A Career As a Massage Therapist

Today the scope and field of massage therapy is reaching out to a wide audience. It is no longer treated as a service of luxury but rather as a means of maintaining well-being and stress free lifestyle. If you want to help people and make them feel better then becoming a massage therapist can be the best option for you. By following this career you will not only help yourself but will also help in making this world a better place by utilizing this wonderful art of massage therapy.

Throughout the ancient times massage therapy has been used to treat various ailments and in the treatment of injuries as well. A lot of time, training and money is required in order to become a professional massage therapist but in the end it all does pay off.

In your journey to become a massage therapist choosing an appropriate massage school becomes highly important. The various things that you must keep in mind before choosing any massage school are as given below:

• A variety of massage techniques exist from which you must choose the one in which you wish to specialize in. Some massage schools may provide training in a range of these techniques while some may be highly specialized.

• You have to do some research on the existing massage schools in your area. Try to find the one which best suits your interests. After locating the schools of your interest you might want to obtain the information about the school in the form of catalogues which can give you an idea about the programs, cost, details and requirements of the school.

• Be sure that you visit the massage schools yourself. Take a tour of the entire school and take note of the conditions and learning environment in the school. Have a conversation with the admissions staff and clear all your doubts and queries.

• The cost of the program which you will be attending is a very important factor. It will greatly depend on the type of program and your personal goals and also the school which you will be attending. You should also research for education loans which are available at low interest.

• You can also find out more about the massage school by connecting and talking with the alumni. Their feedback can help you determine whether the school is supportive and provides proper assistance in job placement or not.

You will be investing your time and money for this training hence you must gain as much information as you can before enrolling yourself in any program. Massage therapy training will help you to help others. After proper guidance and training you too can help others attain a physical and mental well-being.

Online Massage Therapy Schools - Become a Massage Therapist Online

Maybe you've thought about a career in massage therapy. You like working with people, you love the idea of a career where you really help to make someone feel better, and can see the results of your work, with your own eyes, instantly. The quiet, soothing atmosphere of a massage room appeals to your sensibilities. If any of these things, or all of them, describe you, Massage may well be a career you'll enjoy and do well in. The demand for qualified massage therapists is growing all the time, and it's now possible to get accredited in online massage therapy schools, making it easier than ever for anyone to get a degree in massage therapy.

You're probably wondering how you can learn massage therapy online. The fact is, a massage degree is like any other college degree. There's plenty of study beyond the actual practice you'll need to master various massage techniques, and like any course, there are tests, both of which can be done easily online. Because massage therapy is a medical science, as well as an art, you'll be required to study anatomy, and learn the basics of each technique before you ever place hands on another person. Of course, you will need to physically attend some classes. Look for online massage schools that offer credit courses in your area, close enough so that you can make the trip at least once a week.

Doctors are now prescribing massages and energy work more than ever before. Massages can aid in relieving stress-related maladies, and can promote healing from injuries due to accidents. Massage therapy is a prime component in sports medicine. And energy work, such as cranial sacral and healing touch, can balance a body's energy to help it fight disease. These are a few of the techniques you can learn in online massage therapy schools. You can chose to master one technique, or become proficient in several, depending on your own inclinations, and the type of work you prefer.

Once you've completed the necessary courses in one of several available online massage schools, and have your degree, many exciting career options await you. You can choose to work for yourself, or become the employee of a relaxing spa, or work in a rehabilitation and physical therapy hospital or a healing center near you. Or you can choose to go from employed to self-employed, as your circumstances change or your client list grows. Although requirements differ from state to state, qualification in one state can make qualification in another state easier when relocating. Being a massage therapist can provide a great deal of freedom to individuals who enjoy travel and meeting new people.

Louis Zhang, Accrmassagetherapycourses.com

Effects of Massage on ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Order, otherwise known as ADHD is frustrating for parents and teachers to deal with in controlled settings such as classrooms or even family dinners. As frustrating as it is for the adults dealing with adolescents with ADHD, it is even more frustrating for the child. Imagine always being yelled at over something you have little to absolutely no control over. Many teachers are requesting these students be medicated to be easier to handle, however more and more parents are looking toward alternatives to medications to help lessen the affects of ADHD. Massage is a viable option for those parents who do not want to medicate their children.

In a study published in the 1988 journal of Adolescence, Dr. Tiffany Fields, a well known child mental health researcher shared her results regarding the effects massage has on adolescents with ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. The study used two mediums - relaxation therapy and massage therapy for 10 days on 28 adolescents with ADHD. The results of the study were amazing! At the end of the 10 school day study, those children who had received massage versus the relaxation therapy reported feeling happier. The teachers scored them as being less fidgety, more attentive, less hyperactive, and longer attention span on tasks. The teachers were not privy to which of the two therapies the students received.

In a more recent study, massage was delivered to children aged 7-20 with ADHD. Each child received a 20-minute massage session twice a week over a period of several weeks. The results were dramatic showing improved mood; long term improved behavior, and increased attention.

Massage helps calm the body, improve alertness, and gives and over all well being feeling. Massage has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone. Massage has been known to help improve performance in computing (mathematics) as shown through EEG's as well as improve concentration and reduce depression. It is obvious with that alone how massage can help an adolescent with ADHD.

Simple deep muscle massage for adolescents with ADHD can be apply with moderate pressure to the childs head/shoulders, arms/torso, and legs/back with as little as 4 minutes to each specific areas twice a week by professional massage therapist. Children with ADHD already feel exposed in general so it is best to keep them fully wardrobe during these massage times. It is great if the parent will alternate with massage at home for their child. Not only does this increase bonding between child/parent but will also increase the results dramatically. If you are unsure just how to effectively massage your child, ask your massage therapist for tips or lessons.

Physical Therapy Can Help to Treat Rotator Cuff Tears

The risk of injuries and tissue damage is high in tissues and joints that are highly mobile and functional. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. All the major activities across this joint are promoted by rotator cuff muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint in all upper limb 3-dimensional movements.

Rotator cuff injury involves moderate to severe injury to the shoulder region that may be acute in the form of trauma, accidental fall or it may occur in a chronic setting as a result of overuse injury due to repetitive movements across upper limb that makes supporting tendons or ligaments weak and vulnerable to minimal trauma. Rotator cuff tear manifests as painful movements and limitation of range of motion across the shoulder joint that is also followed by weakness of shoulder and visible abnormal angulations due to swelling in some cases.

You are at likely risk of developing rotator cuff tearing if you are an athlete or sports person who has a high rate of physical activity along the shoulder joint especially swimmers, carpenters and painters. You are also at risk if you are employed in body building and weight lifting or of advancing age with degenerative bone or joint diseases

Rotator cuff tear injuries is the most common form of injuries in professional tennis and badminton players and moderate to severe damage to rotator cuff muscles can greatly limit all types of activities across the shoulder joint. Physical therapy is needed for a number of reasons. It is very important to maintain normal circulation of blood across the joint capsule without affecting the nerve supply (brachial plexus) or healing tissues of shoulder joint. This is only possible if physical activity is performed across shoulder joint under tight supervision to avoid any trauma. Physical therapy helps in early recovery and restoration of full range of movement across the shoulder joint. Physical therapy is soothing and helps in relieving inflammation related shoulder joint pain.

Rotator cuff tear involves ligamentous damage in most cases and unless the tearing is very severe, no surgical manipulation is needed. Almost 80% of the cases get resolved with conservative therapy like ice-packs, steroid injection and anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and edema. Although the rotator cuff is made up of 4 different muscles, supra-spinatous is most vulnerable to injury or tearing in a rotator cuff tear. Most therapies aim at making your shoulder injury painless or numb so that the natural and innate immune system can take over the task of tissue healing and repair (or regeneration).

As discussed previously, rotator cuff tears are most commonly seen in professional players and athletes and besides improving the injury, physical therapy also helps in stabilization and strengthening of small muscles and fibers. This is because these muscle fibers are more likely to suffer injuries because of high impact motion across shoulder joint and most gym exercises aims at strengthening of large muscle groups only.

Physical therapy exercises that aims at correcting rotator cuff tear involve weight lifting and muscle strengthening via light dumbbells. To support and stabilize joint tissue, resistance banding is also performed that helps in relieving edema or swelling in the joint region and restore the compromised blood supply across the joint capsule. Medicine balls and other similar equipment help in healthy recovery and improved range of motion by passive muscle contraction.

It is strongly recommended not to lift heavy weights from the affected limb and avoid overstressing the shoulder joint by hardcore physical exercises. Never start any therapy without seeking the advice of your healthcare provider or without the supervision of your physical therapists.

Massage Therapy - Implications And Ethics

There are a variety of benefits to receiving massage therapy. For many people, it can help relieve health conditions and enable those individuals to function more easily on a daily basis. Over time, however, a sexual connotation has been attached that raises the question of whether or not massage therapy is purely beneficial for reasons of health and relaxation, or should be considered a form of entertainment.

While there are probably several forms of massage therapy that could be entered into this debate, this article only covers the type, whereby, a licensed massage therapist works on customers who are seeking this therapy for relaxation or relief.

Massage therapy has been shown to have numerous health benefits for a variety of reasons. It is suggested by doctors and others practicing in the medical field to help ease pain and discomfort caused by many conditions. It has, however, been heavily linked in some circles with sex and other forms of personal pleasure. Here, the question is raised of whether or not a massage therapy session that is designed to relax someone should end in a sexual nature.

While it is certainly not uncommon for men to become licensed massage therapists, a majority of them working in the field are women. When entering into this line of work, they are focused on providing the most therapeutic experience to customers as possible. This does not often include the personal pleasure associated with sex.

Massage therapy, just like any other occupation, is serious and requires a significant amount of training. Its many healing benefits help people in many communities. Whether used to relieve stress or to address a specific health issue, it provides comfort and makes lives a little easier. It should, therefore, be taken very seriously by therapists and customers alike.

Massage therapy is a profession and is well-respected by many people. Because of this, it should always be treated in this manner. Turning a professional procedure into a personal, all be it sexual nature, would be like allowing a professional relationship in an office setting or between professional and client to go too far.

When massage therapists go to work, they are doing so to enable others to take advantage of the benefits it has to offer. This, however, does not include one's sexual needs. That is why good judgment is called for in this type of situation, both on the part of the therapist and the customer. Any personal relationships that may form as a result should be kept outside the work place and conducted in a personal manner in a more private setting.

Physical Therapy Continuing Education: Clinical Prediction Rule Vs Segmental Dysfunction

As a Physical Therapist, ever wondered when to use the clinical prediction rules for manipulation Vs assessing for a specific joint dysfunction?

We recently had a chance to ask that exact question to a spinal manipulation expert. This is what he said:

Interviewer: I'd like you to expand a little bit more on that thinking. I think as a manual therapist, with our assessment we enjoy the part of the puzzle of trying to figure out is there a specific level joint dysfunction going on and comparing that to a clinical prediction rule. Could you just give us some of your thoughts on the use of the clinical prediction rule versus trying to address specific level joint dysfunction?

Spinal Manipulation Expert: I think that's a very good question. I almost think it's really a sequence, in my mind. Kind of the first pass of the patient coming in with say acute back pain, if they meet this rule go ahead and employ that technique. Then your second pass you begin to look - okay continued pain and disability, now I'm going to start my second pass through, begin to see if I can find areas that might be additional contributors to that patient's presentation.

Interviewer: Right.

Spinal Manipulation Expert: So, I don't see this really discounting us trying to be segmental in orientation and looking segmentally at different levels of joint dysfunction or perhaps specific levels of muscle-joint complex dysfunction.

Also, I would comment that we went through an examination process, through flexion-extension ranges and palpation at segmental levels to determine if dysfunction was present, but that dysfunction just wasn't - first of all, the reliability is not very good there and those factors weren't very predictive of this particular technique being responsive. But again, I grew up in the manual therapy world on lots and lots of practice of trying to find "Is this one more left, right? Is this one worse in flexion, extension?" I always tell folks that I never discount that training in making my hands I think softer and much more tuned into a patient response, and so I always looked at that training was very helpful.

I think the stories behind it or our ability to really discern these small movements is probably - not probably, I think we can say pretty strongly in the lumbar spine it's really an illusion that we're actually palpating those things or rotations. That doesn't mean that we're not gaining information. In other words, we do know the pain responses and a sense that there's a difference here. We may not know it as right or left but it just, there's a sense that there's something not right, per se at L2 versus L4 or something. So again, I don't discount our ability to do that. I think there's something therapeutic about someone laying their hands on in a way that's very methodical and done methodically and from the patient's perspective knowing that someone's really trying to figure out what's going on in my body and I think there's a therapeutic element of that whether we want to like it or not. That there is probably some effect that occurs with that.

How To Pick A Good School For Physical Therapy

There is an expected surge in demand for physical therapists in the years to come and competition is starting to grow fierce. Just like other healthcare professions, it offers job security from lay-offs during economic downturns and is undoubtedly a rewarding and challenging career. To become a physical therapist, one has to have the patience, self-discipline, determination and commitment to go through the required years of clinical and classroom study.

If you are seeking a physical therapy career it is necessary to undergo formal study in an accredited school. You may search online or go to the American Physical Therapy Association website, for a complete list of accredited schools in America. Schools listed had met the standards of the association and has undergone extensive review by the Commission in Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) that ensures the quality of the program, its instructors and educational courses.

In your research for a good school you must also consider its geographical location although it is a personal choice whether you want to study near home or away from it. Important points you also have to consider would be cost of living in that area, cost of tuition, class size, teaching approach, available assistantship and connections to future jobs.

Each school has different requirements therefore it is always best to do your research before applying. Some schools may require volunteer work or letters of recommendation from licensed physical therapists to be admitted to the program while others may not. The most important requirement of every school is for the applicant to have a bachelor's degree already or will have graduated prior to the start date of the program. Most schools have only one start date for the whole year and so it is necessary to complete all requirements and begin the application process as soon as you pick a good school that fits your preferences and most importantly has high standard of teaching. A good school must have ready connections for future jobs for their graduates.

You may possess any bachelor's degree for as long as you have the prerequisite courses. Accredited schools may also require you to take the graduate record exam (GRE). The required GRE score varies for every school. Your GRE score may dictate a shortlist of accredited schools you may want to get into. An associate degree from a physical therapist school allows you to work as a physical therapist assistant. This career is not a stepping stone into becoming a physical therapist.

To be a physical therapist, you are required to obtain a post baccalaureate degree. You must possess a master's degree that requires at least 3 years of undergraduate classes, a bachelor degree in physical therapy and a three-year master's program to enter the field as a physical therapy. A new requirement for entry-level physical therapists is to acquire a doctorate degree and an additional year master's program. Before you may be able to practice your profession, it is necessary to obtain a licensure exam.

History and Background of Hot Stone Massage

Introduction

Massage is perhaps the oldest form of hands-on-healing known to humans, easily pre-dating written records. For millennia, people from virtually every culture have used a combination of touch, heat (thermotherapy) and stones as therapeutic tools. It's pretty safe to say that almost every culture has either used heat and/or stones to have some sort of healing effect on the body - whether it's using stones directly on the body like we do in a Hot Stone Massage, or indirectly, similar to a structure like Stonehenge affecting the body energetically.

Most therapists who incorporate heated stones into their massage routine agree that the Chinese, Native Americans and Hawaiians have played a major role in how Stone Therapy is applied today (although the Egyptians, Ayurvedic Medicine, Pacific Islanders and many other cultures are also said to have used stones in their healing arts).

Traditional uses of stones

One of the first recorded uses of stones for healing was by the Chinese. Prior to the invention of metal acupuncture needles, ancient Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) practitioners regularly used various shaped and sharpened stones to treat disease. These stones were known as 'Bian Stones', and were used to prick, pierce and bleed various points on the body (as well as lancing boils and performing other superficial procedures). The Chinese also used heat, in the form of 'moxabustion' (burning 'mugwort' - a dried herb - over acupuncture points), to increase the yang/heat in the body and have a healing effect on patients. Moxabustion is still used today by almost all TCM practitioners.

Undoubtedly, both Bian Stones and moxabustion were used together in the same treatment; however there are differing opinions when it comes to the specific use of stones to massage the body. TCM practitioners did 'scrape' various muscles and meridians with jade tools (and other hard objects) to treat different diseases. This was/is known as 'Gua Sha', and is still practised today.

The Native Americans had many rituals which involved the use of stones. One of the more well-known rituals involved placing heated stones (generally basalt) into a tepee-like structure, otherwise known as a 'Sweat Lodge'. This practice was used to cleanse and heal the body and mind. Several other cultures, including the Romans, had a similar idea, leading to the development of modern-day Saunas. Another Native American ritual used a heated stone that was wrapped in cloth/bark. This warm stone was placed onto the lower abdomen of a woman who was menstruating, in order to relieve cramps (women today employ this same principle when they use a hot water bottle).

Heated stones were perhaps even more frequently used in traditional Hawaiian healing practices. Customary uses included wrapping heated stones in 'ti-leaves', a special type of leaf with therapeutic properties. These wrapped stones were then placed on sore areas of the body in order to reduce pain - similar to using a heat pack or poultice. Hot stones were also placed in shallow pits and covered with these same leaves. The patient would then lie on top of the leaves, allowing the healing properties to infuse into the body.

Volcanic stones are also said to have been rubbed over the body after a traditional Hawaiian Kahuna/Lomi-Lomi massage (in the Hawaiian language, Lomi-Lomi simply means 'to knead/rub/massage'). Due to the coarseness of the stones used, this was perhaps less of a massage technique and more of an exfoliation. The Hawaiians are one of the most closely linked cultures to modern-day Stone Therapy.

There are also endless references to the use of gems, crystals and other types of stones by many cultures throughout the history of healing.

About modern-day Hot Stone Massage

Modern-day Stone Therapy, a truly unique style of massage, has been gaining popularity throughout the world after being 'discovered' in the United States in 1993. The story revolves around a massage therapist named Mary Nelson, who was suffering from repetitive use injuries in the shoulders/wrists. She was having a sauna with her niece who was about to receive a massage, and was 'called' to use the stones. Mary chose some of the smoother stones and used them in the massage. It felt great (for the client as well as the therapist) and thus Stone Therapy as we know it today was born. This first style of modern-day Stone Therapy was/is called 'LaStone Therapy'.

Mary 'channelled' much of the information about LaStone Therapy from her Native American spirit guide. This is one of the reasons why many Spas/Salons and journalists think that Stone Therapy is a 'traditional' Native American treatment. Although LaStone Therapy is based on Native American culture, it is much more accurate to say that modern-day Stone Therapy is a combination of Chinese, Native American and Hawaiian healing principles (as well as the many other cultures who somehow used heat and/or stones in their healing arts).

What to expect during a Hot Stone Massage

A modern-day Hot Stone Massage (also sometimes called Hot Rocks Massage) will usually consist of the therapist placing heated stones (usually basalt stones ) of various shapes/sizes onto the client's body (for safety, most of the time these 'placement' stones won't be in direct contact with the skin, instead they will be placed onto a towel to buffer the heat). These stones are placed onto different points (chakras, energy points, sore muscles, etc), depending on the style of Hot Stone Massage or Stone Therapy.

Whilst these placement stones are warming and activating specific areas, the therapist will take several other heated stones and begin massaging a different area of the body. The heat from the stones is released deep into the muscles, greatly enhancing the massage. It is said that one stroke with a heated stone is equivalent to ten normal massage strokes! Some therapists will also incorporate cold stones (usually marble) into their treatment which, although not quite as relaxing as the heated stones, do have a part to play for many conditions. A typical Hot Stone Massage will take 60 to 90 minutes.

Most people who have a Hot Stone Massage will be 'blown away' by the level of relaxation that is achieved. Some clients will have vivid dreams or even 'out-of-body' experiences. It is usually a very grounding, relaxing and healing experience. Apart form the deep level of relaxation, Hot Stone Massage is also great to incorporate into Remedial or Deep Tissue massage. Not only does the client receive the benefits, but when practiced correctly, the therapist will reduce the strain placed on their hands and wrists.

Practically every Spa in Europe, America and Australia offers Hot Stone Massage or Stone Therapy on their menu. The number of different styles however, is almost as varied as the stones themselves.

As with all forms of massage, it is important that therapists undertake professional Hot Stone Massage training. Check with the Spa, Salon or therapist before your treatment to ensure you are getting the best massage from the most qualified therapist.

The Best Way to Becoming A Physiotherapist

A physiotherapists is a career that would make a lot of people very happy. Its a career move that can have many different rewards. Are you a person that is very interested in how science can benefit people, do you get excellent grades at school? Are you good with communicating with people. Then you should definitely consider a career in physiotherapy. So how exactly do you go about becoming a physiotherapist? Let me tell you straight up that its not an easy thing to do. It will take quite a few years of schooling, on top of an internship. Note that you do not have to attend medical school.

If you are interested in becoming a physiotherapist then you have two options to becoming one. The first is to get a bachelor's degree in physical therapy or the other option is to get a masters degree in physical therapy. Of course to get either of these you are going to have to go to a university that offers these programs. What a physiotherapist does is design rehabilitation programs for patients that are suffering from physical disabilities. The disabilities that are treated are usually caused as a result of some kind of accident, an operation or perhaps even a disease. The world of physiotherapy is very open and there are many specialties that a person can get into.

With this field you need to have a great knowledge in both biology and physics. You really need to have a good grasp of the human anatomy and how it all works if you are to be successful in the field of physiotherapy. You also need to make sure that whatever institution that you are applying to for the studying physical therapy, to make sure that the institution is offering accredited courses.

Massage Therapy Benefits - How They Can Help You

In today's fast-paced world, stress is increasing by leaps and bounds, and it is affecting more of us every day. However, there are a number of massage therapy benefits that can be very helpful in dealing with everyday stress. As our lives become busier and busier, the long-term effects of stress, such as headaches, tension, muscle aches, and chronic pain are increasing. Having massages regularly can bring relief from these problems and can even prevent them from happening again or worsening.

Research has indicated that massage therapy can have many positive effects, such as strengthening our immune system, lowering blood pressure, removing toxins, flushing lactic acid from the muscles, improving circulation and even causing a decrease in harmful t-cells, among others. And, as anyone who has ever had a massage can tell you, it just feels good!

To be able to get the greatest benefits from massage therapy you have to find a massage therapist who meets your particular needs. Finding one you are happy with can take some time. Search for a pleasant, professional well-qualified person. A good massage therapist should have the ability to completely explain all the advantages of massage therapy to you.

Massage therapy might sound like a great way to end a stressful week or day, but the benefits can go much deeper. The fact that many sufferers of arthritis, migraines, or other chronic pain conditions have found relief is not as widely known.

Most people are surprised at how much better they feel after a massage. A well trained massage therapist can help almost anyone feel better, regardless of the health problems he or she may have, including people with anxiety or depression. Usually even the mere atmosphere of a massage room promotes relaxation, from the warm massage table to the comforting smells and the gentle touch of the massage therapist. All these aspects combine to create an environment of serenity and relaxation that many of us have a hard time finding in our daily life.

You might not be aware that the benefits of massage therapy also extend to women who suffer from PMS. Most of us have heard that tension, irritability and cramping, which are common symptoms of PMS, can be relieved by massage therapy, but many are surprised to learn that it also helps reduce water retention.

Unfortunately, in today's world, most of us don't get too many chances to spend an hour by ourselves relaxing and forgetting about our problems. This is one of the massage therapy benefits that everyone can enjoy, and one of the reasons that massage therapy can be useful for people suffering from anxiety or depression.

Physical Therapy Information - Do Your Homework for the Best Physical Therapy Results!

Physical therapy is a rapidly growing career that is helping thousands overcome physical problems. Though it has been around for ages, not many know about the therapy until their doctor suggests a visit. Physical therapy has a multitude of benefits and can assist the patient greatly in any number of ways. It is important to know what this healing art is and what it can do before beginning sessions.

Improving and maintaining body mobility is the main goal of physical therapy. They use various treatments and procedure to gain the desired effect. The physical therapist can evaluate the problem and determine the best course of action.

There are specialized physical therapists, such as orthopedics and those focusing on sports therapies that are trained to focus on certain symptoms and provide specially designed treatments. To determine if the use of these specialists is required, simply ask the doctor or the physical therapist and they will make the determination.

It will be important to discuss using a physical therapist with your doctor as he or she will be able to refer you to one that they trust and have worked with other patients. After consultation with your doctor they will perform an additional evaluation before performing any treatments.

Using online resources is another great way of finding career information. Whether you need to locate a therapist or to gain a deeper understanding of what they do, there are many websites aimed at providing just such information. The American Physical Therapy Association has a general overview on physical therapy and a list of chapters divided by state for easier access.

Any procedure or technique performed by the physical therapists will be described to you, as well as the benefits and areas that are being affected. It will be explained in such a way as to make understanding the treatment easier, though asking questions and being generally inquisitive is a smart way to find any information that you may need or desire.

Physical therapy information is for your benefit and having an understanding of how and why the treatment works will give you a certain amount of peace of mind. Being at ease with the therapist will improve the quality of the treatment and the rate at which your rehabilitation takes place.

Many times the therapist will give you homework to do between treatments so that you can continue working on your exercise program at home. In addition, at the end of the treatment period, they will usually give you guidance about ongoing exercises to continue maintaining you body and muscle mobility and strength.

Being educated and well informed is not only a smart move; it can improve your health and well being.

Physical Therapy Electronic Health Records (EHR) - What Does It Mean For Your Practice?

HITECH Act. Electronic Health Records (EHR). Federal Mandates. Government Incentives. Medicare Compliance. Eligible Professionals. Certified Technology. Paperless Records. $44,000. 2014 Federal Deadline.

You may recognize these terms but what exactly do they mean for your physical therapy practice?

Let's get started by scratching off the terms "Government Incentives", Eligible Professionals" and "$44,000" from our list. Unfortunately, physical therapy practices got the short end of the stick when it comes to receiving any "government incentives" for the successful implementation of an EHR system in their practice. Yes, that would include the "$44,000" figure that you may have heard about. Although PT practices are not eligible to receive these incentives, they are still required to show meaningful use of "certified EHR technology" by the "2014 federal deadline".

Change of this magnitude is never an easy task to handle but when you take a good look and understand this EHR implementation, the benefits of "paperless records" far outweigh the benefits of any paper-based system. How? Greater efficiency, cost savings and improved workflow are just a few items on the long list of benefits that your practice can experience.

Let's use the example of obtaining directions using a set of maps versus using the internet, a GPS or a cell phone. Actually, think about how different things would be without a cell phone. Our daily lives and business operations wouldn't be quite as simple would they? It is the same concept.

It is no revelation that the use of technology has made things easier and allowed us to manage our time better. It is because of these technological advances that we are able to experience greater efficiency, cost savings and improved workflow in both our personal and professional lives.

The implementation of systems is critical to any company's success. Whether it is a system that is as simple as the way in which you collect your employee's timesheets each week or a system that is a little more complex such as the implementation of a new EHR service, every system makes a difference. There is never a single system or person that does it all. Instead, it is the great work of multiple systems and people working together towards a common goal.

Staying Medicare Compliant Is Worth The Cost.

Lastly, let's also not forget about the importance of maintaining your clinics "Medicare compliance". If you want to get paid for your services by the federal government, you have to play by their rules. According to a "federal mandate" via the HITECH Act, healthcare professionals who fail to show meaningful use of "certified EHR technology" by the "2014 federal deadline" will be subject to Medicare reimbursement deductions. For start-up or smaller practices, I understand that some may have a hard time wrapping their arms around the costs associated with implementing an EHR system. Certainly, nobody likes to add additional overhead but I challenge you to keep your eye on the big picture. Do not just focus on the monthly or annual costs of the EHR system. Instead, focus on the benefits that the EHR system will bring you, your practice and your patients and I guarantee that you will come out on top.

Research, Educate, Prepare and Implement.

Although the 2014 deadline seems like a distant date, I highly encourage you to start doing your homework by researching, educating, preparing and implementing an EHR system that you feel is best fit for your practice. The implementation of an EHR system should not be viewed as "another thing that the government is forcing us to do". Instead, think of it as a way to improve your clinics operational efficiency, workflow and bottom line.

Benefits of Asian Massage Therapy

Asian massage therapy can be traced many centuries ago. Some of these methods are just branches of some of the formerly developed ancient types of massage therapy. Most of these alternative and complementary medicines were developed in the ancient times as the mere source of medical care of both the rich and the poor people. Modern day massage therapies are still used by some people in rural areas as the only form of medical care, especially the poor people of the countries.

The only difference of Asian massage therapies is the method of focusing on certain work area that are called key points, meridian points, and energy lines. The body of a human being is believed to carry energies all over the different areas of the body. In this case, a blockage in one of the pathways where these energies flow will result to something disastrous to the body. This is when the body succumbs to the many different types of sickness including stress, anxiety and many other physical and mental problems. Asian massage therapy aims and focuses consistently on key areas that need treatment in order to attain the best results.

Asian massage therapy targets the meridian points or key areas of the body in order to:

Release muscular and mental tension - The massage therapist will always focus on the key points of the different area of the body in order to calm down the muscle as well as the mind through the central nervous system. Stimulating the central nervous system greatly helps in relaxing the mind while relieving mental stress.

Improve the respiration and blood flow - this is beneficial in improving the healing ability of the body as oxygen and blood are basically what keeps the motors of the body running. An improvement on the respiratory system of the body and good blood circulation also improves the immunity, removes any difficulty in breathing, and many more.

Relieves Pain - most patients suffer from body pain that is why they resort to massage therapies in order for them to relieve the body pain naturally. Instead of taking medication such as pain killers, many individuals choose to have a massage therapy instead as it is known as an effective method in removing pain in the body. The key points on the body act as controllers of the whole body that is why when manipulated properly and correctly, the body will respond in a positive way. This positive response is beneficial to the body as it will trigger the self healing ability of the body, removing body pain, releasing stress, calming the body, and many more great benefits.

Relieves anxiety and depression - both anxiety and depression are emotional problems due to many factors that are affecting a person's life. Stress is probably the most common problem that results to anxiety and depression if not taken care of immediately. Massage therapy helps a person recover from both of these by addressing the problem through the pressure points by acupressure, massage strokes, yoga and many other techniques used for the benefit of the patient.

3 Things You Didn't Know About Physical Therapists

Physical therapists are commonly mistaken as masseuses and this may be because the job of a PT involves massaging the patient. However, being a PT delves more than just the typical tasks of a masseuse. And not only does the work of a masseuse different from a PT but the benefits of being a professional PT far outweigh those of a masseuse. Here are 3 things you didn't know about physical therapy.

Keep in mind that a PT is schooled for a good number of years while a masseuse is only trained for a few months and then they can now knead and pound to give relief to tired and stressed out muscles. Physical therapy is a science. It does not give instant relief of tired and cramped up muscles instead it finds the root cause of the pain and cures it.

Being a PT gives you the opportunity to help people be cured from joint, muscle spasm and body pains. The reason why many people are so into PT is that they know that every penny they pay for the physical therapist is worth every dime. PT utilizes techniques that have been backed by scientific studies which have been proven to heal all sorts of specific ailments. The result of which is a lasting cure that would eventually relieve people from physical pain. It involves massaging the patient so as to improve the blood circulation within the patient's body thus improving his health also. One of the most common disease that needs the help of a professional PT is arthritis or joint pain, this can be resolved by helping the patient execute some light exercises. One of the reasons why people suffer from arthritis is due to old age, genes and the other is lifestyle.

You see being a physical therapist does not only pertain to earning a hefty amount of money but it also means being able to help other people. Sometimes life is not just all about the green bucks instead it also encourages us to reach out to other people.

Not all jobs open the door of opportunity to help other people. And this is what makes the physical therapy job a wonderful career for everyone. Another great thing about being a PT is that the job opportunity is endless and it provides everyone a number of opportunities both locally and internationally.

Every professional Pt knows that the freedom of being able to work anytime they want is possible. For people who hate working in a 8-5 schedule, being a PT is the right career for you! This is because physical therapists can negotiate with their patients the time and day of therapy session. So, there is no need for you to work on time that you are not comfortable. Of course, there will also be emergencies when there is a need for you to work on certain holidays but you can always let somebody take over your place if you are not happy with it.

The Benefits of Massage Therapy For Stress Reduction

Everyone loves a well done massage, especially if they have been injured or stressed with work, family or other problems. The time spent getting a massage can be just as beneficial as a therapy session with a psychotherapist. The massage, however leaves one feeling more relaxed and not emotionally drained. So, the benefits of massage therapy may SEEM to only be physical, but in reality, they extend to the mind as well.

An obvious benefit of massage therapy is that it helps alleviate stress. It happens to everyone, this terrible thing called stress, but it does not need to stay in one's body and keep polluting it with toxins. For example, why should one allow a nosy mother in law or new co-worker, who believes he is sent from Heaven and knows everything, to ruin their day? Just because the mother in law makes it her business to critique everything from last night's taco salad to the manners being instilled in her grandchildren, does not mean one needs to see a psychotherapist. Just make an appointment with the local masseuse and in fifteen minutes, it will be as though it never happened.

Another benefit of massage therapy is that it not only works on tight muscles and makes them looser, it helps alleviate pain. For the unfortunate driver who was rear ended by a fully loaded city garbage truck, that is excellent news. This therapy could become a way to avoid a costly surgery on a torn rotator cuff or a chiropractic need for a spine injury, while allowing a little pampering along the way. These therapies have been successful in returning some lost mobility of joints and in some cases they have returned all of the previous mobility of the victim's joints.

Athletes like to use massage therapies to ready their bodies for the games they are about to play. By doing this, they stimulate the blood circulation in their bodies and get oxygen and adrenaline to their various body parts. They also use massage therapies if they become injured during the game. This could help their bodies and the injury relax long enough for them to finish the game or allow a doctor access to the injured site without creating more pain to the player. Win or lose, when the game is finished, a massage always is welcomed to ease away the aches and pains of the game and to restore the normal blood flow throughout the body.

Treating the Shoulder Complex With Massage Therapy

This article does not address injuries to the actual gleno-humeral joint cartilage or ligaments as those are beyond the scope of massage therapy and require medical or surgical intervention. This article deals with the muscles, kinesiology and massage treatment of the shoulder/arm muscles.

Let's start by listing the muscles which surround the shoulder joint then we will define what makes up the joint itself.

MUSCLES AND ATTACHMENTS:

On the front is the pectoralis major which stabilizes the front of the shoulder by joining the sternum with the collar-bone (clavicle) and the arm (humerus).

There are two pectoralis muscles, the second being the minor. It originates from the 3-5th rib and attaches on the acromion process which is the protruding finger which is prominent on the top of the shoulder blade (scapula).

The muscle which counters the pectoralis on the back is the rhomboid major and minor. These muscles originate on the spinous or vertebral edge of the scapula and attaches on the sides of the thoracic vertebrae. The minor rhomboid attaches to T1-3 while the major attaches to vertebraes T3-5.They angle downward from inside to outside of the body, medial to lateral. Also on the back is the trapezius. This is a large muscle with three components: an upper, middle, and lower. The upper attaches to the occiput of the head and proceeding down the neck does a twist at the inner corner of the scapula and then attaches to the outside edge of the scapula. Its involvement is to elevate the scapula shoulder-arm complex. The middle trapezius assists the rhomboids and is more superficial to the surface. The lower trapezius attaches across the ridge on the scapula (shoulderblade) and then proceeds downward in a diagonal inner direction to the spinous process of the vertebrae and attaches from thoracic 6-12. This part of the muscle is used to lower the scapula.

The next most important muscles which are involved with the shoulder are the rotator cuff muscles. These surround the humerus (upper arm bone), are anchored on the scapula and hold the humerus in the gleno-humeral socket with ligaments assisting to provide stability. This joint is loosely-packed to allow the most range of motion, as is evident with the 360 degree rotation of the arm.

The anterior rotator cuff muscle orginates beneath the scapula and is called the sub-scapularis. It attaches to the front of the humerus. The top of the humerus is maintained in its place by the supra-spinatus which originates just above the spine of the scapula and attaches at the top of the humerus bone. It passes beneath the hook on the acromion process before attaching there. This offers it some protection.

The Deltoid muscle covers the shoulder joint and provides the necessary muscular strength to raise the arm fully. It is made up of three components, anterior (front), middle, and back (posterior). All three parts of the deltoid work with other muscles around the shoulder to allow for a circumferential rotation of the arm.

The other posterior rotator cuff muscle is just below the spine of the scapula and is called the infra-spinatus. It covers the outside (dorsal) lower part of the scapula and attaches to the back of the humerus near the joint capsule.

Another muscle which opposes the rhomboids is the serratus. It attaches to ribs 5-9 on the side of the body and attaches beneath the scapula to the vertebral edge. When it contracts it protracts the shoulder blade outward. The opposite motion of retraction is produced by the rhomboids contracting. Sometimes the serratus can get strained from excessive repetitive motion of protraction,eg: golfing, swing a bat, etc.

Beneath these muscles the gleno-humeral (shoulder)joint is enclosed in a synovial joint capsule and surrounded with ligaments on the back, top, and front. However the weakest point on the joint is the front, and subsequent to tearing the front ligaments the arm can dislocate and more seriously protrude anteriorly (towards the front) with a seriously strong enough impact to the torso or arm. Ouch!

Two other main muscles which surround the shoulder joint are the biceps brachii and the triceps. Both of these muscles are on the front and back respectively of the humerus or arm. The biceps brachii on the front has two attachments on the shoulder, one short, and one long. The short one attaches on the front of the scapula and the long on the top via a long tendon. The arm also has the brachio-radialis and brachialis which are on either side of the biceps brachii and which assist the arm to flex. They also attach on the front of the scapula and provide some strength to the arm-shoulder joint.

On the back of the arm is the lattisimus dorsi which assists to extend the arm backwards. It attaches to the inside front of the arm near the shoulder gleno-humeral joint and passes under the arm, through the arm-pit, and ataches to the ribs on the side of the scapula, and over the scapula.

The teres minor and major are both arm rotators. The teres minor and teres major both attach on the arm and the outer edge of the scapula.

The teres major attaches under the armpit to the front of the humerus next to the latissimus dorsi and it rotates the arm internally when contracting.

The teres minor attaches onto the top-back of the arm and when contracting rotates the arm externally.

So let's add up all the muscles which we've listed so far to see how many we have. Pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, trapezius, serratus, sub-scapularis, supra-spinatus, infra-spinatus, biceps brachii, triceps, brachi-radialis, brachialis, latissimus dorsi, teres minor, teres major. That makes sixteen muscles.

KINESIOLOGY- MOVEMENT OF SHOULDER JOINT

The movement of the arm on the shoulder works on many planes and axes. The axes are the x, y,and z.

The 'X' axis is the easiest one to learn as it moves the arm from front to back, or sagitally (the sagittal plane is a front to back cross-section dividing the body left from right). When the arm is moved from resting at the side frontwards towards the head is called flexion. When the arm is moved backwards behind the body is called extension. The muscles involved with flexion are the front-anterior muscles: biceps, brachialis, radio-brachialis. The muscles involved in extension are the latissimus dorsi and triceps.

The 'Y' axis involves the movement of the arm along the frontal plane( the frontal plane cuts the body front to back vertically), from the side at rest into abduction raising the arm to the top of the head. The muscles involved are the supra-spinatus, deltoid and trapezius. When the arm is taken across the chest in horizontal adduction the muscles involved are the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, serratus, and anterior deltoid.

The 'Z; axis involves the motion of the rotation of the arm. With the arm fully extended and raised to shoulder height the 'z' axis goes through the body from left arm to right arm. When the arm is internally rotated, starting with palm facing front and thumbs up rotating arms till thumbs are down and palms back, the muscles involved in this motion are the teres major and some latissimus dorsi.

When rotating backwards or exteriorly the muscles involved is the teres minor.

Rotator cuff stabilizers:

While these muscles mentioned above are moving the arm through its range of motions the rotator cuff muscles are stabilizing the arm by keeping it tightly in the gleno-humeral joint. There are three principal rotator cuff muscles: the supraspinatus, on the top which lifts the arm as well. The subscapularis, which is beneath the scapula (shoulder-blade), the infra-spinatus which is over the scapula, and teres minor to a lesser degree because of its attachments offers less stabilization than the other three muscles yet can be considered an accessory.

Because of the loosed-pack nature of the shoulder joint meaning that because the joint is shallow there is maximum flexibility and motion of the joint, as can be experienced by performing a 360 degree rotation of the arm either in flexion or extension.

Although it is not without some amount of resistance that this motion is performed because there are always antagonists to agonists, ie: the agonists are the muscles which are contracting while the antagonists are the opposing muscles which are relaxing. So it is quite a complex feat that when we perform the arm circumrotation that we do not experience some pain or limitations of movement.

Which is precisely what we experience when we have shoulder injury or limitation causing pain.

MASSAGE TREATMENTS

I have found in my practice as a massage therapist in a fitness centre setting that most of the injuries to the shoulder are involving tendonitis, bursitis, and muscle contractures and adhesions.

The four types of injuries result from the repetitious nature of weight training or strengthening. There is placed an excessive strain on the tendons, bursas and muscles resulting in inflammation, tearing, compressing of bursae, and repeated contractures of muscles and resulting adhesions.

The tendonitis and bursitis can only be healed by stopping the straining and applying ice to relieve the inflammation process. The muscles can be treated for contractures and adhesions with massage.

Often clients of the fitness centre refuse to modify or reduce their weight training to alleviate the injury and persist to train through the pain magnifying their injury and pain. Those who choose to stop their weight training long enough for the inflammation process to subside and heal have good to complete recovery.

I use general massage techniques to the pectoralis, deltoid, latissimus dorsi, biceps and triceps, and other superficial muscles which surround the shoulder joint. This then allows me to pay attention to the rotator cuff muscles. What I can do is reduce muscle tone, work out some contractures and adhesions in the deltoids and pectoralis and rotator cuff muscles taking the strain off the tendons and bursae. Then time does the healing with a much reduced weight training regimen or with complete termination of weight training until the inflammation of tendons and bursae occurs, which may take one to four weeks depending on the severity of the tendonitis/bursitis.

I found that weekly massage treatments of one-half hour to one-hour depending on the client is adequate for complete treatment of this condition.

Physical Therapy for Frozen Shoulder

A frozen shoulder is a seriously limiting condition that happens when your arm gets stiff because of scar tissue. This is especially common after surgeries and injuries, but it can happen insidiously as well. Bursitis and tendinitis are common culprits. No matter what the cause, physical therapy can help. The therapist's end game here is to restore your arm to normal, painless motion. Before creating a plan for your therapy, your therapist will first perform an introductory assessment in order to determine which stage your frozen shoulder is at. The therapy will then be tailored specifically to you, as different stages require different treatment techniques.

The most effective way for your therapist to determine the stage of your injury is to simply ask you some questions. Your answers will reveal where your treatment will begin. In the first stage of a frozen shoulder, your loss of motion isn't complete. Your shoulder aches often, and when you move it, it hurts even worse. In the second stage, movement is severely limited, but not impossible. In the third stage, the pain actually begins to increase, but your range of motion is even further inhibited. Finally, in stage four, your shoulder begins to thaw. The pain decreases dramatically, and your range of motion begins to expand.

The goal of your therapy won't just be to increase your range of motion. It will also be to reduce your pain. To that end, your therapist will most likely apply heat or ice packs prior to a session of stretching and manual therapy. This will relax your muscles. Not all of your stretching will be done in your therapist's office, though. He or she will also prepare a home exercise regimen for you. In cases where your pain is severe, your therapist may very well prescribe an injection of pain medicine into the affected site. These pain medications are not effective in the long run, but they do help you manage your pain as you heal.

Some people are hesitant to visit physical therapists because they've heard that it can be a painful experience. After your first visit, you will be surprised how gentle and compassionate physical therapists can be. At first, the goal won't necessarily be to increase your range of motion as quickly as possible. Instead, your therapist will most likely want to focus on reducing your pain and the further loss mobility. As you continue to heal, your therapist will help you increase your range of motion more aggressively.

Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Programs

When searching for the right educational program for learning to become a physical therapy assistant, just as with any other study program, the quality of the course should be an important consideration.

While there are both short courses as short as 10 months, and full 2-year college courses available, what is most imperative is finding one that is accredited.

Only by doing so will students be able to enroll in schooling with the confidence that their program of choice is going to actually prepare them for their intended career.

The Importance of Enrollment in an Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Program

The main importance in getting an education from a physical therapy assistant program that is accredited is that the student can be certain they are being presented with correct, relevant information which will enable them to start a successful career as a PTA.

There are many different educational programs to choose from today, offered by colleges, vocational and business schools, both online and offline; not all of them offer the same quality of education, however.

Through accreditation with main the main governing associations that monitor course curriculums being sold to prepare prospective PTAs, students will know they are paying for the best information and education that is available to them, and in a format that will best prepare them for testing and/or licensure.

With an accredited program, study curriculums are created by these associations with students' futures in mind, and the understanding that proper training today will create the best-qualified professionals tomorrow.

They ensure that course writers are up to date on latest techniques, medical laws and requirements, and all pertinent information so that students are getting a relevant education.

While it is possible for those enrolled in non-accredited courses to become licensed, employers look at accreditation very favorably. To them, it is a way to gauge the education that an applicant has, and what kind of training they are likely to need before they can become a fully functioning member of the staff.

While it is possible for candidates to take their licensing exams or other necessary testing without having attended an accredited study course, employer consideration should definitely be recognized as a potential benefit.

Also, should the student wish to further their career in the future and go on to become a licensed physical therapist (PT), having attended an accredited program will ensure that as many credits as possible will count toward obtaining that more specified degree.

Recognizing an Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Program

In most cases, any type of educational program is likely to prominently state on their website and in their course information material that they are accredited, and whom with.

For a lesser-known course, or a program that does not specify directly, interested people can always inquire from accreditation bodies themselves whether or not a study course carries recognition or not.

In the US, the nationally recognized agency that monitors courses for educating to become a PTA is the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

There are currently 211 approved programs that hold this qualification in the US. In Canada there currently are no accredited programs for becoming a physical therapy assistant; students earn their title of PTA after passing a licensing examination only.

In the UK, while there are no "accredited" programs per se, there are educational courses that have been created in conjunction with the NHS to fulfill the necessary educational requirements for students to be eligible for employment as a physiotherapy assistant.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is a privately funded organization that helps guide and govern the available training courses, and offers approval to courses that fit their qualifications.

At this time there are 35 different universities and schools offering CSP Approved courses for physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants, and for physiotherapy assistants who are in need of more in-depth education in order to obtain specialty positions.

Although it may seem like any program with the same classes might be fine, it is highly recommended that students research to ensure that a program they are interested in is an accredited physical therapy assistant program before enrolling.

Doing so helps ensure that their tuition dollars are well spent on an approved, expertly crafted curriculum that will not only prepare them for licensing examinations, but look the best to prospective employers as well.

Therapists That Complement Osteopaths

Osteopathy is a type of therapy which is considered holistic that focuses on human body as a whole and with the purpose of prevention and treatment. Therapists who work closely with osteopaths are usually focused on healing or improving the body.

A therapist may complement your trusted osteopath by:

繚 Helping to relieve some anxieties after the required treatment of your illness.

繚 Helping you to minimize your emotional and physical distress from injury.

繚 Helping you for your immediate recuperation and;

繚 Providing you some important advice after sessions that include some massage therapy and other rehabilitation methods. The osteopaths and therapists will take full advantage of the required treatment for your whole being.

After your recovery, if you want to re-condition your body, a therapist that complements an osteopath will help you with the accurate method on how to do the necessary therapy after your several sessions with them. One of the effective systems on which your therapist would teach you is by Pilates. It is a body conditioning process that is helpful in strengthening your postural muscle. It corrects the imbalances of the muscles to create and improve your good posture, flexibility and toning muscle. It is also an effectual practice in your rehabilitation programs and it gives emphasize to proper movements in order to avoid injury cause by some physical regimens. In a Pilate's session, the proper way of breathing, complete relaxation and concentration are 3 of the eight principles that the therapist are focusing in order to ease your tension and body stress. It is the recommended method of the osteopath especially to the persons with back troubles.

Cranial osteopathy is a special therapy to detect your problem and to relieve the dysfunction on your affected body parts. It is the use of hand, tummy, back, head and other body parts. The pressure is tender, gentle and comforting to restore the console in various muscle tissues. Therapists that complements osteopath could help you on your dilemma by:

繚 Minimizing your anxiety

繚 Relaxing your muscular trauma and tension

繚 Reducing your stress and pressure

繚 Promoting positive body consciousness

繚 Immediate recovery from injury

繚 Improving mobility and flexibility of your joints and muscles

繚 Producing and enhancing your self-confidence

For a sporty person, a trusted osteopath and therapist can work wonders to your muscular problems. The advice therapy which could be done successfully by the therapists that complements osteopaths helps in improving your blood circulation and to restore the muscle functions. It also helps in suppleness and felicity of your joints and muscles helping in prevention of future recurrence of the injury.

Osteopathy is a perfect medical practice to relieve your physical strains and aches. It provides treatments for ligaments, muscles, nerves and joints by using some techniques. By massaging or stretching your body, a skilled osteopaths and therapists will make your mobility easy and comfortable.

Massage Therapy for the Elderly

According to touch massage therapy professionals, benefits of massages for the elderly include relaxation, blood pressure regulation, improvement of circulation and swelling, relief of joint pain treatment and reduction of stress, depression, anxiety and feelings of isolation.

The elderly are very interested in receiving therapeutic touch and are very willing to benefit from its increased popularity among practitioners. More and more often, therapists of all types are encouraged to speak to and work with adults living in nursing homes and assisted living communities. Especially popular among these therapists are those focused on promoting nursing home and assisted living clients' wellbeing through touch.

Of course, providing therapeutic touch for this fast growing demographic does not come without complications. Many therapists will need to continue their education in order to provide proper care for their elderly clients. As with any form of massage, there are certain guidelines to follow when assessing client age and needs. This is very much a consideration with the elderly.

As expected, therapists who receive certifications in touch for the geriatric, or elderly, are taught to be extremely in tune with their clients needs. Frequently, the older client can be more sensitive to touch. A more gentle approach is occasionally necessary. That isn't to say that elderly patients are fearful of touch. This is a common misunderstanding. Because even very light touching can bring about successful results toward promoting relaxation and wellbeing, it is wrongly believed that massages may be too much for the elderly patient.

With many demographics, pressure points are an easy way to get to the source of the muscle, stress or pain issue. The same is true with the geriatric population, though caution must be used when applying pressure. In some cases bone density loss, arthritis or general fragility prevents the therapist from exploring the pressure points of their elderly clients. However, with continued attention even light touch of pressure points can yield impressive and wonderful results.

Often massage therapy is being used among Alzheimer's patients with exciting outcomes. Studies suggest that touch among even the most severely affected by the disease has restorative results. Occasionally non-verbal patients have suddenly vocalized during massage treatment, suggesting that touch can get to the core of the individual no matter what stage of Alzheimer's they find themselves. Patients are also seeing increased mobility after a few sessions with a therapist.

It is important to note that, as with other demographics, each client must be treated as an individual. Their experience may be completely different than that of their peers and attention must be paid accordingly. Therapists could easily work on a 75 year-old patient that suffers from increased fragility, while at the same time working with a 95 year-old client that handles deep tissue therapy with ease.

Using Professional Associations to Find a Massage Therapist

Choosing a massage therapist can be challenging. Knowing their professional affiliation can be of great help in making your choice. There are a number of professional organizations that promote high standards for massage therapy. Find out if your therapist is involved in any of the following organizations.

All of the following organizations provide some level of professional insurance, a directory of members, a newsletter for members and have a code of ethics and/or standards of practice.

The American Massage Therapy Association, (AMTA) founded in 1943,"represents more than 56,000 massage therapists. AMTA works to establish massage therapy as integral to the maintenance of good health and complementary to other therapeutic processes; to advance the profession through ethics and standards, continuing education, professional publications, legislative efforts, public education, and fostering the development of members." Members must have 500 hours of massage training, (or equivalent) to join and complete 48 clock hours of continuing education every 4 years. (Source: AMTA)

Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals is one of the largest massage associations in the United States. There are over 61,000 members total. Established in 1987, the ABMP is a membership organization of professional massage therapists, bodyworkers, physical therapists and nurses. ABMP's "Certified" members must have 500 hours of massage education from an approved program (or equivalent) to join and 16 hours of continuing education every two years. ABMP offers a "Professional" membership that also requires 500 hours and the same amount of CE hours. (Source: ABMP)

Both the AMTA and ABMP allow massage therapists to become eligible by getting a passing score on one of several National Certification Examinations.

The International Massage Association (IMA) originated in 1994 in Washington DC. Today over 70,000 people have joined the IMA Group, Inc. "Therapist" memberships "require 500 hours of training by either a school or apprenticeship. Sixteen CE hours from IMA approved vendors are required to be completed every two years after joining." A much lesser "Practicing" membership only requires 100 hours of training by either a school or apprenticeship and 16 CE hours. "Their mission is to get massage in every home in America." They continually teach their members how to build their practices successfully and keep costs low." (Source: IMA)

-Barry Krost

For further Information:

http://www.abmp.com

How to Communicate With Your Massage Therapist or Massage Practitioner

Most professional massage therapists have gone through extensive training to prepare for their profession. A few years ago, all it took was for one to complete 100 hours of training and get a city and/or county license to practice and off you go, building a clientele. Today, in California, MT's must complete at least 100 hours of Anatomy and Physiology alone. A "Massage Practitioner" has only completed 250 to 450 hours including the required 100 hours of A&P. A "Massage Therapist" on the other hand, has completed upwards of 500 hours of study and clinical practice including the required 100 hours of A&P. The general public is not aware that there is such a distinction and requirement for certification in California. Elsewhere across the country, the qualifications vary.

What does this have to do with your communication and your experience with your therapist? Well, everything! Do you know whether he or she is a "practitioner" or a "therapist"? Maybe you don't really care. After all, some practitioners do a better job than some therapists and as long as the person is certified by the State, you are assured that they have had some kind of training. Your consult upon being led into session should give you an idea of the confidence and skill set he/she is working with. If you are more concerned about telling the therapist how to do the job, you might not get the full benefit of that skill set. You wouldn't go to the doctor's office for a check-up and begin to tell him/her where to start, how long to stay in that position and how to do the diagnostics and what to prescribe, so why treat your therapist any different?

You may begin by indicating to your therapist what your complaint is. Most people are stressed out and have fatigue in the neck and shoulders. Some may have had an injury or woke up in pain after tossing about all night in a hotel bed, airplane, among other issues. Some just love massages and want to relax. Others might not have physical pain, but may be in pain emotionally. Whatever the complaint, tell your therapist. Most importantly, let us know whether there have been any surgeries, diseases, open wounds, localized pain, handicap, varicose veins, etc.; tell us the things you don't like e.g. some don't want their face touched, some hate head massage or foot massage or the stomach is too personal, etc. Tell us and most of the times we will honor all. I say most, because we are great but not perfect.

In general, your therapist will "prescribe" a session based upon the information you provided. Many times a client will indicate a headache, for example, but does not realize this may be a referred pain and that the real problem is elsewhere. This is why it's crazy to arrive at a massage appointment with that headache, for instance, and insist that a therapist work on your head alone for an hour. A Massage Practitioner might be happy to oblige and some MT's will too, but those who are committed to a total body therapeutic experience will find this wish difficult to honor and may refer this client to someone else. This client will still get the best head massage ever, but might find that they don't feel better for long after the session ends. If you have had a massage and by the next day you're feeling like you need another for the same reason you had the first, then maybe your wish was honored, rather than that of your trained therapist. Tell us why you are here, then, let us work to address the probable cause of this complaint, not just "the symptom". Personally, being a natural intuitive therapeutic MT, I might be up on your energy before I take you into the room and I am always observing your gait and body language. I am processing what your body is saying and am not willing to ignore this information and spend the whole time working on "just your back and neck". You came to me for a healing of sorts and not just a shoulder rub and I need you to trust me and my skill set.

So you have told me what your issues are and your likes and dislikes and the session is off to a great start. I am hitting your knots but maybe going over them too fast (can sometimes be more painful) or too slow, or too deep...or too soft. You want to say something, but what? Maybe your therapist forgot you don't like your thighs worked on and started working on them. What if the hands slip and a boob happens to be in the way, or the work on the thigh is up so high it feels intrusive. Most men will pretend they can handle the pressure, but we don't want to hurt you. Sometimes your body will be asking for something you yourself can't handle and you need to say "uncle"....LOL

Some clients, rather than speaking up, will "huff and puff" (breathing) angrily, jerk their limb away from the therapist, show anger on their faces, ignore the therapist when they inquire of their comfort, and as soon as they leave the room they complain at checkout and/or leave an "insult" as gratuity. This is not "clear communication". All of this jeopardize the job and livelihood of the therapist, who many times is not aware they did anything wrong or had opportunity to fix the problem. More times than not the client misunderstands and your misunderstanding or imputing motives to therapists could land them in jail or fired, etc. For all we know, you could just be an "angry breather"; maybe you always have a scowl on your face when you think what you are thinking, or maybe you had a twitch when I tried to stretch your arm or leg and that's why it jerked away. I don't want to assume what you mean.

In this economy, many people have only one job to provide for their families and it's just not worth getting suspended, fired or going to jail for a "hand slip" or something we didn't do on purpose. Respectfully and confidently talk to your therapist, although you are vulnerable on that table in that tiny room. Make your discomfort known and give them opportunity to fix this as is their professional responsibility.

These are some things all therapists understand, but especially your intuitive therapist who has plugged in, committed and gone to work on your healing:

1. I don't like that; or That's uncomfortable.

2. Remember not to do my thighs (or whatever you don't want worked on).

3. That is too much pressure.

4. More pressure please?

5. I like deep tissue on my back and shoulders, but not on my legs.

6. Can you move a little slower? I'm having trouble relaxing at that pace.

7. Is there anything I can do to make the knots less painful as you work?

8. I don't want to be stretched (although I realize you're attending my range of motion).

9. Would you clean your hands before touching my face, please?

10. What do you mean by "focus on your breathing"?

11. Do you mind working on my legs and feet last when I turn over?

12. May I have a tissue please?

13. What are you doing? Or, what is the purpose of that which you are doing now?

14. That hurts unbearably. (A little pain is fine but we don't know what you feel.)

15. That spot's pretty sore, what channel is that connected to?

16. Is that a trigger point?

17. I am hot (or cold).

18. Is it normal for me to feel "this way" when you do that?

19. I like that a lot.

20. You can skip the legs and spend more time on my feet, hands and/or head.

Communicating like this during the session helps to keep the experience dignified. The client gets to exercise a measure of control, all while respecting the therapist and the work they are doing. Some of these questions seek to understand, and so provide opportunity for learning something new about your body, the approach and the benefits to look forward to. However, saying "that hurts" as soon as the therapist touches you will send various negative messages. Whether this is your first massage or not, you must know every therapist has a different grasp of the craft and has been trained differently. Even if you get the same therapist all the time, your massage should always be different, just as your energy and cause are sometimes different.

A new client indicated she had massages before, yet lamented at the "vulnerability" she felt at having to undress. (A sheet and blanket on a very warm and comfortable table is the norm for a professional establishment). I felt like I was massaging a delicate wall flower and everything was uncomfortable. She had knots around her scapula, complained of migraines, was on blood pressure medications, and had trouble sleeping, etc., etc., but she "didn't want to bruise" and honestly, my pinky finger smoothing over her knots "hurt" her. I could not be too gentle for her. At the end of the session she was very complimentary and surprised how good she felt. I am still not sure how honest the compliments were considering the constant interjections throughout the session.

Remember that honor and respect should be a two-way street and gratitude extends the circle of giving. If you frustrate the therapist, you are robbing them, as well as yourself. You requested service because you needed help. Please let us honor that in a loving, joyful environment.

Corporate Massage Therapy Benefits Workers and Increases Productivity

Across the nation, companies are experiencing the benefits of massage in the workplace!

Corporate chair massage has quickly become one of the most popular and requested benefits in the workplace today. The physical demands of long hours at the computer and the high stress of the new marketplace have made work stress reduction necessary. This service reduces fatigue and tension for greater productivity and safety. Whether your company uses it through a regular employee wellness or benefits package, or as part of an incentive program, this type of program can be an asset to your human resource department and your company.

The Benefits of On-Site Massage

1. Increased morale and productivity.

When Fortune magazine featured the best 100 companies to work for in America, they emphasized corporate perks such as this type of therapy. These benefits were shown to empower workers and positively affect the success of the business. The Gallup poll summarized that "employee attitudes correlate strongly with higher profits."

2. Relief of stress and fatigue.

On-site massage is an energizing massage, but it also relaxes the muscles and soothes the spirit. Workers surveyed by Time magazine preferred massage over coffee breaks!

3. It opens the mind and increases alertness.

Massage clears thinking and releases the individual's innate creativity. "A 15 minute massage increases alertness and performance," reports Dr. Tiffany Fields in Life magazine's eight page cover story on massage.

4. It increases brain power and sharpens the senses.

The Miami Research Institute of Florida reported that office workers who were massaged completed a math test more quickly and with fewer errors!

5. It frees the body, enhances emotional well being and reduces the damaging effects of stress.

It can help relieve backaches, headaches, muscle spasm and pain, reduce blood pressure, and improve circulation.

How Corporate Massage Therapy Works

* Typical on-site massage is done in 10-20 minute sessions and is done through the clothing, aiming at the shoulders, neck, arms, and back.

* The therapist will bring a specially designed massage chair, relaxation music and any other supplies needed.

* Appointments are booked in advance. The company will usually provide a sign-up sheet and send out a memo to the associates.

* Employees may have an option of signing up for one session or two for a longer massage.

* It is advantageous to send a weekly email to remind associates of their massage appointments and if any openings are available.

What Payment Methods Are Accepted?

The company may pay 100%, split the cost, or simply make this service available for the employees to pay themselves. Cash or checks may be used for payment and possibly credit cards or flexible spending accounts.

Tax and Insurance Benefits

* Massage can be a tax deductible medical expense.
* In some situations, a flexible spending account may be used for massage.
* Large companies often offer incentives for employees to participate in exercise and wellness programs.

How to Find Corporate Massage Therapy

Corporate massage therapy is a service typically provided by licensed massage therapists working in dedicated massage therapy offices rather than by massage therapists working in a spa environment. To find a provider of corporate massage therapy, contact licensed massage therapy offices in your area or a professional massage therapy association.

Physical Therapy Marketing Strategy - What To Do Before You Get More New Clients!

Running and marketing a Physical Therapy Practice needs some careful thought and consideration. First you want to begin with the end in mind. Start with a clear vision of how you want your life and ideal practice to look and feel before you take action on marketing or get clients into your physical therapy practice. This may save you time, energy, heart ache and a lot of cash in the long run.

Instead of just trying to get a full practice of clients, some of which may be energy zapping clients, decide who it is you want to work with, (the common characteristics or profile of your ideal client). In addition, how you can offer your services in unique ways to differentiate yourself in your community and stand out as the obvious 'go to' expert.

When you are marketing as a physical therapist you need to keep your vision in mind; why you do what you do and how you can help add value to clients' lives. You want to use words that clients get, leave the jargon and marketing material that is all about 'you' on your desk. Get to know what your potential clients want and then tell what is in it for them if they decide to hire you. Explain all the benefits of hiring you as their physical therapist.

The next step is to create an effective step-by-step, easy to follow marketing plan that feels authentic to implement. This can help you to run a vibrant practice what ever stage you are in your practice building. Many physical therapist practice owners never use a marketing plan and don't know what strategy to use to get more new clients because they do not think of the 'bigger picture'.

You will not need me to tell you that the high of getting clients, is the one thing that tells you the pain and sacrifice is all worth while. The added bonus is when you get more clients, you can pay the bills and have peace of mind whilst you make your difference in the world, helping others feel better.

This approach of putting your client's needs a head of your own is all well and good and that's what most physical therapists are happy doing. But what about the times when you do not get more new clients, what happens then? If you don't work you don't get paid! So using a new strategy and beginning with working out therapy marketing strategy that suits you, so you know where your next client is coming from is a wise move.

You have to take a step back; you want to look at your practice from an objective short-term and long-term perspective (the bigger picture).

So how does a therapy marketing strategy differ from traditional pushy, salesy marketing approaches and how would a physical therapist put it in to practice to create say, one marketing strategy that can change the way they get more new clients?

A therapy marketing strategy can be used for any physical therapy practice and used over and over for the life time of your practice building. To often are there people out there giving you 'quick fix' solutions and never have walked similar shoes and have no idea what it takes a service based business owner to get more new clients.

It is a common challenge that many physical therapy practice owners face and marketing holds a large percent of therapist back from doing more of the work they love and reaching out to get more new clients.

Physical Therapy Marketing does not have to be so hard, or so much of a struggle. Have you ever heard the saying it is easy once you know how? I am sure you have had experiences that at the time seemed impossible to grasp, like when you first learnt to ride a bike or drive a car. You actually believe you will just never get the hang of it, or you just about get ready to quit and then, suddenly something just clicks!

A Therapy Marketing Strategy is just like that. You may not have known what the best marketing strategy is for your physical therapy practice but today you can take action on one marketing strategy. Ask for 2 referrals from 10 people in your immediate network. It does not cost anything and you are more likely to generate business through recommendations, that on say advertising. It's authentic and you can do it right now, get on the phone, write a letter, ask a past client for a referral. Make this part of what you do naturally as a rule of thumb.

If you want more help and support with how to create a customised therapy marketing plan using strategies that suit service based business owners and tailoring it to suit the stage of practice building you are now, get in touch. You can do it with the support of a group of 'like minded' others in our new Teleclass and action group, we can give you new ideas, insights and act a source of motivation as you build your ideal physical therapy practice.

Web-Based PT Software: Advantages For Any Size Physical Therapy Practice

The right physical therapy software can bring the management and organization of your PT practice to the next level, giving you valuable tools for everything from EMR to patient billing. You may opt for a stand-alone program that focuses on records, like electronic documentation therapy software, or something more comprehensive that includes invoicing, patient instructions and a variety of other services, but nothing beats the flexibility of a web-based PTprogram. When you're able to manage your physical therapy clinic via a remote server, you gain several advantages other systems simply don't have, including:

Scalability

While many physical therapy managementprograms tout their adaptability to small, medium and large facilities, most have their limits. They can either handle only so many patients or professionals, or they can't scale up for multiple locations. If your business is growing, this can be quite limiting. With a web-based solution, however, you can have an infinite number of employees as well as an infinite number of locations, all with fully-customizable access to EMRs, invoice management and treatment protocols.

Integrated Solutions With Web-Based PT Software

Do you want users to be able to tie EMRs to invoices, or therapists' schedules to different locations? It's easy with an integrated approach through web-based PT software that works not only for your prime location, but any additional offices or clinics. An off-site solution will also tie up less of your own computers' capacity, since data is securely stored elsewhere but always readily available.

Remote Servers

One of the most expensive investments you'll need to make when opting for electronic documentation therapy software or an electronic billing system is servers. As your business grows, so will your server needs. You may need to upgrade to larger, dedicated servers and put an IT plan in place, including at least one IT specialist who would be in charge of networking your computers, maintaining the servers and making sure all crucial documents are backed up on a daily basis.

Or you could invest in web-based PT software and eliminate the need for your own IT department. After all, wouldn't you rather focus on running your clinic and helping your patients recover? A web solution includes reliable, secure servers dedicated to your needs, but monitored and maintained by an off-site IT specialist. In most cases, back-ups of your information and patient records will be backed up at least daily, eliminating any worry about losing information if your computer or computers crash. You'll never even have to worry if your clinic location experiences a break-in or theft: all information on our servers will be instantly recoverable for quick download.

Focus On Physical Therapy

The unique nature of a PT practice means that your physical therapy management program has to process an incredible amount of information across several platforms, including invoices, office management, patient management and instructions, employee management and health insurance claims and documentation. When you are looking for a the right solution, web-based PT software can carry the load and back it up without your company having to continually upgrade servers and add to your IT department, saving you money as you grow and expand.

To find the right solution for your clinic, explore various physical therapy software solutions, comparing their features and benefits. Most will offer a free, online demo so that you can compare them with your current program and those offered by other physical therapy management manufacturers. You'll quickly come to the conclusion that nothing else compares to a customizable, web-based PT software solution.

How Safe Is Pregnancy Massage?

For centuries people have used massage for therapeutic reasons to help get rid of stress and tension built up in the muscles. Pregnancy is stressful, because of the excessive weight gain and pregnant woman can benefit from a therapeutic massage to help relieve the stretching, aching muscles. Pregnancy requires a different approach though, but the benefits, if done right, help add to a healthy prenatal care. A pregnant woman needs to find a massage therapist who has training and certification to give prenatal massages. They know how to massage a pregnant mother safely without harming her or the baby.

Benefits

Because massage acts to reduce stress it helps a pregnant mom to feel relaxed, and this helps her to be healthier because she has relief from the muscle strain. Massage helps to relieve depression symptoms because it gives an overall good feeling. Swedish massage works to improve circulation and lymphatic system with the focus on muscle groups throughout the body. Swedish massage is safe for pregnancy because it works to target areas that change due to pregnancy hormones, including the loosening of the joints and muscles relieving the most common discomforts of a growing pregnancy.

Massage Regulates Hormones and Reduces Swelling

Pregnancy hormones surge through the mother, often making her feel discomfort. Because safe massages helps with circulation, it also helps with overall well-being, and that includes hormone regulation, because when the mother is stress-free, her hormones will remain balanced. Stress causes hormones to fluctuate. A good massage will aid the body in releasing more serotonin and dopamine (feel good hormones) and helps to reduce the stress hormones of cortisol and norepinephrine (stress producers). This helps the pregnant mom to relax and reduces the instances of preterm labour issues.

Swelling is just a part of pregnancy, and the swelling affects the muscles and joints causing discomfort. A good massage helps to alleviate the swelling by causing the soft tissues to reduce the fluid build-up. This aids the body in disposing of the excessive fluids, which helps to add to the comfort of the pregnant mom.

Precautions

It is risky to receive a massage from someone who is not certified to do prenatal massages. Only those who have proper certification and education are qualified to give a pregnant woman a safe massage. Seek out professionals who can show their credentials and references. Pregnant women require specialized treatment to allow for their growing belly. Avoid tables with holes, which allow the belly to stretch unnecessarily. Instead, a professional massage therapist will have her to lie on her side, to support the growing belly.

Who should not have a prenatal massage?

Any pregnant woman who is experiencing a high-risk pregnancy should avoid a prenatal massage. High risk conditions such as high blood pressure from preeclampsia or PIH, at risk for preterm labour and premature birth. Other than those conditions, a pregnant woman should ask her health care provider if she is okay to have a prenatal massage. Generally if she is in good health, prenatal massage is safe, however some believe it is dangerous for a woman in her first trimester, feeling it may increase the risk for miscarriage.

How to Grow Your Business As a Massage Therapist

Starting your very own massage business can be nerve wracking as making the effort to grow your business as a massage therapist. The potential to earn in this industry whether you are employed or you own a brick and mortar is high establishment.

Who would not prefer to be their own boss and be flexible with their schedule? Unfortunately, the problem is that you may be trained in the best massage schools in the proper techniques of giving a massage therapy but to be able to grow your business as a massage therapist is sometimes not part of the training.

Truly to the successful therapist making good money and seeing your business thrive is a dream come true. Having your own massage business and knowing how to grow your business as a massage therapist is also a way for you to make the dreams of other therapists come true by providing them an avenue with which they can practice their craft without having to worry about having their own office space.

Maybe all you need to know is how to implement marketing strategies to be able to market your massage business. Marketing is important to any business and if you don't have the budget to be able to hire a marketing professional then it's time that you learn what to do to see to it that you grow in this industry.

Marketing is one of the main ways for you to be able to grow your business as a massage therapist and in this industry it means the things that you do that the clients can see, hear, or smell. From how you maintain hygiene in your office, how your office looks, the tools and equipment that you use, down to the massage products that you apply to your clients during a massage, constitutes marketing.

Next, identify your target market this will help you narrow down the scope of the potential clients you want to attract.

Create flyers that catch the attention of potential clients. Put a very catchy phrase or a photo that creates a mental image of what you are about. Provide all the necessary information so that you can be reached: your name, your license number which is mandatory, the name of your business and its location, phone number, and these days email address is also important.

Also add the services that your business has to offer and the price range because people nowadays will want to know beforehand what they will have to pay for before reaching deep into their pockets. If you specialize in a particular service, it would not hurt to let your potential customers know of this.

You may also want to put a discount coupon that they can bring and use on their first visit. Once they decide that your services are good they will want to do repeat business with you and pay the regular price.

The last tip is if you want to grow your business as a massage therapist, you should take the time to keep track of your clients, know where they are and their contact numbers. If you notice some of your regular clients not coming back you can remind them by sending letters.

You could inform your clients in your letters of your enticing new promos and packages. You must regularly remind these people because the more you remind them the better the chances of them coming back and perhaps at that time, they'll bring along their friends.