Showing posts with label Medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Medicine. Show all posts
Massage Therapy – Other types of massage
Massage therapy is derived from many medical and spiritual or metaphysical concepts prevalent throughout human history. Concepts of natural healing like acupuncture and Reiki form part of a wealth of ancient knowledge that has survived the passage of time through passage of the healing arts from generation to generation, often being refined and reinvented with new knowledge and more experience.
The best thing about learning massage therapy techniques is that there is no prior knowledge of physiology or a doctor’s degree or other medicine-related education required in order to learn, however massage therapy is a licensed profession in most states in the US. In massage therapy, practice is as important as learning from a good therapist or master; while learning massage therapy, you will learn different things about different nerves and muscles related to the parts of the human body. These will include the location of the nerves, the muscular anatomy and the ways to relieve tension and cure illnesses through the manipulation and manual stimulation of these parts using various methods. The Massage methods in practice today are many and come from diverse cultural backgrounds and lines of thought. Many medical professionals, especially those who work with muscles and joints, like physiotherapists and sports-therapists, chiropractic and orthopedic surgeons learn massage therapy as a means to provide alternative healing stimulation for patients undergoing western medical treatments as a means to augment the treatment and improve results.
Many massage therapy institutions and schools all over North America (and the world, especially where the various techniques originated) conduct regular training of new and experienced massage professionals in the various popular methods. The following are some of the popular methods in use today. In order to read more about other popular methods, consult the article ‘Massage Therapy training – Types of massage Therapy’.
Sports Massage
The focus of sports massage is not therapy but prevention. For people who are involved with rigorous activity, such as professional athletics and sports, and for people who work out and run to stay in shape, sports massage is a way to prevent and treat injury and to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, stamina and speed; thereby improving overall performance. Sports massage is the combination of a rigorous version of a Swedish massage and stretching and Indian massage.
Reflexology
The theory of this form of massage is based on the belief that there are ‘reflex’ areas on the hands and feet which correspond directly with some part of the body. Some examples of the theory are as under;
The tips of the toes reflect the head, the heart and chest reflex points are around the ball of the foot while the liver, pancreas and kidney have reflex points in the arch of the foot and the lower back and intestines have reflex points in the heel of the foot.
The therapy focuses mainly on the feet and also the hands. Pressure is applied to the reflex points and it is thought that corresponding organs can be made healthy and their operations made normal in this way - through energy pathways which connect these reflex points and their corresponding organs.
Hot Stone Massage
Heated, smooth stones, usually basalt stones (which maintain their temperature due to the amount of iron they contain), are heated and placed on various points of the body (related to energy points or centers of energy). The heat from the stones warms relevant muscles and body points and regular massage techniques can be applied to provide more stimulation and pressure. The heat is also said to improve circulation or the blood and energy, and calm the nerves. The stones are either placed or stroked against parts of the body and also used, in place of the hands, to provide massage pressure directly along with the heat.
References:
Wikipedia – extensive reading
altmedicine[dot]about[dot]com/od/massage/a/massage_types.htm
Resource Area:
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on HolisticJunction.com.
Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.
Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.
About the author:
Frank Johnson is a staff writer for HolisticJunction.com. Find online massage therapy schools, courses & degrees; as well as other colleges & universities offering massage therapy certificates at Holistic Junction, your positive pathway to discovery.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vMm2294tnpNshoWPw-z31IsoTVq3mPzly5ls9UbAx30AdbZra091Vb5HGsIgFaZaSm4z7iCBC2vSdeH80SPoNhURn7mLoXiyQ_pM-YS21LUxTk_ADfQe_lbYLIr0EEJXKa7gkZ6FQRNI9IjjeF4zzx=s0-d)
Using a Massage Therapy Book
Career Help
For various reasons, there are people who believe that massage therapy is a good career to pursue. You have to be absolutely certain though of what you are getting yourself into and whether a career in massage therapy is really for you. You can do that by enrolling in introductory massage classes to get a feel of the profession or you could first get your hands on a massage therapy book and save a few dollars. A massage therapy book will tell you if your interest can be converted into a real career path and if taking the introductory classes would be worth the time and expense.
Basic Instruction
If you want to be a licensed massage therapists, you need to undergo formal extensive education and training before being allowed to practice complicated and crucial massage therapy techniques. This is especially true if a student is studying to be a medical massage therapist and not just a relaxation masseuse.
In any case, it is wiser for you to have a massage conducted only by a certified and licensed massage therapy expert. There are some instances though when you can perform basic techniques for personal use. You might want to give your baby a soothing massage or your partner a sensual massage. You can learn how to safely perform such basic techniques from a good massage therapy book for non therapists.
Academic Use
Massage therapy books also have textbook and other academic uses. The best massage therapy book for academic use would be a book that focuses solely on a specific topic. Most serious and advanced students would have no use for an introductory massage therapy book. Special books on anatomy, pathology and business that are especially suited to massage therapists would be the books to look for.
Review Books
Massage therapy is a field all its own and requires licensed massage therapists for the practice. This means that you probably won't be allowed to publicly practice massage techniques if you haven't taken the board exam. One other important use of a massage therapy book would be to help future therapists review for licensure exams.
Recently, there have been a growth in the number of expert authors who have come up with review books for would be therapists. Most of these books have well organized topics, questions and answers based on the areas of concentration.
Where to Find
You would probably find many kinds of massage therapy books from local bookstores. Online sites however are also good places to scout for a good massage therapy book. Shopping online is almost always easier and more convenient. You can read hundreds of book reviews and forward an order with just a click of a button. The best thing is that you just have to wait for you book to be delivered to your doorstep.
Article Source: http://www.articlenorth.com
Looking for more info about massage therapy techniques and guides? Find the best massage therapy book to help you.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tCA7ulpJXK0mU9yVydIIid9ReeAHBFKmhJB9ZpGxEgOkAxmQs5LzDN3CymT-6W9xvlkEm8eKzsuyOiFiyZpwwpN6fQ5bCT_-V3mruKrkN1_yYqVmfcBDZgKKnVLEGSGVGvg2606heo0-Qd8dHfnWDa=s0-d)
Things you should know before carving a career in Massage therapy
With the onslaught of massage therapy clinics in the country, more and more people are considering a career in it. After all, the pay not be as high but people will be raking in a lot in tips for good service. In fact, people who work in these clinics make their living out of these tips. This is especially true if you are working in high end massage therapy clinics in New York and in the Beverly Hills area.
But if you think that becoming a massage therapist is as easy as filling up an application form, it’s not. In fact, before you start kneading and massaging, you need to be first trained and certified. Because of the popularity of massage therapy clinics in the country, therapists have been regulated by the government. Unlike before when anyone can just work as a massage therapists, now the industry is more discriminating.
So if you are thinking of getting yourself a career in massage therapy, know first that it is not easy but not impossible too. Here are some of the things that you should consider when you are determined to carve a name for yourself in this fast-growing industry.
No federal regulation for the industry
Having just boomed in recent years, massage therapy is still not regulated by federal laws. Only state laws are being used in this industry right now. This means that when you go from one state to another, different laws will apply. In fact, in Canada, only three states have so far regulated the practice— Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland. The other provinces have yet to formulate their own regulations about the practice.
This can get confusing especially when you are looking for a career in massage therapy outside your mother state. For instance in Canada, massage therapists in the three provinces where it is regulated will carry a professional title that will distinguish them from other pseudo practitioners. Some will even have their own specialties similar to medical doctors.
These specialties are taken from the kinds of massages that they have expertise in: Acupressure, Hot Stone Massage, Thai Massage, Shiatsu, Aromatherapy and a lot more. Some will of course have more than one specialty but each should come with a certification. They should also first have a license before they can be allowed to practice in that particular area. This is attained when they have submitted all the necessary requirements asked of them and have met the standards of the state or the province’s regulatory board.
These regulating standards often include a specific number of years in total training in any field or specialty. These training courses are not the usual massage lessons that you foresee. Often, these lessons include subjects similar to what medical doctors take: anatomy, pathology, physiology and physical therapy. Because of these regulations, people who already have a license can actually assess and treat health conditions and injuries just like a doctor.
So before you apply, make sure that you know first the state regulations. To know about them, you can go to massage therapy associations and organizations in the state. Their websites will surely have the current regulations prevailing in the area.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uDIW9p1gHhuUeU5IxtjOUGaqAtXOHhoOeUhtu-SKXUr3rVxL7E4Y2TXcg8-cierHJE5c-AasO7wI_CVtJ9Zxjs2-pRu16xj0jzjbmxJx_b5V2PHdftE_w-yClGmdUcuPQxwe8Xd91kA0IRoMPl-5w=s0-d)
Neuromuscular Therapy - What is it and what does it do?
Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years to help relax and calm people as well as offer physical healing. Neuromuscular therapy is used to relieve pain and specific problems a patient is experiencing. It is used to focus pressure on certain areas of skeletal muscle and can reduce pain and tension, but also help balance your posture and lengthen as well as strengthen tissues. These areas are often myofascial trigger points. Myofasical trigger points are hyperirritable spots located within skeletal muscle. These spots are associated with nodules of bands of muscle fibers. These nodules become small contracture knots and therefore cause pain to the patient. By focusing on these points with neuromuscular therapy, a massage therapist with the right training can help decrease the contractions and this help relieve the pain. It is a great therapy to assess, treat, and help prevent soft tissue injuries and thus relieve chronic pain. Neuromuscular therapy is often used by occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, chiropractors, and those that practice osteopathic and physical medicine.
The technique of neuromuscular therapy (sometimes referred to as NMT) was developed by Dr. Stanley Leif and Boris Chaitow. Both were trained in chiropractics and naturopathy, which is a philosophy that seeks to improve health by focusing on the body’s innate ability to recover. They worked with Dewanchand Varma and Bernard MacFadden to help develop neuromuscular therapy in order to help patients suffering from soft tissue dysfunction. One part of neuromuscular therapy focuses on the fact that the body can heal itself. Stimulation from neuromuscular therapy can help hasten the natural healing process.
A neuromuscular therapist takes into account many aspects of the patient before beginning therapy. Things like age, stress, prior therapy, family history, diet, and nutrition will be looked at. By looking at the patient’s history and health, they can ascertain what type or how much therapy is needed. They may work with the patient’s primary physician if certain conditions exist. For example, if an elderly woman with a calcium deficient diet had hip or lower back pain; the therapist will need to watch for possible osteoporosis or hip fractures. They may need to alter their procedures to accommodate such patients. They will also look at posture distortion to see what other pains that can be causing.
The therapist will use their thumbs, fingers, and elbows as well as pressure bars during the massage. The pressure bars help release the muscular contractions. One good thing about neuromuscular therapy is it concentrates on placement much more than degree of pressure, so a good deal of pressure is not normally necessary.
Who can be helped by neuromuscular therapy? Anyone that suffers from chronic pain can be helped by neuromuscular massage. Whether you have chronic pain due to an occupational injury, a sports injury, or an automobile injury, if you suffer from chronic pain, you may want to give neuromuscular therapy a try. Others that respond well to neuromuscular therapy are those that suffer from sciatica, rotator cuff dysfunction, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and even migraine headaches.
Source: Free Articles
About the Author
Annalisa Zisman, a proficient author and tutor, she is a leading practitioner for many massage courses. Annalisa specializes in Indian Head Massage, Thai Foot and Thai Herbal Compress Massage techniques.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t_F8eeWuHi2ivMDXqhpXrtDMygbR9Ej734xGqkbzjvRfyXD31neM8K3PKhmqU9J5XThfHxkqtK1oeZVROMk_XMH9nBxmpaxVLOyt91jDtViJbi4JPrb95BaR3sJdWbyUNBCkI9ZXmm0pftnpZr6nCI=s0-d)
How to Find a Good Sports Massage Therapy Course
Today, more than ever, people are playing many sports. Unfortunately, many people get injured each day playing sports whether it is a professional or amateur sport. Sports massage therapy can not only help an athlete who are injured, but is also great to help athletes keep toned and in shape to prevent injuries. Sports massage therapy can also help athletes psychologically as well as physically.
Athletes of today are recognizing that massage is an important part of getting them healthy and keeping them that way. Most professional teams employ sports massage therapists to help those that have been injured so they can make a quicker recovery, but also to help their athletes perform in their peak condition. As little as 10 to 15 minutes of pre and post event massage can help the muscles and tissues of an athlete perform better and avoid injury.
Why is it important for therapist to practice sports massage? It helps the body maintain a generally better condition, helps prevent injury and helps maintain mobility and flexibility, it can restore lost mobility, it can boost the performance of an athlete, it can reduce back pain; a common complaint among athletes of all kinds and it can help to extend the career of an athlete by helping keep them in better condition. Sports massage can help those who suffer from neck pain too. Most athletes use their backs and necks every time their play their sport, so these two areas are especially susceptible to injury.
Learning to be a sports massage therapist can be a very lucrative and rewarding career. In addition to the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping heal others, you may also be able to make a good living at it. Sports massage therapy is one of the fastest growing fields in the market today.
If you are thinking of a career in sports massage therapy, you will want to pick a school that offers great courses. Depending on your philosophy, you may want to find a course that focuses more on the traditional medicine area or the holistic appraoch. Some sports massage therapists blend the two areas to give clients the best of both worlds. Ask if the course includes such therapies as structural and postural evaluation, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, stretching or remedial tissue massage.
Be sure to ask if there is any type of certification, diploma, or accreditation that comes along with the completion of the course. It is always good to be certified – that gives you an edge up when looking for a job over the sports massage therapists that are not certified. Check to see what, if any, certifications the instructor holds. Find out his or her credentials so see if this is the sports massage therapy course for you. It is important that your instructor be not only well qualified, but also experienced. Of course cost is often a concern, but remembers that to take a sports massage therapy class that will result in the right qualification and with the right ongoing mentoring and employment opportunties, you may have to be willing to pay more money.
Source: Free Articles
About the Author
Annalisa Zisman, a proficient author and tutor, she is a leading practitioner for many massage courses. Annalisa specializes in Indian Head Massage, Thai Foot and Thai Herbal Compress Massage techniques.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vlCdivpx4W6h4dZxcuRrwOchRDUOHr7iMwm8EhWf3jNPBnX0o8RfoUUxqBKWEgHW5-vDGbnhZDrF-QrkDObta4NcZbZfZIhjKqQNMtvWHgcnt64g_w4oYEvL1Nsro1txuKblxUTBRHddygbaGcRRZm=s0-d)
Shiatsu As A Type of Massage Therapy
Similar to acupuncture, this type of massage therapy is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine because those who practice it believe that a person does not feel well due to imbalances in the life force.
To fix it, the massage therapist uses finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways known as meridians to improve the life force.
Scientists have a better explanation for this by saying that shiatsu calms the overactive sympathetic nervous system. By doing so, it helps improve blood circulation, relieves stiff muscles and alleviates stress.
For shiatsu to be effective, the massage therapist has to apply pressure in a continuous rhythmic sequence. Unlike other types of massage therapy, the pressure feels more localized so certain points feel tender. If at any time you feel pain, you can tell the therapist to adjust the pressure so it is comfortable to you.
Treatment fro shiatsu is done on a low massage table or on the floor. Two others things that differentiates this type of massage therapy from the rest is that it does not use any massage oil and this is done while you are fully clothed.
Shiatsu is very good for people who suffer from anxiety, arthritis, back pain, constipation, depression, headaches, insomnia, neck and shoulder pain, poor digestion, stress, tiredness and premenstrual syndrome. It is so good that you can even get one just for relaxation.
But not everybody can enjoy acupuncture. It is not safe for people who have open wounds, have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy, immediately after surgery, and are prone to blood clots, pregnant as well as immediately after surgery.
If you don’t have any of these problems, they by all means, you can enjoy shiatsu. When you schedule an appointment, make sure you don’t eat a heavy meal before going there. Also, if it is your first time, try to be there at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment since you will have to fill up some forms first. But if you are a regular, just be there 5 minutes before.
For shiatsu to be effective, the practitioner must be relaxed so he or she will be able to give comfort to the person lying down on the mattress. Proper positioning is also required and both hands must be used at all times even if one hand is still and the other is active.
Though this form of massage therapy is all about applying a little pressure, the key here is perpendicular penetration without any side to side motion so the professional is able to treat an entire meridian and not jot just an individual point. So the person leaves feeling relaxed and ready to go home.
Shiatsu as a type of massage therapy has been around for years and there are various styles to choose from. Some focus merely on the acupressure points, others more on the general work of the human body and the meridians while some highlight the diagnostic systems such as the Five Element System. Whichever is used, you can’t deny the fact these are all based from traditional Chinese medicine.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tdODeyvj9IW7Kh2paVPSJhtPouonqJKZuE0bDG6c4ugDB3izIh82q3jfF23PRs94hq22O7WU4-s8VC_d9tRqHxbv--0gFC-4X8kcOQmT7WLBOs7yNpPIRk4S2uGnwiWAoX3sfz61LHMxmKYQJyblig=s0-d)
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.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uIBUYMRwWHKM2s2au90W0y-_nk-u79pvYD7tZj25zkmJ9WbehmoOp6P8Wb_UcN2UPoPMCfErbP5gYfBl14uVP8EBx6CIcBGZn4gcbdrgqwyJ7EmtzMduFuGMisQwjVjSPyt10iYHzYSPk1pjhZVHg=s0-d)
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.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vdgY1ZYiU0KMIzzwi9JHyQT2KhUvcuLAu0Pq9f5e1vrLs-W0KDka1leEefQB-KWCLMofgmvIiUg6JoedWe12XptO-VFVsmPh38DqY-gdVRNNYi_Bl4TS3S1i1rcbDA5yAoZRNsiwSN9IXCdbpR-BQ=s0-d)
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.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s2Odc6xKHnnPs4y7ie2ORh9YWxYZBMBA-_kJKx3KgyBV18mj3L9enKgFLip_6dWlwtuHOS9mtGRMYqqVQwGBwv8AgF3kQc4ryaYXM_UoCal1wF5PfAjics1nTCUFDZXia7-rDU_Irr_GANPyUsiOLQ=s0-d)
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.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v0fIphbOzRwFnBJ0k-CqX1bTyvmrsGRCbNrrT6AzfqY7RJPT_MdUIQ89kz2yrPhKIuquayi04h9oHHRqQIJM1fbf9ncolpH2cjr1h07FuXGZMlaeXg8fo8hAkk3UCOPDLmag6XeP8gYSwsuIXL1bI=s0-d)
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.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tKQxEcdXA5TSqra4n_Ub73kbtR2qBc9rwrQrkcEAAs2fuZ49LfySntn-Tgswp2m8e_c2KzxM57-duhvRgCTfxfpnbOTssXbG9Kbs3E6c9JBhA8-4_g4CiQ4yyezqjQWnLe1cro_go2ZqSQ8aVj1yL-=s0-d)
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.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uZ-BHFNdFX0ilDd3GlJNw27Mq5VGeklag5IlsgGvnI3kAEWwkcCIGeXhfqrp0T75jo-sD85hf6hbvFovlD8QWBbgA1oxrPGQhRfEzCREAbQ3wKqq-or-6ON9dLRRkAbGRYRuX1T0rxw2qctmnmvjuo=s0-d)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
