Should You Attend Massage Therapy School?

Even though people are interested in Massage therapy, they aren't sure whether they would be able to do it on a daily basis. But, if at all you're really interested in following this as your career option you would need to get admitted into a good accredited massage therapy school.

Why you need to attend a school?

You could always learn the art of massage by watching a professional masseur; but, what makes attending a school so special?

You learn a lot more

When you plan on learning massage, there's a lot that you need to know. Some of the courses covered include Kinesiology, anatomy of the human body as well as physiology. You need to know where various organs, muscles and tissues are located in the body as this will help you understand how the human body works and hence you would be able to massage the person back to physical health.

That's not all that you learn. Some esteemed institutes also go the extra mile and teach you about business management and ethics as this will be necessary if at all you begin your very own massage therapy centre.

You need to learn these skills because as a masseur you don't just have to massage your clients but also build a relationship with them and only trust could accomplish this.

Remember - You need to touch people

There are plenty of people who hate touching others and they still dream of becoming a masseur. But, remember you would never be able to become one if you don't get rid of this habit. If this is your case and you really want to be a masseur, you'd receive necessary training at your school.

Hygiene, Communication as well as Kindness

These are the skills that people can never learn; however, they can be built upon - that's what your massage school teaches you. Your clients need to feel comfortable around you and this would be possible only if you maintain hygiene.

People come for a massage in order to relax and therefore if your communication skills are good, they would love chatting with you and hence you would be able to get some long term clients.

Moreover, after tiring days at work people are always looking for some sort of kindness. If at all you act rude with your clients they're not going to want to come back to you. Therefore, you need to make sure that you learn these important skills.

Play Therapy & Disability Dolls Give the Gift of Disability Awareness

In the past, play therapy dolls or disabled dolls were considered primarily a clinical tool for use in hospitals and critical care units. A precious commodity, they were difficult to find, expensive, and not always accurate to the needs of the child.

Today there are many more options for children with physical disabilities who are experiencing many of the rigorous demands resulting from an illness or accident. The loss of a limb, the outward results of cancer therapy, the painful and arduous physical therapy demands resulting from an accident or surgery are made more bearable with the addition of a new friend with similar limitations!

Play Therapy Dolls - Just Like You!

There are many types of disability dolls and accessories that are now available. They come in all shapes and sizes, with physical needs that require a full range of treatments. Some of the disabled dolls and their equipment include:

Prosthesis: Dolls with removable prosthesis for amputations both above and below the knee

Wigs & hats: For dealing with the effects of cancer treatments, find dolls who are bald and come with a wig, a hat or bandana.

Apparatus: wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and braces

Physical Therapy: Life-like gym mats and therapy balls, trampolines, and parallel bars

Doctor and nurses: There are doctor and nurse dolls and outfits available that include blue scrubs, lab coats, masks, hats and uniforms

The quality of the toys currently available is one of the features that make them so unique and special. Some are created from durable materials closely resembling the real thing, amazingly accurate in detail and have intricate and life-like working parts. What better surprise for a child who has lost a limb or all of their hair than a life-like toy with the same challenges!

The Gift of Disability Awareness

For children who are suffering and experiencing physical disabilities that make them feel different, these disabled dolls and play therapy toys offer an opportunity for them to feel as though they are special in an entirely different way!

Disabled dolls offer an opportunity to teach children about the needs of others as well. They can become valuable tools for a child with a sibling who is suffering, a parent dealing with the effects of an accident or illness, or the children of military veterans coping with the difficult reality of the loss of a limb or other physical impairment. Disabled dolls are a positive way for children to process and understand that different is A-okay!

Why Do Massage Therapists Need Insurance?

No matter which part of the massage industry you work in, whether you work as a independent contractor, a employee of a salon or spa or you work as a mobile massage therapist in people's homes, professional massage liability insurance is essential for your business.

Insurance can enhance your professional reputation and gives you peace of mind to both you and your client.

Massage therapy insurance protects you while you grow your business and against day-to-day risks of the job such as accident and human error.

Even when you provide consent and release waivers and educate your client's accidents can occur.

No matter who you are or who you know or how professional you are someone could come in for a massage slip and fall or make a claim you hurt them while you provided a massage treatment. It does not matter; the fact is you never know when it could happen or why.

It is also often mandatory by the state board or your employers to have massage therapist liability insurance. Even when it is not required it is a small price to pay to protect your future earnings and personal assets.

So to review: The Top 10 Reason Massage Therapist Need Insurance

1. Enhances professional reputation

2. Protects you against day to day risk

3. Peace of mind to you

4. Peace of mind to client

5. No matter who you are you can be named in a claim

6. Protect future earnings

7. Protect personal assets

8. Mandatory for State Board / Licensing

9. Employer requirement

10. Low cost protection

Also remember massage treatments can also include oils or hot stones and be done in custom massage chairs or tables which can increase the risk of allergies, burns and slip and falls. With these risk massage insurance is more important than ever and should be purchased before starting a business in massage therapy.

Further details on applying for massage therapy insurance contact The Alternative Therapy Association at www.AlternativeBalance.net

The Pros And Cons Of Mobile Massage

Have you ever traveled to another location to give a massage? If you learn to do this right, it can be fun and quite lucrative. Traveling massage services are a great convenience and people who love convenience have no problem paying for it! If you've never considered this part of your practice before, it's a great way to expand your offerings and make extra money in less time. In this article, I'll go over the Pros and Cons of mobile massage.

The Pros

Make more money! Did that get your attention? Who doesn't want to make more money. Therapists who go on-location make 30-50% more than most therapists who only take office clients. Convenience comes with a premium and why not? Your services are valuable and you should charge more. Since you are making more money in less time, you can work less. How's that for a change in pace?

Your location is constantly changing. I love the fact that I never get bored since I'm always changing locations. Sometimes it's great to have an office but for me, being in the same location all the time would quickly start to feel like work. While traveling for work, your scenery is new and exciting everyday. It's nice to have a variety of locations to work in because it never gets boring. Your office is wherever you set up your equipment!

More control of your time. When you do on-location massage, you can arrive on time, finish on time and leave on time. When you practice out of an office, you are at the mercy of late comers that can throw your whole schedule off when they are running late.

The Cons

Last minute calls. This can be a bummer sometimes when you try to plan your day to run errands. Often you need to be willing to redirect your day in order to take work. Always be ready to go at all times. When doing out call massage, sometimes you never know when you're going to work. So when you're out running around in the car, it's best to have all your supplies and equipment with you at all times. Being caught without enough sheets is a real bummer when you could have taken all those appointments.

Late night calls. Depending on how you get your clients or referrals, you might sometimes get that late call at night. If you're in for the evening depending on when they call, you can politely say that you're booked up this evening. That is much better than saying that you're finished or tired. Less information is better. Always offer to book at another time right away.

What social life? The biggest downside to performing an on-location massage is that a lot of the work tends to be at the very last minute. It can be hard on family and friends when something is planned and then you have to cancel. When you commit to plans and then miss work, it can be frustrating. You have to make choices and then stick to them.

It's important to create as much of a balance as possible. When you're chasing the dollars, it's easy to forget what's most important in life. Do take time out to spend time with loved ones; you never know how much time any of us has.

Hopefully this overview of mobile massage gives you some insight into the hits and misses of doing massage on-location. Traveling massage can be very fun, lucrative and adventurous. Be sure to take time out for yourself and the special people in your life.

Acoustic Vocabulary for Students in Audio Engineering School

There's a whole other language of vocabulary to learn in audio school, but here's some quick peeks to help you focus on your studies. This time we're going to focus on acoustics, which actually the scientific study of all mechanical waves, but in audio engineering school is generally limited to the properties of how sound behaves in a space.

Absorption: refers to a material's sound dampening qualities. Generally soft, dense materials with lots of give absorb better than hard, lightweight surfaces. Absorption matters when you're figuring out the acoustics of a performance or recording space. Generally lots of reverberations is a bad thing, but for certain audio effects it may be exactly what you want.

Ambience: is the part of a sound comes from the surrounding environment. Audio engineering school teaches you to make the best out of the sounds you have. Sometimes this means looking for accidents and unique circumstances, and abandoning conventional instruments. DJ school is particularly interested in this, remixing industrial and naturally occurring sounds or distortions into musical compositions.

Ambient Field: Also known as reverberant field, this is the area where the reverberation is louder than the actual field.

Baffles: Sound dampening panels used to control where sound may go. They may bear a passing resemblance to egg crate foam.

Critical Distance: This is the area where the original sound and the reverberation is equally loud.

Delay: As well as being used to generate echo effects, a delay is also used in large venues so that the speakers produce sounds in a way that's perceived as simultaneous, regardless of their actual seat in the hall, theatre or auditorium.

Early Reflection: The first echoes of a sound to reach the listener, caused by reflection of a single surface. Keep in mind that sound waves could bounce several times.

Reverberation: While similar to a full echo, a reverberation is the sound you hear after sound waves have bounced off something. Depending on what it bounced off, this may have made a considerable change to the quality or characteristics of the sound. If this is a desired audio effect, a special echo chamber may be used. Or, as you'll learn in audio school, you can get the same effect through the right setting in a modern recording switchboard.

These terms are important not just in recording, but also in correctly setting up speakers for a live performance or even deciding on a venue. If you look around your audio engineering school you'll notice certain architectural features in recording and practice spaces, both to get the best quality of sound, but also to make sure what can be noisy instruments are muffled outside the area that you don't want them. While a soprano can only achieve a certain degree of amplitude on her own, you've probably heard how far an un-muffled saxophone or bagpipes can carry.

Three Features Your Physical Therapy Software Needs To Effectively Support Your Mid-Sized Practice

If you're currently running a mid-sized physical therapy practice, you already fully understand that the facility does not run itself. Rather, each and every day brings with it an extensive assortment of specific operational requirements that helps to ensure overall success. From effectively managing patient care needs to consistently confirming that all operational procedures run smoothly, there are many critical factors that demand careful consideration to warrant optimal return on investment. What's one of the best ways to most efficiently manage the many daily functions required to keep your mid-sized practice running smoothly? Implementing an innovative physical therapy practice management software solution.

Selecting A Physical Therapy Software Solution Requires Research And Vendor Screening

It goes without saying that choosing a Physical Therapy software program at random for your firm will probably not produce the desired results. The only way to guarantee a maximum return on investment requires extensive research and vendor screening. While selecting an appropriately configured solution will require some initial legwork, the process doesn't have to prove overwhelming or too time consuming. Knowing what to look for as you begin to source a suitable software product can save time, internal resources and help guarantee that you procure the best technology fit possible for your firm.

Key Components To Look For With Your Physical Therapy Software Product

When pairing down the list of potential physical therapy practice management software solutions for your facility, always look for the following three critical components to ensure a comprehensive strategy.

Documentation: A reputable physical therapy practice management software product should always include a comprehensive documentation application. Users should be able to enter as much data as needed, yet the user interface should always prove ultra-intuitive. Most importantly, the documentation feature should carry over pertinent information from old entries and form the foundation for easy-to-run system reports.

Scheduling: Your mid-sized firm needs a functional scheduling component to keep the day running seamlessly. Always look for a product that offers optimized scheduling to help your front office coordinate appointments and manage cancellations. Ideally, the scheduling application should also include co-payment functionality as well as routine reminders about missed appointments to help best service patients in your care.

Billing: It's no secret that the back office often is the proverbial business backbone in any organization. Without a secure and systematic way to process invoices and request payments, your mid-size practice would soon be defunct. Your chosen software package should always include an extensive application for AP/AR functionality that can seamlessly take documentation notes to process insurance claims as well as generate any necessary accounting forms.

It's important to note that beyond the product features, there are also other critical components to seek in your selected partner. Remember, running any type of organization in the healthcare vertical stipulates compliance with various HIPPA requirements. Not only should you always opt for a vendor that knows the specific nuances of your industry, they should also offer additional resources and affiliations that can help your team guarantee they adhere to HIPPA regulations at all times. Periphery partnerships with your chosen vendor can prove a true differentiator as you move forward with your final decision on a product.

Are There Side Effects and Risks in Massage Therapy?

The fear of suffering ill side effects or the possibility of unwanted risks occurring as a result of a massage therapy session is a relatively common concern. In reality if you attend a session with a licensed practicing massage therapist there is very little chance of suffering any ill affects what so ever.

Massage therapy exists in many forms: Shiatsu, Accu-pressure, hot stone, therapeutic, sports, Reiki, etc., etc. Licensed practitioners of each of these styles has spent upwards of several thousand hours learning and honing their craft in order to be able to pass on the positive effects to you. Students of these crafts have studied, not only their individual art but: anatomy and physiology, body mechanics, CPR and other first aid and safety measures in addition to the hands on experience they get perfecting their particular form of massage.

Each variation of massage has its individual merits that you can reap great rewards from, if you've been injured, if you have chronic aches and pains, if you suffer from stress, etc., a visit to a licensed massage therapist could do wonders for you. A good masseur can deftly break up muscle knots, melt away your stress and make you forget about nagging aches and pains in one good visit. Regularly scheduled visits to the licensed massage therapist of your choice can have you feeling ten years younger, maybe even have you feeling better than you have in your entire life.

The only real possibility of risk lies in visiting an unqualified, unlicensed or uneducated massage therapist. If you willingly put your body into the hands of someone who doesn't have the appropriate training or qualifications, you could potentially be setting yourself up for a serious injury. Massage involves a high level of body manipulation, especially if you are currently suffering from an injury that requires therapeutic massage for relief - if you've got a person who doesn't know what they're doing poking and prodding around in an area of your body that's injured, you could conceivably be making the injury a lot worse.

It's illegal to operate a business consisting of performing massage without a license, so individuals without licenses should be reasonably easy to spot. If you are unsure if the massage therapist that you are attending is licensed or not, all you have to do is ask - many masseurs have their licenses and associated credentials on display in their offices for patients to see. A licensed masseur should also have all of the necessary forms of insurance coverage as well, so in the very unlikely event that anything should go wrong - the necessary measures will be taken to ensure that the problem is easily rectified.

With an illegally operated, unlicensed spa there will likely be no kind of coverage available, so in the much more likely event that you'll incur an injury at an illegally operated massage parlor - there will be no insurance safety net to assist you in any way as far as your medical bills go.

It's very easy to ensure your safety and happiness when it comes to receiving massage therapy, no matter what style of massage you choose to have done. Look for a massage practitioner with an up to date license for the style that they are currently practicing (this will ensure that they have the education and experience required to perform the job correctly) and insurance coverage. If you take just a few minutes to research these two simple facts, you can ensure that your visit to the massage therapist will be a fully effective experience that occurs without incident.

Some Important Benefits of A Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has several health benefits. It promotes your mental, physical as well as emotional well-being if you consider doing it on a regular basis. It can be considered as an excellent alternative for various medicines which has harmful side effects. Whether it is a Swedish massage or a sports massage, the health benefits you receive are the same. This article deals with some of the important benefits of massage therapy.

Firstly, massage therapy improves your blood circulation. When massage is done, it stimulates your body tissues, thereby improving blood flow to all parts of the body. Having a good blood flow means that oxygen and other life saving nutrients are supplied to all the cells and waste materials are eliminated out of the body very effectively. The better supply of nutrients to all parts of the body results in better health.

Massage is very effective in reducing stress levels. A simple massage can free up your mind from negative emotions to a greater extent. Since massage therapy relaxes tight muscles, it is very effective for tension associated headaches. Massage is also known for its effectiveness in relieving pain. Sometimes massage is used in conjunction with other therapies such as physical therapy, hydrotherapy etc. Also it is considered as an effective pain management measure for patients who suffer from muscle spasms, arthritis and sciatica. The lower back pain can be reduced by massage therapy. The pain relief happens due to the release of endorphins which is mainly accomplished by endorphins, the natural painkillers of the body.

It is also found that massage improves one's immunity. The massage stimulates the flow of lymph which is considered as body's defense system. Also, massage therapy is believed to increase your WBC count. Massage produces both sedative and stimulating effect on your central nervous system. A simple massage can either relax the nervous system or stimulate it. The effect produced on the CNS directly depends on your nervous system's current status, massage type and its duration. It works well to calm down a patient with aggressive behavior.

Finally massage therapy improve your joint's range of motion, making your body to become more flexible. It stretches your connective tissues which support the muscles, thereby increasing your body's flexibility. If you use transverse massage strokes, you can prevent adhering of muscles fibers to a greater extent. This will ensure your muscle's full range of motion and flexibility.

Software For Physical Therapy Billing - Helping Eliminate Insurance Struggles

In any physiotherapy practice, both patients and staff members alike can get frustrated with completing insurance queries, obtaining reimbursement, providing documentation to several locations, and at times, delayed payments. Many offices are making a shift and integrating specific software for physical therapy billing in an effort to streamline their accounts receivable process. A positive benefit to this change is that with a more efficient accounting program, insurance hassles are minimized or in some cases, eliminated altogether. This positively impacts not only patient satisfaction, but also employee stress.

Communicate More Effectively With Software For Physical Therapy Billing

The employees in your accounting area can attest that one of the most time consuming parts of their job is submitting documentation to insurance companies. Each company has preferences as to how they would like to receive paperwork, and in what format (fax or electronically). Choosing the right software for physical therapy billing can eliminate these headaches, as top-rated programs are actually programmed and ready to instantly interact with insurance companies on your behalf. Information entered into the main portal will be sent out to the insurance company in the proper format, with all of the necessary information completed.

This system also enables the office staff to receive updates in a timely fashion, without spending lengthy amounts of time on the telephone. Updates can be obtained with the click of a button, and your employee can easily see what stage a claim is in, what date it was completed, or confirm receipt of a submission. In terms of patient satisfaction, this is vital, as many clients rely on insurance reimbursement to afford continued physiotherapy.

Resubmit Denied Claims Easily With Software For Physical Therapy Billing

If during the follow-up of a claim, an employee finds that a submission was declined, the claim can be resubmitted quickly and easily. There is no longer the need to search for a paper file, fill out duplicate forms once again, and then resubmit. Today's software for physical therapy billing allows resubmission of denied claims with a couple of mouse clicks, enabling your staff to spend more time on complex issues and customer contact. Clients appreciate being able to get same-day updates, and employees appreciate not spending hours of their day listening to hold music. Outstanding remaining balances can be paid through the same portal, and both insurance and payment are linked to each particular patient's database file.

This compatibility between functions within today's software for physical therapy billing eases patient interaction. Employees can spend more time forming loyal relationships with your clients, which results in fewer missed appointments and no-shows, as well as referrals. It can even be argued that a more positive experience with less stress can help improve the results of the physiotherapy itself, as your patients won't be worrying over insurance claims or payment issues.

Co-Pay Reminders And Error Checking Are Automatic

There's nothing more embarrassing than having to call a patient back because you made an error or forgot to collect their co-pay. Using software for physical therapy billing enables your staff to ensure that the financial part of physiotherapy is taken care of completely, without errors, while the patient is still there. While it's true that mistakes do sometimes occur, installing an advanced suite of software for physical therapy billing helps reduce or eliminate these errors altogether. Help your office run more smoothly, and research the options for professional programs today.

Benefits of Massage

What Is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is the systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissues in the human body. Massage therapy is performed to obtain and maintain state of good health. Massage is one of the oldest professions known to man. The first records of massage and healing touch date back to 3000 B.C. The ancient Eastern Cultures were the first to practice massage. Chinese manuscripts, dating back to the first century A.D., are the earliest known documented records of massage.

What Are The Benefits Of Massage and Bodywork?

This list of benefits is not definitive. There are so many benefits, that it would be impossible to list them all here. Below is a list of conditions that massage therapy and bodywork treatments will help by:

• Alleviating low-back pain and improving range of motion.
  


• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
  


• Improve systemic circulation.
  


• Ease dependence of pain and other medication.
  


• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow-the body's natural defense system.
  


• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
  


• Help athletes prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts (sports massage).
  


• Improve the condition of the skin, which is the body's largest organ.
  


• Increase joint flexibility and movement.
  


• Lessen depression and soothe anxiety.
  


• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing new scar tissue and stretch marks.
  


• Release endorphins that work as the body's natural pain killer.
  


• Relieve migraine pain.

What The Experts Are Saying

Close to ninety percent of all disease is stress related according to some experts. Stress can age a person both internally and externally faster than anything else. In an ideal world, there would be no stress and anxiety. We don't live in that world. What we do live in, is a fast paced, hurried lifestyle that breeds stress and anxiety. Massage can help manage the pressures, stress and anxiety of today's world. Clients have reported a sense of well-being and clarity after receiving a massage. This happens because massage helps promote an emotional balance between the mind and body.

Massage, A Powerful Tool

It doesn't matter how you describe massage therapy and bodywork. Whether it be therapeutic, pampering, rejuvenating, or even good for the soul. The reasons we seek this form of holistic medicine (pain management, stress relief, or a luxurious treat) is for the benefits massage provides. Massage therapy can be a powerful tool in your health care plan.

Your Benefits Are Increased With Frequent Visits

Receiving massage frequently is more beneficial than you may think. Some people may argue that you don't need frequent massage and bodywork treatments. This could not be farther from the truth. Frequent and regular massage therapy can play a big part in how healthy you feel now, and later in life. Invest in your health by budgeting time and money for bodywork, keep your massage intervals consistent. Massage therapy should be a continuing part of your health care plan. It may feel as though you are pampering yourself, but remember massage is therapeutic. It just happens to have a pleasant side effect, it feels good! Work with your therapist to establish a plan that will best fit your needs.

The Truth About California Massage Licensing

Many people are confused about massage therapy licensing in California. Much of this confusion comes from massage therapists that advertise their state certification. This is simply not true; There is no such thing as state licensing or state certification for massage therapists in California.

First of all, some terms:

Licensing versus Certification. Students obtain a certificate when they complete a Massage Training program from a state approved school and then use the title of "Certified Massage Therapist." Licensed means the massage therapist holds a business license in the local entity (city or county) that they do business in.

Another area of confusion is the different titles and abbreviations used by massage therapists.

CMT - Certified Massage Therapist - it means you have a certificate as a massage therapist

LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist - used in some states where there is state licensing of massage therapists

RMT - Registered Massage Therapist - used in some Canadian provinces where therapists are registered with the province

All licensing of massage therapists in California is done by the city or the county due to the fact that California currently has no state certification. The majority of cities and/or counties in California require that you graduate from an approved program in massage therapy. Hence why some therapists advertise being a "state certified massage therapist."

Licensing requirements vary greatly from city to city and county to county. In Southern California, various communities require 500 hours of training. Here in Northern California most municipalities require a minimum of 100 hours of training so that our 126 hour massage certification program or our 120 hour acupressure certification program will satisfy their requirements. Two main exceptions in our area are the city of Auburn, which requires 200 hours of training, and the city of Sacramento which requires 250 hours of training, plus 12 hours of continuing education per year. By taking one or both of our certification programs plus some of our continuing education classes, graduates are able to get enough hours to satisfy the licensing requirements of Auburn or Sacramento.

One strategy some Sacramento students pursue is to take our 126 hour massage certification program and then get licensed to do massage in Sacramento County (Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, etc.). Then they can practice outside Sacramento city limits until they complete enough training to qualify for a Sacramento city license. Once they are working in the field any continuing education may be tax deductible.

Future licensing requirements may change in California though. Currently there is legislation (SB 412) under discussion that would license massage therapists at the state level and require 500 hours of initial education. There is a provision for a 250 hour level of certification that will be phased out by 2013. In another article "Shorter Training Can Be Better", I outline why I believe the high initial hours aren't necessarily better and have a chilling effect on many who are just starting out and cannot afford the increased time and cost to start a new business. The outcome of the legislation is uncertain and the earliest it would take effect is Jan. 1, 2009. The legislation also has grandfathering provisions to protect therapists that are licensed or certified before the law would take effect.

Now you are an expert on licensing and certification in the state of California!

Physical Therapy - The Prerequisite Steps

Are you about to apply for college admission and ultimately want to become a physical therapist? There are some important things you need to know. A good college application is imperative to getting accepted and taking the first step towards this career. The most important factors in a college application are a good academic record, a well written and constructed application essay, good results on your SAT or ACT test, participation in extracurricular activities such as community service, volunteer work or participation in organised sporting clubs. Lastly a letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor or coach supplements your application well.

The next step to becoming a physical therapist is completing a bachelor degree. There are some prerequisite subjects that you must complete in your undergraduate studies in order to be accepted into most postgraduate programs. These subjects allow you to gain a good base of knowledge leading into physical therapy school. The most common prerequisite subjects are chemistry, physics, anatomy and/or physiology, statistics, social and behavioral sciences, biology and math. A degree in exercise or health science will usually include all of the prerequisite subjects required and typically takes four years to complete.

Once you have completed your undergraduate studies and have made sure to take all the prerequisite subjects, you can now apply for physical therapy school. Every PT program must be accredited by the Commission of Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). You may only sit the final exam if your program is accredited by CAPTE. So be sure it is! Of the 210 programs across the U.S., over 200 are a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), with the rest either a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) or Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT) program. To help simplify and facilitate the application process, the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) has been developed. This service allows applicants to complete a simple, user friendly, web based form and one set of materials to apply to as many programs as they wish. Keep in mind, however, that not all CAPTE accredited programs use the PTCAS application service. You can apply directly to those schools that do not use the PTCAS and follow their specific instructions.

Lastly, on completing your two year physical therapy postgraduate program, you must sit a licensing exam called the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The exam is designed to determine if you have the knowledge and skill required to practice physical therapy at an entry level. The NPTE is a 5 hour computer based exam composed of 5 sections each containing 50 multiple choice questions. To pass you need to score more than 600 out of a possible 800. If you fail the NPTE you can take the test up to three times in a 12 month period.

So there you have it - the prerequisite steps to becoming a physical therapist. Study hard and follow this guide and you will be rewarded with an exciting and lucrative career.

Therapy Documentation Software - Is it Easy to Transition From Paper and Dictation?

With all the negative aspects of keeping paper records, why is it so hard for a rehab clinic to convert to an electronic therapy documentation system? Paper is expensive to store, leaving even small practices with walls of paper files that must be filed, pulled, copied, faxed, stapled, and re-filed. As for a disaster recovery plan . . . there just isn't one!

But the thought of letting go of "something to write on" brings about the fear of the unknown. How will we get the existing paper in the new system? Can I still make copies of insurance cards? What if we need something signed? It's hard to imagine the scenario where you will NEVER need a folder to store paper.   Those challenges are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to outpatient rehabilitation software. Be wary of software systems that claim an easy transition from paper to their "PT software in a box." If you are looking to grow your practice, an out-of-the-box system is not for you. When you expand from one to two clinics . . . everything changes.   Given the specialized needs of physical therapy documentation, the software you choose can make or break the transition from paper to electronic medical record. And once the software is in place, it needs to grow with you . . . and be able to handle more than one location.   Things to consider are . . .  

• 
  The customer support capacity of the company. Do they have an American support staff that is knowledgeable about the software and your specialty? Are their existing clients satisfied? Are they available both during business hours and after hours (24 X 7). Always ask for references for any Physical Therapy Documentation software that is being used in a clinic similar to your own.


• 
  The industry focus of the software and integration capabilities. Be sure your physical therapy software company has a clinical knowledge base that is kept up-to-date with the most current regulatory mandates while facilitating the complex payer process. This is an outpatient physical therapy software system used by large clinics in the United States.  Select Physical Therapy, NovaCare Rehabilitation, to name a couple.


• 
  The ability of the software to pay for itself in a reasonable time. Return on investment can never happen fast enough. However, it is reasonable to expect a complete ROI within 12 months or less.

The medical records kept by a family practitioner are different than those required for a physical therapist. So your PT software documentation system needs to reflect a PT knowledge base that incorporates clinically relevant verbiage that is specific to an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Your physical therapy software must be able to document the necessary clinical data that will facilitate the method of care, while at the same time, satisfy the needs of the referring physician, payer, employer, and the patient. Most important to your bottom line, it should take the documentation through to an accurate claim so payment can be received without delay. 

School Yourself on Wellness Training

Massage Therapy Training

- What should you look for in a massage therapy training program? Most important, say experts, is attending an accredited massage school. Agencies such as the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCST), Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), and the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as specialized accrediting agency for bodywork programs.

- Accredited massage schools are usually eligible for federal financial aid, including loans and grants. The average tuition for massage school is $9-$10 per credit hour. If you are in an unlicensed state, you may be able to complete a short program that will get you 100 hours of training for under $1,000. States that require licensing however, typically require 500 hours of training, with tuition ranging anywhere from $5,000-$9,000. If the school you plan to attend does not supply you with a massage table, plan on spending an additional $500.

All About Acupuncture Courses

- Millions of people turn to acupuncture when traditional medical treatment isn't resolving the problem, is too expensive, or has significant side effects associated with it. Some conditions recommended for acupuncture by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) include a variety of ailments from bronchial asthma and gingivitis, to rheumatoid arthritis and migraines.

- The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is the sole accrediting agency for acupuncture courses and Oriental medical education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to accredit professional programs in the field.

- Several medical schools now include Acupuncture courses. There are currently over 22,671 licensed acupuncture practitioners in the US. Forty-one states and the District of Columbia either license, certify, or register practitioners, thus statutorily recognizing the practice of acupuncture. In the remaining seven states, acupuncture is either unregulated, no determination has been made, or it is determined to be the practice of medicine.

What's the Oriental Medicine hype?

- Health care providers without an education and licensing in Oriental Medicine are not necessarily qualified to practice Chinese Herbology or may be practicing herbal medicine from a different viewpoint. The requirements vary from state to state. In California, Texas, Nevada, and New Mexico, for example, the state exam tests acupuncturists on proper prescribing of Chinese herbs. In other states, however, herbal certification is voluntary. Ask if your acupuncturist has passed the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine herbal exam.

- Few studies in western journals have measured the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine, but you're likely to get better results by going to an experienced herbalist. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is now sponsoring research on Chinese herbs and other TCM techniques for treating conditions ranging from depression to cancer.

5 Cold, Hard Facts About Cold Stone Massages

Do you prefer hot or cold things? Throughout our everyday lives, we have several options that involve hot and cold varieties of things. There is hot tea and iced tea. There is a hot compress and a cold compress. There is even piping-hot pizza and chilled-from-the-night-before leftover pizza. When selecting between hot and cold varieties of things, it is important to consider the situation. Iced coffee is certainly more refreshing on those summer days when a thermometer's mercury climbs towards its apex. Similarly, here are some facts to consider regarding cold stone massages:

1. Cold stone massages provide more options
Obtaining a massage kit can simply provide therapists with more services. For instance, some patients may simply prefer the feel of cold stones against their bodies, as compared to heated stones.

2. Cold stone massages are sometimes medically preferable
In some cases, a patient should undergo a cold stone massage, rather than a hot stone massage. That includes cases in which the patient's muscles are sore, or the muscle tissue has become damaged. In both cases, the heat from the heated basalt stone could further aggravate the soreness or damage, and increase the pain that the patient feels.

3. Marble stones are outstanding for reducing swelling
People acquire muscle swelling through a variety of activities, which could be related to work, sports, or everyday accidents. Muscle swelling is one of the conditions for which hot stone massages should never be an option. In fact, the heat could indeed worsen the swelling and the subsequent pain that the patient feels. Marble, on the other hand, helps to spread the swelling throughout the circulatory system of the patient. It serves as a means for reducing the swelling and quickening the healing process.

4. Cold stone massages can help to revitalize body parts
Cold stone massages can help to rejuvenate patients. Some applications include:

o Reducing puffy eyes
o Relieving tired eyes
o Lowering sinus pressure

It is important to place a protective cloth underneath the stone, before placing cold stones atop a client's face.

5. Marble stones retain coldness well
Basalt is the most common type of stone that therapists use to give hot stone massages. Basalt stones are ideal, as they have smooth surfaces and retain heat very well. When giving a hot stone massage, the basalt stones remain on the patient for roughly 20 minutes. Thus, the more effective the stone is at retaining heat, the more effective the massage will be.

However, in the case of cold stone massages, marble is the most popular stone of choice. What is so special about marble? Marble retains coldness as well as basalt retains warmth. Thus, the substance is perfect for treating patients with sore or damaged muscles.

Hot stone massages are effective, but they are not for everyone. When patients have sore muscles or injured muscles, or simply dislike the sensation of heated stones-consider a cold stone massage. While "a rolling stone gather no moss," a cold stone can gather adoration from your massage patients.

Inside Look At A Massage Therapist Career

What does the massage therapist career typically involve? The type of work that is involved in massage therapy is to use the method of touch to manipulate the soft-tissue muscles of the body. This is done for a number of different reasons such as, to relieve painful conditions of the body due to illnesses, relaxing the fatigued and overworked muscles, reducing stress, treating injuries suffered through sports, etc., and promoting overall health. Most often, massage therapy is made use of for medical benefits and relaxation purposes.

There are several types of massage techniques you can specialize in, which are called modalities. There are around 80 of them to choose from. Some of them are, the Swedish massage, the deep tissue massage, reflexology, acupressure, the sports massage, and the neuromuscular massage. You can benefit from specializing in more than one type of modality, thus having an expertise in several different massage techniques. A massage session can range from a short, five to ten minutes, to as long as two hours, depending on what is being treated and the technique being used.

A massage therapist always works by an appointment system. Before actually performing the massage, the therapist conducts an interview in which all the details of the client are noted down, such as the medical history, and the expected results from the therapy session. Based on the interview results, the therapist will choose the technique that is best suited for the client, so as to avoid any harmful effects and to maximise the relief.

Developing a rapport with the client is very important in the massage therapy career, as this helps in making your clients feel comfortable, and also helps in developing a loyal clientele list.

Where do the massage therapists work? There are many private and public settings where a massage therapist can work, which include, for example, private offices, hospitals, nursing homes, fitness centers, sports medicine facilities, airports, shopping malls, and studios. Massage therapists may also visit clients' locations for service. They can opt to work full or part-time, depending on their conveniences.

Providing massages involves standing for long hours as well as physical exertion. Many times injuries are possible if proper care and technique are not used. Therefore, good technique, spacing massage schedules, proper exercise, and getting a regular massage, yourself, as a therapist, is very important.

The massage therapist career requires that therapists complete a formal education program and pass an examination. Most of the States also require a license to practice massage therapy. It is important to check the information on licensing requirements in the State where you plan to practice. A fee and periodic licensure renewal may also be required.

The therapist programs requires a high school diploma to apply. It involves, typically, 500 hours or more of study to complete. Subjects such as, anatomy, physiology, study of body mechanics and motion, ethics, business management, and practical massage training, are covered in the program.

Apart from the school qualifications, a massage therapist's role also requires strong communication skills, a friendly, and empathetic personality, to put clients at ease and be successful in the profession.

Where employment is concerned, a growing number of requirements are predicted for massage therapists in the coming years. Infact, a growth of about 19 percent of job opportunities, by 2018, is expected for this role, as more and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of massage therapy, across all age groups. More part time jobs are expected to be available for this job than full time.

The earnings can vary depending upon the time one can invest in, in this job. The earnings can be very attractive, ranging anywhere between $35,000 per year to, sometimes, $150,000 per year, or above, for more established therapists, depending upon the clientele list one has been able to build over the years. If you are an enterprising person, the massage therapist career can be very lucrative, especially if you consider private practice as an option.

What are the advantages of choosing massage therapy as a career option? One of the advantages of this career will be that there will be plenty of job flexibility. You can choose the time and the number of clients you want to see in a day or in a week. It can be a very rewarding career with a lot of job satisfaction. On top of all this, it comes with a very good pay packet.

Massage for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Bodywork is perfectly suited for reducing the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a condition typically appearing in young children, although teenagers and adults may also be affected. Someone with ADHD has difficulty controlling their behavior and/or paying attention. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States.

Symptoms

The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Symptoms begin over the course of many months, often with impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding inattention, which may not emerge for a year or more. A child who "can't sit still" or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in school, but the inattentive daydreamer may be overlooked. The impulsive child who acts before thinking may be considered a "discipline problem," while the child who is passive or sluggish may be viewed as unmotivated. Each of these children may have different types of ADHD.

All children are sometimes restless, sometimes act without thinking and sometimes daydream. When the child's hyperactivity, distractibility, poor concentration, or impulsivity begin to affect performance in school, social relationships with other children, or behavior at home, ADHD may be suspected. Because the symptoms of ADHD vary so much, ADHD must be diagnosed by a professional. Primarily consisting of stimulants, pharmaceutical intervention is the first choice in treating ADHD. In an effort to control affected individuals, an increasing number of school age children are regularly medicated.

The Brain

The suggested etiology of ADHD consists of many proposed theories. Whether stemming from genetics, environment or trauma, most experts agree the brains of individuals with this condition function differently than those unaffected. Research scientists have learned a great deal about ADHD by using modern brain imaging technology. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers found that children with ADHD had 3 to 4 percent smaller brain volume in several regions, than age and gender matched controls. According to Jay Gordon, MD, a "deficiency in central nervous system dopamine probably causes many, if not most, of the problems associated with ADHD." It is no surprise that the most popular medications for this condition increase dopamine levels within the brain.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Two structures comprise our nervous system, the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system assures proper functioning of involuntary actions, such as heart rate, dilation of blood vessels and our body's secretion of chemicals. The autonomic nervous system has two sub-divisions, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic system provides us with adrenaline (the fight-or-flight response), while the parasympathetic is responsible for relaxation.

The sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system appears to be the predominant force in ADHD, overriding the balancing role of the parasympathetic system. Bodywork can be a critical component of ADHD recovery because it accesses and initiates the parasympathetic nervous system response.

Proof

At the Touch Research Institute in Florida, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of massage therapy on ADHD. Thirty ADHD diagnosed students aged 7 to 18 years participated in the study where one group received massage therapy for 20 minutes twice per week over the course of one month. The researchers reported that the ADHD students in the massage group demonstrated improved short-term mood state and longer-term classroom behavior.

Methods

While there is no specific ADHD massage technique, certain methods will have a greater effect than others. The important concept to grasp is that stimulating the parasympathetic relaxation response is desired when working with this population. Clues for the therapist indicating parasympathetic response are slowed breathing, reduced heart rate and increased digestive sounds.

Since many styles of bodywork initiate relaxation, the following five suggestions for ADHD are not all inclusive:

1. Swedish massage, particularly effleurage and other slow stroking movements have a sedating effect, leading to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.

2. Because they encourage stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, avoid fast and firm strokes, as well as percussive massage techniques.

3. Cranial-sacral therapy will free up any restrictions in the cranium or sacrum that could contribute to ADHD. Additionally, the movements used in this modality initiate the parasympathetic response.

4. Rooted in Osteopathic medicine, myofascial release bypasses the muscles by focusing on the fascia as one, large, connected system. Exceedingly gentle, the unwinding technique in myofascial release activates the parasympathetic system. Similar to cranial-sacral, this will free any restrictions inhibiting energy flow, leading to tension release.

5. Watsu is a deeply relaxing style of bodywork performed in a warm water pool. While specific training and equipment (a pool!) are needed to perform this therapy, it has been reputed to calm the uncalmable.

The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is controversial, as parents are refusing to accept the habitual medicating of their children. Many have posed the hypothesis that ADHD is a natural evolution of our brains to keep up with the speed at which technology powers our world. Living in a calm and peaceful environment is now an exception, rather than the norm. Bodyworkers have the ability to introduce calm and peace to a client, regardless of their environment. By focusing ADHD treatment on the parasympathetic nervous system, massage therapy can be a crucial component of therapy for this condition.

References:

Khilnani S, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S., Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Adolescence, 2003 Winter; 38(152):623-38.

Osborn, Karri, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Soma Brings Peace of Mind to Families, Massage and Bodywork, June/July 2004.

Soma Brings Peace of Mind to Families
Osborn, Karri, Sea of Calm: Water Therapy Touches Young Spirits, Massage and Bodywork, Feb/March 2003.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov, Attention Deficit Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health, 2/17/06.

http://www.realbodywork.com, The Nervous System, Sean Riehl, 2003.

http://www.drjaygordon.com, Attention Deficit Disorder, Gordon, MD, J., 2005.

Should You Get Your Doctorate of Physical Therapy?

As a Physical Therapist, you want to advance your career and continue to learn about new technologies that would help you in your practice.   What are the best ways to get to the next step in your career?  Should you get your Doctorate of Physical Therapy or are there other ways that would be more beneficial?

Back to school

Going back to school with a full-time job can be quite a challenge.  There are many things to seriously consider before committing to the decision.

1. 
   Cost - How much will it cost you to go back to school? Remember to account for books and materials too.  Does your current job offer any tuition reimbursement?
   
   


2. 
   Time - Going to class and studying can take up a lot of time.  Many graduate level and higher courses expect you to spend 3 to 4 times the amount of studying during the week than you spend in class.  Example: if you have class twice a week for 2.5 hours, you could be expected to spend 15-20+ hours outside of class studying or working on assignments.
   
   


3. 
    Does the market require this degree?  Search through job postings and see if there is a demand for Doctorate of Physical therapy.  If there isn't, it doesn't mean that it's not worth doing, just that the current market does not require it.
   
   


4. 
   How will this advance degree benefit you?  Will this advance degree increase your pay scale?  There are many salary calculators that you can use to find out the difference in pay with various levels of advanced degrees.  Factor in the cost of going to school with the financial compensation of the degree.
   
   


5. 
   Work and School - Will the school you plan to attend allow you to work a full-time or part-time job to attend?  Many advanced degrees are a full-time job on their own and schools will not allow students to work during their studies.
   
   


6. 
   Current Situation - Are you at a point in your life where this is a feasible option?  Look at your family situation and examine how different parts of your life will be affected.
   
   


7. 
   Work Flexibility - Do you have the flexibility and support of your facility to go back to school?  This can be a huge factor in your success if you do decide to go back.  Having the support of your workplace will give put less stress on you.  
   
   


8. 
   Reasoning behind the decision - Think about the reason that you want to go back.  If it's important to you, then other factors listed may not weigh as heavily.
   
   


9. 
   Go for it - If the answers to all of these questions still leads you to getting your Doctorate of Physical Therapy then Go For it and Best of Luck!!
   
   

Do Physical Therapy Schools Teach Marketing?

The physical therapy schools do a great job of training health care professionals to care for people who need to recover and recuperate from an accident or injury. But most learning institutions do not teach students how to successfully run a health care based business which every business person needs to know how to do. There are many ways to advertise a physical therapy clinic such as using articles on the internet, using print media, and by networking.

Providing the right care for patients in stages of recovery is of the utmost importance of any clinic owner but getting patients is just as important. Without patients there is no clinic and therefore no business. Marketing is an ongoing task and must be performed daily. Spend a minimum of one hour a day promoting the business even if the patient calendar is full.

Put the word out to the community about the services offered at the community. Business owners can use print media by taking out full page ads in the local shopper weekly newspaper. Once the word spreads people will start talking with friends and relatives about the clinic they read about in the various print media.

Join the local chamber of commerce and network with other business owners. Networking is still a great way to get the word out about a new business in the area. Marketing is a trial and error practice for the new business owner but it never hurts to get out and start talking face to face with people in the community.

The internet is a great place to advertise and there are free ways to advertise on line and there are fee based advertising methods on line. Writing articles is a free method of advertising on the internet and is still an effective way to promote one's business on line. Write and submit helpful articles on physical therapy and post them on internet article directories.

Sign up for local search engine optimization so that the clinics website will appear when people do an internet search for clinics in a particular area. Some clinic owners use a fee based ad campaign such as pay per click. The pay per click ad runs on the sponsored listing category on the search engine results pages. Some clinic owners buy banner advertising on websites related to health care so people can read about the services offered by the clinic after seeing the banner on a different but related site.

Many people new to the business try to get doctors to agree to send them some referrals. But it is difficult to simply approach a doctor and expect a flood of patient referrals. Instead the new business owner, once out of physical therapy school, needs to think of a different approach to his marketing plan.

A new business owner might consider offering a new and unique service that will separate him from the competition. Physical therapy schools prepare people to help others who are in need of recovery or recuperation. A clinic owner however needs to employ marketing methods in order to build his patient base and to insure his present and future success.

Beating School Stress With Positive Thinking

Let's face it, school is stressful. There is just no way to study and prepare and do all the things you need to do, and not feel it sometimes. Students of every age, all the way from little kids in kindergarten to middle-aged folks getting Masters Degrees suffer from some stress.

We can't eliminate school stress, but we can do a lot to minimize its impact on us. After all, even if we get stressed-out, we still need to do our best and get our work done. The key to dealing with school stress is to understand what causes it.

What Stresses You Out

Deadlines are a major school stressor. Everything is due at a certain time, and this causes us to worry whether we'll get it done. You've got a test tomorrow, and wondering whether you're prepared for it keeps you from preparing for it!

Most of us are natural procrastinators. Leaving everything until the last minute puts tons of pressure on us. Bad time management and procrastination make that deadline seem deadly! Bad time management is a symptom of a bigger problem - disorganization. If you are 100% organized in everything you do, your school life will be a breeze. But, how many of us can say that we are?

Finally, a major stressor for students is the simple fear that we won't make it. With deadlines, tests, things to do, our own messy disorganization, and a whole wide array of expectations on us from teachers, we simply worry whether we'll pass or not.

Look On The Bright Side

You can't get completely organized and do everything the day it's assigned. But, you can eliminate your fear of not making the grade. This is the number one stressor that hinders top school performance, and it can be overcome very simply.

The reason you're afraid of not passing is because it's what you're telling yourself everyday. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. This means that if you are chanting to yourself over and over, "I'll fail," then you WILL fail. There's no doubt about it. These self-defeating attitudes can be crippling for people.

What if, instead of saying "I'll fail. I'll fail," you started telling yourself everyday, "I'll pass with flying colors!"?

This is called a "positive affirmation" and it is a tool used by psychiatrists to treat major emotional disorders. However, anybody can do it. It clears the mind of negative thoughts and instills positive ones instead. It's your key to success in beating school stress.

Simply identify your negative thoughts. What are you telling yourself everyday that is tearing you down? Now, turn them in a positive direction. Choose a few key phrases, and repeat them to yourself at various times throughout the day. Whenever you feel that negative, self-defeating thought creeping up on you, fight back with your positive affirmation.

It sounds too easy to work, but it works wonders. Your self-defeating attitude can defeat you, so replace it with a positive one instead.

Benefits of A Lifestream Massage

Lifestream massage is an ideal treatment for individuals who are after relaxing and soothing effects from a massage therapy which at the same time is able to deal with issues on the deep tissues of the body. The therapy is great for those who are not used to deep tissue massage as it acts as a good introductory massage to those painful massages. Although the treatment is considered as a type of deep tissue therapy, it is appreciated by beginners in the massage therapy community due to its mild approach.

In a Lifestream massage therapy session, the usual procedures in most massage therapies are followed such as undressing for the convenience of both the client and therapist during the treatment. The client is then politely asked to lie down and maintain a relaxed body to enjoy the treatment. Massage oil is then used on the skin of the patient to provide better surface for the therapist to maneuver and manipulate his or her hands when performing the various massage strokes and techniques. Lubricants are important especially on massage types such as Swedish massage as it involves lots of sweeping motions that can cause pain and discomfort when conducted without the medium.

People who had this therapy would agree that the benefits of the treatment aside from the relaxing effects include improved circulation of blood, oxygen, and lymph within the body. Regular visit to the therapist definitely improves the immune system of the patient which is very vital for a complete wellness. Stimulation of the nerves is commonly done on massage techniques that use gentle strokes such as in Swedish massage. It is also known for improving the respiratory function of the client when used as a medical care. Many patients express their joy from the health benefit of having a stress-free feeling. The treatment can also be used to stabilize and lower high blood pressure. There are also reports that say it is great for dealing with anxiety and depression. For the best part, the therapy was designed to address muscle tissue damages that can result to serious problems when given less attention and importance. This painful condition can be treated with the use of this simple yet effective massage therapy. All of these health benefits can be received from a certified massage therapist. Though it can be performed by any therapist, it would be nice to have it from a highly trained and skilled individual for best results.

Aside from the benefits of the therapy, it would be better if you include proper diet and a good exercise regime to complete the healthy lifestyle. These three gets along better than when applying only one or two for the purpose of achieving a healthy constitution.

Hospital Physical Therapy Assistants

At present, highly efficient and skilled physical therapy assistants are in high demand in hospitals and other healthcare facilities in both rural and urban areas in the United States. Suitably qualified professionals can apply for permanent or temporary physical therapy jobs in hospitals and look forward to a bright and secure future.

Duties of Physical Therapy Assistants

Hospital based physical therapy assistants assist physical therapists to provide inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation service. They

o Help physical therapists to develop and implement treatment plans for patients
o Assist patients with rehabilitative activities and exercises
o Teach patients to use the equipment in the right way
o Monitor and record patients' progress
o Assist therapists to modify the treatment program for better results
o Do clerical duties including document billing

Must Complete PTA Requirements

To embark on a PTA career, one must hold a state-issued license and an associate degree in physical therapy assistant program from a recognized university or college. The PTA program prepares candidates to provide the best rehabilitation services in association with physical therapists. In addition to academic qualification, the therapy assistant must have practical skills, good communication, patience and compassion to perform this job. After years of experience and training in the PT assistant program, the licensed physical therapy assistant can become a registered therapist.

Exciting and Rewarding Career Opportunity

With the right certification, you can get the right type of physical therapy assistant job you are looking for in an established hospital. This rewarding career promises numerous benefits such as immigration processing for trained foreign candidates, additional state license, paid housing, medical and dental insurance, relocation expenses, travel expenses, earn bonus package, professional liability insurance, Section 125 cafeteria plan, continuing education program and 401(k) retirement plan.

Find a Job through a Placement Service Provider

Experienced recruitment service providers can help you locate the best jobs available. They can find you well-paid jobs in top class facilities and in locations of your preference. You will have to register at their websites and apply online.

Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs Guide

The current job market is flooded with people seeking physical therapist assistant jobs. Fitness centers, gyms, doctors and wellness clinics are now employing physical therapists to assist their clients with basic health care issues. A typical day revolves around accident victims and those who have been disabled due to a certain fatal incident. Patients suffering from chronic back pain, heart diseases, head injuries as well as fractures are the ones that need help from physical therapists. Some therapists also work with handicapped children and adults. A therapist will help regain strength in muscles and joints that have been immobile for long durations. The assistant works under the therapist and is responsible for the progress of all the patients that are under the therapists care.

In order to secure a position in the various openings for this type of job one must have a formal certification or degree. A masters or a doctoral degree that the assistant needs to secure a job revolves around biology, physiology, chemistry and physics. There are a number of specialized courses that one can choose from that enhance the applicant's profile. Those acquiring a Masters degree will invest 2 to 2.5 years to get their degree while doctorate programs take 3 years.

All those who are serious about taking up careers as physical therapist assistants must also clear the national and state level licenses to get their permits to practice.

The number of physical therapist assistant jobs is increasing by the day as the awareness of health care and wellness is increasing. Hospitals and privatized practitioners have specially equipped rooms to help patients with disabilities.

Most physical therapists work 40 hours a week however some may need to work in the morning, late evenings or even over the weekends in order to meet the client's needs. Statistics have proved that 27% of physical therapists work only part time while there full time therapists work more than one job. Therapists also work under a doctor in a clinic and freelance in their spare time. Schools and rehab centers also employ physical therapists. This is another arena that therapists can seek employment.

The average annual earnings for physical therapists is $72,000. On the higher end a therapist can earn over $100,000 and $50,000 on the lower end.

Some of the main job descriptions of a physical therapists day include exercising with patients, massages, paraffin baths, traction, ultra sound therapy and electrical stimulation. The assistant helps the patients to prepare for their therapy. They assist the patients to the right rooms and also help the therapist by cleaning the room and preparing for the treatment that needs to be administered.

As an assistant you will learn the different methods of healing and working with patients. If you are new to the health care industry then working under a therapist will help you gain experience. Look at this period as your internship. Go the extra mile to carry out jobs beyond your job description as it will help you to gain experience and will improve your personal and professional profile.

When Do You Need Physical Therapy?

If you have recently had an injury related to work, a fall, sports, or an accident, or have been hospitalized for a heart related condition, you may be wondering if and how physical therapy can help you. While many states require a physician's referral in order to see a licensed physical therapist, others do not, but it is a requirement of a number of insurance carriers. However, while your doctor may recommend a physical therapy center for your treatment, it is always important to keep in mind that the physical therapist that you see is always your choice first.

When do you need physical therapy? In order to answer this question, it is first important to understand what it is that a physical therapist does. A person who does physical therapy is a medical professional that specializes in muscle movements and exercises that improve posture and stability, as well as strengthen specific muscle groups in order to promote recovery and healing, as well as reduce the risk of accidental injury. Chiropractic Physicians are licensed to perform physical therapy in many states.

In deciding whether or not you actually need physical therapy, your first line of recourse will always be your Chiropractor or general practitioner. If you have recently been treated for an accident or condition, they may recommend physical therapy to you in your recovery. However, others who have had the same kind of injury multiple times, or have found that recovery is not progressing on its own, may also opt to see a physical therapist in order to promote greater improvement.

People frequently seek out the help of a physical therapist for back and knee injuries, shoulder and neck pain, sprains and pulled muscles, as well as hip fractures. In addition, physical therapy has also been shown to be beneficial to pregnant women, as well as those who have just had a baby or others recovering from surgery. Older people who are also recovering from a stroke are also frequently referred to physical therapists to regain the use of certain muscle groups and recover function that is lost in many areas.

There are many different types of physical therapeutics that can help a wide variety of people from just about any group. For those with back injuries, hip fractures, and those with other types of broken bones, an orthopedic physical therapist can help promote recovery, reduce the risk of injury to the same area again, and also reduce healing time. These kinds of physical therapists also help with a number of sports related injuries.

For older patients, geriatric physical therapeutics can aid in recovery from a stroke or heart attack, as well as help strengthen bones affected by osteoporosis, improve incontinence, and promote better balance. For younger patients and children, pediatric physical therapy can help develop motor skills in those with developmental delays and improve function in those with musculoskeletal disorders such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy. In addition, neurological physical therapy can help those with brain injuries or other neurological disorders, as well as those recovering from a stroke.

Sprint for a Sports Physical Therapy Career

Do you like sports? Are you into one? Are you a big fan? If YES then you might find Sports Physical Therapy as a hot choice for a career.

Sports Physical Therapy is among the fastest growing specialty areas in physical therapy. Widely know as Sports Medicine, sports physical therapy has been an age-long practicum for human athletes. Competitors' sports therapists ranging from football to gymnastics have utilized a variety of approaches to help maintain physical fitness and to assist in the recovery process of their athlete-patients when injury occurs to a joint, muscle, ligament, or tendon. But did you know that the earliest sports physical therapy practitioners are professional athletes themselves?

Being a great athlete requires knowing how to take care of your body. That's how sports med developed. Athletes attended to their physical health as well as to those of their team mates. Today, sports physical therapy has evolved into a distinctive specialty as it now focus on the effects of any form of exercise or physical activity aside from basic prevention or enhancement of physical performance to help injured athletes recover.

The field has grown expansively as more and more people in general, not just athletes, starts to become aware of their health as reflected in their fit bodies. The role of the sports therapists has become more and more important as they are called upon to help people achieve optimal health and peak physical performance by designing fitness activities, exercise programs for schools and health clubs, and special conditioning programs, while also teaching people in general some special knowledge and skills on injury prevention and strength, endurance, or agility training.

The Sports Medicine term for Sports Physical Therapy is in fact not secluded to the treatment of only athletes. Sports Physical Therapy is a treatment of anyone involved in physical exercise. Sports physical therapy is more accurately defined as healthcare for anyone who plays sports as well as those who perform exercise. This means that sports physical therapy, aside from its primary focus on acute/chronic injury prevention, also includes management of medical problems caused by exercise, treatment of chronic disease with exercise, and even specific exercise needs for children or women.

Aside from hospitals and clinics, sports physical therapists also work for community health centers, consulting groups, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, private sports medicine clinics, fitness centers, sports facilities, organizations for the handicapped, government health agencies, home health agencies, and schools, including high schools and colleges. Many sports physical therapy practitioners are also technically self-employed in a private practice even though they work in much the same way and setting. But forget that you can work privately for a 'Beckham' - you're making more people fit!

Gym Class Is Vital For Educating High School Students

The way that we teach and students and structure our schooling is always evolving. As society tends to grow and develop, what it places value in also changes, and whereas a generation ago one particular subject or pursuit might have seemed totally vital and important, and another might have seemed superfluous, today their positions might be reversed, and what was once an important part of helping young people to grow and mature is now an undervalued and ignored piece of the puzzle. A very appropriate example of this phenomenon is high school gym class.

People are very competitive by nature. We strive to do our best in our endeavors, and very often that means, by default, that we try to do better than our neighbors are able to do. In education, that translates these days into trying to develop newer and better technology and more sophisticated tools and devices all the time. Also, because we try our best, whether we take the time to think about it or not, to find the most obvious connections between things, we tend to think that creating new technology means taking more classes related to science and electronics. In other words, we assume that the best way to make progress in the area of technology is to spend time focusing on technology.

That sort of thinking is a big mistake, and it is this sort of problem that leads to the under-appreciation of things like physical education. Although there may not be any obvious connection between technological progress and gym class, there is an inestimable value to regular physical exercise that is often overlooked in the academic world. Although it is obvious that a student who wants to hone his abilities in the realm of developing and using various electronic devices in a number of different pursuits must have training in those areas, it is less obvious that he must be in a healthy mental and physical state to make the most of those skills.

People who grow up active and physically fit are frequently more mentally and emotionally fit as well. Getting fresh air on a regular basis, as well as engaging in vigorous exercise to stimulate blood flow and circulation, are vital activities for eliminating toxins from the body, which allows for a better mood and greater mental clarity. The benefits of this kind of situation are obvious. Anyone engaging in any type of pursuit is going to be able to do his or her job more effectively in a cleaner, more alert condition.

Although it is true that too much focus exclusively on physical exercise can be a problem. just like focusing too much on any one thing can be a problem, making sure to incorporate enjoyable exercise on a regular basis will improve anyone's lifestyle and performance. Students do not need to rise to the level of professional athlete in order see benefits; simply taking part in rigorous competitive activity can do wonders for anyone. For all of these reasons, it is one hundred percent vital that we not forget the value of gym class in the high school curriculum.

Finding the Perfect Massage School

If you're planning on learning the art of massage you would need to attend massage school and the best place to begin would be a certified school as they would know exactly how to train you. However, when choosing a massage therapy school there are plenty of factors that you need to consider such as:

Ask yourself a few questions

First and foremost you need to decide why you want to attend massage school. Are you planning on joining some business as a masseur or do you intend to begin your very own massage centre?

No matter what you choose, if you're good at what you do, you would surely have a lot of clients as this industry is at its best today and it's only set to keep growing at an exponential rate.

Create a list of schools

Since you've made up your mind that you want to attend massage therapy school, the first thing that you would need to do is come up with a list of potential schools that you plan on attending. The list would include all schools in your area no matter whether they're affordable or expensive.

Do your research

The next step towards choosing your school would be research. You need to shorten down the huge list and the first thing that you could do is knock off the schools that aren't in your budget.

Next, take a look at the courses they offer and also see to it that they are all certified by the necessary authorities.

Take a look at what others have to say

Students usually write reviews about their schools online and therefore the best thing to do would be to take a look at what others who've been through the school have to say about it. That's surely going to be first-hand experience talking to you.

Visit the schools

Now that you've shortened the list of potential massage schools, the next and last thing that you need to do before you sign up for their course would be a personal visit. You should contact the school and ask them to give you a tour of the place.

If you're pleased with the campus they have as well as the services and courses they offer make sure to keep them in mind during your final selection process. Another important factor that you need to consider when picking a school is the qualification of the people who are going to be teaching you.

How to Pay for Your Massage Therapy Classes?

If at all you're trying to get in on some massage therapy classes, one of the biggest factors that you need to focus on is the costs - they could be really expensive at times. The fees will vary depending not just on the school you go to, but also the state you live in as there are different taxes involved.

In order to get your degree, some states need you to have a certain amount of hours of training under your belt and therefore the total costs of your classes would turn out to be well over $5000. Since most courses you'd have to pay on an hourly basis you need to make sure you've got the cash in order to complete the course successfully.

Now let's take a look at what can be done in order to earn some funding for your course. One of the best ways to get cash for your course is by qualifying for a loan or maybe a grant from the federal government.

However, in order to be eligible for loans you may need to attend an accredited massage school - this is a good thing as your degree would be recognized by major massage institutes.

That's not all; most institutes also offer scholarships wherein you would have to pay once you get a job - this is only offered by some of the institutes as they're sure you'd get a job once you've been trained by them. There aren't many institutes which offer these scholarships and therefore you'd need to search thoroughly to come across one of them - try searching online as that's always the best option.

Some other options that you could opt for in order to get the necessary cash for your massage training would be: private loans, no-interest payment plans as well as Federal student aid.

Thinking about financing your massage therapy course is really overwhelming and that's the reason most of the accredited massage therapy schools have special staff that would be able to counsel you and help you find the best financing solution.

There are plenty of options that you could opt for if you're really focussed on massage therapy - therefore you shouldn't worry about it a lot. All you need to do is get admitted into a reputable institute and focus in order to do your best. Once successful, this career line can be really fruitful. As far as possible try to get the funds sorted out before you begin the course.

Physical Therapy Assistant Certification - Studying at a Private College

In order to work as an assistant to a physical therapist, you must graduate from a physical therapy assistant certification program. Such associate's degree programs are available from both public and private colleges. Most people have an idea about public colleges, so you should definitely consider the option of studying at a private college. Read on to find out more about this option.

Currently, physical therapy assistant certification programs are available from a variety of private colleges accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. All accredited programs last for 2 years, if you study full time. You may be able to choose to study part time, usually in the evening and/or during weekends, but such options are not abundantly available. Each accredited program includes both academic course work and clinical practice. Most programs include licensure exam preparation training as well.

The academic subjects you will study in a private college do not vary from the ones offered by public colleges. You will have classes in mathematics and perhaps in English as well. However, most academic subjects are orientated towards physical therapy and include anatomy, physiology, disabilities and physical therapies, psychology, medical terminology and medical ethics, just to name a few. Each program includes clinical practice as well. It includes laboratory practice as well as assisting a physical therapist. As part of your clinical practice, you will earn cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and first aid certification.

Unlike public colleges, private colleges admit only a limited number of students to their physical therapy assistant certification programs. In some cases, the number of places in a program is as low as 20. This is certainly a considerable benefit. As class sizes are smaller, you will get more individual help and support from professors and instructors during academic coursework and clinical practice respectively.

Private colleges usually have better facilities than public ones, even though this generalization maybe inaccurate in some cases. These schools usually have better equipped classrooms and laboratories. They offer a wider range of educational resources to their students.

More importantly, private colleges often higher more experienced instructors with higher qualifications, since they can afford to pay their salaries. In turn, you can expect the quality of education to be higher on average. Still, this does not mean that you should not evaluate the information on the career development of students who have graduated from the respective physical therapy assistant certification program before you. The graduating class's success rate is really important when choosing a school.

The cost of studying at a private college is higher than the cost of education in a public educational institution. Precise comparisons cannot be made as each school determines their tuition fees based on various individual factors. Still, it will not be a mistake to say that studying at a private college may be as much as four times more expensive than attending a public college. Despite this, students is private institutions have equal access to federal and state financial aid compared to their peers attending public schools.

Now you know what it is like to study at a private college towards earning physical therapy assistant certification.

How to Become a Certified Pilates Instructor

There are several different schools that are recognized for providing intense, quality training to people who are interested in becoming Pilates instructors at a studio or gym. Some of the major schools include Peak Pilates, Physical Mind Institute, Romana's, Pole Star and Stott. There are also two different types of certification; one for mat Pilates and one for training on a Pilates machine. You should be certified in both if you instruct students in both forms.

While each school teaches a slightly different method of Pilates and may have differing philosophies, each one offers an intensive training course for people wanting to become certified and knowledgeable instructors. No matter what the style of exercise or philosophy taught in these courses, the idea is the same: to become completely educated on the exercise method and learn how to adjust each exercise for people of differing fitness levels and physical ability.

Take the next few minutes to learn about the different schools and see how they differ.

Peak Pilates offers a three-level course that is taken over a period of 452 hours split up over a year or more. They focus on a contemporary Pilates method and covers mat and machine Pilates from beginner to advanced intensity levels. You must already have a basic mat certification to begin the 452 hour program.

The Physical Mind Institute offers contemporary Pilates with a focus on the mental aspects and has three separate courses: standing Pilates, mat Pilates and comprehensive Pilates.

Romana's Pilates, designed by Romana Kryzanowska who actually studied under Joseph Pilates, the father of Pilates, offers a 600 hour course series focusing on the classic Pilates method.

Stott Pilates trains instructors in contemporary Pilates and offers an intensive 310 hour mat instruction course as well as an additional 165 hour Pilates machine instruction course.

Pole Star Pilates offers a 240 hour contemporary Pilates method instruction program that focuses on physical therapy and rehabilitation.

The certification courses offered by each school are generally done in one or two intensive weekend sessions. The basic mat certification exam usually requires students of the course to be able to demonstrate each Pilates exercise and explain how it is done and what muscles it works and what the result will be after doing the exercise routinely for weeks or months. They will also need to be able to explain and show alternative methods to each exercise to accommodate for different students they might have.

There are more comprehensive Pilates certifications that may be required by certain Pilates studios or gyms if you want to work for one and should also be obtained if starting your own Pilates studio where you might eventually be training other teachers. This certification will give you a much better edge against other Pilates instructors who only have the basic mat certification. The schools that offer this training and examination require when the course is completed that the student will have an in depth understanding of the human body and its muscle groups work and change over the course of a Pilates regimen. These programs generally also include intense training on the use of the reformer or other Pilates machine equipment. These more advanced certification courses are usually taken in different series over the course of a year and some require that you complete an apprenticeship at a Pilates studio in your area.

So whether you are interested in joining an instruction team at a gym or small fitness or Pilates studio or opening your own Pilates studio, having a certification from one of the many Pilates schools will make you a much more desirable instructor. The cost for the certification class generally varies from $250 to $5,000 depending on how advanced the course is and if it is just basic mat or the comprehensive certification that includes both mat and machine work.

The Truth About Equine Massage Certification

It's a difficult decision in regards to choosing which program or clinic to go to when wanting to become knowledgeable in the skills of equine massage. Until quite recently massaging a horse was often considered as a ridiculous luxury that not very many people even saw a need for in the slightest degree.

Now, when you scour cyberspace, there are a veritable "schmorgesborg" of schools, clinics, online programs, books, and tapes all teaching one form or another of therapeutic horse massage. There are now so many choices that it will send your mind swimming and take up a huge portion of your entire day as you aim to decipher the one that is good for you.

Choosing a certification course becomes challenging to the beginner, who, attempting to make a sensible choice on what to do for their certification, cannot understand why there's so much discrepancy between various programs and also the number of hours necessary to obtain a certificate.

It gets even more confusing when the shopper realizes that some schools have multiple modules that require numerous weeks of your time to attend or, to an even greater extent, literally years of attendance so that you can receive the ever coveted "certification."

The question then arises "What value does the certification hold in this industry?"

Currently there is no unified regulation in the United States relating to equine massage. Each state has declared their stance on the matter through the veterinarian laws and it also varies greatly among states, as well as from year to year, within each state.

California, in particular, has no regulations on who is able to perform equine massage, nor are you required to have a certification in any way. Contrast this with the state of Massachusetts where the law states that no equine massage is allowed.

The bottom line is a certificate from any class, clinic, online distance education, video course etc... - is simply a certificate verifying the quantity of hours you've completed through any given institute. Put simply, it's actually a certificate of "attendance."

Until the animal/equine massage industry becomes one unified organization the sole thing you need to be keenly conscious of are the laws within the state in which you plan on practicing. You are, in any case, always able to learn equine massage and perform it on your own horses as you like.

Make no mistake, it's always better to have a certification readily available in the event a prospective client should inquire about your education. Also, this "alternative" health care modality is quickly becoming an integral component of routine care for horses and you will definitely want to have some sort of valid education to help promote this fantastic discipline.

Maximize Your Diet and Exercise Regime With Regular Massage

If you do your best to keep fit then the chances are you know all about the benefits of following a balanced healthy diet and following a regular exercise program that involves a good stretching session to warm up before you begin in earnest. What you may not know is that whether you are training for a serious sports event or you just hit the gym once in a while to help you lose weight and get (or stay) in shape then adding a regular massage to your routine can make a big difference to its overall effectiveness.

Massage for Gym Rats

Whether you are a serious athlete or not one of the biggest reasons for hitting the gym in the first place is to help maximize your range of movement and increase or maintain the things your body is physically capable of achieving. Warm up stretches are great, but even a lot of those big tough body building blokes are discovering that massage can help improve overall conditioning a great deal.

Even a single massage session improves circulation and mobility and for those who have overdone it at the gym (which happens all the time even to the fittest people) regular massage helps to speed recovery and get an individual's training program back on track faster than rest alone would. Regular massage can also help to break down old scar tissue that is still lingering after older muscle damage which helps and individual's mobility improve even further.

Massage and Dieters

If you were to ask one of those serious body building blokes they would tell you that following a great balanced diet, full of all the right amount of proteins and carbohydrates, vitamins and "good fats" is rarely ever enough to really get the body you want. This is because there are certain hormones found in the body itself that can derail even the most serious dieting efforts. The one that bodybuilders are most concerned about is a hormone called cortisol.

Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone and it triggers what is known as the body's "fight or flight" response. When the body is highly stressed this hormone slows the functions of the digestive system so the body can concentrate on fighting the stress instead. With a poorly functioning digestive system the chance that a person can lose weight is reduced. Massage helps reduce both general stress and the levels of cortisol in the body, meaning effective weight loss is easier to achieve.

Incorporating Massage into Your Health Regime

While getting a massage every day just won't fit into many people's schedules a monthly, bi-weekly or weekly session can make a real difference to your overall fitness levels. Serious athletes and keen gym goers may benefit most from a specialist sports massage session but the simple fact is that adding massage in general to your stretching and healthy eating plan can reap you more benefits than you might have ever thought was possible!