Cyber School Teaches Independence

Cyber school has really helped me a lot as a person.

In public school I had some independence, but if I asked for anything or wanted something it was usually handed to me on a silver platter or right down the hall.

Now that I'm in cyber school I've learned to become a lot more independent and excited about the day. Mainly it's only my family monitoring me now, and telling me to get work done. This means that I can easily slack off or just get by as I sort of did in the beginning of cyber school. If I don't slack off, then I have to find motivation myself.

This change in dynamics has caused me to start being more organized, and thoughtful of my time. The best part is this I have not changed because I have to and that's all I know, but because I want to be successful!

I even find myself at night excited for the day to come, and planning fun and challenging things. For example I've been taking driving really slowly, and last night I decided that I would go shopping by myself. It may not seem very crazy to you, but to me that was a huge milestone and makes my day something that I can be proud of.

Sure it was tough in the beginning to get used to all of the new freedom, and stay motivated. Finally, though, it feels like I've hit a good point where I have full, successful days, and many fun things going on without tiring myself out or getting too stressed out.

I'm also a Christian and my faith and spirituality has really been very healthy lately. I feel like I can finally make my own decisions and grow because I've had time to find out who I really am without hurtful words, false information and strong personalities surrounding me all the time.

Now I am looking into my forward, and contemplating serious and very big questions that will greatly affect my future. It's interesting for me to think that if I were still in public school I'd probably be much more focused on homework or class the next day instead of the future.

Overall I am very happy about my decision to do cyber school because of the independence it has taught me! That is something that I will be able to carry with me through out my entire life.

4 Things to Consider While Choosing Massage Therapy School

To become a masseuse you need to go to a massage school where they give a specialized course on massages. A good massage school clinic will help you get really good and professional training and will be provided with a certificate at the end of the training too. These too are essential for the growth of your career in this profession. Four things that you must consider before you join a massage school are

• Economy
For any type of education the cost plays an important role in determining whether the course would be worth the cost. The overall cost of the school is to be considered. The school normally provides training and these schools are mostly privately owned and run. Therefore the tuition fees are very dependent upon the type of school. You should ask about the fees about the schools and the extra costs that are associated with the school. Do inquire about any scholarships that might be offered for financial aid.

• Licensing Requirement
Before you select one particular school for the one where you will study you should check the licensing requirements that the school needs to fulfill. If the school has not fulfilled the requisite license then avoid going to that school. Get yourself admitted into a certified school and it should be one that is recognized everywhere and thus can help you get a job.

• Curriculum
There are many variations in massage schools and there are many vocational schools that offer these programs. You should be going in for courses that cover specialized styles of massages. There are some schools that offer an associate degree along with the major degree which is provided to you. Also look for additional diplomas that you might be able to earn while pursuing your course. There is a certain 500 hours quota that one needs to fulfill to be able to get the diploma but that again is something that is dependent upon the school and thus it varies from place to place and college to college.

• Course
This is one area where you need to have done prior research before hand to have been able to properly understand this. The selection of the right type of courses will ensure that you will be more experienced and knowledgeable in those areas. There will be courses which have their practical counter part along with the theory areas these subjects are the ones which you must apply for. Courses which include advanced massage techniques and all about physiology and psychology are absolutely essential for every masseur.

You need to be able to thoroughly check all these requirements before you decide to pay the fees and enroll in the school. The type of education that you get from places like these will be determining how are one is going to be existing for the rest of one's life, and one do not need to take a chance with such a decision without research.

Job Outlook for Physical Therapists, 2011 and Beyond

If you're a physical therapist, you're undoubtedly someone who really enjoys being around and caring for people. Or, as one physical therapist we know once said, "I became a PT in part because I really get to spend time with my patients, about 45 minutes at least a session. I really get to know them." As a PT, you may want to know yourself how the job outlook for the next few years looks for PTs. The answer? Excellent!

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 that employment for PTs through 2018 "is expected to grow much faster than average because of increasing demand for physical therapy services." In addition, the BLS continued, the "increasing number of people who need therapy reflects, in part, the increasing elderly population. The elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services." PTs often are compensated very well for their services, with the median average salary for PTs in 2009 running about $75,000.

Physical therapists earn every penny of their salaries. Let's take a look at a "typical" work day for a PT:

• Upon arriving at work, the physical therapist will look through the medical histories of the patients he or she is scheduled to see that day.


• Once with a patient, the PT will test the individuals balance and coordination, strength, range of motion, motor function, muscle performance, posture, and respiration.


• Looking at the results, the physical therapist then will determine the patient's abilities (with regards to independence and/or being able to return to day-to-day activities or work).


• Finally, the PT will put together treatment plans for the patient, plans that detail the physical therapy treatment strategy and the outcome the therapist expects as a result.

Business Schools: Criteria to Get You the Best One

So you plan to take MBA? Do you know what business schools offer the best MBA course that will not only help you attain your dreams but will also meet up your budget? If this is your problem then take this list of criteria which I gathered as these will surely help you decide for the top business schools in your area today.

Here are the criteria which you can use that would help you choose for the best business schools today.

It should have an international reputation. This is the first and most important criteria which you must consider if you want o get the best school. If the school has higher reputation internationally then it is surely that you will get the best program for MBA. This is actually one of the indicators of a certain schools whether they can actually provide high quality program to their applicants and students or not.

It must offer scholarship availability. Although having a scholar is not that important in getting your MBA program from the school of your choice, it could still be great incentives for you. Attaining a scholarship whether this is a full or partial one can make a huge difference to the candidate's preferred school.

The school must also have an advance and update teaching style. Did you know that the actual method of teaching this particular program can be quite crucial? It is important that the faculty department of the school exactly knows how to deliver the subject well to the students and new applicants. Having a high standard of teaching is actually one of the most important parts of any school offering business programs to achieve its high level of teaching standard. Once this level is achieved then students will surely consider this particular school on their list.

These are just some of the important criteria which you could help you get the best school for business program and course around your area.

Considerations for Outsourcing Physical Therapy Billing Services

How your company handles your physical therapy billing services is important to the efficiency and functionality of your PT clinic. Whether you're currently using in-house or outsourced billing, it's possible that better solutions for YOU exist. Be sure to evaluate your billing procedures periodically and ask yourself important questions about outsourced billing, such as if it's worth the cost of having another company handle your claims, or what the on-boarding process entails. Let's review a few considerations for outsourced billing.

Cost

Your first question when deciding on outsourcing physical therapy billing services is most likely how much it will cost. Each company is different in terms of pricing and it's necessary to evaluate all of your options before making a decision. Typically, however, the cost can range anywhere from 6-12% of your monthly claims collections. Are the monthly fees worth it for your company?

Turnover

If you tend to see a high turnover rate for your billing staff, you may want to consider outsourced billing. Calculate the total costs for any additional employees and billing software and clearinghouse fees.

Collected Claims

Try to find experienced and dedicated billers that will work with you, it could mean the difference between your clinic and your staff collecting the maximum claims rather than not. You're working hard for every dollar you earn, so why not find physical therapy billing services that are doing the same? Ask potential billers specific questions about how they've caught claim errors and how they track every dime for their clients. It's the attention to detail that should be on your radar.

Transparency

The fact is, this is YOUR money - the service is just handling it. Be sure you choose a partner who is completely transparent about how they're handling your claims and ask whether or not they're touching your revenue. Other important questions to ask would be about the companies' actual location. Some outsourced billing services are actually located offshore - be sure to know exactly who and where your billing is taking place.

Web Based PT Management Software Options

Have you considered finding a solution that can be seamlessly integrated with your current EMR software? Don't pay for hours of inefficient data entry - look up options that can integrate documentation and billing service.

A new option has become available for those interested in outsourcing billing. Integrated billing service solutions offer full service billing at 6.5% of total claims collections. And - web based PT management software works seamlessly with billing services, meaning there is never a need for any double entry. It instead creates a hassle-free experience for members.

As easy as receiving charges, accessing information, working all of the claims within the clinic and payment. Physical therapists looking for a quick and easy way to use outsourced billing to their advantage should consider integrated billing services.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Top 10 Tips For a Successful Client Interaction

Physical Therapists and Rehabilitation providers are often the first professional a client sees and who is expected to make them feel better. This level of expectation is seen in the client's eyes each time they arrive in pain, bring in their child due to a developmental delay, or say "I just want to sleep better tonight!" That first patient interaction and the ongoing relationships built with clients, and their families, is the foundation to successful care planning and treatment. By using these opportunities for a successful interaction with clients each and every time they are seen, you are building the groundwork for success.

1. Greet your child/family/client by being friendly and smile: A smile is contagious! If the client knows you are excited to meet them and work with them, they will reflect the same! All clients, in any situation, will be able to appreciate a light attitude and will feel less stressed about the therapy visit. Feeling less stress will directly affect the ability to relax, learn and participate in the goal planning and success of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation treatment.

2. Make each child/family/client feel welcome and important: Each of us needs to feel important. Clients and therapists together have important roles and responsibilities in the rehabilitation process. If the therapist acts as the individual with all the answers and takes full responsibility of the success of treatment, power is taken away from the client. Without power, the client becomes a passive participant and an observant in their Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation process, which lessens their opportunity for success.

3. Make connections with child/family/client: Often times therapists may see clients for extended periods of time such as with long term disabling conditions or when treating children with developmental delays. This provides us with unique opportunities to participate in the events in our clients' lives. By sharing these events, therapists are able to offer suggestions for their continued success and integration back into their community and into their lives as they rehabilitate.

4. Always provide opportunity for the child/family/client to talk and ask questions: Getting the client and/or family to openly discuss their goals and care plan provides the therapist an opportunity to assure the goals are reasonable and important to the client. This continues to reinforce the idea of the client being an active participant in their therapy and increasing their responsibility for success. By asking questions, clients are able to demonstrate they understand material that has been taught to them and further reinforce their opportunity for successful Physical Therapy intervention.

5. Listen to your child/family/client: Client's will discuss what is important to them. It is vital they are listened to and to the clues they tell us. The Physical Therapist's goals may indicate it is important for a 16-year-old soccer player to be able to run and play soccer again, but it may be more important to the soccer player to be able to walk in high heel shoes for her prom next month. By careful listening, chances for successful care plan implementation is achieved.

6. Discuss treatment schedule with family/client and communicate any changes: One of the simplest rules to implement! If the client can't make it to therapy, they can't get better! By working around the client's availability, their percentage of attendance increases. Better attendance equals great chances for success.

7. Let child/family/client know you are looking forward to the next visit: Therapists must show our investment in and enthusiasm for a clients' recovery. Expectations are established with our clients during each visit. They expect the Physical Therapist is knowledgeable in the therapy provided and the recommendations made. Physical Therapists expect clients to be honest, learn how to participate in their recovery, and to continue what has been taught to them at home now and in the future. By letting the client know we expect them to attend their next visit and look foreword to the client's participation, there is an established opportunity to confirm the next appointment time as well as what the expectations are for the visit.

8. If family/client calls to cancel, communicate concern: Responsibility and accountability. If the therapist is unable to impress upon the client the extreme importance of active, regular participation in the therapy process, the expectations of the therapist and the expectations of the client are set too low. By communicating concern, the client is brought back to an increased level of responsibility and accountability for their active participation in the rehabilitation process.

9. Communicate events and new programs offered to child/family/client: As Physical Therapists, ultimate goals are to restore function, decrease pain and help the client re-integrate into their life. As educators, it is the therapist's responsibility to communicate events and new programs available to clients, which could compliment their recovery process. By adding community supports and programs, the client and their family learn they can rely on their community and themselves to support their continued community integration.

10. Periodically ask "Is there anything else we can do for you? How can we help you?" Open-ended questions provide the Physical Therapist an opportunity to listen to clients. Many times time is spent talking and teaching, forgetting to leave time to listen. These questions again establish an opportunity to re-adjust expectations as well as re-establish an agreed upon level of accountability and participation in the therapeutic and rehabilitation process.

Establishing an ongoing successful client interaction takes effort and forethought. By engaging the client into an active role, the power and responsibility of rehabilitation is shared. By following these 10 suggestions to establish a successful client interaction, the Physical Therapist is able to engage the client in the rehabilitation process for life-long learning and success and help the client re-integrate into their community by achieving the goals important to them and their families.

Best Masseuse Schools in California? 3 Tips to Find Great Classes

Are you looking for the best masseuse schools in California? If you want to find California masseuse classes that offer you the best options to meet your needs, consider these quick tips to help you save time and effort.

Tip 1 - Focus on Accredited Massage Schools. Joan Leith once said, "It's more about who has the proper credentials to be a leader."

When you are looking for the best educational options, one of the first factors it pays to consider is the accreditation and level of credentials a massage school has. Some of the organizations you should compare a school's accreditation to include:

1) Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

2) California Association of Private Post-secondary Schools

3) American Massage Therapy Association

4) And These Are Just a Few....

Tip 2 - Pinpoint your Ideal Location. Are you interested in schools in Southern California, near Los Angeles and/or San Diego? Or, are you interested in Northern California schools - such as those in The San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento area? Some popular and well respected schools include Meric College, Wyotech, United Beauty College, American Career College and Everist. Sidenote: if location is important to you, you should use free resources available online to search schools in a specific geographic radius to your home (or work if you will be going to school and working). The reason why you want to do it this way is that you want to avoid the pain of applying to and getting accepted to your dream masseuse school in a picture perfect part of CA, only to find out it's not practical!

Tip 3 - Decide on Which School is Best is Strong in the Classes You Like. When you attend one of the leading masseuse schools in California, you'll study major academic subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pathology kinesiology. Make sure that you evaluate the strength of the different academic classes at the different schools so you will be well trained in those subject matters you enjoy.

Lastly, If you're looking to save time and effort learning more about the right massage therapy schools in California, there's a smart way to go about it. Instead of scouring the net searching through many of the same old generic school search sites, zero in on those free educational resource sites that focus specifically on what you want - both in terms of subject area (wellness profession) and location (the beautiful and sunny state of California!).

Risks and Contradictions of Ashiatsu

Ashiatsu is the art of applying pressure with the use of the foot. This therapeutic massage is a combination of acupressure, shiatsu and Swedish massage which calms and energizes the body. It is also good for those who are suffering from muscular pains and emotional stress.

This technique was used by Asian people as their alternative medical care which combines the use of other traditional Chinese medicines that includes meditation, diet and herbal medicines. Today, the newly developed version of ahsiatsu focuses on body relief from stress rather than as a treatment for medical conditions.

This type of massage therapy makes good use of the foot rather than the hands which makes it less stressful for the therapist. The hands are occasionally used on specific parts of the body which leaves them resting and free of injuries most of the time. Gravity aids the therapist while she glides her foot all over the different areas of the client's body while using a bar to control the weight used.

Although ashiatsu is famous for soothing and relieving body pain, it is not advisable and suitable for everyone as it has some risks and contradictions. The risks involve injuries due to too much pressure from the miscalculation of the massage therapist. Although this is not common in ashiatsu sessions, such risks are lurking around every therapy sessions. The therapist should be alert, well trained and should have good balance in order to properly conduct the massage therapy and avoid accidents.

Pregnant women and people with bone problems such as bone damages should not try this type of therapy as the risk is not worth the benefits. The pressure applied during the therapy session may not be suitable for fragile conditions as controlling the foot is not as easy as controlling the hands. Individuals with respiratory problems and sensitive skin should consult first with their doctor or their therapist prior to any sessions of this therapy. Patients with conditions that restrict the use of this therapy should avoid trying this for their own safety.

Patient's evaluation and doctor's advice should be the first step before taking ashiatsu or any type of therapy as a part of your regular medical care. Their opinions regarding your medical condition and history should be taken into consideration to avoid experiencing problems after massage therapy sessions. Risks and contradictions can be minimized if properly educated before indulging to any therapeutic activity.

Another way of reducing the risks and contradictions of this therapy is by seeking the service and advice of a good massage therapist. She should be licensed, skilled, and well trained in this field of massage therapy to ensure safety and proper performance of service. A good therapist thoroughly examines and honestly advices the patient whether he or she is qualified or restricted from having therapy sessions of ashiatsu. The best thing to do is to contact or visit your local massage spa and ask information regarding the therapy, its pros and cons, and the quality of the therapists working there.

2 Types of Massage Best for Sore Muscles

Have you recently begun a new work out regimen or started training for an event such as a marathon or triathlon? If yes, congratulations! By now you are probably quite familiar with the feeling of sore and tight muscles. As your training continues, you are going to want to consider ways to soothe your muscles so your body can more efficiently and safely continue to stick to your routine. Massage offers wonderful benefits for work out enthusiasts. There are many different styles of massage; it's not all beaches and cabana boys when it comes to massage therapy for sore muscles. There is deep tissue massage as well as sports massage, and both have wonderful benefits if you are experiencing workout pains. But which one is for you?

Both deep tissue massage and sports massage are commonly used interchangeably, however, there are differences to these therapies. Depending on your level of training and the experience you are hoping to have, you will want to be educated as to what to expect from each type of massage. Generally, deep tissue massage is best for sore muscles from working out, whereas sports massage is geared toward athletes specifically to help prevent injuries.

For those who have begun working out as a New Year's resolution and you are battling sore muscles, a deep tissue massage is for you. Deep tissue massage therapy works into the deep layers of muscle and fascia where we start to feel "knots". Not only do deep tissue massages relieve muscle soreness, but this type of massage therapy also helps to release stress and tension in the body. Deep tissue massage increases the body's production of serotonin which gives us those feelings of happiness. Other benefits of this type of massage include break up of scar tissue, reduced chronic pain, increased blood flow and overall healing. Deep tissue massage is more passive than sports massage in that the massage therapist will move your body around as needed to get the muscle from a different angle so minimal work is done on your part.

Anyone who has signed up for a marathon, kudos to you! A sports massage is going to be your best bet to assist in your intense training. Sports massage therapy is best for athletes because it helps to prevent injury and loss of muscle mobility before and after your big event. As with most massage styles, you will also notice a feeling of reduced anxiety, which can be very helpful before the big race day. Sports massage utilizes more vigorous techniques to facilitate muscle healing and relaxation usually right before the event and then again after. Other great benefits for athletes with sports massage include detoxifying and cleansing the body of impurities, increased circulation in the body, and increased awareness of the important mind-body connection. A huge part of success for athletes comes from a psychological approach, and less anxiety and stress will lead to improved race times. Sports massage is more active than deep tissue massage and you will probably find yourself doing a mix of stretching and engaging muscles through your treatment in order to deliver the best results.

Once you have identified which type of massage is best for you, you will want to research licensed massage therapists near you. It is important that you are comfortable in your surroundings as the point of massage is to promote a healing and relaxing environment.

Physical Therapist Education Requirements - How to Get Into Physical Therapy School

Anyone looking to work in the field of physical therapy must give thought to physical therapist education requirements. Such professionals perform a wide range of duties for those who have limited physical mobility due to illness or injury. Because therapists prescribe treatments and conduct hands-on therapy, they are required to obtain the appropriate education and pass a national licensing exam before they can practice.

For many years, the only formal education needed to work in the field was a bachelor's degree. However, almost all health care facilities now require a master's degree before they will consider one for employment.

Physical Therapist Education Requirements

College Programs

Educational requirements always include clinical rotations in a healthcare facility and course work that is completed in a classroom setting. There is a variety of options from which prospective physical therapists can choose from when they first set out to acquire the necessary education. For example, a student may decide to enrol in a science major such as anatomy, physiology, or biology. Certain schools also offer majors in health and physical education, the latter of which include pre-physical therapy in their curriculum.

Regardless of the option one chooses, one will typically be required to take courses in physiology, personal wellness and physical education, in order to meet the minimum education requirements.

Master's Program Prerequisites

Master's program prerequisites will vary depending upon the physical therapy school one selects; however, most have requirements regarding one's grade point average and his or her level of experience in a related field. In addition, all learning institutions that offer such programs require that a standardized test or entrance exam be completed, in which one must receive a passing grade.

Accreditation Requirements

Physical therapist education requirements should only be fulfilled at accredited schools. Although most students will find that almost all schools offering Master's degree programs are accredited, it is wise to inquire about the organization from which the school has received its accreditation. The only schools a student should consider are those that have been accredited by an organization that is recognized by the United States Department of Education, such as the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education-CAPTE.

Additionally, those who do not graduate from an accredited school will not qualify to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination. This is a test that must be passed in order for one to become licensed. It is designed to test the prospective physical therapist's knowledge of techniques, practices and physical therapy theories. Because licensing is required in all 50 states and one will not qualify for the exam without having attended an accredited school, the importance of this aspect should not be overlooked.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field of physical therapy will grow at a higher than average rate until the year 2016. This is likely due to the many advancements being made in the field of medical technology. For this reason, it is wise for those seeking a career in this field to familiarize themselves with the aforementioned physical therapist education requirements.

What Do I Have to Do to Get a Good Massage?

If you want to make sure you get a good massage and not waste your time and money, the key is to ask the right questions.

A few questions can make the difference between bitter disappointment and massage heaven.

If you have any goals for the treatment, make them known. Make sure that your massage therapist can accommodate your goals. If for instance, you like a firmer massage and you make an appointment with somebody who's typical massage is a light Swedish, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment.

The better a massage therapist gets at a modality, the more they will pull it out of their bag of tricks. If a therapist is good at therapeutic techniques and deep tissue, they'll usually tell you their massages are deeper or firmer. Somebody who typically does lighter work will tell you their massage is geared more toward relaxation, or they may say that they do more of a Swedish massage which is described as long, relaxing (and generally lighter) strokes.

A good tip is to talk to your therapist about their massage. You may ask them~
How would you describe your typical massage? Is it a firmer touch or a lighter massage?

You may think that asking somebody how long they've been doing massage therapy is a good measure of talent, and it can be, but not always. I've had lots of massages from long practicing massage therapists who's massage lacked talent and/or effort. People get burned out with all kinds of jobs. Massage therapists aren't any different. The rub is, you don't want to end up on their table if you can help it.

A massage therapist once told me that she refused to lift any limbs anymore. She said it's too much effort. This was from a woman who had been doing massage therapy for over 10 years. Seriously? Who wants to pay somebody good money if they can't even be bothered to lift your arm?

Clearly, talent is not just about how long a massage therapist has been practicing, it's much more about wanting to do your best and loving what you do. I've had really good massages from new graduates with great attitudes.

Talk to your massage therapist about how long they've been doing massage therapy, if they still enjoy it, and why. See if you can sense some joy and enthusiasm when they speak about their work.

A good massage therapist will make it their business to not only give good massages, but to get good massages.

At first, you may be wondering what this has to do with them giving you a good massage, but it has plenty to do with it. If your massage therapist is making it their business to find out who else is really good then going out there and finding out why, chances are you've found a good massage therapist.

Talented massage therapists learn how to give a really good massages from getting really good massages. Lots of them.

Ask your massage therapist if they get regular massages.

If you're going to a resort, hotel or massage clinic, you may not be able to talk to your therapist directly when you make the appointment. This is too bad, but can't be helped. However, most times the person setting appointments will be required to know the different modalities the therapist is qualified in so that they know what appointments they can schedule.

A talented therapist will make it a priority to regularly continue their education and learn new modalities. If the therapist knows a lot of modalities, you can probably assume they believe your experience is important enough to spend time and money gaining skills and talent to make your experience better.

When booking an appointment through a scheduler, ask them if they can tell you what modalities your therapist offers or is educated in.

The Higher End Resort Spas have many highly trained therapists. Ordinarily, they have strict minimum requirements for therapists, usually beginning with several years experience and certification in several different modalities. High end Resorts very often encourage their therapists to improve their skills by paying for continuing education and regularly bringing in trainers to teach employees signature and specialty treatments. This makes your chances of getting a better trained massage therapist better than going to the local massage clinic where this kind of training is the exception.

Treating yourself to a massage at a higher end Resort Spa can really be a wonderful experience~ it's all about being pampered. The facilities are usually nothing short of amazing, and in addition to being able to choose from several different kinds of massages, you can get waxed and scrubbed and wrapped and soaked get just about everything else you can dream of. Everybody should treat themselves to an experience of a Five Star Spa. Splurge.

If you visit one of these Spas, I suggest you plan on spending the day. Complementary with your treatment you will find many luxurious activities and amenities~ the steam, the soak, the yoga class, meditation class, the organic snacks and herbal tea, the pool...you just sort of float around all day in your robe like you're in heaven. The only thing you might need is a good book to enjoy by the pool. I suggest you take advantage of it all, because you'll pay for it.

To give you some idea of the typical price for a treatment at a high end Spa, for example, at The Boulders Resort and Spa in Carefree, Arizona, the price tag for their 50 minute signature massage treatment is $140 plus a 20% service charge. That's $168 for one 50 minute massage, with includes the gratuity and the use of the facilities. And that's the least expensive of all the massages they offer.

If you're paying that much, you want it to be GREAT, right? Right. Ask some questions about your therapist. Tell them what your goals are. If there's a question about the massage therapist that they don't know the answer to, ask if they can find out and call you back. Or ask if the massage therapist can call you back.

Another way to find a great massage therapist is to find somebody who's been in private practice or in business for themselves. If an independent massage therapist has built a clientele and has a private practice, chances are there's a good reason. A good massage brings return clients. Usually you can find a really good therapist in business for themselves for less than half of what you pay at a resort.

There are many of benefits from getting a good massage. The physical benefits include decreased pain, greater flexibility, improved immune function, faster healing, increase in endorphins, decreased depression and anxiety and lowered blood pressure from blissful relaxation...

And nothing feels as heavenly or can make you as happy as a really good massage...

Asking the right questions can mean the difference between a frustrating waste of time and a really wonderful experience.

Massage Therapist - Should Gender Matter?

When one goes to a spa, health facility, or gym, one of the first things that the receptionist asks is, "Do you want a male therapist or a female therapist?". Although massage therapy is not a gender-specific career, still, the quantity of female therapists outnumbers the male population. In addition, there may be clients who are not concerned about the gender of the therapist, but there still are those who prefer female over the male therapists.

Common Reasons Why More Clients Prefer Women Therapists

- Female clients are more self-conscious about their bodies

- Some women tend to think that male massage therapists will take advantage

- Male clients who are homophobic do not want another male to touch their bodies

- Male clients find a woman's touch more sensual and pleasant

However, regardless of the gender, all massage therapists are trained about work ethics and the use of draping methods, thus, it should not be a big issue. In addition, some spa-goers are already familiar with the routine and understand that the massage therapist's skill is more important than gender.

How Gender Affects a Career in Massage Therapy

While there are clients who do not bother about the gender of the massage therapist, for would-be massage therapists, knowing how gender affects a career in this field is very important.

Gender Issues

In the US, the massage therapy industry is basically female dominated. Actually, according to studies, more than 80% of them are women. Although the number of male therapists has steadily increased in the last couple of years, still, more women are employed as therapists. For one, massage therapy is commonly perceived as a nurturing healing method and women have always been associated with the role of "nurturer". Likewise, because women's touch is softer and more sensual in nature, many clients find it is easier to relax when left in the "hands" of women.

Patient's Perception on the Therapist's Gender

It is true that some clients do not mind about the gender of the therapist, but there are still a big number of those who are uncomfortable when male massage therapists handle their bodies. Even male clients feel the same way. Because massage therapy involves skin to skin contact, people consider it as a very personal matter. Thus, when clients feel pressured or uncomfortable, their muscles tend to contract even more and they do not reap the full benefits of the massage.

This low level of comfort when it comes to being handled by male practitioners affects the number of clients they are able to handle, which translates to fewer options for them.

Problems and Issues that Therapists Encounter

Sexual harassment is a huge issue when it comes to this industry. There have been reports where female therapists were taken advantage of by male clients - touched inappropriately or spoken to in a lewd manner. In the same breath, some male therapists get reported by female customers who say they (customers) were sexually harassed and handled improperly by their therapists.

Job prospecting is another problem that male massage therapists deal with. Because of issues such as sexual harassment, male massage therapists find it more difficult to find employment than most women.

Gender Benefits

Not everything about the massage therapy industry for males is negative. Even though males have fewer job options in this industry, there are still some good things about being a massage therapist in a female-dominated industry.

Because men, in general, are stronger than women are, some modalities can easily be carried out by male massage therapists than women. One instance is working in a sports massage center or hospital, where patients are generally male and would need stronger pressure when it comes to the massages.

Another example is work that massage therapists find in hospitals such as the rehabilitation section and physical therapy section, where patients are more comfortable when being handled by male therapists.

Indeed, gender plays a major role when choosing massage therapists to perform their job on you. Patients must feel safe with a therapist and not stressed out or pressured about selecting the practitioner.

Running Smooth: The Importance of Regular Checkups

Everyone who drives is familiar with this situation: you're cruising along and all of a sudden, there's a noise coming from the engine that you haven't heard before, or maybe the feeling in the gas or brake pedal seems a bit off, or there's smoke, or a funny smell. There are many tell-tale signs that your car needs servicing and the best thing to do is to bring it in before the problem escalates. But what is equally important, is to bring your vehicle in for regular checkups and tune-ups even if everything seems to running smoothly. Similar to our own health, we don't always visit doctors when we feel ill, but have regular checkups to mark our physical development and watch for problems. Regularly-scheduled visits to the auto mechanic are just as important for maintaining a healthy engine and a safe ride.

How often you should bring your car in to the garage is based either on elapsed time, or the amount of kilometers driven since your last checkup. Not every aspect of the vehicle will be inspected on every checkup; but there are different recommended tune-up periods for different parts of the car. Knowing which order of priority to give to each part is an essential module in mechanic colleges.

Every Three Months or 8,000KM.

This is the basic checkup. The most important thing here is the engine oil. While one could read engine oil levels themselves and add more oil if needed, with this checkup it is recommended to change the oil and clean the oil filter. It used to be believed that the oil should be replaced twice as much, but today this is seen as unnecessary and wasteful.

Other parts of this checkup will include checking other fluid levels, like brake fluid, washer fluid, and coolant fluid.

Every Six Months or 16,000KM.

All of the previously mentioned checkup points are included here as well. One new aspect is the wheels and the tires. Fist, the alignment is checked and reset. Then, the tire pressure and the depth are checked. Related closely to the wheels is the braking system, which should be thoroughly inspected.

A basic cleaning of some of the engine's components is also done, like the battery and the spark plug wires.

Every Year or 25,000 KM.

This is considered the most important checkup, and it is recommended with new cars to bring the vehicle in to a licensed dealer service shop rather than any garage. The above aspects are checked again. Most parts that are often simply cleaned should be replaced at this point, like the spark plugs and the windshield wipers.

Further cleaning of the engine takes place, like the fuel filtration system, the brake pads, and the radiator. Basic nuts and bolts are checked and tightened as well.

Every car is different and every service shop or garage has varying methods for checking and maintaining a vehicle. Skilled auto technicians are graduating from mechanic programs all the time to work in a variety of shops to guarantee each car is given the service and attention it needs for a long life on the road.

Possible Treatments for Cervical Spondylosis

Arthritis of the neck or Cervical Spondylosis can be very painful and irritating for those who have it. It hinders you from doing things that you wanted to do. The pain usually blocks your time for laughter and enjoyment. Good News! Most of the treatment for this condition is very old school. You can try doing these immediately.

A variety of medications can be used to eliminate inflammation and pain in the neck caused by cervical spondylosis. You can try taking NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like naproxen and ibuprofen. These two drugs are commonly used to address neck pain. You can also try using muscle relaxants and acetaminophen. These two drugs can also relieve neck pain along with muscle spasms.

Physical therapists are also one of the vital and effective sources of treatment for cervical spondylosis. Strengthening tense or weakened muscles or stretching it is commonly the initial treatment that is suggested. Your Physical Therapist can also utilize posture therapy and cervical traction. Therapy programs usually last for 5 to 7 weeks but sometimes, the duration may also differ from one case to another. Schedule of therapy sessions is twice or thrice a week.

Wearing a neck collar to restrain motion or movement is also one of the possible treatments. Aside from limiting the movement of your neck, it also provides and serves as a support. It also let your neck muscles rest. Soft collars must be worn and used only for a short period of time. The reason for this is that long-term use can minimize the muscle strength of the neck.

In treating cervical spondylosis, you can also consider using physiotherapy such as hot and cold compress or exercise. Cautious use of massage can aid in alleviating symptoms of the disease.

Some people are having a hard time bearing the pain caused by cervical spondylosis. If this is your condition, you can try having parenteral medications. Steroid-based injections are usually used to relieve the pain although it only provides short-term relief. Your physician can also inject anesthesia to the joints of the spine.

If you really want to treat your condition practically and traditionally, the easiest way is to take a rest. Cervical spondylosis is most commonly caused by stress and different activities involving neck movements. Your body also speaks. Its way of crying is through pain. The moment you feel pain, your body is telling you that you need a rest. Enough rest and sleep can be beneficial. If you hate spending for other treatments, try this. Take a rest now.

Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has been known to have special healing properties, although no one is quite sure why. A massage treatment can be a very therapeutic experience, and one of the fastest growing and most popular treatments is hot stone massage therapy.

The magical healing properties of hot stone therapy have been known by many cultures for hundreds of years. But it has just been over the last few years that this deeply relaxing form of massage is beginning to become popular once again. It is in popular demand among many of the spas found across the globe.

Healing stone massage therapy was inspired by the healing practices of Lake Kokonar, in Tibet. It uses hot stones in combination with herbs and oils to restore the body's vitality and to balance stress. The treatment involves using smooth, basalt stones that are found in volcanic regions in Europe. Chi Spa manager Mary Yip says, "Basalt has been found to have the best heat retention capabilities, therefore, the best for therapeutic purpose." The stones can hold heat for a long time and thus don't need to be reheated during the procedure. Their smooth texture is also optimal for the soothing, gliding, massage movements.

During a hot stone massage therapy session, the therapist starts out by combining the therapeutic effects of essential oils with a Swedish massage. The therapist glides her fingers across your shoulders and down your arms to your fingertips, and also strokes from your neck down your spine to the lower back.

Next the therapist uses the heated basalt stones to massage across your back and down your legs. The smoothness of the stone glides easily over the body and promotes the deepest state of relaxation.

Finally the therapist places various sizes of Himalayan stones on the chakra points of the body. This serves to warm the body, encourage lymph flow, and thereby removing waste materials from the body. According to ancient Chinese and Himalayan rituals, the chakra points are the body's energy centers. When stimulated, the chakras encourage balanced energy flow throughout the body, which helps to reduce any muscle pain, promote healing, releases stress, and provides deep relaxation.

Hot stone massage therapy is great for office workers who spend most of their days seated in front of the computer. It relieves a great amount of stress, helps with depression, and even reduces back pain. If you have never had a hot stone treatment before, than you definitely owe yourself the pleasure!

Are you in the mood for a massage yet? Hot stone therapy is definitely an amazing experience.

The Key Factor to Your Success in Private Practice

Knowing where you are going in your practice and business is a prerequisite to private practice success!

When you have clarity about the direction you are taking, you will have surprising business growth and success.

The Problem

I would estimate that more than 90% of physical therapy practice owners who contact me for help do not have a vision, nor do they have a plan to succeed in private practice.

Most have a vague idea of what they want for their personal and business futures. By the time they contact me for help, they are frustrated, tired, and questioning how long they can sustain their pace and hard work.

Once they have completed the business assessment we offer, they recognize only too clearly that they are working mostly "in" the business, not enough "on" the business.

There is in fact no one leading their company's direction, strategy, people, goals and accountability process.

How can a business succeed and grow with no one leading?

A Real Example

When I first met Teresa she fit this profile. To her credit, she recognized this and started her work with us.

Teresa's Story:

a clinic owner,

who created a vision for her clinic

and formulated a plan to grow and succeed.

Teresa sent us a report of some of her clinic's accomplishments after only 6 months:

1. Changed our corporate identity, i.e., new logo, new look to print materials, etc. and changed look and tone of our website.

2. Made a major physical renovation to change the look and feel to more of a gym atmosphere, and we accomplished all of this while only adding an additional 130 sq feet of new space, so the rent payment didn't increase much.

3. Having new equipment and space led to new ideas for programming (which were implemented).

4. Developing new programs led to promoting them. And we had an incredible spring - invited to speak to school boards, sports clubs, teacher's convention, etc....

5. Now new patients are coming to clinic because they have heard of our programs and clinic.

6. 2 new therapists (awesome therapists) have joined our staff. They are super excited to join the clinic because of the our clinic philosophy.

7. A sports psychologist has joined our team, and we are interviewing to add an exercise therapist.

8. One of the exercise therapist applicants also works as a trainer in the Sports facility where we are located. So now we are discussing how to integrate our physio programs into the whole facility.

and the list goes on...

I guess my comment to all this is - WOW... look at the mess of work you got me into!!!

Just kidding... what I really want to say is Thank You... and look what that little exercise in vision and planning can do and has done for us.

Our 26 yr old practice has a new found "energy", we are treating the patients we love to work with, our staff is happy, and we're looking forward to hitting our next set of goals!

The Solution

Your goal as an owner is to design and shape a business that serves you and works independently from you - a business that is system-dependent and not owner-dependent.

Instead of shuffling papers or doing the bookkeeping, spend time trying to make your practice different, better, more profitable, and systems-oriented.

Remember, there is no job more valuable, intriguing and enriching than building your own business. Just think of the benefits it offers if you do it right - with a clear vision and plan! First, there are the personal perks. Autonomy is a big one: you get to set your own hours, choose the people you work with and control the services and projects you work on. Or this ought to be the case, if it isn't today. Then there is the unparalleled opportunity to generate personal wealth. And every day presents the possibility of a hair-raising and spine-tingling adventure.

Clarity: the key factor to your success

A vision reflects what your business is trying to achieve and what you care about most. It is simply a statement of the dream you have for your business.

Dream forward and describe what you want for your business in 5 years time, what you want your business to become.

Start by asking yourself these questions:

• Why am I in business and what do I want out of it?


• The most important thing to me is...


• The core values my business stands for are...

Work on this exercise diligently, and you'll soon begin to see how you make decisions that bring you closer to your dream. Don't forget to plan how you will get to this dream with strategies that are proven to be successful.

Massage Therapy and the Female Athlete Triad

The needs of male and female athletes are very different, and these differences are apparent in all phases of athletic medical care -- from diagnosis, to treatment, to massage or physical therapy efforts.

An ailment exclusive to female athletes is the female athlete triad, a triumvirate of disorders that have a domino effect on one's overall health. The three components of this affliction are disordered eating, amenorrhea (or loss of menstrual periods for three consecutive months), and osteoporosis (or a thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density). Affected athletes are best helped when each component of the triad is addressed and treated separately - and massage and sports rehabilitation therapy are helpful treatment options for this condition.

Athletes of both genders must focus on developing many of the same attributes in their bodies: strength, balance, endurance, precision. However, women are more likely than men to participate in sports and athletic endeavors that focus on body weight, size, and appearance. Gymnastics, figure-skating, ballet, and cheer-leading/color guard are some examples of these image-focused sports. In ballet, for example, the pre-pubescent figure is regarded as ideal, and bodily markers of adult female estrogen levels, such as visible breasts and hips, are taboo at many dance schools.

Many adolescent girls and women become image-obsessed, focusing on cutting their caloric intakes as much as possible, while continuing to train at the same vigorous, competitive levels. Once a person begins a calorie-restricted diet, it can be difficult to stop - many dieters report starvation-induced euphoria and delight at their shrinking bodies. The starvation method of weight loss is detrimental to training athletes, who typically have lower-than-normal body fat levels to begin with. A girl or woman needs at least 18 percent body fat to menstruate, and once body fat drops below this level, menstruation can cease. In girls who have not yet begun their periods, the onset of menstrual bleeding (menarche) can be delayed for years.

The cessation of menstruation is problematic because it upsets the female body's natural estrogen levels. As estrogen levels drop, bone density loss and bone weakening can occur. Estrogen in women has a protective effect on the skeletal system, enabling bone development during adolescence, and halting bone loss throughout early- and mid-adulthood. Adolescent amenorrhea can prevent a female athlete from building peak bone mass; adult amenorrhea can speed up the process.

Even worse, weakened bones are susceptible to fractures and injuries. Coupled with inadequate nutrition from calorie-restrictive diets, female athletes might wind up injured and unable to train or compete. The more headstrong among these athletes continue to train despite multiple injuries and amenorrhea, setting themselves up for long bouts of poor health. Medical intervention is critical for these types of athletes.

Massage therapy can work in several ways to help individuals suffering from the female athlete triad get well. Some types of massage therapy are instrumental in helping athletes recover from injuries, including injuries sustained as a result of low body weight and over-exercising. Massage and sports rehabilitation therapy performed upon the recommendation of a sports physician can be helpful to recovery from physical symptoms of the female athlete triad.

It can also help female athletes relax. Lowering levels of physical and mental stress can assist female athlete triad patients in feeling better overall. Appetite recovery and sleep restoration can help these athletes to begin menstruating regularly again, and will assist in faster recovery from injuries. Some athletes will feel less of a compulsion to exercise to the point of exhaustion once their cortisol (stress hormone) levels are lowered.

Finally, massage therapy can help female athletes feel better about themselves. They might become more comfortable with their bodies, and learn to appreciate their strengths and athletic skills. Massage also releases endorphins, or feel-good hormones, that can replace the euphoria often caused by starving. Whole-body relaxation can also contribute to an improved sense of self - when the athlete feels her life is under control, she might no longer feel a drive to focus on controlling her weight and appearance.

As the athlete recovers, she often institutes a better diet, at the recommendation of a trained nutritionist. This improved diet provides enough nourishment for her athletic endeavors. Improved nutrition also helps her to recover faster from injuries sustained from amenorrhea and over-training. As her period returns, so, too, will her bone density, and finally, her strength and stamina.

Recovering from the female athlete triad can be difficult. However, with the aid of a professional team, including a sports physician, nutritionist, and massage or sports rehabilitation therapist, affected athletes do not have to suffer alone.

The Role of Physical Therapy - Advocacy For Untapped Healing Powers!

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy [PT or PTs] encompasses the art of healing and empower patients with the courage to cope. Talk about a drug-free experience! Wow! Take that to the bank, surgeons! You could think of PT as, sort of what Jesus did some thousands of years ago when he was on earth; who mind you, is our prime example, because never had he once gave someone a shot of something (drugs or any such contraptions) for any type of sickness presented to him. He may have given them a piece of bread and a fish or two; but, you name it, he can heal: Blindness, blood issues, cripple, dumbness, even death--he simply used his hands and applied His faith in the father. That's it! The rest as we now read it, is history. Cool ha? Sure is!

Although we may never believe, admit nor embrace it's very presence, our profession is faith-based. Think about it? You need to have at least some, to do an effective diagnosis; follow some 18 steps guideline, let alone, manipulate. The lack of it, faith, would lead us to an erroneous chase of endless symptoms; which we do know is the manifestation of something gone wrong. Hence, our primary reason for not treating pain..."not about to happen, but something has already happened" (S.V. Paris). It takes courage to cope with all that life throws at us, and our patients. Many times, all it takes is a good listener. While doctors mean well, and most do, they don't have the extra time to spend with each patient, but PTs do!

Benefits and power of listening:

Good PTs do a full and thorough examination; thus, reducing the possibilities of error, unnecessary surgery, and or strain on the health care system. A successful PT is one who has acute listening skills and highly sensitive (the ability to see through his hands) touch. Most often than any, you will find that, your patients will tell you how to treat them. They will say something like, "it hurts here, there, under, and over there." With exceptional listening skills and attention to details, the clinician should discover a diagnostic lead.

Our role as listener, is to use our God-given gifts, and apply our learned knowledge to make the right diagnosis; which, then leads to the most effective and "if necessary," predictions to bring about a successful change, the outcome. It's amazing that we seldom treat people; on the contrary, we help them treat themselves by providing the necessary information that is pertinent to limiting their dysfunctions, improve restoration and return to normal function.

So what do PTs really do?

They do not prescribe drugs or medications, however, they seek to improve, restore, encourage, motivate, educate, and emancipate patients from their state of dysfunction to a higher level of awareness, both mentally, physically and to change habits that will preserve proper body alignment through postural education, and research-based evidence that will bridge the gap to the lay person's understanding and adaptation to correct body mechanics, right techniques, and self empowerment. That' Physical Therapy! not some "do-one-more-stretch," Mr. Bob, then c'mon back next week, as some would have you believe. We do more than just therapy, we restore!

The main purpose is true restoration:

Noticed that, Jesus' prime reason for coming was to restore us back to the father. His journey also lead him to restoring us back to our normal function, as result of sin and the manifestation of aberrant diseases. We don't have the ability to cure anything in life, only, we restore normal function and lives. Moreover, even though we have not yet tapped into our full potential, could you imagined if we did? Jesus' said to his disciples (at the miracle of the fig tree), "I tell you the truth, marvel not over these simple things (paraphrased) because greater works than these shall you do" (John 14:12).

Now that, my esteemed friends, blows my mind; I don't know about you, but washing my feet in the tub is "mi-nute" compared to washing them on the epidermis of an entire ocean (walking on water), and he did that.

So be proud of your profession; be an advocate, you have a lot more to offer than exercise, stretches and manipulations--you bring restoration and wholeness!

Massage Therapy Salary - Many Options Allow You to Find What You're Looking For

Are you considering a career in massage therapy but not sure if it will provide you with the income levels you desire? Interested in part-time work for full-time pay? Would you like the option of working for a spa while you build your own business and reputation? Massage therapy offers a variety of job openings and is currently on the rise in the job market and may be just what you're looking for.

More hospitals are now offering massage therapy, thus opening more jobs in the field. Spas, doctor's offices, and even gym's are offering full and part-time positions for massage therapists. Any of these places will offer a steady, stable income. The amount of money you make and the benefits you receive will depend on where you work and what is offered.

As a massage therapist you will often be paid a base pay per massage, generally in the $10-$15 range, but that wouldn't reflect your entire pay. In between massages you would be earning an hourly wage. It would be quite improbable that a person would stand for 40 hours a week doing constant massaging. Your hands would go numb! In between massages you will have paper work, be talking with your clients, or getting your area cleaned and prepped for your next appointment. Your paycheck would reflect pay based on how many massages you did in addition to an hourly wage. Working for a hospital or spa is often desirable for those who aren't interested in dealing with the tasks of running their own business or providing their own heath care.

Those of you who do choose to work for yourselves and run your own businesses benefit from being able to charge the fee you feel is adequate and make your own hours. This would be ideal for a mom who isn't ready to leave her children for full-time employment. The normal fee for an hour long massage can be anywhere from $25-$100. In 2008, a massage therapist working an average of 15 hours per week was able to make an estimated $31,000. That's not too shabby for a part-time job.

If you decide to go into business for yourself you'll have to remember there are costs associated with doing so. You may be able to build your clientele and charge at the higher end of the fee scale, but you will have expenses that you'll be responsible for. You'll need to purchase your own massage table and/or chairs, provide your own equipment as well as oils and lotions. You'll need to pay your taxes and provide yourself with health insurance. You'll also need to have liability insurance. You may need to rent space and pay for advertising as well as keep up on your association fees and dues.

There is certainly money to be made in this growing field. It's up to you how much or how little you want to make. Like with most careers, hard work and dedication will normally bring you the biggest paycheck.

Physical Therapy and Preventing Sports Injuries

Sports Injuries are becoming more and more common and those who are above their prime sports years and well into their 40s often attempt to write checks that their bodies cannot cash. When they do these weekend warriors often end up with sports injuries, fore they lack the conditioning, stamina and muscle groups they had as youngsters.

Ask any professional sports physical therapist and they will tell you that 60% or more of these injuries could be prevented if these aging sportsters would simply do some form of workout daily or every other day which was similar and stretch before each competition or test of sports manhood?

Physical Therapists know what they are talking about and a 20-30 minutes stretch session prior and a warm-up prior to asking your body for peak performance will greatly reduce your chance of injury. Preventing sports injuries, most of them is possible if one will only pay attention. Breaking your body in order to prove you have not lost the your skill set does not need to happen. So play it safe, stretch out and work up to that new peak performance level. It just does not make any sense to prove me right. Please consider this in 2006.

MBLEX Certification Exam For New Massage Therapists

The MBLEX certification exam has become the exam of choice for new massage therapy graduate students, who are seeking certification in order to get their massage therapy license. The MBLEX is more and more becoming accepted in more states across the United States and " the exam" for up and coming body workers and future massage therapists. The MBLEx is enticing for several reasons. First its a multiple choice type of exam, and sound and well-rounded type of certification exam, as well as being the most economical of the exams that are offered.

Having said that, the MBLEx is by no means a cheap test to take or fail. Many massage therapy graduate students think they will be able to just waltz in and pass without any preparation or review. Like anything else in life, you must prepare, review your study notes, maybe even go back and take a refresher course or even a good massage therapy study guide. I have seen way too many people frustrate themselves, waste money, waste time for the simple reason on not preparing. The MBLEx is an excellent choice, in my opinion the best choice but a choice you must prepare for. I like to point people in the direction of online study guides that have repeatedly trouble failing or not passing their massage exam. The study guides can be very helpful and resourceful way for some people to pass their test. Try to find one that's online, for the MBLEx is taken on a computer. Some people who study in books don't get that added benefit of an online study guide if they are looking at a book.

The MBLEx also has a time limit on taking the test of four hours. I suggest you don't over analyze each question and go on your first gut instinct for each question. Also, take your time, four hours is a long time, no need to rush. There is also an exam fee of $195.00 to take the exam, and this fee must be paid again in full for each time you don't pass the exam. So its crucial that you pass the exam, or it can get pretty costly. I hope this will help many people seeking their massage certification as well as their massage license in the state they reside in for a great and long career in therapeutic massage, where you be doing a great and noble career in helping people feel and live better lives.

Massage Therapy, Fitness and Optimal Performance

Massage therapy is often used as an adjunct to a fitness routine to assist in achieving peak athletic performance. There are a variety of ways in which massage therapy is used to promote optimal fitness - massage therapy is not all just about spas and "fluff". Massage can be used to increase the suppleness of muscle, aid in recovery after exertion, assist in fluid removal in the presence of injury or inflammation (from non-infectious origins) or control pain through the release of endorphins.

Massage therapy affects muscles in 2 ways: mechanically and chemically. Mechanically, it is the kneading, stretching and compression of the tissue which stimulates the smooth muscle of the blood vessels and increases blood flow to and from the area. (due to an increase in histamine - see below). Manual manipulation of the tissue will also literally break adhesions and scar tissue, regardless of whether techniques are applied with or against the muscle fibre. This decrease in inelastic scar tissue will allow muscles to contract and elongate as they should, and will increase muscle performance.

At a chemical level, massage therapy can cause the release of "endorphins", neurotransmitters that reduce the perception of pain, and increase a feeling of wellbeing. Increased permeability of the blood vessels is caused by release of histamine in response to mechanical stimulation - this increase in blood flow leads to "hyperemia", redness which is often visible after a massage.

The application of therapeutic massage plays a role in event preparation as well as recovery and maintenance, though the goals and application will be different depending on the timing of the treatment in relation to the activity.

Pre-event, the purpose of massage is to "wake-up" and warm-up the muscles, ensuring that they are ready for physical demands to be placed on them. During a pre-event treatment, the movements of the therapist are quick, stimulating the nerves in the area and increasing the ability of a muscle to react to stimuli. Circulation to the muscle is also increased and with it oxygen delivery to the muscle cells, causing a subsequent increase in cellular metabolism and improved functionality. Increased blood flow also warms up the muscle, allowing for greater pre-event stretching, imperative to optimizing performance and reducing injury due to muscle strain.

Post-event massage is much slower, encouraging the body to relax after exertion. Massage therapy at this stage is utilized to assist the body in removing metabolic waste, relaxing and stretching the fatigued muscle. This is done by increasing the circulation and pliability of the muscle tissue. The increased removal of metabolic waste such as lactic acid will decrease recovery time and soreness in the days following an event.

Massage therapy used as a maintenance tool will assist an athlete in maintaining optimal muscle health. During maintenance treatments, the therapist will assess the condition of tissue and establish a treatment plan in conjunction with the goals and condition of the client. It is during these treatments that muscle imbalances are often identified; adhesions and scar tissue are broken down (thus increasing muscle functionality) via manipulation, stretching and breaking down of tissue. Circulation is increased, assisting in oxygen delivery and metabolic waste removal.

Regardless of fitness level, massage therapy can help a fitness enthusiast or athlete achieve his or her performance goals by promoting and maintaining muscle health.

Chinese Medicine Training Today

Find Chinese medicine training in the United States and Canada. Today, Chinese medicine training is readily available in America. Students drawn to the healing arts will find that several acupuncture and Oriental medicine schools offer a variety of Chinese medicine training programs.

While a number of these academic courses include practical Chinese medicine training in Qi gong, Tai Chi and Tuina, there are a great many alternative medicine and conventional medicine schools that have been or have begun offering extensive Chinese medicine training in acupuncture and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

As both a complementary and alternative healing treatment, Chinese medicine training is critical to potential healers seeking to become certified and/or licensed practitioners of the art. In modern academic institutions, Chinese medicine training curriculums encompass a wide array of health classes, including but not limited to studies in shiatsu, acupressure, acupuncture, Chinese medicine philosophies and theories, herbal medicine, moxibustion (cupping), Asian bodywork therapies, meridian therapy and other related instruction.

In addition to standard curriculum, students participating in one of a number of Chinese medicine training programs will find that some of the more advanced subjects of study (i.e.., Master's and/or Doctorate programs) will include lessons in Chinese medical terminology (often in Mandarin), pathology, physiology, anatomy, chemistry and pharmacology.

Students, who desire to enroll in degreed courses (such as acupuncture and Oriental medicine degrees) will discover that many Chinese medicine colleges and schools often require standard prerequisites prior to enrollment. Requirements may include formal education and training at a conventional college, university or technical school. It is always wise to carefully examine all academic requirements prior to applying for any number of Chinese medicine training programs; as schools may vary in this aspect, as well as tuition, program lengths, accreditation, etc.

Other Chinese medicine training programs commonly include certificate programs in Chinese herbal medicine, Tai Chi, Tuina and acupressure - to name a few. Students choosing Chinese medicine training in a variety of massage therapies may qualify to sit for the national certification exam to become certified massage therapists (again, this depends on course curriculum and whether school meets state and/or national educational requirements).

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

Chinese Medicine Training Today
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Massage Therapy - When Done in the Proper Way, Has a Healing Effect

Massage is the act of relaxing body muscles by applying pressure through an act of kneading softly. The practice is known to be therapeutic in all aspects in terms of physical, physiological and psychological. Massage involves a manual or mechanical motion or vibration around the body. Although the mostly targeted areas are the muscles and joints, other body tissues that benefit from the action include tendons, the skin, ligaments and some of the lymphatic organs. What's more, carefully applied massage on the temple can help relax the mind and the brain.

Massage therapy has become a practice that is being carried out professionally. People who are engaged in this profession are known as masseurs. They have their own special rooms in which their clients are offered the services. The client either lies or sits on a massage table or chair or lies flat on a mat on the floor. The body is either fully or partly unclothed or covered with towels or a blanket. The services are becoming more and more popular and many people are now demanding for them since they have been proved to have a clinical effect on many mental disorders.

The massage therapy has a long history that dates back to Rome, Greece and Mesopotamia civilization. Writings on the practice have also been found in these places. One book that has been constantly referred to in relation to massage is the Bible, which shows that the wives of the ancient kings in the Bible were accustomed to the practice and they would use olive oil in the process. The use of oil makes the process less frictional, not forgetting that the oil has a soothing effect on the skin.

Massage takes different forms, depending on the geographical region. In the Chinese culture for example, massage is carried out using different parts of the body like the fingers, arms and feet! The application of pressure through the massage process is sometimes combined with acupuncture and the resultant process is called acupressure. Massage therapy takes on other forms and names like ayurveda. This is a practice that entails, meditation, application of pressure on the body organs, yoga and application of herbal drugs.

Balinese massage is yet another form that entails rolling the skin and kneading at the same time. To make the process less painful, the masseur makes use of aroma therapy, such that the mind of the client is diverted from the process and is made to concentrate on the different aromas.

Barefoot massage therapy is a massage technique that concentrates on the sole of the feet. Also known as reflexology, the technique is believed to have a direct positive relaxation effect on the mind. The theory behind reflexology is that the feet harbor reflexive nerves that are directly connected to other parts of the body and through which the massage effect flows to the brain. Whatever your choice of massage technique is, one thing we must all agree with is that massage, when done in the proper way, has a healing effect.

Does Human Touch Really Have Restorative Qualities?

Being touched by another human being can cause a person to experience pleasure, pain, reassurance love or compassion. The skin is the largest organ of the human body, but we frequently forget how important the sense of touch can be. There are many different forms of touch therapy in use today; more and more, people are realizing how beneficial a touch can be.

Many studies have been conducted on the body's reaction to being touched and some of the results have been somewhat surprising. Overall, the results in every study concluded that, as long as the touch was not perceived as painful or inappropriate, the effects were overwhelming positive. Some of the positive reactions to being touched by another person, particularly as a result of massage therapy, have been lowered blood pressure; increased blood flow; improved flexibility; less pain in joints and reduced stress.

Massage therapy is frequently much more than simply relaxing the muscles on a sore shoulder or back. There are many different types of massages and different specialties of message therapies. Some of the different types of massage include; Deep Tissue Massage, Swedish Massage, Geriatric Massage, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Prenatal Massage and Trigger Point Therapy, to name only a few. Each form of therapy has its own particular benefit, but all supply an abundance of positive touches which results in both physical and emotional healing.

Many people who have been deprived of regular amounts of positive human touch, such as holding and hugging or rocking, as an infant, are more prone to emotion problems and physical illnesses as they grow and mature. These people often have problems controlling negative emotions and are prone to outbursts and temper tantrums. They are also prone to high blood pressure, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Americans, more so than people in many other Westernized cultures, have a tendency to avoid giving and receiving touch. While research continues to tell us that touch is beneficial, more and more Americans are becoming Touch Phobic. The results of touch avoidance can be nothing but negative. We have become so fearful of negative touches that we are cutting ourselves off from something that is a fundamental part of good mental and physical health.

If we want to grow emotionally as well as physically, we must reintroduce positive touch back into our culture. Shaking hands with people more often, enrolling in interactive sports that require close proximity, hugging family and friends (with permission) and patting a friend on the back are touches that can provide relief from stress and promote physical health. A simple positive touch can supply an overall feeling of wellbeing in the person being touched. Touching is healing and restorative and something we should all be doing, to ourselves and to others, much more often.

The Basic Equipment Required in Hot Stone Massage Therapy

A hot stone massage therapy has become a popular and one of the most requested massages in spas and practices all around the world. It is a massage therapy that uses different kinds of cold or hot stones. It relieves muscle spasms and sometimes is even used for alternative therapy in alleviating pain in illnesses or injuries. It is used with a combination of a Swedish massage with deep heat and pressure provided by warm basalt stones.

If you are a masseuse and planning to incorporate the stone therapy into your practice, it is important you learn the basic equipment used for this massage. Here is a short list of the fundamental tools you need:

1. Massage table
These are specialized tables used to position clients during a massage. Typically, a massage table is easy to clean, heavily padded and has a horse-shoe shaped head support allowing the patient to breathe normally while lying face down.

2. Linens for the table
These are used for dressing the massage table. If you want to add a special touch for the client, you can use a sheepskin to warm the pad underneath the flannel linens.

3. Electrical heating unit

Many masseuses utilize roasting pans for the purpose of heating the stones. These pans can be purchased in any retail store and is available online. An insulated container is also a good alternative especially if the therapist frequently travels to their clients.

4. Massage oils
The three most commonly used massage oil are grape seed, olive and rose oils. Most therapists use their oil of choice during massage session. Oils are used as a lubricating source for a hot stone massage. The element of aromatherapy will definitely enhance a massage session. Lavender oil is also a good choice because it promotes relaxation.

5. Basalt stones
Massage stones comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and packages. Basalt stones are generally used for a hot stone therapy. It can absorb and retain heat very well.

The number of hot stones used in a stone massage can vary. In a full massage, there are approximately 48-56 stones you need to use. You can also use fewer stones but you will need to constantly reheat them.

It is also important to keep the stones clean after using them. There are various storage bags available for this purpose. Usually it is included in your purchase if you buy a stone package.

6. Optional equipment
These will include the utensils used for removing the stone s in the heating equipment and different varieties of essential oils.

Most people will be blown away from the level of relaxation a hot stone massage can offer. Not only is it a pleasurable experience for the mind and body but it also alleviates physical pains and aches. Having the right equipment and techniques will certainly allow the client to experience a relaxing massage but will also reduce the strain placed on the therapist while doing the massage.

Specialty Physical Therapy Services

Physical therapy encompasses a wide range of services involving all parts of the human body. From helping patients recover from injury and surgeries to aiding athletes in improving strength and conditioning physical therapists are actively involved in helping people achieve full range of motion and quick recovery. However, there are many conditions that need special services for reducing pain and improving range of motion including complex lymphedema treatment, balance and vestibular rehabilitation and custom orthotics. When you are seeking treatment for a rare or special condition, make sure the physical therapist you are seeing has the experience and clinic to effectively provide specialty physical therapy services.

It is estimated that 40% of people over the age of forty experience dizziness and loss of balance. This condition can be brief but frequent and may be related to vertigo and other balance disorders. Problems with balance are particularly dangerous for the elderly and it is the cause of many serious injuries and fatalities. A physical therapist trained in balance and vestibular rehabilitation will work with patients using a variety of techniques including positional maneuvers, oculomotor exercises and balance retraining to help patients manage the symptoms of dizziness and balance issues. In addition to seniors, people who have had a stroke, head injury or concussion are prone to spells of dizziness and vestibular rehabilitation can help reduce the disorienting feeling from dizziness.

Feet can present a wide range of debilitating and painful conditions including misalignment, loss of arch height, plantar fasciitis and flat feet. Some physical therapists will offer specialty services that include custom orthotics as part of the treatment. This service involves taking a plaster cast of both feet and having a lab fabricate custom orthotics that are worn inside shoes and sneakers to control motion and improve biomechanical alignment of the foot and lower extremity. This service won't be offered by every physical therapy clinic so contact the practice ahead of time to find out.

Some physical therapists stick to healing injuries and surgeries but you can find others who will also provide specialty therapy services for post physical therapy treatment. These wellness and fitness programs involve overall body conditioning and health and encourage patients to take the exercises learned during their treatment and transition each into regular exercise routines that can be done outside of the clinic. Activity programs can be designed around individual goals so each patient gets customized care that focuses on their well being.

Beauty Culture: A Rising Career in India

The beauty culture is rising in India with more number of people becoming conscious about their appearance and looks. Nowadays, both men and women seek professional beauticians to groom them. Moreover, with more women becoming financially independent, their increased earning capacity along with above mentioned reasons has resulted in increased demand for beauty treatments and skilled stylists giving beautician jobs a boom in the market.

Beauty culture is not about outer appearance only but includes services like massage and spa that relax your entire body, mind and soul. The beauty profession is increasingly becoming unanimous choice for lucrative career in India. Not only female employees but also men are becoming a part of beauty jobs. Beauticians are trained professionals to offer beauty services such as hair styling, facial, bridal makeup, massage therapy, manicure, pedicure, saree draping, personal grooming, nail art, and much more.

Eligibility: A career in beauty industry gives you a lucrative and recession proof job opportunity. Moreover, to obtain any course in beauty treatment does not require high education. Minimum qualification required is 10th pass. To become a successful beautician you need to have two major qualities- aptitude and determination.

Courses: A number of short-term and long-term diploma and certificate courses are available that can be taken as per your career plans. The duration of these courses may vary from 1 month to 12 months.You can even get on-the-job training facility while working as a trainee.

Training Schools: A large number of colleges and beauty training schools offer diploma in beauty culture. Some of them include VLCC Institute (all major cities), MeeraBai Polytechnic; Delhi, Government Women's Polytechnic College; Udaipur, and Shri Vaishnav Polytechnic College; Madhya Pradesh, among others.

Recruiters: After pursuing diploma and certification in beauty culture from any one of the reputed college you can get hired by top companies like Clara International, VLCC, Eves, Schwarzkopf, Botox Cosmetic, Lotus, Kushi, and Lakme, among others. On completion of diploma or certification courses in beauty you can even start your own saloon.

VLCC is one of the most renowned fitness and slimming corporate in the world. VLCC Group includes a number of its reputed brands such as VLCC Institute of Beauty, VLCC Spa, Health & Management, VLCC Personal Care Ltd., and VLCC Health Care Ltd. The institutes run by VLCC aims at offering highly skilled professionals to the beauty and health care industry.

A career in beauty culture has bright future due to the continuous growth in demand for beauty services in personal care market in India.Job opportunities in the field are not restricted to beauty industry but include a wide scope in other industries such as fashion houses, Films & TV industry, hotels, and academic institutes, among others.

Job opportunities include: beauty advisor in a reputed cosmetic firm, can be appointed to give demonstrations on skin care and make up, start your on business by opening a saloon, work as beauty consultant, etc.

Attending Acupuncture Schools in New York City

In New York City there are three verified acupuncture schools training hundreds of students how to be highly-effective practitioners. There are several more of these schools located in Brooklyn and in nearby Montclair, NJ. It seems like an awful lot of schools teaching the same basic thing all in one area, even if the area is the massive New York City. However, acupuncture has come into its own in the United States in recent years, and the demand for professional acupuncturists has risen accordingly. In addition to teaching acupuncture, these schools also prepare students for careers in Oriental medicine and massage. Attending an acupuncture school in New York City could be the beginning of a great new career for you, so read on.

The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine has a faculty that encompasses expert acupuncturists, traditional medical doctors, and Taoist priests. The program is designed to teach students an appreciation of both Oriental medicine and the medical problems which plague today's patients. Based on the concept that observation and reason lead to knowledge, students are given a basic foundation of knowledge in a classroom setting and then a great deal of clinical practice. A student receives 950 hours of hands-on training under the guidance of experienced professionals. For those who would prefer not to attend acupuncture school in New York City, Pacific College also has a campus in Chicago and San Diego.

Another acupuncture college in New York City is the Tri-State College of Acupuncture. This is one of the oldest acupuncture schools in the United States, and it is still being run by practicing acupuncturists, which some schools aren't. A master's degree program includes in-depth training in Oriental Medicine and in three different types of acupuncture. Each student begins clinical training during their first week on campus and will become well-versed in treating every condition which patients might seek an acupuncturist to cure.

A third acupuncture school in New York City is merely called Acupuncture School. It is located at 226 W. 26th St. in the city, but there is no detailed information on the school on the Internet, so you'll have to check it out in person.

Sports Massage - Post-Event

The purpose of a massage after a major event is simply to aid the athlete to recover from the activity. This is achieved by reducing post-exercise soreness, re-establishing full range of motion and enhancing blood flow to tight muscles. The length of recovery time from strenuous competition can be dramatically reduced with a good post-event massage. Studies have found that correctly applied massage in the first two hours after activity can be critical for reducing the effect of delayed onset muscle soreness (1). Although they could not detect any change in measured physiological variables, post-event massage did lower the intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness. Post-event massage can also be employed after (heavy) training sessions as well as competition.

The primary goal of post-event massage is very similar to that of pre-event massage (2), namely promotion of circulation and to lengthen tight muscles. However, the difference is that the muscles are now in a state of congestion and fatigue following maximal effort and performance. Therefore the objective is to increase the athlete's rate of recovery by decreasing soreness and fatigue, speeding up the removal of metabolic by-products and relieving the increased tone of the muscles. Please note that the delayed onset muscle soreness is not caused by lactic acid build-up as is commonly espoused. Current research suggests that the delayed soreness may be caused by

- microtrauma of the muscle fibres

- a micro-tearing of the fascia

- the pain-ischemia-pain cycle resulting from overuse, oedema and inflammation or

- a combination of all of these.

A post-event massage is typically administered for around 10 to 15 minutes. Even 5 minutes on the legs after a City to Surf type event is beneficial. It is certainly not a full-body massage. For example, a typical post-event leg routine might consist of:

- compressive effleurage to calm the nervous system

- compression for spreading muscle fibres and also enhancing blood flow

- petrissage for easing muscle tension and

- compressive effleurage as a finishing stroke to soothe.

Depending upon the circumstances, the therapist may consider that some gentle therapeutic stretching may be appropriate.

When performing post-event massage, the massage therapist is much more likely to encounter athletes that require first aid. During the massage the therapist should watch for cuts, scrapes, blisters, bruises and mild strains and sprains. However, it should be noted that, depending on the training of the therapist, providing first aid is generally not within the scope of practice for massage therapy. When a sports massage therapist suspects that an athlete has a problem, they should seek the help of a qualified medical staff member at the event.

Although most athletes carry out a warm-down routine after training sessions, they often fail to do so after competition because of exhaustion, elation or even disappointment. An effective post-event massage can help an athlete feel better immediately following a competition. Along with a big psychological lift, it can allow the athlete to recover mor quickly. Almost all athletes look forward to seeing massage therapists at an event because they know that they will enjoy a well-deserved post-event massage.

Discover the Relaxing Thai Massage - Here Are the Top 5 Best Massage Centers in Thailand

Thai massage is said to have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, believed to be the, physician to the Buddha, in India more than 2,500 years ago. It has then made its way to Thailand, where its principles and techniques slowly became influenced by the customary Chinese medicine.

It was performed by monks for centuries used as one element for Thai medicine. Thai massage is said to be more stimulating and precise than any other kinds of massage.

It is also being called the "Thai yoga massage", where in the therapists uses their hands, knees, legs, and feet to move people into a sequence of yoga-like positions. Many people say it is like performing yoga without doing any work. Much compression of the muscles in the joint areas and acupressure are used during the massage treatment. Many describe Thai massage as both comforting and refreshing sort of therapy.

Here are the five best massage centers in Thailand:

1.     The Garden Chiang Mai - located in Chiang Mai, Thailand offers you the enjoyments of foot massages in the garden. Garden Chiang Mai massage is based on reflexology and acupressure styles, which means that with their qualified staff, massage is always relaxing and stimulates the whole system. They also offer neck and back massage here. With just 150 baht per hour, one can enjoy traditional Thai massage. The massage routines are performed in luxury air-conditioned rooms. This is a Thai massage center designed to awaken and manipulate the body. Thai massage provides full relief from many aches and pains which helps with achieving good posture.

2.     Oriental de Phuket - found in Phuket, Thailand a place for one to have a refreshing mind and body. Oriental de Phuket is well recommended for Healthy Massage that will help everyone reduce stress and have a peaceful time. 

Here, one will observe warmest welcome and the best services. therapists are well trained and qualified by specialized Thai Massage Association

3.     Chiva Som - is everyone's "Haven of Life" located in the the Gulf of Thailand. Chiva-Som is all about learning to live, enjoy life, enjoy life's pleasures and appreciate Thai massages. Here, one enjoys relaxing Thai massage and other different massage techniques. The Chive som massage center has well trained staff that will surely give everyone the comfort they need.

4.      Health Land - located in Pattaya Nua Road, Thailand. Offers relaxing Thai massages for as low as 450 Baht per session. The massage will take up to 2 hours, where one can fully relax and enjoy the luxury of the place while having a peaceful time.

5.    Friend's Massage - located only 200 meters away from Sukhumvit. It is a clean and good-looking building which has been newly renovated. Friend's massage offers traditional Thai massage and oil massages, beauty treatments such as manicure, pedicure, facial massage, nail painting, and even hairdressing services.