of the patient is cushioned and comfortably lying on an elevated part of the tub. This is to avoid drowning and also to allow the client to relax and perhaps fall asleep during the therapy. The massage therapist then manipulates a massage type to help stimulate the body and improve the health. It can either be shiatsu, Swedish massage, acupressure or any type of massage therapy that can be used on the patient. The therapy is developed for the treatment of common ailments and medical conditions including arthritis, fibromyalgia, skin conditions, muscle pain, and many more.

The therapy shows potential not only in relaxing the mind and body during and after the therapy session, but it is also seen in significantly improving the condition of the patient with regular sessions. There are several studies and tests conducted using the Balneotherapy on patients with various conditions which gave out positive results after months of regular sessions of this therapy. The technique revolves around the use of mineral rich water which means that the choice for the massage type is not an issue but somehow a preference depending on the health case of the patient.

However, as a common rule when it comes to the therapies used as an alternative medical care, the consultation and discussion of the patient with his or her doctor is a must to avoid situations where instead of benefiting from the therapy, the current condition is worsened by the supposedly treatment. Aside from the benefits of Balneotherapy, it also has risks and contraindications with certain conditions of the patient. People with conditions such as fever, anemia, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and liver, kidney or circulatory problems should not try this therapy or should at least talk to their doctor. Pregnant women are also advised not to try this therapy as their natural treatment for certain conditions or as a luxurious method of relieving stress and fatigue. Patients with cancer and tumors should also stay away from Balneotherapy.

When Do You Need Physical Therapy?

If you have recently had an injury related to work, a fall, sports, or an accident, or have been hospitalized for a heart related condition, you may be wondering if and how physical therapy can help you. While many states require a physician's referral in order to see a licensed physical therapist, others do not, but it is a requirement of a number of insurance carriers. However, while your doctor may recommend a physical therapy center for your treatment, it is always important to keep in mind that the physical therapist that you see is always your choice first.

When do you need physical therapy? In order to answer this question, it is first important to understand what it is that a physical therapist does. A person who does physical therapy is a medical professional that specializes in muscle movements and exercises that improve posture and stability, as well as strengthen specific muscle groups in order to promote recovery and healing, as well as reduce the risk of accidental injury. Chiropractic Physicians are licensed to perform physical therapy in many states.

In deciding whether or not you actually need physical therapy, your first line of recourse will always be your Chiropractor or general practitioner. If you have recently been treated for an accident or condition, they may recommend physical therapy to you in your recovery. However, others who have had the same kind of injury multiple times, or have found that recovery is not progressing on its own, may also opt to see a physical therapist in order to promote greater improvement.

People frequently seek out the help of a physical therapist for back and knee injuries, shoulder and neck pain, sprains and pulled muscles, as well as hip fractures. In addition, physical therapy has also been shown to be beneficial to pregnant women, as well as those who have just had a baby or others recovering from surgery. Older people who are also recovering from a stroke are also frequently referred to physical therapists to regain the use of certain muscle groups and recover function that is lost in many areas.

There are many different types of physical therapeutics that can help a wide variety of people from just about any group. For those with back injuries, hip fractures, and those with other types of broken bones, an orthopedic physical therapist can help promote recovery, reduce the risk of injury to the same area again, and also reduce healing time. These kinds of physical therapists also help with a number of sports related injuries.

For older patients, geriatric physical therapeutics can aid in recovery from a stroke or heart attack, as well as help strengthen bones affected by osteoporosis, improve incontinence, and promote better balance. For younger patients and children, pediatric physical therapy can help develop motor skills in those with developmental delays and improve function in those with musculoskeletal disorders such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy. In addition, neurological physical therapy can help those with brain injuries or other neurological disorders, as well as those recovering from a stroke.

Physical Therapist Requirements For Degree, Licensure and Jobs

Physical therapist requirements include a Master's or Doctoral degree in physical therapy from an accredited program. In 2007, there were 209 different accredited programs, including 43 Master's degree programs and 166 Doctoral programs. It is expected that eventually a Doctoral degree will be one of the entry level physical therapy requirements. These programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education typically last two to three years depending on the whether the program is a Master's degree or a Doctoral degree.

Accredited programs in physical therapy are located in most states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The degree in physical therapy typically involve classes in biology, biomechanics, chemistry, examination techniques, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, neuroanatomy, physics, and therapeutic procedures, as well as clinical practice.

Once you have completed your degree, physical therapist requirements include passing both national and state licensure exams and then doing the appropriate amount of continuing education in order to keep your licensure current. The physical therapist requirements for continuing education vary by state.

Just earning a degree and completing the other requirements for licensure will not make you a great physical therapist though. There are some physical therapist requirements in terms of character and people skills. You need to be able to work well with people, you need to be good at explaining things and teaching people how to do things since you will have to be teaching them what they need to do at home in order to further their treatment, and what they need to do during their sessions. Family members also need to know what is required for the care of their loved ones.

Once you have completed the physical therapy education and licensure requirements you can look forward to very good job prospects since there is a lot of growth in this field. The pay is also good, with the median earnings of a physical therapist per year being $69,760. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the field of physical therapy is expected to grow much faster than average as well. Louis Zhang, Certphysicaltherapist dot com

Massage Therapy for Low Back Pain

It may surprise you to learn that treatment of low back pain does not always occur on the "low back".

Each week I meet people who are seeking massage therapy for their low back pain. They come in abundance, the "huddled masses" who have had enough of that nagging ache or that sharp screaming pain that stabs at them continually. Sports injuries, car accidents, occupational hazards, pregnancy and poor posture are a few of the repeat offenders we see. The cause of their pain is as diverse as their personalities, and so too are the treatments they receive.

Many times, a client's pain is actually caused by opposing muscles in other areas such as hamstrings, quadriceps, psoas, or latissimus. These muscles all have a role to play in the position of the hips. If you think of muscles as pullies and bones as levers, you can visualize what might happen if one of those pullies was shortened and the lever was left in an altered position, forcing all the other pullies to adjust. In essence, there is a "tug of war" going on. If just one muscle is out of balance, the result is pain and/or stiffness.

There are many dynamics that we look at as massage therapists when considering a client's low back pain. In a clinical context, we check posture, position of the hips in relation to one another, and the texture of surrounding soft tissue. Equally relevant information would be the background of the client; health history, prior injuries, pain tolerance, and commitment level in correlation with that clients expectations. That is to say, treatment for low back pain in a 50 year old who is sedentary would differ greatly from an active 30 year old client who has been in a motor vehicle accident.

The patterns of dysfunction and the methods that can treat them are as endless as the stars. In our practice of massage therapy, we employ techniques such as deep tissue massage including myofascial release, trigger point therapy and neuromuscular therapy, as well as complimentary techniques like kinesio tape, stretching, reflexoloyg and craniosacral therapy. By using one or a combination of these techniques, a massage therapist has a unique role in the treatment of lower back pain through manually elongating shortened muscle fibers and connective tissues to restore balance in the lower back.

There is one common factor in the successful outcome of a massage therapy treatment session, and that is a client who is actively involved in the solution. Clients who are engaged in their care and perform stretches and exercises at home along with ice and/or heat on a consistent basis are much more likely to step out of the pain cycle. For more information on how therapeutic massage can help you, please visit: http://westorangemassagetherapy.com/WOMT/therapeutic-massage. If you would like to get started with your self care, please visit our website for helpful stretches to use a home.

The Benefits of Massage to Aid Vacation Relaxation

Are you planning on a late summer vacation and feel as though the stress of the summer is just starting to catch up to you? Have you been looking forward to this vacation for weeks, and now just need to find a way to de-stress? Well, if any of these things are true for you, you may want to consider a relaxing massage when you get to your final travel destination.

Everyone that has ever had a massage knows that it feels good. Lying on a massage table with soft music playing and aromatherapy candles burning can be an incredibly relaxing experience. But, massage doesn't just feel good, it actually has many incredible health benefits. There is research that shows that massage touch can be a good treatment for injuries, help with chronic pain and alleviate stress and every day tensions on your muscles. Other incredible benefits of massage include:

• Improve your mood


• Reduce fatigue


• Increase your circulation


• Alleviate back pain


• Increase range of motion


• Enhance immunity by encouraging lymph flow


• Increase joint flexibility


• Lessen anxiety


• Relax tired and over-used muscles


• Improve sleep quality


• Decrease stress and tension

Just one hour of massage can help to make all your troubles melt away, and start your vacation off on the right foot. If you are looking for relaxation during your vacation, you should consider finding a spa or massage therapist near to your hotel, or see if your hotel has a spa of which it is affiliated. Even better, some hotels and inns offer in-room massage by a Licensed Massage Therapist on staff. If this is an option for you, even better! Vacations should be all about relieving stress and with the hassles of traffic, airline travel, rental cars and planning your itinerary, the stress and worry can really build up in your neck, back and shoulders. To start your vacation on the best possible note, a massage is a very wise option!

If you are interested in starting your vacation out with a massage, there are a few things you can do before you arrive at your destination. Call your hotel or inn and check with the front desk to find out what massage options are available to you. Is there a spa located within walking distance to your hotel? Are there Licensed Massage Therapists within the hotel that can come to your room? If so, consider making an appointment before you go on your vacation, so you will be sure to secure a time that suits you. If you've been planning your vacation for ages and looking forward to the relaxation it will provide, don't forget to plan for that much-needed massage as well. With a massage to start off your vacation, you can be sure that your mind and body will both feel fully relaxed and refreshed; ready to start your well-deserved vacation off on the best foot!

How To Find The Right Physical Therapy Schools For You

Many people each year go into the wonderful field of physical therapy where the enjoy a wonderful career that is enriching and well paying. However, before they get that far along, they will have to decide whether this field is right for them and also go to one of the physical therapy schools. Here, we have put together a list of tips to help make sure you this field is right for you and also what you can do to ensure you are in the best school based on your interests.

1. Make sure you love physical therapy.

One of the first things that any prospective student will want to do is make sure that this field is right for them. One of the easiest ways to do this is to volunteer at a physical therapy facility in your area. This can help give you an invaluable look into the real life of those who are physical therapists. However, it can also help you decide what specific area you want to work in. This is why we recommend you volunteer at several different types kinds of physical therapy facilities. This information can be used to help you decide on which school will be the best choice for you.

2. Make sure the school is accredited.

When doing your research on the different physical therapy schools, make sure that they are all accredited. If they are not, it is not worth your time considering them. There are plenty of schools out there that are accredited so be sure you are picking from the right ones from the very start.

3. Find out where the graduates are working.

This is important because want to make sure that at least some of its graduates are practicing in the areas that you want work in. This can be found out by contacting the school and asking where their graduates practice. Also, you can often find this information on the school's website where they highlight where their graduates are going. If a school's graduates are not practicing in the areas you want, you should not consider that school. An alternative to getting the answers to this research is to interview those physical therapists that are working in the areas that you want to work in and ask what school they went. This can give you some direct information on what school and skills may be needed to get the job you want.

By keeping these different tips in mind, you should be well on your way to the best one of the different physical therapy schools for you. Good luck on your journey and career.

How to Maximize Your PT Clinic's Revenue

There are many different ways to evaluate your PT clinic's finances. As long as you stay consistent, you can look at the average revenue per each patient visit, average referrals from physicians, insurance payer mix from physicians and so on. Let's take a look into a few basic questions you should ask as you begin to maximize your revenue.

1. How much does the average patient cost to treat?
Begin by looking at the fixed cost of how much it costs you to see each patient. To run a successful business, this is the best place to start. Of course, providing the best care possible to each patient should be a priority, but in order to do so - you need to stay in business.

Start by calculating you fixed costs that will include utilities, rent and general equipment costs (including depreciation). Then, take into consideration your payroll and offered benefits. Add them up (per month), then divide by however many hours your office is open each month - then you'll know your average hourly cost.

Consider investing in online practice management software to help you keep track of each patient's visit. Find an integrated system complete with physical therapy note-taking software and billing tools as a way to create a more efficient office.

2. What's your average patient cost share? Insurance?
You'll want to take a look at your reimbursements and multiple contracts. Larger companies tend to pay $60 or less - and you have to go above and beyond for authorization contributing to your overhead.

Be sure you are actually making money per patient - all things considered. Is your average patient time care allowing you to make, and keep, a profit? There may be no right answer to your final decision, but be sure you are performing a cost/benefit analysis.

Don't fall into the trap of ignoring your patient cost shares (co-insurance, deductibles, co-payments). Create a defined and consistent rate and policy for those patients who request one. One clear assessment you can perform is to be sure the patients' self pay is greater or equal to Medicare. Of course, there will be exceptions - those patients that you may want to cut a break. Just don't make it a habit.

3. On average, how long does collection take?
Keeping your forms in order is a necessity to a successful business, and can be attainted with proper physical therapy note taking software. If you have your balances organized in some form of online practice management software program, you'll be able to assess the balances monthly. Then, develop a clear cut policy on when you plan to turn them over to collections, making it much easier for everyone involved.

To sum it up, set time aside to review your costs, compare those costs to revenue, and develop and organizational method, like online practice management software, to keep up with patient collections. Keep this in mind and you'll be well on your way to exceeding your clinic goals.

How to Improve Patient Compliance During Therapy Sessions

Once you have suffered an injury or decided to have that elective surgery for a joint replacement, than you progress to a physical therapy program to start your rehabilitation. Your compliance with the rehabilitation program is what will determine your overall success. Compliance for some comes very easy. These individuals understand the importance of getting stronger and improving physically to either get back to work to regain their independence or both. For others this is not the case, this is where the rehabilitation professional needs to find out what they can do to ensure that compliance is attained.

In working in the home health field now for over 11 years, I find that patient compliance can be difficult in some cases. Compliance will depend on the patients attitude, motivation if any and, support they receive at home. Caregivers need to be involved in the care pf the patient. They should be impressed on the importance of the home exercise program for instance. Involving and educating the caregiver gives you as a therapist added support staff that will ensure the necessary work is getting done.

Having a caregiver keep a log of the activities completed with time and date will help in making the patient accountable for their own care. Rehabilitation has to be impressed upon everyone involved that it is a two way street. To be successful there has to be accountability for everyone.

Another skill that should be utilized by the rehabilitation professional is giving clear concise instructions on what should be done on therapy off days, along with a copy of the exercise program with written instructions on how to perform the exercises or other tasks involved. Clarity and simplicity regarding the program devised will help in patient understanding.

Handing someone an exercise program with 17 exercises and expecting the patient and caregiver to carry them out is unrealistic in the home health setting for instance. Introducing slowly, several exercises each session without getting too time consuming due to the large number of exercises will increase your chances of therapy compliance.

In physical therapy you as a therapist are considered educators. Educating the patient on why they have been issued the exercises and what they should experience if done properly and with diligence will help in patient understanding.

Rehabilitation professionals with experience learn how to read their patients instincts and desires. What motivates them for instance, than learning how to capitalize on the patients strengths is what helps in increasing the odds of compliance.

Compliance as a whole will differ in certain age groups, along with personality types in general.

Increasing the odds of compliance will be about making the patient accountable for their own rehab success or failures and, keeping the rehabilitation program clear and concise along with allowing the patient to help in designing some aspect of the program when appropriate helps in getting a more cooperative patient.

When the therapist and patient both can add input into the program along with the patients physical goals, than there is a better chance of overall compliance.

Dog Physical Therapy for Dog Arthritis: An Introduction

The main goal of dog physical therapy is to maintain or improve a dog's quality of life by making sure that the mobility of the dog is not hampered by any disease or injury. Therefore, methods used in dog physical therapy are for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Physical Therapy for Dog Arthritis

Studies have shown that one in five dogs over seven have arthritis. Although it is quite prevalent, most dog owners are prepared to deal with the disease. Furthermore, since our dog cannot tell us that they are in pain, most dogs suffer the symptoms of the disease in silence. Dog arthritis is hard to detect in its early stages, and in some cases the dog is only given treatment when the disease is already in its advanced stage.

There many factors which affect the development of dog arthritis such as age, weight, size, and breed. However, why the debilitating disease occurs and what triggers it is still mystery to be solved both in human and veterinary medicine. As a result, there is no cure for arthritis. The only way to approach the disease is by managing the symptoms.

Dog arthritis works by destroying cartilage tissue in joints faster than the body is able to produce new cartilage. When cartilage is damaged, the motion of an affected joint is compromised. Joints in the body work because the parts of bones that are in contact with other bones are lined with the perfectly smooth cartilage tissue. Cartilage and joint fluid, therefore, are like oil in moving gears.

With cartilage damage caused by arthritis, the dog would experience pain when the animal uses the joint when attempting to move. Hence, dog arthritis treatment is often composed of medications that alleviate any pain or inflammation related to the debilitating disease. Drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers are used.

However, proper treatment does not stop with these medications. As mentioned earlier, weight can be factor in the development of the disease. It is here that physical therapy becomes very important. For dogs suffering from arthritis, weight management is crucial. Techniques in physical therapy will not only help a dog shed some unnecessary pounds, but they will aid in strengthening the dogs muscles placing less strain on the bone.

Active Therapy for Dogs

One aspect of physical therapy uses equipment or employs certain movements so that the state of the dog's musculoskeletal system is improved. The main objectives of active therapy in dogs are to strengthen muscles, improve balance and proprioception, and to encourage weight bearing.

The following are some of the techniques or methods used in active therapy:

* Aquatic Therapy. The method usually requires an underwater treadmill, but the core of the therapy is water. The liquid works in two ways. First, it provides buoyancy. Almost half of the dog's weight is displaced which lessens significantly the strain on the animal's joints. Second, the water provides resistance. This forces the dog lengthen their stride. An additional benefit is that when warm water is used, it helps alleviate the pain at the same time helps promote blood flow to the joints.

* Dry Treadmill. Although it does not have the added benefits of water, dry treadmills are still effective for dog physical therapy. Just like its aquatic counterpart, the dry treadmill is used for muscle strengthening and post surgery or injury rehabilitation. It is helpful if the treadmill being is used is specifically designed for dogs.

* Therapy Ball. Most people are intimidated with the dog therapy ball, but it is actually simple to use. All one needs is some patience. Here are some simple instructions: (1) place your dog's front legs on the ball, you can hold your dog until the animal finds its balance; (2) move the ball from side ten times, make sure to do it slowly; (3) as your dog becomes more familiar, you extend the exercise for several minutes.

* Resistance Bands.

* Sit-Stand / Assisted Standing/Walking. The previous techniques require the use of equipment, and some of them can be very expensive. Nevertheless, there are exercises easy to do and does not require to invest in some dog exercise equipment. The simplest example is walking. Walking your dog twice a day will do wonders for your animal's condition. You can even increase the intensity of the workout by walking uphill or walking on a series of steps. Walking through an obstacle course is also helpful. The assisted standing is another fun way for dogs to get their need physical therapy. Assisted standing is a fancy word for dog dancing. What you need to do is lift the legs of your dog and then slowly move from one direction to another. Last example is the sit-stand. This is much recommended for dogs that have undergone obedience training. The owner repetitively gives the command to sit and then stand.

Visit my blog for more information on dog arthritis and the many ways you can help to control this disease.

The Elderly and Therapeutic Massage

The elderly are a group of people often plagued with muscle and joint pains and deteriorating health and sicknesses that many persons are unable to relieve. For this reason, elderly massage is used to help improve the well being and health of senior citizens. Elderly therapeutic massage is simply a massage meant for the elderly. The technique used is vastly different than the one used in younger persons. Massage therapists must be aware of several issues such as the physical changes the elderly body goes through. For this reason the techniques used during therapeutic massage is different as massage therapists have to be cautious and extra sensitive in certain areas.

When persons get older they partake in less activity, which includes walking, running or just simple exercise. This reduction of physical activity contributes to the decreasing quality of life of elderly people. Therapeutic type of massage for the elderly has shown to manage and smoothen out the effects of ageing. Illnesses such as arthritis, aching joints, swelling and general pain can be alleviated.

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or NCBTMB for short, spends a lot of time promoting elderly therapeutic massage. Many people are aware that elderly massage exists but some are not knowledgeable of its many benefits.

In today's society it is very important for the elderly to partake in regular therapeutic massages. The population is ageing every day and it is important to take care of the elderly by seeking effective methods of care such as this kind of massage. Within western society a large percentage of health care expenditure is spent on caring for the elderly. It is highly beneficial to the ageing population as it helps to reduce and relieve the negative effects of getting old. This will further benefit society and possibly enable the elderly to have longer and more pain free lives. Society will thus have a happier and healthier elderly population.

Several benefits for this type of massage include:
- It has a high calming effect to the elderly person which in turn helps them to deal with medical issues with more stride and hope.
- It greatly improves both posture and muscle tension. Many older persons experience bone loss and slouch over time. It helps the elderly to relieve their muscle tension. It also helps them to receive a higher quality of rest enabling them to sleep deeper and longer and wake up fully refreshed and rejuvenated. This has a significant benefit to their general heath.
- It also helps to boost mental awareness and energy levels.
- It also increases muscle coordination, range of motion and overall strength.
- It assists the control of arthritic pain and also enables the elderly to manage other types of pain well.
- Lastly, according to the Touch Research Institute, therapeutic massage is a very beneficial treatment for persons with Alzheimer's disease. It has been shown to increase communication and relaxation throughout the debilitating disease.

Therapeutic massage is a very beneficial process for the elderly and it is very important that they attend regular sessions. This is a natural solution to the effects of ageing and can help to slow down the ageing process which improves their quality of life.

Should You Keep Your Underwear On For Your Massage? Let's Discuss General Manners And Spa Etiquette

Attire: What does one wear for a massage, et al appointment at the spa? Personally, I think one should wear what's comfortable. This might also depend on your plans before and after your massage. Some people bring an extra change of clothes and change. However, for your sessions themselves, attire is a whole other thing. Massages like Shiatsu and Thai require comfortable, yoga-like clothing. No jeans! Your therapist will need to stretch you and you will be contorted into several different positions throughout so yoga-like clothing, shorts or tights are best, although we are trained to professionally drape you.

For regular massages on the table (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Thai-Swedish and/or Shiatsu-Swedish, etc.), no clothes are needed underneath your sheet and/or blanket. This depends, however, on the level of comfort you have with your own body and the therapist working for you. Expect to be handled, while naked, but draped professionally and handled with dignity. Underpants are fine, but may become troublesome if your complaints are for lower back pains, in which case, these could prevent your therapist from accomplishing the task of giving you relief effectively; not to mention that you run the risk of our getting oils all over them and hence potentially ruining them. The sacrum, gluteus, coccyx, periformis, etc., are all involved in lower back/circulation problems and manipulation of these is sometimes necessary to relieve back and/or leg pain. If you wear boxers or panties to your knees (not thongs) during your massage, then we might not be able to effectively get to your complaint spots or target the "solution" spots. We are trained to drape you professionally and will protect your dignity, so get naked, supine or prone under the covering as directed, and let us get to work on those tight muscles.

Once we have brought you in to the massage room, please put your clothes where your therapist invites you to. We walk around the table to work on you and don't want to trip over your clothes on the floor or have to waste time moving them. Don't waste time folding them. Hang them up or lay them on the chair, etc. provided. We are not concerned about your attire, except if it becomes a hazard.

Conversation:-Your therapist should do a quick consult with you. I usually do this at the beginning of the session as we get behind closed doors (never proper to do this in the "earshot" of others). This way, I get to focus on you and not talk during the massage. Feel free to ask any questions you have during this time, however, this is not to say I won't answer you if you have questions during the session. The point is that if I talk with you throughout, then I am not focused on the concern you came in with, and you can't really relax if your mind is loaded with "interference."

Have any conversation at the beginning or end of your session, keeping in mind that time between you and the next client is limited. Honestly, I know you didn't come in to talk, so the only "conversation" I should hear from my client while they are on the table is "less pressure please"...LOL...or the occasional complimentary, "Oh that feels so good," etc. Your snores and catching your drool are great commentaries as regards how the therapy is going. LOL Any other "conversation" could get your therapist in trouble in more ways than one. Just let us focus on you and your health concerns...and no, I am not paying attention to your weight as that's not why you are here. Everyone needs loving, therapeutic massages.

In my private In/Out sessions, I have lumped deep tissue and Swedish massage together at the same price because I don't "jip" my clients. You will know I'm there working with and for you. If you are a "Chatty Cathy", you waste time getting relaxed and you distract your therapist who wants to commit entirely to relieving your tension, hence defeating the purpose for which you came in (or for which I came to you). If you needed a psychologist, you would have gone there and talked the whole time and they get paid to listen to you. We are not psychologists...although we love you and want to know you are doing awesome on your paths! The other problem with talking extensively during the massage is that the therapist often engages you out of respect and time flies. Then, he or she will feel the need to "rush" to finish the task at hand. While rushing and being distracted from their and your purpose, they might miss some spots, forget an arm or leg, and might leave you feeling incomplete; in which case, you will protest and/or report it and probably withhold your tips. However, it's not all the therapists' fault, as they now have all "your stories" and all your business swimming in their heads and that's why you were unfinished. Please allow us to do that which you have contracted and will eventually pay us to do, which is to give you a therapeutic massage! We'll do a better job, if you leave "Chatty Cathy" in the car. LOL

Affection:-I have often heard "I love you", received or have given hugs, etc. outside the door when my client is leaving. That is awesome. I'm a loving Being and you will know it when I welcome you in, or when I arrive for your session at your venue. This is even more apparent when I massage you. Keep in mind that this kind of love is the Christian or Universal Agape love, NOT the "I want to sleep with you," Eros, love. I understand this to be what you mean when you say it to me and my response is with the hope that you understand too. Touch is one of the most intimate ways of expressing love and you shouldn't take the massage if you feel/sense that your therapist isn't going to leave you feeling loved and nurtured in a "godly" way.

That is to say it is unethical to mix business with pleasure, especially in the massage business. I don't ever want to sleep with any of my clients and I hope they can contain their excitement and not ask me out as long as they are my clients. On this note, I have had clients reach for my hand, leg, thigh, and/or gyrate on the table while I'm working on them. Usually, I ignore the gyration, but will simply move out of reach in the other instances. I ignore this, but it does register that you are um...not classy, and not taking the love from my hands in a professional manner and I probably won't have you as a client again, if grabbing me is "your habit". An impulsive "mistake" is fine, but most businesses will ask you to leave and make you pay for the services you started to receive, if the therapist was offended and discontinued working. In another blog post, I compared your massage session to receiving a lap dance wherein you can't touch the dancer. We are not "dancing" on your lap, but you "get my drift." Feel free to express yourself. Moan if that is what comes, make faces when I'm not looking, cry, laugh; whatever emotional release or expression is triggered, feel free, just don't grab for me or any of your sexual parts that are obvious to me. Most of all BREATHE through the experience. Don't be so afraid of receiving affection that you hold your breath the whole time, and don't be so "scandalous" that you begin attempting to "share" with your therapist. It's not that kind o' show when you are in session with me, so let's keep things dignified.

Your therapist knows that you are in a vulnerable position, naked with only a sheet separating you from a virtual stranger who is touching you. However, you came in for massage therapy, and that is what is required to accomplish this purpose, so relax. We are professionals here. Tell us if/when we do anything that makes you feel "uncomfortable"... including arousal, in the case of those who feel that the therapist deliberately touched something they shouldn't have. Many times, your therapist's hand may slip. After all, we are working with oils on your body. Accidents are possible when things are slippery. Also keep in mind your own frame of mind, personal issues, which your therapist doesn't know about, and especially your parasympathetic brain and the involuntary responses.

We can and will fix a problem in the room, right away, and if it's a "slippage", even if neither of you acknowledge it verbally at the time, the therapist may have made a mental note to be careful and/or apologize. Sometimes you will know this by being alert to how they maneuver, say, around the other boob. LOL...Come on. If they accidentally touched a boob, you will be alert to whether it happens twice and on both, is all I'm sayin'. Don't wait until after you leave the room to complain at checkout, or call in a day or week later and complain to management while requesting a "replacement service". Tell us, the therapist, first and give us the opportunity to fix it right there and then and make you happy. We can't fix it when you are gone from the room. If we don't fix it on the scene when you mentioned it, then tell checkout, call the manager when you leave and go blog all about your treatment in the press. It is only fair to give the business an opportunity to address your concern, however, before you get pissed off and go do any of this, or black list us and not come back.

I am very concerned whether you are o.k. and feeling relaxed, so I need you to breathe, keep your hands to yourself, moan if you have to, i.e. the natural/involuntary response; but don't start rubbing your special parts or any other attempt to relieve yourself, as that is "voluntary expression," which is quite rude, unloving, and puts your therapist in a very uncomfortable position.

Tipping:-Rate your therapists' delivery and professionalism just as you would a waiter, et al service people. Your gratuity percentage should be based on their performance as your tips go directly to the individual. In general, gratuity ranges from 10% to 25% on the original cost of services and based on how pleased you are with your therapist's work. Sometimes clients are able to do more and sometimes they can only do less. Tipping manners and rules don't mean that if you are broke, I won't do the job. Your referrals could be your tips when you are broke and I am always grateful for more business, especially when referred. Your therapist has spent the last hour or more working hard on your muscles and aiding your overall health. We are usually under-paid for such hard work, especially when you have demanded deep tissue or some other physically challenging therapy. We don't get paid to do the "heavy-duty" stuff, so your gratuities help to offset our income and attitude, especially if we delivered more than is required by the company.

In my practice, I usually don't charge clients for using credit cards; however, it costs me at least $5.00 to process these. Your gratuities help to offset this, so if you don't tip and I didn't tell you about the extra charge for processing your credit card, then I have just had a $5.00 loss on your service before taxes. What is the value you have placed on your health and have this been magnified in the way I have handled you.

Couples Massages:-If you have a couples' massage at the spa, this means more cleanup for the therapists. Please get dressed immediately afterwards and remember that your time is up and we need to get ready for the next clients coming in on the hour. Do your hugging and kissing or whatever else elsewhere, and fix your hair, etc., in the bathroom...hopefully, not together. Please, hold off on your "finishing" until you get home or some other place. The bathrooms are usually shared between clients and workers and we may need to go, before we have to get back to that 90-minute massage. I don't know how many times I have waited and waited well into the time for my next client while a couple is still in the room after we have dismissed them. We usually only have 5-15 minutes between you and the next client and there is a lot to do in that time to be ready to give them the same professionalism we gave you. Don't think we don't wonder what you're doing in there while we are waiting outside with your water/tea. It's not curiosity, it is irritation or anxiety, since we won't have enough time to clean up, use bathroom and go get the other client waiting in the lobby. If we attempt the bathroom run while you are still "sprucing," you might be finished before we return, hence miss the important farewell and courtesy water/tea along with follow-up suggestions. So we wait, dancing in the hallway with a smile. Please be considerate of others, even at the spa.

Jewelry and makeup:-Please do not wear your jewelry to the spa, especially the expensive ones! Leave them in your safe at home or if you wear them, please remove them and put them safely in your purse, etc. I usually have a little bowl where your stuff should go, but it's not my responsibility to look out for your diamonds! Also, since we have to work with oil, etc., and manipulate your limbs, etc., we get cut, or cut you or break your necklace, etc. or it's just hard to work on that jeweled body part. Please save us and you the pain and remember to remove these. Also, we can't help you put these back on after the service either. We have to maintain very short nails as we are in the massage business, hence we don't have the nails to grasp your clasp and risk ripping our flesh, et al injuries, which jeopardize our health and work. Remember, also, that you will need to lie face down for your massage, hence limited to no makeup is best. If you are having a facial, save the Esthetician some work and time by not wearing makeup, which she will need to remove before doing what she does. This robs you both of valuable time.

Your nails:-Please cut your toe nails before your massages! Therapists run the risk of snagging, cutting, or scraping themselves on your nails! We shouldn't massage you or anyone else while having open wounds; hence your toenails could become "weapons of mass destruction;" LOL... yes, destruction of the rest of our work day. Even if it's just a hang nail or a snagged nail, we may forget to clean it up before the next client, then scratch them up with these and that's never a good thing.

Hygiene:-Please take a shower prior to your massage and wash your feet especially. Remember that you are going to be in a vulnerable position, naked or almost naked, in a room with a virtual stranger. The more comfortable you are in your own body, the easier it will be for you to relax and a shower only helps things. Don't go to the beach and get sand all over you and then decide to get a massage. We need to make special arrangements for body scrubs and you pay a different price. Oil and sand/dirt don't feel good for the therapist or the client, so even if you are not "filthy," please clean up before your service. I sometimes "ceremonially" wrap your feet with warm towels before and/or after service. This is what it is, a little energy movement; and/or I am lovingly bringing you to face the end/beginning of your session. It is not necessarily a washing of your feet.

Lastly, please pay your tab when you arrive, if you must leave quickly at the end, or immediately upon completing your sessions. It is not fair to have me or the staff at any establishment, chase you or invoice you for services you received. There are books to maintain and taxes to pay. We delivered your service at the time of request, so it is only fair that you pay before you leave. If you didn't bring enough cash, please put the balance on a credit card, but no "I get you next time". We can't tell our landlord this or pay short when the rent is due. Please be conscientious and not take these "disrespectful liberties" with your therapist, whether at the spa or as a private client. Equally offensive is the IOU on the gratuities, etc. Just "man up" and pay for the hard work provided you and don't expect to get anything for free. Some have even ignored the invoices, vowing to pay next time they come back, but haven't yet scheduled an appointment. This is a very uncomfortable position to put your therapist and/or the business in, and it doesn't bode well for you the client who will want optimum service every time.

Acknowledge when your therapist does a little extra for you and go beyond what is normal at the spa and/or in your private massage session. The best voice you can give this is through your gratuity. How you treat, pay and tip your therapists is relative to the exchange of energies and what you put into the universe. It also might determine whether you get that awesome therapist again on your next visit or not. I did not hold back from blessing you, so bless me in exchange and continue the circle of loving and respectful giving.

Picking the Right Massage School

If at all you're interested in becoming a professional masseur, you're going to need a certification and to get this you'd need to attend a massage school. It's not just for the certificate that you need to join; whilst you're at this school you'd learn a lot about the art of massage.

But, how do you find that perfect massage school that would cater to your needs? Well, it's not going to be easy; but, it's surely going to be time well spent. There are plenty of factors that you need to consider before you pick a school, let's just take a look at some of the most important ones:

First and Foremost come up with a list

There are surely going to be plenty of massage schools in your locality or they may be set up in your neighbouring cities. Therefore, the first step towards finding the right school would be by creating a list of all the possible schools in your area. You should use the internet in order to come up with this list or get yourself some sort of brochure that contains a list.

Find out more about the schools

When it comes to massage therapy schools, you first need to get rid of the schools that don't meet the industry standards; as per law they would all have to meet the minimum standards, but minimum isn't what you need. You should aim for a school that is perfect in what they do. Just do this and you'd see your list shorten drastically.

Ask previous students some questions

There are going to be various groups on Google Groups, Facebook as well as Yahoo Groups that are built on each massage therapy school. You should try and join in and get to know the people in the group. Once you're familiar with the surroundings the next thing that you need to do is ask them whether they found the school useful, if it helped them and whether they would suggest attending it.

Finally visit the school

This may be the last step on our list, but it's by far one of the most important. You need to make sure that you visit every school on your short list before you make a decision. This would give you a first-hand experience of the atmosphere that prevails in the school. If possible visit during class hours to see what exactly goes on.

Once you're happy with a particular school, go ahead and sign up; but, make sure that the fees are reasonable and affordable as well.

Massage Therapists: Learn 5 Secrets to Preventing Injury

Injury Prevention is crucial for lasting career in massage therapy. Staying healthy and injury free happens when you create balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Balance happens when different parts of your life are in proportion to each other. It is important to make an effort and balance your physical self first. Important components of caring for your physical body include correct body mechanics, exercise, proper nutrition, and plenty of rest.

Here are some of my secrets to help you maintain health with your physical body:

1) Use Proper Alignment- When applying pressure during massage, make sure your bones are in alignment to conserve your energy and to reduce muscle overuse and misuse. Keep your body as relaxed as possible, and stay behind each stroke as you lean into the tissue beneath you.

2) Make Time for Physical Activity- Another key to career longevity is getting the proper amount of appropriate physical activity, in addition to performing massage therapy. Exercise increases circulation and delivers more oxygen to your body's cells, boosts your energy, and reduces your chance of injury.

3) Receive Massage- Massage therapists need to get massage themselves. Take some time out to get a massage; either pay for it or trade with a friend.

4) Educate Yourself- Education and having fun are other ways to care for your mental health. Massage Therapy Continuing Education stimulates the mind, and learning keeps you up-to-date on the latest information.

5) Restoration of Your Body- Sleep and rest are vital for repairing and restoring your body. Your physical body not only re-charges when you sleep and goes into repair mode, so you must get adequate sleep to avoid injury.

As a massage therapist and bodyworker, you can burnout physically, mentally, and emotionally. Practice self-care daily to protect your energy and to promote career longevity. Balance your work with education, play, and social activities to deter burnout.

In addition, think of yourself as a massage athlete and train your body like one. This physical work demands skill, strength, and endurance, just like any other athlete. Performing massage is very strenuous on your hands and upper extremities. At some point in your career, an injury can likely occur. If an injury does happen; take the proper amount of time off to heal when an injury occurs. Injuries do occur, and when you sustain one, do not feel ashamed. Taking time off is invaluable for an injury to heal completely and is essential for the prevention of a chronic condition.

6 Quick Acupressure Points to Relieve Labor Pain - Pregnancy Massage Therapy

Pregnancy Acupressure has been in use for centuries. It allows you to begin labor at home, safely and naturally, easing yourself into the contractions and dilation that will result in the birth of your baby. But the time you get to the hospital, your labor will already be half over. This leads to shorter delivery times, and an much easier birthing process. Maternity acupressure techniques also help increase blood flow, eliminate pain, and reduce stress on the mom-to-be, while at the same time aiding in contractions, dilation, and providing extra oxygen to the baby. All of these benefits to reflexology for pregnancy have made it increasingly popular in delivery rooms across the world.

Massage during labor includes using the body's various pressure points to stimulate other parts of the body. Learning how to do maternity acupressure is easy, and requires no prior experience. It consists of gentle pressure applied with fingertips, the ball of the thumb, and sometimes the palm or elbow. These pregnancy massage therapy techniques are both safe and natural, and can be used even after childbirth for continued stress and pain-relief benefits. However, these points should not be used during the developing stages of pregnancy - on a pregnant woman this type of acupressure to induce labor should be reserved for helping to start contractions and for aiding in childbirth only.

* Hand (to aid with contractions) - Place your own thumb on the meaty web between your partner's forefinger and thumb. Close your middle two or three fingers upward to rest in her palm, and begin gently squeezing, concentrating on applying downward pressure with the ball of your thumb. This pressure point is important in pregnancy reflexology in that it can be used to aid in strengthening contractions. By timing your pressure with each contraction you can help the baby descend, pushing along with mom to move the child through the birth canal.

* Palm (to release endorphins for pain) - Look at your partner's hand. In the center of the topmost crease on the palm, there's an acupressure point that can be used to force the body to release it's natural painkillers: endorphins. Gentle pressure to this region will produce anesthetizing feelings in the brain, but overly pressing it can cause pain so be careful how much pressure you use. If you have trouble finding this spot, tell your partner to close her fingers until the tips of each finger are touching the palm, almost like a half-fist. The place right below where her fingers are touching is where you want to apply pressure.

* Foot (to release tension and relax the body) - Beneath the ball of the foot is a depression just as the arch of the foot begins. By placing your thumb here and wrapping your fingers around the top of the foot for counter pressure, you can begin pushing gently inward and upward, rolling your thumb toward the big toe. Reflexology and pregnancy go hand in hand, and this massage will have the effect of soothing and calming your partner. With the right pressure, and the right direction, you can use this technique well into childbirth to relax and keep your partner free from excess anxiety. It also makes a great technique to use months and years afterward, any time you or your partner both need to relieve stress.

* Hip (for pain, and to promote contractions) - Your partner will need to be on her side for this one. Find the top of the buttocks crease, then move in a perpendicular line toward her hipbone. When you've gone about two-thirds this distance, press gently inwardly and upward toward the spine. This acupressure pregnancy point should be immediately felt, and it should feel pretty good. Pressing and rolling this point will accomplish both pain relief and the inducing/strengthening of contractions. You can use this to both induce labor, and to aid in contractions once the onset of labor has occurred. After childbirth, you can use this point at any time to help break up trapped pelvic stress and relax the lower body.

* Lower back (to release endorphins for pain) - For this acupressure point, your partner will need to be pressing back against a firm object. Find the halfway point between the spine and the dimples of your partner's gluteus. Pressing downward with a slight twisting motion, do some probing until you find the spot where your partner feels a very pleasant sensation of relief. This spot works wonders for pregnancy pain, and it can also dissipate pent-up stress in the lower back and gluteus muscles.

* Shoulder (to stimulate contractions) -Find the bump at the base of your partner's neck - this is her C7 vertebrae. Now trace a line to the other bump at the end of her shoulder. Right in between these two areas is another pressure point on the shoulder muscle itself, and applying pressure to this one can help greatly with uterine contractions (and it can later be used to stimulate milk production as well). Stimulate this point during initial stages of labor to help begin and promote these contractions.

These are the six most popular techniques of acupressure during labor, but note that most of them can be very useful beyond childbirth. Pregnancy massage therapy methodology has been proven to have radical benefits in the delivery room and beyond. Massage during labor itself can dramatically decrease the chances of unwanted medical intervention or C-section during the birthing process. Learn these techniques for a safer, faster delivery... and then use them on each other in the years to come to relieve stress, pain, and pent-up tension in the body.

Physical Therapy Treatments - The Advantages of Physiotherapy After Cardiac Surgery

After a cardiac surgery it is but natural to feel tired and in pain. Yet, beginning physiotherapy immediately after the surgery rather than allowing oneself a period of rest seems incredulous. But that is exactly what the doctor's order are.

A cardiac surgery can include one or more of several different procedures - bypass surgeries, placing stents, angioplasty, replacements of valves - or even a complete heart transplant. Cardiac patients can derive several benefits from physiotherapy, both after surgery and to alleviate symptoms of cardiac diseases like chest pains, cardiomyopathy, artery diseases, heart failures or cardiac arrests.

About a fortnight after you have the surgery, the physiotherapy program commences. Initially, a stress test is administered to determine the person's capacity for exercise. Generally, these tests include using the treadmill or a stationary bike while the doctor or nurse keeps a track of the person's vital signs.

This tracked data is collated and analyzed. Based on the results, a routine for physiotherapy is determined. The initial sessions are often conducted under the vigilance of hospital staff to ensure the medical safety of the patient.

Cardiac patients perform their initial exercises in the presence of horses and their physiotherapist. In case there is any discomfort to the patient while performing these exercises the medical personnel can immediately take over and manage the situation. Thee exercises involve similar cardiovascular exercises as the first test session, like walking the treadmill and stationary cycling.

Once this initial monitored phase passes, cardiac patients can continue their exercise sin the privacy of their homes. Before they are permitted to do that, however, they are instructed on various exercises, for warming up and stretching, and taught when it is ideal for them to stop. Unless they are acing severe complications, they are advised to exercise a minimum of three and a maximum of five times a week.

After cardiac surgery, swimming is also advisable. As a cardiovascular exercise it is effective without straining a patients joints, and can be continued for longer durations. The one thing that must be kept in mind before commencing swimmingis that all open wounds on the body must have healed completely.

Physiotherapy staff are not always required to instruct a patient on exercises. Hospital staff are also trained to rehabilitate cardiac surgery patients. The principles of therapy remain the same and physiotherapy staff can be involved if so required.

The physiotherapist sketches out the routine for physical therapy. In the first 6 weeks after surgery, few activities are allowed, including, but not limited to light housework and occasional excursions to movie theatres. On till the third month after surgery, other activities are included in the person's routine. It is possible for a patient to return to full-time or part-time work, and begin driving again. After the third month, gradually all normal activities can be resumed.

Without physiotherapy, a patient will remain weak, and may even grow weaker. Physiotherapy is a routine that allows a person to go back to their original lifestyle as early as is possible. With the correct exercises, a patient will become healthier than they were before they underwent cardiac surgery.

The Importance of Networking for Massage Therapists

Networking is important in any professional field, and massage therapists should be prepared to begin 'massage networking' almost immediately after graduating from massage school in order to get leads for jobs, professional advancement, and new clients. Massage networking is similar to 'standard' networking in that you should always try to connect with other professionals in your field for advancement, but specific to massage therapy in that networking opportunities not only help you find jobs, but help you become a subject matter expert, bring in more clients to your practice, increase your knowledge about modalities, sharpen your entrepreneurial skills, etc.

Networking with Massage Therapy Instructors

Massage therapists should take advantage of the opportunities offered to them by the instructors and administrators in massage school. Chances are that these professionals have years of varied experience in all facets of massage therapy, anywhere from spa management, to human resources/hiring, to working as a therapist, skin care esthetician, chiropractor, or doctor. Whatever their experience, they can provide you with a wealth of massage networking opportunities and knowledge about the industry, and can give you invaluable advice about starting off in your career. Who knows? Maybe they even have an 'in' at a local practice or know other massage therapists who can provide you with a recommendation that can help you land your first job as a massage therapist.

Even after you finish massage school, stay in touch with your classmates and massage therapy instructors either by meeting for a monthly lunch or seminar, or even by simply staying in touch via LinkedIn or Facebook, or some other type of social network for massage networking. LinkedIn is an excellent way for massage therapists to learn about opportunities in the field and network with a limited amount of effort - by adding instructors and classmates to your network, you can give and receive opportunities that come your way just with the click of a button.

Massage Networking with Continuing Education Courses

Massage therapists are required to take continuing education courses every two four years, depending on where they live, to maintain licensure. You should not take any type of classes available just to get the credits out of the way, because you might be missing out on an excellent massage networking opportunity. For example, say you have an interest in sports massage, but there are no sports massage courses available within your recertification cycle. Instead of taking something you are not interested in, think about taking a course in Thai massage or reflexology. Yes, it is not quite sports massage but these are both types of therapeutic manipulation that could come in handy during a sports massage event. And chances are, there will be massage therapists or instructors in these classes who are also interested in the same types of modalities as you, and could help you with massage networking opportunities that can assist you with following your career path further down the line.

It is also important to know that the instructors who teach continuing education courses often travel between regions or sometimes across the nation at the request of schools who want them to teach their specialized courses. Because these instructors are so experienced, in-demand, and well known, consider politely asking them how they became a subject matter expert in their field, and ask if they have any tips they can give you to help you excel within your preferred modality.

Massage Networking with Massage Therapists at Conferences

While massage therapists are not required to attend conferences, these types of events are incredibly resourceful and beneficial to novice and experienced massage therapists alike. Conferences are like giant massage networking conventions -you not only have the opportunity to earn continuing education credits, but you also have the opportunity to meet with renowned massage therapists, interact with the widest variety of massage therapy suppliers nationwide, get to experience videos and seminars you may have never even heard of, and can witness some highly educational demonstrations that you can take back to use in your practice.

While you are at these seminars, follow the same type of thinking as previously mentioned for continuing education courses to get the maximum benefit from massage networking. Consider the fact that many attendees at these conferences are seasoned massage therapists who have a variety of knowledge and experiences that they can bring to the table. Whatever your preferred modality or level of experience, by networking with other professionals at these events, you can gain a great amount of knowledge in a short amount of time that you may not have gotten from simply reading industry journals or books, or even attending continuing education courses within your state.

Finally, the wonderful thing about massage networking at conferences is that you get to travel as part of your profession, and can experience the different types of modalities practiced by massage therapists around the country. Attending a conference on the west coast or Hawaii? Look into learning about the healing art of Lomilomi to expand your knowledge about your practice. Booking a hotel for a conference in Miami? Make sure to stay an extra day or two to see if you can schedule a tour of the Touch Research Institute, founded by Tiffany Fields, Ph.D. If you find yourself in Boulder, Colorado, see if you can visit The Guild for Structural Integration, founded and named by Dr. Ida P. Rolf, founder of the structural integration method known as 'Rolfing.' These are not massage networking opportunities in the way one traditionally views networking as a face-to-face opportunity, but through the knowledge that massage therapists gain from this direct experience, one can bring invaluable first-hand knowledge, discussions, and experience back to his or her practice.