Relaxing Benefits of Acrosage Therapy

Acrosage therapy or also known as inversion therapy is a form of massage therapy that is combined with above-the-ground yoga that will surely make you feel good. This type of therapeutic massage aims on releasing pressure from the neck and spine. Pressure points are targeted and worked on during the elevated yoga session as a way of healing, removing stress, realigning shoulders, hips, and spine.

This unusual type of massage therapy focuses on working on the patient while being balanced and transitioned in various postures above the ground. Most of the time during the massage session, the patient is hanging balanced on the feet of the acrosage therapist. As the patient is held suspended upside down, the massage therapist then works on and conducts his massage techniques on the patient. The trust between the patients and their therapist is required in order to perform properly during the massage therapy session. Although it may seem quite scary being transitioned with your head, feet and arms hanging, there's no need for worries as acrosage sessions are done without injuries and accidents unless done by an untrained practitioner.

Benjamin Marantz was a circus acrobatics performer during the time of his discovery of this revitalizing technique. He was surprised on how wonderful and relaxing he felt as his acupressure points were worked on as he was inverted. This curiosity then led to his practice and soon development of acrosage technique. Marantz's first patients were his fellow performers in the circus he was working at during that time. As his skill in this new therapeutic massage technique was mastered, he started on treating in the public.

Marantz's idea is to give a soothing experience as the body of the patient is in many various acrobatic positions. During each positions, the practitioner works on realigning and decompressing the spine, correcting the position of the neck, shoulder and hips as well as massaging the back, arms, and feet of the patient. He believes that this form of therapeutic massage also allows the body of the patient to fully receive the benefits and effect of the massage as the head hangs freely while the neck and spine carries no pressure.

Extra oxygen is passed on to the brain and an improvement in the circulation is enjoyed after sessions of acrosage therapy. Blood circulation is also a benefit the patient can get while being suspended without having gushes of blood going to your brain unlike with some of the inverted therapies. The patient can also relax as he or she meditates while being held in a comfortable upside down posture that is ideal for improving the spirituality of the client. Good posture of the body is also acquired after series of acrosage sessions as the patient's spine is constantly checked and corrected in its ideal place.

A boost in the overall immune system is also another great benefit from the natural therapy which can be achieved with regular sessions. Although this technique has many wonderful effects to the human body, it should be done with utmost caution and care as it involves much risk when performed.

Massage Therapy Career Education Possibilities

The holistic healing practice of massage therapy can be used for medical and relaxation purposes. Students can learn how to treat overwork, stressed, and injured muscles by completing the appropriate educational training. Accredited colleges provide students with several educational opportunities.

Education trains students how to use several of the common techniques, or professionally referred to as modalities, to promote healthy and properly functioning muscles. Some popular techniques include:

• Shiatsu Massage


• Swedish Massage


• Deep Tissue Massage


• Aromatherapy Massage

Students are able to explore how to correctly administer these massage therapy techniques in a matter of six months to two years. The most common training opportunities are certificate programs. Learning covers how to successfully trigger pressure points and perform therapeutic massage. Students also have the opportunity to complete an associate's degree program. Education gives students business administration and massage therapy skills needed to establish self-employment if desired.

Certificate programs breakdown the different components of the profession. Students study both Eastern and Western style modalities while learning the structure of the human body. The holistic approach of massage therapy is studied to learn how to specifically target and treat pain. Physiology, anatomy, sports massage, trigger point therapy and more make up some main courses taken inside a program. Students are able transfer their knowledge into careers where they can work in spas, rehabilitation clinics, and health clubs.

Students that are interested in a specific massage therapy area can enter an advanced certificate program. Colleges offer certificate specializations to students that have already completed a basic program. Programs last three to six months and students can learn to work with pregnant women by studying pre-natal massage therapy. Another possible option is working with injured athletes by studying orthopedic massage therapy. Students study various holistic concepts such as energy healing inside programs at this level of training. Body mechanics, spa elements, massage therapeutics, and business ethics are some major areas of study.

Associates degree programs prepare students by teaching them how to apply a vast range of massage therapy techniques. Education lasts two years allowing more time for students to explore various techniques. Along with massage therapeutics and business principles students will complete general education courses to round out their learning experience. The curriculum may change depending on the college providing the program but students can expect to complete the same basic courses. Pathology of disease, medical terminology, and sports medicine are some core courses included into a program. Students step into the industry having a strong understanding of how the human body operates and extensive knowledge in several massage therapy techniques.

Education prepares students for certification exams that enable them to be licensed massage therapists. Forty-two states require licensure in order to be eligible to practice so students should check their states requirements for professionals.

Training is available from numerous colleges across the country. Students can choose their preferred educational route in regards to their career goals and become massage therapists in two years or less. Accredited schools and colleges offer the best quality training available. The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation ( http://www.comta.org/ ) can fully accredited programs that meet all criteria.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised on HolisticJunction.com.

Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by HolisticJunction.com.

Deep Tissue Massage Benefits

Massages help our bodies, but what exactly are the benefits of it? There are several.

Deep Tissue Massage focuses on releasing restrictions in the deeper layers of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is effective in releasing deeply held tension, relaxing and smoothing muscles, and removing toxins.

Some Massage Benefits are:

* Improves posture and mobility.
* Helps to reduce tension and the automatic reflexes to stress.
* Resolves many chronic pain patterns by releasing deeply held emotions that cause tension.
* Eliminates the blocks that cause muscle tightness.
* Increases circulation of blood, lymph, cerebro-spinal and interstitial fluids.
* Helps improve the functioning of the internal organs and any associated symptoms/diseases.

Deep tissue massages work effectively on the skeletal structure that lies deep within the human body. It can break down scar tissue and crystallization, release toxins, allow oxygen and blood to circulate properly, and loosen muscles.

Many people get massages to try and treat crippling diseases, muscle, ligament, and tissue injuries. When receiving a Deep Tissue Massage, if done properly, any pain you have felt should be gone within a day or two.

Although a massage can be very intense, it does not require great strength nor does it have to be painful.

To get the full benefits of a deep tissue massage you need to drink plenty of water and relax completely. It is possible that if you do not drink enough water, you could have a reaction to the chemicals in the oil the massage therapist used to relax your muscles and eliminate the pain.

The Benefits of Using a Massager

You can receive many benefits to getting a massage regularly. You also may be able to use massagers if you don't have the time or money to get a regular massage. Many people may think that massage is strictly for relaxation but that is not true. A massage has many health benefits even if you don't suffer from back or muscle pain.

Besides relaxing a massage can also increase your blood circulation, lower your blood pressure, help you to sleep, improve your concentration and make it possible for you to recover from an injury faster. It also helps you deal with stress and can get rid of fatigue. All of these are fantastic benefits and occur because massage not only works your muscles but also helps to realign your body's energy paths correctly.

Athletes tend to have a massage regularly because it can soften those muscles that you are frequently working, reducing cramping, reduce spasms, increase the flexibility in your joints, help you body to recover faster and prepare your muscles for those very strenuous workouts.

Massage has been used for many years for healing and is particularly good with chronic problems. Massage has been used to help with depression, back pain, anxiety, arthritis, digestive disorders, musculo-skeletal disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, headaches, sleep disorders, whiplash, stress, pain, tendonitis and sports injuries.

Massage is generally used to improve your range of motion and flexibility. There are special techniques used for different types of massage. There has been a lot of scientific research into the benefits of massage and it is a great alternative therapy.

You do want to be careful and only use a professional massage therapist as while it is very rare sometimes there can be problems due to massage. If you have a bleeding disorder, weakened bones, fever, deep vein thrombosis, taking blood thinning drugs, tumor, damaged nerves, open wound or inflammation then it is recommended that you do not have a massage.

Physical Therapy Can Significantly Alleviate Chronic Back Pains

Physical therapy has assisted many people in finding amazing relief to their neck and back problems, after having spent a lot of time and resources trying out most of recommended medical solutions without success. Physical therapy presents not only an extremely efficient way of alleviating chronic back pains, but can also assists patients who need go through rehabilitation therapy after undergoing multiple restorative surgeries.

For the most part, back ailments can be categorized into two types: those that arise from unanticipated external injuries to the back tissues, and those that materialize from within the body, which are often what trigger chronic back pain. These disorders often attack the central nervous system by stimulating it to undertake detrimental actions, which should they persist can turn into permanent neural complications even if the original cause of the ailment disappears.

Normally, this culminates in intense and prolonged back pains that if not checked can appear in other parts of the body. The most probable cause of these chronic pain disorders is usually damage to the body of muscles, and tissues that surrounds the spine. Take for instance, the intervertebral discs which are exceptionally resilient tissues that play the role of the back's buffer against all external attacks. Despite their hardiness, intervertebral discs sometimes cannot accomplish this task if the back is exposed to grievous trauma or through gradual back tissue and muscle attrition.

Additionally, the tendons and sinews that link these back muscles play a proactive role in maintaining the perfect back and spinal stability. However, sometimes the fibers that connect these tendons, and sinews get stuck together and will usually tear off, which results in chronic back ailments.

The primary goal of physical therapy is usually to alleviate the intense discomfort most chronic back pain patient's experience, and ultimately to restore their mobility.

There are two physical therapy approaches to pain alleviation which normally precede each other, passive and active physical therapy. The former comprises of procedures such as application of electrical stimulus, heat or even ice application. This type of physical therapy is formulated to strengthen the patient before commencing the more vigorous active physical rehabilitation.

A competent physical therapist will after the initial assessment of the patient, develop and establish an infallible exercise schedule, which should significantly alleviate back pain. This can include aerobics, muscle strengthening or stretching training. A significant portion of these sessions should be dedicated to stretching exercises which are guaranteed to develop the back's lumbar stabilization, and have excellent results in chronic back pain alleviation. Other low impact aerobic exercises like cycling, swimming or plain old walking can also significantly alleviate chronic back pains.

Erector Spinae Muscles - A Massage Therapist's Review

What are the Erector Spinae? Commonly known as the erectors, the Erector Spinae is a muscle group of the back that consists of the Iliocostalis, the Longissimus and the Spinalis.

Anatomy

Origins: Spinous processes of T9-T12.

Insertions: Spinous processes of T1 and T2 thoracic vertebrae and the cervical vertebrae.

Actions: Allow bending forward at the waist by resisting the force of gravity, and to straighten up by contracting. Used in maintaining good posture.

Antagonist: Abdominal muscles

Symptoms

Spasm or tightening of these muscles, since they insert on the ribs, may cause a stabbing pain and make taking a deep breath painful.

Self-Care

Stretching: Lower Back Stretch

While lying on the floor on your back, bring your knees up to your chest, hugging them with your arms and pulling them closer. Hold.

Get down on all fours, round your back like a cat.

Strengthening: Back Extension

Using an exercise ball, lie on it on your stomach, toes on the floor. Lift your head and chest off the ball, then slowly return to the starting position.

Massage Techniques

Warm up using Effleurage, massaging the entire length of the muscle, from neck to lumbar spine.

If you're inclined to using your thumbs, then Stripping, thumb on thumb is effective.

For a deeper effect, use the forearms, with the elbow pointing toward the spine starting at the lumbar gliding up to the neck.

The above methods have all addressed the erectors in a linear way, moving parallel with the muscle fibers. Moving perpendicular to the muscle fibers as well is recommended. While standing at one side of the table, reach over the spine to the erector that is furthest away and use Cross Fiber Friction (finger tips on finger tips), moving skin and fascia only in a rocking manner, beginning at lumbar and ending at neck.

The same kind of thing can be done using palm on hand, again beginning at lumbar and ending at neck.

A Thai massage pose, the Assisted Plough provides a good stretch: the client is on his back, legs are lifted up to 90%, then the angle is decreased by the practitioner who pushes the ankles toward the client's head.

Another Thai massage pose, the Assisted Forward Bend: the client is seated with legs straight in front. Practitioner sits on heels facing client, with client's feet resting on knees. Client and practitioner grasp wrists while practitioner pulls client forward.

Massage Therapy - Stress Management For Students

Below are some tips on how to cope and facilitate in an effective stress management method.

Effects of Stress in a Student

Stress is a natural response of the body when demand is placed upon you, which is often the case at school as students had to undergo tests and other stressful academic situations. This has been proven by studies and the more stress a student undergoes, the bigger its impact to one's physical and emotional health condition. Being a student entails a lot of things and it is not solely about the academic commitments expected of an individual. There are also social pressures involved with being a student that further adds pressure to the situation.

Students are therefore encouraged to take proactive stress management approaches to ensuring that you can maintain overall wellness. It is not just all about eliminating stress in your life, but also helps to improve your academic performance as a student. There are several recommended stress management techniques that a student can use but massage therapy is often on top of that list.

Why Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is known as one of the most effective stress busters there is. But what is it about massaging that make it a very effective method to relieve stress? It starts off by relieving tension off of your body. As soon as you can release physical tension, you can consequently experience relief in the mind. Massage therapy is therefore useful for students due to its ability to provide physical and mental relief for a comprehensive approach in fighting stress.

Costs of Massage Therapy

When thinking off stress management techniques that students can use, the cost is an important factor to consider. If you are going to hire a professional masseur to perform your massage therapy, it is important to know how much it will cost and if it will fit into your budget. This very concern has resulted in a number of wellness and massage therapy programs available for students who wanted to enjoy relief from stress. You can also schedule your massage therapy sessions such that you can maximize its results without costing you a lot.

Different Types of Massages

According to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, there are several massage techniques that one can use as part of stress management regimen. The three most popular techniques are as follows:

• Swedish massage - This technique involves the use of long strokes and kneading to provide maximum relief from muscle tension and stress.

• Deep-tissue massage - This is another reliable massage technique that can effectively deliver stress reduction and relaxation results.

• Trigger point massage - This massage technique that works in "knots" to eliminate tension that has build up in your body.

You are therefore free to choose your own stress management massage technique to relieve tension and develop wellness.

Knots In Your Back - How Massage Therapy Gets Rid Of Muscle Spasms In Your Upper Back

My client said the pain in her back was bad. She had been to a chiropractor three times and it didn't help. She called hoping I could help.

I am a huge fan of natural therapies and massage is an absolutely awesome natural therapy! It can definitely help get rid of the causes of muscular pain but it does depend on the therapist's training. The therapist must understand how to get rid of whatever is causing the pain.

When my client got on the massage table and placed her face in the face cradle I could actually see that one side of her back was enlarged. Usually you cannot see a spasm although you may be able to feel it but this one was a whopper.

There was a lot of tenderness under the swelling. The tight muscles felt like banjo strings. They were very painful.

I started assessing her back and neck with my hands. I asked my client to let me know what areas hurt. I decided to "surround the dragon."

The dragon is the pain. You surround it by releasing the tissues outside of the area first.

My client told me she had tried a new twisting motion during a certain activity that she enjoys. The muscles on either side of your waist are the twisting-tilting muscles so I checked them.

On the same side as her upper back spasm, those waist muscles were tight and tender so I released them with finger pressure.

You see, everything on your body is attached. Tight muscles somewhere else can pull on another area and cause pain or spasm.

I treated the muscles on both sides of her spine, the upper shoulders and the muscles on the opposite side of her pain under the arm pit. I worked on the knotty area (the spasm) and I wrapped up with the muscles on the upper chest, front of her arm and breastbone.

I showed her some simple movements to strengthen the muscles of her back and how to improve her posture.

She felt much better an hour after she arrived.

If someone just blasts away on your muscle knot there is a really good chance that it won't help at all. The poor muscle may just get even more inflamed.

But by surrounding the dragon and getting rid of the most likely causes of your discomfort you have a good chance of taming that "dragon."

Benefits of Massage Therapy and How it Helps Common Ailments and Reduces Pain

Massage is deeply relaxing for the recipient and has become increasingly popular over recent years as a way to unwind, relax and treat oneself to a bit of 'me' time. Many people even opt for a massage every week and find that they benefit from it immensely.

Having a regular massage can have many benefits, not only to your body functions but also to your overall well-being. Massage, when properly administered, helps the body and mind tremendously. Here are just some of the physical benefits of massage therapy.

1. Improves blood circulation in the body - Massage eases and loosens our tense muscles, flushes more toxins from our system, which improves blood circulation and enables oxygen enriched blood to every cell in the body.

2. Repairs damaged tissues - Massage decreases the inflammation, promotes speedy recovery from any injuries and alleviates the pain caused by damaged parts, by improving our circulation, and is a great complementary therapy for anyone experiencing agonizing conditions.

3. Alleviates muscular aches and pains - The healing art of massage treats fatigue and stiffness in the muscular system. It induces good muscle tone which reduces cramp and breaks down any scar tissue you may have from an old injury. The muscles, ligaments and tendons are manipulated and stretched to keep them flexible, pliable and stronger and in good repair. Acupressure is a technique for relaxing and soothing sore muscles.

4. Reduces and can eliminate the pain. - Massage provides healing properties if you're ailing. If you suffer from an internal injury, such as pain or inflammation, a massage can dramatically even eliminate the pain. Why do you think professional athletes have so many massages? Since a massage goes to the core of the problem, you immediately begin to feel better.

5. Aids digestion and strengthens our immune system - Massage assists in detoxifying our body and improving our immune system by eliminating waste matter from our colon and improving our digestion

6. Helps disorders of the skeletal system -You will benefit immensely if you suffer from arthritis and the pain caused by stiff joints will decrease considerably

7. Improves the Lymphatic System - Massage helps to eliminate waste products and toxins from your body and reduce any swelling from an injury.

8.Improves breathing - Massage breaks down any mucus or bronchial secretions and eliminates them from the lungs which then improves the workings of your Respiratory System

9. Improves your skin. Within hours of a massage your skin becomes clearer and your complexion has a healthy glow as the blood circulation improves around the body.

The beneficial effects of massage and its power to heal have been known for centuries. However it is only fairly recently, through scientific studies, that we are beginning to understand the positive effects massage can have on our health. Massage is a generic term that covers a range of different strokes. Some are very specific and designed to treat a particular range of problems. Sports massage is one of these. Although not restricted purely to sports injury, it can be used to treat many physical, soft tissue conditions. Other styles work on a more holistic basis and work to treat the whole person, bringing balance to the body, mind and spirit to encourage a general sense of heightened well-being.

To sum up, massage therapy on a regular basis, helps with common ailments, reduces pain, makes you feel less tired and gives you a general sense of heightened well being. It increases your awareness and respect for your own body, thus giving you significant health benefits. There is very little that I know of that makes you feel better than a good massage!

Massage Techniques To Aid Digestion

For the past few weeks I've been talking about massage therapy marketing and advertising but I haven't really talked about massage techniques. A friend gave me a suggestion to write this topic and I thought it was a great idea.

Have you ever had a client in your massage business who comes to you for massage to help their digestion and not known what to do about it? Its common knowledge that massage therapy is helpful for getting energy flow to the abdominal region to alleviate pain and discomfort, but is that all there is? IS there something beyond Swedish massage techniques that can help our clients?

When I was studying massage for the first time I learnt a number of really good points on the body to help with massage techniques to aid digestion. And I wanted to share a few of them with you.

I found a really great massage technique to aid digestion that was a combination of acupressure and Swedish. I found that when I worked on the abdomen to relieve digestion pain and discomfort first and then worked on other acupressure points to stimulate the energy to the area. The great thing about this massage technique was that you could gently apply pressure to the digestion/stomach points whilst creating a great sense of relaxation and calm for the client. You could work the acupressure points in with your Swedish effleurage techniques. Gently at first then ask the client if its okay to hold the pressure for a bit until that point has no more pain. When the client has no more pain on this point you would have helped to clear the energy blockage of that pressure point. As a consequence, you will have helped the condition and give the bodies' response to that condition a head start on healing and well being.

If you look on an acupressure chart you will find several points relating to the digestion and stomach. Let's take for example the legs. There is a acupressure point that you can apply pressure to. If your client doesn't mind having his or her legs massage you can simply apply some firm pressure in the form of 'digipressure' or firm Swedish massage "stomach 36". You'll find this point four finger-widths below the kneecap outside the shinbone. You can create this effective technique on both legs. This point is commonly referred to as 'Zusanli' is Stomach 36. It's is one of the most frequently used of all acupuncture points.

You can also use Reflexology points as a massage technique to aid digestion. What I mean by this is that you can offer to do a relaxing foot massage at the end of the treatment as a nice way to finish off, and gently work with your thumbs into the reflexology points to stimulate the energy flow to the digestion.

Finding helpful massage techniques to aid digestion for your clients will give you great credibility with your clients. It's always a great thing to do for them if you can incorporate other modalities into your massage business. You'll be able to help clients in the massage treatment session and they will appreciate your keen willingness to provide good service for them.

Keep up that great work!

Amy Roberts

http://www.MassageTherapySuccess.com

Picture courtesy of http://bhojraj.tripod.com

To see the picture go to http://massagesuccess.wordpress.com/

The Practice of a Cold Stone Massage Therapist

If you are working as a massage therapist, you most probably know about cold massage therapy already. Now, have you ever wondered how it can help you in your profession as a therapist? Contrary to what you believe, this type of massage can actually help your health spa as well as your massage practice in terms of giving your clients better treatment. As a cold stone massage therapist, you have to put the following thoughts into consideration:

• It is known that basalt stone is the type of stone that most massage therapist use in the stone massage practice. We have to take into account though that even if these stones are exceptional when it comes to maintaining heat and works magnificently when talking about hot stone massage, marble stones have the tendency to be a better tool for clients when it comes to this therapy. Once you invest in getting marble massage stone for your health spa and massage therapy business, both you and your clients will benefit from it since these stones have the ability to retain coldness the same way as basalt stone retains heat.

• The fact that these stones have the ability to become a powerful decongestant is another way for cold stone massage to help you in your practice. Its ability to diffuse any kind of swelling in the circulatory system is a great advantage for both you and your clients. For example, if you have a client who is suffering from a painful swelling because of a sports injury, you can practice and aid him or her through cold stone massage therapy and both of you will again benefit from this simple tool.

• If you also have clients who basically just want a rejuvenation massage, they can benefit from this massage treatment. What you can do as a therapist is to position these stones on the dark circles that have formed under your client's eyes. This will relieve the current tiredness and puffiness of the eyes. It can also be placed on your client's sinus area to relieve any kind of sinus pressure. Always remember though that you have to use a protective cloth under the cold stone if there is a need to place it on your client's face.

Through this massage treatment; you will be able to put forward additional helpful treatments for your customers as a certified cold stone massage therapist. If you are thinking about adding extra spa treatments or massage therapy treatments in your list, then you should always consider and think about the benefits of cold stone massage. As what was mentioned before, in purchasing cold stones for your cold stone massage therapy, buy the marble stone sets because these types are more effective when it comes to retaining coldness compared to the more popular basalt stones. You can go ahead and pay for a marble cold stone massage set so that your clients will be allowed to get the maximum benefit from their therapy treatments.

Top 5 Things to Ask about a Massage Therapy School

In the course of examining all of the differences when it comes to massage schools, I have generated five useful questions to ask yourself when comparing the multitude of Massage schools out there. Like any career change, certain details have got to be considered before you change your life. A standard city will have at least 5 or more massage schools in the area. Research has shown that one therapeutic massage school can be quite different from the next. Consequently, your first great choice should be which school to attend. I hope, the questions below will help you decide.

Question number 1: How am I going to pay for it? When you compare the cost of becoming a licensed massage therapist verses the cost of a bachelors degree, you would save approximately $60,000. Even so, most of us do not have $5,000 - $9,000 lying around to invest in an education. Therefore, financial aid is important to reckon. Keep the following in mind: Ask yourself how long it will take you to pay back a loan, based upon what you believe you will be making. Most loans offer a low interest rate which will make it easier for you to pay it back over time.

Question number 2: How can school hours operate with the rest of my obligations? Just about all massage therapy schools are aware that the educatees who are attending their program have other commitments as well. Virtually all students have to hold down jobs while attending massage therapy school, while others have children at home. If you are one of the many people with obligations outside of the classroom, don't despair. Many schools offer programs designed to cater to the working adult. Check to make sure that the school you like offers a variety of schedules to meet your needs.

Question number 3: How much will it cost? Therapeutic massage school tuition can range anywhere from $6.00 to $17.00 per hr of teaching! The average typically falls in the area of $9.00 or $10.00 per credit hour. Some schools include the cost of supplies. Add up what is included verses what you are asked to acquire before you commit.

Question number 4: What is the timeframe that it will it take from beginning to end? Therapeutic massage schools have a wide variety when it comes how much time must be invested to graduate. Massage schools can vary anywhere from 6 - 15 months, or longer. Keeping that data in mind, you need to ask yourself 2 significant questions in regards to the amount of time you place in your training. Remember, if you are sped through a program you have a better chance of missing out on something. On the other side of the coin, you must also reckon how much money you might lose if you have to spend 6 months to a year longer in school, when you could be getting your income rolling.

Question number 5: Where is the location of the massage school? Isn't technology wonderful? Today, many degrees can be earned by taking on-line courses. From the comfort of your living room you can do everything but get handed your diploma. Unfortunately, due to the nature of massage therapy, progress hasn't quite caught up. Therefore, you will most likely have to earn your credits the old fashioned way, driving the car or taking the bus to school.

Again let me compliment you on your career choice. Massage school can be one of the smartest life-changing options you may make. I hope that these tips will prove timely for you as you start your walk into a wonderful profession.

ACL Physical Therapy - ACL Tear Remedies

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear is one of the most common, if not the most common, type of injury suffered by athletes in different sports. A damage incurred in the ACL might end the career of an athlete or might not let them get back to playing at their full potential. This type of injury is common to athletes as these ligaments are found in the knee and a lot of sports involve movements that put stress on the knee. Undergoing ACL physical therapy is the most effective way to help the ACL recuperate from a tear. There are many ways to do ACL physical therapy depending on the preference of a physical therapist.

If the ACL tear that is suffered by an athlete or any individual is considered severe, the most likely procedure to be done is surgery. ACL reconstruction surgery is the most common procedure done to help the fix the ACL. After surgery, it is most likely that the surgeon will recommend undergoing ACL physical therapy to help the knees restore its strength and normal movement. Especially for professional athletes, they are immediately provided with a personal therapist to help the knee recover as soon as possible.

Doing exercise routines are the usual start of ACL physical therapy after surgery. It is highly recommended that the exercise routines start slow and gradually increases over time. These exercises are most likely to be done at least thrice per week to ensure that the recovery process will progress. Physical therapists will provide a program that will serve as a guide for patients. Different types of exercises on different occasions to help in the recovery of different areas of the knee and to practice different movements. Since the movement of the knees would surely be restricted after an injury, these exercise routines will help the knee slowly get back its normal feel and function.

While on the recovery phase, patients are commonly advised to use a certain type of support in the knee. Knee braces are worn by patients as the knees are still not able to tolerate certain movements and they are not stable yet. After doing the initial exercises for a weeks or months, depending on the program, patients will undergo more intense workouts to further hasten the recovery until the knee gets back to normal.

After the ACL physical therapy program is accomplished, patients may still be feeling some pain or discomfort in the knee and it is just normal. For athletes, they are most likely not to play longer minutes in their first few games after recovering from an ACL injury. Even if this type of injury is severe, a patient could still fully recover as long as they are dedicated in performing exercise routines during the rehabilitation process and as long as they have good surgeons and physical therapists.

Physical Therapist Salary: Rewarding Efforts

Physical therapy has been characterized as expensive, time consuming and involving. Word on the street coupled with lack of desire to ascertain whether this is true has led to misinformation and misleading reports on both physical therapy and therapist salaries.

The physical therapist salary is a bone of contention for many. For a fact, these salaries are considered above average and ultimately brilliant career choices. While being regarded as hefty, there is reasonable attachment for this.

Taking into consideration the recovery time needed to recuperate or to get used to their situations, physical therapist salaries are worthwhile. This is not the only reason, in case one is already up in arms. Most of the time spent by physical therapists in aiding a patient is done on his feet, coupled with the fact that he or she needs to be caring supportive and patient, something that will ultimately lead to emotional attachment to the patient.

Energy and self will are also exercised. Physical therapists have to adapt to a patient's daily routine, their nature, character, moods and ultimately gain their trust. The recovery of the patient is the primal need of the physical therapist hence he or she tries everything possible for the sake of the patient. It is a no wonder that physical therapist salaries are considered above average.

Apart from the generous salary that comes with physical therapist practice, there exists enticing benefits are medical, dental, insurance, optical and even vacation packages. Speaking truthfully, this is a terrific bargain anywhere in the world.

Physical therapy pay is affected by the location of the practitioner. Different states have different rates and thus, ultimately influence migration of experts to regions that favor them career wise. Moreover, various employers compensate differently. Since physical therapists are free to work anywhere considering they make their own schedule, they are paid in dynamics.

Working for private hospitals or running their own business can lead to being paid hourly at their own discretion but the government or non-governmental organization also have their own rates? The aspect of experience affects the levels and degree of payments between PTs and their assistants. A wide range of gathered information and advice from ascertained and experienced physical therapists will be of immense help to patients, their families and the general public.

Money is far not everything one gets working as a PT. The thing is this job is really difficult, as the task of a real professional is to help people gain their overall health, especially mobility (after head injuries, accidents, fractures, cerebral palsy, lower back pain, arthritis and heart diseases). This is why many people refuse from this career and try to find themselves in other fields.

Pharmacy Schools - The Short List

From pharmacy technician programs to popular nursing school and legal assistant programs, universities nationwide are gearing up to accommodate the current demand for various health care and legal related programs. As for aspiring pharmacists, there's plenty of quality pharmacy schools they can choose from when it comes to pursuing their education.

I've briefly outlined a few of the more popular Pharmacy Schools below. Some provide only traditional campus training, others provide only online training while others provide both.

University of Phoenix Online

For those who actually prefer a pharmacy program that is convenient and designed around their schedule you may want to check out the University of Phoenix. The University of Phoenix online caters to students like you who don't have the time to attend a traditional pharmacy school.

The University of Phoenix online pharmacy school has the largest number of accredited online pharmacy degree programs when compared to other online pharmacy schools. The University of Phoenix was founded in 1976 and was one of the very first accredited universities to offer online college education with corresponding complete degree programs through the convenience of the internet. Many of their students are finishing their course work in as little as 2 to 3 years. The University of Phoenix online, is not just a pharmacy school, it actually offers a number of other health care related programs like healthcare management (masters and bachelor's), health information and nursing.

Bryman College

Located throughout California is Bryman College, a pharmacy school which also offers various certificate programs in the following health care fields: Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assisting as well as Medical Billing & Coding.

Capella Online University

Like the University of Phoenix online pharmacy school, Capella Online University is also an accredited online pharmacy school which is specifically designed to provide high quality education for busy people who don't have the time to attend classes at regular pharmacy schools but who want to pursue a career in health care at their own pace and schedule.

This pharmacy school is actually built on a community of determined and highly motivated adult learners as well as reputable faculty members. The staff is geared towards helping you become successful with your chosen health care career. Capella University online programs include healthcare management for bachelor's, masters and PhDs.

Florida Metropolitan University

While the Florida Metropolitan University has locations throughout the state of Florida and offers programs in various in-demand health care professions. However, it's not just a pharmacy school but a well-rounded university that is geared towards being up-to-date with what the job market is currently looking for in job candidates.

From the fields of business, criminal justice, computers, health care, legal and management, design and marketing, Florida Metropolitan University also boasts of offering in-demand health care programs like: EKG Technician, Healthcare Management, Laboratory Technician, Administration (in the medical office), Medical Assistant, Massage Therapy, Phlebotomy, Medical Transcription, Pharmacy Technician/Assistant as well as Surgical Technician.

Lincoln Technical Institute

The Lincoln Technical Institute prides itself on providing their students with hands-on training to improve their acquired skills in the Health Care and Medical profession but also in Automotive, Drafting, Computers and Information Technology and Electronics. Their pharmacy school offers a Pharmacy Assistant/Technician program.

DeVry University

DeVry takes great lengths in providing their students with highly career-oriented undergraduate as well as post graduate degree programs in various fields like business and management and technology. They also provide a highly flexible learning environment to assist students earn their degrees a little faster than other universities. If you're diligent and hard-working you're sure to earn your degree in as early as three years. The university also offers students healthcare programs in various health care professions.

Georgia Medical Institute

The Georgia Medical Institute provides students with a more personalized learning atmosphere and environment. Their courses and programs are specifically designed to support their students in their professional development... especially in the health care fields.

Georgia Medical Institute doesn't just have a great pharmacy school offering Pharmacy Technology but they also offer other health care related courses such as Medical Administration, Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, Surgical Technology, Respiratory Care, Massage Therapy and Medical Assisting. In addition to offering traditional program schedules they also offer many programs in versions which will allow the motivated student to finish their studies at a much quicker pace, if they choose to do so.

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Finding the Best Physical Therapy EMR Software for You

When it comes to choosing an EMR software company, it's important to look for qualities that best support the services offered by the PT clinics. Evaluating items such as the specialty, retention ratio, solvency and how they execute product testing can help PT's find the best physical therapy EMR software. Here are a few factors to research and consider when searching for a product that is right for your PT clinic.

Specialty

When looking for an EMR company, be sure to determine if they have a specialty. Companies that specialize in a specific field such as physical therapy, neurology, chiropractic, etc. have a higher level of knowledge and expertise built into the program, whereas EMR software programs that try to do everything may be lacking in some areas. For example, PT clinics would want to find EMR software that includes tools for better documentation for physical therapists, specifically.

Growth & Retention

Not only is it important to find out how long the company has been in business, but also determining the growth rate is important. Yes, a company that has been around for many years will have more experience, but a lack of growth could be cause for concern. They could have either hit a stalemate or even experienced a decline.

Analyzing the company's retention ratio can also be illuminating. This measures the number of users that stay with the system, compared to those who leave. Try asking questions like how many customers they currently have and how many have left. A retention ratio over 90 percent is good, and a ratio over 95 percent could be an indicator that the company has a bright future.

Solvency

A company that is solvent will spend more money on advertising and marketing as they are trying to grow. Things to look for include a well developed and working web page, a consistent and updated blog, and industry periodicals that look clean, neat and professional. Even judging the overall branding can help determine the best physical therapy EMR software company; it could be a sign of staying power.

Product Testing

Find out how the company is testing their products. Beta testing is a great way to find out from real consumers if the EMR software provides good documentation for physical therapists. Beta testing allows customers to test the product and provide relevant feedback, allowing the company to make improvements. It's good to find out how long the Beta period was for the company; a long testing period could signify major technical issues with the programming.

Overall Opinion

Finally, try to get a good grasp on the overall opinion of the EMR software company. Find out what consumers are saying about the product. Check out user message boards and research any articles in which they've been mentioned.

Benefits of Asian Massage Therapy

Asian massage therapy can be traced many centuries ago. Some of these methods are just branches of some of the formerly developed ancient types of massage therapy. Most of these alternative and complementary medicines were developed in the ancient times as the mere source of medical care of both the rich and the poor people. Modern day massage therapies are still used by some people in rural areas as the only form of medical care, especially the poor people of the countries.

The only difference of Asian massage therapies is the method of focusing on certain work area that are called key points, meridian points, and energy lines. The body of a human being is believed to carry energies all over the different areas of the body. In this case, a blockage in one of the pathways where these energies flow will result to something disastrous to the body. This is when the body succumbs to the many different types of sickness including stress, anxiety and many other physical and mental problems. Asian massage therapy aims and focuses consistently on key areas that need treatment in order to attain the best results.

Asian massage therapy targets the meridian points or key areas of the body in order to:

Release muscular and mental tension - The massage therapist will always focus on the key points of the different area of the body in order to calm down the muscle as well as the mind through the central nervous system. Stimulating the central nervous system greatly helps in relaxing the mind while relieving mental stress.

Improve the respiration and blood flow - this is beneficial in improving the healing ability of the body as oxygen and blood are basically what keeps the motors of the body running. An improvement on the respiratory system of the body and good blood circulation also improves the immunity, removes any difficulty in breathing, and many more.

Relieves Pain - most patients suffer from body pain that is why they resort to massage therapies in order for them to relieve the body pain naturally. Instead of taking medication such as pain killers, many individuals choose to have a massage therapy instead as it is known as an effective method in removing pain in the body. The key points on the body act as controllers of the whole body that is why when manipulated properly and correctly, the body will respond in a positive way. This positive response is beneficial to the body as it will trigger the self healing ability of the body, removing body pain, releasing stress, calming the body, and many more great benefits.

Relieves anxiety and depression - both anxiety and depression are emotional problems due to many factors that are affecting a person's life. Stress is probably the most common problem that results to anxiety and depression if not taken care of immediately. Massage therapy helps a person recover from both of these by addressing the problem through the pressure points by acupressure, massage strokes, yoga and many other techniques used for the benefit of the patient.

5 Simple Steps to Create Your Own Hot Stone Kit For Massages

Are you a do-it-yourself-er? Do you use home remedies to battle insects in your house or treat the common cold? Would you rather try to fix your car or appliance, instead of hiring someone else to do it? We choose to sometimes do tasks ourselves, for a variety of reasons. It could be a hobby. Perhaps we need to budget our resources more carefully. And other times, we are simply curious about how something works, or want to prove to our spouse that we are useful. The range of do-it-yourself (DIY) tasks we can do at home is virtually endless. Should hot stones for massages be included on the list?

The school of life

Today, do-it-yourself-ers perform tasks that range from plumbing to painting, and from audio systems to aircraft. But where did this trend originate from? Since the 1960s, the DIY movement has evolved significantly. Towards the end of the 1960s, society began to realize that many important "life skills" were not being learned in schools. In other words, schools were teaching abstract concepts, but few applications existed in the "real world."

Bookmarks then and now

The first do-it-yourself projects were basic, focusing on the restoration of older homes. However, as time passed, informational "tools" such as journals, books, and classes; and concrete "tools" such as garden tools, carpenter's tools, and mason's tools, became the means for completing do-it-yourself projects. As the decades passed, magazines, television, and the Internet were added to the means of DIY instruction. In particular, DIY enthusiasts began to focus on personally improving their homes.

From the river to the heater

Today, as a do-it-yourself-er, you can create or fix nearly anything in your home, including hot stones for massages, with the right materials and tools. Well, you cannot make new stones, but you can prepare stones for the function of massage stones. Here is how:

1. Rock River. Go to a rock quarry, to collect river rocks. Some rock quarries and landscape companies actually sell river rocks to the public.

2. Size matters. All of the rocks that you select should be flat and relatively smooth in texture. You will need to select three sizes of rocks: small, medium and large. Choose eight small rocks whose sizes range from approximately the size of a quarter, to roughly the size of an egg. Next, you will need seven pairs of medium-sized rocks that are easy for you to grip in your hand. Finally, choose two huge oval stones. They should be roughly eight inches in length and six inches in width.

3. The heat is on. You will also require a heater for the stones. You can purchase a massage stone heater on the market. To use a more do-it-yourself approach, a slow cooker with a capacity of at least 6-quarts (to heat all of the stones simultaneously); or a huge tabletop skillet that includes a lid and sides of at least three inches tall, would be ideal.

4. Accessorize, accessorize. Accessories that you will need for the hot stone massage include:

o food thermometer

o massage rocks

o strainer

o tea towels (2)

o tongs

5. Get ready to rock and roll. Prepare the hot stone heater, slow cooker or skillet. Then clean the rocks and stack them in whichever warmer you use. Next, fill up the warmer until the rocks are completely under water. Lastly, position your hot stone kit and accessories on a solid surface, nearby an electrical outlet.

In our Information Age, do-it-yourself projects have become easier than ever. With the right equipment, some diligent studying and an innovative spirit, what we make or fix can include almost anything-including massage stones. However, keep in mind that these homemade stones can never replace the original and best smooth-as-silk hot stones!

Vulvodynia Sufferers - Seek Massage Therapy to Help Ease Pain

Vulvodynia is a complicated condition that affects so many women that there is no consensus as to how many actually suffer from this type of chronic pain. Vulvodynia is a pain syndrome that involves the vulva, labia, and entrance to the vagina. The pain associated with this condition is described as burning, stabbing, achy, itching, throbbing or irritated. The syndrome can present generalized or localized pain and can be triggered by pressure or can occur at rest.

Experts believe that some risk factors may contribute to the development of vulvodynia. One consideration is an injury to the nerves that supply sensation to the vulva. Another cause may be an abnormal response of various cells in the vulva to environmental factors such as infection or trauma. Other considerations might include genetic factors associated with susceptibility to chronic vestibular inflammation or a localized hypersensitivity to yeast (Candida). Lastly, researchers have speculated that spasms of the muscles that support the pelvis might be correlated to vulvodynia. Though it is undetermined what triggers individual cases of vulvodynia, the pain is pervasive and massage can help to manage some discomfort associated with this chronic condition.

Women who suffer from vulvodynia oftentimes have associated hip, sacroiliac, coccyx or low back pain. Many women also experience tightness in their adductors, hamstrings, and gluteal muscle groups that are in constant state of contraction due to the body favoring the pain of the pelvic floor. The attachments of these muscles can become tight and inflexible, adding further pain in the pelvic region. The excess muscle tension occurring in the hamstrings, adductors, gluteals, and lower back becomes a pain cycle and can worsen the physical symptoms of vulvodynia, leading to decreased quality of life. Some women have reported disengaging from activities that they once enjoyed because the pain of their condition prohibited movement or interest.

Muscle relaxation training and massage therapy is an important and overlooked treatment method for addressing vulvovdynia. The physiological effects of massage have shown to provide relief for women suffering from vulvodynia. Massage helps to relax and soften injured and overused muscles by causing vasodilation in the skin and muscles that have become used to stimulating and stressful responses of the sympathetic nervous system. Deeper tissue massage causes the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. If pain is diminished, the body is under less stress and the parasympathetic nervous system is more likely to be activated, which helps to support homeostasis. Thus, since massage relaxes the client and reduces sympathetic activity, pain is likely to be less intrusive and disruptive to the individual.

The Benefits of Sports Massage

In ancient Greece, physicians used the art of rubbing and kneading to help prepare athletes for Olympic events. When modern Swedish Massage was invented in the early 1880s, it was frequently used to help fencers deal with the aches and pains common to professional athletics. Two hundred years later, sports massage is still an excellent way for people to prepare their muscles for strenuous workouts or as therapy to speed recovery from pulls, strains or other sports-related injuries.

What is Sports Massage?

Sports Massage is a specialized form of traditional Swedish Massage using pressure along with long, rhythmic strokes to relax muscles. Oils and/or lotions are usually used to reduce friction. With this massage, the therapist will usually concentrate on a specific area, specific to your activity, and may employ massage therapy trigger point techniques to help break up adhesions (knots) in muscles, thus improving range and flexibility.

Four Types of Sports Massage

There are four basic types Sports Massage:

• Pre-Event - This type of massage is done to stretch and stimulate muscles prior to a competition. Sessions usually last 30 to 45 minutes.


• Post-Event - Usually performed shortly after a competition, this type of massage is used to relax stressed muscles and restore tissue balance.


• Restorative - Done during training, this is used to allow athletes to train harder while avoiding injury.


• Rehabilitative - Used to accelerate healing and reduce pain from strains, pulls and other muscular injuries.

Not Just for Athletes

Whether you are a weekend warrior, a professional athlete or live an active lifestyle, Sports Massage may be right for you. Anyone whose muscles are under regular stress or who is suffering from muscular stiffness, soreness or limited range-of-motion can benefit from this proven type of therapy. Check with your local day spa or health club to ask if this massage is available in your area.

Benefits of Regular Massage

One of the most common forms of physical therapy in recent times has been massage. Massage has many benefits which have led to many variations of therapy to be commonplace. In this article, you are going to learn of the benefits that have been associated with this age-old practice.

One of the main ailments that massage therapy has been recommended for is the relief of stress. When you are stressed, your body builds up a lot of toxins. Mental stress can lead to physical tension, which reduces blood flow to those specific regions of the body. Consequently, this produces various reactions that bring about the reduction of the body defense mechanism and causing you to be more susceptible to disease.

Through the procedure of kneading the body muscles in massage, you provide a mechanical flow of blood to these areas. The fresh blood takes nutrients and oxygen to the various tissues and forces out the toxins that have built up in the muscle tissue. This leads to you feeling revitalized and stress free.

Another common use of massage is for the alleviation of pain in people with soft tissue injuries. If you were to closely observe what you do when you get a knock on a part of your body, you will immediately start rubbing the part affected immediately. By doing this, you are in fact massaging the area to avoid a swelling. When you are knocked, the body releases a lot of tissue fluid to the affected area and this causes an inflammation to the area. Through massage, the tissue fluid that causes the inflammation is drained. This will consequently ease the pain that is associated with such a knock and hence the healing time is drastically reduced. This is mainly practiced in sports where such incidences are common.

Massage can also be used for aching muscles and general well being especially if you have a busy schedule and lack the time to exercise regularly. Massage has been shown to cause an increase of blood and lymph circulation, causing you to feel invigorated and rejuvenated after the procedure. All these are as a result of the movement of lymph fluid which is responsible for the removal of waste products in the body.

With these benefits outlined, it is of importance that you should always aim to go for regular massage so as to experience the beauty and benefits that come with this age-old practice. This will lead you to feeling physically strong with a lot of life-force energy.

Why Physical Fitness Class Is Better Than Club/Membership Involvement for Students

As a future physical educator, I've learned the very importance of physical education while studying for my degree, but even more so with the involvement with my students. The truth of the matter is physical education class is vital to any student's success in the future. In the early grades we go over key motor skill and development tasks. As we progress through the grades, we target other more in depth skills, such as strategy and cooperative games, that incorporate these fundamental motor skills. This directly can be associated with our National Association of Sport and Physical Education standards, but more importantly teach students how to participate in a variety of skills. Other than these tasks, we also are able to associate physical fitness with fun and positive experiences, by offering our students a chance to expand in their imagination and creativity. These are also vital skills that teach students to come up with their own ideas and to adapt to different environments, as they will need to do these tasks on a daily basis. The physical education class is the only place that can allow such a dramatic and dynamic learning atmosphere.

The main reason clubs and other various programs do not and will not ever be able to fulfill the skills learned in our physical education class is because they are all based of specificity training. Specificity training is when clubs, memberships, etc. train children and adolescence to be particular good at one skill. For example, swimming memberships specifically would train students to only be proficient in in-water activities. However, it is common knowledge that a majority of physical fitness happens outside the water rather than in it. While I find the program to be of great value for those who want to go on to swim competitively, it does not teach the motor skills needed to even participate in swimming.

Let's say you were a student who joined the swim team in your area because your physical education class was terminated at the beginning of the year. Now that your program is cut, you need to attend swim practice after school three times a week for one hour. This means that homework along with dinner will have to wait or be rescheduled for a different time. You are also swimming around 20-50 laps during practice and learning the max of the four strokes available to swimmers. Now imagine that your physical education class was not terminated and is scheduled twice a week during your school day. After a given subject classes you go the gymnasium to find out this week and next you will be touching on your basketball skills with an instant activity and a scooter basketball tournament. The following two weeks your will be playing racket ball with again an instant activity, as well as, a mini round robin tournament. This example shows how there are multiple of other factors that go into students needing to attend an outside activity rather than a physical education class; for example, after school time taken away from valuable homework time and the fact that being involved in only one activity stiffens a student's skills and imagination. Also, it is imperative that as physical educator's we place emphasis on not only team sports, but also individual sports. Even back yard games such as Can Jam and Horse Shoes are games played at family and community events. If we do not teach these basic games to our students who will? Put yourself in our student's shoes with this example and examine which is truly better for accomplishing both these goals. The answer is physical education.

It is our duty as a physical education program to teach these skills to our students and associate them with positive memories. This will in turn allow students to be excited about physical fitness and be much more successful in the helping them continue to participate in physical fitness throughout their life. This is goal of not just the physical education class but expands throughout our community. As fitness is one of the essentials of life, it is one that is necessary to promote in our communities in a way that has value and success. The physical education classroom is our answer.

Corporate Massage At Work

There are a variety of types of massage and they also take place in different kinds of settings. Some of the types of this therapy include Swedish, Thai, hot stone, deep tissue, and corporate massage. The Swedish technique involves a lot of rubbing of the skin's surface. The pressure is normally light to medium as it focuses on the superficial layers of the skin. Often times the therapist uses creams or oils to lubricate the skin to ensure that the masseuse's fingers can more easily glide over the skin's surface.

The Thai type is typically associated with a lot putting a lot of pressure onto the client through the use of chopping and patting motions. Sometimes the therapist actually walks on the back, arms and legs of the participants. Thai massages are recommended for people who like deep pressure because to other folks they can even be perceived as painful. The hot stone technique is a relaxing way to sooth the tension of the muscles and melt away the pain through the use of heat therapy. After the stones are placed into a warmer, the masseuse places them on tense parts of the body. He or she checks with the client to make sure that the temperature of the stones is comfortable. After the rocks are taken away, the therapist may perform another type of relaxation therapy. Another type is deep tissue. This features a higher amount of pressure put onto the muscles. It is used to aide in the process of getting rid of knots and overly tense or tightened muscles. Because all people have different preferences, some may consider this treatment to be too rough for their liking. In this case the light pressured Swedish may be a better option.

A corporate massage is a little bit different from the others. The participants remain fully clothed and lay face down on a special chair. This differs from the other forms that involve removing clothing to one's level of comfort and lying on a table while covered with a sheet. These services take place in the middle of a busy workday. A corporate massage can last anywhere between five minutes and thirty minutes. They usually are no longer than this considering they are meant to squeeze into a busy work schedule. These therapies are paid for by the employer rather than the employee and are often part of an employee wellness plan. Stress reduction techniques like corporate massage are an important part of ensuring employee happiness and well-being. Partaking in a corporate wellness therapy is likely to give workers a way to cope with the everyday tension of the job. That tension can start to cause negative physiological and psychological effects if it is not kept in check. Treatments such as these are one way it can be managed. Sometimes employers also provide these services as a reward, staff appreciation day, or a holiday event to give the workers a special treat. While each person has different preferences when it comes to massages, most people admit to enjoying them in one form or another.

Making Excuses: How Much Do You Rationalize?

I remember when I took my first yoga class a few years back. I always wanted to try yoga but came up with every excuse not to attend a class. Finally, a good friend of mine offered a gentle yoga class. I like the word "gentle", since it didn't imply difficult or any head stands. You see, my main excuse was I wasn't flexible anymore. Well, wouldn't that be part of the point of taking a yoga class? Then it turned into a competition reason. "Well, everyone else will be more flexible than me." I had to laugh during my first class, since everyone thought the same thing- no one really could bend like a pretzel, except for the yoga teacher. I realized I had to just decide that I was going to take the class. Left to my own devices, I was going to talk myself out of it. I had to stop making excuses.

Rationalization is a coping mechanism that is designed to justify making a certain decision. It's also handy to talk yourself into or out of doing something. This coping technique is rather tricky. Our minds can be quick to judge a situation without thoroughly thinking through the entire situation.

Another common rationalization trap is putting off happiness. It's what I call the "I'll be happy when" game. I worked for large health care businesses for most of my occupational therapy career. A common mind game I played was putting off my happiness by daydreaming about a different life. The problem was I did not take actions toward living my dreams. I was miserable and it was my choice to live that way. I loved working with my patients dearly but in reality, my values were differed from my employer's values. It bothered me to the point where I couldn't sleep at night. The crazy part was that I could choose to be happy at any time. I knew in my heart that I wanted to have my own private massage practice. I fantasized what it would be like to be self-employed. "I'll be happy when I can go to massage school", which led to "I'll be happy when I graduate from massage school so I can have my own business." And the list continued.

The point was that I had everything in my grasp to be happy right at any moment, even when I was miserable. I didn't need to wait on a certain circumstance or situation. And I certainly didn't need my mind to play tricks on me. I needed to make a decision.

When you make your next decision, big or small, be aware of the slick talker called rationalization. You determine your choices and above all, your happiness.

Massage Therapy - Miraculous Demand & Fantastic Supply

''I don't fear death because I don't fear anything I don't understand. When I start to think about it, I order a massage and it goes away.'' Hedy Lamarr

Massage has been well known to cure the disease of exhaustion and fatigue. Long regarded a recreational indulgence, the world is now waking up to the therapeutic potential of massage in the treatment of many an ailment. In wake of this phenomenon, the number of hospitals offering massage therapy in the US increased by 30 percent in just the two years from 2004 to 20061. Blending into mainstream healthcare, this dramatic shift has spurred the industry to shape up professionally and demand more from professional massage therapy. In light of this trend, massage therapy education and professional certification have become especially relevant and that very well may be the reason why we have seen well established massage therapy colleges across the USA come into the limelight.

Did you know! - There are over 300 accredited massage schools and programs in the United States!1 Exactly what is it about massage therapy that has become increasingly attractive in these last few decades? To answer that question, both sides of the equation; i.e. supply and demand; need to be explored in overview.

Demand Side

''Massage is the only form of physical pleasure to which nature forgot to attach consequences.'' Robert Brault

From the surgical point of view, the use of massage as a treatment is widely becoming a hot alternative for medical establishments in light of its distinct feature of being less invasive than most other procedures. Its efficacy of treatment is tremendous for treatment of arthritis, muscle injury, erectile dysfunction and other organ related maladies. Doctors and patients/consumers both would prefer the idea of a less risk-more result procedure.

Interesting Fact: - More than half of massage therapists (69 percent) receive referrals from healthcare professionals.1

Furthermore, massage has few if any side effects and keeps the harms of toxins at bay (by discouraging drug/medicinal dependency). Interesting Fact: - Over 1.6 million Americans use alternative medicine for insomnia or trouble sleeping according to scientists at NCCAM!1

''The human body has been designed to resist an infinite number of changes and attacks brought about by its environment. The secret of good health lies in successful adjustment to changing stresses on the body.'' Harry J. Johnson

Social dynamics in the fast lane require people to be constantly prepared and on edge; all the more vulnerable to stress! Such is the requirement and the eventual reason behind the downward trend of performance. A massage a week does wonders at keeping the body and mind running smoothly and ever ready to keep up with increasing physical and mental challenges.

Interesting Fact: - In July 2008, 45 percent of women and 21 percent of men reported having a massage in the past five years!1

The Supply Side

As if the aforementioned demand factors were not enough to warrant a healthy boost in the supply side of the equation, there may yet be more reasons behind the flourishing number of budding health professionals enrolling themselves in massage therapy schools.

Interesting Fact: - It is estimated that there are 265,000 to 300,000 massage therapists and massage school students in the United States.

''All we have to do is preserve our personality, to live our own life, be captain of our own ship, and all will be well.'' Dr. Edward Bach

The working dynamics are most attractive for massage therapists in the sense that the timings and environment are virtually at the behest of their own wishes! Interesting Fact: - More than 75 percent of massage therapists are self employed; having the ability to choose their clients, make their own schedule and work as many or as few hours as they want!1 Working conditions are most comfortable in this industry. It gives the massage therapist the luxury of having a secondary line of work with a less demanding timetable!

Interesting Fact: - The average massage therapist works not more than 19 hours a week!1 Massage therapists who excel in their field become hot picks for sports clubs and training facilities that are always looking to provide safe and quick therapeutic treatment to their athletes in training. Consequently, massage therapists have the opportunity to work with some of the best athletes in the world for the simple reason that these athletes make regular use of massage therapy for preparation and rehabilitation!

Conclusion

In summation, it is now quite apparent why these last few decades have seen a miraculous increase in demand and a fantastic response from the supply side in the massage therapy industry!

References:

American Massage Therapy Association. AMTA Industry Survey www [dot] amtamassage [dot] org/news/MTIndustryFactSheet.html Martin Ashley. Who hires hire massage therapist school graduates? www [dot] naturalhealers [dot] com/qa/massagecareers.html National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork www [dot] ncbtmb [dot] org/consumers_massage_facts.php Elizabeth Quinn. Does therapeutic sports massage improve performance or recovery? sportsmedicine [dot] about [dot] com/od/injuryprevention/a/Sports_Massage.htm Tim Gorman. Massage Therapies for Arthritis Have Been Proven To Be Effective In Providing Arthritis Pain Relief ezinearticles [dot] com/?Massage-Therapies-for-Arthritis-Have-Been-Proven-To-Be-Effective-In-Providing-Arthritis-Pain-Relief&id=437411

What Are the Benefits of Integrative Manual Therapy?

Nowadays, we enjoy many different types of therapeutic massages that it sometimes becomes a hassle to pick out which one will suit our needs. There are massage therapies designed to treat a variety of conditions and there are also those that are created for a specific disorder. The best thing to do when choosing the right one for you is to know your medical needs and compare all the massage therapies that fit into that category of medical attention you are after. Afterwards, you can narrow down to your top pick of massage therapy.

Among the many therapies using massage is the integrative manual therapy or IMT. This form of bodywork is included in the many types of somatic therapies. When we say somatic therapy, it means that the focus of healing is not only in the physical condition of the client but also on the spiritual and mental state. This type of therapy includes a variety of combined techniques from different massage therapies. Due to its gentle massage style and techniques, it is allowed to fill in the needs for a therapeutic massage in infants and seniors.

The benefits of integrative manual therapy to the client when taken seriously and in regular sessions are:

• Correction of imbalances in the body - the overall massage technique is capable of correcting any imbalances in the client's body. Due to the constant battering of stress and fatigue in our daily lives, our body succumbs to these conditions which will eventually result to body imbalances that causes various ailments and disorders.

• Triggers the body's self healing abilities - any massage when done correctly can trigger the body's healing and regenerative ability. IMT is designed for this purpose to aid the therapist in his or her goal of improving the recovery of the human body.

• Relieves back pain and neck pain - the combined massage techniques are effective in relieving these types of body pain including chronic body pain.

• Relieves headaches - the gentle massage technique is perfect in treating headaches with every stroke of the hands of the therapist.

• Treats menstrual cramps - IMT is good in relieving pain during menstrual periods due to its effectiveness as a therapy.

• Relieves stiffness in joints - the massage strokes and techniques are ideal for the purpose of releasing tension in the joints of the body.

If you are after these great results, it would be wise to choose a therapist who is certified and skilled in performing an integrative manual therapy. This would heighten the chance of a successful and effective massage therapy session. Although the therapy is known as a safe therapy considering the fact that it can be used for infants and seniors, getting a professional therapist is always the best thing to do to avoid problems.

If you want to try this relaxing therapy, you can start by looking for good massage centers in your local area or through the internet. Always make sure that the therapist is certified and knowledgeable in what he or she is doing.

Head Injury and Ataxia

Question:

My 22-yearold son has severe head injuries from a car accident. He has damage to his brainstem and pinhead bleeding around the brain. He is now conscious and remembers all aspects of his life. He has paralysis of one vocal cord, which we are told will get better with speech therapy. There is weakness on his right side - his arm requires splints to straighten it - and he has developed ataxia (defect of gait). What can he do to help his recovery?

Answer:

From your description, your son has symptoms similar to those following a stroke, in that his body and parts of the brain on one side are affected. Over the past two decades, I have been using a powerful physical rehabilitation technique to help stroke patients.

There have been two successful clinical studies: the first was carried out at the Hammersmith Hospital in 1996 with 12 elderly stroke patients under the supervision of a consultant geriatrician. Last year, with funding from a patient and the cooperation of Peninsula Medical School based at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust, my brother and I set up a research project where we rehabilitated another group of 17 stroke patients.

First, I advise you work on the neck, as the vertebral arteries located inside the cervical spine irrigate the brainstem, which has centres that control vocal cords; the cerebellum, which controls gait and posture, as well as other areas that must be involved in such a complex case. He should first be on his back, with a pillow under his head. Massage both sides of the neck, using oil such as Back Massage Oil, or two tablespoon sweet almond oil with three drops essential lavender oil. Rub the muscles and tendons of the neck. Then he should turn over so you can massage the shoulders using both hands, squeezing then releasing the muscles. This will improve the blood circulation. Initially the muscles will be stiff and sore. As days go by, the muscles will ease and this massage will facilitate the better circulation of blood and cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain.

Next you must work on the right arm and hand. It seems that it has already developed extreme spasm of muscles due to the brain damage. Massaging the biceps on the outside upper arm and the flexor muscles running down the inside arm will help relieve tightness and lessen the chance of total loss of use of the right hand. Massage the entire back and focus on the buttock muscles on the right side, particularly the tender trigger point in the centre of the right cheek. This can help bone up muscles which participate in balance and posture.

Next, massage the right quadriceps( front of thighs) and right hamstrings( back of thighs).Then massage the right calf and shin muscles, using your thumbs and fingers to clasp them from both sides.

Special Marma points, which the martial arts practitioners of ancient India used to revive muscles paralysed in action. Stimulating them with your thumb can reactivate specific muscles involved in controlling gait, balance, co-ordination and posture.

Nutrition is important since there may be a tendency to gain weight your son should avoid sugar, oily or fatty foods, including pork, lamb and dairy products. H e should drink freshly juiced carrots, celery, apple and root ginger (preferably organic), and eat one banana daily. Carrots and bananas contain potassium, which is good for muscles. So, too, is lean protein (chicken breast, turkey, eggs, almonds soaked in water for 24 hours, lentils, tofu, cottage cheese).

The more tense and tired your son is the worse his muscle performance will be. Practise retention breathing: inhale for three seconds, hold for three to six, then exhale for six. Also practice brisk exhalation, forcing the air out of the lungs by sucking in the abdomen sharply, which raises the dome of the abdomen and helps energise the body. I strongly recommend seeing an experienced chiropractor or osteopath for two sessions to adjust the cervical vertebrae, which have probably been misaligned.

Acupuncture is also useful in some cases. When the muscles become active again, physiotherapists or therapeutic Iyengar yoga specialists can assist with exercises.

Elderly Massage - Benefits of Therapeutic Massage For Elderly People

Elderly massage offers numerous benefits to our senior citizens which can greatly help to improve their health and well being.  This article looks at what is elderly massage, why it is valuable to society, and the benefits of massage for elderly citizens.

What Is Elderly Massage?

Massage for elderly citizens is simply that, massage for the elderly, but it's application is certainly different to massage for the younger population and the massage therapist needs to be knowledgable of the physiological changes that occur in the ageing body.  Massage techniques are different, pressure applied is certainly different and there must be great sensitivity shown to the receivers feedback to ensure the massage is comfortable as well as effective.

A natural trend when we age is to become less active and this reduction in physical activity contributes to the reduction of the quality of life experienced by many of our senior citizens.  Many studies have shown that elderly massage therapy can be of significant benefit in managing the effects of aging such as arthritis and a host of other physical ailments. 

The NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) has promoted the use of elderly massage for years.  Although there is a general awareness of massage for elderly citizens, there is a poor understanding of its direct benefits. 

Why Is Elderly Massage Valuable To Us As A Society?

First there is the obvious; we have an ageing population and we should naturally seek effective modes of care for our elderly as they are our parents and grand parents, and we are all on a journey to where they are.

There are also more pragmatic motives as a society.  Health care expenditure is predominantyl made up of caring for our elderly, so any therapy that reduces the negative effects of ageing on our health is also beneficial to our society as a whole.  This is true in a financial sense, but also because society would benefit from having a healthier and thus happier and more productive older population.

Benefits of Elderly Massage

• According to the Touch Research Institute, elderly massage is very useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's patients. It has shown to facilitate relaxation and communication. 


• It can greatly assist in arthritic pain management.


• Massage for elderly citizens helps to increase their range of motion. 


• Also promotes natural joint lubrication, which is extremely important for arthritis sufferers. 


• Helps to increase strength and muscle coordination. 


• Boosts natural energy levels and mental awareness. 


• Can also greatly improve posture by reducing muscle tension. This has the added benefit of assisting seniors with a higher quality of rest, and helps them to sleep deeper and longer which can have a significant effect on their general health and well being. 


• Can also have a profound calming effect which in turn helps them to deal with medical interventions they may need to experience in dealing with various conditions.

Pain management in the elderly is predominantly treated through pharmaceutical methods, but thankfully, more people are becoming aware of the benefits of elderly massage therapy.

Massage for elderly citizens is a natural solution to many ailments associated with the ageing process, and has proven to be an effective complimentary therapy to assist and improve the efficacy of conventional treatments.  

Physical Therapy Schools

Find Physical Therapy Schools in the United States and Canada. Physical therapy schools administer course instruction to potential physical therapists. Physical therapy schools help students to meet physical therapy requirements and the ability to pass a licensure exam before physical therapists can begin to practice. Physical therapy schools offer accredited physical therapist educational programs that may include masters' degrees, and doctoral degrees.

Physical Therapy Schools incorporate course instruction of biology, chemistry and physics. Physical therapy schools further give instruction on biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, disease manifestations, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures. Physical therapy schools also utilize classroom, laboratory and clinical instruction.

When applying for enrollment in one of the many physical therapy schools, it is wise to have had previous school instruction courses on anatomy, biology, chemistry, social sciences, mathematics and physics. Like occupational therapy, physical therapy schools prefer students to have volunteered or worked in a medical facility.

Once successful graduates of physical therapy schools have obtained their license to practice (All states require physical therapists to pass a licensure exam.1), professional physical therapists can expect to attain gainful employment in the medical health care field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, practicing physical therapists, who have been effectively trained in one of several physical therapy schools can anticipate a lucrative earning range from $42k - $71k annually.

If you are interested in this particular field of study and to obtain information about physical therapy schools in your area, please see our vocational schools directory today at holisticjunction.com!

References:

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Physical Therapist Assistant Salary and Job Description

Physiotherapist Assistant or PTA jobs

Usually the assistant to physiotherapist is health care worker. Specific job entrusted to the assistant is to teach the clients the ways of effectively coping with the limitations in movements, functioning and activities. Naturally the assistant would perform such job under the overall supervision of a licensed physiotherapist. Multiple types of jobs are available and the salary structure also varies widely.

Job License

In most of the states it is necessary that the assistant also gets a license. Regulatory bodies in U.S and Canada categorize the assistants as support personnel.

Job Titles

Various titles are attached to the job. Accordingly the assistants are designated as the physiotherapist aide or assistants, and at times as physiotherapist attendant. In addition these assistants are also called as rehabilitation aide or assistants, restorative care aides or therapy assistant.

Job Specification

Physiotherapy focuses on physical functioning as well as abilities of the individuals and may not be confused with occupational therapy that aims at maximizing the daily activities in human beings. Duties may be diverse as they are often entrusted by the physiotherapist.

Job Chart

Job chart of the physiotherapist assistant includes -

Clinical care of patients;

Education and support for addressing physical and psychological self care;

Assisting program planning;

Ensuring submission of timely and accurate information about the patient;

Implementation of treatment plan under the supervision of the therapist;

Assisting in self mobility development in the patient;

Assisting the patient in his or her individual cognitive programs;

Conducting group activities or exercises; and

Maintenance of equipment inventories.

Salary Structures

Physical Therapist assistant salary on average ranges from $45,000 to $84,000 in United States and Canada according to a recent survey conducted in the beginning of the year 2010. Assistants with basic qualifications of diploma, and certificates, or associate degree combined with formal training may start at $45,000 per annum on average. In addition to the basic qualification they should have the first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificates as well.

Higher Ranks

With growth in experience and consequential expertise, and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, the job descriptions of the assistant will change. Consequentially he or she would draw higher salaries that could go up to maximum average of $84,000 per annum. Salaries will also vary depending on the company, location, industry, experience as well as benefits accrued.

5 Reasons Why Online College Is Better Than Traditional College

With the boom of online colleges there comes a debate: which is better traditional schools or online schools? While there will always be a need for traditional schools, I'm here to tell you that for some students, online colleges are the answer! Here are 5 reasons why online college can be beneficial for you!

1. Time

If you've ever attended a traditional college you know how hard it can be to manage your time. You have to juggle your classes, your job, and your family. With online classes you don't have to work around the schedule that the school sets you work around your own. Going to school doesn't have to totally change your lifestyle. You can now take classes in your free time, and go at your own pace without turning your life upside down.

2. Focus

There can be many distractions at school and at home but, at home you can just close the door. You just have to deal with it when you're at school. Some students find it easier to set up a quiet home office where they can study and focus.

3. Flexibility

Students that take online courses have more flexibility. Administrators, teachers, and counselors are more readily available to the student and are there to meet their needs. This can make taking classes easier with online resources. No longer will you have to make an appointment with a counselor, or work around your Professors office hours. With online schools you can email communicate with your teacher with just a click over the internet! How neat is that?

4. Access

Online Education allows students from across the country and the world get a quality education. Students in Arizona can take courses from Harvard or Yale. Students across the country that don't have access to a university now have the opportunity to get a quality education, from their homes! Online schools are breaking educational boundaries.

5. Cost

Last but not least! While the cost of tuition and books is about the same at traditional colleges and universities online colleges are becoming more competitive with their prices. Many fees that come along with traditional colleges are non-existent with online schools. No paying for parking, gas for commute, or a dorm room. School just isn't cheap and it never will be but with online schools you can check competitive prices and find an affordable school. You can also get financial aid to help you pay for tuition. Accredited online schools provide financial aid for their students and can help you along your way.

Getting a degree will make your life better. There's just no question about it. But how you go about getting your degree is completely up to you. Online schools provide the same amount of coursework, and you will receive the same quality education as if you went to a traditional college. For some students online courses are the answer! If you have to be in school to get your degree why not make your life easier by taking courses from an online school. You may just find that it works perfectly for you!

Health Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage is all a matter of touch. We are all sensual beings and as a result our bodies respond well to massage and human contact. When there is touch, more healing takes place.

These are some of known health benefits of Massage Therapy:

Improves blood circulation, thus allowing increased oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to treated areas including areas that have been injured or have experienced overexertion.

Helps to lower blood pressure.

Aids in detoxification by propelling toxic waste products through the lymphatic system.

Relieves stress and promote sense of well being.

Relaxes injured muscles, reducing cramps, and muscle spasms

Stimulates the release of the bodies' natural endorphins which may aid in pain control.

Provides increased exercise stretching for atrophied muscles.

In fact, increasing evidence show that massage therapy helps to bolster the immune system of a person. Some studies show of cellular changes in immune function following massage therapy, including the new research on healthy women that indicates increases in disease-fighting white blood cells and natural killer-cell activity.

Before a Massage Therapy session, you may wish to consult with the Massage Therapist as to your treatment goals. Different combinations of massage techniques may be used to attain these goals. For instance, if you have a sports injury, you may wish to have specific massage strokes targeted to reduce swelling and to improve blood flow in that area. Or the therapy session may just well be a general de-stressing and relaxing one.

If you agree that many of today's illnesses are due to stress-related issues, then Massage Therapy which helps in the reduction of stress, can really help in the process of building white blood cells. For a better immune system and reduced stress levels, try Massage Therapy today!