Top Physical Therapy Specializations

The top physical therapy specializations include cardiovascular/pulmonary, geriatric, pediatric, orthopedic and sports therapy. These are far from the only physical therapy specializations, but they are probably the most sought-after services in this field. These five specializations are listed in further detail below.

1. Cardiovascular/Pulmonary

Physical therapists that specialize in cardiovascular or pulmonary therapy are concerned with treating diseases and dysfunctions in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Patients suffering from CHF, COPD and post operative heart disease often come to physical therapists practicing this specialty to consult about the various exercises and treatments that they can use to increase their health. Physical therapists must complete post graduate work in this specialization before they can practice it.

2. Geriatric

There is a great demand for physical therapy from the elderly population, and this will only continue to increase as the "Baby Boomers" enter their golden years. Conditions such as cancer, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other age-related afflictions make the physical therapy needs of the elderly very unique. There are many job opportunities in this field right now in physical therapy practices, nursing homes and assisted living centers.

3. Pediatric

As a physical therapist specializing in pediatric therapy, you would receive additional training on conditions that affect children during your graduate studies. Various conditions of the bones, muscles, organs, skin and brain affect children differently than they do adults, because their bodies are still developing. Treatment plans must not only take the condition into consideration, but the future development of the child as a result.

4. Orthopedic

Physical therapists that specialize in orthopedics are focused on the musculoskeletal system and conditions that affect joint function and muscle balance that can lead to everything from birth defects to overuse and injury to surgery. These specialized physical therapists train in biomechanics and kinesiology during their graduate studies so that they can develop treatment plans and restore their patients back to their natural, harmonious balance.

5. Sports

The sports therapy industry is booming, with more and more athletes pushing their bodies to the limits and newer technologies being developed all the time, to treat injuries and keep athletes on the top of their game. A sports physical therapist might sometimes compete with athletic trainers and sports massage specialists, but their specialized medical training gives them a unique leg up on the competition. Preventing and treating sports injuries in athletes is all in a day's work for a sports physical therapist.

Career in Sports Physical Therapy - Some Top School Suggestions!

Sports Physical Therapy: Some top school suggestions to begin your career in physical therapy.

Everyone who is going to spend their time, energy, and money for an education want to be sure they are getting the best. If you have made the decision to take your education to the next level by looking into the top schools for sports physical therapy, you have made a sound decision for your future.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics believes physical therapy is an excellent career choice and considers this field to be growing at an above average rate. Studies suggest the reason for this trend includes a greater number of older adults choosing to stay active in their later years, as well as more people suffering from injuries and diseases of the muscle and skeletal systems. Here is a look at some of the top schools for sports physical therapy in the country.

First on our list of schools to consider is St. Louis University located in mid-town St. Louis, MO. While not on the list of the least expensive colleges in sports therapy, it does boast an excellent student to professor ratio. That means you can expect this choice of the top schools for sports physical therapy to provide the type of individual attention every student thrives in. St. Louis University also likes for its incoming freshmen to have an average GPA of 3.6 and score between 24 and 29 on the ACT exam. Those who are taking the SAT should set their goals of receiving a 1000 to 1099 score for the best chances of getting in.

Another good candidate on our list of top schools for sports physical therapy is Touro College in New York City. This school offers classes to receive an associates, bachelors, masters, or doctorate. That leaves plenty of options open to you as to the pace and time line of your course study. Just like St. Louis University a score of 1000 to 1099 on the SAT is preferred while the ACT students will want to have somewhere between an 18 and 23 at least. High school graduates should have received a 3.3 to be in good standing for admission.

Last, but certainly not least on our list of top schools for sports physical therapy is Truman State University in the small town of Kirksville, MO. On a side note, this university has a rich and diverse history its student body and facility can be proud of. Let's get to the details of academic performance. SAT scores average at 1200 to 1299 for admission with ACT scores being in the 24 to 29 ranges. High school GPA averages like to hang out at 3.8 for the incoming freshmen class. Competition is stiff and you will be better off with the kinds of accomplishments these schools are looking for.

It's worth your time to explore the top schools for sports physical therapy if that is the field of study you want to enter. These and other excellent colleges and universities in the U.S. are more than qualified to teach you all you need to know to get your career off to a great start in sports physical therapy.

Become a Physical Therapy Assistant - Top Four Tips for a Successful Career

Have you always had a flair for helping people? Then you can do even more by becoming a physical therapy assistant. Through this concise guide, you will learn four tips that will not only help you start your career in this field, but will also ensure you of making it a successful one.

Tip # 1) Learn your responsibilities.

You need to understand this job to be able to succeed. You will be asked to perform duties that are similar to those of a physical therapist. This means that you will conduct therapeutic exercises and provide massages. However, because your main duty is to help the physiotherapist, you will be in charge of observing patients and evaluating their progress. Plus, as a physical therapy assistant, you may also perform clerical duties like ordering supplies and completing forms.

Tip # 2) Understand what you, a physical therapist and a physical therapist aid do.

To avoid any mix ups, you should understand the job descriptions of a physical therapist and physical therapist aid. A physical therapist will help patients with therapeutic exercises and massages. He/she will design the patient's rehabilitation therapy and works with him/her for weeks, months or even years. An assistant will be supervised by the therapist while performing treatments. As for an aid, his/her duties differ from those of a physical therapy assistant. An aid helps in making therapy sessions more productive, keeps the treatment area clean, and prepares the patient for therapy. An aid is also supervised by the physiotherapist, but he/she may report to the assistant.

Tip # 3) Choose the right training for you.

Choosing the right training program is one of the factors that can affect your employment chances and expected salary. You need to enroll in an associate's degree in physical therapist assisting to be allowed to practice. However, make sure that the program is an accredited physical therapy assistant program. Call the institute offering this training and ask whether it is accredited or not. Also, make sure that your curriculum includes basic medical sciences and other general education courses.

Tip # 4) Ask around for your state's licensing requirements.

In most states, all you need to start practicing as a physiotherapist's assistant is an associate's degree from an accredited program. However, you should always check whether your state requires that you have a specific license to practice. At most, you may have to sit for a state examination, earn a CPR and First Aid certificate, and complete a physical therapy assistant internship.

With these tips, your career as a physical therapy assistant is going to be smoothly paved out for you.

Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements

Becoming a physical therapy assistant is a great way to build a career that allows plenty of hands-on, personal involvement with patients, yet without having to get a 4-year degree.

In actuality, many physical therapy assistants (PTAs) work closer with the patients than the physical therapist does, so it could be a great job for those looking for that kind of interaction.

Physical therapy assistant requirements are fairly strict in the US however; with the way that the healthcare profession in general is not only increasing, but also continuing to educate, this will likely remain so, too.

More and more assistant positions are being re-evaluated, as are the educational requirements to hold those positions, the PTA being one of them.

Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements - Education

Although a degree is not technically required in order for someone to take the test to earn their PTA and then become licensed, today, most employers will not hire anyone who does not have an Associate's Degree.

So, it is possible to become employed after taking a vocational course, but not as likely and not recommended.

Those that are hiring PTAs are looking for that 2-year degree, as well as other qualifications, and according to a number of professional organizations like the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) the educational preference - if and when it becomes an actual requirement - is likely to be a 4-year requirement.

With this in mind, it is highly recommended that anyone looking to enter the medical profession as a PTA earn their 2-year Associates' Degree prior to testing and licensing in order to have the best job opportunities available to them.

Students will not only be well prepared for all testing, but they will be ready to enter the job field, as well as pass any additional testing or other requirements that may be on the horizon if and when the rules do change.

Those who attend vocational programs are technically more suited for physical therapy aide positions, which are very different and require no licensure or certification.

Becoming a PTA in the UK and some areas in Europe is considerably different than in the US in that the base position requires no formal education other than passing 4 or more GCSEs.

However, most physical therapy assistants do go on to take more specialized training that is available only to those already working as a PTA, and earn specialized titles in different concentration areas such as cardiovascular physical therapy, neurologic, stroke recovery and more.

Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements - Licensure

In the US, in 48 of 50 states currently, in order to be employed as a PTA job seekers need to pass qualification skills testing and obtain licensure. This is something that is required on a statewide basis, so even if someone is a PTA and holds a license in one state, they will still need to test in a new state in order to gain licensure and the ability to be employed there.

The only two states that do not require licensure right now are Colorado and Hawaii, though it is uncertain if that will change as other educational and employment rules change.

Board Licensure of Physical Therapy Assistants involves taking a physical therapy exam, which is presented by and governed by each state's health department.

Additionally, there are continuing education requirements, and licenses must be renewed every few years in order for a PTA to remain legally employed. Those working in a physical therapy aide position are not required to obtain licensure or accrue continuing education credits.

As it is probably expected, salaries in all positions are considerably higher for the licensed individuals in the US and the specialized PTA employees in the UK.

Not just that, but these positions offer much more in terms of responsibility and actual involvement in patient treatment and care, which is usually a main interest of those who seek employment as a PTA. When considering the fact that requirements are likely to be increasing, it stands to reason that anyone entering the profession would want to earn the 2-year Associates Degree.

Also, many PTAs find that after working in the field for a while they desire to continue their education to become a licensed physical therapist; in these cases, schooling can simply be continued where it was left off to earn new requirements in no time.

Top 10 Questions You Never Thought to Ask in a Physical Therapist Interview!

As generations change and the world of Physical Therapy changes, hiring the right staff becomes a daily challenge. Understanding the needs of Generation X, Generation Y and now the Millenialists can be confusing and leave the employer wondering "What do they want!"

In the process of interviewing new Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation staff, the conversation can be turned on the employer leaving her caught off guard and feel as though the benefits, or schedule, or pay scale is not "good enough" for the prospective job candidate. Instead of feeling as though the interviewee must be impressed with the company, they must be impressed upon to understand the company's ethics and values. It is important to remember that many skills can be taught; true character is either brought to the table or left home.

Too often during an interview the standard questions are asked; "What are your strengths and weaknesses?", "How did you improve a procedure at your current job?"and the most standard of all interview questions "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Only a very secure person would answer this last question the way we would all like to answer it, "On a beach in Hawaii retired!"
Provided the prospective employee has the correct qualifications and experience to apply for the job, assessing someone's character during an interview can be difficult. The employer must find ways to go beyond the obvious questions and truly assess the person they are interviewing. These are some suggested ways to perform a character assessment during a Physical Therapy job interview:

1. Constant Learning: A true lifelong learner will never admit to having all the answers but be able to logically state how to find answers and are ready to admit to needing to find answers. After locating an answer, does the interviewee circle back and close the conversation with appropriate information or follow up? Does the interviewee openly admit a time when they made an error and how they were able to address the issue? Does the person have a plan to continue to grow both professionally as well as personally? Too often we worry about only the person who walks in our door from 8-4:30 and not the person as a whole.

2. Have a Guiding Vision: Does the person have a clear idea of what they want to accomplish, again personally and professionally, and the strength to persist in the face of difficulties and failures. Ask them what obstacles they have overcome to achieve past goals and how did they maintain their focus during difficulty. What is the person's ultimate professional goal?

3. Service Oriented: Too often we hear "What can you do for me?" instead of "What can I do for you?" Is the person truly invested in making a difference? Do they see their role as a career instead of a mission or just a means to justify the end? What drove the individual to this profession and what motivates them to embrace Physical therapy and will they embrace the continued growth of the profession?

4. Radiate Positive Energy: You know those people! They can sell water to a drowning man and make them think it is a great idea! You want to sit and talk to them for hours! They are cheerful, pleasant, happy, optimistic, and upbeat and have the ability to translate those feelings into their views of others. Ask the individual the types of teammates they work best with or get a sense of the types of people they surround themselves with both personally and professionally.

5. Have Passion! Do they truly believe in what they do as a Physical Therapist professional? Do they do what they love and love what they do? Are they able to answer "What is your passion?"

6. Work in Synergy: In a team environment, is the person able to build on their own strengths while complimenting their weaknesses with the strengths of others? Build on the basic concept of "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" It is not so much what their strengths and weakness are but how they use them and adapt them to lend these attributes to their overall success. Are they able to share accomplishments with their teammates for their contributions and able to recognize the success of each person is intricately linked to the success of many?

7. Have Courage and be Daring: Does the individual demonstrate their ability and their undaunting attitude to tackle tough issues? Are they able to accurately assess the level of risk involved in a situation and how adept are they are accepting risk? Is the individual driven by the "popular" choice or are they willing to be unpopular at times while daring to do the right thing? Ask them "Tell me about an unpopular decision you made but knew it was the right thing to do?" Assess if the individual is a low, medium or high risk taker through this discussion.

8. Lead a Balanced Life: Each person should ask themselves this question! Is life balanced in their eyes while not being consumed by any one thing? Is there a balance between business, physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual well being? Balanced life activities will keep you satisfied as a whole person and these individuals are much happier at their jobs and are able to radiate positive energy while taking risk. If someone over emphasizes one area of their life and then struggles in that one area, it could lead to an unraveling of abilities and discontent. A well balanced individual lends depth of character as well stability to themselves and to others.

9. Be Internally Motivated: Too often individuals are motivated by factors out of their control like financial gain, benefits or time off. Problems arise when there is a different level of expectation between employer and employee regarding financial motivation and the employee is at higher risk for "job hopping" thinking the grass is always greener if they are offering more money or better benefits! Internal motivation and the ability to appreciate your own goals and accomplishments as well as the goals and accomplishments of others is truly a unique ability and will keep dedicated employees for years to come.

10. I Can Do It! A "can do" attitude is contagious and essential for both customer service as well as project and team management. Someone who believes in them self will also believe in others. The success of the practice is directly linked to the success of its individuals!

The interview process can be very difficult on both a facility as well as the individual. Use the prospect's resume and their ability to communicate while setting up the interview as a way to begin to decipher whether or not the candidate would compliment your practice. Give the person a task to complete prior to the interview as a mini job assignment. If it is completed easily as requested, continue on. If the prospect suggests three other ways the same thing could be accomplished and presents unprepared to the interview, you may have saved yourself precious time as well as thousands of dollars.

Use the time you have both prior to the interview and during an interview wisely. Each step of the process provides valuable information about the candidate. By incorporating some of the techniques listed above, a more complete picture of the candidate is formed which will lend itself to a better match and a more successful employee.

Mental Vacations - Easy Ways To Escape The Daily Grind

A mental vacation can mean different things to different people. Essentially, you can take a mental vacation in almost any place, and you can select the activity that is the most calming for you. Many people allow themselves ten minutes to close their eyes at their desk while others go for a long walk and still others escape into the tranquil environment offered by a professional massage therapist. Regardless of how you do it, the act of removing yourself from everyday stresses can rejuvenate you both mentally and physically. The following sections will explore three ways that you can take a mental vacation.

Massage Therapy

The physical benefits of massage therapy are well known to many people. A massage helps to improve your flexibility and range of motion. This is critical for athletes as well as for people with chronic pain issues. Because a massage improves blood flow, it can help to reduce your fatigue, and most people find massage to be a very effective way of reducing their stress levels.

When turning to massage therapy, you will have several different types of massage from which you can choose. Trigger Point massage relies on a cycle of pressure and release that helps to relieve the tight muscles that cause pain. Swedish massage is growing in popularity, and this type of massage is especially good for stress and chronic pain. It works by promoting circulation and working on the movement of your lymph nodes. Deep Tissue massage is perfect for loosening scar tissue, addressing pain, lengthening muscles, and releasing tension. Certain types of massage have been designed to give relief to certain groups of people. These types of massage include sports massage for athletes, prenatal massage for pregnant women, and geriatric massage for the elderly.

If you are not interested in a full body massage, you may enjoy the benefits of reflexology or cranial sacral therapy. Reflexology works on your whole body by massaging your feet in strategic places, and cranial sacral therapy deals with stress, headaches, and other issues through a specialized type of massage that focuses on the head.

Taking A Walk

It sounds almost too simple to work, but a short walk can be a wonderful mental vacation. Spending twenty minutes outside each day gives you the perfect amount of exposure to the sun. Twenty minutes in the sunshine can boost your mood and help to prevent the onset of depression, and it also can provide you with your daily dose of vitamin D.

Disconnect Yourself from Technology

Modern technology is supposed to make our lives easier, and it does to a certain extent. However, overexposure to TVs, computers, and mobile devices actually adds to the culture of anxiety. In fact, too much exposure to these forms of technology can overstimulate your eyes and brains. This makes it harder to shut down and relax. To help yourself relax, you should remove yourself from all technology at least once a day for at least thirty minutes.

Giving yourself a break does not have to be expensive or time consuming. If you are feeling overwhelmed with life, you may want to try one of the above techniques. You will love the new calmer you.

The Benefits of Massage Therapy on the Body

Massage therapy is an alternative medicine that has been gaining in popularity at a rapid rate. The field of massage therapy has not only grown in size but also in the availability of therapists, massage studios and clinics that offer massage. There is no question that most people would love to get a massage. What people don't realize about massage is that it not only feels good and relaxes the body, mind and spirit, but it actually is healing to the body, muscles and soft tissues.

Massage therapy dates back to the B.C. era to ancient civilizations such as Greek, Roman, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Egyptian and Mesopotamian. Now massage is all over the world. In China massage is considered part of their primary healthcare and is taught in medical schools. Massage therapy was introduced to the U.S. in the 1800's. However its progression in the American medical scene has been slow and rocky. Throughout the early 1900's massages influence decreased due to technological advancements in medicine, however massage regained its reputation in the early 60's and 70's as professional athletes began to use massage therapy within their health routine. One huge deterrent for massage therapy as an alternative medicine and as a profession was the unsavory characters that used massage therapy to advertise sexual services.

Buying and selling sex or sexual services is illegal in the U.S. and several other countries. Therefore using the cover of massage therapy, massage parlors offer sexual services after the purchase of a massage. For a while massage had become infamous for this type of service, which damaged its reputation. Overtime, true masseurs slowly but surely regained the reputation of massage therapy as a therapeutic healing treatment.

Now massage is a huge industry with thousands of schools, clinics, and therapeutic work settings as well as licensing and credentialing within each state. Even though massage parlors still exist, their presence remains largely in the seedy hoods and ghettos. Today when you mention massage therapy people don't think of sexual favors but rather a relaxing and pleasing experience. Massage therapy has recovered its respect as a healing art through manipulation of the body and muscle tissue.

The average person would tell you that massage therapy involves rubbing the body with lotion or cream that is relaxing and feels good. This interpretation of massage, although correct in layman's terms doesn't explain what massage therapy is or how it affects the body. Massage therapists manipulate the soft tissues of the body to enhance function, promote relaxation, reduce muscle spasms, pain and inflammation, reduce nerve compression, decrease myofascial trigger points, increase range of motion and joint flexibility, reduce blood pressure, improve posture, calm the nervous system, and improve circulation.

Massage involves manual manipulation of the soft tissue through pressure, tension, motion, and vibration. Based upon specific patient problems will determine the areas that a massage therapist will work on. Techniques can be applied through the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, or feet depending upon the type of massage. As well as determining the specific tissue to target whether it be a muscle, tendon, ligament, skin, joint, connective tissue, lymphatic vessels or organ. There are numerous types of massage techniques. Some of the common massage techniques include Ayurvedic, deep tissue, sports massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, reflexology, medical massage, Swedish massage, stone massage, Thai massage, and shiatsu. In addition to the techniques, there are several different strokes that massage therapist must use such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, mobilization, trigger point therapy, neuro-muscular, manual lymphatic drainage and manual traction.

Although massage is considered a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), it is becoming increasingly part of the medical world. Massage has a variety of settings including health clubs, health clinics, doctor offices, private offices, nursing homes, sports facilities and hospital settings. Massage therapy is used in conjunction with several other medical professions such as chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, personal training and sports trainers.

Whatever the reason you get a massage, it is a great therapeutic modality to relieve stress, tension, anxiety, headaches, neck pain, back pain and several other physical or mental problems. If you haven't experienced a massage yet then its time you had one. Many people include massage in their health regimen because it not only has positive effects on the body but on the mind and spirit as well. As your friends for recommendations of a therapist near you!

Physical Therapy Tips - Everything You Need To Know

Even though physical therapy information has now been available for quite some time and physical therapy is growing in popularity day by day, it still is not the first thing that comes to mind, unless the doctor recommends it. There are so many benefits of physical therapy that it can be good for a patient in a number of ways. Physical therapy information is easily accessible and should be studied before starting sessions so that you are fully knowledgeable about what to expect.

Improving and maintaining the body's mobility is physical therapy's primary objective. This objective is attained by applying various treatment methods. Only person evaluation by the physical therapist can help in deciding the most suitable treatment plan for individual requirements since like doctors, physical therapists are also specialists. Physical therapists may specialise in orthopedics, pediatrics or sports physical therapy, among others. All of them are suitably trained for their particular specialisation and are capable of recognising the symptoms and suggesting customised treatment plans. A doctor or a physical therapist can tell you whether you need the services of a specialist physical therapist.

Physical therapy information is listed in the phone book, so is easily accessible. All details such as location, specialisation and charges of physical therapist are available from the phone book. Once you have short listed a physical therapist, consult with your doctor. Even a joint consultation with your doctor and the physical therapist you have chosen may be beneficial as the physical therapist can suggest treatment and the doctor can provide the evaluation and monitoring.

There is plenty of physical therapy information available online as well. There are specialist websites that list information about physical therapists and also about what they do and how they perform their wonders, in case you want to learn more. The website of American Physical Therapy Association gives information on physical therapy and lists details about therapists by state, so that it is easily accessible. The techniques and procedures adopted by physical therapists and their benefits to the affected parts of the body are described in detail. It makes it easier to understand treatment through physical therapy.

Being inquisitive, getting the physical therapy information and understanding it well will ensure that you know what you are getting into. It will also make you comfortable with your physical therapist and significantly increase the quality and speed of healing. Getting physical therapy information not only will make you well informed about the treatment you are getting but also improve your health and secure your peace of mind.

Physical Therapy Tricks for Plugged/Blocked Milk Ducts

As a Physiotherapist (aka Physical Therapist) and expectant mother, I find myself increasingly interested in the physical challenges faced by new mothers and their babies. The rapid growth that occurs for both mom and baby creates unique physical demands that are typically without parallel in normal everyday life. These physical demands can lead to a variety of disorders ranging from pelvis / sacroiliac instability in mothers due to rapid weight gain and hormonal changes that result in ligament loosening (also known as laxity), to a stiff and crooked neck in infants (Torticollis) which a baby can have upon birth, or acquire in the weeks that follow.

Physiotherapists have an impressive toolbox of techniques for treating a wide range of orthopedic conditions including those mentioned above. One little-known indication for physiotherapy, which I have treated with great success, is blocked milk ducts in nursing mothers. While this issue clearly does not fall within the typical assortment of orthopedic conditions and sports injuries that have become synonymous with physiotherapy, physiotherapy modalities including therapeutic Ultrasound and massage techniques can be extremely effective in clearing clogged ducts.

Blocked milk ducts can be painful and are always distressing. Symptoms include tender, reddish and warm areas of the breast, with progressive loss of milk. Although the cause is not always clear, it is believed to commonly arise from the accumulation of dried milk within the network of Lactiferous ducts. Risk factors for developing blockage include incomplete or infrequent drainage due to short or infrequent feeds, and prolonged pressure from straps, seatbelts or tight bras. In most cases, mothers can self-treat blocked milk ducts using a few easy strategies (as also recommended by the Canadian Breastfeeding Association):

1. Nurse your baby often day and night to completely drain the breast.


2. Massage the breast to loosen the blockage during nursing.


3. Wear non-restrictive clothing.


4. Soak your breasts in warm water with Epsom salts for 10 minutes before each feeding (a handful of salt in 2-4 litres).


5. Try different feeding positions including leaning over your baby.


6. Eat healthy and drink lots of water.

If the condition persists for more than 2-3 days then physiotherapy may be warranted. By applying painless therapeutic Ultrasound supplemented with manual massage techniques, blocked ducts will typically be relieved in a 1-2 sessions with your registered physiotherapist. (You may want to ensure that your physiotherapist has experience in treating this condition). Please check with your Physical Therapist or Family Physician before implementing the practices suggested in this article.

Cupping Massage Provides Deep Tissue Massage Without Compression

What if you could have the benefits of deep tissue massage without the deep pressure? Cupping massage offers that alternative.

Standard deep massage uses deep pressure to help break up and get rid of scar tissue from previous injuries and adhesions (stuck together tissue) from the stresses of daily living. In contrast, cupping massage uses suction and negative pressure to affect the deeper muscles.

How Cupping Works

Modern cupping massage grew out of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice of cupping therapy. In traditional cupping therapy, the TCM practitioner places a flame inside a glass, pottery, or bamboo cup. The flame draws the oxygen out of the cup, creating a vacuum, and the practitioner quickly places the open end of the cup on your body.

The vacuum in the cup creates a seal on your skin that has a suction and negative pressure that lifts your skin and underlying tissue. This stimulation causes blood to rush to the area and improves qi flow. Typically, TCM practitioners leave the cups in one place (stationary cupping) for about ten minutes, although practitioners do sometimes move the cups (running cupping) in a massage fashion.

Modern Deep Tissue Cupping Massage

A main difference between traditional and massage cupping is that a massage practitioner uses the cups to perform massage strokes, such as scooping the edge of the cup over a muscle, vigorous circles, or long strokes along the muscles. Before placing cups on your skin, the massage practitioner applies oil to your skin to make moving them easier and smoother.

Some massage practitioners use the technique already described (called fire cupping). Another, newer, technique uses a manual vacuum set. The practitioner places a cup on your body and uses an attached pump to remove the air.

In Eastern terms, the suction and negative pressure of deep tissue cupping massage breaks up local qi stagnation. In Western terms, you can think of qi stagnation as poor blood circulation or poor movement of lymphatic fluid. The potential benefits of cupping massage include:

• Relaxes tight muscles


• Drains excess fluids and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways


• Loosens adhesions and scar tissue by lifting connective tissue


• Stimulates circulation.

Considerations

Cupping massage causes the skin to become red, which indicates that blood is coming to the surface. The suction draws the skin up into the cup, causing the surface blood vessels to expand. This suction can cause discoloration, because a small amount of blood may leak from peripheral capillaries. The discoloration usually fades within a few days.

As with all types of massage, this type of massage is not for everyone, so make sure your massage practitioner is aware of all your medical conditions. Conditions for which massage cupping is inappropriate include inflamed skin, high fever, convulsions or cramping, and easy bleeding. Also, cupping is not appropriate on the abdominal area or lower back of pregnant women.

Tips on Managed Care and Credentialing for Physical Therapists

As we are all aware, managing payer contracts is an important and on-going activity. Here are some tips that are proven to help you succeed as a private practice clinician and support team.

The Managed Care team in Central Office works diligently on auditing all payer contracts. Payer contracts are audited yearly; broken up into 4 quarters of the year. Extensive audit practices assure that both the payers and the practices are in agreement with what the contract states, and ensures that payers have correctly identified the practice information for patients looking to access the physical & occupational therapy services. An in-depth look should be taken at all critical success factors that influence both volume of visits and reimbursement. This is a great way to sort out any variance, but more importantly, work to solidify relationships with payer partners.

The first place to start looking at is how the practices and professional providers are listed in the payer directories. This activity assures accuracy in on-line directories as well as paper ones. If the practices are not listed correctly, patients and referral sources will not find them as participating clinics. This also allows a practice the opportunity to update payers with new provider names, locations and/or specialty programming. Doing this activity assures that the practices have access to patients and makes it easy for referral doctors to feel comfortable that they have chosen an "in-network" provider for their patients.

There are a few other correct influences to keep in mind to ensure reimbursement. Make sure all payments are made via electronic fund transfer. Compare the explanation of benefits (EOB) received from the payer to the fee schedule negotiated to assure the practices are getting paid the exact amount expected. Should there be any variance, contact the payer representative right away to correct. During this contact audit, take the opportunity to meet with the payer representatives. This networking activity builds a stronger relationship and allows the payer to see what is being done in the clinics and get insights on what is expected in the future. Carving these inroads with the networking activities and payers will allow the payer the opportunity to learn more about physical & occupational therapy.

After finishing the audit, share the results with each member of the practice management team. It's important to be seamlessly integrated with payer rules and nuances. Having every member of the team knowing the specificity of the contact gives patients a better guest experience by being a resource on their insurance payer.

Chair Massage Routines

Chair massage professionals often like using predetermined chair massage routines when doing seated massage.

Why?

One reason is that chair massage was developed by David Palmer who was a strong proponent and educator of a ancient Japanese style of massage called Amma. Like many of the Eastern styles of massage, the techniques of Amma massage are applied in a systematic and sequential fashion. So as Palmer developed chair massage he carried that approach with him, referring to this approach as a massage kata rather than a massage routine.

This history aside, there are some good reasons to use a chair massage routine.

Chair massage routines:

1. Provide for a level of quality control. This is especially when chair massage practitioners are working together as a group which they often do.

2. Become automatic. When you are massaging dozens of people in a public space there are distractions. Having a chair massage routine ensures that you dont become distracted and leave out important parts of your massage.

3. It provides a framework on which you can build a longer massage. Its a solid foundation so to speak.

Students of Relax to the Max, the only massage school in North America specializing in chair massage, learn a researched and highly effective chair massage routine as part of their chair massage training. This routine was first developed in 1994 and has been developed and refined since then on tens of thousands of customers. The massage routine focuses on the back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands.

The routine was also designed to accelerate a students learning process, allowing them to do a safe, effective, and deeply relaxing massage in a matter of days. In less than a week of training, students are able to do massage that feels so good, that many customers think that they have trained for years.

But unlike most chair massage training thats available, Relax to the Max training goes well beyond a predetermined chair massage routine. Students learn a large range of techniques that cover every part of the body from scalp to toes. They learn how to customize a massage of any length and are able to do anything from a three minute shoulder rub at the ninth on a golf course, to a full body massage with the person sitting right in the chair.

Massage Therapy - 7 Steps to Successful Whiplash Recovery

Following an auto accident the initial matter the claimant will need to take care of is their whiplash injury, which can be examined by a medical professional. At this visit have the medical professional write you a referral script for medical massage at any Greeley massage clinic that accepts insurance for payment. Visiting a medical professional is incredibly important if you want 100 % compensation since getting your injuries examined you may reduce your chances of the injuries from getting any worse as well as you will have proof that you sustained a personal injury due to the accident. In addition the medical professional can assist you in finding all proper care by referring you to local therapists and/or other medical specialists.

Legal Steps:

1. Acquire professional legal guidance in order to find out if you are a candidate for a whiplash claim due to the fact of the unpredictable nature of the recovery from whiplash injury. Be sure to ask your attorney for a recommendation to a highly skilled Greeley massage therapy facility.

2. Acquire a medical report documenting that you are suffering through a whiplash injury and begin receiving treatment. This approach will assist your attorney to go forward with your whiplash injury compensation claim. Obtaining the appropriate legal team in your corner can be a key turning point for your overall experience. Most people do not have any experience in dealing with insurance companies, the attorneys have this experience...

3. Be sure to get the name and contact information of the involved party as well as their automobile's license plate number together with insurance details. These are useful information for the accident claim case. It is a legal requirement to supply the appropriate details if requested by accident involved parties. Possible Wellness Steps:

4. Medical Massage - Any time medical massage is performed on the body, it improves blood circulation, decreases tension, reduces trigger points, improves range of motion, and also minimizes daily pain, improving an individuals overall well-being. Find a Greeley massage therapy treatment center that has years of experience in dealing with whiplash and other auto accident related injuries.

5. Chiropractic - The intention of a chiropractor will be to realign the spinal joints as well as enable the joints to restore their natural range of motion. This is generally achieved through gently rotating the patient's head in the direction of joint stress or dysfunction. Following a number of rotations, the chiropractor will apply either a quick thrust or a gradual, steady motion to realign the joints. A number of chiropractors favor the gradual, steady motion for nervous or first-time patients. There are many good and highly qualified chiropractors in the Greeley area.

6. Physical Therapy - Physical therapy is an effective treatment regarding whiplash, particularly when combined with other treatments, Chiropractic, and medical massage. With whiplash, the soft tissues in your neck are damaged, therefore a physical therapist may work with you in order to restore appropriate function and motion of the soft tissues. All three options above include both passive and active treatments. Passive treatments assist to relax your body. They are called passive simply because you will not have to actively participate. Most likely, you are suffering from acute pain because of whiplash, therefore you will more than likely start with passive treatments as your body heals and/or adjusts to the pain. The ultimate goal with all three therapies is to have the patient doing both passive and active treatments.

7. Acupuncture - In the Chinese medical community, it is understood that acupuncture may be utilized to help heal numerous illnesses and injuries. Whiplash injury is just one example of this. There are virtually hundreds of acupressure points recorded in by Chinese physicians. Acupuncture treatment consists of targeting pressure points identified as the Tianzhu BL-10 and Fengchi GB-20. These are pressure points positioned at the back of the head, near the neck.

The majority of individuals recover entirely from a whiplash injury in the first six weeks. Additional symptoms continue to improve over the course of a year. There is a less than 50% chance of suffering from symptoms after three months, and less than a 20% chance after two years. No reliable method is available to predict the prognosis. Individuals who receive care as early on in the injury typically have better and faster results. If the individual waits for a long period of time after the whiplash it gives time for scar tissue to build up which causes more overall pain and takes a longer period of time in the healing process.

Understanding what happens to the tissues in the cervical region during a whiplash injury will help you to see just how important it will be for you to contact a local Greeley massage therapy facility.

What Is RainDrop Therapy?

RainDrop Therapy is a soothing healing technique that uses pure Young Living essential oils. RainDrop Therapy combines aromatherapy, reflexology, massage and moist heat to create healing and cleansing through structural and electrical alignment of the body. The purpose of the treatment is to bring about complete relaxation, harmony, and wellness to the mental, physical, and emotional body.

RainDrop Therapy was created by Gary Young. Gary Young has researched aromatherapy and herbal medicine for over 20 years. He credits the creation of RainDrop Therapy to the Native American Lakotas, the Hunza people of the Himalayan Mountains, and the people of Inner Mongolia for his inspiration. The philosophy behind RainDrop Therapy is that the use of specific antimicrobial oils applied in a particular sequence followed by massage and reflexology techniques will reduce the inflammation in the body and destroy any viral presence. A hot compress is then applied to facilitate absorption of the oils and to relax the muscles. The oils penetrate the soft tissue within 20 minutes. Its soothing effects are incredibly relaxing. Even though the original theory behind RainDrop Therapy is to heal problems of the spine, modifications can be incorporated into the therapy to treat other conditions.

9 different Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils are used in the technique plus a V-6 Mixing Oil and Ortho Ease.

1. Valor - Blends of Rosewood, Blue Tansy, Frankincense and Spruce
2. Oregano
3. Thyme
4. Basil
5. Cypress
6. Wintergreen
7. Marjoram
8. Peppermint
9. Aroma Siez - Blends of Basil, Cypress, Marjoram and Lavender

The Health Benefits RainDrop Therapy:

1. Pain Relief: In a study published in the August 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 60 fibromyalgia patients were surveyed. Aromatherapy, heat and massage were rated most effective.

2. Reduction of Inflammation: Several studies have identified many essential oils as being powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Thyme, wintergreen, and peppermint are three anti-inflammatory oils used during a RainDrop session. For example, wintergreen essential oil contains a high content of natural methyl salicylate which is shown to inhibit inflammation.

3. Improvement of Circulation: A 2004 Russian study tested 100 patients with known brain circulation problems and found that massaging the back of the neck resulted in a significant improvement of cerebral circulation and functional state of the brain.

4. Improvement of Immune System Function: A major study published in 1995 at the University of Miami School of Medicine evaluated the effects of massage on HIV positive men, and concluded that massage was associated with improvement in several measures of immune function relevant to cytotoxic capacity.

5. Release of Repressed Negative Emotions: Bessel A. Van Der Kolk, MD of Harvard Medical School stated that severe emotional stresses can produce subconscious neuroses which are essentially physioneurosis, stored in the amygdala. Inhalation of essential oils can help activate and release subconscious emotional stress.

The benefits of the RainDrop Technique can help improve every aspect of health for better quality of life, physically, mentally, and emotionally. A variety of chronic pain issues may be relieved with one RainDrop therapy treatment.

Physical Therapy Assistant Salary: A Reason to Choose This Career

Physical therapy assistant salary is one of the main reasons to be happy with this career choice, and if you are just interested in this career, it is an excellent reason to consider with regards to your future income, and the job demand for your future profession. A PTA makes a very serviceable salary for the work they do. One of the most important aspect of your future pay day is that it will be consistent. If you are going to study at a physical therapy assistant school, you want to be sure there are PTA jobs that pay you fairly, and are in demand.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth is expected to increase by 35 percent by 2018, much faster and higher than the median for all occupations in the United States.With a higher demand for qualified PTA's it is a very realistic to figure that there may also be a similar growth pattern with regards to the physical therapy assistant salary. The Nation is experience an aging population currently, as the baby boomers age there will be much more need for aid and care. Physical Therapy is a service that will see an increase in its demand due to this very scenario. An aging population is more prone and chronic conditions that compromise mobility and health.

Let's be honest, salary is one of the factors that determines what career we choose plain and simple. Obviously if you choose to study as a PTA, you have an interest in working with individuals, helping others, and gaining a vast knowledge of medical and anatomy terminology. But one of the factors is the physical therapy assistant salary. Having a career that pays you fairly for the work you do, makes you feel like a professional. Also you can take care of your bills and your business on the home front by having a career that allows you to cover your costs of living and some. While PTA's are not the highest paid workers in the world, they get paid quite well for their skill level, and for the education level that they have obtained (Associates degree as physical therapy assistant)

According to the newest information provided at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a physical therapist assistant's median salary of 46,140, with the average range anywhere from 37,170 to over 54,900 annually. If you are interested in relocating, you will find the physical therapy assistant jobs are available all throughout all the states, making this an easy career to be in for relocation. Relocation to a different state will have little effect on your physical therapy assistant salary.

a career that both excites you, challenges you, and in which you receive a respectable physical therapy assistant salary are many of the reasons to consider this career. The diversity of the work involved, and the amount of people you will work with on a given day just add to the benefits of the salary, this truly is a solid job choice for the present and for your financial future.

Become a Physical Therapy Assistant

If you are wondering how to become a physical therapy assistant (P.T.A) you will first need to have the required education. In order to meet the professional requirements one will need to have at least an associates degree in PTA education. For those that wish to pursue a career as a fully licensed physical therapist (P.T.) there are various institutes that offer doctorates in P.T. Person's applying for such courses will need to have a bachelor's degree, which has the prerequisites that various universities require for entry level. Firstly you would need to have a strong science background in order to be accepted.

There are several states that encourage students to further their studies in order to allow them to practice in the US. This professional is challenging as well as physically demanding and people that opt for therapy careers need to be healthy and exceptionally fit.

Physical therapists mainly attend hospitals, clinic, and rehabilitation centers as well as do home visits should patients be bedridden. A position of this nature requires a therapist to be able to handle any situation when it comes to patient professionalism as patients attending a physical therapy practice usually have loss of motor control as well as mobility.

In addition to P.T.A's there are also physical therapy aides who are basically assistants to the physical therapy assistants, as well as general support for the licensed physical therapist. These aids help the assistants to provide patients with comfort and reassurance especially patients that are suffering from distress, pain and discomfort. A physical therapist assistant's job is to provide relief to a patient by administering activities that will improve the quality of life due to debilitating conditions such as sports injuries, head injuries, heart diseases, arthritis, paralysis and any other type of injury to the skeletal, muscle and nervous system.

In order to become a physical therapy assistant you will be required to enroll in a recognized program and obtain an associate degree in order to be recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association. Having a high school diploma is a pre-requisite before you will be able to enroll at one of the accredited physical therapist schools or universities. The duration of a physical therapy program is around two years and then one will be awarded an associate's degree. Once you have completed your program you will then need to require a license.

This program offers students the required hands on clinical experience as well as academic studies. In addition is relevant that students are able to comply with the physiology and anatomy and that they are able to work directly with patients. It is also necessary to have a basic knowledge of chemistry, biology, human physiology and algebra. Students will also participate in a advanced first aid program that included CPR.

The requirements to become a physical therapy assistant not only include theory by clinical practice. One needs to also ascertain that a PTA and a physical therapy aide are completely different. For further information you can go online and check out the different programs as well as the requirements for each state.

Cervical Stenosis Physical Therapy Treatment

The vertebrae are a series of bones connected to each other forming the neck, also known as the cervical spine. The spinal canal, which encloses the spinal cord, runs through the vertebrae. The spinal cord contains major nerves that allow arm and leg movements, sensation, including bladder control and bowel movements.

Cervical stenosis is the condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal. It occurs with age as the intervertebral discs starts to lack water content and hardens. The discs can shrink in height and stick out into the spinal canal. Spinal joints also bulge and protrude into the spinal canal. When the spinal canal narrows, the resulting pressure on the spinal cord leads to another condition called cervical myelopathy, which affects nerve functions.

Cervical stenosis usually does not have symptoms. If it has advanced to cervical myelopathy, the patient may experience neck and arm pain, weakness, and difficulty in moving the arms and legs. Incontinence also occurs in later stages of the disease. Symptoms may appear gradually or develop rapidly.

Early detection plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of cervical stenosis and cervical myelopathy. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and diagnostic tests and recommend an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging ) and CT (Computed Tomography) scan to be able to see the level of narrowing of the spinal canal. You may have to undergo other tests for a complete diagnosis.

What are the treatments for Cervical Stenosis?

Depending on the stage of cervical stenosis, treatments may be operative or non-operative. Usually, patients who have severe fragility and pain in the affected areas and difficulty in walking require surgery. Non-operative or conservative treatment, which includes cervical stenosis physical therapy, is ideal for mild cases.

Patients should understand that cervical stenosis physical therapy would not reduce the narrowing of the spinal canal or bring it back to normal size. The goal of cervical stenosis physical therapy is long-term pain management and increased function that will enable the patient to control pain effectively and function normally without having to undergo surgery.

Cervical stenosis physical therapy starts with improving flexibility in the neck, arms and legs through stretching exercises. It is also important to increase circulation and develop endurance in the arms and legs with cardiovascular exercises such as swimming and treadmill exercises. Your therapist may also add strengthening exercises in your program. While most of these exercises are always under professional supervision, your therapist will also provide you with exercises that you can perform independently.

Supervised cervical stenosis physical therapy may take three or more months. If your condition does not improve after cervical stenosis physical therapy, your physician will then recommend surgery.

Can Vertigo Be Treated With Physical Therapy?

People who have vertigo experience episodes of dizziness or headache when they move their head. It makes it difficult to perform normal daily duties and they often develop disabling headaches. They also can experience nausea or vomiting especially when they wake up in the morning.

Benign positional vertigo is a condition marked by vertigo and dizziness and associated symptoms due to disorders of vestibular system. The primary pathology is hypersensitivity of the balancing system of the brain that gives wrong messages to the brain. Semicircular canals are very sensitive to the movement of inner hair cells (the input from organ of Corti is responsible for the maintenance of your head posture and body balance), but in the presence of calcium crystals that may occur due to aging, tumor, trauma or infection related conditions, the sensory system receives wrong information and you will experience dizziness, vertigo and headache with mild and abrupt head motion.

Although, doctors and healthcare providers suggest medications and pharmacological interventions, nothing really works for benign positional vertigo. But in majority of cases, physical therapy exercises have proved fairly helpful in treating and managing the cases of vertigo due to inorganic causes.

The aim of physical therapy exercises is to prepare and train your body to learn to differentiate different types of head motion. When the vertigo is caused by the movement of calcium crystals or bony fragments in the inner ear, physical therapy exercises help in relocating and readjusting the fragment to limit the duration and frequency of episodes. Physical therapy exercises are perhaps the most preferred mode of therapy in benign positional vertigo (when there is no organic cause of vertigo and other associated symptoms).

Epley or Sermont Maneuvers are performed in the doctor's office or in a physiotherapy clinic because the aim of therapy is to re-lodge or relocate the crystals in inner ear ossicles. During Epley and Sermon maneuvers, your therapist tilts your head at different angles while properly supporting your head in his arms. The overall therapy procedure takes no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. The calculated movements of the head help in shifting the crystals back into the canals.

The Brandt-Daroff exercise is normally performed in the home setting and it is very important to seek the advice of a healthcare provider before performing these maneuvers. Brandt Daroff exercise deals with performing step wise motion that may help in stimulation and habituation of inner ear cells to repeated head motion. Brandt Daroff exercises deal with maintaining a sitting posture and then tilting your body on the right side of the body to support the head on the side of bed. Sudden movement or tilting of the head will produce characteristic headache, vertigo and dizziness that may last for 30 seconds or more. Once you begin to feel stable, sit straight and stay in this position for another 30 seconds or until your symptoms subside. The next step is to drop your body gently but steadily onto the left side of the body and holding this position for good 30 seconds or until your symptoms subside. This finishes one complete round and you may have to repeat the steps based on the recommendations of your doctor or healthcare provider.

Other physical therapy maneuvers include movement of the hand in anterior-posterior plane 10 times, maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet habits and the movement of eye muscles in all directions.

Always seek the advice of your doctor before performing these exercises and to determine the number of times you have to perform these maneuvers. With the Brandt Daroff technique, always lie on a 45 degree angle when lying on the side of your body. If the Brandt Daroff technique does not produce any symptoms, you can stop the exercise after discussing with your physician. Generally these maneuvers are safe, effective and hazard-free and help in correction or at least management of benign positional vertigo. Perform all physical therapy exercises in a sitting posture to avoid the risk of falling or hurting yourself due to vertigo and dizziness.

Massage Licensing and Certification - What You Need to Do to Become a Massage Therapist

Massage Licensing and Certification can be confusing to someone interested in becoming a massage therapist. You need to know the difference between massage licensing and national certification so you can practice professionally.

To become a massage therapist in most states you will need to obtain a professional massage license. This is usually through a state board of health, nursing, professions or some related category. Each state has different educational requirements for getting your license as a massage therapist. You will be required to take a specific exam and take a specific number of classes and hours in massage. There are still a few states that do not have any requirements but licensing may be in process so be sure to check thoroughly.

Massage Certification is usually what you get when you go to massage school. You will get a certificate of completion when you graduate from the program.

There is also something knows as National Certification which is very misleading. The National Certification Board for Massage and Bodywork offer an exam that is used in some states as their licensing exam. You will have to pay for the exam and also pay for the certification. Just because you take and pass this exam does not mean you can practice in any state that uses that exam or that requires massage licensing.

In other words you will still have to fulfill the requirements in each state (which may be different than even the requirements for taking the National Certification Exam.) Once you pay for the National Certification you will be required to take specific continuing education classes and pay a renewal fee to maintain the certificate.

So to become a professional licensed massage therapist you will need to check the requirements in your state and complete them. If you would like to move to another state you will have to check the requirements there and complete them.

Advocating for the Child With Autism

For families of children with autism the relationship between the family, school, and community is critical. Parents who are blessed with a child with autism must refrain from self-blame and need to advocate for their child. If you suspect that your child has autism it is helpful to seek medical attention and professional advice as early intervention is highly recommended.

Each child's needs are individual and must be recognized as an integral part of his or her complete development.

The type of educational setting that is most beneficial depends on the age and specific needs of the child.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Speak with individuals you trust and ask for their suggestions.

A creative and flexible approach is beneficial as the child's needs will fluctuate depending on age, severity of autism, changes within the environment (home and school), and physiological changes.

Within the course of a day the child with autism will experience a wide range of situations that require supportive guidance.

As a parent you have the right to meet with the teachers and administrators within your child's school as often as necessary to facilitate an appropriate assessment and educational plan.

It is important to learn what educational providers are available to help with autism training and autism treatment. For example, your child may benefit from such services as speech/language support, occupational and/or physical therapy, and adapted physical education.

While academic skills are a necessary component of your child's education, social skill development is critical for academic and life-long success.

In becoming an advocate for your child, information is critical. Access written materials, articles, books, and the many informative web-sites that provide up-to-date autism resources, autism news, and information regarding autism. Speak to your health care providers, professionals within your child's school, other parents of children with autism, your child's caregivers and teachers, and become involved in support groups.

Massage Body Mechanics - Massage Therapist Injury Prevention and Recovery

Massage therapy is a profession that requires proper self-care and body mechanics in order to prevent musculoskeletal injury from overuse. Recovery from overuse injuries requires time and patience, but with the proper care and reassessment of technique and body mechanics, full recovery is often possible.

Overuse injuries often sneak up subtly over time. The damage begins long before you experience any symptoms, so even if you feel strong and healthy now, your body mechanics may cause pain and discomfort down the road. Don't wait for the first sign of pain to reevaluate your massage techniques.

The key to injury recovery is to work smarter, not harder. You may need complete rest from labor-intensive work for a period of time in order for the injured body part to fully heal. Taking advantage of the healing power of bodywork as part of your massage self-care may help speed your recovery.

As frustrating as an injury can be, it's also an opportunity to rethink your whole approach to massage therapy. You may discover through this process of reflection a new vision and energy for bodywork that drives you to improve your massage techniques or shift into a new form of bodywork.

Improving your body mechanics includes reassessing the foundation of your approach to massage. Focus on the basics of ergonomics and body awareness. As you relearn massage techniques, open yourself up to change, even minor changes. Even if you think your technique is flawless, there may be a subtle change you can make that reduces the stress on your body and prevents reinjury.

Fine-tune your technique by studying your body movement in front of a mirror. Practice on a friend or family member with a mirror across from the massage table until you feel comfortable with the new technique. Watching your massage techniques in the mirror promotes self-awareness and constructs a more objective framework for self-assessment.

Adjust the height of the massage table to your own height, your client's needs, and your modality. If you use a pneumatic rolling stool, adjust the height for proper body alignment. A healthy mix of sitting on a massage stool and standing prevents you from working in the same position all day and helps to balance stress throughout the body.

Working in two or three modalities or types of bodywork also balances out the stress load of your body. Consider diversifying your bodywork practice to include less demanding modalities, such as Hawaiian lomi lomi, barefoot massage, shiatsu, Thai massage, hot stone massage, and energy work.

If you choose to specialize largely in one massage modality, expand your technique by massaging with your forearms, fists, elbows, and knuckles to alleviate undue stress on your wrists, thumbs, and fingers. If you place excessive demands on any one body part, you are opening the door to reinjury.

When you are ready to ease back into massage therapy, make the transition a gradual one. Start with one massage per week and increase your number of massage sessions very gradually. Learn your limits and respect them. It's better to increase the intensity of your massage routine too slowly than to risk reinjury.

Neglecting self-care and proper body mechanics as a massage therapist may threaten your ability to provide your clients with the quality of treatment they deserve. The more self-care and self-awareness you practice, the better your chances of a long and healthy career in massage therapy.

The Benefits of Visceral Manipulation

Like machines, gadgets and other things of this world, our body will also deteriorate in time due to the daily battering of stress and fatigue. Our body will become more prone to sickness and disease, musculoskeletal dysfunctions and other physical problems in the long run.

The visceral manipulation technique was developed by French osteopath and physical therapist Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral after seeing impressive results in one of his patients. The therapy was originally used in Tibet and China in the early centuries as a part of their cultural and traditional medical care. However, it was improved by Dr. Barral who was fascinated with the effects and benefits of the therapeutic massage when used properly in the manipulation of the internal organs. He believed that the body organs should move freely without any restraint or restriction in their mobility to have a healthy physical condition.

Barral began teaching the techniques of visceral manipulation to physical therapists, rolfers, massage therapists, medical doctors, chiropractors and other interested individuals regardless of their professions. The therapy is known basically as a technique mainly used for the manipulation of the various internal organs of the human body. Relaxation of the whole body and a good feeling after the massage therapy due to the effects released by the body are one of the many benefits a client can expect during and after the therapy session. Aside from the relaxing experience, you can also feel a great relief from the acute and chronic pain including peripheral joint pain, muscle pain, neck, back, and shoulder pain, and pain related to post operative and infective scar tissue and autonomic mechanisms. The therapy is also good in dealing with digestive problems such as GERD, swallowing dysfunction, acid reflux, nausea, bloating and constipation. Due to the release of a feel-good chemical called serotin during the therapy, the emotions are influenced to get rid of anxiety and depression. Visceral manipulation technique is also used in treating erectile dysfunction, infertility and other conditions related to men and women's health issues including endometriosis, painful menstrual periods, fibroids, cysts, chronic pelvic pain, testicular pain, bladder incontinence, prostate dysfunction and many more conditions. The method used in this therapy is also effective in the improvement of the posture of the client.

All of these benefits can be received if the therapist is successful in manually repositioning the organs while removing adhesions that can cause abnormality on the movement of certain internal organs. The wrong manipulation or push of the organs can cause more harm than good as it will only relocate the gliding motion of the other organs which should supposedly follow their original movement route.

Achieving these benefits may seem quite easy, however in order to gain them you should consider only the service of professional therapists who are both licensed and skilled in the medical art. This move can eliminate the worries for risks and contraindications to the treatment as good therapists will know what to look out for during the massage therapy session. Good therapists will also care for their patients by avoiding contradictions prior to any session.

Styles of Massage Therapy to Relax and Rejuvenate You

Massage therapy has many benefits. Many conditions, both physical and mental, can be slowed down or stopped completely with a good massage. The technique helps reduce tension and pain in your body. It helps with circulation of oxygen and nutrients to your tissues.

Massage helps to clear lactic acid from your muscles. Lactic acid is the chemical your body produces naturally which can house itself in your muscles and when you exercise it is this chemical being pushed out that causes you to be sore afterward. It is also believed to reduce cortisol levels which accumulate in your mid-section and make it difficult to maintain a slim belly. You should eat light or not at all before any style of massage therapy as it can create different reactions in your body.

There are many styles of massage therapy. Swedish massage is a gentle type of massage. It uses long strokes intermingled with kneading. The smooth stroking patterns focus on superficial layers of muscle tissue for the desired result.

Hot stone massage gained notoriety in the United States when a therapist began using it in Arizona. It uses hot stones, often river rocks that are smoothed by the continuous flow of water across them. They are heated to a comfortable temperature and placed at specific points on your skin. This calms the nervous system, rebalances the body and mind and gives an overall comforting effect.

Shiatsu is another popular and well known style. The word itself means "finger pressure" and is used to improve the flow of your qi (chee). The Japanese culture has used this technique for millennia.

Thai massage was developed over 2500 years ago by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha who was Buddha's physician in India. This style uses not only the hands but also feet, legs and knees to move your body into different positions. Some refer to it as "Yoga massage" because it places you into many positions used in Yoga. It helps improve circulation and muscle tension but also leaves you more energized. This is different from most massages that leave you relaxed and sometimes sleepy.

There is another style of massage therapy that has become popular. It is pregnancy massage. There are lots of stresses that go along with pregnancy and a good and proper massage can help alleviate many of them. Back pain is one that is most prominent for pregnant women. A certified pregnancy therapist will know how to reduce this discomfort. It is also claimed that this type of massage can assist in reducing the depression that often accompanies pregnancy.

It is recommended by those who frequent massage therapists that everyone get a massage as often as possible. It will help all manner of conditions you may be susceptible to as well as reduce stress and tension.

Massage Therapy Careers - Rewarding Professions in Natural Healing

Find Massage Therapy Careers in the United States and Canada. Candidates seeking massage therapy careers discover that a great deal of training and education goes into becoming a professional massage therapist. Students drawn to this natural therapy should possess an outgoing personality, effective communication skills and an entrepreneurial desire for success.

Massage therapy careers are on the rise as more and more clients and patients are turning to alternative and complementary medicines to combat common health disorders and conditions. For example, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, has ongoing clinical trials and studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of mind-body medicine as a complementary healing system (so often facilitated by those in massage therapy careers).

In addition to spas, salons, chiropractic clinics and medical facilities, massage therapy careers can be found in non-traditional healthcare settings - such as resorts, cruise ships, airports, convention centers, hotels, racetracks, and other sporting events.

Individuals must first, however, acquire appropriate training and education from one of several massage schools, colleges or universities to gain entry-level massage therapy careers. General training encompasses anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and sometimes, sports massage. While standard training entails a minimum of 300-500 classroom hours, some programs well exceed 1,000 hours. In addition, a number of massage colleges provide degreed massage therapy courses.

Students seeking massage therapy careers can also apply to advanced training programs in myofascial release therapy, craniosacral therapy, lymph drainage therapy, Tuina, chair/corporate massage, medical massage, among other subject matter.

Overall, massage therapy careers are comprised of natural healers and massage practitioners who have a strong desire to help others. In addition to having a meaningful profession, persons who have successfully met all academic and training requirements can expect ample job opportunities – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapy careers are on the rise and expected to grow throughout the coming decade. Furthermore, professional massage therapists can earn well over $30 an hour.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding massage therapy careers, let professional training 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.

Massage Therapy Careers: Rewarding Professions in Natural Healing
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Four Reasons Your Practice Needs Physical Therapy Scheduling Software

If your physical therapy practice serves multiple patients, then you've probably already struggled with schedule problems. Some patients fall through the cracks when they don't schedule their next appointment when their daily treatment is completed, while others may miss an appointment because they had the information marked down wrong. And you've probably noticed that on some days, your therapists are overbooked, while on other days they're left with too little, or nothing, to do. It can be frustrating, but the right physical therapy scheduling software can make things easier for everybody. There are several excellent reasons to invest in a program that takes care of the details for you.

Fewer Missed Appointments

Every practice has the occasional missed appointment, but the cost of missed appointments quickly adds up. Every time one of your therapists has a cancellation, he or she is simply sitting around not making any money for your practice or themselves. A good physical therapy scheduling software package will remind you or your front desk employee whenever an appointment reminder needs to be sent out prior to a scheduled session, minimizing missed appointments. You can also use the system to print out appointment reminders for the next session on the spot, before patients leave.

Fewer Lapsed Patients

It can be difficult to keep up with which patients need to be scheduled for a follow-up appointment or additional sessions. With this type of therapy scheduling software, you'll get periodic reminders so that fewer patients "fall off" their schedules. This ensures compliance with their prescribed treatment and results in better patient outcomes. It also means a more reliable income for your PTs and your practice.

Multiple Scheduling Capabilities Of Physical Therapy Scheduling Software

Studies have shown that patients who book two or more appointments at the same time are more likely to keep those appointments. The right program will allow you to schedule appointments several weeks or even months ahead and print out a list of dates to give to your patients, making it easier for all of you.

Improved Documentation And Organization

Most software is either bundled with or part of a physical therapy software program that includes physical therapy documentation templates. These templates are an excellent resource for designing your own forms and ensuring that all patient information is tied together. When you set up a patient's next appointment, her records will automatically be updated and her therapy notes will be made available to her PT. By using standard documentation templates as the jumping off point for your patient records, you'll also ensure that your patient records meet proper documentation guidelines for HIPAA, Medicare and other entities.

There are many quality physical therapy scheduling programs available for businesses of all sizes. When you find one that you feel is a good fit, be sure to ask for a free demonstration so that you and your staff can properly evaluate its performance. After your employees start using it, they'll wonder how your practice ever did without it.

Massage Therapy For Neck Injuries

Neck is one of the most flexible organs of the body that has a great deal of functionality. It is quite susceptible to injuries, because it is subjected to a lot of stress and weight and to a certain extent because of its flexibility. Neck pain is usually caused by the stress, misuse, overuse, poor posture, accident or a sport injury. Neck pain is one of the most common complaints that may become a constant problem if remain untreated and ignored. In holistic medicine, massage therapy is considered as the most significant natural treatment that helps provide effective pain management. In this article I will discuss the role of massage therapy in dealing with neck pain.

Massage Therapy - A Natural Way of Pain Management

Massage therapy is the natural way of treating neck pain. It is a profound and non-invasive holistic approach that is effective for people of all age group. It not only provides pain relief and management, but also decelerates the progression of neck problems. All neck problems including injuries require immediate assistance of a health care practitioner, because damaged muscles, ligaments and nerves may lead to a serious condition called osteoarthritis. Furthermore, neck injuries that occur due to accidents can lead to more severe neck problems including whiplash, herniated disc, fracture, pinched nerve and paralysis.

How Massages Help Relieve Pain?

Highly contracted muscles and poor blood flow to the neck are the main reasons of various neck problems. A professional massage therapist uses method of mind/body integration and various hands-on-techniques to generate feeling of frothiness that gently relieves pain. A massage therapist provides small body movements and a gentle touch that effectively relaxes muscles and connective tissues and improves blood circulation to the affected areas.

Types of Massages for Neck Pain Relief

In holistic medicine there are several types of massages available that can be performed by an experienced massage therapist to help relieve neck pain. Some of them are:

1. Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is especially intended to reduce severe tension in the muscles and connective tissues. A professional massage therapist applies an intense, focused and hard pressure to release the sustained deep pressure from the neck and upper back.

2. Shiatsu Massage

In this type of Japanese hands-on-therapy, a massage therapist applies pressure to the affected area of the body by using his fingers and palm in order to correct the imbalance of the body and promote sense of well-being.

3. Swedish Massage

Swedish massage includes a variety of manual therapies that help release muscle tension and provides relief from neck pain.

4. Trigger Point Therapy

In trigger point therapy, manual pressure, vibration or some other treatment is applied by the massage therapist to alleviate myofascial pain from the affected body area. This manual therapy effectively enhances blood flow to the damaged areas, releases neck muscle spasms and promotes the natural healing process.

There are various other types of massages that significantly release muscle tension and help provide neck pain relief. A certified and licensed massage therapist can better analyze the severity of the condition and recommend the particular type of massage therapy that will be suitable to fix the condition and promote health. Regular exercises and good posture i.e. aligned spine position are also recommended to decrease the neck pain.

How to Use Your iPhone in Your Massage Therapy Business

If you are looking for a home-based business and you are interested in helping people with their health and well being, massage therapy is an excellent option. You'll make good money, build a professional reputation and meet interesting people.

It's not a piece of cake to build a home massage therapy business, but it can be relatively less stressful than many other businesses. The relationships you build as you help your clients with their stress management and wellness means that you can build a strongly loyal customer base that can make your business revenues thrive.

Speaking about revenues, it can help to increase sales if you can offer your customers convenient ways to pay you for your services. Why accept only cash and checks when nowadays it is so easy to do mobile credit card processing with your iPhone?

How easy? It's really remarkable how simple it is to get started:

1. Get a merchant account and payment gateway from a reputable credit card processing and merchant services provider. Look for a merchant account provider that offers next day funding to help keep your cash flow running smoothly.

2. Download the app from the iTunes App store.

3. Once your merchant account and payment gateway are live, use your API login ID and transaction keys to set up your information in the App settings screen.

4. Transactions are entered and completed on one screen and you will know instantly when the card is approved.

5. Getting a receipt to your customers is easy. All you have to do is enter their email address into the App and, once the transaction is approved, the receipt will be emailed to them.

Mobile credit card processing with your iPhone is secure. Security features include AVS and CVV2 codes and SSL encryption for data transfer. Your customers' credit card numbers are not stored on your phone.

Travel Stories - Massage Training in the Jungles of Belize - Students

Just outside of Maskall is the eco-tourist lodge where I am to live and teach for the next several weeks. Eco-tourism helps Belize preserve its rain forest and reef ecosystem.

Driving onto the grounds of Pretty See Jungle Ranch I see a wide-open savannah, an unusual landscape for the jungles. Horses graze. A toucan, the national bird, nods its head at me. The main lodge and surrounding huts are built in a traditional style with thatched roofs of coconut palm.

My students are at the front of the main lodge eager to greet me. I meet my students - Olivia, Liz and Lenny. They're very shy at first!

For the next several weeks we work diligently each day, getting to know one another as we laugh and learn from one another. My students are very serious about their massage training. Learning a skill they can practice at Pretty See Jungle Ranch that will pay them money is a tremendous opportunity for them. There is scant opportunity for earning money available in Maskall village.

There is only one business, as such, in Maskall Village, a centrally located house that's been designated as the village store. A selection of the village's locally grown organic produce and its handicrafts are sold from here to the local eco tourist trade.

As with their Maya ancestors villagers learn and practice a handicraft or service they can use for bartering. Trade is the primary means of exchanging goods and services in Maskall Village and little work opportunities exist. My new friends are delighted to learn a valuable skill that allows them to earn money for sending their children to the nearby one room school house, as well as to pay for electricity in their home.

When their massage training is finished each of the students offers me a special handmade gift and a huge smile, along with tears of gratitude for what they've learned. They've been taught a valuable trade which gives them the freedom to earn a livelihood!

Please join me for the final segment of Travel Stories ~ Massage Training in the Jungles of Belize - Belize Lullabies.

You Can Have Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Naturally

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) happens for a reason. Everything does. And a "syndrome" is a collection of symptoms. Symptoms are your complaints. Natural therapies can help you heal your carpal tunnel symptoms. They can help you get rid of the reasons for your pain. Then your syndrome will go away!
Some of the benefits of natural therapies for CTS include: no surgery, no anesthesia, no recovery, no recurrence, whole body wellness and no side effects.

Natural therapies include ice, heat, Vitamin B6 and other supplements, natural anti-inflammatories, correcting your posture (that's a big one) and habits, massage and possibly night braces to prevent curling your wrists while you sleep. Natural therapies can be used along with conventional medical therapies and the sooner you start to correct the symptoms in your hand, wrist and arm, the more quickly you will heal.

When you sleep on your side or stomach, you can squeeze the nerves and blood vessels that serve your hand. Side-sleeping also causes shortened, tight muscles in the front of your body. All of these things can cause carpal tunnel symptoms. Sleeping on your back can help relieve symptoms because it allows your chest muscles to stretch and relax. The best pillow would be a smallish one that supports the natural curve in your neck. If you need a little height under your head to create comfort, then do that, too.

You can even make your own neck roll or pillow from fiberfill batting. You can get fiberfill batting at a fabric store. It's very inexpensive. If your neck is like my neck, it's not always the same. Having a few different pillows gives you options.

Massage can be very valuable for carpal tunnel symptom relief but every massage therapist is different. We have different personalities, outlooks, levels of confidence, training, skill levels and beliefs. Here are some questions that you can ask your potential massage therapist to determine whether you might like to work with him or her. See whether their answers make sense to you.

The questions are:

* What do you think are the most common causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
* Will you be able to figure out the cause of my pain?
* Do you have a pain treatment strategy? (Where will you work and why?)
* What type of massage training did you have? (What did you learn in school or advanced training? Some schools are geared to therapy and pain relief; others to relaxation techniques.)
* What muscles are most likely involved in my specific situation? (This is easiest for the therapist to answer if she or he can see you.)
* How long do you think it might take for me to feel better?
* Will the massage hurt?

It is very possible there will be discomfort with massage and the reason is simple. Tight muscles just aren't used to being pressed into. It may be just a little uncomfortable, or feel like "good pain" (Yes! your body says. That means it's the appropriate place) or it may be quite intense. Some discomfort during or after therapeutic massage is generally unavoidable, but a good therapist will work within your tolerance level and explain why an area is tender.

Always give your massage therapist feedback. He or she wants to know how you are feeling, and also wants you to have carpal tunnel pain relief. You can also do self-massage.

How Much Money Can I Make As a Physical Therapist Assistant?

The amount of money you can earn as a physical therapy assistant is almost entirely up to you. There are factors that play into the amount you can earn but, you also have control over that factor. Choose a specialty, it helps. In most fields of science or medicine, choosing a specialty helps you earn more. As a physical therapy assistant, the area of specialty will have a great deal to do with your income. When it comes to being an assistant, there are seven common areas of specialty available for you to choose from. With each specialty, your income will vary.

These seven areas of specialty are:

Occupational

Geriatric

Cardiopulmonary

Pediatric

Integumentary

Orthopedic

Neurological

With each of these specialties, you will be required to have different training and slightly different educational needs. Once you understand your journey to becoming a physical therapy assistant begins with selecting your specialty you are well on your way. The next decision you need to make is where exactly you want to work. Different geographical areas can have different salary levels for the same position so it is important to know where it is you want to work. Along with where you will be working and which specialty you will choose, you also need to look at how much experience you have.

You would not expect a physical therapy assistant fresh out of school to make the same salary as one with 15 years experience, would you? The amount of experience you have will greatly change your income. A newly graduate physical therapy assistant can realistically look to earn between 21 and 30 dollars per hour while an assistant with many years of experience and the education to back it up can expect to earn between 30 and 45 dollars an hour. With any line of employment you choose, time at a job, experience, geographic location, and educational level will play a role in the amount of income you are compensated with. The field of physical therapy assistant is no different. The more experienced you are and the more difficult your specialty is, the more money you will make.

How The Right Physical Therapy Software Can Maximize Your Physical Therapy Clinic's Profits

Physical therapy clinics, outpatient centers and rehabilitation centers are difficult businesses to run, and the sheer volume of paperwork generated often leaves managers frustrated. Unfortunately, that frustration is often valid. Physical therapy clinics, regardless of their size, often suffer from inefficiency that leads to reduced profits. Having the right program in place can make a huge difference by increasing the effectiveness of your clinic and minimizing costs.

Let Your Physical Therapists Concentrate On Patients

Your therapists became physical therapists because they wanted to help people, not because they wanted to focus on paperwork. With detailed documentation options, tracking, automatic report generation and even printable pain guides, the right computer program can put your physical therapies back where they want to be -- with their patients. With detailed documents that are fully customizable, your employees can track patients efficiently from initial evaluations through discharge recommendations. Programs featuring electronic daily notes, scanned images and progress reports as well as standard evaluation templates mean enhanced consistency and accuracy and more time for actual patient care.

Attract Better Personnel

Today's therapists are coming out of schools where they've learned how to use the latest technologies, including physical therapy exercise and billing software programs. If you're still using paper records, metal file cabinets and archaic office machinery, you won't be able to recruit the best therapists. Using outdated methods can send the wrong message. Don't let prospective income generators walk away because they think your practice is behind the times. Using state-of-the-art PT software will let potential hires know you run a successful, profitable clinic.

Reduce Time And Space Spent On Documentation

No one enjoys filling out paperwork, and no clinic or practice can easily afford the extra cost of storing reams of data onsite or at an offsite location. But you have to keep those records somewhere, don't you? With the right record keeping package, all of your records can be streamlined and reduced to electronic files that are accessible at any time by your employees. This kind of billing software that's linked to patients' therapy notes reduces your paperwork even more by eliminating overlapping or duplicate records.

An integrated exercise program also means fewer scheduling mistakes and more efficient use of everyone's time. Efficient tracking, customized patient information forms and documentation software that allows your therapists to quickly record patient outcomes as they happen will all contribute to reduced errors along the way and do away with the need to constantly try and "catch up" on crucial paperwork. They'll spend more time helping their patients and less time tracking them.

Increase The Efficiency And Accuracy Of Billing With Physical Therapy Software

Physical therapy software that automatically records billable time when your physical therapists finish their therapy notes is highly efficient and drastically reduces missed time. Clinics without an accurate system in place often neglect or miscalculate billable hours, costing themselves thousands of dollars in lost time over the course of a year. Automatic aging and rebilling features can help you stay on top of outstanding invoices, and integrated insurance claims forms will result in fewer claims denials.

If your physical therapy business doesn't have a proven solution in place, it isn't maximizing profits for you or your employees. Explore the many physical therapy software solutions available now in order to maximize your profits in the future.