Reiki Schools - Career Training and Education Options

You can study to obtain the skills for a career by enrolling in an accredited Reiki school or program. Training in this area of natural healing will help expand your knowledge and enable you to enter into the career you dream of. Career training and education options through reiki schools offer the quality education that is needed for entrance into professional employment. You can learn how to help balance energy in order for the body to heal itself by choosing a career training path to follow.

There are three levels to Reiki which are labeled first, second, and third degree Reiki. You can choose the training path that will meet your individual goals and desires by learning more about the choices that are available to you. Accredited training facilities and programs enable you to prepare for the future you dream of.

First Degree

Obtaining an education in first degree Reiki will teach you what the therapy is, how it works, and what it can provide. Training at this level will provide coursework that can help you learn how to self heal by using the therapy on yourself. An accredited education at this level will require that you attend a weekend program or one or two day class, depending on the instructor and educational facility. Once you have completed training at this level you can move up a level and study the second degree of Reiki.

Second Degree

Learning the second level of Reiki will provide a more in depth understanding of the therapy. Coursework will cover the symbols of Reiki as well as a variety of other relative topics to prepare you for using the therapy on others. Learning at this level will require a one or two day program similar to that of first degree training. You can complete this level of training in order to gain the knowledge that will be necessary for the third level of training.

Third Degree

Training for third degree Reiki can help you to become a Reiki master. Training is separated into two groups, the first group teaches you how to be a Reiki Master, and the other helps you to become a teacher. accredited learning programs offer the training that will give you the skills to enter the workforce prepared for the career you dream of. After obtaining an education at the third degree level you can provide the therapy to others.

The coursework that is involved will vary based on the level of training that is being completed. You can enroll in a program and look forward to training in alternative healing, techniques, meditation, chakra systems, and energy flow to name a few. Studies may also consist of massage therapy training, anatomy, nutrition, Chinese medicine, and more. After completing the three levels of training you can enter the workplace as a professional Reiki Master.

There are many educational training facilities that offer quality Reiki training that is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools ( http://www.acics.org/ ). If you would like to learn more about pursuing an education in this field or obtaining Reiki services feel free to browse our site.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

How to Approach The Right Massage Therapist

How would you find a massage therapist in your city? Or what means would you employ to get to a massage facility? Probably you would ask your friends and neighbors. You may also surf the web or scroll through the newspaper advertisements and shortlist a few therapists. But before you indulge in the therapy, consider certain things.

The first thing to look for is that the therapists must hold the license to practice within the state he is working in. The next thing to look for is the knowledge of the therapist. He must have experience and advanced training in treating soft tissues surrounding out back especially lower back which is also called lumber curvature area.

It's better if you could ask about the educational and professional background of the massage therapist before allowing him to play on your body. On the contrary, the therapist should himself make you aware about his experience and training so that you could make a decision.

The massage therapist must give you some tips to take care of your body especially the parts which you got massaged. A good and professional therapist would always apprise his clients of the probable risks and the precautions to be taken after the massage therapy. He would train you in self care techniques.

It is important for a person to understand his needs. Simply put, you should know for what reason you want massage. Generally people seek massage for alleviating body-ache, pain, relaxation, migraine or promote healing of a muscle injury. Massage also helps in spondylitis, a kind of bone disease. Before going ahead with your therapist, explain him if you are suffering any of the diseases. Tell him what you want him to do.

Find a massage therapy center near your home so you can walk up to the center whenever you need massage. If you often or regular get massage then befriend a massage therapist who knows your requirements better. You won't need to describe your needs every time you call him for massage.

It is not a difficult task to find a massage therapist but it is certainly quite a job to apprise him of your pain. This is something that you can't describe in words. The therapist has to understand what you actually want him to do. He plays gently over your vulnerable body parts and relieves them of stress. After a massage session, you should feel light, relaxed and happy.

Physical Therapy in the Treatment of Sports Injuries

Exercise and physical activity are very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle but it is a fact that strenuous physical activity greatly increases the risk of soft tissue damage (ligaments, muscles and tendon) and bone injuries. The primary and secondary mode of therapies differs depending upon the nature and cause of injuries. In traumatic injuries, a more intensive surgical or medical therapy is needed but since most sports injuries are minor sprains, muscle pulls and ligament injuries that do not require any medical or surgical intervention, physical therapy alone is the best mode of therapy in majority of the cases. Moreover, in case of surgeries that involve major joints, rehabilitation is needed to improve healing and blood circulation which makes physical therapist an integral part of any sports team.

Some common sports injuries for which physical therapy is very helpful include abrasions, perhaps the most superficial and common forms of injuries. Ankle sprain is also another common and apparently simple form of sport injury that can occur when athletes perform vigorous activity without performing warm up exercises. Tearing of ligaments (ACL being the most common) is another injury that may limit the degree of movement across the knee joint and can affect the sports career of the athletes. Hamstring pull or strain or tear is reported frequently in running sports and the injury may be as minor as a sprain to as severe as muscle tearing. Bone fractures are also very common in athletes and require stabilization via surgeries, splinting and other modes of interventive care.

Athletes have a very limited scope of undergoing major surgeries and most of the athletes avoid adopting interventive medicine for a number of reasons like delay in healing that affects the performance and form of players, risk of damage to major or minor nerves and vessels as part of iatrogenic trauma or prolonged disability that limits the athlete to perform in sports activities.

Regular physical therapy in sportsmen improves range of motion across the joints, flexibility of muscles and promotes fitness as a whole by warming up muscles. It also helps in the development of small muscle fibers that are missed out in gym exercises. It's the best mode of therapy for all age groups and all sports personnel that is equally effective in male and female players.

Physical therapy serves at stabilizing the tissues in the natural biochemical environment and helps in promoting blood circulation. Rehabilitation after any surgery and primarily sports surgery requires restoration of physical mobility via physical therapy that decreases the pain by washing off the pain-producing mediators and hasten tissue recovery by restoring optimal blood circulation across healing tissues.

Physical therapists are an essential part of all sports teams to enhance fitness in the team and to take care of minor tissue injuries to decrease the risk of inflammation related tissue damage. Physical therapists serve these important functions by sports education that serves to educate professional sports players regarding warm up exercises, tissue relaxing exercises and massage to prevent soaring of muscles. Education regarding appropriate postures during and after sports activities, machines and devices that promote blood supply to tissues, joints, muscles and bones and muscle strengthening exercise that stabilize tissues and provide support to ligaments, tendons and other parts of musculoskeletal system.

Birthday Marketing for Massage Therapist

1. As a Massage Therapist, preparing and working on your birthday card marketing is one of the most essential strategies you need to achieve for a successful business. Although advertising on various web pages and using social media networking sites are known to be effective methods to market a business, studies have also shown that birthday card marketing has been proven to be more effective most especially if you wish to connect with your clients and to develop a long professional relationship with them.

Some individuals might find it a bit weird to use birthday cards for marketing, but if you have a massage therapy business; you'll find it easier to understand why most therapists prefer this type of marketing strategy.

2. Initially, you can make use of this effective marketing strategy by including cards in one of your packages. This will attract your customers to go for your services, and let them avail of the birthday cards that will serve as a gift certificate that can be given as a gift. Initially, it will be seen as a traditional birthday greetings but the surprising part is the exclusive gift to allow the celebrant to pamper herself. Isn't it a great way to give your loved one a present that she/he will never forget? Probably, this is something that you don't see every day, but its uniqueness and the thought that you want the celebrant to relax and pamper them self is really touching.

3. If you include post card marketing in one of your packages, this card can also be given as a corporate gift or present, most particularly to the executive and even the senior executives of a company. It can also be a personal gift to a very close friend or relative just to make them feel special on their special day.

Aside from including a promotional birthday card along with your packages, you can also start organizing and start sending out these cards to your regular customers. This way, you can easily build rapport, and gaining their trust with your company is not going to be a huge problem any longer. It is simply easy.

4. The first thing that you have to do is to organize and start asking your customers to fill up some sort of personal information, the moment that they enter your massage therapy clinic. From there, you will have the details that you need including their birthday, name and, personal e-mail address even home address. From there, you can choose which birthday card marketing suits your massage therapy business best. You could either send an electronic greeting card, or simply send a card through the traditional snail mail method.

Pros & Cons
Electronic greetings cards are faster, but there is no certainty that they will be received or viewed by your client. Traditional birthday cards get there slower but your client will receive their birthday card in their hands and this will ensure a higher open rate than a email sent birthday card.

At first, this birthday card marketing strategy is a little bit different, and it can usually get business owners and marketers confused. But once you get used to the marketing system, sending out birthday cards to your beloved customers will just pass by just like a breeze.

Don't lose those customers. Take care of them, and make them feel that you are concerned about them. Include birthday card marketing as one of your strategies, and in no time you'll notice that the number of customers that your massage therapy business has dramatically increased.

Sport Massage Therapy

Sport massage therapy is very important to athletes who need to have relaxation and injury related massage to help them stay in shape for the next competition. This is also known as medical massage and the therapists have extensive training in how to help athletes with a wide range of problems. They have extensive training in anatomy, physiology, mobilization techniques and restorative massage. Athletes find that they recover faster with massage when they put demands on their bodies. This therapy has been part of all major competitions and the Olympic Games for many years.

The restorative massage for athletes helps to increase the blood circulation to the lymph nodes and helps the body get rid of metabolic wastes much faster. When therapists help athletes to stretch the muscles, this helps prevent tearing of ligaments and tendons. Most athletes have a massage before the event as well as afterwards to ensure that the muscles are loosened up properly before the sporting event.

Athletes are one group of the population that engage in massage therapy on a regular basis. Many of the competitive teams have a massage therapist as part of the medical team. They are right there at all the events and on the scene in case of an accident. Quite often sports massage is part of the training because even during workouts athletes put demands on their bodies. Some of the benefits this therapy provides include:

* Prevention of injuries

* Reduction of pain and swelling

* Increased energy and flexibility

* Enhanced performance

There are many different techniques used for massage for athletes depending on the sport and the needs of the athlete.

Therapeutic Body Massage - Heal Your Mind and Body

There are various places around that you can surely visit and be able to experience one fun-filled and enjoying time with your friends. But having fun does not really mean having a relaxing moment. If it is true relaxation you are seeking, then one of the best ways to do it is by spending time in a quiet and peaceful environment while enjoying one soothing and stress relieving massage.

One popular relaxing technique you should definitely take advantage of is a therapeutic body massage. This particular type of relaxation is well known for its unique way of giving that soothing effect to ones body. Unlike any other body relaxing methods, this does not only give you a relaxing feeling but it also targets to produce healing effects to the mind and body. Although there are other types of well known massage available for you to enjoy such as a sports type or a deep tissue approach, most people are just looking to relieve their minds and body from the stress they get during their day to day activities.

Although a therapeutic massage is one kind of relaxation in itself already, it also has its own list of sub-types under its kind. One common type of it that is pretty popular is the Swedish technique. This type of body relaxation makes use of the palms and fingertips in relieving tension from the muscles of the body.

Another very important benefit that this body relaxation targets to improve is the blood circulation. When there is good blood flow and circulation, the body as a whole can do its function well. So, if you have that extra budget in your pocket and you are thinking of what good thing to invest that money on. Well, I strongly suggest that you invest on your own health and wellness. After all, what would it mean to accomplish anything if you don't have a healthy mind and body.

Can a Bachelor Degree in Psychology Lead to Occupational Therapy Jobs?

College students who have an idea of what they would like to do someday often know exactly what major to choose. However, some struggle because they do not know what career path they want when they enter school. Guidance counselors will often direct them to a "neutral" major that can lead to any different careers. One of these is psychology.
 
If you have a bachelor's degree in psychology, could you purse a career in occupational therapy? The answer is yes, but you will need further training and certification.
 
What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a line of work wherein a therapist helps patients with their everyday tasks. These patients suffer from a disabling condition, such as a developmental delay, physical disability, mental handicap, or emotional problem. This can be something the patient is born with, such as mental retardation, or it could be a result of an accident or the natural aging process.
 
Occupational therapists help patients develop or improve motor skills and reasoning abilities. If some of these functions are lost, the therapist will work with the patient to compensate for this. The end goal is for the patient to be able to live a productive and satisfying life as independently as the disability allows.
 
Because occupational therapists are working with emotionally or developmentally disabled individuals, a degree in psychology can help. The therapist needs to be able to help the patient deal with his or her emotions, learn cognitive skills, and create helps that will make functioning in the day-to-day world more possible. Psychological training helps with all of these tasks.
 
Educational Requirements for Occupational Therapists
 
Occupational therapy is a highly specialized field, and as such therapists must have at least a master's degree in the field. The degree must come from an accredited school, and the program must include at least six months of fieldwork under a supervisor.
 
Students who are interested in this line of work often wonder what undergraduate program to pursue. In high school they should take as many advanced courses as possible, although math is not especially important. Undergraduate degrees can be in fields like biology, sociology, anthropology, general liberal arts, and, of course, psychology. Psychology as a bachelor's degree program provides an excellent base for further study in occupational therapy.
 
Part of the reason that a degree in psychology works so well is the fact that occupational therapists must understand how to work with people. Psychology training provides a good foundation for this. They also must be able to read their patients, even when their patients are not clearly vocalizing their needs or wants. They need to be able to see how different tasks are affecting their patients emotionally and psychologically, and a degree in psychology makes this much easier to do.
 
Licensure Requirements
 
All states require occupational therapists to receive a license. The requirements for licensure are completion of a master's program from an accredited school and the successful completion of the national certification exam. Again, a degree in psychology works well into these requirements. All in all, of the undergraduate degrees that work for this career path, a degree in psychology seems to be one of the best fits.

Should I See a Doctor, Chiropractor, or a Massage Therapist for My Neck, Shoulder or Back Pain?

When we experience muscle pain, one thing is for sure: we want to get rid of it as soon as possible. As a provider of in-home massage therapy services, people often contact my company first when seeking relief from things like neck pain, low back pain, and other pain. In most cases we do recommend massage, but oftentimes when the condition is severe, it will be in conjunction with therapies and/or recommendations from other health care providers in order for an individual to get the most immediate and effective results.

So where should a person with muscle pain turn first and why? Primary Care Physician? Chiropractor? Massage Therapist?

Making the right choice largely depends on how a person answers the following questions:

• What is the severity of the condition and how long has it been present?


• What is your general health condition and history, including family medical history?


• Are you willing to take medication prescribed by a traditional medical doctor or must the therapy be all "natural"?


• Is the pain caused by something specific like an injury or a pre-existing condition?


• What kind of insurance, if any, is available and what services will it cover?


• If there is no insurance to cover therapy, what kind of budget do you have to pay for treatments out of pocket?

This may seem like an overly conservative if not complicated approach if we're just talking about a stiff neck, but the idea is to identify any potentially more serious health conditions, and also to avoid paying for anything that could be covered by insurance.

First let's get the insurance question out of the way. When it comes to massage therapy, often the only kinds of insurance policies that will pay for it (including at home massage) are auto insurance or workman's compensation insurance for car and work injuries. Massage therapists can not officially diagnose any condition, so a doctor's prescription is always required. There is a lot more to this particular side-topic, so for additional information about how this works, please see an articles I have already written about what kinds of insurance covers massage therapy.

It should also be noted that normal health insurance may cover physical therapy, but this is quite different from massage therapy and often requires a prolonged treatment plan.

Next and perhaps more importantly; when someone approaches us with serious pain, we want to make sure that it's not something they should see a doctor about first. If it is something with a sudden onset, highly abnormal (not just a stiff neck), or possibly associated with other health problems (just to name a few possible red flags) we might recommend seeing a medical doctor first. This assumes that the individual would be open to using medication, because in addition to the myriad of tools at physician's disposal, it is highly likely that a doctor will prescribe an anti-inflammatory or possibly a prescription pain killer if the pain is severe.

It's important for people to understand that while massage therapy can be very effective in reducing pain caused by muscle tension and related restrictions, it can only achieve so much with one visit. Typically, in order to address more chronic kinds of pain, multiple sessions will be required to make significant headway. Therefore, it is often not a bad idea to see a doctor who may be able to prescribe medication to help the condition, both in terms of reducing pain immediately, and also for reducing inflammation in general, which is often largely responsible for musculoskeletal pain. These efforts can actually make subsequent massage therapy sessions even more effective.

Think of the tight muscles like a frozen stick of butter. If you try to press into it when it's right out of the freezer, it's almost impossible to make a dent. However if it has been defrosted to room temperature (like muscles on an anti-inflammatory), it could be in a much easier state to work with in the care of able hands. This being said, it's also important to be careful about the use of pain killers before getting a massage and advise the therapist of the current use of any medications.

Another option for those with muscle pain which would fall somewhere in between going to a medical doctor and seeing a massage therapist would be going to see a chiropractor. While a chiropractor can not prescribe medication, they can diagnose certain conditions, perform x-rays, and provide natural therapy including "adjustments" among some other things that massage therapists are not authorized to do. In some cases they may also be able to accept normal major medical health insurance along with a co-payment. For some people this is a good "in-between" option providing a relatively high level of care that is also "natural". At the same time, there can be drawbacks.

Physical Therapy Tips - Mastering the Art of Walking

We should be grateful for the instincts and development we have enjoyed since birth. Most of us are fortunate to have taken that crucial first step between 11 and 14 months old. Yes, crawling came first, but accomplishing the skill to walk is one of our immeasurable gifts in life. It is second nature for the most of us. With such simplicity, walking takes us from one destination to another and can be an adventure in itself. Walking requires no special skills, and no extra equipment. The experience can be as varied as the weather conditions.

People are almost dumb-founded to hear the actual benefits of walking daily, for a short 40 minute period. We've all heard that time is money, but where does our own health factor into our busy lives and budgets?

-Walking is Exercise! Just Simple Exercise!
-Walking, a painless activity burns more calories than you think.
-Reduces Cholesterol! Walking can slowly reduce your cholesterol levels.
-Walking can lower your risk of high blood pressure and reduce your chance of a heart attack.
-While calories burn, your waist will begin to slim and your body muscles will gradually tone.
-Surprisingly, walking will relieve your appetite.
- A 40-minute morning walk, almost daily, can elevate your daily energy levels and stamina.
-For those who suffer from osteoporosis (a disease where bones lose density), walking can slow down the disease process.
-We all live stressful lives. Walking can help relieve mental stress and physical tension.
-Walking on dirt trails, school tracks, or asphalt is softer than concrete or sidewalks.
-Walking can be shared. Of course it is great to have your daily walk by yourself. It is gratifying and calming. However, taking your dog(s), spouse and kids on a walk through the neighborhood, or around a local lake can be as diverse as the direction, weather and season.

We never suggest walking in poor conditions, when the temperature is bitter cold, when pavement is icy, or when the sun beats down on you making it uncomfortable or unsafe for you to walk. The time that is spent walking provides time for thought, while exercising. In the end, it's a win-win for all who develop the Art of Walking.

Stay tuned for the next article in a series on walking: The Arch Supports Epidemic

Massage Therapist Salary

Let's talk about the financial side of being a massage therapist, namely the massage therapist salary! This is a guide for people who are thinking about becoming a massage therapist and would like to get a picture of what a professional massage therapist earns.

For starters, I will lead you through the system at our massage school, which is typical of many massage schools around the country (the United States). First, you can expect to find yourself doing massage for free during your clinical internship, which must be completed before you can become licensed and get paid to do massage. Happily, though, we were able to receive tips and this was quite welcome as we were mostly rather poor students. Upon graduation and licensure, we were able to continue working in the student clinic. This can be a big plus when you are starting out- for one, you are already familiar with the clinic environment. You know where everything is- massage oils, sheets, pillow cases, cleaning supplies.

Also, if your unpaid internship has been going well, you have built up something of a clientele. So now, whereas before you were getting tips only, now you are getting paid ($19 an hour in our case) PLUS tips. It's a nice jump in wages while doing the exact same work. I would recommend this to newly licensed practitioners if their school offers such an arrangement. The pay is low compared to the $60 an hour charged by therapists in their own private practice, but keep in mind that running your own practice involves considerable effort and expenses, and that in almost all cases you have to do a good job of marketing yourself in order to get clients. This may be something you want to hold off on until you get more experience and a better idea of how to create a successful massage practice.

Once you are licensed, the (massage) world is your oyster. The work, and hence the salary, you can expect depends on where you are located. Are you working in a spa? A hospital? Your own practice? How much do you charge/get paid? Do you work part or full time? All these (and more) factors will determine your salary. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that in 2008, a massage therapist working 15 hours a week earned an average of $31, 500- pretty good for working part time. AMTA also reports average hourly pay in 2008 to be $41.50.

A note to those of you who are considering a career in massage for the money- usually you will get clients based on the quality of your massage. If your heart is not into it, or you're just doing it to get paid, it's likely you won't succeed as a massage therapist. Massage is a field in which you can make good money, but usually only if you really like the work.

Continuing Education for Sports Massage Therapists

Are you currently a misuse for athletes? Are you looking to boost your skills to go forward in your career? Online resources are a cheap and easy method for learning new sports massage techniques to better your talents as a sports misuse. Not only does this make you a more credible misuse; but you will have a new certification that makes your services more desirable and profitable over others in your industry.

The massage industry is always growing and changing as new research is done on the human body. This is why it is important for a sports massage therapist to constantly be updated on the industry's change and growth. As a working misuse, you probably find it hard to find time to go back to school periodically for continuing education; but in today's technology-centered world, you can continue your learning from the comfort of your own home! You can get the same benefit from an at-home program as you would in a class room, except you don't have to go anywhere and you can learn at the time that best suits your needs.

There are many experienced massage therapists that present online courses or home DVDs that will further your education in the sports massage industry. After you watch the video program through its entirety and review the course manual to gain an overview of the massage techniques you just learned, you can practice the clearly shown techniques in the video as you watch it for a second time. One of the best parts of at-home learning sessions is that you go at your own pace. No need to drive to a classroom where you learn on someone else's watch; you can be your own instructor!

A thorough at-home instruction course will be organized and offer benchmarks along the way. Specific points to look for in sports massage education are PNF stretching, reciprocal inhibition, trigger point and strain/counterstrain techniques, injury evaluation and treatment, cross-fiber friction, common sports injuries, and pre/post-event massage techniques. After each section, you can challenge yourself by taking the end-of-the-section exam, where you will be assessed on the knowledge that should have been learned.

When you are finished with your at-home course, you will receive a certificate that can be printed for show. The more skilled and experienced you are in your industry, the more desirable you will be to your clients. Not only does furthering your education in sports massage make your services more profitable, but you will be one step above other misuses that do not have the certification. So what are you waiting for? Get started now!

Why You Should Choose Massage Therapy Education

Helping others to heal and promote wellbeing through natural and non-invasive methods is both personally and professionally rewarding. This is just one of the many reasons why choosing massage therapy education as your academic path to achieving a lucrative holistic healthcare profession could be a good idea.

Comprised of over 80 various types of specific bodywork therapies, massage therapy instruction helps students to distinguish particular touch techniques, as well as the practical application of these techniques.

Though most massage programs are host to basic massotherapy classes like deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, and sports massage; candidates aspiring for more advanced methods find a number of programs in massage therapy education that offer a greater variety of bodywork methods - including Eastern therapies (Thai massage, acupressure, Shiatsu, Tuina, and meridian therapy), and specialized training in craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, therapeutic touch, infant/prenatal massage, chair massage, Indian head massage, lymphatic drainage, and trigger point, among others.

Massage therapy education is also a great way to earn your professional standing in the diverse healthcare industry. Today's massage therapists are certified and/or licensed to practice; and like other healthcare providers, must maintain licensure and credentials by taking annual continuing massage therapy courses.

A growing number of programs in massage therapy schools meet National certification requirements. Students enrolled in these bodywork courses can anticipate a minimum of 500 hours training; with some courses exceeding 1,000 training hours.

Depending on the massage therapy educational course in which you enroll, you may also have optional training electives like aromatherapy, holistic nutrition, hydrotherapy, advanced kinesiology, energy healing therapy (Reiki), reflexology, hot stone massage, and raindrop therapy, among others.

Candidates who have successfully completed their selected massage therapy programs can expect a positive career outlook. A 20 percent growth between now and 2016 is expected for massage therapist occupations; and with the growing demand for natural healthcare therapies like massage, that number may increase.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding somatic education programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massotherapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore massage therapy education [http://school.holisticjunction.com/clickcount.php?id=6634739&goto=http://www.holisticjunction.com/search.cfm] near you.

* Occupational Resource - BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Why You should Choose Massage Therapy Education
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What Does A Pediatric Physical Therapist Do?

A pediatric physical therapist is responsible for helping kids develop their motor skills so that these kids can work, play and act normally just as other kids do. The task of a pediatric physical therapist does not only involve in making sure that the child can balance and can use his body parts i.e. feet, legs and arms. They will assign specific activities or exercises to the child to help the child gain strength in his arms and legs. Even simple exercises like playing touch ball, baseball, crawling in and out of a tunnel and walking in a straight line can be very helpful to a child's physical development.

There will also be instances when a pediatric physical therapist will advice the patient's parents to modify the living area of the patient to avoid injury, accidents and the like. For example, if the house of the patient is a 2-storey and the bedroom of the child, who is unable to balance his body while walking, is in the top floor the doctor may advice the parents to transfer the child to a bedroom on the ground floor. There may also be adaptive equipments that would make the life of the child easier and his recovery faster.

The work of the therapist will usually start by examining the condition of the child. This includes checking the past medical history of the patient, running a battery of mental and physical tests as well as conducting an interview to the patient's pediatrician, parents and the child itself.

However, a Pediatric Physical Therapist will never be able to help a child's development if the parents or the child's guardian is not cooperative. The key to a child's fast development is the right set of physical exercises and the parents' guidance and participation. Every child needs their parents' approval and encouragement. This is even more important for children who have physical and mental disabilities.

The main job of a pediatric physical therapist is to ensure that the child's problems with movement and strength is addressed. Many people view this job as something very interesting, and indeed, it is! Imagine all the help you can extend to the little ones. It is not an easy job but the mere fact that you are able to help other kids is enough reason to work as a pediatric physical therapist. The salary of a therapist is also competitive and the chance of getting a promotion is also very high.

Type of Ayurvedics Massage Therapies For Different Diseases

Ayurveda is one of the alternative medical systems originated from India. Ayurveda in India is famous for curing various types of curable diseases including inflammation of the stomach, infections of the gums and teeth, formation of cataract, disorders of the fallopian tubes, acidity, disorders of the brain, tension, neuralgia, severe ulcers, the spinal nerves, disorders of urinary tract and many more. All these diseases are easily get cured by ayurveda massage therapies and exercises. In India you will find number of ayurveda massage centers that offers various types of massage therapy courses at different rates and packages. Not only in Kerala but these ayurveda centers are now able to follow the paths of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Noida, Gurgaon, Bangalore and many more states of the nation. Every year numbers of tourist from western side of the globe coming to India for their recovery from different diseases. Here they will find number of world class ayurvedic institutes that offer a number of specialized massage training programs that can make you adept at administering ayurvedic treatment for illness.

The basic philosophy of Ayurveda medical system is based on the panchamahabhoota theory that believes on human body is made up of five elements earth, air, fire, space and water. Ayurveda massage system is the science of life which is dealing not only with treatment of some curable diseases but also maintains the complete body structure. Ayurveda is one of the renewing and revitalizing your body and mind without any side effect like in case of allopathic medicare system. During ayurveda treatment, these five body elements combine to form controlling forces and biological humours called Dosha. This product is used to recover the body's energy from protecting body from several diseases. Ayurvedic treatment is one of the ancient medicare systems has its own natural world that uses ayurvedic herbal and oil for curing diseases and massage therapies.

Ayurveda and massage therapies form an integral part of the cultural heritage of India. Ayurveda in India has been practiced in all parts of India including Kerala since time unknown of this alternate medical system and still regarded as one of the safest alternatives to many other conventional systems of medicine. India houses large number of Ayurvedic resorts offering a wide range of massage therapies and ayurveda exercises. In India as compare to all other states Kerala is one of the states with pristine and refreshing surroundings of beautiful backwaters, exotic beaches and hill stations. Here in India kerala-ayurvedics.com brings you with some of the popular ayurvedic massage resorts in India where one can avail the world class services of Ayurveda massage therapies include the Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Heritage Resort, Keraleeyam Ayurveda Resort, Kairali Ayurvedic Resort, Taj Garden Retreat Kumarakom, Aquaserene Ayurvedic Resort, Susya Ayurvedic Health Resort, Olasha Ayurvedic Center and Kumarakom Lake Resort. Here you will find number of ayurveda resorts that comprises a large team of well qualified Ayurveda massage practitioners and therapists who can examine you and then recommend the required massage therapy.

Hot Erotic Massage Techniques For Foreplay Building Up to Great Sex

I remember the first time I gave a hot, erotic massage to a woman. I was quite young a the time and really nervous, almost overwhelmed when she took off her top and lay on the sofa. She was a little shy, so she lay on her front and I can still remember how her body jumped when I put my hands on her. I was really out of my comfort zone too and my hands started shaking as my fingers made contact with her bare back. Thanks to my older friends, I kept assuming that soon she would be overcome by lust and jump on me. Almost half an hour later, she put her top on and I took her to the station.

The whole walk I was wondering where I'd gone wrong, after all I'd done everything right, hadn't I? It was then that I decided to ask for advice from one of my more knowledgeable friends. I'd barely got through half of my description before he looked at me in disbelief and said,

"What? You didn't you lick her neck or back or anything?!?"

The point my friend had made was an awesome one: there is a world of difference separating an enjoyable back-rub from a hot, erotic massage!

Erotic Massage Techniques

So what actually is the difference? In fact the techniques used in both the back rub and the hot, erotic massage are similar. The key difference is your attitude. While a non-erotic massage requires technique, a hot, erotic massage with no technique whatsoever can still be a success if it makes the receiver feel more sexual afterward.

The reason I went so badly wrong all those years ago was because I forgot that the main purpose of a hot, erotic massage was the same as any other kind of foreplay: to give her a taster of what sex with me was going to be like. If you successfully show her that you can tease her and know all the right spots then she will know that you will probably be a great lover.

This is the other key to these kinds of massages, because it is a form of foreplay you will want to use the same techniques that you would use if you were giving any other kind of foreplay:

* Tease using touches that barely touch her, just brush her with the lightest touch. You want to make her want you to touch her more.

* Bring your hand close to an erogenous zone, but then move your hand over it without touching. This break with what she is expecting will get her tingling with anticipation.

* Look for area that have a lot of sensation. Any area that has a large amount of nerve endings will feel great when you touch it. The whole length of the spine, the armpits, sides of the breasts and neck all will feel great.

* Her breasts and clitoris can be touched either when she least expects it or by slowly building up to it. The tease is as important as the touch in this instance.

* Making slow circles that get smaller and smaller, moving in towards her nipple or clitoris is a great way to keep the touch up and tease her.

* Show her your oral technique by sucking, licking and gently biting her spine or the sensitive part of her neck. This should be a hint of what is to come and should use most of the same techniques.

The Not-Erotic Massage Techniques Section

While technique is not so important, it is worthwhile knowing some of the basic massage techniques. Any of these, if done with enough skill, can easily become hot and erotic too. Women love a guy who is dexterous!

1. Your hands are rough and her skin is really soft. Simple equation: rough on soft equals pain! Therefore you can make things infinitely better for her by simply using a lot of oil or lotion on your hands. Select a good, nice-smelling one for bonus points.

2. Look for what she responds best to and then use those areas to punctuate the massage (Usually the neck and shoulders)

3. You can probably touch her harder than you would expect, but make sure that you only touch muscle as a firm touch on bone is agony!

And that is basically it. Once a woman knows that even your massages get her excited, you will soon find that you can turn the massage into great foreplay that will make her want to jump on you.

Physical Therapy Software Can Prepare You For Medicare Audits

Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) will be in full force in 2010 so now is the time to prepare. Not only does Medicare require documentation over-and-above the other payers, they are now hiring contract consultants to detect and correct past improper payments. Under this audit program, claims a therapy clinic submits, even if approved, is subject to audit.

If you are an owner or Director of a rehab clinic, then you understand the challenges of providing an ever-increasing standard of care - while at the same time - trying to improve your center's productivity and revenues in the face of diminishing reimbursements.

Rehabilitation is the typical fee-for-service program that the new auditors will target and it is important to note that claims can be audited as far back as October 1st 2007.   The RAC auditors will be qualified therapists and certified coders who will know what they are looking for, and how to find it.

Therapy clinics that have been on the fence about  transitioning from paper based documentation to an electronic medical records system should get on board in 2009.  A good physical therapy software solution will enable clinics to overcome, and continue to thrive in the face of such government regulations. Complete and accurate clinical documentation is the key to meeting Medicare requirements and a good therapy software program that is integrated with billing is the best solution.

Look for therapy software that provides more than just a glorified word processor with PDF storage, but something that guides your therapist to the correct documentation and requires completion of that documentation. Clinic owners review some of the nation's large outpatient rehabilitation chains (such as Select Medical) when evaluating software. Companies like this use proven solutions that are typically available in a scalable, affordable solution for small clinics.

Details about RAC can be found at http://bit.ly/Lq7x5.

Physical Therapy Career - Is It Good for You?

A man is physically and mentally efficient only if all his faculties are functioning at peak levels. Sometimes physical therapy becomes both pertinent and imperative to stimulate these functions in a man. Considered part of health care, physical therapy, in many cases, helps a man to recover his movements, balance and full functionality, from problems due to the environment, illness injury or age. Several human ailments like arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and sciatica, besides bone and muscle problems, have found great relief from the use of Physical therapy. The therapy has helped the sufferers to enjoy a healthier standard of living. As a result, a Physical therapy career is showing rapid growth.

The ever-growing numbers of people suffering from the above ailments has given a fillip to the people in the realm of physical therapy, known as Physical Therapists or Physiotherapists, a great opportunity to advance their career and enjoy more handsome remuneration. The ongoing and continuous research on this subject is turning the focus more towards prevention and treatment rather than treatment through medication, and helps to encourage the afflicted persons to move towards a better and more hopeful tomorrow.

Physical therapists work on emotional, psychological, physical, and the social aspects of the human being, with regard to treatment, involvement, prevention, promotion and rehabilitation of potential body movements. Current estimate of physical therapy jobs in the US (2011-2012) is around 200,000 and counting, and their salaries range from around $53,000 to $107,000 per annum.

Though some countries do not insist on academic certification for physical therapists, most developed and emerging countries today are resolute for the need of formal education and experience. Most potential physical therapists would have had their grounding in areas such as Physics, Chemistry or Biology and would have specialized in therapeutic procedures, biomechanics, etc. The USA, for example, will employ only graduate physical therapists with a master's or a doctor's degree in some area of specialization.

Professional physical therapists have necessarily to pass state and federal exams to qualify for practicing their vocation. Many of the states in the US require them to continue passing periodical exams to keep their practitioner's license valid. In fact, this is extremely beneficial for the practitioner to update his knowledge of the latest techniques resulting from the continuous and ongoing research on the subject. Smart physical therapists can thus provide the best possible treatment to his patients and create that aura of credibility among their present and potential clients.

Physical therapists have a bright future in front of them and can work in several areas ranging from Home health, nursing, General medicine and surgery and physical and speech therapies and even in the clinics of physicians. Their career is on an upswing and salaries are on a fast rising curve.

Break the Cycle of Pain With Massage Therapy

This article is a general introduction of four techniques used by Massage Therapists to relieve pain: Trigger Point therapy, Myofascial Release, Muscle Energy Techniques, and "Biofield" Techniques. A trigger point is a hypersensitive nodule or knot within a muscle tissue. When compressed they give rise to pain. The number one cause of a trigger point is acute overload. To treat a trigger point, a massage therapist presses into the point and holds pressure until the tissue begins to relax or melt.

Myofascial Release works on the webbing or sheaths that, like a spandex suit or the webbing inside of an orange or grapefruit, help give shape and structure to the human form. Imagine a spandex suit that has become pinned down and stretched in a certain area. This image conveys the stress that can occur, and the resulting pain and mobility restriction that can occur in the human body when our "spandex suit" is stressed. A massage therapist uses myofascial release techniques to release the stress and thus release any pain or restriction of motion.

Now imagine an energy field that interpenetrates all of life, including our own human body. Biofield therapies address pain on the level of the human energy field. Through light touch on and above the body with such Biofield techniques as Reiki, Healing Touch or Bio-energy Healing, a Massage Therapist trained in these types of techniques, as research indicates, can also relieve pain. The therapist, instead of working directly on muscles and soft tissues, is trained to perceive and work with the network of energy patterns, modulating them and releasing areas of congestion. Somewhat recently, "Energy Field Disturbance" was added to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Problems used by physicians. Hospitals have begun to offer Healing Touch and Reiki as complimentary therapy for the their patients.

Muscle Energy Techniques, commonly used in Sports and Orthopedic Massage, is a type of assisted stretching that serves to resolve triggers points, release the Myofascial network or spandex suit, and release hypertonic muscles. The Pain-Spasm-Pain Theory states that trauma leads to pain, then pain to muscle contraction. Muscle contraction causes ischemia, also known as reduced blood flow. Ischemia causes accumulation of metabolic garbage, which in turn leads to more pain. To break the pain cycle, the techniques of massage have a proven track record. These four techniques listed are just four within the many pain-relieving techniques found in the toolbox of many a massage therapist.

Physical Therapy - How Physiotherapy Can Help You

"Physiotherapy is one of the modern ways of healing physical, mental and emotional injuries. It is also known to be the safest treatment when performed by a professional." There is a big misconception about physiotherapy; some people think that this will only treat serious injuries. However, physiotherapy can teat even the mildest pain like back pain due to stress or perhaps muscle cramps etc. this kind of therapy can help you ease the pain in no time at all. If you are the kind of person who does not want to turn to over-the-counter drugs or pain medications, you can opt for physiotherapy to help you ease the pain.

What is your thought about this kind of therapy? Do see it as a boring and rigid physical exercise? Some people think that this kind of therapy involves nothing but some boring set of physical activity that is somewhat tiring. However, physiotherapy is more than just performing a set of physical exercises. All activities being performed during the entire healing process are all needed in order to regain normal health.

Depending on your condition, you might be required to execute simple physical workout routines to help you ease out the tension from your body and muscles. For people with serious injury you might be required to perform physical exercises along with body massage for a certain number of hours or days. A human being's touch can have powerful healing that there is no need for drug intervention. That is why most people with mild or severe muscle cramps would rather opt to have a full body massage rather than reach for the bottle of pain reliever.

It is not only through healing of mild to severe injuries that physiotherapy can help you but it can also help promote normal blood flow. And this is great for people who are always stressed out with their work. Another way that this kind of therapy can help you is that it helps calm the tiring nerves within your body. People who are especially working manual labor i.e. seaman, construction builders, truck drivers etc will somehow experience muscle stiffness and this can be healed by means of proper massage techniques. Physiotherapy can also help a person using mobility aid to properly use these tools with ease and comfort.

If you have want total healing without taking any prescription drugs you can opt for physiotherapy. Of course, healing will also depend on several factors like the type of disease that you have the severity of your case as well as your cooperation. And when you are choosing a physiotherapist make sure that the person is licensed and has a good reputation. Avoid going to someone who is not a licensed physiotherapist.

Heal thy wounds by means of physiotherapy.

Physical Therapy Exercises For the General Population

The human past has been marked by a very dynamic lifestyle packed with different movement patterns and very little repetitive actions. Therefore, our bodies operate best over a variety of different tasks; and not living sedentary, unchanging lifestyles. Sadly, the demands of most of our daily lives require that we sit in a chair for hours on end, leaning over a desk, repeating the same thing over and over again. This is why we see muscle imbalances.

Here are several helpful actions you can do that will likely apply to you.

• Foam roll the piriformis, iliotibial band, TFL, hamstrings, upper back


• Ball roll the soles of your feet


• Stretch out the hips as much as possible


• Perform strength work for your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back

Foam rolling is performing self-myofascial release which in the end is trying to iron out soft tissue and accumulated scar tissue in the muscle. This is very effective at loosening up specific areas of the muscle. It's easy to target the tighter regions that will be helped most. All you need to do is use a foam tube or PVC pipe. The smaller the radius of the cylinder is, the more powerful (but painful) the therapy is. If you're unable to locate a foam roller, wrap a towel around a large PVC pipe. To start) the foam rolling, lie on the ground with the roller underneath the muscle to be rolled. Put as much weight as you can on the area and begin rolling back and forth with small strokes, eventually working up to large, harder strokes. To see for yourself, just do a YouTube search for "foam roll" + any of the terms in this article.

To ball roll your soles, get a hard ball such as a baseball and place it on the ground. Place the sole of your foot on the ball and put pressure on it as you roll it out. This loosens your body's entire muscle fascia so that even unrelated parts like your upper body loosens up. It's fast, simple and effective. Although, it will be a bit sensitive and will likely be a bit painful the first couple times you try; but keep at it and the pain will subside as will your entire body's tightness.

Sitting all day tightens the hip flexors. It's essential to stretch them vigorously as much as possible. Perform the Samson Stretch. This is done by doing a low lunge position and stretching your arms above yourself.

Strengthen the posterior chain with compound exercises such as the deadlift. Make sure these are performed correctly. Always keep the lower back straight and your stomach clenched. If you're unable to lower yourself to the bar without rounding your lower back, stretch the hamstrings and start deadlifting with the part raised to a comfortable height.

Performing a good overall dynamic stretching/mobility session can also work wonders. It only takes 5-10 minutes and has many advantages. It, among other things, increases joint integrity and lubricates stiff joints; it decreases your likelihood of getting injured; raises body temperature; gets the body ready for exercise (good for warm-ups; and is an excellent mean of becoming more fluid over a variety of actions that correspond with the design of our bodies.

Be Sure to Take All Your Health Savings Account Write-Offs

Having a Health Savings Account (HSA) essentially makes all of your qualified medical expenses tax-deductible, so read this article carefully to make sure you aren't over paying your taxes. Remember, there is no virtue in paying more taxes than you really owe.

Qualified Medical Expenses

The main purpose of your HSA is to enable you to pay for qualified medical expenses with tax-free dollars. Qualified medical expenses are defined under Section 213 of the IRS Code (See IRS Publication 502: Medical and Dental Expenses). Most people remember to pay for doctor visits and prescription drugs from their HSA (or save the receipts and reimburse themselves later), but there are many medical expenses that people simply pay for, without realizing that because they own an HSA the expense is tax deductible. These are the most common:

Over-the-counter medications. Remember, your medicine does not necessarily have to be prescribed to be considered a qualified medical expense. Any time you buy a bottle of aspirin, cough syrup, bandages, or zit medicine for your teenager - save the receipt, so you can reimburse yourself from your HSA.

Dental expenses. Dental fees are typically the most expensive item that people forget to pay for from their HSA. From cleanings, to crowns, to dentures, all of your medically necessary dental work is eligible to be paid from your HSA.

Eye glasses and contacts. Annual eye exams along with prescription glasses, contact lenses, and other prescription eye glass expenses can be paid from your HSA tax-free. Also, remember that prescription sunglasses are considered to be a qualified medical expense.

Physical therapy. Most individual and family health insurance plans have very limited coverage for physical therapy. So you can pay for those expenses out of out of your available HSA funds.

Medical massage therapy. Yes, you can use funds from your HSA to pay for a massage, as long as your health care practitioner recommends it as treatment for a particular health condition.

Chiropractor visits. Remember that your HSA can be used for medically necessary expenses. If you go to your chiropractor due to a particular injury or functional problem, it is a qualified expense. The chiropractor's charges would NOT be considered eligible if you are getting adjustments for general health maintenance.

Mental Therapy

In some circles, seeing a therapist is reason for embarrassment, whereas in other parts of the country people brag about seeing their therapists. The reality is that mental therapy should be neither a symbol of shame nor a status symbol - it is simply another mode of treatment that can help people live healthier and happier lives.

Psychiatry, psychology, psychoanalysis, and psychotherapy - all of these modes of treatment can be paid for from your HSA. Keep in mind that qualified expenses are those that pay for treatment or prevention of a medical condition. If you are seeing a therapist strictly in order to save your marriage or improve your business skills, these would not be qualifying expenses.

Alternative Medicine

More and more people are disillusioned with the way conventional medicine is practiced. The focus often seems to be on treating symptoms rather than reaching the root cause. Many physicians are very quick to prescribe the latest drug, when less expensive, safer, and often more effective natural remedies may work better.

However, the people who do rely on alternative medical treatments rarely receive reimbursement from their health insurance for these expenses. This is one of the reasons that HSA plans have become so popular among people who do favor natural and/or alternative medical treatments. Here is just a very small sampling of the types of treatment that would be an HSA-qualified expense:

Acupuncture. Some think the beneficial results of acupuncture are strictly due to the placebo effect. My veterinarian wife would tell you differently. Though she mostly practices conventional veterinary medicine, she does do a good bit of acupuncture on dogs and cats, and gets some amazing results.

Homeopathy. Though controversial, approximately one out of 50 Americans currently uses homeopathy. Whether using the services of a professional, or simply buying homeopathic remedies from the natural food store, remember that these expenses can be paid for from your HSA.

Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese medicine has been practiced for thousands of years, and is becoming ever more popular in the United States. Of course, treatment modalities that originated in other countries, such as Ayurveda (from India), would also be considered a qualified expense.

Faith healing, shamanism, energy medicine, and other (perhaps) far out stuff. Yep, almost any type of treatment could be considered an eligible expense. Keep in mind that the procedure must be related to the treatment or prevention of a specific health condition. Services designed to raise your chi, balance your chakras, or strengthen your aura might be more than the IRS will allow.

Every Dollar Counts

Every medical expense you incurred counts, so don't forget to save your receipts. If you don't, it's like paying an extra 25% each time. Even some retailers like Target are starting to mark on your receipts which items are health related. That should make it even easier to get every tax break you deserve.

Best Physical Therapy Schools Overview

Physical therapy is what allows us to quickly recover from trauma or surgery. Sometimes proper therapy is more important and effective than a surgery! Path to becoming a physical therapist is not an easy one. Practitioners in this field must get profound knowledge and undergo an extensive training. How to do it in the best possible way?

Here are the physical therapy schools that are considered to be the best by the US News & World Report, 2011. According to the website, rankings are based on the results of peer assessments of faculty staff and administrators. The quality of programs should have been rated on a scale from 1 to 5. 201 physical therapy schools were surveyed.

University of Southern California

According to the official website, the University of Southern California is one of the best research institutions in the country. Choosing therapy school of this university you will be able to pursue one of the following degrees:

• Doctor of Physical Therapy


• Ph.D. in Biokinesiology


• M.S. In Biokinesiology

This school includes a number of laboratories and research centers. It means that in addition to theory, you will also acquire a valuable practical knowledge of physical therapist work. You will be able to master your skills in the school's hospital. Choosing this school you will surely get you one of the best quality learning experiences in the country!

University of Pittsburgh

Physical therapy school of this university is ranked second by the US News & World Report. If you already possess a Bachelor's degree, don't hesitate applying to this school. The Department of Physical Therapy offers a 3-year program leading to DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy). Your curriculum will include the following therapy courses:

• musculoskeletal


• neuromuscular


• integumentary


• cardiopulmonary


• geriatric


• pediatric

What specialty to pursue? Have you determined what interests you the most? Well, the experienced faculty of this school will help you to make the right choice. You can be also sure of getting a valuable practical experience during your studying. According to the university's website, clinical education program is integrated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and its partner, the Centers for Rehab Services.

Washington University - St. Louis

WU School of Medicine has two teaching hospitals. Here you can work towards the following degrees:

• DPT - the professional clinical doctorate degree


• PP-DPT - the post-professional clinical doctorate degree


• PhD - the doctor of philosophy in movement science

Why should you consider entering this educational institution? Well, since the establishment of WU School of Medicine 16 Nobel laureates have been associated with it! Weighty argument, isn't it?

These are the best US physical therapy schools according to the US News & World Report ranking. All of them offer excellent education to those who dream of a career in this field. However, always remember that it is the individual, not the school that makes difference. No matter what school you choose, it's up to you!

Massage Therapist Can Pick Your Profession by Your Aches and Pains

As a qualified massage therapist, we are often interested, and of course, concerned at how different types of aches and pains may be associated with certain types of professions.

With the simple question to a client, "what type of work do you do" we can predict with a high degree of accuracy where the customer is probably experiencing aches and pains in their body.

The professional office worker - The professional office worker will often have issues relating to one or even both sides of their neck. Even the ear they hold the phone up to can be predicted by the associated neck pain around it that side of the neck. We know who's using an ergonomic phone or ear piece and who's not. The massage would then focus on stretching the cramped neck out. The massage would also often need to extend down to that side of the shoulder. In addition, the muscles that extend up into the skull around that ear and side of the neck would often need attention too.

A male office worker will also often have issues with their calves. The massage therapist then has to focus on stretching out extremely tight calves. This can take several time and even several sessions. This interests me as a massage therapist, because often the customer job often involves sitting for long period of time - yet their calves are as tight as one would expect to find on a long distance runner. I have a theory that the body pushes stress to the furthest point away from the heart as possible to protect the heart.

So for office workers, it's the two extremes; the neck and the calves.

Trades people - The trades person often complain of pain in the mid section; from the legs, the glute muscles and the lower back. Often these physical roles involve bending, lifting heavy equipment and machinery so the mid body is strained. The massage therapist then usually focuses on stretching the back muscles which then results in improved blood flow to the area and relief.

It interests me as a massage therapist, that my massage technique is so dependent on the type of work my clients does.

Men are from Mars - The difference between men and women when it comes to massage needs is that women tend to be 'pamper driven' and enjoy all over massage. Men seem to be driven to solve aches and pain in their body and often have certain points around their body that they like the massage therapist to focus on.

Overall, its important to understand the impact one's profession has on their body. Pay attention to aches and pains and seek a resolution. There are few nicer ways to resolve pain than a massage.

So You Want To Be A Physical Therapist? Here's How!

"You can only live life if you are willing and able to serve other people otherwise you are only another passerby of this earth." Do you have the desire to help people who are suffering from physical disability? Then why don't you consider being a physical therapist? This career is not only a challenging one but it can reward you a generous amount of salary. Countless people are becoming aware of the fact that being a physical therapist is indeed a rewarding career that allows a person to grow emotionally and mentally.

A PT is not only bound to working in a private practice but he has also the opportunity to work well with other people in an office setting. Some people do not like to work in a hospital, being a PT gives you an opportunity to practice your vocation in a fitness center or you can help elderly people by working in a hospice or home for the aged facilities. Isn't it great to be able to help other people? To be able to contribute something to the community?

Now that you've come to realize that being a physical therapist is absolutely the kind of job that you want. The next thing that you might want to know is how to become one?

The degree of a physical therapist would solely depend on your career plans. There are several factors to consider when thinking of becoming a PT. do you want to finish schooling in just a short span of time? Do you want to enroll online? Do you plan to study fulltime? All these questions are very important when considering to be a PT.

For those who have full time jobs and want a change in career, you can still become a physical therapist by investing your free time in studying PT online. It's very much possible to finish a PT course in less than 4 years if you are willing to study online.

Not only that but there are also countless technical programs being offered by online schools that would give the opportunity to anybody to become a physical therapy assistant or to become a PT technician. For one to become a professional PT one has to have at least finish a master's degree of the course physical therapy.

To those people who are planning to get into the physical therapy field, working hard and studying hard is the wise thing to do in order to pass the subject and to be able to get a good position in the medical field. It is a very competitive medical area where there are so many people competing for one position. But if you study hard and work everything will work out just fine.

Math and science subjects are two fundamentals things that you need to concentrate on when pursuing this course. Just like any medical courses, the PT is more on studying science along with some math subjects. Once you've graduated you need to take the next step which is to apply for the licensure exam and upon passing the said test you can now practice being a PT.

Types of Massage Therapy Techniques

There are many different types of massage therapy techniques used by massage therapists across the world. Since ancient times, massage therapy was used in many cultures as a way of medicine and was viewed as very important for the spirit's connection to the body. In different cultures and geographical locations there were and still are very different approaches to massage.

There are Eastern methods of massage that include yoga poses, use of scented oils, or the focus of pressure points that trigger nerves in the body. There are Western methods that focus on the various ways to massage muscles with kneading, tapping, rubbing, and effleurage (or gliding over muscle groups).

In today's American modern society, we have incorporated a fusion of Western and Eastern methods that are used in many spas. We do, however, have a primary basis of focusing on the Swedish massage. There are also specialty massages such as deep tissue massage, which targets a chronic issue in the body and focuses on getting deep into the muscle to work it out; barefoot deep tissue massage, which highlights the foot's muscles and all the pressure points that are affected by common, everyday usage of the feet; and even prenatal massage, which pays special attention to the changing body of a pregnant woman and appreciates both the delicate state of her muscles as well as the little one within.

In the United States, it is not extremely difficult to pursue a career in massage techniques. There are many schools that offer a variety of programs, so it is best to research different schools and make sure you get the best education for the price. Many schools are very expensive, and it is possible to find scholarships or even a local community college that offers a certificate in massage therapy. It is also wise to make sure the school you choose meets all the requirements of your jurisdiction, because every jurisdiction has different requirements when it comes to earning a certificate or even license in massage therapy.

Targeted Or Full Body Massage Therapy, Which Is More Effective?

Body Massage

If you have ever booked a massage before, chances are that you have been asked if you want a targeted massage or a full body massage. Knowing how to answer this question requires that you know what each option has to offer. Understanding different types of massage is the key to knowing which one is right for you.

Targeted Therapies

There are a number of types of targeted therapies. As the name suggests, each type targets a different set of muscles or part of the body. Each therapy is not only applied to a specific area, but is designed specifically for use on that area.

Trigger point therapy targets pain triggers throughout your body. When a knot builds up in a certain area, it can trigger pain and discomfort in other areas. Trigger point therapy relaxes these knots, ensuring that your entire body is pain free.

Reflexology is another type of therapy that targets specific parts of the body. While trigger point therapy is used almost strictly to diminish pain, however, reflexology can also be used to relieve tension and relax specific muscles.

Cranial sacral therapy specifically refers to head and neck massage. It is used to treat a number of head-related conditions such as headaches and TMJD. It can also help relieve pain and tension in the back and neck.

Full Body Massage Modalities

Unlike the targeted therapies, full body massage is used to treat the entire body. That said, there are actually a number of types of full body massage. Each type is used to achieve different results throughout the body.

Swedish or deep tissue massage is one of the most popular types of massage. It is used to release tension in the muscles, creating a relaxed feeling through all of the major muscle groups. It can also release metabolic buildup and toxins that are stored in the muscles. Finally, it re-aligns the skeletal system and improves overall mobility.

Sports massage is similar to Swedish massage and is favored by athletes the world over. Although the technique is somewhat different, the effects of sports massage are very similar to those of Swedish massage. It releases tension and metabolic buildup. It re-aligns the skeletal system and it improves mobility.

There are also a number of condition-related massages such as prenatal massage and geriatric massage. These are used to treat the effects of a specific condition. In the case of prenatal massage, for example, women seek treatment to help relieve the physical and emotional discomfort associated with pregnancy. Like Swedish and sports massage, condition-related massages release tension and metabolic buildup, re-align the skeleton and help improve mobility.

The type of massage you choose depends on what you want to get out of the treatment. If you are looking for overall wellness, the full body modalities are probably the best choice for you. If you have a specific condition or chronic pain region, however, then targeted modalities like reflexology may better suit your needs.

Sports Massage Will Benefit Athletes Before, During, and After Competition

Athletes can't take their bodies for granted if they want them to perform at peak levels. That's why it's not uncommon to see athletic trainers, physical therapists, and massage therapists lining the sidelines at sporting events, ready to step in and help coax each athlete's body to do its job. Before and after games, matches, or races, athletes often spend time with those same wellness professionals in a locker room or physical therapy area.

But what do wellness pros actually do to benefit first-class athletes? One common application used for injury prevention and treatment, as well as general health maintenance, is sports massage. Sports massage is a therapeutic technique-no soft music, dim lighting, or aromatherapy candles required. Instead, the goal is to guide the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and other body parts to perform better, recover from injury faster, and last longer.

Sports hobbyists and topflight athletes alike can benefit from sports massage, because the massage therapist approaches each body differently. Whether you're a twice-a-week runner with a stiff knee or a professional figure skater with a pulled hamstring, targeted massage can result in significant improvements. Massage therapists who work with athletes must understand the specific physiological needs of various sports, including muscles that are called upon often and those that tend to be weak or injured. They must also be able to assess specific bodies to find weaknesses and tight areas that should be addressed through sports massage.

Sports massage is commonly administered:

Pre-event: Athletes must warm up properly before competing, and sports massage can be part of that warm up. Massage can loosen tight muscles and enhance blood circulation, decreasing the time it takes an athlete to get "in the zone" once the competition begins. Depending on the sport, the massage therapist can aim to relax or stimulate relevant muscles.

Mid-event: Muscles can cramp or spasm through intense activity. Having a massage therapist on hand to quickly work out the kinks or stop the spasm can mean an athlete can finish competing, maybe even coming out stronger than before. For instance, a football quarterback might get a quick massage for his throwing shoulder between quarters or while his team is on defense.

Post-event: Just as athletes need to warm up, they also need to cool down after an event. Stopping abruptly at the end of a rigorous exercise period can result in muscle spasm and lactic acid buildup, meaning more soreness the next day. Post-event massage therapy can relieve soreness and increase blood flow to tight, fatigued muscles. During this post-game massage, the athlete can also conduct a physical check-in: Does anything hurt more than it should? How did the body perform today? What areas could benefit from further training, physical therapy, a more in-depth massage, or even first-aid treatment before the next game or event?

Beyond the time immediately surrounding an intensive competition or practice, sports massage is valuable as a maintenance regimen. Athletes can get a full-length massage once a week or every two weeks, for instance, with the goal of improving range of motion and muscle flexibility, or of combating muscle imbalances that could lead to injury. In terms of injury recovery and rehabilitation, gentle, skilled massage can speed healing and reduce discomfort by increasing circulation to the affected area and relieving swelling and tension. However, once an injury is in the picture, it's always a good idea to speak with a doctor before beginning a massage treatment regimen.

Aromatherapy School Will Teach You About Essential Oils

An aromatherapy school will teach a modality of complementary therapy that uses herbs and plant oils (essential oils) to relax and heal your body. The oils are applied to the body through massage, but also the sense of smell plays its part in creating a positive change in your mood and illness. Aromatherapy and essential oils can help clients who are suffering from many different illnesses. A perfume makers discovery:

When first starting in aromatherapy school, students will probably hear the story about how this massage therapy was discovered. In the 1920's, a French chemist who was working on new perfumes in his laboratory, accidentally set fire to his arm. He put his arm into some lavender oil to put the fire out.

The French chemist discovered that the lavender oil helped his arm to heal really fast and did not leave a scar. So the chemist spent the rest of his life dedicated to aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy schools teach students about the different types of essential oils and what illness they help to relieve. For instance If the patient is suffering from burns, an aromatherapy student will be taught how they should use lavender oil, and also the quantity and frequency to apply it.

Many aromatherapy schools believe that aromatherapy is a science and should only be practised in a professional manner by aromatherapy school graduates. Although other schools teach the student to open up to there intuition as well. Which is seen by some as being the more balanced way.

Some doctors disapprove of aromatherapy:

There are some doctors who do not approve of aromatherapy and the aromatherapy schools that teach it. They also say that all that an aromatherapy school teaches is the ability to reduce stress. They also state that there reasons are based on the lack of any real facts or figures.

Does aromatherapy only give stress relief:

Some doctors actually agree some patients may have been helped by an aromatherapy treatment, however, they are quick to state, only because aromatherapy helped to ease their stress. For sure, stress can help to create a number of illness's and when stress is relieved, the illness is often relieved as well.

However, they also comment that aromatherapy is not as successful as traditional medicine when it comes to serious illness. This is the block aromatherapy experiences in its attempt to reach the public at large.

Whilst a lot of medical people do not agree with aromatherapy treatments, there are many people who teach this therapy who do, and there are figures that show lots of people are applying to be accepted by an aromatherapy school. In fact due to the increased popularity of aromatherapy, there are more schools opening in cities all over the world. If you have doubts about this therapy, going to an aromatherapy massage school will probably dispel them and open you up to its potential to help stressed and sick people.

Remedial Massage Techniques and Therapists

Remedial massage is a deep tissue style massage, therapeutic in nature, designed to heal specific health issues, muscle problems and injuries. Massage therapists believe that everything in the body is connected and related and that if one part is injured it will in turn affect the whole body. A person with an injured knee may then favour the other leg which will throw out the muscles in the hip and back leading to back ache. The tightening of these muscles may then cause an imbalance affecting the neck muscles which may then cause a head ache.

So the client may come in complaining of persistent headaches where the primary cause of this problem is a knee injury. A remedial massage therapist is trained to not only diagnose what is causing the problem but also in treating it with massage.

Clients that visit a remedial massage therapist will have a consultation with them before any treatment takes place to find out what is causing the issue or injury. This consultation will take a variety of forms, usually questions and also a series of tests to see how much range of movement the client may have in certain muscles groups. For example if the client is complaining of headaches, the remedial massage therapist may get the client to turn their head, to see how far their muscles will let the head turn to see if there is muscle tightness in the neck region which might be causing the problem.

The therapist will also observe the client's posture. In the example above, the therapist might notice the client favouring one leg whilst walking and then find out that there has been a knee injury that needs to be fixed. Remedial therapists also use palpitation of the muscles which is generally just feeling the different muscle groups to feel if they are tight or shortened.

Muscle tissue works by contraction. If muscles tissues are so shortened it cannot work properly then sometimes it cannot contract further and is not able to do the work of the muscle. This can occur from repetitive use of the muscle or it can occur from inaction, for example is an arm is in a sling for a long period of time.

A remedial massage therapist will then use a variety of techniques to soften, stretch and manipulate the muscle so that it will start to work as it should again. These techniques include trigger point therapy. Trigger points are small, highly contracted areas of the muscle and the remedial therapist will manipulate these regions to release them.

Trigger points are often a large source of pain, and releasing them can cause relief from tension and hurt. Sometimes trigger points cause referred pain. So a trigger point maybe located in the shoulder but the pain maybe referred by the muscle to another region in the back. Remedial massage therapists are trained to diagnose referred pain and also treat the underlying cause.

Remedial massage also uses a wide range of other techniques like deep tissue friction that warms and releases the muscles, relaxation massage strokes that soothe the muscles after the deep tissue work, and also stretching. The therapist may get the client to do follow up exercises and stretches at home to continue the work. Remedial therapists are qualified to deal with issues such as arthritis, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, muscular injuries from sport, neck and back pain, headaches and whiplash.

The Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage Therapy

A massage is a wonderfully relaxing, enjoyable experience that is well known for relieving stress and tension. A deep tissue, therapeutic massage offers these benefits and much more. Going further than the classic Swedish massage that works on the surface layers under the skin, deep tissue massage therapy penetrates deeply to the muscles and tendons to promote natural healing.

Deep tissue massage therapy relieves muscle pain and improves flexibility. Using slow movements and deep pressure, circulation is increased, enhancing oxygen and nutrient rich blood flow to nourish the tissues and help to flush away toxins that contribute to inflammation and pain. This deep tissue body work releases the tension in muscles and tendons that restricts motion, increasing the elasticity and ability to stretch and rebound. With the increased blood flow and elimination of toxins, pain is reduced and healing from injury or disease is facilitated.

Trained, licensed massage therapists have a thorough knowledge of physiology to target affected areas such as a stiff neck, aching back, or long term pain experienced in the shoulders, legs, arms, or hands. Massage therapy can effectively promote healing for medical conditions including sports related injuries, fibromyalgia, muscle spasm, osteoarthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It is often used in conjunction with chiropractic treatments to help moderate trigger points or provide relaxation prior to chiropractic treatment.

A deep tissue massage is corrective and therapeutic to facilitate healing from specific injuries or conditions or to simply enhance the body's overall health and a feeling of well-being. It aids in significantly reducing the stress and anxiety that can lead to muscle pain and serious health conditions.

Workplace Massage - How Both Employer and Employee Can Benefit

Workplace massage is gaining in popularity due to the benefits it can bring to both employee and employer. Stress can negatively affect workplace productivity so the smart manager knows that providing this health benefit for employees is a sound investment. Happy and healthy employees make productive employees with the result that the employer loses fewer days due to ill health. Workplace massage can not only help to relieve employees' work-related stress and tension, but it can also help to improve office morale: knowing that an employer is investing in the health of its workforce can go a long way to make staff feel valued and appreciated.

The term workplace massage usually generates a mixed response from workers. Some people are intrigued by the idea, while others are a little concerned that they'll have to de-robe for the experience. But workplace massage requires little more from an employee than an ounce or two of his or her willingness.

The Benefits to the Employee Workplace massage is usually carried out in a portable massage chair. The massage therapist comes to the workplace and sets the chair up in a small area of the building that's been arranged so as to provide adequate privacy for the treatment. The massage chair is fully adjustable and designed to allow the employee to adopt a comfortable and relaxing position while at the same time enabling the therapist to treat the back, shoulders, arms, and hands. No oils or lotions are necessary. The treatment usually lasts between 10 and 20 minutes and is generally aimed towards relieving stress and tension and/or preventing or treating repetitive strain injuries. The additional benefits workplace massage can provide include boosting the immune system, improving circulation, reducing muscle pain, relieving headaches, improving mental capabilities, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing flexibility. After the workplace massage employees are left refreshed and ready to return to work immediately.

The Benefits to the Employer A 1996 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that a 15-minute chair massage administered twice a week over a period of five weeks reduced anxiety, improved alertness, and even produced an increase in speed and accuracy in mathematical computations. Add to this the fact that workplace absences cost British businesses 瞿10.2 billion in 1998, according to a survey carried out by the Confederation of British Industry, and it's perhaps not difficult to see why an increasing number of employers are adding office massage to their list of employee benefits.

While its primary objective is to relieve the stress and tension suffered by workers, there are preventative benefits to be gained from workplace massage. So even if you feel that your workforce is functioning perfectly well at the moment with little absenteeism, you may want to consider workplace massage as a preventative measure in order to help keep your workers fit and healthy and employee morale buoyant. And compared to other employee benefits, many employers are finding that workplace massage is relatively inexpensive, especially when both employee and employer get to reap the benefits.

Who Pays? When it comes to how an employer meets the cost of office massage, there are a number of options available. An employer may pay the entire cost of the treatment, or the employer and employee may meet the cost on a 50/50 basis, or the employee may pay for the cost of the treatment with the employer providing the necessary space in the office to accommodate the massage and allowing workers time away from their desks to be treated.

For very small companies, it may be impractical or even impossible for them to provide on site chair massage due to limited space. Those companies that find themselves in this position are choosing desk massage as this requires no additional equipment and still allows employees to receive the full benefits of workplace massage.

For more information on how Office Retreat can benefit your business visit Workplace Massage

Important Facts on Physical Therapist Assistant Training

A PTA works in medical field and under the supervision and direction of a physiotherapist. Since the position is becoming more and more interesting for lots of people, you should not be surprised why there are lots of public and private colleges offering physical therapist assistant training. However, before jumping into the idea of becoming a PT assistant, there are some things that you have to know first.

What is the job?

The assistant helps the physiotherapist provide necessary treatments for those patients who need help. This may include massages, exercises, balance training and offering patients support and guidance. However, you should know that these are just "some" of the tasks of this career. The tasks that can be assigned to an assistant usually depend on the policies of the workplace, the regulations of the state or the physiotherapist he/she is working under.

Physical Therapist Assistant Training

Before starting this as a career, you are required to attend a physical therapist assistant training and receive a certification from an accredited school. Usually, this program is of two years but there are lots of other approved programs available that you can look into. Although there are vocational schools that may offer this training, you have to know that some states may require a form of degree.

The Hands-on Training

One important aspect of this career choice is performing hands-on trainings. In order to complete your degree, you might be required to complete certain amount of clinical training. During your clinical time, you will be allowed to directly work with the patients under the direction of your professor or instructor. Your clinical training can can be done in various facilities - hospitals or nursing homes - and you are given a specific an amount of time that you have to complete for your hands-on training.

Requirements of Physical Therapist Assistant Training

In order to qualify for a this training, it is necessary for you to have a high school diploma. You may also be required to go through selective admission criteria to determine if you qualify for the program. The prerequisites of the program may differ from one school to another and you will be taking various classes like English, math and other similar subjects. In case you have any questions, you may consult the assigned advisor for more help on how you can qualify for a physical therapist assistant training.

Training in Massage Therapy - Modalities Taught

Find Training in Massage Therapy in the United States and Canada. There are over 80 different massage modalities in practice today. Training in massage therapy, however, is nearly as varied as the broad array of techniques available. Most curricula entail anatomy, physiology, and pathology; with standard hands-on instruction in deep tissue, sports and Swedish massage.

The variation of modalities taught in massage therapy programs depends on the school. For instance, if you are seeking training in massage therapy with an emphasis on Eastern medicine therapies, there are a number of healing arts schools that offer advanced and supplementary training in massage therapy including practical instruction in Thai massage, Oriental massage, Tuina, acupressure/Shiatsu and meridian therapy.

Students seeking more clinical training in massage therapy find that there are several massage programs that provide comprehensive training in hydrotherapy, Trigger point, craniosacral therapy, myofascial release; geriatric, prenatal and infant massage; and lymphatic drainage, among others. Certified massage therapists who have received comprehensive instruction in these therapies are often qualified to work in hospitals, medical clinics, physical therapy clinics, sporting events, health resorts, aboard cruise ships, spas and other healthcare related facilities.

Is there an animal lover in you? Then training in massage therapy with an emphasis on canine and/or equine massage might be right for you. These studies often include anatomy and physiology of the respective animal, and acupressure and sports massage for animals. Graduates of these programs typically receive a certificate of completion and/or diploma, and go onto working in holistic veterinary clinics, vet offices and animal shelters.

There is also training in massage therapy for the terminally ill. Patients with terminal conditions respond well to therapeutic touch therapy, and find it effective in relieving anxiety, musculoskeletal pain, insomnia and other symptoms. Certified massage therapists who have gained training in massage therapy for the terminally ill work in hospitals, nursing homes, and as home healthcare practitioners.

Want to work in a day spa or salon? Getting training in massage therapy for chair, hand and facial massage; hot and cold stone massage, and Watsu (water therapy) lends advantage for entry-level employment in the spa and beauty industry.

Additional training in massage therapy is designed for particular body regions. Reflexology, for example, is especially for the feet, hands and ears. This study is sometimes included in in-depth massage programs and is complementary to services already offered by a massage therapist or holistic healthcare practitioner.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding training in massage therapy, let professional education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Training in Massage Therapy - Modalities Taught
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