How Massage Therapy Can Make Your Skin Look Younger

Massage therapy is a "hands-on" treatment that has been practiced in healing sessions for thousands of years by a lot of cultures all over the world. It affects the body as a whole in that it helps relax the muscles, reduce stress, and produce feelings of calm.

There are many types of massage therapy, choose any one of those and you'd still get the same benefits. In the context of body organs a good massage affects the muscular, circulatory, nervous, and lymphatic systems.

In fact the improved circulation of blood benefits not only the internal organs but the largest organ of the body, the skin. Regular massages removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin making way for new skin cells which leaves your skin glowing and relaxed.

Using the right mix of essential oils or lotion in your massage therapy allows the skin to absorb the nutrients from massage oil or lotion. This is an effective way to nourish and rehydrate your skin leaving it feeling soft and smooth.

When you go for a massage it is important that you use the right mix of essential oils that contain ingredients that have been proven to benefit our skin. Examples of these ingredients are: Vitamin E, Almond, Sesame, and Jojoba.

Just like any other massage modality, a facial massage relieves tension and relaxes facial muscles through the increased blood flow a good massage gives. This is great news since we all want to look 10 years younger than our age.

Who has not noticed upon waking up after a fitful sleep that their faces are all pale and puffy which happens because of a decrease in blood circulation to the face as we sleep? No problem, to return the healthy glow to your face, just give yourself a facial massage therapy and you'll get the circulation going in no time.

In fact regularly giving yourself facial massage works at relieving your face from tension, tightens facial muscles, normalizes the moisture balance of facial skin, and reduces the appearance of fine lines. All of these contribute to giving you young looking, firmer, and smoother facial skin.

If you are on a budget and you can't afford to have your facial massages done at spas or salons, you can choose to do it at home. First thing's first you have to determine your skin type to be able to buy the right type of massage oil for your face.

Those who have normal skin will benefit greatly from sesame, sunflower, or almond oil. For those who have dry skin, apricot, wheatgerm, and avocado is better and if you have oily skin buy thistle, hazelnut or peach oil.

In giving yourself a facial massage, always start with clean hands and a clean face, a face that is devoid of makeup. Apply a small amount of massage lotion or oil to your face in firm upward strokes.

There are proper strokes for massaging the face and you are advised to search for those on sites that have video tutorials on how this can be done. The facial massage therapy should not last for more than 20 minutes as this will actually stretch the skin and do more harm than good. Be extra careful too to avoid getting oil into your eyes as this will cause irritation.

Importance of Makeup Artist Schools

The process of beautifying human bodies using cosmetic products is known as makeup. The latest fashion trend has made vast advancements in the field of makeup. Apart from enhancing the appearance, makeup has also the capability to hide the aging of people to some extent. This is the reason why middle aged men and women go in for makeup especially during special occasions. The importance of makeup in various fields and occasions has increased the need of experienced makeup artists. That is why makeup artist schools started functioning in large numbers. People having creative skills can brighten their career by studying in suitable makeup artist schools.

Course Features of Makeup Artist Schools

Makeup artist schools offer proper guidance and essential knowledge required in the application of different makeup. Generally the regular courses of these schools are conducted during day time. In addition, there are also evening and weekend courses in makeup. The curriculum is specially designed to offer classic courses to enable the students to perform their jobs confidently. In these schools, students are offered comprehensive hands on training programs to familiarize them with latest makeup products and tools.

Certain Makeup Artist Schools

These schools are accredited and recognized by the concerned authorities. The method of teaching adopted by them is sufficient to achieve highest academic and professional standards in the field of makeup.

Elegance makeup school - This school is started in 1966. Here, makeup is taught through hands on training programs along with theory classes. The instructors of this school have proven track records in different makeup fields. The qualification secured from this school is internationally reputed.

Joe Blasco makeup school - These schools are located in California, Florida and New York City. In addition to regular lecturing classes, students are provided live and online makeup classes on HD TV with plasma screen. The online seminars enable students to clear their doubts by interactions.

Marinello beauty school - The courses of this school are meant for students of varying calibers. Since beauty caring and makeup techniques are taught with equal importance, the students who pass out from these schools will be excellent makeup experts in beauty skills. In addition to regular makeup portions the curriculum of this school comprises of skin care, hair care, manicure, spa treatment, massage therapy etc.

Nowadays the lifestyle of people gives very much importance to smart appearance. This can be achieved only by ideal makeup. A professional makeup man can do this job to the best satisfaction of the customer. Hence, this profession will be very demanding in the years to come also. There are world famous makeup schools to fulfill these requirements. The comprehensive hands on training offered are sufficient to render confidence in students. The experienced faculties and the method of teaching in these schools are capable to meet the upcoming changes in the makeup fields.

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.