The Amazing Benefits Of A Full Body Massage

There is nothing in the world like the feeling you get after a full body massage. That sense of peace and tranquility pervades every muscle and seems to be just the thing to help you get a good rest. But a full body massage can do more than just feel good. There are a whole host of benefits that massage can give you when delivered by a licensed professional massage therapist.

The number of benefits associated with massage therapy is enormous.

Humans need touch. It's as simple as that. Without touch, we get depressed, ill, and stressed. A newborn who is not touched will not thrive. A well done massage takes our need for touch to a new therapeutic level. It can not only relieve tension and stress, it can help rehabilitate a muscle injury. It can also help prevent injury. Massage helps keep muscles loose and well-nourished, so they respond better when stressed. Massage improves circulation, which can aid healing and cell growth. The lymphatic system benefits as well through massage... like your circulation, it flows through channels throughout your body. Manipulating the muscles and these channels help clear up blockages and keep the lymph fluid flowing. Regular massages can contribute to a healthier immune system. Regular massages can also help you overcome sleep problems; enabling you to get more rest and be more alert while you are awake.

If you've never had one, you are in for a treat. Here's what you can expect.

A professional massage may cost you anywhere from $50 to $100 or more for an hour-long treatment. Once you've experienced one by a licensed masseuse, you'll know it is worth every penny. When you arrive at the massage therapist's office, you will be shown to a private space. Once there, you will need to undress and lie on the massage table. Sheets are wrapped around you, both for modesty and to keep you warm. Only the portion of your body that is being massaged will be uncovered at any one time. When you are ready, the massage therapist will come in. They may use oils for the massage that enable their fingers to slide more smoothly over your muscles. These oils are easily absorbed by your skin, and may be mixed with aromatherapy oils for additional benefits.

The therapist may start at your feet, loosening the muscles one by one with a series of strokes, pressures and other manipulative movements. They work their way up the legs, into your hips, releasing tension and restoring full circulation as they go. Most methods of massage will focus on moving the blood back towards the heart. Depending on what method of massage you choose, you may experience more methods of applying pressure, or more stroking... each method is different.

The therapist will work their way through your back, shoulders, arms, hands and neck, finishing at your head.

Sounds wonderful doesn't it? But remember to always use a licensed therapist for a full body massage. A licensed massage therapist has undergone rigorous training in the systems of the body and how they work together. They have studied how to apply pressure and stroking techniques to various parts of the body to increase circulation and loosen muscles without causing harm to the client. And they have passed a stringent written and practical exam by their state to qualify to provide massage therapy to the public.

Beauty Schools Offer More Than Just Makeup And Hair Careers

Many people are surely equipped with the preconceived notion that cosmetology school graduates have hairdressing and makeup artistry in their futures. However, this is definitely one myth that can be dismissed. There are hundreds upon hundreds of career possibilities for graduates of beauty schools. Cosmetology is a field for which employees are in high demand, and while hairdressers and makeup artists will always be needed, there is just as high of a demand for many other types of specialists.

All the top beauty schools offer massage therapy training programs and diplomas. Some may not necessarily associate this field of study with cosmetology, but the truth of the matter is that cosmetology school is where one would go to become practiced in this field. Imagine a world without physical therapists or chiropractors. There are simply too many people who strain their bodies and are in need of relief, and thus, massage therapists will always be necessary.

No consumer would buy a beauty product without knowing that it is safe and reliable. That is why there will always be a need for educated beauty product specialists. Beauty schools offer esthiology degrees upon which this type of career relies. This sort of career could also lead to a person becoming a writer for a beauty magazine or even a makeup photographer. All of this can be accomplished simply by attending a beauty college.

Although getting a diploma in the broad field of cosmetology is the most time-consuming, it is definitely well worth-it in terms of occupational variety. With this specialization, a person could even successfully open up his or her own salon, photo studio, or beauty product storefront. The career opportunities are always rewarding, to say the least - even pursuing a job as a beauty consultant could lead to procuring high-end customers and establishing a well-known name.

Undoubtedly, beauty schools have much more to offer their graduates than working at the bottom of the chain in a salon. In fact, the potential jobs can be extremely lucrative and rewarding in various ways. For that reason, high school graduates should always do their research before jumping to conclusions about this type of education - there are so many possibilities, there could be a job to suit just about anyone.

Must-Do Marketing For Solo Estheticians and Massage Therapists

Whether you are a solo esthetician, stylist or massage therapist - going it on your own has its benefits and challenges. Without a retail location, you may feel that you are at a marketing disadvantage to salons or day spas. Little do you know, most of those day spas and retails paying a pretty penny for retail space are thinking YOU are a smart cookie--- because you have very little overhead and no employees. Just like most things in life, the grass is always greener on the other side. As for building your solo practice, here are must-do marketing actions to take to bring new clients.

1. Get a marketing plan. If you are a rabid Friends fan like me, you might remember the first season episode when Phoebe laments "Get a plan?! I don't even have a pluh." And while it may seem overwhelming to create one, it is can actually make your life easier once you have one. The beauty of a marketing plan is that you know what you are going to spend, do (and NOT do) for marketing month by month. If you don't know where to start, drop me a note or call me. With a few phone calls and emails, I'll get to know your goals, budget, background and help you craft a plan that will put you in control.

2. Set up a client contact system. This can be paper-based or using a client database on your computer. The goal here is to remind you to reach out to clients you have seen before. Some occasions to do this are:

*Two days post treatment to see if they have any questions. Inquire about how they feel about their skin (any flare-ups?), their neck/back/etc. that they mentioned prior to their massage or if they have any styling questions about their new cut.

*Birthdays. You may be the only person to send them a card!

*If you have seen them in six weeks - or whatever would be your recommended interval for the next service.

*Three weeks after purchasing a product - do they need more?

*Client anniversary thank you - every year they have been a client, send them a little thank you note. Hand written cards are so very special these days, but email greeting cards are just as effective as getting the point across that you appreciate their loyalty.

You can see that tracking client activities and creating a system to remind you of these things is essential.

3. Reward for referrals. Review my No Cost Referrals tips and create a system that works for you. Building your business by word of mouth is the most inexpensive marketing around...don't be afraid to be generous to clients you refer you. A $25 Starbucks card for one client can save you from a $800 newspaper ad that brings in the same number of new clients (you got...just one.) No need for a fancy points system...your business cards (yes you need 'em) will do the trick. Give your clients extras when they book an appointment and list on your cards: "I build my business through referrals and would be delighted to help your friends or relatives."

4. Leverage the Internet. Having a website is, in my humble opinion, absolutely critical for any business. Use lower cost hosted solutions like Inspirational Web Hosting or SpaBoom - businesses that understand yours and provide low cost and easy to use solutions. On your site, be sure to collect emails and allow instant gift certificate purchase. Online sales is a nice perk, but not for everyone because you have to then ship out products very quickly after receiving the online order. If you are in a treatment room all day, this might be cause a delay...just be careful to correctly set customer expectations.

While there are several more marketing activities I'd recommend like a professional logo, or printing a brochure, there are also things you should not waste money on. Avoid advertisements and direct mail. The cost will most certainly outweigh the benefit you'd receive as a single practitioner.

Be sure to track your marketing pennies well. It is important to be conscious about how much (and where) you are spending your marketing dollars so you can decide whether to continue or not.

Massage Therapy Can Reduce Stress And Improve Performance

Massage therapy offers one of the most effective and natural ways to treat the body and the mind. By working with the body's soft tissue, a massage therapist helps people maintain, augment, rehabilitate and develop physical function. The therapeutic effects of massage therapy and its importance in improving health are well known. As it acts directly on the nervous, muscular, circulatory, and immune (lymphatic) systems, several health problems can be addressed and treated with this form of therapy.

Today, massage has become a part of the training regime for most professional athletes. It helps them improve their performance and also helps them cope with stress and pressure. In fact, even working professionals who have a hectic lifestyle with a number of physically and mentally taxing tasks on their agenda along with long hours at work will benefit immensely from massage therapy. Stress also increases the risk of heart disease and massage therapy is one of the most effective as well as enjoyable ways to combat and reduce stress.

Sometimes, even an injury that may seem minor may affect a person's ability to remain independent and physically active. One of the best ways to ensure that the condition does not become chronic is through massage, which prevents a disastrous outcome. It also promotes an overall sense of well being by relaxing the body and helps in pain management and control.

Massage therapy alleviates or prevents pain and there are different massage therapy techniques that are recommended specifically for tight and tense or sore muscles and tissues. Experienced and qualified massage therapists are adept at finding tense spots and they help restore the body's balance. The movements used in this therapy reduce the recovery time from an injury, boost the functions of the immune system, and improve circulation. This improves the flow of blood to and from the joints and muscles, which enhances circulation.

Skilled and licensed therapists have become an integral and important part of all health care teams. Though there are several different types of massage therapy techniques, some of the most common ones are the Swedish massage that is ideal for people who get regular massage, the Sports massage for athletes and weekend warriors to treat specific injuries, the Trigger Point massage for sensitive areas and muscles that are injured or have been overused, and the Deep Tissue massage that focuses on the deep layers of muscles and tissues.

Reflexology, a Brief History and Benefits

Reflexology is the stimulation of the feet for healing purposes. This is achieved through applying pressure to specific points in our feet. It is a form of acupressure, which has been around for thousands of years. Dating back as far as 5000 B.C. there are written records from Asia that document acupressure massage techniques. Hieroglyphic references to foot reflexology have been discovered in Egypt. Native Americans have known about the relationship between the feet and the whole body for centuries. Native Americans would use various herbs and mud to rub into the soles of the feet. They used this form of treatment for disease, pain, and illnesses. They believed this form of treatment would improve one's health and reconnect his spirit with the Earth.

Modern Reflexology

In the early 1900's modern reflexology began. Pioneered by Dr's. William H. Fitzgerald, Edwin F. Bowers and George Starr White. They developed "Zone Therapy" in which they believed the body was "mapped" in different zones. These zones corresponded with different structures in the body. Dr. Eunice Ingham is known as the "Mother of Modern Reflexology." She expanded on the zone therapy by mapping the feet. She discovered very specific points in the feet and hands that corresponded with the various organs, glands, and structures (ie: spinal column) in the human body. By stimulating these points with applied pressure, the corresponding organ or gland is stimulated.

How Reflexology Works

Your reflexology session will start with a gentle "warming up" of the feet. Once this is completed the reflexologist will then begin applying pressure to specific points located on your feet. This is done to stimulate the nerve ending of the pressure point. In turn, the corresponding organ or gland will be stimulated. Sometimes a "crystal deposit" is found on a specific point. It is believed these crystals are blocking the nerve ending. Your reflexologist will break up these deposits with pressure and massage. This will open up the channel between the nerve ending and the corresponding organ.

Reflexology Results

Everyone is different in how their body responds to reflexology. Some people will see and feel the results rather quickly. Others, will need several sessions to start noticing the results they desire. Like all forms of treatment, it depends on how long the condition has existed and the severity of the condition. Reflexology is a holistic treatment and a good alternative to certain remedies. Another key to positive results is the belief that reflexology works. The mind/body connection is a powerful thing; if you have a positive mental attitude your body will react in a positive fashion.

Here are some of the results my clients have reported back to me:

Most people have reported the relief from constipation in 3-24 hours.

Relief of menstrual cramps.

Relief from stress, reflexology is very relaxing.

Sleeping better and longer at night.

Relief of back pain.

Relief from migraine headaches.

Benefits Of Reflexology

Like benefits of massage therapy, reflexology is a holistic approach to treating the body. Reflexology improves the functionality of the kidney's, intestines, skin, circulation, and lungs. It will increase the control of the bladder and bowels. Reflexology helps in pain relief by the release of endorphins (the body's natural pain killer); by stimulating the nerve endings in the feet. It can help reduce stress and fatigue. It provides cold and flu relief as long as you are not in a feverish state. It can help induce labor in over-due pregnancies. Reflexology can help with the unpleasant side-effects of different cancer treatments.

Specializing in Deep Tissue Massage

As a massage therapist, specializing in deep tissue massage can be a lucrative and rewarding decision, as this is quickly becoming one of the most popular styles of massage. It focus on realigning the connective tissue and deep layers of muscles beneath the skin to help heal chronically sore shoulders, tight lower backs, tense and stiff necks and other pains. This massage therapy style relies on many of the traditional techniques, but you will use deeper pressure and move your hands more slowly to really get into the affected areas and relieve the tension. ???

If you choose to specialize in deep tissue massage you will have many options as far as where you will work and who your clients will be. People who have had sports injuries and those who suffer from poor circulation and chronic muscle tension or adhesions in the ligaments, muscles and tendons will always be interested in this massage. You will relieve their pain and tension by breaking down the adhesions that are causing pain, and you will help to restore their muscle systems to their normal state of movement. As long as there are patients suffering from chronic pain, fibromyalgia, limited mobility, osteoarthritis pain, postural problems, muscle tension, spasms, sports injuries or repetitive strain injuries, you will have a market of clients.

Tissue massage therapists work in massage parlors, spas, fitness clubs, physical therapy offices and private practices. The hourly wages for this type of work are about $41.50 on average, although this all depends on where you work and how much experience you have. Before you can become a massage therapist, you will need to complete a training program, perform the required number of hours of massage experience and become certified. You will also need to complete specialized training in deep tissue massage.

Specializing in deep tissue massage could be ideal for you. If you are passionate about the healing arts and want to help people live pain-free lives, contact a local accredited massage school and find out more about their tissue massage training.?

The 3 Secret Questions Revealed You Must Ask to Choose the Best Massage Therapy School for You!

Before I tell you more, let's talk about you!

People have told you that you're good with your hands!
You love making people feel good and you would love making
money while you do!

So now you say to yourself, "I need to find the right
school for me."

You start calling schools and every single school tells
you they are the best school and each school claims that
when you graduate you'll have all the skills you need to
start your exciting new career. Wow! An exciting new
career awaits you!

But whoa! Stop! Hold your horses! Which school do you
pick? They all say they're the best! Can they all be? Can
they all be the best for you?

How do you choose the school that will give you the
highest level of training so you'll be one of the most
sought after massage therapists in the field?

How will you know the difference between a school that
offers you an exceptional education and a school that
offers you a slick marketing campaign but gives you a
mediocre education?

Well, I've got a secret. I've worked on the inside as an
"Admissions Director" in a number of schools from big
corporate schools to small schools and I know what they
do to try
to "convince you" to go to their school regardless of the
quality of education you'll receive and regardless of what
would be best for you!

They don't want you to know the inside secrets which I'm
about to share with you.

Now, don't get me wrong, there a number of exceptional
massage therapy schools throughout the country and the 3
powerful questions you'll receive momentarily will help
you find those diamonds amongst the glass!

Here's more of the secret! All massage therapy schools
are a business. Well, nothings wrong with that, but the
problem comes when a school cares more about the bottom
line than the success of their students.

So what do some schools do? Sometimes they invest more
money in their marketing than they do in the quality of
your education. Why would any school do that? It's a whole
lot easier to create slick marketing ads than it is to
create an exceptional curriculum and education!

A number of schools pay big bucks to giant marketing
companies to spin their school so you will enroll! What
are most people impressed by? Pretty, shiny brochures,
with pretty shiny people in it and polished sales
presentations.

Now there's nothing wrong with all that, but will any of
those marketing devices really let you know the true
quality of education you'll actually receive?

No, but people usually base their decision to enroll in a
school based on the sales pitch they are given and if they
"like" the "admissions advisor". Now some of you may know
this already, but the titles; "admissions rep" or
admissions advisor are simply fancy names for trained
sales people that have big quotas to meet and in some
schools you are simply a number to help them meet that
quota! I should know, I used to train them!

Now even though your "admissions rep" may be a really
wonderful person, how can you possibly know the quality of
the education you'll receive from a person telling you
what they want you to hear.

This brings us to the 3 powerful, secret questions you
*must* ask to find the truly exceptional school:

#1. How many modalities will you be able to *practice*
upon graduation?
(A modality is a style of massage)

Why is it so important to learn multiple modalities? If
you only learn one style of massage, you will be working
in the same way every day. If you do anything
repetitively, you risk injury or burnout and with only one
style of massage, believe me, you will get burned out! If
you learn multiple styles you will enjoy massaging your
clients for years!

Imagine if you were a hair stylist but were only taught
how to cut one style of hair. Let's say a bowl-cut. Two
things would happen. One, you would get very bored and
two, not all of your clients would want that particular
style. One style does not fit all.

The same goes for your massage therapy clients. Each of
them will need different styles depending on who they are
and what they need from their massage therapy session.
Some will need the energizing effects of Shiatsu. Some
will need the deeper work of Neuro-muscular therapy. Some
clients may need the clearing work of polarity. Make sure
the school you select offers multiple modalities!

Now here's another secret! A slick marketing trick that a
number of schools use. Most schools offer only one type of
massage training and little teaser intros on some other
types during your education. They usually include these
teasers in their brochures and presentations. You will
probably think you learn all of those styles during your
training but in reality, they do *not* teach you the other
styles. You will only be qualified to practice *one* type
of massage upon your graduation.

Remember, ask the school how many modalities you will be
qualified to practice when you graduate!

#2. How does the school teach body mechanics, that is how
will they teach you the techniques of massaging clients so
you won't burn-out?

Did you know that over 100,000 new massage therapists
have left the field in the last 4 years? Why? Simple
answer. Because of burnout. They were not taught the
proper way of using their bodies to massage their clients.
Make sure the school you select can clearly explain to you
how they'll teach you good body mechanics.

#3. Does the school offer a holistic approach to your
training and have them explain it to you.
(This is the MOST important question because most
schools teach a one dimensional technical approach.)

You need to decide if you want a technical training,
which teaches you how to do a technical massage which is
very one dimensional or a holistic training which teaches
multiple modalities and has a multi-dimensional approach.

Graduates of technical based massage therapy schools
receive a competent knowledge of the body and learn a
thorough technical approach to giving massages to their
clients, but they tend to give their clients impersonal,
technical massages. They simply learn how to move muscles
around.

Graduates of a holistic training not only learn the
science of massage, you will actually transform as a
person which will make you a better therapist. From that
foundation you can then transform your client during their
massage session.

How will you transform as a person you may ask? A
holistic massage therapy school teaches you from a
Mind/Body/Spirit approach that is heart-centered and takes
into account the entire person not simply their muscles.
It's not just what techniques you use in a massage that
matter, but how you apply those techniques. The "how"
involves the kind of environment you create during your
session so your client feels safe and open to receive your
massage.

That massage would then be called a "Mindful Massage".
Being mindful means you learn how to become calm,
centered, open-hearted and fully focused on your client
throughout the massage. Mindfulness also involves being
"embodied." Embodiment means you are not just in your
"head" but alive and aware in your body and connected
with the entire Wisdom of your Being. All of this allows
you to trust your intuition to create a unique massage
every time for your client instead of the same "routine."

Your clients will receive a much deeper experience from
someone who is trained in the holistic approach. If you
have a client that has only known the technical massage,
they will be absolutely blown away by the multi-
dimensional, heart centered holistic massage that you give
them!

In a technical massage the massage therapist works "on"
you. In a heart-centered holistic massage, the therapist
works "with" you.

I have a test you can try on your self right now that
illustrates the difference perfectly!

Test # 1. Take your left thumb and find a spot on your
right forearm that's sore. Press down hard on it with
your thumb. How does that feel?

Test # 2. Now, take your right thumb and find a spot on
your left forearm that is sore. Lightly place your thumb
over that spot. Lightly. Take a deep breath in and as you
exhale, increase your pressure only as fast as the muscle
releases under your thumb. This is called sinking in. You
sink into the muscle instead of pushing on it.

Which experience did you prefer? If you picked # 1, then
by all means go to a technical massage school. However,
if you picked # 2, a holistic massage school would be
perfect for you. I think your clients would probably
pick # 2 as well.

You now have the 3 *powerful* questions that will help
you choose the perfect massage school for you. Make sure
that you ask these 3 questions to any school that you are
considering and you will find the school of your dreams!