Careers in Healing Arts

There are many exciting training opportunities for careers in healing arts today. Prospective students can explore natural healing careers in massage therapy, herbal medicine, holistic health, reflexology, naturopathy and chiropractic, among others.

Careers in healing arts like massage therapy can be achieved through any one of the many available bodywork training programs. Depending on the course in which you enroll, you can anticipate between 300 and 1,000 instructional hours in massage therapy. Commonly taught modalities include deep tissue massage, sports massage and Swedish massage. Additional studies frequently involve anatomy, pathology, physiology, CPR and first aid, kinesiology, hydrotherapy, reflexology, and more.

Careers in healing arts that entail herbal medicine include acupuncture, Oriental medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, and holistic health practitioners. While these professional healing arts careers differ in relation to respective discipline, each academic program carries a curriculum in herbalism and common herbal remedies. For instance, Oriental medicine practitioners often practice Chinese herbal medicine; which is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophies and theories (and Chinese herbal formulations). Naturopathic practitioners often provide both Eastern and Western herbal medicine, as do homeopaths.

Careers in healing arts vary in professional outlook and income potential. Massage therapists, for instance, have a positive healing arts career outlook as projected job growth for this profession is very positive. Other alternative healing arts careers like chiropractic can also prove to be very lucrative. Considering education, training and experience, licensed chiropractors have the potential to earn well over $100,000 annually. Professional healthcare providers may also benefit by having the additional training and education to provide holistic health services to patients desiring alternatives to conventional medicine practices.

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

*Source: BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Careers in Healing Arts
© Copyright 2008
The CollegeBound Network
All Rights Reserved

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

All Doctors of Physical Therapy in California

California State Universities are this year offering a Doctor of Physical Therapy program (DPT) as the Masters of Physical Therapy program (MPT) is fast becoming a thing of the past. This article will outline those universities making the switch and which State Universities in California now offer the DPT.

The DPT is progressively becoming the gold standard in physical therapy education across the United States. The DPT allows practitioners to become more recognised in the field of PT. This strengthens the case for physical therapists to become first contact practitioners across all states. Currently in the U.S. PTs work as first contact practitioners in 46 States and the District of Columbia, however there remain some stringent restrictions on physical therapy practice without the guidance of a doctor. To strengthen the case for physical therapists to become first contact practitioners, the American Physical Therapy Association has pushed for all PT programs to transition to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs by 2020. This leaves little room for dispute that physical therapists are well qualified to be first contact practitioners.

There are currently 14 public and private universities offering a degree in PT in California. All private universities in California currently offer the DPT program, and it seems that finally the State Universities are following their example.

Commencing in 2012, all California State Universities (Northridge, Long Beach, Sacramento and San Francisco/Fresno) will offer DPT programs for physical therapy students. These programs offer more advanced clinical programs and clinical internships and allow the graduate to hold a doctorate degree on completion of the program. All California DPTs are accredited by CAPTE and all students can undertake the National Physical Therapy Exam on completion of their studies. Because they are state universities, the tuition fees are governed by the California State University Board of Trustees and are system wide. Tution fees for the DPT at any CSU in 2012 are $8074 per semester. Most DPT programs in California run for 8-9 semesters and offer 30-35 weeks of clinical internships within these semesters. The average number of students accepted into the DPT programs in California is 32 however there are usually many more applicants than this so study hard!!

For those who are completing a Masters Degree this year, California State Universities will offer a postprofessional transitional DPT to act as a bridging course and allow the graduate to hold a DPT upon completion. This postprofessional program usually involves 9-12months of further studies.

The path to becoming a physical therapist is a long and challenging one, however the DPT programs, now offered by California State Universities will ease the transition to practice and is the way of the future.

The Power of Massage Therapy

Do you feel that you have a huge number of duties and tasks you have to complete daily? Do you find yourself thinking that 24 hours a day is definitely not enough for you to deal with work, family and relationships? Many people live a fast paced life that causes a lot of stress. There is always too little time and the "to do" list just seems growing. This kind of situation affects both the body and the mind. You start to feel more anxious and nervous and this takes a toll on your relationships with colleagues and family members. Your body also goes on strike from fatigue, resulting in headaches, tense muscles and skin problems.

One solution to all these complaints is massage therapy. It was used already in ancient times by the Egyptians and the Romans who used it mainly for pleasure. The Chinese and the Japanese also had their own techniques which were used in medicine. Despite the different areas of use, massage techniques have grown and developed over the years. Nowadays there are records of over 80 techniques that are all used for different purposes. The most common technique is Swedish massage. It improves the circulation using movements like stretching, percussion and applying pressure. This relieves the tension in the muscles and helps to improve joint mobility.

Another form of massage therapy that has developed from the Japanese technique shiatsu, is neuromuscular therapy. Despite the complicated name, the principles are fairly easy - it is a deep tissue massage that stimulates certain trigger points in the body. Every point has it's own purpose and affects the body differently, so this kind of massage should definitely be performed by a professional.

Does Physical Therapy For Frozen Shoulder Work?

Most doctors will only attempt to treat the symptoms of frozen shoulder. To do this, they many try any number of different treatments, such as acupuncture or injections. Frozen shoulder symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, can usually be reduced or sometimes alleviated all together with the right combination of treatments.

Of the treatments available, physical therapy for frozen shoulder is the one that is most argued about. The effectiveness of the physical therapy is the question. Frozen shoulder, by nature, will heal itself with time and many physicians feel that they simply do not wish to expose their patient to any more pain and suffering than they are probably already going through.

Many, however, still believe that some amount of physical therapy for frozen shoulder can be beneficial if done at the right time in the progress of the condition. This physical therapy is aimed at relieving both pain and stiffness and will typically consist of both massage and stretching exercises. The massage part of the physical therapy may be a two step process that consists of either a manual massage or a manual manipulation (chiropractic), and a deep heat massage, usually done through ultrasound.

Physical therapy is done to stretch the muscles in the shoulder joint; however, most physicians will recommend that no exercises be done unless under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Because of the sticky nature of the condition, it is very easy to damage the joint further by overexerting or incorrectly performing an exercise.

Whatever the case, a patient should always remember that physical therapy for frozen shoulder can help to relieve the pain and stiffness, but it will probably only be effective if done during the first or last stage of the condition. There are three stages to frozen shoulder. The first stage is called the freezing stage. At this point, the stiffness is just starting to set in and there is still some sort of mobility in the joint.

The last stage is similar, except that the patient will gradually begin to realize a return in their range of motion. Either of these stages will benefit by some daily stretching exercises and massage to relieve the inflammation. During the frozen stage, the physical therapy will most likely be very limited in its effectiveness and will cause the patient unnecessary pain.

A Massage Therapist Certification - 500+ Hours of Coursework is Needed to Practice in Most States

Much like physicians and nurses, most manner of medical, clinical, and therapy providers are required to hold some sort of state license or certification. It is no different for masseurs in most of the states. While the average individual is aware that every doctor actively practicing in the U.S. needs to be licensed by the American Medical Association or AMA, most individuals are not familiar with the requirements and regulations which masseurs and masseuses need to follow.

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or NCBTMB, currently administers two certification exams which are recognized by 37 states. In addition to passing one of these tests, it is necessary for the certified massage therapist to have at least 500 hours of coursework. The coursework covers a variety of topics and information such as anatomy, physiology, ethics, pathology and more.

Even though 37 states require an individual to hold a certification and pass a background check, many local governments may have additional requirements above and beyond that of the state. Some states, however, do not as yet require massage therapists to be certified by the NCBTMB. Again, even in those few states with no requirements, local jurisdictions within those state may require certification.

Many massage therapists who have been practicing for years may not need to fulfill every requirement. Depending upon whether a new law is passed, some masseurs or masseuses can be "grandfathered" in instead. For those massage professionals which do need to hold certifications, much like doctors, continuing education is required to maintain their certification or re-taking the certification test every four years. Often times should a massage therapist move to another state, completing the coursework needs to be accomplished again.

There are numerous types of massage therapy and many considerations that a massage therapist must address when working with a client. Circulatory issues, nervous system issues, the lymphatic system, pregnancy, and many more come into play. As a client, you would certainly want someone who is qualified and certified as a therapist, rather than an inexperienced person who may endanger your health.

The purpose of passing the NCBTMB certification requirements is to uphold the standards and legitimize the professional of a massage therapist. By requiring continued education in the field of massage, a therapist shows that they are dedicated to their clients' well-being and professional in their conduct. These standards are set in place to help ensure that the client will receive the attention of a professional and qualified massage therapist.

Going to See a Massage Therapist for the First Time? Here's What to Expect

Registered massage therapists can help treat a number of conditions and ailments, including back and neck injuries, knee injuries, asthma, arthritis and much more. But when you go to a massage therapist for treatment, what will he or she actually do?

First, if you're suffering from an injury or illness, you need to see a registered massage therapist, or RMT. An RMT is trained in anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology and much more. When you see an RMT, you know you're seeing someone with the experience and education to help treat your particular health issue.

The truth is your massage therapist has one main goal - to get you well. The primary aim is to restore, maintain and maximize your movement, function, all to help improve your overall wellbeing.

What happens when you visit a massage therapist for a treatment? First, after taking a detailed health history and learning about your injury or condition, the massage therapist will work to come up with a treatment plan.

Next, you'll be asked to prepare yourself for your treatment. Your massage therapist may ask you to remove your clothing from the waist up, and may also ask you to remove your pants (but leave your underwear on). He or she will leave the room, and give you time to undress, lie down on the massage table and cover yourself with a sheet. A good RMT will keep all of your sensitive areas covered at all times with a sheet, never exposing you at any time.

If you're uncomfortable with the idea of removing your clothing, be sure to speak to your RMT about it before your treatment. Together, you can come up with a solution to ensure you get the treatment you need, and ease any fears you might have about disrobing.

The reason the RMT generally requires you to remove your clothes is so he or she can have full access to your muscles. An RMT generally applies an oil or lotion to the skin when performing the massage, which is best done when you've removed your clothing.

Then, the massage therapist will come back into the room (and will knock before entering to be sure you're ready) and begin the massage. You may start out lying on your stomach and then flipping onto your back, or vice versa. Your therapist will guide you through the process, and may ask you questions throughout the treatment to discover if anything hurts or which areas might require special treatment.

When your allotted treatment time is up, your therapist will leave the room so you can dress. When you're finished, your therapist will give you any additional information you may need, require payment and book another appointment based on how much treatment you need.

Read More About the Physical Therapy Career Requirements

A physical therapist attains fulfillment in his career when he is able, successfully to dole out diverse treatments to his patients, alleviate them from pain and distress, and bring a smile to their faces. This challenging career not only gives them the opportunity for treatment but also in assessing the ailments, diagnosis and providing the right kind of relief. The job being highly specialized, calls for physical therapy requirements of the highest order, for dealing with the problems of the afflicted persons.

Different states in the USA have varying standards of employment and some of them insist that the physiotherapists employed by them continue with their higher continuous education in the field to be current with the latest techniques and developments. They want all their physical therapy employees to impart the highest standards of treatment to the patients who visit their institutions.

Rehabilitation is a major factor in the physical therapist's occupation. Patients, in locations as diverse as fitness centers, hospitals, clinics and their own homes find respite from the able administration of physical therapy by the experts in the institutions. A physical therapist assistant must have at least an associate physical therapy degree, and they should know everything about operating the different medical equipment, therapeutic exercises, and monitoring the systematic progress of the patients and impart the right therapy education to them for a faster recovery.

The USA has stringent requirements laid down in the matter of employing physical therapist assistants. As of 2011, 276 Commissions on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) approved centers, conferred associate's degrees to students of therapy. American requirements prohibit employing assistants without completing post secondary programs accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) or the CAPTE, referred to above. These degree programs focus on rehabilitation, and include courses in medical terminology, physiology, therapeutic exercises, human development, health care, law, and the rehabilitation procedures itself.

Additionally, the final three semesters of the study curriculum will include three practical exams on subjects such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and even first aid. Additionally, clinical experience is a great plus point for those who covet the post of therapy assistants.

Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) held by the Federation of State Boards of therapy is inevitable for those who wish to pursue a physical therapy career. Most of the states in the USA, except Colorado and Hawaii, insist on a CAPTE accredited program, as well. Some states also hold their own exams and the physical therapy assistants will have to take progressive exams to keep their license and certification alive. Those assistants who require specialization in, say, pediatric therapy and have completed in the last 5 years, with a work experience 2000 hours and continuous education of 60 hours, can apply and obtain certificate of advanced proficiency from APTA, provided they are members.

Just for information, a physical therapist assistant must have minimum at least a state sponsored associate degree accredited by the APTA.