Since When Did You Care? - The History of Physical Therapy

The start of the history of physical therapy had been acknowledged by researchers to date back as early as 3, 000 BC. The huge field of physical therapy now extends practically to all regions and in a variety of specialties, yet in those earliest times, it was China that is believed to have the best masseuses, and they also practiced on joint manipulation, soon later -acupuncture.

Then again, the rich history of physical therapy could not be attributed to China alone. In Greece, Hippocrates was able to make out the practice of hydrotherapy and massage as early as 460 BC. And in England, the British Medical Journal had called for the foundation of a physical therapy institute to regulate the practice of masseuses formally under the hands of qualified midwives and nurses within the 1890's.

Nonetheless, the evolution of the history of physical therapy may be indebted to its nature itself and its practiced philosophy. The early history of physical therapy pioneered a view that the body's health and fitness be treated according to the workings of biomechanics and kinesiology. There could be no other way to explain the success of the practice throughout the entire history of physical therapy other than its scholarly expertise on the mechanics of the human body. As testimony to this proficiency, we can look at the rigorous test and training that the physical therapy discipline went through the two world wars.

The two world wars awoke the need for PT. We can declare that the history of physical therapy has finally stitched its mark permanently during its superlative stature in World War I and II. It was during these times that the vital role of physical therapy became ever more pronounced to the world. The use of physical therapy shed light to the dark events of blood spills and had left much knowledge for use of future practitioners. In irony, the painful rehabilitation of injured soldiers paved way to the rise of a highly specialized PT, as spinal injury units, orthopaedic hospitals, chest clinics, and other facilities provided new challenge and promise to the profession.

And well up to these moments, physical therapy has been progressing as one of the largest allied professions in health care - research, development, technology, expertise, expansion. Whether it began through a simple prick on the skin or massive catastrophic deaths, the history of physical therapy owes much to the moment when humans learned how to care.

The Warming Benefits of Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Hot stone massage therapy, which is administered via the strategic placement of smooth heated rocks at key points on the body, is a variation of traditional massage used to reduce stiffness in the muscles, ease tension and improve circulation. By placing the heated stones on these specific points - some of which include the hand, toes and back -the muscles are prepared to allow for deeper relaxation.

Your massage therapist will administer a hot rock massage, by rubbing the body with stones to create the ultimate healing and relaxing experience. Because the warm heat from the stones helps to relax the muscles, it allows the therapist to apply deeper pressure. Strategic placement of the rocks during the hot stone massage is important, as they are thought to be the energy centers of the body that returns balance to the mind and body. Deeper muscle penetration and relaxation is one of the attributes that makes the hot stone massage therapy so popular. It is also proven to improve one's circulation and flush out toxins that could be harmful to your body. If you suffer from any of the following medical ailments, hot stone massage therapy could be just what you need:

• Muscle pains and aches;
• Upper and lower back pain;
• Effects of anxiety and stress;
• Symptoms of arthritis;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Insomnia;
• Depression.

So what types of rocks are used in stone massage therapy? The river rocks used in stone massage therapy have been made smooth by the current of the river over time. Made of basalt, they are rich in iron so they retain heat. After being immersed in water, they are placed in a device that heats them to the proper temperature. The hot stone massage technique is very popular, but it is particularly so among anyone who suffers from stress-related symptoms and who are more comfortable with a massage that is administered with a lighter stroke. As mentioned before, during the process of hot stone therapy, the muscles become easier to work with as a result of the warmth being directed to them.

Some people may be turned off by the thought of hot rocks on their body. But there is no need to worry... the stones are always smooth, flat and only about the size of a large egg. The heat is not a concern either, as the hot rocks are warmed under the strictest precautions in a unit that carefully monitors the degree of warmth. And while everyone has their own comfort range, your massage therapist will always hold the stones in his hands before applying them to your body to make sure that they are not too hot.

To begin your hot rock massage session, your therapist will ask that you lie face down on the table so that he/she can place the hot stones on the key points on your back. When the muscles have been sufficiently warmed, the therapist will continue your hot rock massage by removing the rocks and using them to rub your back with just the right amount of pressure needed to provide complete relaxation. Most massage therapists like to incorporate some type of cream, oil or lotion into hot stone massage therapy to allow the stones to run smoothly over your skin. Your massage therapist will then ask that you lie on your back so that he can address the front of your body, by placing the hot stones on the palms of your hands and between your toes.

People should not engage in hot stone massage therapy if they have open wounds or rashes, are currently engaged in chemotherapy or are known to be prone to blood clots. And if you are pregnant, as with any other procedure, you should contact your personal doctor before beginning any massage program.

The Healthy Benefits of Amma Therapy

Amma is a type of massage therapy that uses a combination of various techniques to heal, improve and correct the medical conditions of an individual being. This technique is a wonderful addition to the many different types of massage therapy used all around the world. Swedish massage, chiropractic techniques, and other therapy techniques are used in order to improve the health and to prevent disease.

The history of amma therapy can be traced back as early as 5000 years ago when the legendary Yellow Emperor of China was still in command. This type of therapy was also used in the army of the great emperor. Due to its technique being based on the Taoism philosophy, most Chinese individuals embraced this form of therapy with arms wide open.

This therapy as with most oriental developed therapeutic massage uses the philosophy of addressing any type of medical conditions through the energy or life force within the human body. Practitioners of this therapy refer to qi as the balancer of good and bad mood and condition of the human body. It is believed that as qi is restrained to circulate freely within the body, sickness and disease will attack and bring down the immune system. Key areas in the client's body are targeted with the combined forms of hand therapies.

These hand techniques include friction, pressure, and touch that vary in strength. Specific techniques are used in each condition and problems which all aim in healing the body. The strengthening, boost in immunity and the prevention of disease are also included in the effects of amma therapy to the human body.

The client's body benefits from a variety of effects that the amma therapy provides after massage sessions. Here are some of the healthy benefits a client can expect to receive from this therapy:

• Relief from Body pain - neck, back, and shoulder pain are some of the body pain that amma therapy can relieve. Regular session of this therapy can also prevent acute and chronic pain.

• Better Sleeping Pattern - allows the body to relax and maintain a better condition which helps a lot in improving the sleeping pattern of the client.

• Relief from Stress - as the therapist works his or her hands on the different key point areas of the body, stress is released through toxins and the loosening of muscle tensions.

• Removes Anxiety and Depression - emotional problems are also addressed and corrected as the therapy also touches the nervous system of the patient during a massage therapy session.

• Improves and Corrects Circulatory Problems - blood and oxygen circulation are enhanced with each sessions, thus correcting blood pressure, respiration and other circulatory problems.

Risks and contradictions should be consulted with your doctor in case you are planning on having amma therapy as a part of your regular medical care. If your doctor is convinced and agrees with the effects and benefits of this therapy, finding a good massage spa and therapist should be the next best thing to do in order to attain best results.

5 Things to Consider Before Starting a Massage Therapy Practice

As the economy takes its time in recovering from the economic effects of recession, many people are attracted to the idea of going into business for themselves. Maybe you're one of them! And if you're someone who likes working directly with clients in a close setting, and are drawn to the idea of proving a healing service, then you've probably thought about setting out your slate as a massage therapist. There are any number of schools that can provide training and accreditation; but once you've got your certification, you still have the tackle the challenge of growing a client base. Before starting your massage therapy service, it helps to have a business plan that takes into account the following 5 questions.

What are my market demographics? In other words, what kinds of clients can you find in my service area, and how can you engage with them? As you begin to market your services, you are going to need to identify the kinds of clients that are in your service range. If you're operating in an urban area, you'll want to identify neighborhoods where residents have disposable income to spend on massage -- or who in the socio-economic class of clients that are willing to devote part of their medical budget to therapeutic massage. A blue-collar worker is less likely to make time during his or her workday for a half-hour massage appointment, whereas white-collar workers and professionals are more likely to be responsive to your advertising. In short -- know your audience! Knowing who your ads are seen by, and where they are likely to see then, is vital if you want your advertising energy and budget to be effective.

What are your competitors, and how can you distinguish yourself from them? If you're doing a leaflet blast, and notice that public bulletin boards in a high-traffic shopping plaza are covered with flyers for other massage therapists, don't panic -- this may not be a sign that the market is saturated. In fact, it might be a very encouraging sign: the customer base in the area is apparently capable of sustaining multiple, multiple massage services! Follow the marketing efforts of your competitors in order to take advantage of their own research, so that you can cast your bait (so to speak) in the same fishing spot. Remember, you're running a business; be collegial and professional, but don't be afraid of being competitive.

How can you add value to your services? Every time you meet with a client, you have a rare opportunity to provide services and products that complement your work as a massage therapist. Product salespeople are terribly jealous of the unique access direct service providers -- like massage therapists, dentists, and medical doctors -- enjoy with clients; that's why so many of their advertising dollars go toward persuading these providers to act as proxy product representatives. Why not invite your local whole foods grocery, or health foods store, and so on, to make it worth your while to represent their product lines to your clients? If you know that Client X enjoys music while relaxing during massage, you're in a position to tell him or her where to go online to purchase the music you've selected for their session; and you're in a position to recommend it, because you've carefully researched the music (and candles, and aromatherapy products, and lotions, and towels, etc.) that help make your sessions effective. Make sure that you're in a position to profit from your expertise in the materials you use to enrich your massage therapy, by taking a share of the profit from any sales generated.

When taking all of these issues into account, don't fail to make sure you've taken care of the nuts and bolts: Have you put into place the business infrastructure needed to work seamlessly with your customer base? Once you've got your deep-tissue training and your medium-pressure training and your Swedish massage training, and you've bought a durable comfortable massage table and have covered your market area with advertising, you might think you're ready to start accepting clients and making appointments. However, there are other, more technical aspects of your business that you need to square away; and the most important of these is payment methods. You'll want to see if there are financial advantages to signing up for a business account through your banking provider, so you can operate under a "d.b.a" or "doing business as" professional name -- By water Massage, for example, or Healing Handwork!

Having a separate business account, with separate checking and debit services, will make it much easier for you to track expenses and income when it comes time to file your taxes. Can you receive credit card payments, or were you expecting to process credit payments through a third-party processor like PayPal? Talk to your bank manager -- you may be able to hold on to some of that money that would have gone to your payment processor, by signing up for that business account. If you have a smartphone, do you have the appropriate financial channels, and the right gadgets, to process card-swipes wherever you are, such as in the client homes and hotel room rentals where you might be operating? How about insurance payments -- have you done the legwork to see if your certification will allow you to receive third-party insurance payments on behalf of clients to whom you are providing therapeutic massage services? A little bit of research in this area goes a long way.

What To Expect During A Massage Therapy Session

What can you expect in most cases during a massage session? For daily stress, discomfort and maintenance, massage is highly recommended in all forms. The following will help you know what to look for and what to ask in advance so that you will be able to relax and enjoy your treatment to its fullest.

A well-trained massage therapist will take notes prior to each session to document where you have discomfort and pain, what medications you may be taking and anything else that is necessary for your therapist to know before proceeding. This will help you to know that she/he is listening to you, that your needs can be addressed correctly and so that you can both keep track of your progress. If you have any aversions or allergies to fragrances, please inform your therapist before your session.

After information is shared in the beginning of the session, the rest of the appointment should be quiet if you are receiving a relaxing massage. Most likely you will enter into a therapy room that has soft lighting and relaxing music playing in the background. The room should be pleasing to the eye, but at times may have a more sterile appearance depending on the type of therapist you are visiting. You will disrobe in private, and then lay on the massage table under a 'drape.'

Draping is a very important part of the massage. It is important for your sense of privacy and comfort. In most cases, you will not be wearing any clothing so you need to be covered well. This is typical and better for you and the therapist to address the whole back. You can keep your underwear on if you feel more comfortable.

The massage room may tend to be a bit cool since the therapist working with you will get warm fast; your body temperature will naturally decrease with relaxation and the therapist's will go up as they work. It is important for you to question about proper draping before your session to make sure that it is a priority so that you can relax fully and enjoy your session.

If you are naturally warm and prefer less draping, that can accomplished with less material and the therapist can still achieve complete privacy for you. As a teacher of massage therapy, I feel proper draping is a priority to the ethics of massage in an office or salon. The therapist should tell you exactly how to prepare for your massage and then should leave the room to give you privacy when undressing and getting onto the table. There is no reason for the therapist to be in the room at this time unless you need assistance. In that case, it would be best to bring someone with you that you are comfortable with to help you on and off the table.

Your therapist will use oil or cream to help with the flowing strokes that promote good circulation and help to relax the body. If you go to a neuromuscular therapist or other specialist for chronic pain and muscular imbalances, they may use little or no oil and you may not even be able to relax too easily during the session, but the results will be long lasting in the right hands and worth the therapy. They will most likely warn you of this fact in advance.

Another large part of your massage session is the amount of pressure that will be used. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being extreme pressure that would be intolerable), the pressure should range from between 5 to 7 unless you are receiving more focused work and then you will need to understand how the scale works for that particular therapy. The therapist will help you with that. Even with deeper therapies, it shouldn't go above an 8 or 9 or last too long in one area. Keep in mind that the scale is measured by your tolerance only and not by the therapist's suggestions.

There may be times that the therapist may need some feedback during the session, but otherwise a session should remain quiet for optimum results. If you feel the need to talk, that is o.k. as long as the conversation remains focused on you and not the therapist's personal opinions or needs. A good therapist can listen to you and perform their work at the same time. We're used to it. During certain more specific therapies, you may need to give feedback throughout your session.

With any massage therapist, you should never feel exposed or uncomfortable in any way. This is your time for yourself and it should be a good experience. The more massages you get, the more in touch with your body you will become and the more easily you can relax between treatments. Remembering back to your massage experience can help you to relax just about anywhere.

Is Swedish Massage Standardizied?

Per definition massage could be defined as manipulation of soft tissue which includes musculature and connective tissue. Another more detailed definition of massage is stroking, pressure and stretching of the skin and skeletal muscles.

First, one has to remember that there is an overlap between different massage methods. Some of techniques are more or less the same independently of the name of the therapist educational background or of the main philosophy of a particular school.

The Swedish massage I have my training in is systematically focused on working on the soft tissue and specifically on the skeletal muscles. But it must be emphasized that there is a difference between schools in Sweden how the Swedish massage is performed. This is by no means unusual in the case of manual therapy in general. For instance chiropractic and physiotherapy colleges can differ quite much in curriculum between each other. In Sweden every school has its own curriculum and will teach their students massage according to the schools on literature. In Sweden predominantly the schools that have Swedish massage on the curriculum are private. Although some state-owned university programs like physiotherapy has a few hours of massage in their curriculum it is not any complete massage course compared to many of the private massage school. Before the 1970's physiotherapists in Sweden were well trained in massage but when physiotherapy became a more academic subject and programs were integrated within medical or health faculties there were a stronger demand that everything should be scientific based or evidence based. So the paradox today is that many of the private schools with no affiliation to university have the comprehensive programs in hands on massage training. But university programs in health and medicine are generally more extensive in science, medicine and human biology. Many of the private massage schools are under state supervision but this more a bureaucratic formality and the authority really has no knowledge in manual therapy in general or massages therapy particularly. In Sweden the quality assurance of a massage curriculum is done internally by the school itself. But there are about ten schools today that formed the Swedish Massage Advisory Council.

The main aim of the Swedish Massage Advisory Council is to uphold the professional skills of a masseur or masseuse and the credibility of the business. The council quality assures schools. This is achieved by all students who are enrolled in a member schools can undergo a national test and receive certification as masseur. When council was formed 1998 there were an agreement that the title masseur or masseuse was the most commonly known title among the clients. This was the reason for that the title certified masseur or masseuse (in Swedish the word is the same for both gender) was established and marketed. Although today massage therapist is maybe has higher credibility as a title. Massage therapy diploma is a title that every school or course provider can give without any reservation. The Swedish Massage Advisory Council has through it years established guidelines and minimum level of what a massage therapist needs to know and how many hours of tuition is required in human biology, medicine, and massage and stretching. There are also requirements of clinical practice both supervised and done independently. All together there should a minimum of 390 hours of tuition and clinical practice. This is then examined when the students of the member school have passed a national theoretical certification exam. This exam is a multiple choice quiz with most questions is regarding the students' proficiency in anatomy. There is also a national practical exam on the students' skills in surface anatomy, massage and manual stretching. However we in the Swedish Massage Advisory Council has agreed on which muscles and their insertion and functions a massage therapist need to know there is really no consensus on the practical massage. There is also an agreement on which muscles a massage therapist should be able to passively stretch a patient but exactly how this is done regarding the position of the patient and therapist is something each school will decide. When it comes to the practical massage the guidelines is more indistinct.

According to the Swedish Massage Advisory Council a certified masseur or masseuse should have a good working and theoretical knowledge of the massage techniques effleurage, petrissage, frictions (circulatory motions with the tip of the fingers), vibration and tapotement. The therapist should be able to apply these techniques on an individual basis regarding the patients or clients requests, health, physical constitution and any contraindications that might exist. But how the therapist adapts the massage techniques regarding depth and rhythm each member school will decide. Even the length of treatment session and the sequence of the techniques differ.

The purpose is that certified masseur or masseuse can give massage for pure relaxation as in a whole body treatment but the therapist should also be able to treat minor musculoskeletal disorders or rather muscle dysfunctions with more localized massage in combination with manual stretching techniques and advise in basic exercise and stretching. The predicament is that the definition of the classical massage techniques is not universal. For example petrissage could be one technique with circulatory movement with the contact of the palm but petrissage is also mentioned as an overall technique that includes variations of kneading or compressions. Another dilemma is that many schools have included other soft tissue or myofascial release techniques in the massage routine. And to make even more diverse every school make their own routine and there is no consensus on which massage techniques should be done on what body region. One example is that some schools teach their students tapotement could be performed on the lower body but other teach that tapotement can be done on the upper body as well.

All of the member schools of Swedish Massage Advisory Council have their own profile and specialization and most schools also graduate their students on a higher level than what is required. But unfortunately there are a lot of schools that are not members of the Swedish Massage Advisory Council. Some of these schools are still professional but others give away diploma after s few days' courses without any examination. It is of course one thing to have shorter course for non professional use however it is not very serious if it is meant as course for professional use.

I have some experience of examination massage therapist who has been enrolled in other schools in Sweden than where I work and I have also had examinations of a few therapists from other countries. The therapist will be very good in the specific technique but it always looked more like an unspecific whole body treatment and the routine less rational with alternating from different regions. It is a vast difference in how the Swedish massage is performed. Nevertheless a legitimate question is what is the difference between what the schools teaches and what the individual therapists do. When I watch learning videos on Swedish massage I see the same thing the massage techniques is seldom systematically performed on specific muscles. It looks more like an unspecific whole body treatment. I am not saying this is wrong or bad. All touch therapy will generate physiological responses of the client or patient.

In conclusion Swedish massage is not as standardized as one could expect. This is also the fascination with massage despite that it from a scientific perspective is a disadvantage.

How to Become a Masseuse

Many people are looking for alternative ways to ensure their bodies are healthy. Massage therapy is currently in high demand due to the benefit it provides to overall health and wellness. If you feel that this career is a good fit for you, keep reading for tips on how to become a masseuse.

There are many massage schools across the country and probably even in your own area. The key is to find a school that provides some sort of certification after graduation and has a good rate of student job placement. Do not be afraid to take a tour of the school or even schedule a massage prior to enrolling. This will give you an idea of the type of teaching provided.

Paying for a massage program can be a challenge. Tuition can range from $7,000 to $20,000 for a 3-9 month program. Some schools offer scholarships and need based assistance for their students. It is important to have your funding decided prior to enrollment.

During your training, you will be required to work in the school's clinic. This gives you actual time working with a client under the direction of a supervisor. You will be able to hone not only your technique but your interaction with clients as well.

Once you have completed your program, your school may provide job placement for you. If not, seek employment at spas, salon, or clinics. You may even wish to open your own practice, which will give you the opportunity to travel to client's homes or work out of your own space.

The Educational Path Of Earning A Degree In Physical Therapy

If you would like to enter the health care field, and you enjoy working with people, a career as a physical therapist might be a good choice for you. In this field, you will help sufferers of debilitating physical illnesses recover, creating treatment plans to get them moving. To do so, you will work in offices with other physicians and aides. This career path will need a lot of dedication and hard work, as well as a college education and a license.

You will need a Bachelor's degree to continue your studies in physical therapy. Since Bachelor's degrees in this field are not often available, other majors in health sciences or interdisciplinary health and rehabilitation sciences are acceptable choices. There are some accelerated programs for students who would like to go straight through for their Master's in physical therapy. In addition, programs for those who have a four year degree in an unrelated field are also available, but may take longer.

Master's programs in physical therapy are readily available at many universities. They may be designed for students coming from a Bachelor's program in health, or students who received a Bachelor's degree in a different field. These degrees are good, but a doctorate is becoming the common expectation for physical therapists. You will take many courses that will provide you with an appropriate background on physical therapy and movement, such as orthopedics, pathokinesiology, and neurology. There may also be courses on certain groups, such as geriatrics, pediatrics, and more.

Like a medical doctor who receives an MD, a physical therapist must receive a DPT, or Doctor of Physical Therapy. These programs are available all over, and generally come in two forms. They may be transitional for students who are already practicing in the field and need to advance their careers. They may also be direct-entry, for those that can enter from non-physical therapy undergraduate and graduate degrees. Each program will thoroughly go over rehabilitative procedures, pathology, biomechanics, and more.

Licensing to become a physical therapist can be achieved through the passing of the NPTE, National Physical Therapy Examination, which is a difficult exam provided to ensure the knowledge and qualifications of future physical therapists. The NPTE is provided from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, where you can register for the test, pay a fee and take it after you graduate.

When you enter the field of physical therapy, you will be enjoying good pay, flexible positions, and plentiful job offerings. Employment is expanding rapidly - there is an expected increase of 30 percent. The pay usually ranges from $50,000 to $100,000, so it should be very lucrative. You can also plan on a very clean and pleasing work environment. The majority work in hospitals and doctors' offices, but other physical therapists work in outpatient care centers, nursing homes, and in private practice.

If you cannot afford or attend a lengthy doctoral degree program, you should consider going to school to become a physical therapist assistant. This only requires an Associate's degree, which you can find nearby in many two-year colleges. This degree will prepare you for clinical work and help you understand some of the common concepts in the field. Once you graduate from an accredited program, you can work closely with physical therapists and patients, providing exercise, training, and therapeutic methods.

10 Key Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

Massage therapy is not a procedure reserved to suffering people. Perfectly healthy people can get a massage, because the primary role of massage is to prevent disease and maintain the body in shape. As a prophylactic approach, Massage therapy aims to prevent and combat disease or illness caused by the accumulation of professional, physical and intellectual fatigue.

Massage is a manual or mechanical procedure applied to the skin and the deep tissue layers, for therapeutic purposes. Massage therapy can be part of complex treatments of disorders, and injury rehabilitation and along with physiotherapy can reduce pathological sequelae of certain diseases. The benefits of massage are numerous, but in this article we will list only 10 of them.

1. Massage improves blood and lymph circulation

Massage helps to activate circulation, the mechanical manipulation on the body, literally pumps the blood and lymph improving its movement. The lymphatic system acts as a carrier of waste in our body. Poor lymph circulation, or poor blood circulation, can be restored to normal operating levels by massage.

2. Massage stimulates and soothes the nervous and endocrine systems

If vigorously executed in a lively pace, massage will have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. By applying stimulating massage procedures, we encourage an optimal operation of the psychomotor functions.

Slow, gentle, and soothing massage maneuvers are particularly effective against excessive straining, mental tensions, pain, anxiety and stress. The relaxation effect and the removal of fatigue are obtained by relaxing the nervous and endocrine systems, balancing the levels of stress hormones, and releasing more hormones that induce wellness. The massage manipulations stimulate the production of endorphins, the brain chemical that produces feelings of happiness, and reduce stress hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine.

3. Massage increases joint mobility and flexibility

Usually, the articulations suffer of poor blood circulation, and articulation injuries are the hardest to heal because of that. Massage manipulations have a great vasodilator effect, and improve the blood circulation in joint capsules. This way injured articulations, tendons and ligaments, will benefit from an increased blood flow, more blood means more nutrients, more oxygen, faster healing and generally more healthy joints.

4. Massage increases muscle elasticity and contractility

Any form of massage helps to increase blood supply, consequently oxygen flow and nutrients to your muscles. This improves flexibility, muscle contractility and delay anoxia and accumulation of toxins which triggers glycolysis. By delaying anoxia and glycolysis we improve the muscle's metabolism improving its efficacy and functioning.

5. Massage reduces muscle tension

Everyone knows that massage relieves pain and muscle contractures. The relaxing techniques have a relaxing effect, and the final outcome is the reducing of the muscle excitability and contractility. This is explained by the fact that massage increases blood circulation in muscles, and naturally produce natural opiates that relieve pain, encourage the muscle to relax, and eliminate the muscle contraction.

6. Massage improves skin's condition

Certain massage techniques, produce hyperemia (redness), which allows the skin to regain elasticity and firmness thus preventing the physiological tendency of elastic fibers to progressively load with calcium, a process named keratinization. Skin's look, feel and health are improved by the enhanced exfoliation of the horny tissue. The exfoliation furthermore stimulates the replacement of the skin.

7. Massage helps to detoxify the body and improve immune system

By applying certain massage maneuvers the transport of fatty acids and cholesterol is improved, the nutrients exchange and the toxins elimination is stimulated, and the immune system is encouraged by stimulating the lymph nodes. Acting on the skin and sweat glands, massage increases fluid elimination and decreases stasis.

8. Massage reduces fat

Massage is known to facilitate lipolysis, (the breakdown of lipids), leading to losing fat mass. Body rubs maintain and develop connective tissue flexibility, combating excess fatty deposits under the skin and preventing them.

9. Massage promotes faster healing of soft tissue injuries

By increasing the quality of dermal collagen and elastic fibers, bodywork helps partial or total resorption of scar indurations.

10. Massage improves digestion

Massage effects are seen in improving digestion, diminishing of constipation and bloating and general easier elimination. Massage can have very fast action on an indigestion by either direct maneuvers on the digestive system, or by reflexogenic zones manipulation.

The Many Uses Of Massage Therapy

In a world where work stress, the juggling of schedules, and financial worries plague society on a daily basis, we look to any and every option to give us respite from the chaos. Stress relief comes in many different forms; and what works for one, may not work for another. But, one form of stress relief that typically relieves symptoms for most every one is massage therapy.

Massage therapy uses touch to soothe - and often heal - the body. Using a combination of strokes that are dependent on the type of massage being performed, different areas of the body are tended to in an effort to release energy trapped through stress or illness. Massage results in increased blood flow, the reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression, and even increased function of body systems - lowering blood pressure, heart rate - and giving the client an overall sense of wellbeing.

The roots of massage therapy lie in ancient Chinese medicine; as a matter of fact, the first reference to therapeutic massage can be seen throughout Chinese medical reference books as far back as 2,700 B.C. The origins of massage were about healing; ancient civilizations used the art of massage to boost immunity and speed healing from disease, illness, and injury.

When people think of massage therapy in the modern world, they often think of the spas that offer a full line of different types of massage. And it is true that these types of massage can bring enormous positive effects to the body as a whole. But, in addition, modern medical facilities - like the ancient civilizations before us - continue to use massage in tandem with traditional medicine. They have found that frequent use of massage in intensive care units, nurseries, and even in labor and delivery rooms during childbirth, will allow the body to battle pain, sickness, and injury with positive energy.

That is not to say that the massage found in spas and delivered by independent massage therapists isn't just as beneficial. Today, we have the opportunity to choose from among a wide variety of massage techniques - each having its own distinctive benefits. Most often, in the spa environment - or working with massage therapists - clients will choose Swedish massage.

This type of massage uses a long, slow stroking technique to ease muscle tension; it is considered to be one of the most popular forms of massage. For athletes, or those who enjoy a stronger massager, deep tissue massage will reach the deepest muscles, releasing stress and helping to promote healing from injury or strain. Hot stone massage uses heated river rocks to therapeutically sooth muscles. And for women who are expecting, the maternity massage can safely sooth muscles put under stress through pregnancy.

Massage therapy has many different uses in the modern world - stress relief, relaxation, a day of pampering, and a bevy of healing properties including improved circulation, decreased inflammation, and the promotion of speedier healing. A lifestyle that incorporates massage into every day living will be rewarded with improved physical - and emotional - health.

Become a Massage Therapist

Interested in a career in Massage Therapy? If you think that it seems like a caring, compassionate career in the health care field, you are right. Having been a Massage Therapist for over 30 years, I can attest to the joy of bringing relief to people that are suffering. There are other benefits too. You can work for yourself, and set your own hours. You can make an average of $40.00 to $80.00 per hour. You can work in a resort environment while enjoying the lifestyle on your days off. And, you will meet a lot of health conscious people.

I can also attest to the pain and exhaustion of being a Massage Therapist in a resort environment. In a town like Aspen, Colorado, the Massage business cranks up in the winter time with bookings from dawn until dusk, then slows to nearly no business when the off-season hits in May. You need to carefully budget for the few very slow months.

Most states govern Massage Therapy licensing. Generally, a license requires from 500-1,000 hours of training including Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology (or Functional Anatomy,) Pathology, Professional Ethics, Practical Training, and some internship or clinical practice, or a similar variation of these classes. The cost of training can be anywhere from $5,000-$10,000 or more depending on the school that you choose. There are some famously outstanding schools like the Boulder College of Massage in Boulder, Colorado, or Mueller in San Diego, California. These schools hold esteem to some employers, so their tuition might be a little higher. Most massage schools have a payment plan or a scholarship program.

Once certified by your particular program, you will need to decide of you want to become Nationally Certified. Some states honor the National Certification exam and will issue your state license with proof of National Certification. Some states will require you to take their state licensing exam regardless. You will need to check with the Massage Licensing Board in your own state.

Practitioner's Liability Insurance is around $125-$150 per year. That's it! You're then ready to make decisions as to how you wish to practice. Most newly certified therapists choose to begin their career in a public environment like a health club or beauty salon. They can gain confidence and experience in a safe and supervised setting. The facility does the scheduling and provides the table, sheets, and oil, but still require you to provide your own Liability Insurance.

If you choose to practice privately, you will need to begin with a business budget to study exactly how many hours that you will need to work in order to pay your expenses. Massage is heavy work. Studies show that the average life span of a massage career is only three years. I know from experience that you can go for many more than that, but make no mistake about it, this is heavy work and requires a practitioner to remain strong and fit in order to prevent overuse injuries. An injured therapist cannot fully deliver effective therapy.

You will need to budget for a massage table, preferably portable, so that you can have it in your office, or at your home. It's always nice to be able to give a massage to a friend or neighbor in your own home-office environment, rather than a business location. You will need several sets of sheets, somewhere to launder them, oil and lotion, business supplies (client notes, files, phone, computer,) wardrobe, robes, towels, continuing education classes, insurance, and office rent. Also, being self-employed, you will need to keep your own tax records, so you will need to budget for an accountant, or an accounting software program for your computer.

There are other options in private practice that do not require for you to work for a health club or resort. There are also co-op situations where therapists office-share. You can join a co-op like this that pays a receptionist/scheduler, and you come in to work on your clients, and pay a monthly fee to the co-op for the space rent and the services. This is a good way to pickup extra referrals, as well.

Some large hotel chains lease their massage rooms in the spa area to private therapists. This is a good way to go as they have built-in spa customers in their hotel guests. There are a variety of arrangement options in who does the bookings, and who provides linens.

Another option is a Doctor or Chiropractor's office. These professionals already have the clients and the space. They generally do the insurance billing, and pay the therapist when they are paid. If you are licensed by your state, you will have a license number that will allow for you to do your own insurance billing, as well.

Why Your Annual Physical Exam Is Important

We rely on our senses to do a lot for us. Sight is essential to see where we're going or avoiding, smell for sniffing out what may be good or bad for the body, hearing to understand the language of everyone and everything around us, taste to distinguish between the nutritional and the poisonous, and touch to ensure our general safety. They not only protect, but also allow us to enjoy life as we feel our way around.

Given their importance, isn't it even more crucial that we make sure they are all working properly? The answer: annual physical exam. Understandably, some of us get queasy when hearing the word "exam" and others run the other direction to anything physical, believe me when I say that your annual physical exam is fairly painless. Your doctor will do most of the manual labor and all you have to do is follow his/her directions.

You'll be tested for signs of vitality, from blood pressure (average is 120 over 80), heart rate (you want between 60 to 100), respiration rate (generally around 16 without lung or heart issues), and/or temperature (classic 98.6 degrees F). After that comes the exam for your general appearance. How is your heartbeat, breathing, immunity, dental work, abdomen, nerves, strength, reaction ability, balance, pulse, etc.? If you've done any smoking, drank alcohol in excess, or had poor diet, exercise, or sexual health, your walk in clinic doctor will figure it out pretty quickly. It's for the best, so stop worrying.

Depending on your doctor, you may also need to give a blood or urine sample to test for other potential afflictions. Of course, based on your gender you'll be tested for different diseases or illnesses as well. Males generally are examined for hernia, any STIs, prostate, or testicular issues while women may receive breast or pelvic examinations, in case of cancer or other hazards. The fact remains though, in spite of how many tests there are, you'll be glad to be safe than sorry. Not to mention, it'll go by a lot faster than you're expecting and it's only once a year.

Annual physical exams are defenders of good health, because for all you know, your body may have long been giving off signals to being unwell before you felt them. Say that one of your five senses were out of tune or no longer the same as when you were young. Why do you think people wear glasses or contacts? Brilliant as a composer Beethoven considering he was deaf, I'll bet he wished he could've had a hearing aid earlier in life. Those suffering from Alzheimer's may often be a hazard to themselves because their bodies forget how to sense hot or cold.

The Health Benefits Of Massage Therapy Training

Imagine this: you're a recreational runner who suffers from leg pain. It's not often, but enough to make you consider giving it up, which you don't want to do because the health benefits have been phenomenal. Massage therapy training can help you to overcome this - relatively easily.

If you suffer from joint pain or stiffness, massage therapy can help you learn to deal with it so that you can continue to indulge in the activities you enjoy. Many people are unaware of just how effective and beneficial this therapeautic method can be.

If you're not convinced, consider this: the art hasn't been round for thousands of years for naught. In ancient cultures, massage was used to treat a variety of ailments we're used to reaching for a pill bottle to cure today.

There are many types of massage - to date, some 80 techniques according to experts. Take shiatsu massage for example. It has been known to cure and/or greatly relieve rheumatism.

Another type, lymphedema massage therapy, has been used to drain fluid from affected areas of the body. Massage therapy training teaches you how to press, stroke and rub affected areas to do this. In fact, lymphedema massage is accepted by the medical profession as a way to treat lymphedema.

If you're with child, there are massage techniques especially for pregnant women to help alleviate back pain, joint swelling and more. These techniques are designed to help you relax, allowing for a stress-free, healthy pregnancy.

There are but a few of the various types of training in this discipline you can receive.

Massage Therapy Training Schools

Now that you know the benefits of this type of therapy you may be interested in learning about what to look for in a school that teaches it. While there are some excellent schools in this, the healthcare education niche, there are specifics you should look for no matter where you decide to go.

The main things you want to look for in an institution is one that is accredited, offers training in a variety of massage therapy methods and has qualified instructors.

Whether your interest in massage therapy training is strictly recreational, or more professional, it offers a plethora of benefits to help you enjoy a healthy life for years to come.

Physical Therapy Assistant Careers And Healthcare Industry Opportunities

Is helping people something you have a gift or inclination for? Have you ever considered a career in the healthcare industry? If this is something that is beginning to pique your interest, then perhaps you should look into a career as a physical therapy assistant.

Before making any decisions about this occupation it is important to understand that this job can require a great deal of physical interaction with patients. You should have a certain measure of strength because you may be lifting, supporting, balancing, pushing and pulling patients in any number of ways. Your hands can be assisting with exercises as well as providing deep tissue massages for the neck, torso and extremities.

As an assistant you will report to a physical therapist, and may help design and implement rehabilitation therapy's for patients, many of whom can require treatments over periods of days, months, even years. Certain therapy's can include clinical tasks such as implementing traction and other non-invasive mechanical devices, as well as conducting electrical stimulation for pain management.

A good way to test the waters, so to speak, and give the occupation a try before making the commitment of time, education and expense, is to start the process by becoming a physical therapy aid. Since the aid cannot assist the physical therapist in any clinical tasks, the educational and licensing requirements are avoided. By taking this avenue and working closely with professionals in the industry, you can gain a great deal of practical work experience and ensure that this is a career you are solidly gifted for.

The tasks performed by the physical therapy aid are not as demanding as the physical therapy assistant and can run the gamut from clerical or administrative duties such as record keeping and filing, ordering office supplies, answering phones and confirming appointments, cleaning and maintaining treatment areas, and completing patient medical forms for billing purposes.

Since the financial and future growth expectations of this career are also an important consideration, statistics from the Bureau of Labor indicate that employment growth is slated to increase by about thirty four percent through the year 2018. Since this occupation can be conducted in every state of the union, it is probably one of the better career choices for those who like to experience residential changes every so often. As an assistant you need not worry about closing and relocating a practice.

Salary levels vary from state to state and industry to industry, but it is worth noting that for a relatively minor commitment of just two years, a six-figure salary can be achieved without backbreaking student debt, and without years of formal educational requirements. That makes the return on investment for this occupation, one of the best bets of your life.

As indicated earlier, your desire to help people with healthcare needs, and an opportunity to have a career in a recession proof industry, coupled with the advantage of six-figure income potential, should be proof positive. You need to get cracking on a career as a physical therapy assistant.

Upfront Collections - A Critical Success Factor in Physical Therapy Practices

It is no secret that the vitality of cash flow is dependent on the critical success factor of upfront collections. Upfront payments on patient co-pay and money towards the deductible is the patient's responsibility and obligation to the clinic, and is an expectation set by the patient's insurance carrier. However, a large volume of billing balances directly owed by patients has grown at an alarming pace. The driving force in the rise of patient pay responsibility is the increase of insurance plans with high deductibles and high levels of co-insurance. Due to this, it is best to take a proactive stance of upfront collections at time of service versus pursuing patients for large balances in past due accounts several months later. Collection of money at the time of service is a critical indicator of good practice management and benefits both the patient, as well as the provider. It not only helps the patient manage a smaller, more affordable bill after graduation, but also assures the provider will obtain timely reimbursement.

It is important to remember that an insurance plan co-pay is a required amount that the patient must pay themselves. The insurance payer sets a benefit cost for the patient, with the co-pay amount influencing the premium cost most of the time. The higher the co-pay, the lesser the premium cost from the patient's employer. Therefore, the insurance carrier requires the patient to contribute to the final payment of their healthcare in the form of a co-pay.

Patients are well informed of their co-pay or co-insurance responsibility from their employers; the verification of their benefits should be confirmed by the Front Desk Coordinator (FDC). It is vital that the FDC establishes collection arrangement with the patient on the first visit to the clinic. Explaining their Physical and Occupational benefits, as well as outlining the amount that will be expected at each visit, is very important in the success of upfront collections. Patients are craving more and better communication about their financial responsibility. FDCs should take the time to clarify the expectations proactively therefore reducing confusion through the billing and collection processes.

Another best practice is to put the expectations of the financial plan in writing, which can be accomplished nicely with a "Welcome Letter" on the patient's first visit. Also, when scheduling for repeat visits, remind patients of their co-pay expectations.

Stay consistent and compliant with the collection of up-front money to ensure prompt payment and to create good-standing with the patient. Patients will be pleased to know you are actively helping them stay out of larger medical debts by collecting upfront on services rendered. Upfront collections are here to stay, and showing the value of physical or occupational therapy is important when asking patients to pay. The role of the front desk team for this task is key to the practice success.

Acupressure More Effective Than Physical Therapy

We all know Acupressure has been around for some 5,000 years now and those of us involved in Holistic and wellness remain convinced that the procedures encompassed within this sphere are more efficacious than physical therapy. Every living being has a life force, or energy, called qi or chi (pronounced "chee"). When this energy, which runs along meridians, is in balance and flowing freely, the body is in a state of health. Acupoints tap into the the major energy pathways of the body

When this energy is blocked or deficient, illness can result. These energy disruptions are often the result of stress or injury. It is believed that acupressure causes the brain to release endorphins. Endorphins play an important role in immune function, pain relief, stress reduction, and slowing the aging process.

Lower back pain has long been the bain of the modern world not only in lost man hours but also because of the numerous side effects, complications and nuances of lower back pain complaints. Further studies now confirm the benefits of acupressure over physical therapy. Albeit that the studies failed to take into account functional status and disability as recommended by most low back pain researchers the results are still very meaningful and relevant. In February 2006 a randomized controlled trial took place at The National Taiwan University in Taipei.

129 patients with chronic low back pain received acupressure or physical therapy for 1 month. Primary endpoints were self-administered Chinese versions of standard outcome measures for low back pain (Roland and Morris disability questionnaire) at baseline, after treatment, and at 6-month follow-up. After treatment, the mean total Roland and Morris disability questionnaire score was significantly lower in the acupressure group than in the physical therapy group regardless of the difference in absolute score or mean change from baseline.

Compared with physical therapy, acupressure was associated with an 89% reduction in significant disability and that improvement was maintained at 6-month follow-up. Study limitations include a confounding psychological effect of therapy; loss of 15.5% of patients to follow-up at 6 months and effectiveness of any manipulation therapy dependent on the therapist's technique and experience.

Participants were aged 18 to 81 years. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy and contraindication to acupressure. 64 patients were randomized to acupressure and 65 to physical therapy. Conclusive or inconclusive the results still point towards the undeniable and positive aspects of acupressure and holistic healing.

On a more lighter note Acupressure has also been cited as a new aid for sleepy students. 39 student volunteers found that those who were taught to self-administer acupressure to stimulation points on their legs, feet, hands and heads were less likely to drowse during class. The acupressure consisted of light tapping of fingers or using thumbs or forefingers to lightly massage the stimulation points. It was conceded that more study is needed in relation to acupressure and the effect on human alertness.

Looking further into the positives might this self administered acupressure also be a consideration for children with ADHD contra Ritalin!

Prenatal Massage - What Are The Benefits To An Expecting Mother And Child?

Ah-- the joys of having your baby!

What's frustrating though is that along with your baby come unwelcome side effects like aching lower back pain, hips, legs, migraines, swollen ankles & lets not forget about the morning sickness.

What if I shared with you there was a massage therapy exactly for women who are pregnant that is designed to reduce some of the discomfort related with carrying a child and even facilitate their labor and delivery?

Often, soon to be moms don't necessarily get it that their bones structure is now not only carrying them...but it's also supporting their little one too. This additional weight can have serious effects on your system.

A professional prenatal massage therapist can direct those muscles that have been exhausted to relieve some of the tension and strain associated with carrying a child.

This soothing technique can be exactly what you need when you are dealing with the overwhelming amount of emotions and hormones associated with expecting a child.

Do Doctors Have Any Comments On This?

You might find it noteworthy that recent studies at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, show that just 20 minutes of massage twice a week for five weeks:

a) Lessens stress hormones in your body,

b) Improves those frustrating mood swings

c) Facilitates & promote better sleep

d) Lessens your anxiety and back pain.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg...these studies report expecting moms who received regular massages during their pregnancy:

繚 Had lower rates of premature birth,

繚 Fewer obstetrical challenges,

繚 Babies had fewer of postnatal difficulties.

What Are The Additional Benefits Of Prenatal Massage Therapy That Come To Both A Pregnant Women And Unborn Child?

Research show that they prenatal massage may:

a) Lessen the nervousness, anxiety & depression associated with the hormonal changes brought about by pregnancy.

b) Diminish stress on lower back, pelvis, and ankles which are not used to carrying a baby

c) Reduce back, shoulder neck pain caused by your muscles being out of whack.

d) Increase your blood and lymph circulation, which in turn helps to lower swelling and actually assists the baby's oxygen supply.

e) Unwind muscle knots that cause cramping, tightening, and tautness.

f) Reduce your aches and pain and simultaneously encourage relaxation, which can believe it or not actually facilitate your labor

g) Assist muscle and skin tone

h) Help you sleep deeper so you don't have to wake up exhausted in the morning

Do Doctors Urge It For All Women That Are Having A Baby?

Most experts counsel that you wait until your second trimester so that your body can get used to the pregnancy.

Prenatal massage is perfectly safe during your second and third trimester. What you will probably find is that the further along you are...the more you'll enjoy the benefits!

Of course when you are pregnant, you should always review with your doctor before beginning any new treatment or procedure. If they see no reason why you shouldn't begin, ask around to see if anyone you know has a good massage therapist that specializes in prenatal therapy. You will most certainly be glad that you did.

Physical Therapy Marketing Strategies

As in any business, physical therapy is no exception and needs to be operated like a business rather than just a therapeutic clinic. Most physical therapists concentrate on the therapeutic side of their practice rather than the business side. Both are equally important, as it is useless to have therapy without patients.

There are many different strategies that you can apply to your business to gain greater exposure and increase patient referral. The first thing you need to do is determine your target market and establish a network of potential patient resources from various physicians, schools, hospitals, etc..

One of the easiest ways is to get more patients is too talk to friends and family as well as new acquaintances and let them know about your physical therapy practice and how you can help them. Tell them about the various ailments, injuries and physical problems that you could help them with and chances are, they will know somebody who will need your services. Word-of-mouth is always the best referral.

Talking to your existing patients is always a great way to increase your patient load. By getting great results and informing your patients about the various services of your physical therapy practice, as well as telling them about the different ailments and injuries that you can help cure will keep you in mind when they your patients refer their friends and family. Focus on getting people better, and your reputation as a good therapist will bring in more patients.

Writing a press release about your physical therapy practice is a great way to increase exposure to your business. There are some online sites that can submit your press release for a small fee and distributes your business press release to online and off-line media.

Networking with other professionals in hospitals and health care settings, as well as getting to know the personnel of various clinics and physicians offices is a great way to develop professional relationships. Maintaining constant contact will keep you in mind, especially when physicians need to refer patients for physical therapy.

Getting to know editors of local newspapers, as well as reporters are also great ways to increase your network of potential patients, as they have a huge contact list of resources that can help promote your business. You can also be a topic of a story or headline, featuring your clinic.

Paid advertisements, TV and radio commercials are other great ways to increase the exposure of your physical therapy practice. This option can be an expensive option, however there are ways to get around this by volunteering for radio and TV interviews and speaking engagements. Establish yourself as a local professional and talk about your expertise.

Yellow page advertisements and listing your services in telephone directories will also keep your practice accessible to your potential patients. Many people who have don't know where to go for physical therapy services, will just refer to online or offline directories.

These are just a few ways that you can market your physical therapy business. There just needs to be persistence, hard work and good therapeutic results to establish yourself as the physical therapy practice to go to.

Does Your Remedial Massage Therapist Or Health Practitioner Operate With Ethical Principles?

Although I am about to describe what type of ethical principles your remedial massage therapist should abide by, it really applies to any type of health practitioner you may visit. It applies to your doctor, your chiropractor and your physiotherapist. So the questions that I am going to present you with, I want you to keep in mind when you visit any type of health practitioner future.

Health Practitioners Have Ethical Responsibilities

Your health practitioner has an ethical responsibility to keep your care as the top priority. For example, if you go to see your therapist for a pain in your hip and they have you come back every week for three months but your problem really isn't getting any better.

Do you consider this ethical? I don't.

I have ethical parameters that I have set for my practice. That is, if my clients are not seeing a reduction in symptoms and an improvement in their condition within three treatments, I will either think about what I am not doing and try something else. Or I will send them to another practitioner in my network for a second opinion and some alternative treatment.

This is my ethical responsibility to you to keep your care as the top priority, and it should be a responsibility for all health practitioners as far as I'm concerned.

The reason I want you to keep these things in mind is that, I have seen many people going to a health practitioner trying to overcome a problem, only to be going there for six months or more and not getting any results. This is not right. As I've pointed out above, your therapist or practitioner has an ethical responsibility to you.

Ask Questions When You Are Not Seeing The Results You Should

If you are not getting the results that you want within a reasonable time frame, then you should be questioning your health practitioner's motives. Are they just trying to wean more money out of you? Are they scared to lose you as a customer if they refer you on to someone else? Do they simply not know what to do or how to treat your condition properly?

The thing is, no practitioner knows everything. We all have our limitations and that's okay. As long as we know when and where it is time to send our clients elsewhere, or seek another opinion. Don't get locked into having treatment that you feel isn't working. And don't feel guilty or bad about saying something to your practitioner if you want an explanation, a better result, or more feedback.

You pay good money to have a good service delivered to you, so make sure your health practitioner is operating with ethical principles and can provide you with a reasonable estimate in the time frame it is going to take for you to get better. What the chance of recovery are for you. If there are other things you can do to help progress your recovery quicker. Just be sure that your remedial therapist or health practitioner has your care as a top priority.

Massage for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Bodywork is perfectly suited for reducing the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a condition typically appearing in young children, although teenagers and adults may also be affected. Someone with ADHD has difficulty controlling their behavior and/or paying attention. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States.

Symptoms

The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Symptoms begin over the course of many months, often with impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding inattention, which may not emerge for a year or more. A child who "can't sit still" or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in school, but the inattentive daydreamer may be overlooked. The impulsive child who acts before thinking may be considered a "discipline problem," while the child who is passive or sluggish may be viewed as unmotivated. Each of these children may have different types of ADHD.

All children are sometimes restless, sometimes act without thinking and sometimes daydream. When the child's hyperactivity, distractibility, poor concentration, or impulsivity begin to affect performance in school, social relationships with other children, or behavior at home, ADHD may be suspected. Because the symptoms of ADHD vary so much, ADHD must be diagnosed by a professional. Primarily consisting of stimulants, pharmaceutical intervention is the first choice in treating ADHD. In an effort to control affected individuals, an increasing number of school age children are regularly medicated.

The Brain

The suggested etiology of ADHD consists of many proposed theories. Whether stemming from genetics, environment or trauma, most experts agree the brains of individuals with this condition function differently than those unaffected. Research scientists have learned a great deal about ADHD by using modern brain imaging technology. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers found that children with ADHD had 3 to 4 percent smaller brain volume in several regions, than age and gender matched controls. According to Jay Gordon, MD, a "deficiency in central nervous system dopamine probably causes many, if not most, of the problems associated with ADHD." It is no surprise that the most popular medications for this condition increase dopamine levels within the brain.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Two structures comprise our nervous system, the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system assures proper functioning of involuntary actions, such as heart rate, dilation of blood vessels and our body's secretion of chemicals. The autonomic nervous system has two sub-divisions, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic system provides us with adrenaline (the fight-or-flight response), while the parasympathetic is responsible for relaxation.

The sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system appears to be the predominant force in ADHD, overriding the balancing role of the parasympathetic system. Bodywork can be a critical component of ADHD recovery because it accesses and initiates the parasympathetic nervous system response.

Proof

At the Touch Research Institute in Florida, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of massage therapy on ADHD. Thirty ADHD diagnosed students aged 7 to 18 years participated in the study where one group received massage therapy for 20 minutes twice per week over the course of one month. The researchers reported that the ADHD students in the massage group demonstrated improved short-term mood state and longer-term classroom behavior.

Methods

While there is no specific ADHD massage technique, certain methods will have a greater effect than others. The important concept to grasp is that stimulating the parasympathetic relaxation response is desired when working with this population. Clues for the therapist indicating parasympathetic response are slowed breathing, reduced heart rate and increased digestive sounds.

Since many styles of bodywork initiate relaxation, the following five suggestions for ADHD are not all inclusive:

1. Swedish massage, particularly effleurage and other slow stroking movements have a sedating effect, leading to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.

2. Because they encourage stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, avoid fast and firm strokes, as well as percussive massage techniques.

3. Cranial-sacral therapy will free up any restrictions in the cranium or sacrum that could contribute to ADHD. Additionally, the movements used in this modality initiate the parasympathetic response.

4. Rooted in Osteopathic medicine, myofascial release bypasses the muscles by focusing on the fascia as one, large, connected system. Exceedingly gentle, the unwinding technique in myofascial release activates the parasympathetic system. Similar to cranial-sacral, this will free any restrictions inhibiting energy flow, leading to tension release.

5. Watsu is a deeply relaxing style of bodywork performed in a warm water pool. While specific training and equipment (a pool!) are needed to perform this therapy, it has been reputed to calm the uncalmable.

The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is controversial, as parents are refusing to accept the habitual medicating of their children. Many have posed the hypothesis that ADHD is a natural evolution of our brains to keep up with the speed at which technology powers our world. Living in a calm and peaceful environment is now an exception, rather than the norm. Bodyworkers have the ability to introduce calm and peace to a client, regardless of their environment. By focusing ADHD treatment on the parasympathetic nervous system, massage therapy can be a crucial component of therapy for this condition.

References:

Khilnani S, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S., Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Adolescence, 2003 Winter; 38(152):623-38.

Osborn, Karri, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Soma Brings Peace of Mind to Families, Massage and Bodywork, June/July 2004.

Soma Brings Peace of Mind to Families
Osborn, Karri, Sea of Calm: Water Therapy Touches Young Spirits, Massage and Bodywork, Feb/March 2003.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov, Attention Deficit Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health, 2/17/06.

http://www.realbodywork.com, The Nervous System, Sean Riehl, 2003.

http://www.drjaygordon.com, Attention Deficit Disorder, Gordon, MD, J., 2005.

Massage Basics

Massage Therapy may be one of the oldest and simplest forms of medical care. It has been practiced in Eastern cultures continually since ancient times. The Ancient Egyptians painted scenes of people being massaged in their tombs and the Chinese have books dating back to 2,700 BC that recommend breathing exercises and massage as treatments for chills and fevers.

Massage therapy, uses the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the body. This can include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, vibrations, rocking, frictions, kneading and compression through the use of mostly hands, forearms and elbows. Therapists also use stretching and joint movements to help increase range of motion.

Massage therapy positively influences a persons overall health and well-being. Including relaxing the whole body loosening tight muscles relieving tired and aching muscles, it also increases flexibility and range of motion, helps to decrease chronic pain and has been beneficial for those suffering from fibromyalgia. Massage also helps promote restful sleep and mental relaxation. Please be aware that precautions must be taken if you suffer from high-blood pressure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are pregnant or have any medical conditions. Always tell your massage therapist if you have any medical condition and make them aware of any medications you may be taking.

Benefits of massage therapy can include decreased pain, tension relief, and improved mobility and stress reduction. The most common modalities used include Swedish, myofascial release, deep-tissue massage, trigger-point therapy, and connective tissue massage.

Massage Therapy is becoming more and more recognized, however when looking for a therapist please speak to your primary health care practitioner first and always see a Registered Massage Therapist.

Can Massage Therapy Help Prevent Injuries?

Massage therapy is an ancient art and science dating back as far as 2000 BC. The popularity of massages has endured because it is a proven method of improving one's physical health and emotional well being. Massage is the therapeutic manual manipulation of the body's soft tissues. It not only is used to relax muscles and stimulate healing of deep tissue injuries, but it can also be used to prevent injuries.

Massage therapy can help treat and prevent not only sports injuries, but also injuries received during everyday activities. This type of therapy helps to improve and maintain muscle and connective tissue health which helps to reduce the chance of injury. It focuses on such areas as muscle tone and relaxation, range of motion, and flexibility. The muscles, tissues, tendons, and ligaments are manipulated manually using specific massage techniques for the purpose of restoring elasticity to the deep tissues and strengthening muscles to allow for more elasticity. This allows for better movement and makes the body less at risk of receiving an injury.

Massage therapy provides a number of therapeutic effects that helps minimize the chance of receiving an injury. For instance, over time, muscles can tighten and shorten which increases the risk of muscle, ligament, and tendon strains. Regular massage sessions helps keep muscles and tissues loose and flexible decreasing the risk of strain and tears. A deep tissue massage will improve circulation so that blood flow carrying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues will be increased. This will optimize muscle and ligament health and relieve muscle stiffness and tension.

There are massage techniques that cause the body to release natural chemicals called endorphins which are natural pain killers. It has also been shown that massage therapy on a regular basis can not only help prevent injury, but it also helps extend an athlete's career by maintaining physical health. Other ways regular massage sessions helps prevents injuries includes: improving mobility, joint flexibility and range of motion, increasing circulation, strengthening the immune system, and alleviating musculoskeletal problems which will improve posture.

When given by a by an experienced and licensed massage therapist, a massage will alleviate tension all over the body, including stress tension. One will be healthier, feel good all over, and be in better shape to ward off injury from engaging in everyday tasks such as house cleaning, gardening, moving items, and much more. A massage therapist is able to identify any tender areas that need work and stimulate the muscles and tissues to strengthen and tone. It is important to use the services of a licensed massage therapist as a person unskilled in the art and science of massage can cause injury. As well a professional massage will reduce the instances of soreness, spasms, pain in specific areas such as in the neck and lower back, improves joint flexibility, and improves range of motion, decreases blood pressure which can decrease the chance of a stroke or heart attack, and ensure fluids drain properly instead of accumulating in one area. The over all result is an increase in comfort and more ability to engage in physical activities.

Massage therapy has been practiced for so many years because of its proven health benefits. It is even a part of many conventional health treatments. In fact, many health insurance companies provide coverage for therapeutic massages. It is a therapeutic and preventative technique practiced by millions of people of all ages throughout the world.

Physical Therapy Can Help to Treat Rotator Cuff Tears

The risk of injuries and tissue damage is high in tissues and joints that are highly mobile and functional. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. All the major activities across this joint are promoted by rotator cuff muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint in all upper limb 3-dimensional movements.

Rotator cuff injury involves moderate to severe injury to the shoulder region that may be acute in the form of trauma, accidental fall or it may occur in a chronic setting as a result of overuse injury due to repetitive movements across upper limb that makes supporting tendons or ligaments weak and vulnerable to minimal trauma. Rotator cuff tear manifests as painful movements and limitation of range of motion across the shoulder joint that is also followed by weakness of shoulder and visible abnormal angulations due to swelling in some cases.

You are at likely risk of developing rotator cuff tearing if you are an athlete or sports person who has a high rate of physical activity along the shoulder joint especially swimmers, carpenters and painters. You are also at risk if you are employed in body building and weight lifting or of advancing age with degenerative bone or joint diseases

Rotator cuff tear injuries is the most common form of injuries in professional tennis and badminton players and moderate to severe damage to rotator cuff muscles can greatly limit all types of activities across the shoulder joint. Physical therapy is needed for a number of reasons. It is very important to maintain normal circulation of blood across the joint capsule without affecting the nerve supply (brachial plexus) or healing tissues of shoulder joint. This is only possible if physical activity is performed across shoulder joint under tight supervision to avoid any trauma. Physical therapy helps in early recovery and restoration of full range of movement across the shoulder joint. Physical therapy is soothing and helps in relieving inflammation related shoulder joint pain.

Rotator cuff tear involves ligamentous damage in most cases and unless the tearing is very severe, no surgical manipulation is needed. Almost 80% of the cases get resolved with conservative therapy like ice-packs, steroid injection and anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and edema. Although the rotator cuff is made up of 4 different muscles, supra-spinatous is most vulnerable to injury or tearing in a rotator cuff tear. Most therapies aim at making your shoulder injury painless or numb so that the natural and innate immune system can take over the task of tissue healing and repair (or regeneration).

As discussed previously, rotator cuff tears are most commonly seen in professional players and athletes and besides improving the injury, physical therapy also helps in stabilization and strengthening of small muscles and fibers. This is because these muscle fibers are more likely to suffer injuries because of high impact motion across shoulder joint and most gym exercises aims at strengthening of large muscle groups only.

Physical therapy exercises that aims at correcting rotator cuff tear involve weight lifting and muscle strengthening via light dumbbells. To support and stabilize joint tissue, resistance banding is also performed that helps in relieving edema or swelling in the joint region and restore the compromised blood supply across the joint capsule. Medicine balls and other similar equipment help in healthy recovery and improved range of motion by passive muscle contraction.

It is strongly recommended not to lift heavy weights from the affected limb and avoid overstressing the shoulder joint by hardcore physical exercises. Never start any therapy without seeking the advice of your healthcare provider or without the supervision of your physical therapists.

6 Sensational Tips About the Right Frequency For Hot Stone DVD Massages

"Too much of a good thing, is bad for you." People often link this expression with things that we love. It could be a favorite savory food, such as chocolate. It could be a favorite pastime, such as video games. It could even involve spending too much time with that "someone special." In the case of a hot stone massage, such as those featured on a hot stone dvd-is it possible to have too much of a good thing? Here are some tips regarding massage frequency:

1. Massages at least once a month provides physical benefits
Having a hot stone massage at least once a month is good. Having a massage more frequently is even better. I religiously get a massage every other week, which allows me to avoid any serious muscle or joint problems. Getting a regular massage can provide you with several benefits, including:

o good posture
o better blood circulation
o less pain
o suppler muscles
o increased flexibility

2. Massages at least once a month provide mental and emotional benefits
Getting a massage at least once every month can also provide several mental and emotional benefits. We can then focus more during the day. A hot stone massage can clear our minds, allowing us to concentrate better at work, at school, and even at play. Regular massages can also improve your self-esteem. The healthier you are, the more likely you are to feel positive about yourself!

3. Different massages provide different benefits
Various types of massages exist. Ones such as Swedish and Shiatsu focus on your overall health and wellbeing. Thai massage also fits in that category, though it focuses more on stretching, than on the patient's muscles per se. Other massages, such as deep tissue massages, focus on particular health problems within the body.

4. You will need multiple massages before experiencing significant benefits
How many massages do you need to start feeling the effects truly? There is no magical number. However, the process is like exercising. After enough regular massages (roughly four), your body should start experiencing some significant changes for the better.

5. Find a therapist that works well for you
As with any other service, it is important to find someone whose service fully meets your needs. You may need to switch therapists a few times until you find the right one. However, after that happens, remember, "If it is not broke then do not fix it!"

6. Determine the proper frequency of massages
Always consult with your doctor, if you intend to receive regular massages. As previously mentioned: one massage a month is good, while two per month is even better! If massages are part of some sort of rehabilitation, then once a week would be advisable.

How many massages per month are ideal? It depends. However, massages undoubtedly benefit our bodies, minds, and emotions. Take some time to determine the "magic number" of massages that you need on a regular basis. At the end of the day, THAT figure is the right number for you!

The Value of Art in Adolescent Special Education

Art forms such as painting or music are powerful developmental tools, improving brain function and memory skills. Creative expression and appreciation are invaluable parts of any educational program but is especially beneficial as part of adolescent special education.

Art As Education

A number of studies have demonstrated that schools with strong art programs have higher academic performance records than schools with less or no emphasis on art classes. There are several theories as to why this is true.

Learning was once considered a logical, left-brain activity. However recent thought is that learning also involves the creative right half of our brains. As students participate in artistic endeavors, they strengthen the neural connections in the right brain. They are more open to new ideas, learn faster, and retain memories better. Art also helps thinking and problem solving, helping students to understand and relate to new subjects more easily. Finally, art engages students more than many traditional teaching methods.

These facts do not just apply to adolescent special education. Typical students in general education environments benefit from art as well.

Art As Communication

Many students in adolescent special education, particularly those with neurological disorders, have difficulty communicating through traditional means. Some of these kids don't relate to the world in the same way as traditional students and are unable to grasp the concept of spoken language despite having normal hearing. Some of these students are able to communicate through music. They easily understand song lyrics even as they struggle to understand normal speech.

Other students can use art as a non-traditional communication medium. They can better express themselves through visual imagery than they can through the limits of traditional language. After all, art is at its core a form of communication and exposing these students to media outside written and spoken language may reveal new possibilities for interaction with their peers.

Art As Therapy

It is common for parents and even other therapists to assume that the activities described above are art therapy. However simply listening to music or painting a picture is no more art therapy than walking down the street is physical therapy. Art therapy is a directed exercise that uses the art as both a motivator and a therapeutic tool.

Traditionally art therapy has been used in the psychiatric field to allow patients get in touch with inner feelings they may be unable to express through other means. Today it is growing in popularity as a development tool, helping students in childhood or adolescent special education programs grow in ways that they might not be able to through other therapeutic means.

Children who have been considered "unreachable" may suddenly blossom when exposed to painting, music, poetry or other forms of creativity. Art should always be included in an adolescent special education setting.

Why You Should Try Thai Massage

If you think going to a spa house for a Thai Massage will be just like any old massage therapy experience, think again. Here are several reasons you should give this form of massage a try:

- Body conscious? You don't have to take off your clothes to get a massage. Thai massage is different from the popular Western concept of massage in that the recipient of the massage remains fully clothed. Unlike in most massage types that have become prevalent in Western countries where you are asked to remove several or all of your clothes and are covered either with sheets or towels, in a Thai massage session you don't have to be unclothed. In fact, should there be a need to do so, you will merely be asked to change into loose-fitting clothing.

- No lotions and oils that stick to your body. It goes without saying that since you will not be asked to shed off your clothes, no aromatic and/or medicinal oils and/or lotions will be used in the course of the session - something that likewise sets this form of massage apart from other types. This is good news to those who only have a couple of hours to spare since their free time will be maximized, as well as to individuals who have highly sensitive skin and are wary of having any type of oil or lotion from coming in contact with their skin.

- You get to do yoga, too. In most places, Thai Massage is alternately called "Thai Yoga Massage", and with good reason. One of the six crucial points in this form of massage therapy - along with acupressure, meditation, exercise, healing, and reflexology - is yoga. If you are looking then to increase your flexibility while at the same time relieving yourself from stress caused by your busy schedule, you might want to consider getting this type of massage regularly.

- There are a lot of benefits to be had. The usual list of benefits one can enjoy in other forms of massage therapy naturally applies to Thai massage, too. This list includes the following:

o relaxation
o pain relief
o bodily tension relief
o invigorated nervous system
o improved blood circulation
o improved energy flow
o heightened awareness
o overall feeling of well-being

- It can give you so much more. Other than the above-mentioned advantages, should you decide to try out this form of massage, you are in for other, unique benefits. First, you get to increase your flexibility through the passive yogic positions that the practitioner will assist you into doing. Second, a genuine Thai massage session - that is, if it is facilitated by a knowledgeable practitioner who follows the procedure to the letter - can reward you with a sense of self-healing that can help alleviate not only physical but likewise emotional, mental, and spiritual strain. This is due to the fact that the primary purpose of Thai massage is to bring about harmony amongst the three aspects of an individual - mind, body, and spirit.

What Is A Realistic Massage Therapist Salary?

Whatever the salary is for a massage therapist, it's not enough. Seriously, you couldn't pay me enough to rub on somebody for extended periods of time... anybody. It's just not in me. And then there's the schooling involved before you can legally obtain a permit. It just seems more trouble than it's worth. Fortunately however, there are people out there that have plodded through the schooling, hands on training and are finally certified massage therapists. So what is the reward for their diligence?

Massage salary ranges in 2010

So what are the rewards? How much of the green stuff do you think a massage therapist takes home? A massage therapist earned a common standard amount of $39,780 per year or $19.13 hourly. But there are also average salary ranges from $7.00 hourly up to $35 per hour, determined by the disposition of the situation. The highest paid massage positions labor hand in hand with other industries, some of which are:

• Recreation industries ($20 per hour)
• Hospitals ($26 per hour)
• Physicians ($19 per hour),
• Other assorted health practices ($21 per hour)

The highest pay goes to therapists in hospitals ($26.49) and specialties which, sadly is the smallest division in the massage industry as well.

How is the job outlook for 2011-2012?

Massage therapy is a quickly growing and relatively new career option. Most people use it not as a main source of income but as a secondary income source. Approximately 57% were self-employed. Of that 57%, approximately 48% look upon themselves as part timers, while 19% had changeable schedules, modifying their schedules to fit the week to week needs of their clients.

What is the outlook for future massage therapists?

In the following decade, the amount of therapists is anticipated to raise about 19%-a lot quicker than the standard industry. The entire number of positions occupied by massage therapists in the year 2008 was stated to be approximately 122,400. And by 2018, that number is expected this to rise by 23,200 more positions. This is mostly because a larger number of people are discovering the importance of therapy. Counting part timers and students, an estimated 280,000 to 320,000 massage therapists are working or learning in the US. Somewhere around 16,000 of them are employed in a doctor's office or other healthcare source. In 2007, there were roughly 15,500 spas offering massage therapy in just the US alone.

How does the massage industry look for 2011?

Specific information regarding the full amount of massages aren't available as of yet, however as of 2004, a revenue of approximately $12,000,000,000 was reached by way of 140 million visits. In the year 2009, the massage therapy business more likely than not was responsible for $18,000,000,000 up to $22,000,000,000. From June 2008 to June of 2009, approximately 25% of grown Americans used a massage therapist at least one time. (That's about 50 million!)

Overall, massage therapy is quickly gaining popularity due to more consumers needing services offered by massage therapists. The biggest moneymaking careers in massage therapy are associated with other industries- particularly health services.

Benefits & Prospects of Traveling Physical Therapy Jobs

Students have been looking at the economic climate that they are entering and wondering what their chances are for a good job. After four years or maybe more of school, you may be facing anything upward seventy-five thousand dollars in debt from school loans without talking about needing a new car, your teeth fixed, new glasses and any other complaint that you put aside to pay for your schooling, a roof over your head, and something decent to eat. It is time to start searching for a traveling physical therapist job.

Prospects of Traveling Physical Therapy

So what are your prospects? If you have been looking at the job market, you may not have been too excited about the wages and benefits offered by full time employment. Getting paid only twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars per year or even fifty thousand is barely scraping by when supporting a family, a house, and an albatross around your neck called school loans. Traveling physical therapy has not been a standard option in the past for young grads to look at, but you might want to start considering traveling as your job.

Average wages for those who opt for physical therapy travel jobs are about forty-five dollars per hour and at forty hours per week, you are looking at eighteen hundred dollars a week after your relocation is paid for, your corporate housing is provided, full benefits, and even a 401k. So, depending on how many weeks you choose to work in the year, you are doing very nicely at an easy ninety thousand dollars. And there are many traveling physical therapy positions available.

A Traveling Physical Therapist Works, Plays, and Helps Saves Lives

When spring break is looking like a mythical past and taxes start looming, students would be advised to check into jobs for traveling physical therapy. Without your roots being sunk deep, with a thirst for the new, and a deep desire to see the world, traveling physical therapy is a fabulous opportunity to pay back your loans, set aside money for a rainy day, and vacation all while you are at work.

The companies that employ you are providing skill and expertise to institutions and service providers who are employee poor and need to provide the best service possible to their clients. That means that they need you and are happy to pay your worth. There are occasions that a traveling physical therapist can help in disaster stricken areas. The aftermath of hurricanes like Charlie, Katrina, Rita, and Ike, has rendered entire states powerless to help their people after losing many to the storms and yet thousands to heal.

It is easy to apply for a position as a traveling physical therapist. It is best to apply early because you have the opportunity to choose your assignments and when they start. Once you have graduated and are licensed, you can apply for assignments right away. If you are looking at traveling out of state, make sure that you leave enough time to gain the requirements necessary for the state licensing.