Baby Massage a Growing Trend in the West

Massage therapy is one of the oldest medical arts in history, dating back to ancient China, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. The benefits of massage therapy for adults have long been known to most cultures, rarely disputed by doctor's therapists. But in eastern cultures, massage therapy has also been used to benefit babies for thousands of years. Westerners have been slowly catching on to this idea as eastern cultures are coming to their shores.

The thing that has hindered widespread adoption of infant massage is a basic misunderstanding of what massage therapy is all about. Essentially, massage therapy is a technique of touching and manipulating skin, muscle tissue, and joints as a means of relaxing the recipient. With baby massage the principles are the same, it's just that the techniques are modified to accommodate the fragile nature of the baby's body.

According to numerous studies, an infant who regularly receives massage will benefit in several ways including an increased awareness of his environment, better digestion and circulation, less fussiness and crying, and deeper, longer sleep. Some experts even believe babies who have received consistent massage develop a sense of self-awareness sooner than other babies, resulting in better self esteem later in life.

For parents, engaging in infant message means a stronger bond with their child, longer periods of quiet contentment, an equal sense of relaxation, and much needed parental confidence. If nothing else, there's little doubt that the touch of a parent's hand on the bare skin of her baby brings a healing element that can't be quantified.

Practising baby massage isn't all too difficult, but proper training will make the experience easier for those just getting started. Training also gives an added measure of safety for the child. Instructional videos and books are a good place to learn for parents who simply want to implement this in their own homes.

Health professionals and therapists are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of baby massage. In fact, many are learning the necessary skills to teach parents with the goal of helping to improve their overall parenting. Training and certification to become infant massage teachers is provided by a number of institutions like Hands on babies, Touch-Learn and Littlekidz.

One of the oldest infant massage organizations is the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), founded in 1981 by Vimala Schneider McClure. The organization's certification program has been around for more than 15 years and is recognized throughout the world as one of the best. Their devotion to this practice for so many years has helped re-establish baby massage as a legitimate medical art.

The western world has been slow to adapt many ancient eastern traditions like infant massage. But as just as acupuncture, meditation, and Shiatsu massage have all gained acceptance as standard therapeutic practice, baby message is growing in use among paediatricians, mid-wives, child health professionals, and parents alike. We all desire the best for our babies, even if it comes in the form of a good, healthy massage.

3 Facts About Deep Tissue Massage - Benefits Compared to Swedish Massage

If you have been seeking massage therapy for aches and pains, you may want to consider getting deep tissue massage. Though the Swedish-style massage can be great for minor aches and pain, and is also great for relaxation, there are times when it just isn't enough. Deep tissue massage is more about therapy and healing than relaxation, and there is a reason why it works better than the Swedish type. You should consider that the problems you are having in association with chronic pain need a more advanced approach.

You may not hear much about deep tissue massage, but it is something that is used quite often to help athletes and others who have very physical jobs. Most injuries are not just surface injuries, and it is important to get to the root of the problem for real relief. Athletes are not the only ones who can benefit however, as there are many injuries that go deeper than the surface. If you have an office job where you must sit in front of a computer all day, or if you do a lot of repetitive motions for any reason, you are also at risk for this type of problem.

3 Things You Need to Know

1. How it Works

Deep tissue massage reaches core muscles that are often not stimulated through surface massage. These muscles may be in a state of agitation. These core muscles are important for posture, and when they are not loose and working well, you are going to have all sorts of problems. If you have a backache that won't go away, and regular massage doesn't seem to do much to help you, it means that the core muscles are in need of manipulation, and that is where deep tissue massage can help. You may find relief for many types of chronic pain through this type of massage, and once you find you are feeling better, you may kick yourself for not having tried it sooner.

2. What Results Should You Expect?

A therapist using deep tissue massage will have to apply more pressure to reach the muscle well below the surface. This means there is going to be more pain when you have treatment. This pain is temporary, and is letting you know that the proper tissues are being targeted. When muscles are bunched, the act of kneading and manipulating them will hurt. This pain is temporary, and depending on the state of your health, you should see results rather quickly. It is important that you keep up with your treatment if you want to see total and complete results.

3. Where Can You Go?

You may have to look hard to find a good deep tissue massage therapist. You generally won't find someone like this in a spa that specializes in Swedish massage, but it is not unheard of either. If you can't seem to find anyone, talk to your medical doctor. They may know of somewhere you can go. Though some doctors are iffy on recommending alternative therapies, many of them respect what deep tissue massage can do for the health and well-being of their patients.

The Importance of the Client Consultation Process in Massage Home Study Courses

The importance of the client consultation process must be made obvious in any massage home study courses that you evaluate. When working as holistic therapist it is very important to carry out a client consultation before performing a treatment.

If this is their first visit you will need to conduct a client consultation with them. A client consultation helps you to determine why the client has come to see you. It helps you to evaluate any health issues they may have, be these emotional or physical. This will help you to formulate a treatment plan to help elevate the client's symptoms.

The client consultation information should include:-

• Personal details


• Medical History


• Contra Indications


• Clients lifestyle


• Treatment record

When carrying out a client consultation we are looking for contra indications to treatment. Contra Indications are health conditions that the client may have which mean that you should exercise caution or possibly avoid working on an area of the body. In more extreme cases you may need to avoid treatment altogether.

It is important to inform the client of this eg. "I am just going to run through a consultation form with you. The reason we are asking these questions is to determine that it is safety to proceed is to determine that it is safe to carry on with the treatment. We are looking for health conditions that mean we may have to modify the treatment or may need to get a doctor's permission before we can proceed. All the information that you give me is private and confidential and will only be used to determine whether it is safe to proceed with the treatment."

It is important that you check with your insurance company to determine which contra-indications they require you to check for, the list of contra indication can different for each insurer. If you do not check for their list of contra indications, then you may find that you are not covered should a client make a claim against you.

Ensure that both you and the client sign the consultation form to indicate that this is a true statement of the client's health.

If the client is a regular, then ask them to check the consultation form that they have filled in and inform you of any changes. Once you have determined that it is safe to proceed with the treatment, take the client to the treatment area and perform the treatment. Following the treatment, you should assess the treatment, make notes of any observations that you made during the treatment and give the client after care advice.

When you assess the treatment:

• Ask the client if they enjoyed the treatment, if not why not.


• Ask them what they liked the best and make notes, you will be able to modify their next treatment and do more of what they liked best?


• Was there anything they didn't like, if there is then again you can modify the next treatment and miss out what they didn't like?


• Was the pressure ok, again this allows you to modify your next treatment to meet your client's needs?


• Write their answer up on the follow up form, along with any problem areas you found when performing the treatment. It is important to write up this information as this is your record of the treatment, and you can use this information in the unlikely event of a claim being made against you. Just be prepared.

Client consultations are a very important part of being a professional holistic therapist. They protect both the client and you. They make sure that you do not perform a treatment on a client that may be detrimental to their well being and in the unlikely event of a client making an insurance claim against you, it shows that you took all the steps required of you and it shows the health information that the client told you, and it was this information that you used to decide to proceed with the treatment.

Stone Therapy Massage - Relieving Stress, Anxiety and Tension

Hot or cold stone therapy massage uses heated and cold special stones to relieve stiff, sore, aching muscles.

Stone therapy massage involves the application of warm basalt stones and cool sedimentary stones of different shapes and sizes, and temperatures, to key points on the body, in order to balance 'chakra'.

Creating a sense of warmth and comfort, the heat from a stone therapy massage relaxes the muscles allowing greater manipulation and a massage of deeper intensity.

How does Stone Therapy Massage Work?

Different stones serve different purposes.
Seven chakra stones are used for bringing balance to chakra centers. Some are used for massage and layouts, and others are used as palm rests.

To elicit mental and physical healing, stones are heated to varying temperatures between 125 - 135 degrees Fahrenheit and placed in various positions on the body.

Warm basalt stones are used for deep penetration to loosen and sooth tightened, congested muscles. Cool marble stones are used to reduce inflammation creating a rejuvenating and balanced treatment.

Many therapists will use stone massage therapy in conjunction with other massage treatments such as trigger point therapy or aromatherapy.

The use of different massage techniques, together with the stones, produces energy and releases areas of blockage.

The alternate use of hot and cold stones encourages healing. Hot stones ease stiffness and encourage circulation and help to move waste materials through the body.

Cold stones reduce inflammation and swelling. They cause blood vessels to constrict, stimulate the nervous system and draw waste along the body.

The corresponding increase in lymph flow ensures the effective removal of waste material from the body.

The Benefits of Stone Massage Therapy

Stone therapy massage relieves stress, anxiety and tension. It is deeply relaxing and improves poor circulation, is effective for reducing muscular aches, pains, strains and sprains. Other benefits include:

o detoxifies physically and energetically

o tones and enhances tissue repair

o soothes and decongests the body

o relaxes and rejuvenates

o leaves you feeling grounded, balanced, and revitalized

What Happens During a Stone Therapy Massage Session?

You will be asked to lie on a towel covering a variety of flat hot and cold stones that trace the spine. Specific oils are applied gently to the skin before the therapist begins to glide the hot stones across the meridian lines.

Therapists start at the feet and glide the stones in a ritualistic manner over the body. Stones are cradled in the palms and nestled in the toes balancing and aligning energy, sending out healing properties and reducing stress.

Booking a Stone Therapy Massage Treatment

Stone Therapy Massage is very popular and widely available with many practitioners of other massage therapies, using stones in their practice.

Just one treatment allows you to feel completely at peace with yourself and your surroundings.

Described as the ultimate journey for mind, body and soul, stone therapy massage is pure decadence and a real indulgence that you definitely deserve!

Tips on Managed Care and Credentialing for Physical Therapists

As we are all aware, managing payer contracts is an important and on-going activity. Here are some tips that are proven to help you succeed as a private practice clinician and support team.

The Managed Care team in Central Office works diligently on auditing all payer contracts. Payer contracts are audited yearly; broken up into 4 quarters of the year. Extensive audit practices assure that both the payers and the practices are in agreement with what the contract states, and ensures that payers have correctly identified the practice information for patients looking to access the physical & occupational therapy services. An in-depth look should be taken at all critical success factors that influence both volume of visits and reimbursement. This is a great way to sort out any variance, but more importantly, work to solidify relationships with payer partners.

The first place to start looking at is how the practices and professional providers are listed in the payer directories. This activity assures accuracy in on-line directories as well as paper ones. If the practices are not listed correctly, patients and referral sources will not find them as participating clinics. This also allows a practice the opportunity to update payers with new provider names, locations and/or specialty programming. Doing this activity assures that the practices have access to patients and makes it easy for referral doctors to feel comfortable that they have chosen an "in-network" provider for their patients.

There are a few other correct influences to keep in mind to ensure reimbursement. Make sure all payments are made via electronic fund transfer. Compare the explanation of benefits (EOB) received from the payer to the fee schedule negotiated to assure the practices are getting paid the exact amount expected. Should there be any variance, contact the payer representative right away to correct. During this contact audit, take the opportunity to meet with the payer representatives. This networking activity builds a stronger relationship and allows the payer to see what is being done in the clinics and get insights on what is expected in the future. Carving these inroads with the networking activities and payers will allow the payer the opportunity to learn more about physical & occupational therapy.

After finishing the audit, share the results with each member of the practice management team. It's important to be seamlessly integrated with payer rules and nuances. Having every member of the team knowing the specificity of the contact gives patients a better guest experience by being a resource on their insurance payer.

Corporate Chair Massage Program Use And Benefits

More and more, savvy businesses are recognizing the value of on-site massage for elevating their employees well-being, and they're seeing the initiatives translate into tangible benefits for the organization.? Some of these practical benefits include increased productivity, elevated morale, and even heightened market competitiveness.? At the end of the day, it adds up to increased profitability for the business.

Over the past decade, chair massage has grown as a wellness benefit that companies can offer their employees that is safe, cost-effective, convenient and has positive effects not just on the employees health, but also on general morale.

How many other personnel-related initiatives can make employees feel better at work immediately, are available to all employees in almost all work environments, and has zero startup or equipment costs?

A well-conducted,?professional corporate massage onsite program requires only room for the specially designed portable massage chair we provide.? It can be a cubicle or a workstation, or a conference room.? The massage session is timed to correspond to the length of a normal work break.? Oils or lotions aren't used, and the recipient remains fully clothed, so there's no requirement for changing clothes.

Some of the advantages and benefit of a corporate chair massage include increased productivity and employee performance, a reduction in potential effects associated with repetitive tasks and staying in sitting-at-workstation mode for too long, and an overall improvement in employees feelings about the company and the workplace.? It is also? the kind of treatment that tells people the employer cares about them and their overall well-being.? Taken together, it can all add up to increased loyalty, as well.? And the benefits extend across the breadth of the employee population.

Of course, it's widely accepted that massage helps boost the body's immune system in addition to providing relief for muscular tension and discomfort.? At the end of the session the employees are relaxed, their energy level is raised and they're ready to return to their workday tasks.

Look for a professional, licensed massage therapist (LMT) who can provide a flexible framework for integrating a corporate chair massage program into your company's environment and wellness programs.?

An ongoing program will likely yield sustainable benefits. But consider, also, those "all out sprint to the finish" projects, where a series of scheduled 10 to fifteen minute session windows in a regular time-of-day framework can help stressed team members stay as relaxed and focused as possible in an intense, pressure-packed project environment.

Chair massage is becoming increasingly common in the workplace environment and is used by many companies large and small with very positive results. It's smart, it's easy, and it makes sense.

Health Benefits of Indian Head Massage

Massage is a form of therapy which aims in improving the health condition of the human body as well as giving it a relaxing experience by freeing up stress from the body. There are many types of therapeutic massage that were developed to serve various purposes although they all share the same objective which is to soothe the physical and emotional state of the body, heal various conditions, improve the immunity against sickness and disease and to improve the circulation within the body.

Indian head massage is just one of the many 160 different types of massage therapies practiced and enjoyed all around the world. This type of therapy specializes in pampering the human body through the manipulation of nerves and muscle tissues on the head, neck, face, upper arms and shoulders of the patient. This technique is also known as Champissage, which means head massage in the Hindi language. Soft and gentle massage techniques are used to address stress, tensions, emotional problems and body pain.

This therapy which originated in India as a service offered after getting hair done at a barber shop was enjoyed by Narendra Mehta. His satisfaction was put to an end though on his transfer of residency in England. Mehta was a blind physical therapist who was responsible in improving the traditional Indian head massage. He combined energy works with traditional Ayurvedic principles to create an effective art of healing and relaxation. This therapy was later on introduced and practiced in England.

Before the therapy begins, the patient is asked to get positioned in a comfortable sitting posture on a chair. Clothing can be either removed or kept during the therapy. The patient can also choose whether to use massage oil or not. Indian head massage usually lasts 30 minutes although the patient can always request for an additional time especially when the therapy is done as a home service.

Indian head massage mainly focuses in giving the patient a whole body relaxation by working and conducting various massages techniques mostly on the head. Therapy sessions begin with deep breathing exercises to create a sense of relaxation. The therapist usually begins by conducting gentle strokes on the shoulder of the patient which helps in relieving stress, body pain and tensions within the muscle groups of that area. The soft touch of the therapist's hands stimulates the nerves which send a comforting message to the brain. This then enhances the mood and emotional condition of the patient which can be helpful in the relaxation process of the therapy. The masseuse then goes to the neck and begins massaging it to relieve neck pain. The head then is massage from the scalp to the face in a soft massage technique which can sometimes put the patient falling asleep while sitting on the chair. This is a sign of total body relaxation and satisfaction.

During the therapy, the patient should be vocal on how he or she feels as the pressure used is increased. Any pain should be notified to the therapist to avoid physical problems and discomfort during the therapy session.