How To Become A Physical Therapist Assistant - 5 Easy Steps

The answer to how to become a physical therapist assistant is not as simple as many might think. This job is not only demanding but also very exigent. They work under the supervision of a professional PT practitioner and treat patients who are suffering from mobility issues due to illness, injury or any other chronic condition. They also train patients on how to perform certain exercises themselves, how to use medical devices such as wheelchairs and crutches. They perform various therapeutic techniques and procedures to help improve their patient's mobility and also monitor their developmental progress. Hence moving into this field of work involves professional education and state license.

How to become a physical therapist assistant can be laid down in five easy steps:

Step I

Look for a school / community college / online school offering physical therapist assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). If it's not accredited than you won't be allowed to sit for the state license exam and hence would not be allowed to practice legally in any medical setting.

Step II

You are required to complete the two year associate's degree program. The program has been structured in a way to provide students both academic coursework as well as laboratory and clinical experience. Students are taught courses such as anatomy, physiology, algebra, medical vocabulary etc. Clinical experience is the vital part of this program, where students get hands-on experience of working with a professional physical therapist in a clinic or a hospital or any other medical setting.

Step III

Once you have acquired the degree, you are required to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam or state administered exam to obtain license. Most states require license, however criteria and eligibility vary from state to state. You may also be required to regularly earn extra education credits to maintain their certificate.

Step IV

After having the license you may seek employment. As a beginner you may have better chances of getting hired in nursing units, orthopedic clinics or hospitals due to the increasing senior population.

Step V

You may also choose to specialize in their area of interest such as pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiovascular etc. After fulfilling certain eligibility criteria laid down by APTA, you can apply to acquire the Advanced Proficiency Certificate.

The above was the gist for how to become a physical therapist assistant. You should thoroughly research and gather all necessary information and state specific requirements to step into this rich and rewarding career.

Massage Schools Attract Nurses Wishing To Be More Active In Individual Care

It is becoming more common to see professional credentials that include the designations "RN, CMT." Apparently, many members of the nursing profession have taken the initiative to receive formal massage training and become certified as massage therapists. I spend a good deal of time participating in nursing forum discussions and I have noticed a marked increase in the number of discussions focused on massage therapy as an additional discipline for nurses.

So what would prompt a registered nurse, that is in such demand that he or she could nearly name their own salary, take on the additional challenge of attending massage school? An informal analysis of a variety of comments by nurses interested in massage reveals a good deal about both professions.

Nurses today face a variety of issues. Due to the chronic shortage of nurses, qualified RNs are aggressively recruited and well compensated. But the same shortage has resulted in working conditions that are quite demanding and very stressful. The ratio of patients to nurses keeps getting larger and the required overtime can be profitable but exhausting. As a result, many nurses experience burnout and leave the profession.

Other nurses express frustration with the inability to provide the level of care to seriously ill patients that they feel qualified to provide. Many doctors have little respect for the contribution of nurses and this dismissive attitude towards the primary caregiver in a hospital environment angers and demoralizes many nurses who know they are capable of providing a level of care the will significantly impact the health of individual patients.

While some nurses opt to become nurse practitioners to allow for more active involvement in patient care, others prefer a more hands-on approach. Elise Sorenson, formerly an R.N. at a busy Midwest medical center, is now operating her own massage therapy practice. "I loved being a nurse," says Elise as she prepares for a day of appointments with a growing list of clients. "But it got to the point where I was just treating patients, not people. There was no time to really get involved with individuals and feel like I was making a contribution."

Elise had been receiving massages from a qualified therapist on a regular basis for almost 2 years before she began giving serious thought to becoming a therapist herself. "I had always found massage to be very helpful with stress reduction but I also felt that it addressed both specific physical conditions and overall health. The more I investigated massage as a profession the more convinced I became that it was something I really wanted to do."

Elise received her certification after completing her training at an accredited massage school. "It was a slow go at first but I really believe that my experience as a nurse along with my massage training helped me provide a unique level of insight into both diagnosis and treatment. I have had more than one client mention that the 'R.N.' after my name gave them an increased level of confidence in my abilities."

While some nurses make a decision to leave the healthcare industry altogether, others are finding methods, like becoming a massage therapist, to make a more satisfying contribution to the health and well being of others.

Shorter is Better - Advantages to Shorter Massage Therapy School

Many debates have occurred on whether theoretical or practical massage therapy education is better. My preference is to get a good foundation but then go out and obtain some practical experience. You will learn much quicker about what works and what doesn't but also have enough theory and training to understand and properly execute the fundamentals.

Regulations by States, Counties, and Cities vary as to the amount of training required before being licensed. Our area, Sacramento County California, happens to require 125 hours at the present time and Healing Arts Institute offers a qualifying program to match that. There are other schools that offer 500 hour and even 1000 hour programs. At first glance it may appear that a longer program would be better, but there are several reasons why that may not be so.

One advantage to a shorter training is cost. Initial training is around $1375 for registration, tuition, and books on a 130 hour program. 500 hour programs typically start at $8000 or more. It is a large investment of time and money for entering a field that you may not be sure about pursuing. In a 126 hour training, the basics of massage are taught along with how to help people without causing harm. The real training happens when you begin work on paying clients. This is true whether your initial training is 126 hours or 1000 hours. There are some things that can only be learned in actual practice in the real world.

When you come back for more training you have the option of choosing which advanced classes you want to pursue. There are many different directions to go with massage therapy, and you will excel best pursuing your own area of interest. When you take advanced classes after working in the field you know what questions to ask so the training is more relevant to your needs. As you learn new techniques you think of clients you can use those techniques on. In this way your learning is much more complete than for someone who took 500 hours of classes before doing their first professional massage.

There are also tax advantages to taking a shorter training first. Most people cannot take a deduction on their income tax for the cost of their initial training in a new field. The exceptions would be for people working in related fields such as: a manicurist or cosmetologist who is taking this training so they can expand the services they offer to their existing clients, a chiropractic assistant who will be doing massage in the same clinic after graduating, or a nurse who is taking the training and receiving continuing education credits. If you take a shorter initial training and then start working in the field, you may be able to deduct the cost of any future classes as continuing education expenses. This can result in significant tax savings. Please note that I am not an accountant or tax advisor, and that tax laws change, so please check with an accountant or tax advisor before making any decisions based upon the tax advantages.

There are some states that require 500 hours of training to practice massage professionally. If you live or plan on working in one of those states you may wish to check with the state to see which schools would meet the requirement for that state. Also, not all states recognize training from schools in other states.

If you are in one of the following states you may wish to check with your state about licensing requirements:

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. In other states, like California, licensing occurs at the city or county level where the business resides. You can check with your city or county clerk about licensing requirements. A listing of massage laws in the states that license massage therapists can be found in the book "Massage, A Career at Your Fingertips" by Martin Ashley, or on his website at: http://www.CareerAtYourFingertips.com

Regardless of the local requirements I believe it is best to establish a foundation of massage therapy knowledge and then apply your knowledge to practical experience. This is the best way to learn and get started in my opinion. After some "working world" experience you can return and take classes on techniques that you want to specialize in. These classes will also make sense to your experience and will be easily integrated into your practice.

Treatment of Back and Spine Conditions With Massage Therapy

When individuals think about the treatment of their spine they think of a number of ways they can treat it. Commonly prescribe thinking under mainstream medicine is to medicate it. While medication can help reduce the pain level and help fight inflammation, it masks the pain by hiding it; thereby not resolving the underlying cause of the pain. Medications allow us to go on with our day to lives in our demanding schedules, but do nothing to correct the problem. The problem may be stemming from a number of things. Pain is a broad term and very subjective; as subjective as the person experiencing it. Acute pain (that arriving of a new injury or trauma or onset) is easier to determine the cause. By assessing what the individual did prior to the onset uncovers a lot of the mystery. But sometimes it's not that simple. Back pain affects some 8 out of 10 people statistically at some point in the lives according to the NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. It is the number one reason of disability of persons under the age of 45 as well as the second leading cause of doctors visits in American, second only to the common cold.

By taking an assessment of the history of the patient a better determination can be made. A proper diagnosis makes recovery easier to treat. Simple muscle strains and strain makes up for a lot of discomfort in individuals as well emotional, physical and physiological stress, poor nutrition, poor body mechanics, repetitive use dysfunction, spinal abnormalities, scar tissue formation from past unresolved traumas and or surgery and other abnormalities including underlying diseases can exhibit symptoms of back pain. So as simple as the diagnosis is of having back pain, it may have other dimensions that create a complexity of findings. Most health care providers as well as insurance companies policies require, which is a practical approach, is to start with the most cost effective and least evasive (non intrusive to the body) care in managing pain of a patient.

Massage therapy happens to be one of the conservative, more natural approaches of healing for back and spine pain. By addressing the connective tissues in relaxing the tissue, giving it normal length and range of motion, eliminating scar tissue and inflammation and increasing circulation you allow healing to take place naturally. The attachments of soft tissue correspond to underlying structures (bone and cartilage) of the body giving it the ability to be flexible. By lengthening the tissues and addressing these attachments (connections to the structure or skeletal system) you are able to affect the body and it s structures naturally by changing the formation of dysfunction. Muscles and the soft tissues sounding and making up the muscular system are malleable and conduct behavior by patterning itself to conditioned response from the nervous system. Trauma, disease, stress, lifestyle, surgery and other dysfunctions as noted prior can disturb, change and affect adversely this response creating a repatterning that when becoming chronic (long-standing) can assume as "normal" conditioning or patterning. By changing the repatterning of dysfunction through soft tissue manipulation the body find restoration and balance.

http://www.harmonymassagetherapy.com

Copyright 3/30/2012

Shiatsu Massage Therapy With Car Seat Massager

Massage and acupressure therapies date back to 2000 BC when these techniques were used to relieve body pain. However, with the emergence of medical science and technology, these therapies were neglected for a prolonged period of time. In today's society, most doctors are in favor of massage therapy and are recommending a combination of massage therapy with medication to combat illness.

Shiatsu massage originates from Japan. This type of massage uses the palm, fingers, and thumb to stimulate the acupuncture points on the body. This stimulation leads to the secretion of internal body chemicals that can relieve body ache and pains and helps the body to relax and gain energy.

Back pain is a major burden because it limits your daily activities. If driving a car becomes an extremely painful experience due to nagging back pain, there are car seat massagers available on the market that will help reduce or manage your back pain.

The Car Seat Massager simulates a Shiatsu massage, which means the massager provides rotating massage action and intermittent pressure on your back to relieve pain and fatigue on your back

Pain may be experienced in the upper and lower back due to heavy lifting, bad posture, or sudden strain. A Car Seat Massager has small rollers that can massage the whole back. The roller can help reduce pain in the lower back muscles and soft tissue between the cervical disks.

Many chairs also provide heat therapy which is very effective in pain reduction. Look for all these elements when you decide to buy a Car Seat Massager.

Physiotherapy Courses - Step Towards A Rewarding Career

Choosing a career line to earn living is the fundamental concern of all. There are numerous vocations but one has to judge his/her inclination for the right job that would bring peace and prosperity. Physiotherapy is one domain that is rewarding in terms of both peace of mind and financial security. Physiotherapy is associated with the power of healing. Patient's physical ailments and pains are alleviated and their muscle movement is maximized using manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and electro-physical modalities. To achieve professional level of precision one is required to go through comprehensive physiotherapy courses.

Physiotherapy courses are usually described as:

Degree Courses in Physiotherapy

3-4 years of degree courses is typically completed through a university or community college to be an entry level physiotherapist. Coursework includes both theoretical and clinical studies and experiences by getting involved in actual case studies in healthcare settings. Students study subjects like anatomy, physiology, physics, psychology and pathology. Going forward with the advanced studies masters and doctoral degrees are obtained.

Accredited Physiotherapy Programs

Degree holders with relevant subjects studied have the option of going for shortened courses that eventually registers them as licensed physiotherapists. Licensing is very important in this profession. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is tasked with ensuring that graduates are fit for the licensing exam. Once passed you are ready to start on as a physical therapist.

Part Time Physiotherapy Courses

Such courses are only offered to already employed physiotherapy assistants in healthcare settings. A number of institutes offer these types of courses.

Online Physiotherapy Courses

Again these courses are offered to degree holders (bachelor or master) in physical therapy and having a professional work experience in the field is a plus. A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is available online which is well crafted to impart advanced knowledge and clinical experience to already licensed and practicing physiotherapists.

Additionally, one can also choose to be a specialist in the field viz. geriatrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, neurological disordersand sports medicine are a few to name.

Completion of quality physiotherapy course and licensing welcomes promising career leads. A physiotherapist can either practice in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, offices, factories, fitness centers, sports facilities and even the homes of patients. They have the option of being a self employed professional or a hired physical therapist.

Boost in the career is bound to happen provided one is putting in hard work and perseverance. Even the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the rate of employment for this profession is expected to rise by 30 percent. So if you are the one who have inclination towards care giving and healthcare then physiotherapy as a profession can earn you good credits.

Hospitality School - What Does a Good Hospitality School Offers?

Hospitality schools teaches people for careers related to hospitals, spas, restaurants, motels etc. the courses, bachelors or masters programs offered over there enhance the skills on the people who have interest in pursuing career in this line. Moreover, they provide a strong background with the help of which the individual is able to get good and reputable jobs.???

The jobs which you can obtain by doing these courses are hotel management, marketing, administration, help desk, concierge, housekeeping or travel and tourism. These are some of the jobs which most people like to do because they include more of the physical work instead of mental. The jobs of managers at the hotels or restaurants are so tough that they often have to do night shifts or are called immediately in cases of emergency. Some people who are passionate and dedicated to these kinds of jobs enjoy working in this tough environment.

Many hospitality schools offer courses online or hand-to-hand, so the persons who cannot go out to attend these courses in the institutions can easily study from home. However, they will have to go to the institutions for giving examinations or any training. First you can apply for the bachelor's degree and afterwards to you can also apply for master's degree to upgrade your level in the above mentioned fields. After gaining experience you can also start your own similar business.

Good hospitality schools offer specializations in the perspective bachelor's degree and on the master's level they teach marketing management, operation management, investment and marketing management. The person who attains hospitality's degree has a lot of applications. He can easily get a job because no matter how bad the economic situation gets the fields related to this line will never be closed or even shortened.????

In the programs offered in reputable hospitality schools the main subjects which are taught are Humanities, Mathematics and English. The graduates from these schools have excellent communication and managerial skills. Now they are even taught how to become fast by using latest technologies, they are taught how to work efficiently on computers. Their main aim is to satisfy the customers and attract more. The chain of hotels keep on increasing even on international levels thus more and more jobs are created for the students excelling in these hospitality courses. So never think that if you are enrolled in these programs it would not be useful, you will be even able to teach these studies to someone else.

Lymphedema Massage Treatment

Any damage to the lymph vessels and pathways due to their removal or surgery causes a blockage in the flow of the lymph, resulting in an accumulation of the fluids. This pooling usually happens in the arms or legs and a swelling develops in the area. A lymphedema massage can be beneficial in this case as the process helps to stimulate the fluids to move in the right direction towards the blood stream. The body is thus able to function normally to process these fluids and dispose the excess along with the waste materials.

The term 'massage' as we know it aims to relax the muscles and loosen out the ligaments and tendons. A normal massage tends to increase the blood flow in the arteries with firm strokes and loosen the muscles. Manual lymph drainage is a kind of massage therapy that is used to treat lymphedema. Here the difference is that the massage is done with light strokes to gently stimulate the flow of lymph in the desired direction. Combining it with other types of therapy like compression bandaging, use of compression garments, exercise and skin care, it is a proven method of treatment for lymphedema.

Usually manual lymph drainage is performed by a trained therapist who has the knowledge of using lymphedema massage for treating the condition. If too much pressure is applied on the skin, it may lead to an increase in blood flow and water retention in the tissues. This would defeat the whole purpose of the exercise and instead cause more complications. Therefore, a lymphedema massage must be performed by an expert who is familiar with the contraindications as well.

If a trained massage therapist performs manual lymph drainage, it can be helpful to the patient. It is extremely important for the therapist to have experience in dealing with lymphedema patients, especially with the technique for directing the fluids towards the bloodstream. The patient can perform a self-massage to keep the swelling in check. However, any improvement in the condition or a decline should be noted. In case there is a negative impact, the patient must review his options and make the necessary changes.

A massage therapy by itself is very soothing and helps a person relax and deal better with the stress of surgery or an illness. A massage may assist in alleviating the swelling and the accompanying pain, thus enabling the body to heal quickly. The question many people have in mind is whether a massage can prevent lymphedema. Skilled therapists who have experience in dealing with lymphedema patients can make a difference. Lymphedema massage can be used as a preventive measure and as a treatment for controlling the condition. Apart from massage, high risk patients must be alert to early symptoms and begin treatment at the first opportunity.

Secrets to Passing the National Massage Exam (NCBTMB)

You gotta do it. In thirty-five of the fifty states, plus the District of Columbia, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Exam is used or recognized in statute or rule. Possessing NCBTMB credentials is one of the most effective ways to establish yourself as a serious and credible professional. Unfortunately, too many massage students and professionals experience some sort of anguish in anticipation of sitting for this exam. Will I pass? If I don't can I take it over? Should I take a prep course? How much of the asian modalities will it cover? Should I get hands-on experience before taking the exam? Questions upon questions are asked as fear causes many to procrastinate or decide to avoid the exam all together. This is foolishness. The NCBTMB exam is passable and actually relatively easily when you prepare for it correctly.

• 
  Start Early - The most important thing you can do is begin. If you are a massage therapy student start now. Don't wait until you graduate or until a potential employee tells you that the NCBTMB is a prerequisite for employment. Begin reviewing practice questions daily. This way you understand the format of the questions and you get comfortable with the process of elimination. This will also help you identify areas that you may need to play special attention to in class. If you are a practicing therapist in a state that has yet to make the exam a requirement it would be in your best interest to start studying for it. They don't call it the NATIONAL Exam for nothing. It's speculated that all states will eventually adopt the NCBTMB exam as a part of state statute. Why wait until the last minute?



• 
  Study Effectively- Take the time to understand the structure of the exam and the subject matters that it covers. You can visit NCBTMB's websites for details or contact the nearest massage school for more information. Knowing what to focus on will help you make effective use of you study time.



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  Find a Study Buddy - Why be a loner. Partnering up with a buddy will help keep you motivated. You can bounce ideas off of each other and help in clarifying complex topics. Connect with your instructors as most have already passed their exam. Ask them for advice and for study tips.



• 
  Set a Date - The best way to achieve a goal is to set a date of completion. Agreeing to take the exam in four to five months is not good enough. Set a specific date (i.e.Saturday June 26, 2010) and stick to it. Give your self benchmarks throughout your study program. For example, mastery of and anterior and posterior muscles of the legs by February 21, 2010.

In preparing for the NCBTMB exam it may seem like there's so much to know but if you start early and focus on each subject matter separately it won't seem so overwhelming. Use study questions from various review guides and websites to gauge your progress. There are several sites that offer practice exams. Many massage therapy schools offer review sessions for current students and graduates. Participate! Most importantly believe that you can do this. Set your mind to it. Start today and in no time you'll be among the thousands of distinguished massage therapists that boasts the NCBTMB credential.

Continuing Your Education With Physical Therapy

The healthcare industry sets stringent standards for education, training and licensing for all its professionals including physical therapists obviously because the health, welfare and, ultimately, lives of their patients rests largely in their hands. One of the most important training standards is continuing education, which every physical therapist is well-advised to undergo for several reasons.

Why Undergo Continuing Education

There are several reasons for physical therapists, of which the most important are:

• The requirements for renewal of licenses among physical therapists include credits in continuing education, as mandated by state law. For example, Florida law requires licensed physical therapists to undergo education in various areas like clinical education, clinical management and clinical science for a certain number of hours.

• The courses are designed to assist licensed physical therapists stay abreast of the latest developments in their field. New techniques, tools and treatment methods can be learned from these courses.

• The maintenance of memberships in professional organizations (i.e., the American Physical Therapy Association) requires proof of continuing education even among long-time practitioners.

It is not just the physical therapist that benefit from continuing education - patients become the recipients of better services from their physical therapists, too.

Types of Continuing Education

The most common venue for continuing education courses are physical therapy schools including colleges and universities for obvious reasons. These venues are also the most convenient since the courses are offered the whole year-round, which cannot be said of other types. Physical therapists nowadays can choose between brick-and-mortar schools and online sites although the latter must be approached with great care particularly in their accreditation status.

Other venues for education are audio conferences, industry seminars, and professional workshops conducted by the likes of the APTA. Just make sure that these venues are accredited under state law so that the number of hours can be counted as a valid requirement for renewal of licenses.

It should be noted that the education can be stated either in contact hours or in education units (CEU). Providers of continuing education courses state the number of CEU while state licensing boards state their renewal requirements in contact hours. The difference between the two can mean renewal and non-renewal of licenses.

For example, most states have a ratio of 10 contact hours equal to 1 CEU. Keep in mind that an hour in one contact hour is not necessarily a full 60 minutes but it should be at least 50 minutes in duration. Thus, 1 CEU equals 1 contact hour while a.2 CEU equals 2 contact hours and so on and so forth.

Since each state registration board has different licensing requirements, it is best to ask the board before enrolling in continuing education classes. You want to ensure that you are complying with minimum requirements while also enhancing your knowledge of the latest advancements in your field.

Benefits of A Hot Stone Massage

There are key points on the human body where a massage therapist can place smooth basalt or hardened lava stones to help the body relax and release tension or pain. These rocks have usually been smoothed by water and treated with heat before being placed on the body. They can bring great relief to rigid muscles plagued by continuous dull pain and help to reduce stress and anxiety. As a form of alternative medicine, hot stone treatments are becoming the effective holistic treatment of choice for many devotees to help the body function better.

Muscle Relaxation
The main benefit of using hot stones to relax muscles is that it enables a therapist to more easily perform deep tissue massage. This targets the connective tissue in the body and gets rid of chronic knots that tend to form in the shoulders and back.

Stones are placed on a patient's back, between the toes, or at places on the body that are thought to be energy centers. If the therapist uses massage oils, the heat from the smooth rocks is pushed over muscles to warm them and start the relaxation process. Then the therapist uses his hands to massage the back.

Finally, the heated stones are placed on the back again and left in place for a while. Sometimes, stones are also placed in the palms to relax muscles. If any muscles are inflamed or injured, a therapist may also alternate hot stones with cold stones.

Pain Relief
For many centuries, healers have used hot stones to relieve pain. Health experts believe the stones work well with managing pain because they help the recipient remain calm and and let go of stress. A low-stress state makes it easier to release pain. Additionally, the heat from the stones gives an intensity not present with other kinds of therapy like Swedish massage.

Improved Circulation
Heat also acts as a trigger for opening the blood vessels and improving circulation. A body with good circulation has blood vessels that carry more oxygen to the muscles, helping them to relax. Most people do not realized how constantly tense muscles are tied to chronic fatigue or that a tired body is usually one that has poor circulation. Deep massaging brings more vitality to tissues in the body and keeps blood flowing evenly.

Mental Benefits
Regular stress triggers a set of chemical reactions in the body. Under stress, the body releases two hormones: adrenaline and cortisol. The heartbeat races, blood pressure rises, breathing elevates and the entire body can tend to tense. When a hot stone massage places the body in a relaxed state, all of these chemical responses stop. The mind is in a calmer place. Other triggers a therapist may use enhance this calming effect are soothing music or calming soundscapes like softly chirping birds or running water.

The Best Physical Therapy Programs

Physical therapy programs are meant to help you restore your quality of life by minimizing physical functional limitations or disabilities that may be due to injuries. Typically, physical therapy is a treatment meant to enhance the quality of movement by relieving pain and restoring and improving your fitness levels. At the end of it, a successful therapy will make it easier for you to perform better in your daily tasks and activities. When it comes to choosing physical treatment programs, there are numerous options. There are a number of such programs that are specifically meant to benefit those with injuries and other movement difficulties. As such, there are others whose use helps eliminate or reduce mobility loss before it occurs.

Bearing in mind that the physical therapy field is one of the most rewarding fields, you stand to gain a lot by taking physical treatment programs. For aspiring physical therapists, here is a guideline of what will be expected for you to become successful in your physical therapy programs:

- First, it is important to understand that depending on your state, the programs may vary. However, basically, you will be expected to have passed in a number of education classes that may include physics, psychology, chemistry and biology.

- Then, once you are accepted to undertake a program, you may be required to take various courses related to therapy. These may include laboratory instructions, medical related courses and even gain some experience in clinical therapy.

- At the end of your physical treatment program, you will be expected to take an examination whose results will determine your licensure or otherwise. At this point, you can then be allowed to take specialization courses in neurology, sports medicine or even pediatrics.

It should be noted before you become a certified physical therapist, the least qualifications is a master's degree in the field. Again, depending on your state, you may be required to continue your education for you to retain your license. The cost of programs vary ranging anything from $7800 to over $26000 for a masters degree and anything from $13000 for doctorate programs. However, with the use of the internet it is possible to get physical therapy education online at lower prices. Some online schools can even cost as low as $9000 for a doctorate degree. With the existence of various financial aid agencies, you will have no reason whatsoever not to get your desired physical therapy programs.

Hand Massage Therapy - Better Health in the Palm of Your Hand

Some may consider the practice of hand massage therapy as a new way to improve circulation and encourage your body to self-heal. But hand massages have been used as far back as classic Chinese and ancient Egyptian times. Apart from our face, our hands are often the most noticed part of our body, which is why we care so much about how they look. You've probably met someone who looks very youthful in their face, while their hands reveal their true age.

The theory of hand massage - that every part of one's body can be mapped on a person's hand - came by way of a Korean doctor who specialized in acupuncture. The acupuncture method that he developed led to the discovery of today's traditional hand therapy.

During a massage, endorphins are released into the system to balance our body and reduce stress. So, while a hand massage feels wonderful, it's also working its healing magic to:

•Keeping joints mobile;
•Increasing circulation in your hands;
•Toning the muscles in your hands;
•Rejuvenating your skin;
•Helping to prevent conditions such as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury);
•Reducing stiffness and increasing flexibility.

Today's technology is proving to be a new source of pain and discomfort in our hands... texting on cell phones, extended video game play, typing on our computer keyboard... all are contributing to the popularity of hand therapy to combat the increased strain on our hands.

If you use your hands a lot during any given day - and most of us do in our workplace - you probably experience the tension and pain associated with your work. If you spend a majority of your day typing - for example - a hand rub can relieve the effects brought on by excessive use of a computer keyboard. In just 5 - 10 minutes, one can experience much-needed relief; this benefit only compounds the popularity of hand massage therapy among people of all ages.

If you're familiar with reflexology, you know that a hand rub can bring relief to the stress and tension found in various other parts of the body. As stated earlier, it has been found that different parts of the hand have "access" to other - often distant - parts of our body. So during a hand rub, the area receiving the pressure is certainly being targeted, but so are the other parts of the body that "link" to that area of the hand. A trained massage therapist can treat neck and head pain, arthritis and poor circulation by honing in on specific areas of the hand while administering a hand massage.

A hand rub - correctly administered - provides relief to various parts of our upper, middle and lower body. I combination hand massage can effectively used to address the effects of:

•Symptoms associated with cold and flu;
•Back pain;
•Problems with our immune system;
•Addiction and craving;
•Sexual energy reflexes;
•Mental stress and energy.

Though do-it-yourself hand massage equipment is popular, having it done by a licensed massage therapist provides the maximum benefit. Nothing can compare to the hands of a professional.

Massage For Senior Citizens - Benefits and Precautions

Probably the most important benefit of massage is the pleasure of human touch, and the companionship provided during massage therapy sessions. This provides a relaxation which alone may relieve some of the loneliness, depression and fears that many seniors suffer from. A recent study found that all senior citizens who were receiving regular massages showed a dramatic improvement in their moods and their attitudes toward life in general. Nearly 50% of the same group tested also showed additional health benefits;a reduction in their rates of breathing, an increase in their range of motion, an improvement of their postures, development of more body awareness, their skin took on healthier colors and their muscle tones were enhanced.

In addition to these general life improvements, some health conditions that may respond positively to regular massage include:

- inflammations in the joints;

- arthritis;

- skin discoloration and other dermatological conditions;

- deteriorating muscles and bones;

- reduced appetite and therefore weight loss;

- poor blood circulation;

- sleep disorders;

- weakened mental capacity,

- tendonitis;

- bursitis;

- asthma;

- emphysema;

- high blood pressures;

- diminished functions of the internal vital organs such as the heart, the liver, the brain, the thyroid, the stomach and the intestines.

Before you make your appointment, make sure you take care of safety first:

- Find a massage therapist that is properly trained;

- Limit your appointments to 30-45 minutes at a time;the elderly appear to respond better to shorter, more frequent sessions.

- Be careful when positioning yourself on the massage table: ask for help or request a chair massage.

- Tell your massage therapist if it is your first massage: request a gentle relaxation massage. Your bones may be thinner and your joints stiffer than other patients; ease into it. Over time you may request a deeper tissue massage if it feels comfortable for you.

- Tell your massage therapist if you are not comfortable being touched in some areas: Many elderly prefer head, hands and feet massages. Even massaging these body parts alone will greatly benefit you.

- Request use of lotions or oils, or bring in your own favorite lotions: senior citizens' skin tends to be thinner and less pliable, and using oils will help avoid cracking or damaging of your skin. Lotions will also soften and moisturize your skin, making it healthier and more pliable.

Relax and enjoy your massage! With the above precautions massages are perfectly safe regardless of your age. Most importantly, massages help you relax and improve your outlook on life. That alone may alleviate other aches and pains and make this worth your while.

So contact a qualified massage therapist today, and make the appointment that will help you relax and enjoy some TLC, you deserve it!

Massage Therapists: Be Your Own Body's Best Advocate

As a bodyworker, the most important title you have isn't CMT (Certified Massage Therapist) ~ it's "YOBBA" ~ Your Own Body's Best Advocate. Working as a bodyworker, the very essence of your job is to be an advocate for the health and well-being for other people's bodies. Your hands and your touch are literally advocates for your clients' bodies. In the process of doing your job, especially if you work in a resort setting, you are bombarded with exotic bugs from all over the world all through what is usually your busiest, and of course, most profitable part of your year ~ "High Season." Survival instinct and your boss urging you to work through it may be difficult to fight, but in my experience, the best thing you can do for yourself and your future is to be your own body's best advocate and stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids. There's a reason that that's the conventional wisdom ~ because it works.

There's nothing better than a new year. You get a fresh slate, a blank page on which to write your story ~ one that may not have gone as you'd planned the year before. I like a new year and I'm thankful that every twelve months we get an automatic re-do. For most of my life, the end of the year has usually meant some type of cold or flu, ruining the holidays or at least making them more stressful. Thankfully, though, by the time the new year comes around the annual cold or flu is a faint memory. For the last eight years or so I've been quite fortunate in that I've been spared from any type of plague, annual or otherwise. This new year, I'm afraid I've not been so lucky.

For two weeks now I have been battling an unfortunate case of influenza that morphed into bronchitis and is now an annoying, lingering cold. It's amazing to me how much snot a body can make in the process of an upper respiratory infection ~ I think I'm on my seventh or eighth box of tissue. For probably two or three weeks prior to that, I struggled with "something" trying to land on me. Tired of the just-on-the-edge feeling, I finally said out loud, "If you're going to get me, then just get me!" Naturally, as soon as I gave the flu permission to invade my body, it did ~ the very next day. I know better than to give my brain permission to let my body get sick. I'm thinking that's the last time I'm going to do that. Next time I'm going to say, "I'M NOT SICK!!"

As I've been battling this super bug ~ the first I've had in a very long time ~ I've been reminded of a very dark time in my bodywork career when I failed to do what was right for my body and allowed myself to succumb to pressure from my workplace and my bank account. I failed to advocate for my own health and I paid a steep price for my negligence.

Approximately eight years ago, I came home with a horrible bug I may have picked up during a weekend workshop in Arizona, or that I'd been exposed to before I went. Nonetheless, under extreme pressure to work as soon as I could and longer than I should in my busy spa, that bug soon turned into walking pneumonia and then horribly and inexplicably turned into a medical nightmare that nearly killed me in the process. I also ended up having to leave a job I loved, and lost all of my savings because I was unable to work full-time for nearly a year. I won't go into detail about my medical nightmare because it's a long story that needs to be told completely in order for the entire process to make sense. Long story, short, I'll just say that due to a combination of overwork, stress, and careless and arrogant doctors, I miraculously lived through something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

It's important that massage therapists and bodyworkers be their own bodies' best advocates for the health of their bodies. Whether it's saving your thumbs or hands, your elbows, your shoulders, your back or just staying in bed when you have a cold or flu, you are the best advocate your body has. No one else is going to care to protect your body more than you do. Too many spas or massage establishments, unfortunately, care about one thing and one thing only ~ their bottom line. They will push a therapist as hard as they're allowed ~ by the therapist ~ to produce, often far beyond what a therapist's body is capable.

In my case, not only did I have pressure from my spa to come to work before I should have and work on too many bodies each day, but I put pressure on myself as well. I was extremely fortunate to work in a situation where I made a lot of money ~ I mean a lot of money that all therapists dream of making ~ and worried that if I dared to take a few days off to get well I would lose too much money that week. So I and my spa contributed to my ultimate demise. By putting a week's pay and my spa's needs first, I lost far more than a week's pay. I lost nearly a full year of full-time work because my body was too weak to handle more than one or two sessions a day ~ a few times a week. I also calculated that combined with my lost savings and lost work, that week's pay I was so worried about cost me about $65,000 that year! What a lesson I learned, right? My own body's best advocate put her bottom line first.

It's very difficult for me to write about this experience in my life because it's a disturbing reminder of how a stupid and short-sighted decision on my part jeopardized my health and my livelihood. But it's important for me to remember and share with others as an example of what not to do when faced with a decision regarding your health and your body's well-being.

As I mentioned earlier, as a bodyworker, you're going to come into intimate contact with exotic bugs carried into your massage room by your clients. Sometimes they may just be unaware carriers, but too often they're sick themselves, selfishly putting their own comfort ahead of their therapist's health. In obvious situations you have the option of wearing a protective mask, or if your client is glassy-eyed and running a fever you have an obligation to them and yourself to cancel the session. I've worked through many sessions using a protective mask, telling my clients I cannot afford to get what they have. When I've suffered through allergy season I've also worn a mask even though I knew I wasn't contagious because I wanted my clients to know I cared about their health and well-being. It's possible to advocate for others' health while still being your own advocate.

When I was a new therapist, just starting out, I worked for an upscale hotel spa during the SARS scare. A group from Toronto came through and one of my guests had an obvious cold and a cough. I panicked because we didn't have masks available and I was afraid to cancel the session because I didn't want to lose my job. It was a very stressful session for me, not to mention the following weeks as I waited for SARS to strike me dead. That is an example of a spa putting their sick guest ahead of their therapist ~ and of a therapist putting something/anything ahead of their own body's safety. As I mentioned, I was a fairly new therapist and worried more about my job than my own body. I didn't fully understand my responsibility and obligation I had as an advocate to myself to protect my own health.

As I continue to battle my new year bug, I hope that by sharing my past experience I can make an impact on other bodyworkers and how they view their role as advocates for their own bodies. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to be your own body's best advocate. No one has a bigger stake in protecting your health and well-being than you, except, of course your family. If you're too sick to work, don't. If you're injured, don't work injured. Remember, the decisions you make today don't just affect tomorrow. If you are your own body's best and most insistent advocate, you can practically guarantee health and longevity in a tough but rewarding career where you can also continue to advocate for your clients' health and well-being.

Possible Treatments for Cervical Spondylosis

Arthritis of the neck or Cervical Spondylosis can be very painful and irritating for those who have it. It hinders you from doing things that you wanted to do. The pain usually blocks your time for laughter and enjoyment. Good News! Most of the treatment for this condition is very old school. You can try doing these immediately.

A variety of medications can be used to eliminate inflammation and pain in the neck caused by cervical spondylosis. You can try taking NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like naproxen and ibuprofen. These two drugs are commonly used to address neck pain. You can also try using muscle relaxants and acetaminophen. These two drugs can also relieve neck pain along with muscle spasms.

Physical therapists are also one of the vital and effective sources of treatment for cervical spondylosis. Strengthening tense or weakened muscles or stretching it is commonly the initial treatment that is suggested. Your Physical Therapist can also utilize posture therapy and cervical traction. Therapy programs usually last for 5 to 7 weeks but sometimes, the duration may also differ from one case to another. Schedule of therapy sessions is twice or thrice a week.

Wearing a neck collar to restrain motion or movement is also one of the possible treatments. Aside from limiting the movement of your neck, it also provides and serves as a support. It also let your neck muscles rest. Soft collars must be worn and used only for a short period of time. The reason for this is that long-term use can minimize the muscle strength of the neck.

In treating cervical spondylosis, you can also consider using physiotherapy such as hot and cold compress or exercise. Cautious use of massage can aid in alleviating symptoms of the disease.

Some people are having a hard time bearing the pain caused by cervical spondylosis. If this is your condition, you can try having parenteral medications. Steroid-based injections are usually used to relieve the pain although it only provides short-term relief. Your physician can also inject anesthesia to the joints of the spine.

If you really want to treat your condition practically and traditionally, the easiest way is to take a rest. Cervical spondylosis is most commonly caused by stress and different activities involving neck movements. Your body also speaks. Its way of crying is through pain. The moment you feel pain, your body is telling you that you need a rest. Enough rest and sleep can be beneficial. If you hate spending for other treatments, try this. Take a rest now.

How to Become A Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical therapist assistants or PTAs work alongside physical therapists. They assist them in the implementation of the rehab exercises and therapies which are designed for the faster recovery of a patient from disability or injury. If you are planning to become a physiotherapist, but you don't have the resources to attend college for several years, you may as well study to be a physical therapy assistant. Physical therapist assistants actually have a great chance of becoming a physical therapist by having additional years of education and training.

Responsibilities and Job Duties of PTAs

A physical therapist assistant may perform the same sets of tasks as a physiotherapist, like assisting patients in their exercises, massages, workouts, electric stimulation as well as paraffin baths. In general, PTAs do their jobs under the supervision of physical therapists, who are ultimately the ones responsible for designing the rehab program and progress of the patients. Basically, physical therapy assistants are active in the documentation and monitoring of the progress of patients.

Work Environment for PTAs

Physical therapist assistants can work in clinics, medical offices, rehabilitation centers, and medical hospitals. As a PTA, regardless of the location of your work, you will need to be physically strong and fit as your job includes a lot of lifting and supporting patients. Also, you may be asked to help move or operate some heavy equipment.

In terms of the work schedules given to a physiotherapist assistant, they depend on the requirement of the employer as well as the number of patients that need to be attended to. In general, a PTA can work full time or part time, and may be required to work nights and even weekends.

Training and Education Requirements

If you are looking to become a physical therapy assistant, you need to earn an associate degree through an accredited program. Typically, this would include two years of undergraduate education. You will not have difficulties finding such programs as they are available in almost every state.

In most cases, a PTA degree program consists of a combination of clinical and classroom instruction. Just like some other medical fields, the curriculum involves life sciences such as physiology, anatomy and other first aid or life saving skills.

Expected Annual Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that an average physiotherapist assistant can earn an average of $46,300 a year. However, the salary range can greatly vary according to the state of employment, employer and industry. It is also said that home health care employers are the ones who pay PTAs the highest. Aside from the basic salary, an assistant to a physiotherapist is eligible for health care insurance and paid vacation.

In terms of looking for your future employment, it is very important that you do your own research about a certain industry. Make sure also that you choose the right school and accredited degree program in preparation for your career. Keeping these in mind, there is no doubt that becoming a physical therapy assistant will be the right career for you.

Massage Therapy Bodywork & Stress Relief Massage - Getting Everything Back Into Balance

Massage therapy bodywork is only one method holistic healers use to help their patients, even in the Texas high country around Austin. Other techniques include relaxation hypnosis and stress relief massage. All of these techniques help relieve stress, promote relaxation, and help with overall well-being. There are many additional benefits in the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual centers. Let's look at these three different techniques and see how that they can help you.

Massage therapy bodywork involves a wide variety of techniques in order to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Traditional massage therapy is only one component of this. Therapists often integrate aromatherapy with scented oils. They may use acupressure to relieve pain and stiffness in certain areas of the body. They may use a variety of techniques to realign the body into a natural flow. Various forms of massage therapy works release toxins in the muscles and promote the body's immune system. All of this comes together to bring the body back into balance and promote long-term healing and well-being. Relaxation hypnosis is another technique.

Relaxation hypnosis works to promote the minds control over the body. Hypnosis helps to them choose the mind into a deeply relaxed state. The hypnotherapists can give the patient suggestions to encourage relaxation and to get past stress. Various medical studies have shown that cancer patients using hypnosis often have longer periods of remission and respond better to various treatments. These forms of therapy helps alleviate anxiety that helps reduce stress and promotes better sleeping habits. Many people use it to get past the various phobias and weight-loss issues. It is effective for many different medical conditions including asthma, cancer, and diabetes. It works great in combination with stress release massage and massage therapy bodywork.

Stress release massage is another technique that helps reduce tension and stiffness in the body. When you reduce stress, you are less likely to develop chronic conditions or severe illness related to stress. Modern life is extremely stressful for most people. Symptoms of this life often include reduced amounts of sleep, mood issues, and various physical symptoms. Reducing or eliminating the causes of stress is very important. However, stress happens all the time. Using massage to release the stress will promote your health of the long run. Along with massage therapy bodywork and relaxation hypnosis, stress release massage brings a person's health back the balance. When you get everything back into balance, you will feel better physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Why stress when you can relax?

Relaxing with massage therapy bodywork, stress relief massage, or relaxation hypnosis are just three ways to get things under control. All of them are natural methods. That bodes well for your body since you are not putting drugs and medications into it. If you link up with a good holistic healer, they can advance this natural healing with other methods. Hypnotherapy is one option. It can help get past your mental barriers and uncover the real reasons for your stress and anxiety. With the help of a healer, you will need to visit your conventional doctor less often as a result.

The Benefits of Bamboo Massage Therapy

Bamboo massage therapy is an ancient Chinese medicine inspired type of natural healing medical care on patients by using stalks of bamboo in various sizes and lengths to accommodate the different areas of the body. Before bamboo was developed as a tool for improving the health of humans, it was used as a material capable of being able to be used on 1,500 different ways. It was used as a material for musical instrument, decorations, and many more. Most of the Asian countries also regard it as a symbol for prosperity, fertility, sexuality and long life. Over the course of time, it has been discovered and developed to aid in the healing of our body.

The method used on this type of therapy is somehow similar to most types of massage therapy, except for the fact that the massage therapist uses bamboo sticks instead of manipulating the whole body of the patient with his or her hands, elbows, and knees.

During a massage therapy session, the patient's skin is prepared by applying special oils or essential oils to act as lubricant for the bamboo stick to glide freely without any resistance all over the different areas of the body that needs to be treated. A good massage therapist will know when the skin has absorbed the massage oil and that additional oil is needed for a smooth surface to work with. The patient can also let the masseuse know when additional oil is needed to avoid any laceration or bruising on the skin. Essential oils are also incorporated in the massage due to the many benefits the human body can receive by using them on the skin. However, the therapist should make sure that the patient is not allergic to the oils he or she will use by checking out the medical record prior to the massage session.

Bamboo massage therapy aims in releasing the tensions of the muscle by constantly kneading on the different muscle groups of the body. With each muscle groups, a specific bamboo stick length and size is used to properly address the problems within that area. The use of these sticks is primarily in order to aim for the deep tissue to prevent the stiffening of the whole body and to relieve chronic body pain. This type of massage is similar to deep tissue massage thanks to the effectiveness of the sticks in being great accessories for working on the deep tissue of the patient. These are examples of some of the many benefits a patient can expect after undergoing a bamboo massage therapy aside from the total body relaxation and energizing experience. The sticks are sometimes heated in order to give warmth on the muscle tissues as the massage therapist works on the patient. The therapy promotes a good circulation, lymphatic drainage and sensory nerve perception. Regular use of this treatment may also increase the immune system of the patient, strengthen the physical body and improve the mental disposition. Always remember to check if the massage therapist is licensed and knowledgeable in this field of massage therapy for best result.

Physical Therapy Assistant Schools And Colleges

The last five years have been characterized by seismic changes in the job market as professions which were hitherto popular lost their quondam allure.

Against this backdrop many people lost their jobs while high school students did not know exactly which career to join. Amidst this entire hubbub, one profession has remained constant in offering prestigious opportunities and still offering opportunities for growth and this is the physical therapy industry.

The US BLS in its Occupational Handbook Outlook for 2010-2020 projects that this profession is to grow by about 45% which is way above the national average. According to CareerCast this is ranked as the second most all-round satisfying profession due to wealth accumulation, working conditions, occupational hazards, and physical demands.

If this information has whetted your desire to work as a physical therapist assistant (PTA), you need to enroll at a physical therapy assistant school to ensure you get the prerequisite skills. What are some of the germane issues while thinking about training as a physical therapy assistant?

A Brief on Physical Therapy Assistant Training

In any institution dealing with training physical therapy assistants, you will first tackle the roles of this profession. Some of the PTAs roles include assisting a physical therapist to prepare equipments necessary during therapy.

You will organize the room where the sessions will take place before the patient and the therapist arrive and all equipments should be tested to ensure it is working.

At a school you will also be taught on how to provide massage and help patients to work with equipments in order tor educe pain while also enhancing mobility.

Other techniques that you will learn through such programs include hot and cold baths and electric stimulation though all these will be supervised in actual practice by a certified therapist.

You will also learn how to observe and record any patient behavior during therapy sessions as part of the evaluation of the treatment plan. Most of the programs offer certificate programs, associate degrees running for at least two years, Master and even Doctorate programs.

Qualification to a physical therapy assistant school will also differ but a high school diploma with strong credits in mathematics, biology and English will be a requirement. If you are already working as a PTA, different schools will ask for certain number of working hours to enable you take their programs.

Some of the common subjects covered include medical terminology, anatomy, psychology and physiology, communication for health professionals, rehabilitation, growth and development among many other areas.

Choosing the Best Physical Therapy Assistant School

There are thousands of institutions offering these programs and it is important to ensure you choose the best to ground you solidly in the profession. Some of the key considerations include;

Accreditation; for you to get certified as a PTA you must have trained in an accredited institution. Some of the major accreditation bodies in the profession include Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPT) among others.

This will ensure that you can later sit for a National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to get certified. Moreover, such accreditation ensures that the courses offered are professional.

College record; it is important to check an institution's performance record from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) website. This will show you previous performance of students in the college and it is possible to compare them with the rest of local schools.

Faculty qualification; always pick a college that has qualified personnel to ensure that you exploit their knowledge in the industry. A good college will always feature a staff page where you can evaluate all tutors who will take you through the program. Ensure they are certified in their particular specialties.

Facilities and services; any physical therapy assistant school that is credible must have sufficient facilities to provide holistic training. These include laboratories, libraries, and extra-curricular facilities among others. Moreover, there should be adequate resources in all these facilities to ensure your program runs efficiently.

Flexibility; there are many types of learning methods. Some schools offer fully online courses while others have on-campus training programs. Others will merge the two and provide academic bits online and practical work from a campus. As such, ensure you pick an institution that fits your schedule especially if you are working.

As the population ages, there will be more demand for therapeutic services and with the best training from a good physical therapy assistant school, you will have taken a pivotal position to exploit these opportunities.

How to Choose Your PT Practice Management Software

When deciding on the medical practice management software that is right for your clinical needs, it's important to take a few factors into consideration. For example, whether the software is comprehensive or focuses on one specific aspect of documentation should play a role in the decision process. Also, think about how easy it is to use, as well as its accessibility. The right physical therapy practice management software can make huge difference in how efficiently a clinic operates. Here are three considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right PT practice management software.

Is it comprehensive?

When choosing practice management software that is best for your clinic, it's important to understand the difference between a comprehensive tool and one that only has one function. Comprehensive software can be beneficial because it contains tools to help with all aspects of daily operations, including billing, insurance claims, reporting and managing. If that's the type of software that interests you and your clinic, don't settle for a one-function tool. However, it is possible to find programs that focus only on one aspect - such as billing.

Is the program easy to use?

Usability is an important factor when it comes to deciding which PT practice management software is best for your clinic. Find a program that doctors and administration can use quickly and efficiently. If it's too difficult to understand, it will end up taking more time out of already busy schedules.

To ensure that your program is easy to use, test it out before you buy! In the free demonstration, go through the most basic controls and tasks. If the navigation is easy for you to use, get a second opinion for another employee in the office. This could be a doctor, clerk or other member of your staff.

The usability is important, but just as important is the accessibility. Find physical therapy practice management software that is the most convenient for you. For example, if you tend to make house calls or do work outside of the office, find web-based PT practice management tools. Unlike traditional management systems, this will allow you access from anywhere with an Internet connection. It also allows for much more mobility as many online software tools can be run on a mobile phone or tablet.

Does your software company treat you as a partner?

Once you understand the type of physical therapy practice management software that will work best for your clinic, you'll need to find a company who can meet your unique needs. The best action you can take for your business is find a company that genuinely cares about your needs and will work diligently with you to come up with a satisfactory solution.

The Benefits of On Site Massage: Therapy and Convenience

On site massage can take several forms - chair, table, and special event massage, among others - and can happen in many different settings - at the office, home, convention, party, athletic event, etc. Ultimately, on site massage therapy provides all the benefits of massage therapy - increased circulation, lower levels of stress, higher energy levels - in the exact location it is needed, making it highly therapeutic - and highly convenient.

First, in the office, on site massage is a highly effective tool. For starters, there are the therapeutic benefits provided by office massage. Indeed, even short intervals of massage therapy have been shown to reduce levels of stress and ease pain from common office ailments such as stiff shoulders and neck or repetitive stress injuries. Moreover, chair massage in the office can also be used to reward employees, motivate them to finish a project or be part of a larger employee wellness program. With therapists easily able to fit their equipment into a small office or even the corner of a room, and no need for recipients to remove any clothes, on site office massage is both highly therapeutic and convenient.

Next, on site table massage at a home, in the office, or at a travel destination allows for deep relaxation in any location. The demonstrated reduction in stress and pain levels a full body massage provides can be even more pronounced when done onsite as there is no need to track down a therapeutic office while on vacation or find travel time to a spa/therapist office while at work.

Indeed, therapeutic massage can also be utilized conveniently and beneficially in several other capacities, including: as a promotional tool at a convention, with a therapist offering chair massage therapy and attracting more people to a company booth; as a way to make a promotional event, party, or other gathering more special; as a gift to improve the wellness of family, friends, or colleagues; as a way for cross-country commuters to reduce their stress levels and relax upon arrival at a new location.

Too often massage therapy is thought of as something practiced only at a fixed location, like a luxury spa, salon or chiropractic office, while on site massage is ignored. This should not happen as on site massage can conveniently help improve one's wellness in both personal and professional settings. Indeed, when considering massage therapy, consumers should consider on site work, both for its therapeutic properties, and for its convenience.

Massage Therapies for Arthritis Have Been Proven To Be Effective In Providing Arthritis Pain Relief

Massage is an effective way to manage arthritis pain. Massage as a treatment for arthritis is sometimes controversial. However, those who are believers in this therapy are individuals who have
experienced the relief from pain.

Massage therapy is a proven way to improve muscle and joint movement. Athletes use massage as a way to relax tense muscles and stimulate circulation. Massage therapy for arthritis is not only enjoyable, it has proven to be therapeutic.

Massage therapies for arthritis break the cycle of pain that often goes along with arthritis. Massage is being used successfully in some medical facilities as a healing therapy for people who suffer from arthritis.

Now as the medical community becomes enlightened to the benefits of massage insurance sometimes covers the treatment when prescribed by a a doctor. Now millions of Americans have access to massage as a treatment alternative for painful arthritis symptoms.

The use of massage in the treatment of arthritis continues to grow as the efficacy of the treatments is validated. The use of massage in the treatment of arthritis is being acknowledged by the medical establishment as a less invasive method of therapy for chronic conditions.

Massage has few side effects and does not add toxins to the body as traditional medications that are prescribed to treat arthritis. Some of the most common forms of massage used in the treatment of arthritis pain include: These are some of the most common ones:

*Deep tissue massage using slow strong pressure to reach the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Releasing tissue is the primary goal. The side effects may be soreness and some minor discomfort.

However deep tissue massage is sometimes associated with acupressure that has therapeutic benefits to the body and eases the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis

*Swedish massage is the most popular method of massaging the body. The whole body is stroked and kneaded. The top layer of muscles are manipulated with gentle stokes and movement. The Swedish massage is considered to be the most enjoyable massage technique.

*Myofascial release massage involves long strokes that stretch the body. These strokesare intended to release tension in the fascia. The fascia is the connective tissue around the muscles.

*Acupressure and Shiatsu massage are ancient Asian techniques that use pressure points on specific parts of the body. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture in that acupressure uses the same points that are stimulated in acupuncture.

*Trigger point therapy uses concentrated finger pressure on points or knots of tension or pain in the body.

*Reflexology therapy involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to other parts of the body

The benefits of massage therapy for arthritis are many:

*Deep muscle and tissue relaxation

*Reduces stress

*Releases toxins from the body

*Increases the flexibility of muscles

*Improves blood circulations

*Lowers blood pressure

*Relieves tension and pain

*Balances the body

*Reduces nervousness

*Heightens mental and spiritual awareness

Massage therapy has been proven to be effective in treating the pain associated with arthritis that other medical treatments are unable to address Massage therapy has proven to provide a higher quality of life to individuals who use massage therapy to relieve pain. More people are learning to experience relief of pain as they are treated to the miraculous healing power of a massage.

The Benefits Of Thai Herbal Stem Massage

Thai herbal stem massage is a kind of hybrid treatment that makes use of Thai massage movements, Swedish relaxation massage, Lomi Lomi, and stretching methods. Spa products of Thailand are the main ingredients of Thai herbal stem massage. In this process, spa treatment is given by using therapeutic oils and healing herbs that are wrapped up in unbleached cotton tied to a stem. Since ancient times, these herbal stems have been used in Thailand as traditional massage tools. Thai people have been using a lot of medicinal herbal stems for treating different types of ailments.

Benefits of Thai Stem Massage:

This massage can easily be incorporated into the body wraps or facial treatment. It gives a completely different experience to the spa users. It is organic, natural, and contains no chemical or preservatives. It is different from other types of spa massages, as it combines comforting moist warmth with therapeutic oils and natural herbs bundled up in the stems. Taking this massage therapy on a regular basis will expose your body to less wear and tear.

Thai herbal stem massage offers many benefits. It specifically helps:

• Reducing joint pain


• Relieving muscle tension


• Relieving painful inflammation, such as arthritis


• Releasing toxins


• Increasing blood circulation


• Releasing blocked energy


• Nourishing and softening the skin


• Enhancing vitality and awareness


• Relaxing the nerves


• Soothing underlying connective tissues


• Rejuvenating body and mind


• Re-balancing the body

The use of traditional massage techniques in combination with spa products of Thailand offers quite a unique experience to the spa users. These stems are handmade in Thailand and are vacuum-packed that ensures their purity and freshness.

Used Ingredients:

These stems are made of unique spa products of Thailand. All the herbs used in these products are organically grown and produced in Thailand. The blend of herbs includes:

• Tamarind leaves


• Sweet Flag


• Kaffir Lime Peel and leaves


• Tumeric


• Plai


• Mountain Ebony leaves


• Lemongrass


• Jean leaves


• Somboil


• Camphor


• Eucalyptus

How It Works

The natural Thai spa products used in this treatment are heated, so that they release their healing properties. They are then massaged all over the body of the consumers. These oils and natural ingredients are absorbed into the bloodstream via the epidermis and then respond to the chemistry of the body in a gentle way.

The stems are rolled on the skin and their gentle touch does most of the therapeutic work. For complete effect, the massages should be carried out for one and a half hour.

Cautions:

On the same person, each pair of stem can be used for maximum 4 times over a 2-week period. Consumers can also take these stems at home and apply on them. For more effectiveness and extended use, used stems can be kept in refrigerator. After taking this therapy, users should drink plenty of fluids like fresh juices or plain drinking water.

This massage therapy is the perfect adjunct to other different body treatments. It alone can also act as a captivating treatment for both the consumer and the therapist.

Knee Pain and Stiffness - How You Can Be Pain Free With a Combination of Pilates & Physical Therapy

Are you using the handrail more and more often when you go down the stairs. Are your knees failing you?

More people are now seeing their doctors because of painful joints, muscles and tendons than for the common cold, and the knee joint is responsible for over 20 million doctor visits each year in the US alone. Your knee plays a major role in the chain of weight bearing in the leg. It has to respond to ground forces from below and the load of your body from above. It is a relatively simple joint, but it has to be ready to quickly react to force from the ground while balancing the load of the rest of the body at the same time. Your knee is at the mercy of what's going on in the joints directly above and below: the hip, pelvis, ankle and foot.

Although there are many reasons for knee pain (arthritis, meniscus and ligament damage for example), long term relief of knee pain has to start with an assessment of your whole structure. This assessment begins with your feet to see how they influence the alignment and forces at the knee. Any joint is only as good as its structure, and poor alignment in the feet and ankles has a negative influence on the knee, creating muscle imbalances and eventually pain and stiffness.

The hip joint also has a similar affect on the knee - poor mechanics and muscle imbalances in the hip creates problems for the knee. And because the socket of the hip joint is formed by the pelvis, it has to be aligned correctly too. In fact, when doing a full assessment of the knee, the whole body must be evaluated, since any structural imbalances in the body can affect the knee's ability to function.

The good news is that a well balanced Pilates-based Physical Therapy program addresses the whole body. Pilates is a recent addition to many Physical Therapy programs and is rapidly growing in popularity throughout the world. Combining Pilates with Physical Therapy will improve your body awareness, alignment, strength, flexibility and balance. You'll learn how to move with more efficiency and less pain.

At first, new and balanced movement habits feel weird and unfamiliar because they're foreign to your nervous system. Working with a skilled Pilates trained Physical Therapist will help you understand your own unique postural and movement habits and help you practice correct patterns effectively.

Here are a couple of things you can do right now to find out how your knees stack up:

1. Stand in shorts, barefoot in front of a full length mirror and look at your leg alignment. What do you see? Are there any funny angles between your hips and your knees? What about your feet? Do you have an arch on the inside of your foot? Can you see that your whole leg influences the alignment of your knee? This includes the alignment of your pelvis, since the pelvis is the top of your hip joint. Be aware that when you do any exercise "for your knees", you must also consider the rest of your body, especially the foot, ankle and hip.

2. While standing, imagine a line going through the center of your leg from your hip joint, through the center of your thigh, your knee joint, the center of your lower leg, ankle and out the 2nd toe. This is the ideal alignment for your leg. A word about your hip joint: did you know that your "hips" are not the wide bones of your pelvis, but the place where you crease when you bend your knee towards your chest? This is where your heel should line up when your foot hits the ground when walking. The hip joint itself is really quite narrow - about the same distance apart as your sits bones in the back.

3. When you stand, walk and exercise, the alignment of your whole leg affects which muscles you use to move. And the way you use your muscles strongly influences your alignment. Be very aware of keeping correct alignment from your pelvis to your foot - hip to 2nd toe - so that you create good balance around your knees. If you do exercises like squats and leg press, do you pay attention to your leg alignment? Your knee program will be far more effective if you do. Remember that pain is your body's way of telling you that something's not right, so if you can't modify your position to relieve the pain, skip the exercise. Remember also that not every "recommended" knee exercise is right for every knee - you need to find out what's right for your knees.

The point is that your knee pain is usually just a result of the alignment you set up from the ground (you feet and ankles) and the load you put on them from above (your hips, pelvis and trunk). Figure out how to de-stress your knee joints by changing your whole-body alignment and your knee pain and stiffness will resolve.

If you have knee pain and want to find out how to get relief, see a Pilates trained Physical Therapist who will assess your whole body, rather than looking only at your knees. A Pilates exercise program, with a home routine, is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in your knees, and a 2nd pair of experienced eyes will help you sort out your unique imbalances. Then you'll know exactly what to do for YOUR knees.

How do you find a Pilates trained Physical Therapist? Many PT clinics now offer Pilates, and many Pilates centers employee Physical Therapists. Check your local PT clinics and Pilates centers. And make sure that your practitioner has completed a comprehensive Pilates training program.

Copyright © Park Meadows Pilates 2008

Massage and Saunas

There are many benefits of using massage and saunas together to help improve the health of your body. Massage can help relieve pressure points in the body and help the muscles relax. Saunas have the same benefits but work differently on the body. This is why combining the two is a fantastic idea if you want to feel great at all times.

Having a sauna before you get a massage will loosen up your muscles so that the therapist can get right to work on the parts of the body that need the most work. It will not only make the therapist's work easier, but will help you feel relaxed even before he/she starts. This will add to the total effect of the massage.

Both the use of a sauna and a massage will help the circulation of your body. This is especially true of the skin. Through gentle massage, the blood flow to the skin increases, just as it does from the heat of the sauna. This will result in healthier looking skin. The heat and the massage oils will also increase the elasticity of the skin leaving it smooth and refreshed.

Through the use of saunas, you can help your body release toxins. When you have a massage just afterwards, then the body is able to get rid of even more harmful toxins. If you have a relaxing massage, the therapist will not work as deeply as he/she would in a deep tissue massage. This type of massage helps the body get rid of the wastes that have accumulated in the muscles over a period of time. If you decide that you would prefer to have a sauna after your massage, it will give the body the perfect medium to get rid of these toxins through the sweat glands.

The Best Way to Becoming A Physiotherapist

A physiotherapists is a career that would make a lot of people very happy. Its a career move that can have many different rewards. Are you a person that is very interested in how science can benefit people, do you get excellent grades at school? Are you good with communicating with people. Then you should definitely consider a career in physiotherapy. So how exactly do you go about becoming a physiotherapist? Let me tell you straight up that its not an easy thing to do. It will take quite a few years of schooling, on top of an internship. Note that you do not have to attend medical school.

If you are interested in becoming a physiotherapist then you have two options to becoming one. The first is to get a bachelor's degree in physical therapy or the other option is to get a masters degree in physical therapy. Of course to get either of these you are going to have to go to a university that offers these programs. What a physiotherapist does is design rehabilitation programs for patients that are suffering from physical disabilities. The disabilities that are treated are usually caused as a result of some kind of accident, an operation or perhaps even a disease. The world of physiotherapy is very open and there are many specialties that a person can get into.

With this field you need to have a great knowledge in both biology and physics. You really need to have a good grasp of the human anatomy and how it all works if you are to be successful in the field of physiotherapy. You also need to make sure that whatever institution that you are applying to for the studying physical therapy, to make sure that the institution is offering accredited courses.

Tips to Use Massage Therapy Body Scrubs

Body scrubs are considered as one of the simplest yet the most effective ways to both moisturize everything and exfoliate the top layer of the dead skin as you massage the muscles. While you may think that the body scrubs are simply sugar and salt, actually you can use a plethora of oils and also natural ingredients for the rejuvenating scrub. If you want to know about using massage therapy body scrubs, you can simply check out the following tips.

The first step is to choose the scrub or simply make it by yourself, depending on what you want. In many body care stores, you can easily find olive oil body scrubs that look gently in moisture as they exfoliate.

The second step that you should do is to warm the body that you are going to apply this scrub by doing some gentle massage. If you want to speed the process of warm-up, you can place some warm damp cloth on the body. You have to make sure that the person is relaxed and is not feeling any discomfort like pain from cuts or sores, before you start it.

The third step is to apply liberal amount of body scrub to the particular area like hands, feet, upper back, and arms. In this step, you need to use a gentle massage for working the scrub into the area. You can apply a bit more pressure if the person can tolerate it so that the massage can be more thorough. Try to periodically easy up on the pressure and return to the gentle rubbing motion which focuses to get this scrub into the skin.

For the last step, you should place the damp cloths on area that you worked on after you have applied the scrub and also did the massage. After that, you have to wipe off the skin for removing any residue which settled on the skin surface. Then, you need to use cream or heavy body moisturizer for moisturizing the area and also locking in all of the nutrients and moisture that are provided by the body scrub.

Massage Therapy for Lymphedema Patients

Massage actually means to knead and is commonly used to refer to "classical" or "Swedish" massages.

The term is also used to describe manual lymph drainage. This is a misuse of the term and not correct. Manual lymph drainage is a gentle treatment and technique that is used in combination with compression therapy, skin care and decongestive exercises to treat lymphedema.

This technique is used to treat both primary and secondary lymphedema and also at times post-surgical and post-traumatic swelling.

Techniques of Manual lymph drainage also have a detoxifying effect on the person.

On correct application Manual lymph drainage helps increase the activity of lymph vessels and moves interstitial fluid; the procedure exerts some pressure on the skin. However, it does not increase local arterial blood flow.

- If a person has lymphedema, massage therapy is contraindicated in the affected extremity including the trunkal area that borders the extremity.

- Implementation of massage therapy helps increase the lymphatic load of water and more often than not cells too. This can also decrease the transport capacity of the lymphatic system as it could cause additional damage to lymphatics that are still intact after the surgical procedures.

- Massage therapy is not advised to people who have primary lymphedema that has affected one leg. In addition to this massage therapy should also not be used on the contralateral extremity as malformation of the lymphatic system could be present in the leg.

- The use of massage therapy techniques or any therapy or technique that could cause an increase in arterial blood flow for lymphedemateous limbs and the trunkal area bordering the limb could initiate the onset of lymphedema or the existing lymphedema becoming worse.

- In the case where lymphedema is of the upper extremity, massage therapy can be used safely when carried out on the lumbar/gluteal area and also on the lower extremities.

Hoever, one has to be very careful as negative side effects may be observed on the lymphedema the strokes of the massage are applied to the neck/upper trapezius area.

In a similar situation the neck, thorax and upper extremities could have massage therapy applied to them when only lower extremity lymphedema is present. However, the lumbar and gluteal areas that are on opposite sides and the lower extremity that is unaffected are areas that are considered to be at risk and so these areas should be treated with caution.

Rating a Surgery versus a Rotator-Cuff Tear Physical Therapy

You may have experienced having gone through a physical examination, x-rays and all, then a diagnosis of a rotator-cuff tear. Now what started as an arm and shoulder pain ends with a doctor's suggestion of an immediate surgery. But hold your fire; an effective rotator-cuff tear physical therapy may just save you from having to go through any surgery. You can even have it your way, that is, through an educated and therapist- assisted home care.

The tear of a rotator-cuff tendon on the shoulder is the most common tendon tear in the human body. It is usually the result of chronic impingement due to tendon abrasion between the shoulder cap and the shoulder joint ball. This is similar to kneeling until the knee-part of your pants fray and your knees finally tears through. Tears of this kind occur with little or no trauma. Yet in the case of patients over 40-years old, rotator-cuff tear and shoulder-dislocation may occur despite normal tendon strength. In the younger patients, however, rotator-cuff tear occurs due to acute tendon overload from strenuous throwing sports. This may also result from incorrect weightlifting practice.

Having a rotator-cuff tear cured takes a realistic expectation which is important in planning to return to normal daily activities whether sports or work. Often jobs must be modified for many months, especially when tears are large enough to prevent return to activities that may provoke re-tear of the cuff. The rotator-cuff rotates the shoulder, helps to stabilize the shoulder, and acts to depress or hold the shoulder down. With these rotator functions, it is thus best to get the best less risky and damaging treatment.

Rotator-cuff tear physical therapy centers on strengthening of the intact rotator cuff tendons and deltoid, and restoring the functional use of the upper extremity of the shoulder. The rotator-cuff tear physical therapy reduces the painful symptoms in part or in total.

Anti-inflammatory medications used together with the rotator-cuff tear physical therapy may help to ease the symptoms; but if these are not effective, then diagnostic tests and surgery may be the next step.

You may be diagnosed for surgery and you might as well take it. But before you go you must know that the most frequent complication of a rotator-cuff tear surgery is the incomplete resolution of pain, if not, the inadequate restoration of full active motion and strength. On the other hand, infection is seen in less than 0.5% of patients, and neurological or anesthetic complications are exceedingly rare. Overall, resolution of pain and improvement in functional capabilities occurs in over 85% of patients.

Nonetheless, you would still need an after arthroscopy surgical aftercare. Rotator-cuff tear physical therapy is of utmost importance in the first 2-months after surgery. Shoulder motion should be regained rapidly through passive exercises only, helping to minimize pain and stiffness while protecting the repair. Eventually though, slowly active motion and strengthening shall be regained, through an educated and therapist- assisted home care.

What is the Best Type of Massage Therapy For Me?

Massage therapy is a broad term used to describe various techniques of manual (hands on) therapy which is used to promote tissue health, relieve pain and increase functionality of a body, be it human or animal. The type of massage therapy which will benefit an individual varies greatly according to his or her particular issue or injury and state of health. There is something for everyone, and it is wise for clients to investigate their options to find what works for them.

The most commonly recognized type of massage is Swedish Massage, developed by Per Henrik Ling in the late 1700 and early 1800's. Swedish massage techniques consists of long, smooth strokes (effleurage), tissue kneading (petrissage), or tapping (tapotement), and can be used to either relax muscle or increase its tone depending on the application and technique. Pressure can be very light or deep, depending on the therapist, your needs and your tolerance to pressure. During a massage therapy treatment that primarily consists of Swedish techniques, other modalities, which may require further or specialized training, can be used.

Relaxation, sports, pregnancy, infant and geriatric massage all contain elements of Swedish techniques.

Relaxation massage tends to be slower and more rhythmic than a treatment oriented therapeutic massage and its primary goal is to increase relaxation of the client. In infant massage, therapists teach parents how to work on their own infants, which is a great bonding experience and may help parents relieve colic and help their babies sleep better. For special populations or conditions, such as pregnancy or geriatric massage, the application of techniques needs to be modified to suit the needs of the client.

Sports massage therapy consists not only of Swedish techniques, but also of stretching, including "active inhibition" techniques, and can be performed either pre or post-event. Sports massage therapy that is performed pre-event uses quick, rhythmic movements to warm up and stretch the muscles, preparing them for the demand to be placed on them. Post-event sports massage is slower and is done to relieve pain, swelling, assist in the removal of metabolic waste and to decrease recovery time. Massage therapy for athletes and fitness enthusiasts is also a great maintenance tool which can address muscular imbalances and injuries and help them achieve optimal performance.

Deep Tissue Massage Therapy basically consists of Swedish techniques which are used at a deeper level of the tissue. To perform any type of massage effectively, but especially deep tissue, the muscles must be warmed up at a superficial level to allow the therapist to go into the deeper layers and address restrictions found there. It is advisable for therapists who want to practice "deep tissue" to have a hi-lo table and get specialized training to help hem maintain their own body, back and joint health. It is advisable for new massage therapy clients to work up to a deep tissue type of therapy as it is not suitable for everyone and may be painful for someone who is not accustomed to manual therapy.

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy is also know as trigger point release. A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable area within a tight band of muscle. The goal of this therapy is to reduce or remove the trigger point, thus alleviating pain. Referral pain often has a very specific pattern depending on the muscle in which it is found, and can often present in a seemingly unrelated area. Trigger point therapy is integrated into Swedish massage treatments which assists in warming up and stretching the tissue pre and post release respectively.

Frictions or Friction therapy is a very localized, specific technique used to break down adhesions and scar tissue which may cause pain and inhibit movement. Friction therapy is not used alone, but is integrated into a routine where Swedish techniques are used to warm up the tissue and to aid circulation to remove metabolic waste post friction.

Myofascial release therapy, also called fascial release, consists of manipulation and stretching of the fascia - connective tissue which encases muscles, nerves, organs and bones in the body. To properly anchor and engage the tissue, no oil or other mediums are used, as "glide" over tissue is ineffective in most myofascial techniques.

Manual lymph drainage, also called lymphatic, lymph or lymphedema massage, is a series of gentle movements used to stimulate the flow of lymphatic fluid in the body, thereby relieving pain and congestion. This type of therapy is perfect to assist in the reduction of swelling post injury, and is also used to reduce swelling post surgery. MLD, as it is commonly known, is also used with great success for women who have a mastectomy, however, special training is required for therapists to treat when lymph nodes have been removed.

In most massage therapy training, the focus is primarily on Swedish techniques, but the above modalities may be learned as an adjunct to Swedish massage, or as continuing education.

Active release is a patented therapy which encompasses various movements while tissue is being manipulated. The term "active" refers to the fact that the patient voluntarily contracts his or her muscles as techniques are applied. This therapy requires specialized training and certification.

Craniosacral Therapy - is a gentle manual therapy developed by William Garner Sutherland, a student of Osteopathy, in the early 1900's. Craniosacral therapy, or CST, is believed to work by addressing soft tissue restrictions around the central nervous system, which in turn affect the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. Craniosacral therapy often relieves pain, induces deep relaxation and may encourage a more restful sleep.

Shiatsu is a manual therapy originating in Japan, and consists of finger pressure along various meridian or energy points throughout the body. Shiatsu is believed to work by removing any blockages along the meridians so energy travels more freely and the body can function normally.