Would you want to get into massage therapy?
There are various kinds of massages that are being done in clinics. Some are simple enough and only requires a specific set of strokes. Others are more technical and involve pressing certain pressure points in the body and using oils that are not usually used in the practice. Examples of these are acupressure and aromatherapy. Before you get into the massage therapy business, know first what you are comfortable doing. If you study one massage and then realize that you are not for it, you will be wasting money and time on your training. Before you plunge in, know first what you want.
Below are some of the things that can help you clarify what you really want to do.
1. Western against Eastern
Although there are a lot of different kinds of massages, they are divided into just two big groups– Eastern and Western. Ask yourself, are you more comfortable doing the more traditional medical model that is often the characteristic of western massages or are you more for the eastern types that makes use of essential oils and pressure points?
2. Medical against Relaxation
The various kinds of Massage therapies may also be divided into either massages for relaxation or massage therapy for medical purposes. If you feel that you only want something simple as providing relaxation, then training is easier for this group. All you need to learn are specific strokes that will help your client relax their muscles. However, if you feel that you want to make a career out of it that is similar to a medical doctor, then you are better off training in the medical area of massages. Here you will study subjects such as anatomy, physiology, physical therapy and a lot of other science subjects.
3. Spas against nursing homes
The clients that you will be servicing will also help you determine the kind of massage therapy specialty you would like to take. For instance, it you foresee yourself working at a spa or a resort, your clients will primarily be those who just want a bit of relaxation. On the other hand, if you like to work in a nursing home or in a hospital setting, then you may want to get into something that is more medical in nature. Although relaxation may be easier to do, the pay for the other is much more competitive so you may also want to consider that when making your decision.
4. how hard can you do the massage
Another consideration in choosing your specialty is whether you can take on the massaging itself. Remember that massages for relaxation is softer and more relaxed compared to those being done for people who have problems with their muscles and their bones. Also, when dealing with medical clients, you also need to be more precise with your massages.
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The History and Development of Massage
The Egyptians made their contribution in massage when they created reflexology in 2500 BC. Even the Indians participated in the development of massage when they established Ayurvedic massage.
During 500 BC-50 AD, the Greek and Romans used massage on Olympic athletes and to relieve neuralgia and epileptic seizures. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, incorporated massage in medicine. In 130 AD-201 AD, Galen, a Greek physician from the school of gladiators who were rubbed before fighting wrote a book on manual medicine.
In 100s AD, schools for massage therapy were created in China. Then in 600s AD the Japanese developed shiatsu, which uses the fingers to apply pressure on acupuncture points to regenerate energy. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), pediatric massage therapy or tuina evolved into a higher form of therapy which is still used today.
During 1776-1813, Per Henrik Ling, a fencing master and gymnast cured himself of rheumatism through massage and created Medical Gymnastics and later formed the Royal Gymnastic Central Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Then in 1839-1909, Johann Mezger introduced medical massage to the scientific community and the terms effleurage, petrissage and tapotement became familiar.
The effects of massage on anemia were researched by medical doctors and professors in New York City in 1880. Four years later, Professor Charcot, a French physician who taught Sigmund Freud recommended massage therapy in French medicine.
The Society of Trained Masseuses was formed in Britain which offered massage education recognized by schools in 1894. A year after, Sigmund Freud used massage therapy to treat hysteria. During the same year, Harvey Kellog wrote The Art of Massage.
The 1900’s gave birth to different massage therapy methods like Jin shin jyutsu or the art of circulation awakening developed in Japan by Jiro Murai, The Alexander Technique created by F.M. Alexander, an Australian actor, Naprapathy (1907) which originated in Chicago, Bindgewebs massage (1929), created by German Physical therapist, Elizabeth Dicke and Neuromuscular therapy (1930) created by Stanley Leif.
In 1937, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, discovered the healing powers of essential oils accidentally during a laboratory experiment where he burned his hand and used lavender oil to soothe it. He coined the word Aromatherapy. Two years after, The Florida State Massage Therapy Association Inc. (FSTMA) was organized. Today, it is one f the oldest massage organizations with 85 charter members.
The Massage Registration Act was formulated during 1949, and in 1950 Francis Tappan and Gertrude Beard wrote books and articles concerning massage techniques. Two years later, Hoshino Therapy, which is an official medical therapy in Argentina was developed. Then during the 1960s, John Barnes created Myofascial Release Therapy.
In 1977-1978, Aston- Patterning was developed by Judith Aston and Hellerwork was created by Joseph Heller. Both methods are forms of rolfing.
During the 1980s, the Association of Bodywork and Massage Practitioners was established. Also, Watsu or water therapy was developed by Harold Dull followed by Stuart Taws creation of Taws Method or Soft Tissue Release.
In the 1990s, a protocol for fybromyalgia syndrome was defined by the American College of Rheumatology and the Touch Research Institute, which studies the effects of touch therapy was established.
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What Should You Know About Massage Therapy
For starters, there are more than 10 types being used to date. Some examples of these include reflexology, shiatsu, back massage, Thai, hot stone, deep tissue, aromatherapy and Swedish.
There are only a few serious risks with regards to massage therapy and this can be avoided if you take the proper precautions. The best thing to do will be to consult with your doctor to see if it is safe for you to see a masseuse.
Patients who have the following conditions should not undergo massage therapy. These include deep vein thrombosis that happens to be a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs, a bleeding disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin, damaged blood vessels and weakened bones from osteoporosis, a recent fracture, or cancer.
You also should get a massage if you have a fever, have an open injury, been diagnosed with a tumor, have damaged nerves, have an infection or acute inflammation. Certain conditions could also be dangerous if you decide to have a massage. These include pregnancy, cancer, fragile skin, heart problems, dermatomyositis and a history of physical abuse.
There are certain side effects associated with massage therapy. These include temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling and sensitivity or allergy to massage oils.
Massage therapy should not be used a substitute for regular medical care. If your doctor tells you that you can see a specialist, do some research about the person.
You should check on their credentials or licenses, years of experience and training. If you need massage therapy to help cure medical condition, find out beforehand if they have specialized training in this field.
It wouldn’t hurt to also ask if they use other CAM practices aside from massage therapy to help their patients. Some examples of these include the use of herbs and requiring the patient to go on a special diet.
If everything checks out, then this is the time you find out how many treatments will be needed, the cost and if this will be covered by your insurance. In most cases, this will not be honored. Some people may even ask for a free ten minute test to see how well they perform.
Part of the criteria should include giving you privacy when you change, he or she covers your body for modesty and warmth, inquires before beginning the session what part of the body you want worked on, asks for feedback as to how they are doing and accommodates requests for less or more intense pressure.
The best part about massage therapy is that it can provide relief without the need to ingest pain killing drugs and knowing some facts about it is good so you know what you are getting yourself into once you visit the place. You can read more about this by doing some research which isn’t bad even if you just go for a session to relieve some stress or pain and not have to visit because of a medical condition.
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What you need to know to get into massage therapy
Here are some of the things you may want to consider when starting out a career in massage therapy.
1. Know the massage that you want to do
One of the main considerations that you have to look into before you start your massage therapy career is what massage to specialize in. Like the medical field, massage therapists now have specializations. Each will be identified to a particular field. This is brought on by the kind of training that they will take before they become full-pledged massage therapists. The best way to do this is to research on the different kinds of massages and see what you are most comfortable doing.
There are a lot of considerations when making this choice. One of the factors that may affect their decisions is what kind of clinical setting they want to work in. Working in spas and commercial massage clinics will only require you to be adept at massages that seek to relax the muscles.
This is of course easier to study and much easier to do compared to massages that are much more technical in nature, which is usually done in the clinical setting. However, the advantage with more technical and scientific massage strokes is higher pay and of course more professionalized.
2. Physical problems
Massage therapy involves a lot of physical work. Every day, you will be servicing the clients with a hard or soft massage as well as helping them lie back in the massage table and also in disrobing. It is a very hard job and can be physically taxing. Before you get into a career in massage therapy, make sure that you can take on the job and deal with its physical requirements.
3. Time to study
Because of the way the industry has been regulated by the state, becoming a massage therapist will involve first a lot of years of study. Some states in fact require therapists to have at least three years in specialization. If you need to earn money right away and don’t have time to study first, thisis not the career for you. You will be better off with jobs that do not really require a training certificate or a diploma.
4. Good with people
Another thing to consider when you want to have a career in massage therapy is communication with people. Remember that you will mostly be earning your money from the tips and not actually in the salary that the clinic gives you. For you to get big tips, you also need to be sociable and to communicative with people. Clients love therapists who talk to them and those who listen to their problems. If you are a little bit anti-social, this is not the career for you.
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Things to consider before going to a massage therapy clinic
Although every one can certainly go to massage therapy clinics and avail of their services, there will also be times when it is not a good idea to get themselves a massage. Here are some of the reasons why you should first forgo with the massage and just relax the old fashion way at home with hot water and a good book.
1. You don’t have the budget
It is good to de-stress once in a while but if you don’t have the money to spare for one, don’t do it. It will be ineffective anyways because you will be stressed over being broke. Having no money is the number one stressor for most people and for sure you are not immune to it. So instead of wasting your money on massage therapy clinics, be contented on just lying on the couch and enjoying a good book. Save your money until you have enough to splurge on one great massage on that hip massage therapy clinic that you have been dying to go to. That is one ultimate stress buster!
2. You just went the other day
The body can take so much massage in one week. Be kind to your muscles and flesh by giving them a rest day. A respite from all that kneading and pounding will surely be welcome. Although there really is not recommended number of times that you can go to a massage therapy clinic, it is good to space out the visits to give your flesh a time to breathe and rest. A once or twice a week visit to the clinic is already good for most people.
3. You have a sprain
If you sprained yourself in of those softball games or while fixing the roof at home, don’t go to the massage therapy clinic for a cure. Go instead to your doctor and have him check your injury. That way, you can be sure that proper medical attention has been given to it. Remember that though people in massage therapy clinics are expert in massages, they are by no means an authority when it comes to sprains and injuries. In fact, they can even exacerbate the situation if they apply too much pressure on the problem area. That is why it is good to ask your doctor first if it is okay to go to a massage therapy clinic before you go.
4. Your last visit resulted to sore muscles
Although sometimes a visit to the massage therapy clinic will hurt some of your muscles, sore muscles are entirely different. Sometimes, too strong pounding and too much kneading can hurt the muscles and bones. So be careful with the massage therapy that you avail of. If you are the type of person who easily bruises, opt for the softer or milder ones.
If you had sore muscles from your previous visit, then it is safe to say that you need something milder than that.
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The benefits of massage therapy
Now, massage therapy cannot just be called as ‘rubbing.’ With most of the young Hollywood getting a massage or two every week, it has become the toast of the social set. Its popularity can be seen with the way a lot of massage therapy clinics have opened shops in the last few years with many more planning to in the next couple of months. Currently there are about 100,000 massage therapists in the country and the numbers are increasing two-fold.
Massage therapy in the scientific terms is the process of putting pressure on muscular structure and soft tissues in the body for relaxation. Pressure in this instance can mean a lot of things, from holding and pressing to kneading and rocking. Massages are primarily done with the hands although some massage therapists also use other parts of their bodies like the forearms, elbows and the feet.
Its popularity is actually not surprising especially with this stressful world. Many people are turning to massage therapy for relaxation and regeneration. And unlike other de-stressors, massage therapy is scientifically based and its advantages are all research proven. Besides its physical benefits, it also known to improve the overall wellbeing of the mind and the spirit.
Below are some of the benefits that massage therapy gives us.
1. Relaxation
This is the number one reason why people coming back to the clinics. After a week of stress in the office or at home, people especially women, just want to relax. Massages are great for the skin as it stimulates the release of toxins and hormones. In fact, some studies have even shown massages as being able to lower the possibility of wrinkles production.
2. Relieves pain
Another benefit of massage therapy is the fact that it can loosen those tight muscles especially if you frequently have cramps on your legs. Going to the clinics can also relieve you of your tired and aching muscles. This is especially useful with people who are into sports or those who live the active lifestyle.
3. Makes you a better athlete
People who are into sports can also benefit much from massage therapy. If you feel that your muscles have become tight and rickety, massages can improve on your flexibility and also increase your range of motion. If you get massages all the time, you will notice that you can now do movements that were painful to do before. Massages also improve the body’s resistance. It lowers the blood pressure, heart rate and even helps in recoveries from injuries and sprains. It also strengthens the immune system.
4. Improve mental faculties
Massages are also great ways to improve your mental performance. It can actually reduce mental stress, allowing you to work better and think clearer. It is also known to relieve headaches. Massage therapy also allows you to concentrate better on the task at hand. After a massage, you will basically have a clean slate in your mind that is equivalent to the restful therapy that sleep gives.
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Ten of the Best Types of Massage Therapy
1. First is Swedish massage therapy. This happens to be the most common type to find in the US because it is very gentle and relaxing. Here, the masseuse will use long strokes, kneading and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil.
2. Next is aromatherapy and the reason why it is called such is because one or more scented plant oils are used during the session. You will just have to select the oil you want to use. In fact, the most popular one is lavender as it is well suited for stress related conditions together with an emotional component.
3. There is also hot stone massage. Here, heated smooth stones are placed on certain parts of the body to help loosen those tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body. At times, the masseuse may also apply gentle pressure especially for those who have muscle tension.
4. Then there is deep tissue massage. This type is designed to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Here, the masseuse will use slow strokes better known as friction techniques across the grain of the muscle.
The distinctive feature of deep tissue massage is that it is used on those that have chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems and recovery from injury. You will often feel sore for the next day or two.
5. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage therapy. Here, the masseuse will use localized finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture meridians. Each point is held for 2 to 8 second designed to improve the flow of energy and help the body regain balance. Those who have tried it say that it is relaxing yet firm. The best part is that there is no soreness afterwards.
6. Thai massage is similar to Shiatsu because it aligns the energies of the body using gentle pressure on specific points. Part of the session also includes compressions and stretches as you are moved in a variety of postures just like yoga but in this case, you don’t do anything except go with the flow.
7. For women that are expecting, they can opt for pregnancy massage. It is designed to relieve stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pins as well as reduce anxiety and depression.
8. Reflexology is also known as foot massage because it involves applying pressure to certain points on the foot. Those who practice this believe that the foot corresponds to certain organs and systems so if you are able to work on that, you have also done it in the whole body.
9. Then there is sports massage that is designed for people involved in sports activities. This type is designed not only for professional athletes since it helps prevent and treat physical injuries.
10. Lastly is back massage which usually lasts 30 minutes. Unlike reflexology that focuses on the feet because it represents special points in the body, this one simply relieves tension in the back caused by lifting heavy objects or driving for long periods of time.
Of course there are other kinds of massage therapy aside from the top ten most popular ones mentioned. Given that these are the only ones available in spas, perhaps you should just stick with the best sellers.
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Qualities of a good massage therapy clinic
In fact, a lot of states are already enforcing laws on massage therapy clinics and practices. Massage therapists are even required to get licenses before they can practice in a specific area. Of course, the law will be different from one state to another and until a federal law is passed, this will remain so.
But with all the massage therapy clinics that have been cropping up in every street corner in the metro, it has become hard to choose among them. Most of the time, what factors in our decision whether to go in or not is not actually the service but the ambiance or the aura that the store has. This is very unfortunate as we are compromising our safety for a great window display.
Below are some of the qualities that a good massage therapy clinic should have.
1. Wide range of massages
One quality that a good massage therapy clinic should have is a wide range of choices for their customers. There are many kinds of massage therapy being done and having some of them in your list of services means that you are not just a too-bit business establishment. Also, a wide selection of services also allow people to try out different things. After all, there is a different massage therapy that is appropriate for every person and for every situation.
2. Professional masseurs
Another important characteristic of a good massage therapy clinic is having professional masseurs. This means that the massage therapists should have at least a license in the kind of massage they are doing and several years of experience. That way, you can be sure that what they are doing is right and good for your body. You see, when done the wrong way, the massage therapy strokes can cause health problems, sprain someone and even maim in some instances.
3. Quality equipment and oil
Another thing that you can look into when determining how great a massage therapy clinic is the equipment and materials that they use for the massage. Remember that what they will be using will determine how good your experience will be during the massage. The oils that they use for instance can help in soothing the muscles and relaxing the body. The more upscale massage therapy clinics will even use oils that have scents. These can be more expensive but at least what you are getting is the real thing.
4. good location
Believe it or not, the location of a place also determines whether a massage therapy clinic will become a success or not. A good location with a lot of people can mean constant foot traffic. No matter how great your service is, if people do not know that your business exists, it will come to nothing. You need to be in a place where you can be seen by people.
5. Reasonable price
Another important quality of a good massage therapy clinic is of course the price. A reasonably priced service with a good service will definitely be a success hands down.
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Massage Therapy Benefits
Massage therapy is beneficial because it reduces waste products such as lactic and carbonic acid that builds up after an activity which causes cramping, discomfort and irritability that can happen after working out at the gym. By working with a therapist, he or she will be able to enhance your immune system and aid in the recovery of the tissues by increasing blood circulation in the affected areas.
If you are ill, massage therapy dilates and opens up blood vessels, improves circulation and relieves congestion. It also increases the number of red blood cells for those who are anemic.
Massage therapy also acts as a mechanical cleanser pushing along the lymph and hastening the elimination of wastes and toxic debris. It also helps to eliminate edema or dropsy of the extremities.
It also increases blood supply and nutrition to the muscles without adding to the load of toxic acid produced by muscle contraction. This helps you overcome harmful fatigue resulting from strenuous exercise or injury.
This will also improve muscle tone and prevent or delay muscular atrophy resulting from forced inactivity. It can also relax muscle spasms and relieve tension.
Massage to some extent compensates for lack of exercise or muscular contraction especially for those who are recovering from an injury by returning venous blood to the heart and at the same time eases the strain on this vital organ.
Depending on the type of massage therapy given, some people may feel sleepy, stimulated or exhausted.
Some forms of massage therapy are able to separate muscle fibers and undo or prevent the formation of adhesions. It also stretches the connective tissue which all helps reduce the danger of fibroids.
Believe it or not, massage may burst the fat capsule in the subcutaneous tissue so that the fat exudes and becomes absorbed. Combined with proper nutrition and exercise, this can help the person lose weight.
Massage therapy also increases the excretion of fluids via the kidney, nitrogen, inorganic phosphorous and salt in normal individuals. But for those who are injured, it does the exact opposite because these are needed for tissue repair.
Studies have shown that massage therapy improves the general circulation and nutrition of joints and hastens the elimination of harmful particles in the synovial fluid. It helps lessen inflammation and swelling of the joints thereby alleviating pain.
It also disperses the dema following injury to ligaments and tendons, lessening pain and facilitates movement.
Massage therapy improves the general circulation and nutrition of tissues often accompanied by an increase interchange of substances between the blood and tissue cells thus heightening tissue metabolism.
This type of therapy also empties the larger ducts and channels of the body thereby decreasing the auto intoxication resulting from re-absorption of toxic materials in these channels due to constipation or inflammation.
There are so many benefits with regards to massage therapy which is why almost everyone needs it. If you haven’t found a favorite yet, you can try one style this week and then another next week to how different they are from the other.
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How to Give a Soothing Massage
1. The first thing you have to do is create the right atmosphere or ambiance. This means finding a cozy, quiet and warm room. You can even use aromatherapy oil or light a scented candle to make the place smell good. It is best to close the curtains so nobody will see that you are giving a massage.
2. You then prepare the massage oil. The best one to use is Jojoba oil but since this is too expensive, you can try almond oil or lavender instead.
3. The best place to give a massage if you don’t have the massaging bed is on the floor. So it is not too hard to lie on, you should spread linen and then cover it over with a blanket.
4. When the room is ready, you tell the person to take off their clothes and lie in between the blanket. If the person is shy, it is okay and let them just lie down in their underwear. Make sure to cover them up to keep them warm.
5. The proper way of giving a massage is by working from right to left. So, you should sit on the right side of your partner on the thigh or between the legs.
6. You then use your flat hands to smoothly slide from the foot to the bottom on top of the back of the right leg and slide again down. Knead the right leg from the bottom to the top in 3 parts by working inwards then outward and then start over. When you are done, the same thing will be done to the opposite leg.
7. Once you are done with the legs, it is time to work on the back by placing yourself at the head facing the legs. Again, you use your flat hands to smoothly slide from head to the bottom with each hand close to the spine. Slide over the edge of the bottom to the side and then slide on the sides upwards just underneath the scapulas, you slide back and move the rest back up to the beginning of the shoulders. This should be done 3 times.
8. You then move over to one side and then use your left hand to do a full circle on their back. With your right hand, you do a half circle beginning away from your left going clockwise. This should be done very slowly, smoothly and sensitively starting at the bottom and then moving all the way up to the shoulders and the back again.
9. Now that you have finished working on the back, it is time to work on the front by letting the person lie down on their back. But before you do that, the steps taken to massage the legs should also be done on the left and right arms.
10. Next, you rub your hands and then place these slowly over your partner’s eyes. This must be placed inches away from the face for about 1 to 2 minutes before you slide your thumbs from the part between the eyebrows to the point where the hair starts.
11. You place the thumbs a bit higher then move it apart. This should be repeated until you reach the beginning of the ear then you move on to the nose, cheeks, upper and lower lip.
The secret of how to give a soothing massage should come from your hands and not your eyes. If the person wants less or more pressure, be ready to respond so they get the best out of what you are giving them.
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How to Become a Massage Therapist
Those who want to become massage therapists should enroll in a program that is accredited by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or NCBTMB. To become a licensed professional, you must complete at least 500 hours of training including subjects such as ethics, anatomy and physiology among others.
If you happen to study massage therapy in a school that is not accredited by this body, you will not be allowed to take the national certification exam. This may prevent you from practicing in states that require this prior to employment which is why you should check first if the school you plan to enroll in is in the program.
Should you somehow be able to find work without getting a license, you could be penalized with fines and even be banned from every practicing there.
The advantage of enrolling in a program under the NCBTMB is that you can apply for federal financial aid if you don’t have the funds to pay for your schooling.
But the big question is how much do massage therapists earn? One research group has pointed out the median salary is $45,611. The report also says that half of those working earn between $36,930 and $55,920 as this varies with experience. If you are new, you will probably just have one or two clients a day while more experienced individuals will have more than 5. This isn’t bad because massage therapy program can go as high as $12,000.
If you are serious about pursuing this as a career, ask yourself some questions. Are you patient? Are you customer oriented? Do you really want to help the patient? If your answer to all three questions is yes then the next thing you have to do is check what specific interests do you have.
Just like medicine, massage therapy has various specialties and these include sports massage, clinical massage and Swedish massage to name a few. While you will probably learn all of these in school, you should already see which one you want specialize in after graduation.
To help you out, it will be a good idea to visit massage parlors and talk to those who are already working. You can also do some research online as there are articles that have been written about the profession.
Once you get your degree and the license, you have the option of working for someone or opening up your own establishment. This will be easy if you had the capital since you will need to buy your own massage table, chairs, pillows, sheets and lotions. But if you want to learn first, then go find work, learn the tricks of the trade and then set up shop.
Now that you know how to become a massage therapist, the ball is already in your court. The right attitude will get you through school because with that you will be able to understand the techniques in helping a customer.
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How to set up a massage therapy clinic
Before you get disheartened by this, remember that when you plan it right, any business can be a potential cash cow. Here are some tips on how to set up a massage therapy clinic that is guaranteed to make money.
1. Location
With so many massage clinics in the area, you would want a location that guarantees a lot of foot traffic. As much as possible look for places that are near major public areas like the park, schools, markets and even department stores. Being near public places will help you in terms of publicity. You are already being seen. All you actually need is a set of signboards announcing your services and of course a good display window. Another reason why it is good to place your clinic in a public area is the fact that when people walk by all the time, some of them would think of trying your services.
2. Services
Your location is just the design of your product. It is the one that you use to encourage people to get a taste of your massage therapy clinics. But what will make your business thrive and last is the service that you provide to your clients. Once they try your services and find it to their satisfaction, they will be your lifelong customers.
One way to do this is to include a unique service that one cannot find in other massage clinics in the area. Research on some ancient massage techniques that no clinic is offering yet. Introduce the massage in the area. For sure, you will be an instant hit. People by nature would want to try something new. Make sure though that you can sustain the new service through training employees and using products that are appropriate to the massage.
3. Employees
Another way to build a successful massage therapy franchise is to hire people who can do the job for you. Of course when you are starting, you will not be able to afford people who are already experienced. Because of this, it will be up to you to train your employees. That is why it is also important that if you are setting up a massage clinic that you know a lot about the industry. You must know for yourself how to massage people. Otherwise, you must know someone who knows the massage therapy techniques. That way, he or she can be the one to train your new employees.
4. Ambiance
Another important part of the massage therapy business is the ambiance. People go there to relax so you must also create a relaxing and comforting environment, somewhere where your clients can escape to.
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How to look for the best massage therapy clinics
With so many clinics to choose from nowadays, it has become really hard to choose a good one. Because some of these so-called massage clinics are only there for the fad, one must be shrewd enough to separate the legitimate ones from those who are just riding the bandwagon but are not really adept with the real techniques of massage therapy. Below are some tips on how to find a good massage clinic in the metro.
1. Go for the tried and tested
When looking for a good massage therapy clinic, go for the tried and tested. They may be more expensive but you can be sure that what you are getting is a safe and effective massage. You see, if not done correctly, massage therapy can also cause health problems especially problems that involve the bones. A little too much pressure can also bruise the skin and even cause sprains on the bones.
You don’t have to go for the massage therapy that celebrities frequent. When you say tried and tested, it does not mean that you will go for the upscale ones whose therapy can be ultra expensive. What you can do is ask for referrals from people who are very much into massage therapy. Those who do this on a weekly basis will definitely have one or two recommendations that you will definitely use.
2. Join internet forums
The internet is a rich source of information about anything under the sun. One information that you can get from the internet especially from forums are names of massage therapy clinics that give good service. You can either read through the forums or join in on the conversation with the members of the sites.
You can also look into blogs and check what they recommend for good massage therapy clinics. These people will frequently have recommendations on the best massage therapy in the country.
3. Try it out
If you are the adventurous type and you are not afraid of trying out a service, then try the service of different massage therapy clinics. You will not always get good service and at some point, you will even experience the worst kind of service but at least you have tried the service yourself and have not relied on mere hearsay.
Of course, when you say trying it out for yourself, this does not mean that you will just go inside any massage therapy clinic.
What you can do to keep safe is to also discriminate among the massage therapy clinics in your neighborhood. Check out the place first and try to learn about the various massages that they do. You can also look into the oils that they use as well as strokes that they employ.
Ask about the massage therapists and ask if they have licenses to practice. This way, you can be sure that what you are getting into is completely safe for your body and your mind.
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How to land a job in a massage therapy clinic
This is perhaps because of the fact that people are looking for ways to relax after a hard day’s work. This is especially true for people who live in the city where life is more fast-paced. Another reason is the continued publicity coming from celebrities. Massage therapy is becoming a fad.
Because of this, many people are looking into the massage therapy industry for jobs. Although the pay is not lucrative enough for most people, the tips can be pretty amazing especially if you already have a steady list of clients. If you are one of those people wanting to have a career in this industry, here are some ways on how to land that job.
1. Get some training
Unlike other professionals, you don’t need a degree to be able to land a job in a massage therapy clinic. Most clinics do not even require college degrees especially for starting employees. This does not mean however that you won’t make an effort to learn the job. One way that you can get a massage therapy job easily is to get some training on massages.
Remember that in the job, you will not just knead the shoulder blades and back of your clients in the directions that you want. You will also have to follow certain massage techniques. It is a plus point to know even a little of these techniques before you apply for a job.
2. Visit massage therapy clinics
One way to get to know the industry is to observe first hand what goes on inside these clinics. Visit some of them in your spare time. Look at their list of massages and if you can, observe how they do the massages. Check out the directions of their massages and the products that they use on their customers. While there, formulate any questions that you have because for sure you will have.
You can use these observations, questions and your experience inside the massage therapy clinics during your job interview. Employers are impressed with potential employees who are interested in the job enough to make such observations.
3. Ask the massage therapists
Ask people who are already working in massage therapy clinics about their experiences. That way, you will know what to expect when you are there on the job. Ask about the hours that they put in, the tips that they get every day, their monthly salary. You can even ask for their worst experiences in the job. This will also help you decide if the massage therapy industry is the one that you want to get into.
Don’t be afraid to ask. Often, they will be more than happy to help you through their insights. You can even ask them if there are any vacancies in their clinics. If you can, leave your number with them so that they can contact you should a vacancy come up. Remember, most of these clinics will not advertise job openings. They would just rely on referrals.
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How to choose a good massage therapy school
Still, state laws are state laws and one cannot do anything about it unless of course they want to go to another state and see if the laws are different there. But most people would like to stay in their states and continue the services that they have already established in the country. In fact, most are going to massage therapy training schools in order to obtain their certificates. After all, schooling will be a breeze considering that they already know what they will be training for. They just need the paper.
One problem though that face these people is how to find the right training school that will fit their schedule and their budget. Here are some tips to help them.
1. Location
One way to save money and time is to find schools that are near your home or your place of work depending of course in your schedule. For instance, if you are going to school after work it is logical to look for schools that are near the massage therapy clinics you are working for.
2. Tuition fee
Another big consideration for people is the tuition fee. This is especially true with people who don’t have enough money to send themselves to school. As much as you can, look for programs that have flexible payment terms and If possible, a school that offers a scholarship programs. You can offer to teach part time or to work in the school in exchange for a discount. Some people have more time than money in their hands so this can work.
3. Certification
Remember that not all schools are recognized by the governing bodies that issue the certification and the license. It is important that before you enroll, make sure that the school you have chosen are certified by the state regulatory board. Otherwise, all your time and money will go to waste. Actually, as an advice: ask for a list of the schools that they are recognizing before you look for a massage therapy school. That way, you can be sure that whichever you choose is already legitimate. No time is wasted looking for schools that is not accepted in the first place.
4. Specialization
Like ordinary schools, there are massage therapy training schools that have more expertise in a particular field. If you want to focus on a particular field then it is logical for you to choose the school that is known for that field. This way, you will be able to benefit from better education as most of the instructors there will probably be specializing in that field of specialization.
This is especially true if the field that you want to get into is the more technical one that may require more difficult training and study.
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Aromatherapy Is a Unique Form of Massage Therapy
Most of the oils used for aromatherapy come from natural ingredients. Examples of these include herbs, milk powders, hydrosols, sea salts, sugars, clays and mud. It is frowned upon when some use synthetic ingredients.
It is widely practiced in the US and in Europe and integrated into holistic treatments. Aside from oils, aromatherapy can be using candles and bath salts which allow you to enjoy it in the comforts of your home.
Aromatherapy is used to treat various health conditions. These include allergies, bruises, burns, diarrhea, bronchitis, colds, ear ache, energy, flu, headaches, insomnia, menopause, nervousness, scars, sprains, stress, shingles and wounds.
For home treatment, you can buy these oils off the shelf and then use it whenever you feel like it. These are easy to spot as they are all packaged in small bottles with the name of the oil and the ingredients that are used. If you are not familiar with the oil, you can open it and smell it to see if it is worth buying.
With the oil in your possession, you only have to add 2 to 3 drops like eucalyptus, tea tree or rosemary in hot water. You then hold your head over the bowl and then inhale the fumes. For other problems, you can apply oils to baths and compresses.
Aromatherapy per se is not designed to treat any major illness. It can only relieve minor problems so before you try aromatherapy, it is best to first consult with a doctor.
If you decide to go for a massage, talk with the practitioner about your medical history and current physical condition. Knowing how you feel is the only way for him or her to determine what oil should be used for the session.
Women who are pregnant or nursing should never undergo aromatherapy as the scents from the oils could be harmful to the infant.
For those who want to know more about aromatherapy, they can read it in books or in the Internet. There are also classes that can people of all levels can join so they can learn how to mix the oils together.
The benefits of aromatherapy as mentioned earlier are psychological and physical because the scent simulates the brain to trigger a reaction and at the same time supply therapeutic relief. A good example is eucalyptus oil which is known to ease congestion.
When the oil is applied to the skin, it is absorbed by the bloodstream and aids in certain health, beauty and hygiene conditions.
If you want to learn more about aromatherapy, you can take up classes. Here you will learn how to mix the oils together and create your own concoctions. Most programs will cost a little over $500 and with it, the materials to be used during the sessions.
Aromatherapy is a unique form of massage therapy because you don’t need physical contact all the time to get relief. You can inhale it or bathe in it. It is truly, a holistic form of healthcare that is worth checking out.
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