The Theory Behind Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is the practice of manipulating the soft tissues and muscles. Its goal is to provide the receiver with physical and psychological benefits. By manipulating the soft tissue and muscles with a series of orchestrated movements, massage is thought to result in relaxation and pain relief. Massage has been practiced in most cultures and since the beginning of recorded time.

The literal meaning of massage is friction of kneading. Kneading is one of the more famous movements. It is performed by making a side to side squeezing action. This is similar to the kneading action for making bread dough.

The use of massage can be found in the writings of many ancient civilizations. There are references in Chinese medical books and even references to massage in the Bible. There were references to the ancient Romans using it to treat some forms of illnesses.

Clearly, massage therapy has been used throughout the world to help restore health to the body. Many of these civilizations develop very distinct types of massage techniques. Each technique brings about slightly different benefits.

Some of the more famous techniques are Swedish massage, shiatsu, reflexology, acupressure and many more. Many of these techniques can now easily be found being offered in most spots around the world. They are also being integrated into massage chairs.

The practice of massage is about applying direct pressure to certain points in the body. When this is done correctly, it will bring relief to those areas. In scanning the techniques offered by massage therapy schools, there are approximately 200 variations of massage technique. These are constantly evolving and subject to interpretation by the therapist.

A new study was published in September 2004 that used a need for analysis of peer reviewed scientific journals using massage therapy and the adult population. The conclusion of the study is that massage therapy provides a wide range of physical and psychological benefits.

This study monitored the blood pressure, heart rate, negative mood, anxiety state and the immediate assessment of pain levels. The patients were given a single massage treatment once a week. According to the research, the average participant experienced a reduction and anxiety was greater than 64% over the control group.

The study also showed that it was effective in reducing blood pressure and heart rate. As results of this study, researchers theorize that massage may provide a benefit that parallels a model of psychotherapy. However, researchers do not believe that the benefits derived from massage are slowly psychological.

Another study conducted in May 2004 and published by the national Center for complementary and alternative medicine showed that massage was the ninth most popular form of alternative medicine. It also showed that 5% of the adult population used therapy at least once in the past 12 months. The popularity of massage treatments continues to rise.

So far, there have been very few studies the benefits of massage. The main problem with connecting clinical studies is the cost involved. Most companies have little incentive to fund massage therapy studies as there is no way to control the methods in order to profit. This is perhaps the biggest hurdle to getting thorough studies conducted. Unfortunately, most clinical studies are driven by the profit motive. These procedures need to be protected by intellectual property or there is little incentive to fund them.

Canine Massage Therapy Succeeds

Exhaustion, excitement, curiousity and intense interest led me into tedious research to have my own dogs Churchill Graham and Francesca Le Bon Bon, both Labradors Retrievers, recover from disease, anxieties, and poor muscular strength due to their stay in a Humane Society shelter, an organization that lacked consistent health-care and environmental cleanliness.

Medications and visits to the Veterinarian were temporary remedies. What seemed to be an exhaustive endless search not only made the dogs more sick, but it affected my physical and emotional health as well. So in order to do well for the dogs, it was necessary for me to take precautions to regain physical and emotional stamina. I really did not in my mind, have time to pause. I was just "anxious" to get my dogs well. Maybe this form of anxiety pressed me forward and gave me strength. This strength I know is not of my own, but rather of a higher power...Faith

The research took me to mainland resources, as help on Maui was not positive. Within another 3-month period after the dogs' release from the shelter, I discovered a health-care alternative... therapeutic massages for dogs. I became an avid reader on the subject, and a strong pursuer investigating current massage therapists, as well as an intense follower on testimonials. Every turn of my research reaped good information. Documented benefits made such logical and comfortable sense, that I decided to master this subject with a well-selected mentor of experience and professionalism. My decision to participate as a full time student led me to practice on my own dogs.

I began with Churchill Graham, the oldest, who was physically, physiologically, and emotionally weak. Intermittently, I practiced massages on Francesca Le Bon Bon, who also was weak due to extreme weight loss, but suffered most with emotional anxieties.

For a four-month period of daily massages, I became proficient with the language to understand dog anatomy and all its boundaries, and mastering the massage treatments well. Soon the essence of my "touch" was natural and purposeful. I experienced a different "closeness" with each dog. A closeness more than endearment for the dogs. It was an unusual feeling of being in-touch with every part of their body, both internal and external. I sensed beyond the strands of each fur hair, the sculptured lift of muscles and tendons shown on the exterior. I experienced with every touch an interpretation of what the dogs were attempting to convey to me what was happening with them. Sounds unusual. But life is unusual! With these touches, I "listened" and allowed this " lead" to accompany me with what I was learning from books and videos and from someone I trusted to teach and be my mentor. The dogs became more and more receptive with each two-hour session. My emotional energy was always positive toward helping my dogs recover, therefore this energized goal made the journey easier. In addition, the fact that I could observe beneficial changes in each dog's behavior particularly nearing the end of four months, I experienced less stress. Exuberant joy became my natural emotional high! Of course, massages would not end after four months, they were just re-scheduled in frequency. Instead of daily massages, it would be two or three times a week or when needed.

True, Churchill Graham recovered. A long haul, but he regained his proper weight, resumed natural activities with enthusiastic long runs and deep strides, and athletic endurance shown with ocean swimming... a returned favorite. His circulatory system clearly showed improvement as we witnessed better eating habits with healthier bowel movements and urine elimination. Yes, Churchill Graham, for an older dog, had a superb health recovery!

Francesca Le Bon Bon, is the younger dog, and her recovery delivered to us, a less fearful dog. She regained positive socialization behavior with other dogs and people. However, she does have a "possessive behavior" with toys and anything that belongs to the family...a protective energy I considered not an issue, but rather an understandable behavioral change.

For the sake of closure, Churchill Graham and Francesca Le Bon Bon were released from the shelter, for we WON the case against The Humane Society Shelter, with the approval of the Animal Control Board. In addition, the Circuit Court Judge removed all issues against my dogs. This indeed, was a moment of happiness for my dogs, myself and the multitude of witnesses who proved the innocence and character of my dogs!

It was good to observe the Humane Society Shelter go down with evidence of their lack, mainly to openly demonstrate their NEED to change. To trust such a community service group nationally known to be "humane" to animals, yet lacked the leadership of keeping my dogs, as well as other animals healthy, should have been an awakening call to do their "clean-up."

Our experience, easily confirm how Canine Therapeutic Massage does set one "free." Literally free from frozen or tight muscles; free to experience good circulation for nutrients to flow easier to the muscles, providing normal elimination of excessive fluids, waste and toxins; free from stress; free from inflammation and swelling of the joints; and particularly a freer experience from muscular fatigue.

Now, I am a Certified Canine Massage Therapist. It is my choice to spread the good news of how therapeutic massage for dogs can be such an important part of a total health-care regimen for dogs of all breeds.

There is no rule as to when to "begin" a therapeutic massage routine. Every dog differs in structural growth and receptiveness to massage touches. However, two to three months of age is a good start for a puppy. If you discover the importance of dog massage at a late age, then BEGIN anyway. Churchill Graham was 8 years of age for his first therapeutic massage experience. Very importantly, he recovered as a much healthier dog at age eight due to exercise, discipline, good nutritional habits, therapeutic massages and a loving home.

Therapeutic massages are an excellent start for "preventive measures" against injury and disease. Prevention is the key to avoid monumental problems. The important point is, a regular pattern of therapeutic massages will condition any dog toward a valuable healthier life with age-saving possibilities. Furthermore, visits to your favorite veterinarian may change with less expensive visits. Reason? Massages will keep your dog in-check for constant better health performances.

I want to make clear however, Canine Massage Therapy, does not take the place of a Veterinarian's medical service and care. Together, we are health-care professionals wanting to keep you and your dog experiencing a comfortable, and healthy existence.

Canine Therapeutic Massage began 120 years ago! As the "world turned," new ideas or remedies happened, and the benefits of massage therapy slowly diminished. The timing could not be more indicative of the events that were transpiring in medical science at the time. That is, new surgical techniques were being developed and so-called miracle drugs were discovered.

However, Veterinarians of the 1980s slowly and assuredly discovered, that there is a real and dynamic place for therapeutic massages for dogs. What people once called old-fashioned remedies and treatments, has now secured prominence in a maintenance program for all dog breeds. Veterinarians proponents of surgery and pharmacology acknowledges that massage is a viable treatment in achieving dramatic benefits and results that were attributed throughout history! When such history recycles, that's telling us something! Its reiterating how beneficial Canine Therapeutic Massage really is.

I have already welcomed you all to the rewarding world of therapeutic massage for dogs. Now it's your turn to arrange to offer your dog purposeful "touches" so his or her fur bundle can experience happiness, as has my dogs!

With all this information, it is most important to know that there are TIMES when massage should NOT be done on dogs:

* Never be used when there is evidence of a fever.

* Never be used when dog is in shock.

* Never be used in most forms of skin disease, except in the thickened condition of the skin left behind by eczema.

* Never be used in apoplexy cases: rupture of a blood vessel

* Never be administered to abscesses or tumors.

My personal adventure with Canine Therapeutic Massage has been a long and successful journey. To be recognized as a Certified Canine Massage Therapist is an honor, as it is a privilege to care for dogs and be responsible for allowing their lives further expand in years with comfort.

For more details, please visit my website: http://www.wix.com/caninevisions/caninemassagetherapist

Massage, Bodywork and Baker's Cysts

Along with an increasing number of new clients many massage therapists are gaining comes an increasing number of health conditions being presented, some that you may not have been previously aware of. Among these diverse health conditions that every massage therapist should know about is something called a Baker's cyst, a swelling at the back of the knee. It is important to understand the basics of this condition prior to beginning a massage, as it may be serious enough to require a physician's referral.

Most Baker's cysts are formed after experiencing a knee injury, when excess fluid builds up in the tissue surrounding the knee joint. They also occur frequently in adults between the ages of 55 and 70, due to osteoarthritis. There may not be any pain or discomfort associated with the cyst, leading many people to believe it is not harmful. However, while most people don't experience any symptoms, some may have slight pain and stiffness, and possibly a feeling of pressure behind the knee. Many physicians choose to relieve the symptoms and drain the excess fluid through surgical/medical procedures, however the relief is often temporary. Massage therapy is a valuable alternative method offering longer lasting relief of swelling, and can even help improve knee flexibility. One particularly beneficial modality to utilize is lymphatic drainage massage.

Before beginning a massage, clients should be evaluated by a physician, since it is outside of a massage therapist's scope of practice to diagnose a Baker's cyst. This will rule out any possible contraindications. Once you have received the green light to proceed, remember to use caution when massaging this sensitive area around the cyst.

Be prepared when your clients approach you for relief of their seemingly innocuous "swollen knee." Find out how massage therapy can relieve the swelling associated with Baker's cysts.

Choosing a Good Massage Therapist School

It is necessary to do a number feasibility studies to determine on the kind of massage therapist school you intent to join. Choosing a reputable therapy school will be advantageous to you in the long run because most clients want people who not only know their work perfectly but also people with good academic background in the massage industry.

There are useful tips to take in to consideration when deciding to enroll yourself or a colleague in a massage therapy program. First and foremost, you do not want to join a program that will not be pocket friendly in terms of your degree fee subscription. Many massage learning institutions charge exorbitant prices with the aim of offering quality academic resources to their students, but still fail in securing the student enrollment masses. This is because of their expensive nature of offering their services. This is so simple.

Massage therapist schools that offer reduced fee prices and still enable to deliver first hand quality learning services are not only successful in their student enrollment masses but also with their institutional management. People will tend to go for cheap but alternatively resourceful schools.

With the world being technologically idealized everyday, students tend to move to massage therapy schools that show a sense in offering latest technologies in the industry. Everybody can nowadays perform the ancient massage techniques if given the chance to. Sophisticated techniques like the Aqua method are cropping up and schools that have already adopted these services offer stiff competitions to those that have not.

It is also advisable to attend programs and institutions with reputable therapists as they may be part-time lecturers. You will agree with me that once you get to be taught by somebody who is actually in the field and has the life experience of your dream business or course will be a motivation to you. Massage therapist schools employing part-time reputable lecturers will inevitably be competitive when compared to other local institutions.

Keep in mind to consider the length of time you will need for the completion of this course. Massage courses should not take a long time and for an intense and serious massage therapist school, the course should not proceed for more than fourteen months. People need a fast running course to start their own business if possible. So schools that keep students for quit a long duration of time is at the end of it so expensive. So take time and review other tips on how to get a perfect massage therapist school.

Detoxification Massage

Many are now realizing the important health benefits of massage therapy. Massage therapy is not just a session for relaxation; it can also aid your body in detoxifying. Detoxification massage helps your body get rid of dietary toxins.

Detoxification massage can greatly support any cleansing program you are in. The key behind detoxification massage is movement. Your massage therapist employs a series of rhythmic movements that stimulate your body. The massage movements include irregular and altering applications of pressure that gently compress and stretch your muscle tissues.

There are a number of detoxification massage therapies that you can undergo. One example is the lymphatic massage. The lymphatic system is one of the main elimination systems of the body that is integral in the detoxification process. It is responsible for the absorption of food nutrients and it also creates a waste disposal system in your body. With the series of strokes, detoxification massage aids your lymphatic system to clear dietary toxins and other unwanted substances. These body toxins are actually by-products of stress, dead cells, heavy metals and other excess debris from your cells.

You can also enhance your immune system, strengthen the muscles and toughen your connective tissue. The massage therapy session can remove blockages of the circulatory system. In addition, detoxification massage can also help prevent health conditions including fatigue, headaches, fibromyalgia, and other system dysfunctions that result from the presence of toxins in your body.

Some people also attest that massage therapy can help them in keeping their mental status at a normal level. If your muscles are relaxed, then your body is likely to detoxify much better.

If you have tried a Swedish massage, then it is pretty much the same thing as a detoxification massage. It normalizes oxygen levels and improves the function of your colon drainage and other organs involved in the detoxification process.

How To Choose Your Massage Therapist

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS;

The most important is probably:

What are the qualifications of the person from whom you will receive physical and massage therapy?

In Manitoba, massage therapy is unregulated. The Manitoba ministry of Health has the position that "there is no evidence that non-qualified massage therapists can do harm to the general public".

(paraphrase)

The provincial criteria for regulation should be 'whether the therapy achieves the results which are promised by the therapist and requested by the client.

Basically, anyone can hang up a sign and open up a business in Manitoba. Without prejudice to some municipalities, there are however some requirements of training which are made by some municipal jurisdictions in order to obtain business licensing or malpractice insurance.

The only other license in the massage industry is for 'massagist' in the sex trade or escort services. This license is not mobile and is intended to control the operators in that industry.

There currently is no licensing for anyone graduating from a 100-1000 hour course performing chair massage in the workplace. Winnipeg has decided to stop licensing massage therapists since 2007.

In contrast, in other provinces, the requirement may be as little as 400 hours of training as in Quebec, or as much as 3000 hours as in British Colombia and Ontario.

In the U.S.A. the national and state requirement is a 500-600 hour course and required accreditation with the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

Manitoba's colleges offer the two year 2200 hour course depending on which school you contact: the Winnipeg Massage Therapy College, or the Wellington College of Remedial Massage Therapies.

Where did the therapist obtain their qualifications is another factor which may affect the type of consultation, assessment, and treatment which you may receive at their clinic?

There are currently three accredited massage therapy schools in Winnipeg which are recognized by the City of Winnipeg from which students may graduate and practice. There are of course, other accredited schools outside of Manitoba which the City of Winnipeg recognizes.

Different colleges and schools of massage give different certificates for different lengths of programs. Each has different approaches to consultation, assessment and treatment options. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the different types and approaches so as to obtain the best options for your treatment dollar. The three Winnipeg colleges offer a one year basic relaxation and remedial massage course which allows the massage practitioner to be licensed in Winnipeg. The city of Winnipeg calls this basic level of practitioner a "massage therapist" license. The city of Winnipeg doesn't differentiate between the less qualified practitioner and the more advances qualified therapist..

HOW DOES THE CONSUMER DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THERAPISTS?

The only way of knowing is by asking the particular therapist to which one has been referred either by a doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist, or other source, be it a friend or family member. The college which the therapist attended will to a large degree dictate the 'approach' which the therapist will utilize in their consultation, assessment, and treatment.

Ask what method they utilize and why they think their approach is best?

The amount of formal schooling does indeed affect the level of proficiency at which the therapist will be able to perform. It will also affect the extent to which any treatment will be likely to be effective and for which the successful outcome of return to pain-free full range of motion can be expected. In some cases of injury and post-surgery recovery there is no possibility of achieving 100 percent recovery to pre-injury or pre-surgery levels of pain-free motion.

Ask your therapist whether they incorporate a physical therapy or exercise rehabilitation component to their treatments to assist in a gradual progressive home and/or workplace recovery program.

The Benefits Of A Foot Massage

A foot massage is something that almost everyone craves, but very few can actually get. It can be both sensual as well as relaxing. This is a very simple idea that can help to keep even the most on edge person relaxed and at ease. A simple foot massage can relieve many of the tensions of the day and can make you feel revitalized. It can do this in many different ways. It will help to relax the tense muscles in your feet and it will also give you a feeling of relaxation.

In regards to the sensual aspect, there can be many benefits to this as well. A simple foot massage of your loved one will tell them that you care and will help in the creation of an atmosphere of peace. By simply touching and caressing your partner's feet you set the tone and the atmosphere for the time that lies ahead. This simple gesture will let your partner know what you are willing to do for them and how much you care by caressing their feet and letting them take some tension off which will lead to a night of potential romance.

A simple foot massage can be something that is very helpful to those who have high stress jobs or for someone who is on their feet for the better part of their day. This simple tension reliever will lead to not only your feet feeling better, but your mind and soul will be relaxed as well. This simple pleasure will make your whole day better. A simple foot massage helps to sweep the tension away from your body by making your feet feel comfortable and relaxed again which will rejuvenate your entire body. It is a great end to a long day and a wonderful way to start your night. It will send you on your way to a relaxing evening and a good night which will allow you to have a great start to your next day.

A foot massage has many benefits not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. It also helps to relieve the stress as well as provide physical relief. It can relax the muscles and tendons in your feet and help to soothe away those aches and pains that you get from standing on your feet all day. As far as mentally, the fact that someone is pampering you and showing you the affection and attention that you need and crave. It is also just a simple relaxation and stress relief technique that for all intents and purposes allows you just put your feet up. So go home and find someone to give you that foot massage that you so richly deserve or you can go to a massage parlor and let someone else do it for you while receiving some of the other perks of the massage service. It is something that everyone deserves every once in a while or even more so. So go and treat yourself, you deserve it.

How to Get All the Massage Clients You Want - And Keep Them!

Dear Massage therapist...

Are you a new massage therapist full of enthusiasm, just starting out in your career and looking for your first clients? Are you wanting to build your massage business and make a name for yourself? Or are you an established massage therapist looking to enhance your client list, bringing those massage clients back time and time again? If this sounds like you read on.

Dreaming of enriching people's lives with your newly acquired skills is most inspiring. Massage is truly rewarding for both you and your customer. To be able to make someone feel better without drugs or medicine is a wonderful feeling.

When you started out in this fantastic business of massage therapy I bet you had dreams of endless satisfied massage clients flocking to your door time and time again. You could be forgiven for thinking your massage clients would be queuing out of the door and your appointment books would be overflowing for someone as skilled as you.

If this is happening to you already then you have my congratulations and do not need to read on.

However, for the rest of you I'm guessing, while you were at college learning your unique massage skills, you also thought your tutors would be there to guide and support you with developing your business. Did you think that they would steer you through those difficult business issues that your were so unsure of? You probably thought that it would all fall into place because you were so skilled.

Do you remember hearing that little voice in your head asking so many questions, "Where am I going to get my massage clients from, how will I actually find them? How long will it take me to build my client list? How will I advertise my business and where? What will I need to do to keep my clients interested in coming back?"

I guess you asked around, friends and family, possibly even other therapists! I bet you never got any useful answers though did you?

I am sure you were told by many well meaning people it would take you years and years to build up a successful practice? Well I've got some good news for you. Being told that a massage therapy practise takes "years and years" to build up is absolute rubbish. I know that for a fact, because it's been proved wrong.

Oh, of course you can take years to build your massage business, especially if you like to take your time researching how to do this yourself, (the hard way) but let's face it, if you are anything like me and want to have a thriving massage practice with more clients and prosperity than you can handle then you would be looking for the easy way, avoiding the pitfalls of the trial and error approach.

Using a clear cut proven way to get more clients and keeping them coming back is all you need to create the successful, busy massage therapy practice you could ever want.
Discovering the one thing that all your clients urgently need from you will keep your appointment book full and with a waiting list!

Have you ever asked yourself, "What do my clients think about me?" Do you know the first thing that clients notice about you? Being aware of this may be the answer to you securing repeat business!

A key issue in building your massage business is having a clear understanding of your client's fears and frustrations. Learning to address these, is a key issue in expanding your business.

Understanding how the most successful massage therapists in the world think and learning the secret techniques that are compelling to new clients on the phone will grow your list beyond belief.

Don't destroy potential client's interest? Learn what to never do when advertising your practice.

Discover how to market your massage business like an expert-even though you may just have graduated!

ADHD - Deal With It Naturally!

In the year 2003 my grandson was 5 years old. It was springtime, when the Principal called us to come in for a conference. Next stop the Dr.'s office, where he was diagnosed with ADHD, given an Rx for amphetamines and sent home. I remember sitting in front of the computer, with tears of frustration blurring my vision. I began a search on that day, which has led us here today. I am writing to you, to share the information I have accumulated and found to be effective. So relax, as I reveal to you five amazing. All natural ideas that will put the power to help your child back in your hands.

#5 Laughter... Don't laugh! I'm very serious... According to Dr. Lee Burke; laughter increases the immune system, and reduces stress related hormones such as, cortisol and epinephrine. Laughter will reduce blood pressure to a lower, healthier level than it was before the laughter began. Laughter really is the best medicine. So... skip the violence, and the sad stuff, and find something funny to watch. Or just laugh at yourself! Your child will love that.

#4 Exercise... You already know they have more energy than you. And, you've heard... that exercise increases the "feel good" chemicals In the brain (serotonin and endorphins) And reduces stress (something you both could use).So! Start the day off with a walk together. Or, get creative; dance around in the kitchen. My grandson thinks I'm a very good dancer! This may lead to much laughter, Exercise and Laughter: 2 for the price of one.

#3 Aromatherapy... Smell matters, trust me on this one. The sense of smell is very closely linked to our memory; different essential oils have strong effects on how we feel. For Home work time: a blend of three drops each, Lemon, Grapefruit and Bergamot, Diffused into the room your child is studying in helps with focus. Lavender oil is calming and is very good for headaches. (Doesn't matter who has the headache)

#2 Music... said to calm the savage beast. I'm not suggesting you have a savage beast, but if it works on them... it should work on an eight year old boy!". While babysitting my four month old Grandson... put on some of my nice, relaxing music, to cover the noise in the house.(Tropical birds & piano) That night Austin asked if he could listen to" the bird music". Five years later he still listens to "the bird music" it helps him fall asleep. He really likes the birds.

#1 Massage... Now before you run down to the nearest day spa... Hear me out! One afternoon I had the massage table set up in the extra room.(No it's not a hobby, I've been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1989) Austen was 5 and it was his idea to get his first massage. He asked, "hey Gigi how about a massage?" I said "sure... climb on the table. I thought "how cute "He pulled his t-shirt off... and proceeded to adjust the face piece for his comfort... I started gently massaging his back... When he looked up and said "how about some lotion Gigi "He was obviously serious about his massage, And I replied "how about some money Austen" He just laughed, but his response to the massage got my attention and I focused my research on massage benefits for children diagnosed with various behavioral problems. My research uncovered results that were mind blowing to me.

I have been a therapist for almost 20 years. I know massage is great, but I had no idea; to what extent it would help our children. Here are just a few of the amazing results I found.

According to the Touch Research Institute, at the University of Miami School of Medicine...

"Adolescents with ADHD rated themselves as feeling happier and were observed to fidget less after massage sessions. Also, teachers rated adolescents receiving massage as less hyperactive and as spending more time on task." Field,T., Quintino, O. & Hernandez-Reif, M.,& Koslovsky,G. (1998).
Simply put: Adolescents with ADHD benefit from massage therapy. Adolescence, 33,103-108.

A more recent study, involved 30 children and adolescents, between the ages of seven and eight teen, all diagnosed with ADHD. The children were randomly assigned to a wait-list control group and a massage group. Mood state improved for the massage group but not the control group. Based on smiley face and thermometer scales. The massage group also improved in classroom behavior in the areas of the Conners Teachers rating scales on anxiety, daydreaming and hyperactivity. Khilanani,S.,Field, T.,Hernandez-Reif, M.,& Schanberg,S.(2003) Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of students with adhd. Adolescents, 38, 623-38.

The abstracts stated specifically, that "massage given three to five times per week at 15 min. per session, lowered cortisol levels (stress hormones) and increased serotonin levels (feel good hormones)." I could go on with these impressive statistics, But they all say the same thing. And that is, massage is very, very good for anyone diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. That is great news!

The not So Great news is this. It's like exercise, in order to be effective your child would need 10 to 20 minutes per day three to five days per week. You could take your child to a professional Massage Therapist, but take it from me; this will get very expensive and extremely time consuming. The ideal solution would be for parents to massage their own children. The benefits are nothing short of magical! Of course the kids love it but the parents really enjoy feeling like they were able to do something to help. All you need... Is the desire to help your child and the willingness to learn.

Go ahead. Deal with It Naturally!

Low Impact Automobile Accidents and Massage Therapy

Having a strong knowledge base of low impact automobile accidents is something that may be very helpful to you at this time, and knowing how a highly trained Fort Collins massage therapist and facility can assist you with pain relief is also very helpful and encouraging.

A low impact car accident is normally thought as an event which occurs at rates of speed lower than 10 miles-per-hour (mph). This kind of accident generally will cause the very least degree of injury to the automobiles engaged in the accident. Human body injuries could come about from virtually any accident including types which take place with automobiles traveling lower than 10 mph. Soft tissue injuries are usually the most typical problem for the people associated with a low impact automobile accident.

An automobile accident which happens at speeds somewhere between 10 and 15 mph usually provides minimal visible destruction of the actual vehicles involved. At times due to the fact that minimal harm had been performed to the automobile the soft tissue injuries for the individuals inside the automobiles are generally overlooked. This does not necessarily imply that physical injuries didn't happen to the individuals while in the collision, even if it was a low impact collision. Many of these low impact car accident victims in our will receive Fort Collins massage, chiropractic, and physical therapy for whiplash and other injuries to the muscle tissue that cause pain to the neck and upper back area.

Even though a motor vehicle was designed to take a slow-moving 5 to 10 mph accident that isn't automatically accurate for the human body. In a low impact car accident an individual's soft tissue may be affected. The neck and back are definitely the most common concern areas for soft tissue injuries. Generally speaking soft tissue is an individual's ligaments, tendons and also muscles. Soft tissue injuries are commonly categorized as contusions otherwise known as bruises, sprains or strains. There are a number of Fort Collins massage facilities that see these type of injuries on an ongoing basis, especially since the traffic in town is becoming more and more of an issue with all the vehicles on the road.

A contusion can be an issue for the soft tissue due to blunt force. This kind of force generates pooling of blood throughout the damaged area producing discoloring of the epidermis (skin). This is often referred to as a bruise. Bruising may be found in several shapes, designs, and colors. A sprain is simply an injury to the ligament generally caused by a wrench or even a twist. A sprain may be a basic sprain, an incomplete tear or perhaps a full-blown tear. This could happen to many parts of a individual's physical structure while in an automobile accident. It's not at all uncommon for a individual to shift within their seat as a motor vehicle hits theirs while in the automobile accident.

A strain can be an injury for the muscle tissue or tendons as a result of excessive use, force or over extending. The actual force from the automobile accident may push on a individual's soft tissue or trigger segments to extend in an abnormal process. Muscles and tendons support the bones. A strain could potentially cause a partial or even full tear in the muscle and tendon together. The neck of a automobile occupant can easily whip frontward resulting in the most frequent rear impact injury often known as whiplash. Many individuals in the Northern Colorado community have received medical massage for their whiplash injury. For example you may want to find a Fort Collins massage therapist for your care, but be sure this therapist and clinic take insurance for payment or you will be stuck paying for the therapy yourself out of pocket.

One of the major automobile companies did a research study with regards to auto accidents at speeds under 8 mph. They discovered that these specific injuries do take place at such low speeds. The research furthermore demonstrated that whiplash injuries account for greater than 50% of all injuries associated with vehicular accidents. One Fort Collins therapist stated that she has had many clients who stated that medical massage along with chiropractic care work very well together for the healing process of whiplash.

Despite the fact that most of these injuries tend to be characteristically categorized as minor, practically 30% of people damaged in low speed crashes have said they experience neck problems as much as four years later. This injury may very well be more serious in people who encountered a rear end impact accident. Depending on how old the individual, this particular injury may cause a more permanent disability. A motor vehicle may take the force of a low speed accident without having very much damage as a result of the advancements automobile companies have produced in the building of their automobiles.

When an accident does occur the force of the automobile accident forces inertia someplace and when the automobile has consumed part of it, in which the energy aside the passengers take the remainder. These forces are generally the cause of individuals physical harm even within a low impact accident of under 10 mph. Soft tissue injuries may appear to people involved in a low speed impact despite the fact that these types of injuries may be difficult to notice that they are present. With the increased amount of growth in the city over the past years, Fort Collins massage therapists have seen an increase in individuals dealing with automobile accident injuries.

How to Get Great Deals on a Used Portable Massage Table

Even though portable massage tables aren't usually as expensive as stationary tables they can still seem pretty expensive to a massage therapist that is just starting out. But, if you're willing to look around and you're open to looking in new places you can get a great price on a Used Portable Massage Table.

Buying a used massage table is a smart way to get your business started without going heavily into debt and without waiting until you can get enough start up money to buy a new table. Once you start getting some regular clients you will be able to upgrade to a new table if you want to. Or you can simply invest that money back into your massage therapy practice.

Here are some tips from massage therapists who have started their businesses on next to nothing on how to find great deals on massage tables:

Network
Networking with other massage therapists can land you some really great deals. You might even be able to get a free Used Portable Massage Table just by asking other massage therapists who are a bit more established. Chat with classmates at school, teachers, spa owners, and other people in the industry that you know or who are friends of friends and let them know you're looking for a used table. If they don't have any they might know someone who would be willing to give you a table or sell it to you for a very low price.

Use the Internet
Sites like Freecyle are a great way to find items for free or for low prices. Post an ad letting people know what you're looking for. You might find someone that has a table that is sitting around gathering dust who would be willing to sell it to you cheap or even trade you the table for some massages. Bartering is a great way to get the items you need to get your massage therapy practice started when you don't have a lot of money.

Check the Local Natural Foods Store
Grocery co-ops and natural food stores will often have community bulletin boards where people can post ads for items they are selling or items they are looking for. You can search the boards to see if someone is getting rid of a Used Portable Massage Table and you can also post an ad looking for one. You should leave a business card advertising your services as well.

Understand the Importance of Physical Therapy and Get a Physical Therapy Degree Online

Before we start exploring the vast field of physical therapy also abbreviated as PT it is important that we know a little about its history. Where did it originate from? Who are the people who introduced this kind of exercise treatment and so on.

This area of study was first approached by Hippocrates in the year 460 B.C. who is a known physician practicing various manual therapies to treat people. Modern Physical Therapy taken its roots from Britain and hence from there spread throughout the world with the opening of various institutes. Soon colleges and schools also started adopting this branch of exercise science and issued students with certificate, courses and physical therapy degree program as well making it emerge as one of the most successful fields.

Importance of Physical Therapy

PT is a work-out treatment which revolves around exercising to cure various physical ailments. For instance people who have met with a major accident or are recovering from any injury need PT to get back into perfect working form. It can also be applied to cure disabilities and diseases such as back pain, arthritis etc. PT comes under the vocational field of education and plays a vital role in the society. The World Confederation of Physical Therapy has noticed the importance and need of physical therapy worldwide and thus offers pt degree programs to students interested.

If you are looking out for an opportunity to seek physical therapy degree online then explore all the possible opportunities which in this field.

Physical Therapy Degree Online

For those of you seeking physical therapy degree online there are many openings in various online schools and universities, according to the World Confederation of Physical Therapy accreditation is granted only towards university based degree programs the certificate, bachelors and associate degrees only act as pre-requisite program which help you to advance into the master and doctoral degree programs. In the US there are about 213 different PT programs out of which 203 are fully accredited. The doctoral degree curriculum consists of the following courses:

• PT Management


• Bio Statistics


• Grant Writing and Publication


• Motor Control and Human Movement


• Anatomy


• Geriatric


• Pediatrics


• Clinical Decision Making


• Outcomes Measurement and Epidemiology

Specializations

This field of education has a vast body of knowledge and it specializes in different types of therapies. Following are the most commonly pursued online specialty areas worldwide:

Cardiopulmonary

These therapists treat people who suffer with cardiopulmonary disorders; they also offer help to recovering patients. People inflicted with heart attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary related diseases benefit from this form of physical treatment.

Geriatric

There are some issues and disorders which each one of us encounters while going through normal adult aging such as arthritis, balance disorder, cancer, knee problems etc. geriatric therapists study such cases.

Neurological

This specification studies and works on people who have certain neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, brain injury, Parkinson's disease, stroke etc.

Orthopedic

Professionals in this area of study offer their ability in treating, diagnosing and managing all complications and injuries which occur in the human musculoskeletal-systems. Orthopedic Therapists also deal with post operative orthopedic ways and offer rehab to people after orthopedic surgery as well.

Around the world there are thousands of people pursuing PT degree online programs. According to the US Department of Labor employment in this field is most likely to increase by 27%. These facts and figures guarantee all those interested in this area of study to lead successful careers in the future.

Ultrasound Technician Schools - An Overview

There are a myriad of ultrasound technician schools to choose from when deciding where you wish to study. You can choose to attend a community college, technical school, university, or take online courses. Whichever route you decide to take, it is important to thoroughly research the institution to ensure that it is affordable and offers the right type of education and training for you. There are many highly rated, reputable schools that can you help you in achieving your goals. Each institution has different tuition schedules, entrance requirements, course loads, and course lengths.

Ultrasound Technician Schools

Tuition
Tuition ranges from $4,000 on the low end for a certification program, all the way up to $30,000 for a bachelor's degree and associated studies. The price of books, lab fees, uniform costs, and other incidental costs must also be taken into consideration.

While $30,000 may sound like a lot of money to spend on your education, your earning potential will be much greater and you should have no trouble finding employment once the program is completed. If you are short on funds, you can also enrol in a program offered by an online institution. Some online schools still require on-site training, though, due to the hands-on nature of an ultrasound technician's job.

Education and Training
The most commonly sought after degree is an associate's degree, which takes two years to complete. Certificate programs, on the other hand, can be completed in 12 to 18 months. Bachelor's degree programs take around four years due to more involved and intensive study.

Entrance requirements will vary between each ultrasound technician school, but you must have a high school diploma or GED, and you may also be required to pass an entrance exam.

Coursework usually begins with patient care courses, as technicians work very closely with patients on the job. There will also be courses in human anatomy and physiology, which teach what various structures look like on ultrasound scan. There will also be courses on ultrasound physics, which teaches students all the processes involved in ultrasound technology, as well as how to operate the machines and maintain them.

Finally, a clinical practicum course will need to be taken in which real world experience can be obtained, either in a hospital or doctor's office while under supervision.

Colleges and Institutions
You can choose to study at any ultrasound technician school you wish, but some of the highest rated are as follows:

Seattle University offers a highly rated Bachelor of Science program in Diagnostic Ultrasound.

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences offers an associate's degree program as well as an online bachelor's degree in diagnostic medical sonography.

The Kettering College of Medical Arts offers a Bachelor's degree program.

BryanLGH College of Health Sciences offers a bachelor's degree in diagnostic medical sonography, as well as specialties in cardiac and vascular sonography.

It is important to note that out of all the ultrasound technician schools you may research, it is highly recommended that you choose a CAAHEP (Council for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program) accredited institution. Doing so will enable you to sit for the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography) exam, which would grant you a certificate making you eligible for employment at any hospital or other healthcare facility. There are many routes one can take to becoming an ultrasound technician, and choosing the right one can provide you with the best possible start to enter this rewarding career.

Using Deep Tissue Massage Therapy to Reduce Musculo-Skeletal Pain

Deep Tissue Massage is applied in a systematic way, concentrating on the deeper layers of the body's soft tissues. It aims to release chronic patterns of tension in the body, through slow strokes and deep pressure on the contracted area(s). Deep tissue massage therapy is therapeutic as well as corrective, and done properly should cause neither excessive pain for the client nor strain for the therapist. Working deeply does not equate with working harder or with more effort, but is the result of specific deep tissue massage techniques combined with knowledge of the different layers of the body's soft tissues

What Is Deep Tissue Massage Therapy?

The is a term often used by therapists to indicate that they use strong pressure, and won't just be stroking oil onto the skin. However deep tissue work is not just about the amount of pressure used; it's true intention is to work on all the layers of the body's soft tissues and particularly the structure which covers and encases them - the fascia. Injury, illness or prolonged immobility can cause fascia to become stiff, hardened or stuck to adjacent structures. This in turn causes pain, reduced mobility and impaired function.

Whilst sometimes being slightly uncomfortable, it should never be painful; a good massage therapist should always respect your pain tolerance levels, and will work with you to find a level of pressure that is comfortable for you.

Massage techniques for include the use of knuckles, fists, elbows, and forearms. The pace of a deep tissue massage session is usually slower than that of other massage work, to enable the therapist to pick up information from the client's tissues, assess the best way to address the tension and contractions found, and apply careful and sensitive pressure in order to achieve a comfortable and lasting release.

How Does it Work?

Pain and stiffness in the muscles and joints can be caused by long-term muscle tension, postural imbalance, overuse and injury. All these things can cause muscle fibres to become shortened, tiny pockets of scar tissue to form (fibrosis), and larger areas of scar tissue will get laid down as an injury heals. Shortened muscle fibres also result in reduced blood flow to the area, and inefficient removal of metabolic waste products by the lymphatic system. The net result of this is areas of the soft tissues that become stiff, hardened, and "glued together" in contracted bands - adhesions. Normal movement becomes impossible, and stiffness and pain set in. Deep tissue massage works by gently but firmly working across these bands to separate the tissues again, to lengthen shortened and contracted soft tissue structures, and to encourage efficient circulation to and from the affected area.

Who Benefits From Deep Tissue Massage Therapy?

This type of massage is highly beneficial for people who suffer from consistent muscle pain, especially in the muscles around the neck, lower back and shoulders. This can be caused by work related postural problems, leisure activities such as gardening, sports and exercise related injuries, and can also be the end-result of long-term emotional stress and tension.

The benefits of Deep Tissue Massage include:

• release of tension and stiffness from muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and fascia
• pain relief
• pain management
• increased flexibility and suppleness
• breaks down old scar tissue and adhesions
• improved mobility, posture and physical performance
• faster, more efficient recovery from injury and surgery

What to Expect During and After a Session

The technique usually focuses on specific areas. It can be offered in combination with other styles of massage, as a whole-body treatment or concentrated in one area, for example the lower back or shoulders. Your therapist will work with you to find a comfortable level of pressure, and will work with your breathing to help minimize discomfort and get the best possible release from the tissues.

When a deep tissue massage is done correctly, the benefits are experienced within the next few days. You may feel rejuvenated, or a bit sore, depending on the particular therapy session. Any slight stiffness or pain experienced after a deep tissue massage is a completely normal reaction and will subside within 24-48 hours.

It is advisable to rest and relax as much as possible after your deep tissue massage treatment, take a warm bath, and drink lots of water and/or herbal teas in order to help the body eliminate any waste products that have been released from the soft tissues. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol is also to be recommended, for the same reasons.

Physical Therapy Assistants

Physical Therapy Assistants are in demand around the world. They make up over 60,000 jobs through the workforce of the world. The tasks they must complete cover a wide variety of activities all while helping other people achieve more in their daily life. They help people to recover from serious injury and from illnesses.

While it is true that physical therapy assistants do perform all the work that a therapist will do, they do a lot of the work and help their therapist out immensely. The people that physical therapy assistants help have been injured in an accident or as a result of a disabling illness. The assistants can provide assistance in the form of teaching new exercises, giving massages, and keeping a record of what the therapist finds while examining the patients.

There are very specific guidelines and requirements that are needed to become physical therapy assistants. Most states require an associate degree which can be achieved through a physical therapy assistant program.

When it comes to choosing a program for you to educate yourself with, you have two specific choices. You can choose an online program or you can choose a campus program where you attend classes at a school on their property. The biggest difference between the two types of programs is convenience. With an online program, you are able to take your classes in your spare time from your own home. This is particularly nice if you are taking classes while you are working a full time job.

In the physical on-campus classes, the student will have more work and will also receive hands on training in a clinic so there are benefits to this type of class as well. If you choose an online class, you may not receive full training in your clinical setting. You will receive enough credits to allow you to become a certified physical therapy assistant but you may not have the actual practice as your competitors when it comes to applying for a job.

One other factor that should be mentioned is that some schools (both online and campus) will claim to be an accredited school while they are not. The only way to determine for sure if a school is accredited is to check with your regional accrediting agency to see if a given school is accredited.

Cranial Sacral Therapy - Head Massage Therapy at Its Healing Best

At times, it feels as though all our body needs to begin the process of healing is the touch of a trained massage therapist... head massage therapy is healing at its best. Head massage - or cranial sacral - therapy as it is also known, is a form of safe, gentle medical treatment that focuses on the movement of the liquid around the skull and spinal areas.

It's no big secret that the keys to good health include exercise, proper nutrition, less stress and avoiding harmful habits. But what about the suggestion that a healthy body and mind originates from the inside via our internal self-healing system? Our bodies are designed to defend us from disease and aid in the healing process, as when a cut heals or we fight off the effects of a cold or flu. Cranial massages are one form of a hands-on technique designed to assist the healing process.

By utilizing a light - or soft - touch technique to move the bones into the correct alignment, pressure is applied that is similar to the weight of a nickel. Some medical problems can lead to a loss of function and pain... a head massage hones in on these areas to prevent the loss and pain from occurring and is utilized by therapists as both the primary and secondary treatment for existing health issues.

So if you engage in head massage therapy, what benefits should you expect? Some are listed below:

• Provide relief from damage to the brain or spinal cord;

• Lessen the pain brought on by migraine headaches;

• Reduce the effects of chronic fatigue;

• Improve motor skills;

• Lessen chronic neck and back discomfort;

• Correct joint dysfunction;

• Relieve tension-related symptoms;

• Correct orthopedic difficulties.

The main focus of cranial massage therapy is to identify the source of the problem, but it also relieves the symptoms associated with them. Because it is so gentle and effective, many choose to include head massages as a part of their overall health regimen. As a result, they sleep better, have more energy and experience less instances of illness.

So how does head massage therapy work? A trained massage therapist works with you to offer support to your body's self-correcting instruments. Using the light-touch technique, your therapist will begin the head massage by evaluating your body's cranial sacral system (membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord) which plays the important role of maintaining the environment where the central nervous system functions.

Because the spinal cord and brain are a part of the central nervous system, this area has powerful influence over a variety of body functions. So during a cranial massage, your therapist helps your body overcome obstacles that block it natural self correcting tendencies. To do so, he/she takes cues from your body regarding the treatment to follow, in a way that is extremely effective and safe.

Another attribute of the head massage is that less time is required, also making it a more affordable option with less investment of time and money. If you spend a lot of time on a computer each day, you know that at the end of the day, you can end of with knots created by tired, achy muscles. A neck massage can revitalize your body and eliminate the pain and harmful toxins typically caused by over-extension.

Simply put... by enjoying a head massage which takes about half the time of a full-session massage... your body will benefit from head to toe.

Why You Need to Attend Massage Therapy School

There are plenty of people who are interested in massage therapy, but have a doubt in their mind as to whether this career path would be fruitful. One thing's for sure: If you're good at your job, you would always have a long client list.

These days, it's not just people on vacations that are enjoying massages; many people after a tiring day at work choose to call in their masseur or visit them. So, when it comes to scope, this field is definitely set to bloom. But, should you attend massage school?

Reasons as to why you need to attend massage school

You may say that you could learn the art of massage just by watching a masseur do his or her job; but, that's completely wrong. If at all you want to learn a skill, you're going to need to learn it right. In order to do this you would need to attend massage therapy school. Some of the key reasons include:

You learn a lot about the human body

There's a lot that you need to know when it comes to massage and the most important aspects include Kinesiology as well as the overall anatomy of the human body. Physiology is another aspect that you need to be familiar with.

You would need to know where the major organs, tissues as well as muscles are located in the body as you would need to know how to massage in order to ease a particular kind of pain.

Management skills

When it comes to massage therapy, you need to have amazing management skills as well because you would need to retain your clients and gain more. So, apart from being a fine masseur, you also need to be a perfect manager.

Touching people

Most people hate touching other people and still dream of becoming a masseur. When you go to ta professional massage school, they give you an opportunity to massage real people and therefore you get to touch people!

If you're not comfortable with this, you would either get used to it or would realize that the job isn't meant for you. Therefore, it's really helpful if you attend a massage therapy school - if needed you may get a sort of psychological talk to help you get over this phobia.

Communication skills

Another important factor that you need to develop is your communication skill; without it you're clients would be bored and they would eventually leave you. Hence, these soft skills are really crucial for any professional masseur.

Physical Therapy - What Is The Easiest Way To Become A Physical Therapist?

Basically, becoming a professional Physical Therapist is not easy. You need to take up a four year basic college degree or the undergraduate degree and then proceed to Post graduate studies where you will have your proper training as Physical Therapist for 2 years. After your studies the next step you have to do to become a professional and licensed PT is to take the licensure exam. Normally it will just take you 7 years before you can become a licensed PT. However, the years you will spend to earn your Physical Therapy Degree still depends on your progress and how you perform in your studies. If you will have failing grades, then, you are required to retake it until you passed that subject.

Now if you want to know how to get a PT Degree easily, the best thing you need to do is to inquire the school where you want to enroll. Inquire for the requirement as well as the prerequisite of the course. Having all the information of the prerequisite as well as the requirement, you need to prepare it before you enroll to avoid any hassles during enrollment time.

If you think having an online Physical Therapy degree will shorten the number of years for you to earn the degree, you are wrong. PT degree needs you to do hands on training especially when you are already having your internship. There is actually no formal online program for Physical Therapy Degree. Although, there are some modified online programs; but, of course it requires you to be present at the campus once a week or every other week depending on the online school you have attended. Because of this instead of shortening your years, you are even extending it for a few years.

The fastest and easiest way of getting a Physical Therapy Degree is to enroll immediately to a course which is related to PT or perhaps enroll in PT undergraduate studies and proceed to post graduate studies. This way all of your subjects taken will all be credited, thus, shortening the number of years you are going to take up the course and have your degree. Therefore instead of spending it for 7 years you will only earn your PT degree for only 6 years. Needless to say, you have to make sure you can reach the qualifying grade required by the school. That is why if you are considering to take up physical therapy in the future you must study harder.

Arthritis Treatment: Conventional Approach to Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) is, without question, the most common form of arthritis. It is a disease of articular cartilage, the gristle that caps the ends of long bones. Cartilage consists of a mixture of proteins and sugars (proteoglycans), and collagen. Interspersed in this matrix of substances are chondrocytes, cartilage cells. The purpose of the chondrocytes is to manufacture new healthy matrix and keep it healthy.

With the onset of OA, the chondrocytes begin to elaborate destructive enzymes. In addition, there is a complex interplay of events that leads to hardening of the underlying bone along with bone spur formation and inflammation of the synovium (the lining of the joint), which causes further joint destruction.

OA is predominately a disease of weight-bearing joints. However, other joints can be affected and cause debilitating symptoms and loss of function.

The conventional approach to osteoarthritis hasn't changed for more than fifty years.

The three aims of treatment are to relieve symptoms, improve function, and restore cartilage. While the former two targets are sometimes reached, the latter has remained elusive.

OA treatment begins with non-medical interventions such as weight loss, physical therapy, exercise, patient education, and sometimes assistive devices. Assistive devices are things such as braces and canes that might help a patient perform activities of daily living more efficiently.

Many doctors advocate the use of analgesics (pain relievers) instead of traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). This is because of the side effect profile of the latter group of medicines in light of data regarding cardiovascular events and gastrointestinal events associated with the use of these drugs.

One way of getting around this is to use NSAID in topical form. There are two preparations, Voltaren gel, and Pennsaid which are topical medicines containing the anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac.

Nutriceuticals, such as glucosamine and chondroitin have their advocates. In addition various studies touting the benefits of dietary fish oil, and herbal remedies indicate these are also an option for people with mild OA. Glucocorticoid injections can be employed for patients with significant symptoms. They should be administered using ultrasound guidance and no more frequently than three times per year in an individual joint.

Viscosupplements, lubricants, can also be used although they are indicated so far for OA of the knee only. As with glucocorticoids, they should be administered using ultrasound guidance to ensure proper placement.

There is a huge void between these conservative therapies and surgery.

Recent experiences using autologous growth factors such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as well as autologous stem cells (a patient's own stem cells) may hold the promise of cartilage protection and cartilage regeneration.

(Wei N, Beard S, Delauter S, Bitner C, Gillis R, Rau L, Miller C, Clark T. Guided Mesenchymal Stem Cell Layering Technique for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. J Applied Res. 2011; 11: 44-48)

Why You Should Train As A Physical Therapy Assistant

Healthcare is one of today's biggest growth industries, and is attracting more and more high school graduates as well as those seeking to transition from other careers. Many consider training as a physical therapy assistant, working under the direction of a physical therapist to provide treatment, help and support to the physically disabled, trauma victims, and other patients.

Why Is Healthcare Such a Popular Career?

The growth in the demand for the services of physical therapists, their assistants and aides is part of the boom in health care, and job opportunities are expected to increase by some 35% between now and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Life expectancy is on the rise, and it is predicted that the growing elderly population will increasingly require a wide variety of therapeutic services. As medical procedures and technologies advance, more patients will require a range of rehabilitation treatments to improve the quality of their lives.

What Training Do Physical Therapist Assistants Need?

While physical therapists will require postgraduate degree training, physical therapist assistants usually need an Associate's degree from an accredited program, which can usually be gained over five semesters, or about two years. This is another attractive option for aspiring health care professionals who do not wish to commit themselves to another four years of training after high school. The American Physical Therapy Association lists over 250 programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation and Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) delivering entry-level training for PTAs.

What Are The Admissions Criteria for PTA Programs?

Admissions requirements may vary from school to school, but prospective applicants are normally expected to have completed a period of volunteer work experience or observation in one or more physical therapy settings, excluding home health situations. Some preliminary educational requirements may also need to be satisfied, including general courses such as English composition, algebra or mathematics, liberal arts courses, and introductory medical classes in human anatomy and physiology. Colleges may expect a minimum pass of grade C in these courses for an applicant to be eligible to apply for for PTA training. Students may also be required to have certification in CPR or basic cardiac life support. Admission may also be dependent on a satisfactory background criminal check and drug screening.

What Do PTA Students Learn?

The technical courses for physical therapy assisting include topics such as kinesiology, skills of patient care, pathology, neuroscience, rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, and a number of clinical rotations or internships. There is normally a specified order in which these classes need to be taken, and students must perform satisfactorily in one course in order to proceed to the next. Some colleges may accommodate the needs of students who wish to complete part of their course online, or combine their study with a part-time job. But most are keen to impress upon applicants that they must ensure that they have adequate time to devote to the demands of the program, and that the clinical experiences are hands-on, full-time commitments that last several weeks. CAPTE does not accredit PTA programs with exclusively online content.

What Else Is Required To Practice As a PTA?

Those who successfully complete their physical therapist assistant program will normally graduate with an Associate degree. However, in almost every state in the US, PTAs must hold a licence or certification in order to practice. Candidates should make enquiries with their state board to find out specific requirements, but it is usually necessary to have graduated from an accredited training program and to have passed the National Physical Therapy Examination. Once a licence has been granted, a certain amount of continuing education may be required to keep it current.

Two Common Types of Hot Stone Massage Therapy

A stone massage therapy is an ancient form of utilizing heated stones to relive anxiety and alleviate pains in the body. It is a practice of manipulating muscles and other tissues of the body leading to release of stress physically, emotionally and spiritually. It is sometimes used for conventional treatments and involved in alternative medicine.

There are several types of stone massage therapy. Typically, hot stones are utilized and placed in different parts of the body. Others may also use both the hot and cold stones using specific techniques. Some treatments use stones all over the body while some may only place it in specific energy centers like the client's back. There are other treatments that stones are not used as a central point but only as one part of the whole process. To learn more on the different types of stone massage therapies, here are two of the most common procedures:

1. The traditional type of hot stone therapy uses basalt stones for the treatment. These are black, volcanic stones rich in iron that promote relaxation and healing. This therapy session is done with a combination of a Swedish massage. Oils will be applied on your body. The therapist will start massaging slowly by gliding her fingers across your shoulders and down your arms up to your fingertips. She will also stroke your neck down to your spine and to your lower back.

She will then be using basalt stones to massage across you back and down to your legs. These stones have been pre-heated at 120-150 degree of water. The smoothness of the stones and the oil will allow it to move easily through your body and promote relaxation.

Finally, the masseuse will place the stones in certain points which are the energy centers of the body. This will warm the body and produce therapeutic effects. It will improve blood circulation allowing the body to pump more oxygen. It also helps in releasing endorphins which will help in alleviating pains and aches.

2. The La Stone therapy is a hot stone massage involving the use of both cold and hot stones. In this therapy, the client is required to remove his clothing to help open up the energy channels of the body. The hot and cold stones utilized in the session will help alleviate many ailments such as muscle spasms. These stones are used in an alternative manner. There is a scientific explanation for this therapy. The heated stones will increase the oxygen supply of the body leading to improvement of blood circulation and metabolism. The cold stones in the other hand remove congestion and prevent blockages. Swelling and inflammation is also relieved. This technique will help the body improve its healing capability. It will also assist in balancing physical, emotional and spiritual energies.

The La Stone massage therapy also acts as a sedative and increase the body's energy level. It is deeply detoxifying and allows an individual to reach a meditative level. It also enhances the immune system increasing an individual's resistance to infection.

The hot stone therapy is great for people who have undergone huge stress in their lives recently. Whether it's emotional or physical stress, a stone massage therapy will certainly help you relax and reduce aches and pains. If you have never had a hot stone massage therapy before, then now is the perfect time to try one. After all, you definitely owe yourself this pleasure.

Top Qualities of a Great Massage Therapist

The top qualities of a great massage therapist go far beyond the state requirements for granting a massage therapy license. Although professional licensing is a good start, it is far from the defining qualification of a great or even a good massage therapist. Even referrals from friends can lead you astray if your friend does not know what to look for. The following top qualities of a great massage therapist should help guide you as you choose a qualified professional to work on your body.

Advanced Anatomy and Physiology Knowledge -It is vital that your massage therapist understands where all the major muscles are located from beginning to end, the direction the muscle fibers go in and in what parts of the body pain referrals should be expected.

Cleanliness -Obviously you want a massage therapist who keeps a clean environment and keeps their own body clean. Getting a massage from an unhygienic person in a disorganized and unsterile environment might cause more stress and harm than good!

Good Table-Side Manner -While doctors and nurses work bed-side, massage therapists work table-side. The way your masseuse greets you, makes you feel at ease and communicates with you during and after the massage will greatly affect your overall experience. So find someone you're comfortable with!

The Intuitive Touch -An excellent massage professional will know what you need before you point to the specific spot, and they will not waste time on areas where you don't need much work.

Listening Skills -Communication is crucial before and during a massage if your therapist is going to give you the type of bodywork you want and need, but this means more than just talking. Your massage therapist must also be a good listener and able to have meaningful conversations about where you're feeling pain, where you're comfortable being touched, etc.

Love of the Job -Someone who seems to be annoyed that they are even working in the first place will not do a good job on your body. You need a therapist who loves what they do because this positive energy will translate to a better massage.

Institutions offering quality Massage Therapy Programs include American Institute, Cortiva Institute, Apollo College, Kaplan College, Keiser University, Utah College of Massage Therapy and Western Career College.

Breast Implant Surgery - Massage Therapy Is Advisable For Better Results

One of the most common complications with breast implant surgery is the occurrence of capsular contraction. After surgery, the body creates a capsule or sack of tissue around the breast implants. This is actually a normal healing process and safety measure conducted by the body. The body is programmed to contain and encapsulate any large foreign object to prevent it from doing damage to the system. This can be bad news for implants though as the capsule tends to contract or shrink over time, putting pressure on them and potentially causing them to burst. A frequently recommended but also greatly contested means of preventing capsular contraction is massage of the breast implants.

The guiding philosophy behind implant massage is that stretching and rubbing the tissue around the implant will keep the scar capsule soft and pliable, instead of stiff and restrictive. Some doctors also believe that massaging the breasts will contribute to more natural looking and feeling implants as well as less post-surgery pain.

Massage therapy is generally only recommended for those with smooth implants, not with textured. Textured breast implants were actually designed to reduce the risk of contracture of the scar capsule, although in reality the rate of capsular contraction is roughly the same as smooth ones. Still, textured seem to face a bigger chance of failing if massaged.

With smooth breast implants, there are two separate types of massage that many doctors advise. The first is displacement and the second is compression. Displacement massage (also referred to as quadrant exercises) means moving the implants around within the capsule in order to stretch out the sack and make it softer. This requires shifting the implant side to side and up and down and holding it in place for several seconds at a time.

Some doctors prefer the compression massage technique however, because patients often practice displacement after breast augmentation ineffectively. Instead of moving the implant around within the scar sack to stretch it out, they unwittingly simply move the implant and the capsule around within the breast. Compression technique also involves exerting moderate to strong pressure to push down on different parts of the breast implants to make them bulge out in other places, which stretches out the capsule.

As the opinions of doctor's vary, so does the timetable for massage. Some will advise patients to begin massaging several hours after the breast augmentation, while others recommend waiting a week. For the next several weeks, patients are often counseled to massage three or four times per day and then once a day forever thereafter.

As mentioned however, some doctors do not prescribe massage therapy at all to their patients and in fact there are other methods of avoiding and dealing with capsular contracture. There is some evidence that certain implant-related drugs containing vitamin-E taken before and after the surgery have been effective in reducing the risk of contracture. If contracture does occur, patients can undergo a capsulectomy to remove the offending capsule. This has proven to be the best way to keep contracture from happening again.

Although massage is not the only way to treat and prevent capsular contracture, when done correctly it may be a good method of keeping the implants soft and natural, making the breast implant surgery satisfying and worthwhile.

Corporate Chair Massage Program Use And Benefits

More and more, savvy businesses are recognizing the value of on-site massage for elevating their employees well-being, and they're seeing the initiatives translate into tangible benefits for the organization.? Some of these practical benefits include increased productivity, elevated morale, and even heightened market competitiveness.? At the end of the day, it adds up to increased profitability for the business.

Over the past decade, chair massage has grown as a wellness benefit that companies can offer their employees that is safe, cost-effective, convenient and has positive effects not just on the employees health, but also on general morale.

How many other personnel-related initiatives can make employees feel better at work immediately, are available to all employees in almost all work environments, and has zero startup or equipment costs?

A well-conducted,?professional corporate massage onsite program requires only room for the specially designed portable massage chair we provide.? It can be a cubicle or a workstation, or a conference room.? The massage session is timed to correspond to the length of a normal work break.? Oils or lotions aren't used, and the recipient remains fully clothed, so there's no requirement for changing clothes.

Some of the advantages and benefit of a corporate chair massage include increased productivity and employee performance, a reduction in potential effects associated with repetitive tasks and staying in sitting-at-workstation mode for too long, and an overall improvement in employees feelings about the company and the workplace.? It is also? the kind of treatment that tells people the employer cares about them and their overall well-being.? Taken together, it can all add up to increased loyalty, as well.? And the benefits extend across the breadth of the employee population.

Of course, it's widely accepted that massage helps boost the body's immune system in addition to providing relief for muscular tension and discomfort.? At the end of the session the employees are relaxed, their energy level is raised and they're ready to return to their workday tasks.

Look for a professional, licensed massage therapist (LMT) who can provide a flexible framework for integrating a corporate chair massage program into your company's environment and wellness programs.?

An ongoing program will likely yield sustainable benefits. But consider, also, those "all out sprint to the finish" projects, where a series of scheduled 10 to fifteen minute session windows in a regular time-of-day framework can help stressed team members stay as relaxed and focused as possible in an intense, pressure-packed project environment.

Chair massage is becoming increasingly common in the workplace environment and is used by many companies large and small with very positive results. It's smart, it's easy, and it makes sense.

Physical Therapy - A Good Career Choice

Physical therapy jobs can be very rewarding. Physical therapists (PTs) help people who have some type of debilitating disease or injury be able to regain their body's strength, function, and mobility. Some of the conditions that PTs help people recover from are arthritis, lower back pain, broken bones, head injuries, sports-related injuries, and cerebral palsy.

The job description for a physical therapist is quite extensive. Their duties are vital to many areas of medicine and are usually carried out in a hospital, orthopedic treatment center, or rehabilitation clinic. In order to provide the patient the physical therapy benefits that will help them recover from their illness or improve function, the PT must do an evaluation of the patient's physical condition and then come up with a physical rehabilitation plan customized specifically to that patient's needs. This plan must improve the patient's strength, range of motion, flexibility, and motor control as well as decrease any pain and swelling that exists. Other aspects of a physical therapist's duties include:

繚 Using therapeutic equipment like ultrasonic machines, whirlpool baths, and ultraviolet and infrared lamps

繚 Teaching the patients to use exercise equipment

繚 Instructing patients and their families in the use and care of equipment like wheelchairs, braces, crutches, canes, and prosthetic limbs

Physical therapy jobs require graduation from an accredited education program in physical therapy with a master's or doctoral degree. To get into one of these programs the applicant must have a graduate degree that includes a number of prerequisite courses. In order to practice as a PT, graduates must take and pass both state and national licensing examinations. Some states require that PTs take further continuing education courses in order to keep their licenses.

Because there is such a wide range of conditions that physical therapists treat, the job outlook is always excellent. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapy jobs are expected to grow faster through the year 2018 than any other occupation that requires at least a graduate level degree.

Physical therapy jobs paid an average salary of $72,790 in 2008. The typical PT employed full-time can expect an annual salary between $55,000 and $80,000. There are considerations that factor in to determining salary. These considerations include things like the state or city in which the job is located, level of training and education, amount of experience, and if the PT has any certifications and specializations.

Should Reiki Really Be Considered A Massage Therapy?

I don't know about you but when I go for a massage I expect the massage therapist to use their hands, fingers and maybe even their elbows to loosen my stress-laden muscles. There is nothing more delightful than an experienced pair of hands that helps to expunge all of the bad stuff from my body that causes me to become tense, anxious and, perhaps, a bit unpleasant to be around sometimes.

I still vividly remember a visit with a physical therapist for a problem that I was having with a disk in my neck. The disk was pinching a nerve which was causing pain in my neck, back and arm. A particularly annoying area was near my shoulder above my shoulder blade. As I sat in a massage chair, the therapist used her elbow to dig right into the affected area with a force that caused some serious discomfort. But when I left that morning, the pain was almost gone. Now that was massage!

Recently, I was introduced to the concept of Reiki. I was reading up on the various forms of massage therapy and, quite frequently, Reiki was listed as a therapeutic option or as part of the curriculum at a massage school. Further reading about Reiki has caused me to question references to Reiki in the same context as massage. In fact, I began to wonder why Reiki was included in references to massage at all. And I'm not the only one.

Massage is generally defined as "the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes, healing or relaxation." I would think that "manipulation" is the operative word here. The practice of Reiki takes a quite different approach. Like Shiatsu massage, Reiki seeks to balance "ki" or "life force energy" within the body. The theory, according to ancient Oriental philosophy, is that if this energy is out of balance in the body, or is depleted, then an individual becomes susceptible to physical and emotional ailments. Practitioners of Reiki seek to channel energy into their clients in a manner that corrects imbalances and promotes healing.

However, based on the prescribed methods of practicing Reiki, there is no "manipulation" involved. In fact, in some cases, there is not even actual touch involved in Reiki treatments. That would certainly present a conflict between the generally accepted definition of massage and the practice of Reiki.

Reiki, as practiced today, was developed by Dr. Mikao Usui, a minister and head of a Christian school in Japan. His students had asked him how Jesus healed. Usui did not have the answer but became fixated on discovering how Jesus had cured the ill and infirmed. ( I guess "because he was the Son of God" does not qualify as an acceptable answer.)

Dr. Usui spent years studying in Christian schools, Buddhist monasteries and temples. He found no answer to the healing question until he embarked on a 21 day fast. At the end of the fast he apparently had a revelatory experience that showed him the methods he had sought to understand. He then set about on a healing ministry. Eventually, he shared his knowledge with Dr. Chujiro Hyashi who, in turn shared the knowledge with Mrs. Hawayo Takata who trained 22 Reiki Masters who then shared the knowledge with thousands of others.

Essentially, Reiki transfers energy from the Reiki practitioner to the patient. Actually, Reiki teaches that the patient draws this energy from the practitioner thus giving the patient an active role and ultimate responsibility for their own healing. The energy is then realigned and balanced and harmony is restored in the body.

Though it is not a religion there is a great deal of spirituality at work in Reiki. God or a Universal Life Force is acknowledged and recognized as the source of all life energy. Though there are specific principles involved in Reiki, the actual methods are quite similar to the "laying on of hands" practiced by faith healers of many religious denominations. But "laying on of hands" is not quite the same as "the manipulation of soft tissue" required to be defined as massage.

There are a couple of issues here. First, massage as a stand alone practice, has struggled to be recognized by the medical establishment as a legitimate form of therapy and healing. Under the auspices of physical therapy, massage is readily accepted and practiced to restore muscular function and to assist in the rehabilitative process. However, there is the view by many that massage therapy is somewhat of a "mongrel" healing application with touches of mainstream medicine, alternative medicine, holistic, health, New Age cultism, sexual indulgence and mystical fakery. The simple fact is the "the manipulation of soft tissue" has been proven and is accepted as a healing modality. It is the desire to include any healing avocation that involves touch, or even the close proximity of hand to body, under the heading of massage that creates confusion and causes suspicion.

Scientists and doctors have dismissed Reiki as a placebo that encourages patients to feel better because they are supposed to feel better. Other questions about the motivation of practitioners is the fact that Dr. Usui, the founder of Reiki, determined that there must be an "energy exchange" between Reiki healer and Reiki patient to invest the patient in the healing process. This investment is monetary in most cases and is a core principle of Reiki.

Another problem with Reiki being considered a form of massage is that some states require that practitioners of Reiki be licensed as massage therapists. Many Reiki practitioners dispute this categorization specifically because of the distinction between Reiki and massage as stated in the definitions presented earlier in this article.

So, Reiki has a bit of a schizophrenic personality. On the one hand, courses teaching Reiki are offered in many massage schools. On the other hand, many practitioners themselves don't consider themselves massage therapists. So, far be it from me to try and settle this dispute in one article. Reiki may or may not be a truly effective form of healing. All I know is that I still have difficulty categorizing Reiki as massage. I think there may be some "manipulation" of the definition of massage required to justify the inclusion of Reiki.

Physical Therapy and Recovery

If you play sports or other physical activities, then you know that injuries come with the territory. Depending on the type of injury and the extent of your injury, you may need physical therapy. Physical therapy is the process of rehabilitation and recovery from your injury or physical ailment. Physical therapy works on recovery of your musculoskeletal system. Massage therapy is used as part of the recovery process. Some of the more advanced therapy clinics are starting to use massage chair recliners as part of their arsenal of tools to help people recover from their injuries.

If you start a physical therapy program, then you will be assigned a physical therapist. The therapist is a trained professional to help restore your strength, motion and activity. The therapist understands the mechanics of your body and will help design a treatment program for you. You will learn specific stretches, exercises and other specialized techniques to help your body recover. You may also use specific equipment that can address particular issues. Massage therapy has become an important tool in the recovery arsenal and many clinics are making use of massage chair recliners.

Your therapist is trained in different surgeries, treatments and rehabilitation techniques and goals. The therapist will design a recovery treatment targeting the areas of your body that needs greater flexibility or strength. If you are recovering from surgery, then the therapist will be knowledgeable about different surgical procedures. The therapist will help in setting goals as you work through the initial limitations of your physique. Some of the important physical therapy tools are stretching, exercises and massage therapy.

Stretching is important to help regain lost flexibility. The muscles may be tight, the joints stiff and you may have scar tissue. These reduce your range of motion and decrease flexibility. Stretching helps to elongate the muscles. This helps to stretch the muscles helping their elasticity. A frequent and continuous regimen of daily stretching helps to speed recovery. Your therapist will design a stretching routine which will help focus on restoring the range of motion.

Exercises are important to help rebuild strength. When we have an injury, we tend to protect that area. Protecting that area is usually to isolate and immobilize it. In other words, we tend not to use the injured area. This helps to prevent further injury, but at the expense of strength and conditioning. To help rebuild the body, exercises help to build up strength, endurance and agility. Physical therapy clinics have a wide array of exercise equipment from treadmills, stationary bikes, weights and more. These help you focus building up a particular set of muscles.

Massage therapy is important to assist the total healing process. The muscle tissue breaks down and its fibers become shorter. This makes the muscles tighter. Massage therapy starts where stretching leaves off. Massage therapy helps to penetrate deeper into the muscle tissue to help elongate and invigorate the muscles. This helps the healing process by restoring flexibility throughout the muscle and scar tissue. Massage is given either by a massage therapist or a massage chair. Massage chairs come with a variety of therapeutic massages, heat therapies and even traction. These not only provide effective therapy but also help you to relax and clear your mind.

Whether you are a professional tennis player or a beginner skier, injuries can happen to anyone. If you do find yourself in physical therapy, work on setting goals to recover. Find yourself an excellent physical therapy clinic. Make sure they have qualified people, proper exercise equipment and massage therapy. And if you need massage therapy, make sure a massage chair is part of your recovery plans.

The History of Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu therapy today is known as a combination of various finger pressures on different key point areas in the human body. It is known as a Japanese massage technique that works in the balancing of the chi in the body to prevent and remove sickness. This is accomplished by keeping a free flowing energy in our body as blocked meridian points are believed to be the cause of most diseases among individuals. That is why balancing the chi or energy is vital in having a healthy condition that can have a stand against any sickness attack such as colds, depression, and many more.

Shiatsu can be traced back in Ancient Japan as a form of alternative healing during that time. One member in every family is knowledgeable in shiatsu massage technique so that someone in the family can heal all of the family members and keep them healthy. The massage therapists are called Teate which are usually women or blind people in the Japanese society.

In 1912, a story was told of a boy who at the age of seven used a healing technique in relieving his mother's pain and stress from rheumatoid arthritis by applying different pressure on his thumbs and palms. This boy was Tokujiro Namikoshi who later on founded in 1940 the Japan Shiatsu College where many shiatsu practitioners began to take their formal lessons in shiatsu massage therapy. Zen shiatsu was later on developed by a former student who became a teacher at Tokujiro Namihoshi's school named Shizuto Masunaga. These people had the privilege and honor of treating some of the wealthiest and high profile personalities of Japan during their time.

The Shiatsu Method was the first book published about Shiatsu which was authored by Tenpeki Tamai in 1919. He was believed by many to be the first to use and mentioned the term shiatsu. Tokujiro Namikoshi and many other Japanese individuals developed and improved shiatsu into other different methods, and for these they became popular, although it was the book published in1970 and authored by the famous Shizuto Masunaga which became instrumental in making Shiatsu popular all over the world. It was also due to the visit and treatment of then famous Marilyn Monroe who was examined and treated by Tokujiro Namikoshi who also made shiatsu a popular natural treatment outside Japan. Since then, the spread of different shiatsu massage therapies swept Europe and North America.

In the earlier times of shiatsu massage therapy, the practice is known to be based on Ancient Chinese medicines using acupuncture. However after World War II, this ancient healing practice was ordered to be banned due to several reports of therapists using thin needles on meridian points all over the body of the patient. The banning of shiatsu and its old Chinese practices was halted by Helen Keller. Today, shiatsu methods are a mixture of western practices and Chinese medicines. Although some methods have stick with western practices, similar practices are still retained in their methods. Shiatsu massage therapy may have branched into many methods; however their purpose of relaxing and healing the body is still the same.