Physical Therapist Work - Facts From the Medical Staffing Office

Working as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, you already know the impact you have on the lives your job brings you into contact with on a daily basis. Seeing lives transformed back to a point of health, function, and strength rewards you in a way words often elude. Moreover, as rewarding as this work is it's still a professional career path. A path requiring a lifelong education of continual exposure to trusted techniques, methods, and the latest practices. If you are looking to grow in your career, then a medical staffing office is a solid starting point for consideration.

A government report stated that in 2005 "temporary or contract job positions accounted for 20% of the current job market." Today, with a tumultuous job-climate and technology making it easier to access job postings experts believe these types of positions will account for nearly 40% of the available jobs by 2011. And though stats like this can be a little daunting, it really does open-up the career potential for a focused physical therapist or physical therapists assistant thinking about their own future.

Here are some myths and facts regarding medical staffing agencies for consideration:

MYTH: Medical staffing firms only offer temporary jobs.

• Fact: Although there are plenty of short-term job opportunities in today physical therapy and therapy assistant careers, many staffing firms offer permanent hire positions as well. Communicating with your medical staffing recruiter what you are looking for from a job is essential to your own planning.

MYTH: A medical staffing office wont cover my travel expenses or costs of living

• Fact: Today nearly all staffing firms cover the therapist's travel expenses. Staffing firms cover these items in the agreement with the medical provider and come at no expense to the therapist whatsoever. Paying for your travel expenses is an industry standard today. Additionally, per Diem to cover the costs of daily living while on location is equally a common practice. If you find a firm that will not pay your travel expenses or cost of living expenses - find another agency!

MYTH: Medical staffing offices lack industry knowledge of my career field

• Fact: With all the health care and provider requirement changes going on today, medical staffing offices might just be the most up-to-date source you can access daily. A great staffing firm is in constant contact with their providers to ensure they provide them with the best-trained and prepared employee base possible. Due to the high demand and fluctuating job market, the criteria that providers are looking for is often very specific and continually changing. Medical staffing offices are prime source of industry demands and requirements.

MYTH: Medical staffing offices will limit my career portfolio

• Fact: Collaborating with a medical staffing firm might just be the best career move you can make. Not only can it provide you with consistent work, but also the continual exposure to new teams, providers, and the latest industry developments can only enhance your resume.

MYTH: Medical staffing offices will not provide me with health insurance

• Fact: Many staffing firms do offer their employees health insurance as part of an employees benefits package. However, this is contingent on how the therapist-to-staffing firm relationship is defined. If you are listed as a "contractor" (IRS Form 1099), then you will most likely be required to secure your own form of health insurance. If you are listed as an employee (W-2) of the staffing firm, then you can be offered the opportunity to be apart of the company's health insurance plan. This is something that requires research and asking questions of the agency. There are staffing firms out there that do provide health insurance; you just have to do your homework to find them.

As you look to your own professional development in physical therapy, understanding what you expect and need from your career is critical. Medical staffing offices can play a key role in seeing meet your expectations and reap real career rewards that continue to advance you in the physical therapy and therapy assistant field.

Introduction to Physical Therapy - Lower Back Pain and Physiotherapic Assistance

Americans have lower back problems to such an extent that at least 80% of the population have complained of it at one point of the other. It is the most common reason for a visit to the doctor. Although for some it is a temporary issue, most require physiotherapy to restore their fitness.

There are different techniques in use to address lower back trouble. One of the popular methods of treatment is acupuncture. The patient is made to lie face-down while the doctor inserts acupuncture needles on the back. The doctor subsequently finished the required procedure. A series of treatments like this usually provide relief for several months afterwards.

Massages are also useful when treating lower back pain. However only someone who has intimate knowledge of lower back pain should carry out this procedure. An untrained masseur can harm the patient more than no treatment at all.

Such therapies are known as modalities or passive therapy. Here the patient is the passive receiver of the treatment and not an active participant in exercise. Hot and cold compresses are also popular forms of passive therapy. These can be used as separate compresses, but for some one with an acute problem they can be used in conjunction as alternate compresses.

Another modality used for lumbar pain is known as a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS). With the use of this unit, the patient doesn't feel any pain but only the sensations that the stimulator induces in his nerves. If this treatment produces positive results, the patient is given a unit to use as his needs dictate in the convenience of his home.

Another passive therapy of some use to a patient with acute lumbar pain is ultrasound stimulation. This process generates heat in the lower back region which along with lessening the pain also quickens the healing process.

Exercises assigned by a physiotherapist are also useful. If done correctly and regularly they alleviate lumbar pain speedily. However, in case of a back condition which involves acute pain or the possibility of surgery exercises are not advisable.

A physiotherapist is the best person to assign exercises and supervise the progress of a patient. Although exercises may be done at home, it is imperative to be faithful to the instructions given and come in for regular progress checks.

Exercises are given to both strengthen the lower back as well as to stretch the back in cases of patients suffering from lower back pain. Stationary swimming-like movements are a common exercise. While this exercise works the back muscles, it protects the lumbar region from further injury.

Flexion exercises are given to strengthen the middle region of the back so that it can support the back better. If the pain is aggravated by standing up or walking around, such exercises are necessary. One such exercise is a knee-chest exercise.

Aerobic exercises are also excellent for alleviating and preventing pain in the lumbar region. These are exercises such as walking or running. Massages and acupuncture procedures also relieve the patient of acute pain. Physiotherapy, all in all, helps millions of people around the world reduce and prevent their lower back problems.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

The Benefits of Massage Therapy can be applied from infants to the elderly. So, what is massage, and what are the benefits?

Massage is form of manual therapy, which manipulates the soft tissues of the body, primarily the muscles. It is used to relieve tension and reduce stress, while it promotes the relaxation, circulation and suppleness of the muscles of the body. It is also used for the treatment and rehabilitation of injured muscles.

The origins of massage date back to China around 3000 BC. The Ancient Chinese used a technique called "Amma". Other Countries such as Japan and India had similar techniques, while the Ancient Greeks used massage as part of their daily fitness routine. Hippocrates, who is known as the father of all medicine, wrote of the importance of massage for healing purposes.

A Swedish Physiologist and fencing master Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), developed a system of massage after studying in China. It is this system that still forms much of modern massage to day, and due to the man that developed it, it became known as Swedish Massage.

The Main Benefits of Massage Therapy are as follows:

It promotes relaxation of the muscles of the body thereby reducing stress.

It reduces tension in the muscles of the body and therefore, promotes flexibility.

Relieves Back Pain caused by excessive tension in the muscles of the spine and back.

Relieves Neck Pain caused by excessive tension in the neck muscles.

It promotes circulation, and aids digestion and the removal of waste products.

It improves the body's skin tone and colour by removing dead skin cells.

By promoting flexibility of the muscles, it relieves tired, stiff joints.

By promoting relaxation of the muscles, it helps to encourage a deeper more relaxed breathing, and a more restful sleep.

It has a soothing, comforting affect on the body, thereby relaxing the recipients mind and reducing the effects of anxiety.

It promotes a general feeling of relaxation and well being.

Massage Therapist Business Plan Models - What You Should Put Most of Your Focus On

If you're starting out as a massage therapist or you're looking to take your practice to the next level by creating an effective business plan, I want to give you a couple pointers so you can focus your efforts in the right places.

When entrepreneurs (which is what you are if you own a massage business) create a business plan, it is very common that they waste a lot of time working out the details of their financial projections and all of the mechanics that go into running a practice. Don't get me wrong: Having a business plan is a good idea. I just don't want to see you waste your time on creating something that doesn't end up having direct relevance on your ability to run a successful practice. As a business owner, it's so easy to sit around doing things that feel productive in the moment but are ultimately NOT directly related to the bottom line profitability of the business.

With that said, the most important part of your massage business plan is your marketing plan. About 80% of your business plan should focus on how you are going to market your services to your local community. If you know how to market well, you will do fine and have plenty of clients. If you focus on other things, however, you'll find that you never have enough clients and that your finances are always a struggle.

That's why I say you are not in the business of giving massages; you are in the business of marketing your massage services. That is the most important mindset you can embrace in order to succeed.

Create a detailed marketing plan for your practice and be consistent about implementing it. This is the main key to your success.

Choosing the Best Physical Therapy Schools

Physical therapy is growing rapidly these days and many people are joining this career. It deals with helping patients who want to recover from physical body damage. If you want to help these patients, you need to enroll into the best physical therapy schools in your state or online. To succeed in your endeavors you need to start by choosing the best schools and also decide to study for a masters or doctorate degree. This is because physical treatment is not an easy career to pursue, but it can also be fulfilling and interesting. There are several things that you should think about before you contemplate which physical therapy schools that will mold you for a better chance to succeed in the industry.

First and foremost, to get to the best therapy institution you need to research painstakingly. Through thorough research, you will be able to know the specialization that you should pursue as a physical therapist. This search will also help you know what the state requires and what the market has for you. It will also guide you to a list of the available schools that you should join and the requirements of each and the schools training background and much more. You can get this information from websites or get referrals from family members, friends or students who have been to these schools.

Secondly, you need to decide on whether to join accredited or unaccredited schools. It is advisable for one to study in accredited schools. This is because a diploma or degree from unaccredited institutions will not open great employment opportunities. Location of the institution is also imperative. You need to join an institution that is close to you as you will have enough time and energy to reach the schools and also have time to study but not spend it commuting. Alternatively, you can enroll to online schools and start studying physical treatment from the comfort of home, office or when traveling.

Additionally, you should also know the available physical therapy courses that are available for you. You should make sure that you specialize in a course that will make it easier for you to get employment. Some of the physical therapy programs to join are orthopedic, pediatric, geriatric therapy and more. Lastly, you should not fail to look at the cost of studying. You should thus join physical therapy schools that offer their courses at affordable prices although they vary from one school to another.

How Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Can Restore Bodies

Your body is a very important part of your life. Without your health and strength, everyday activities would be simply impossible. Bones, muscles, organs, and other parts should all remain in top shape so that you can function properly. Unfortunately, injuries and illnesses occur in life that require healing of these body parts. The recovery process can keep you away from your job, hobbies, and social life for months at a time. The important thing is that you heal properly when you are hurt. Recovery is not just about pain elimination but also about receiving the most accurate treatments so that recuperation is thorough. Physical therapy rehabilitation plays a major role in restoring health.

Falls, car accidents, and sports injuries can all cause damage that takes time heal back to normal. This time can be a trying one, but it doesn't have to all be a horrible experience. There are many methods that target painful areas and provide healing. Take, for instance, massage treatment. Compression and movement to the body can be a great remedy depending on the injury. But the key is having this done by a professional to get the job done right. Massages are not just for people who are looking to relax and treat themselves to a glamorous stress-relieving session. More important than this are the effects of massage therapy that can help people get back to their regular lives.

When suffering from excruciating pain, getting from one day to the next can be extremely difficult. There is a way to help ease the pain during the recovery process. Physical therapy rehabilitation also consists of pain treatments. Unfortunately, there are illnesses and injuries that result in long-term pain. However, this does not have to remain unbearable. Treatments for areas such as the spinal cord exist. These treatments can come in the form of injections, massages, or oral medications. Pain in the neck and back can make any activity excruciating, no matter how small. Some people can't even sleep because the pain is so great. The best physicians and specialists can figure out the perfect treatment for you.

Some damages or illnesses even cause immobility in patients. This can become a life-changing situation as a person becomes unable to move. Aside from the pain, another downfall can be the inability to walk or do simple things around the house or at work. These kinds of situations can afflict anyone at any age. However, physical therapy rehabilitation can surely work to ease and correct these problems.

Having issues with the muscles and bones does not mean the end of the world. Receiving help can be as easy as scheduling an appointment to meet with specialists. All of the professionals are certified and highly trained to get people back on their feet. Once healing occurs, the quality of life will improve in so many ways. These professionals will also be very understanding towards the issues at hand and be compassionate and patient. It's worth having physical therapy rehabilitation to improve the mind and body.

Going to Massage Therapy School

If you want to become a professional massage therapist, you will most likely have to go to massage therapy school. What kind of school you go to, and how long you have to go for, depends on where you live. I graduated from a 720 hour massage program in Albuquerque, NM, though the minimum requirement for this state is 650 hours. New York has more strict requirements at 1000 hours. Check with the American Massage Therapy Association to find out what the licensing requirements are in your state or county. In very few states, licensing is not required.

A massage education usually involves a lot of time in the classroom, both in terms of academic classes and hands-on training. "Book" classes include anatomy and physiology, as well as ethics. Many schools nowadays also offer a business class so as to prepare students to be able to succeed as professional massage therapists upon completion of the program. In terms of the hands on portion, the foundation will most likely consist of Swedish oil massage. From there, you may have classes in shiatsu, deep tissue, craniosacral therapy, and polarity depending on the curriculum of your chosen school. The time you can devote to any one modality is limited, so this is more of a general introduction to many different modalities of bodywork which will give you a better idea of the kind of massage you like to do. You can always get more training in any modalities you are interested in after graduation. Of course, if you already know the type of bodywork you like to do, you can pick a program that is mostly or completely devoted to one modality of massage.

When choosing a school, it is important to consider the quality of instruction offered. Most massage schools will have a website and you can often learn about a school's instructors via online profiles. Check out what kind of work they do, how long they have been in the field, and what experiences they have both in terms of massage practice as well as in teaching massage. These are the people who you will be learning from, so you want to make sure the instructors are good at what they do and can impart their knowledge and know-how to you.

Make sure to visit the school before you decide, if possible. If the students and staff seem happy, and it feels good to you to be there, it could very well be a good fit. On the other hand, disgruntled students and staff are a big warning sign that something important is lacking in the school.

One important point which may sound obvious is that you should be pretty sure of your motivations for going to school. That motivation should be to help people heal by becoming a professional massage therapist. If you have many disparate goals such as healing yourself, or learning about the human body, don't just jump into school unless you have the resources to burn. Doing many massages a day to earn a living is a far cry from enjoying getting massages or giving them occasionally. Massage is demanding both physically and mentally, and a career as a professional therapist is not for everyone. Many people go through school, expending intense effort as well as a large sum of money, only to discover that a career in massage is not for them.

That said, massage can be a very rewarding career on many levels. It is a fast growing field as more and more people turn to alternative health care and discover the healing power of massage. As a massage therapist, you can have a real, positive effect on peoples' lives. If you do decide to go to massage therapy school, choose a good one and take advantage of what you can learn while there.

Keeping Musicians Pain-Free With Massage

Musicians: small muscle athletes

I once read an article about musculoskeletal pain among professional musicians. A survey of several thousand symphony musicians revealed that approximately 80% of them suffered from either chronic or intermittent pain directly related to their profession. The highest incidence was reported among the violinists. This was not surprising since they not only hold their instrument in a position that is challenging to the muscles, but they spend more time playing than any other instrument in an orchestra. Other instruments often get breaks or play only intermittently but in most orchestral pieces, the violins play most of the time.

Musicians are small muscle athletes. Their profession requires endurance, strength, and precision. The right kind of massage can help them play with less pain and more agility.

Tight muscles inhibit performance

When muscles are tight, movement is inhibited. When muscles are in pain, they become tense and there is less control. Maintaining maximum range of motion and eliminating pain allows a musician to play in comfort and can improve performance.

I've worked with a number of musicians over the years and they fascinate me. Those of us sitting in the audience marvel at their skill, but we seldom think of the endurance they must have to play for hours without a break. I once worked with a couple of conductors and, until that experience, never thought about what it must be like to stand with your arms raised in the air for a couple of hours. Try it, especially while making short, quick, precise movements. It's not easy.

Each musician is different

Each instrument has their own challenges. Horn players can get spasms in the muscles of their cheeks and lips. Violinists suffer from neck and shoulder ache. Guitarists, banjoists, and mandolin players will get pain in their forearms or elbows.

A good massage therapist who understands these problems can go quickly to the source of the pain and begin to dissipate the tension and discomfort. They cannot only help to relieve the acute pain, they can help a musician to continue to play without pain in the future.

Improve performance

Regular massage therapy really should be a part of every professional musician's life. It will improve their performance, help them to play with comfort and ease, and extend the length of their career.

How Much Does a Massage Therapist Make?

One of the biggest reasons that people are attracted to a career in massage therapy is that they feel they are able to help others in a meaningful way. It is a job that is in alignment with the core values of service to others. Many people long for meaningful work, something that really makes a difference in people's lives, and connects them with others.

There are so many professions out there that just feel lifeless to people. Many professionals today are walking away from stressful careers to find work they can be passionate about, even if it means making less money. Let's face it, most people trade time for money, and the question arises, what's more important, time or money? Is it possible to have both?

If you've ever had the feeling, while doing something you love, of time seeming to slow down and the feeling that you could do it all day, that's when you are in alignment. What an awesome feeling that would be to have while you work. Would that be work at all?

Maybe you don't know how passionate you really are about a career as a massage therapist. Let's look at what it takes to become a message therapist and what is expected of you. Prior to 1990 you could train as an apprentice or attend workshops, but now that the profession has grown it's vital to complete an educational training program. You also will need to pass the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork after you graduate, as well as licensing requirements that very from state to state.

In a city a massage therapist can earn $60 to $100 an hour, and $50 to $75 elsewhere. Most practitioners consider 27 hours a week to be full-time work. It is physical work and that is something to take into consideration, hands get sore and you're on your feet a lot, it takes a considerable amount of energy. It's definitely not a career you want to just jump in to.

With the way things are changing in this economy there are many unconventional business models out there that are very lucrative, that require no schooling, do require some learning, but allow average people to create six figure incomes from home using only a computer and phone. Particularly in the soon to be trillion dollar 'Wellness Industry', there are many companies looking for passionate people to work with, providing the training and infrastructure to create substantial income.

Most people want to become a massage therapist, or enter similar occupations, because they are very passionate people that want to be of service, and that is admirable, the question you have to ask yourself is, do I want to invest the serious amount of time and money into becoming a massage therapist? Is it really your dream?

To find out about some alternatives to massage therapy please visit: http://www.NewEconomySecrets.com

What's the Return on Investment (ROI) on a Physical Therapy EMR Anyway?

If you're a PT, OT or SLP who runs your own private practice and considering a physical therapy EMR, you can actually see how much ROI an EMR can generate for your private practice. They're easy to find online searching under physical therapy ROI calculator.

What Makes One EMR Different From Another?

There are many physical therapy EMR options available in the market. Picking the solution that's right for your practice doesn't have to be a daunting task. During your search, it's important to always stay focused on the needs of your practice, not the software. Using an online ROI calculator and simply inputting numbers like your average monthly visits, average net revenue per visit, annual revenue, number of unpaid claims, billing cost per claim, percent of appointment reminders reaching your customers successfully and the number of no-shows and cancellations into the calculator can really help you see the potential benefits of going from paper to electronic can really be. In fact, electronic medical records are quickly becoming the way of the near future. In most cases, switching to a physical therapy EMR produces positive results.

Improve Revenue

Physical therapy software improves revenue and collections by allowing providers to instantly submit claims and receive status updates in real-time via bi-directional clearing house integration. There are physical therapy EMR systems out there that automatically capture every billable treatment directly from the PT documentation, so therapists always have the support for a denied claim should one occur. Through this automated process, organizations have increased their charges by as much as 10-20 percent. Therapy practice solution can also alert you when a patient approaches their authorized treatment limit and display a patient's referral status before each visit. All these functions of an EMR can significantly help improve revenue in your practice.

Reduce No-Shows and Cancellations

With private practice facilities currently averaging 12-18 percent no-shows and cancellations per year, appointment system reminders are emerging as a way to reduce or eliminate them all together. Your current automated reminder system could be costing as much as $.25/reminder. Manual calls take up staff time and are costly as well. There are some physical therapy scheduling software programs out there that can automatically send text, phone or email reminders to patients and are including at no additional cost. Make sure you go with a software solution that offers automated reminders at no cost - there really is such a thing.

Keep Your Referring Physicians Happy

Physical therapy EMR systems can also help you keep your referring physicians satisfied. Many EMR solutions out there are designed to strengthen relationships with referring physicians and ultimately help grow your practice. The nice thing some practice management solutions feature are instant one-page summary plan of care reports that provide referring physicians with information on their patient's treatment, which are commonly sent by fax or a secure online portal - all before the patient even leaves the office.

Physical Therapy for Headaches

If you have frequent headaches, there are a number of possible reasons for that. Many of those reasons can be addressed by physical therapy, thus reducing both the frequency and intensity of your headaches.

There are actually several different categories of headaches, and within each of those categories, several potential causes. The headache category physical therapists have had the most success in treating is that of tension headaches. Thus, during your first appointment, your headaches will be assessed in an effort to determine which category they fit into. Tension headaches are most commonly caused by stress, fatigue, or poor posture, though they are also sometimes caused by problems in the jaw or neck.

One of the ways your physical therapist will help you determine exactly what kind of headache you have is by asking you a series of questions. One of those questions is simply, "Where does it hurt?" Typically, a tension headache begins at the back of your head and spreads to its top. It can also be felt in your eyes. Specific positions, such as sitting at a desk, may make these types of headaches worse, and rest usually reduces their intensity. Of course, your therapist will also ask you whether or not you have experienced any injuries to your jaw, neck, or head.

One of the goals your therapist will have in treating your headaches is to improve the mobility of your neck. A technique known as manual therapy, in which the muscles at the back of your neck are stretched, is used in order to accomplish this. Another goal your therapist will have will be to improve your overall strength. This will help to further stabilize your upper back and neck, which in turn will improve your posture. As a result of your improved posture, it will be easier for you to stand or sit for longer periods of time without experiencing any additional pain.

Another goal will be to help you modify your work space. You can actually already do some of this. Using a headset instead of a regular phone is a great start if you aren't doing that already. In addition, your computer screen should not be lower than the level of your eyes. You can check that right now. All of these tips will help you improve your posture which, as we mentioned, is a vitally important part of learning to manage your headaches.

If you or a loved one is suffering from Headaches, contact a physical therapist today.

Corporate Massage At Work

There are a variety of types of massage and they also take place in different kinds of settings. Some of the types of this therapy include Swedish, Thai, hot stone, deep tissue, and corporate massage. The Swedish technique involves a lot of rubbing of the skin's surface. The pressure is normally light to medium as it focuses on the superficial layers of the skin. Often times the therapist uses creams or oils to lubricate the skin to ensure that the masseuse's fingers can more easily glide over the skin's surface.

The Thai type is typically associated with a lot putting a lot of pressure onto the client through the use of chopping and patting motions. Sometimes the therapist actually walks on the back, arms and legs of the participants. Thai massages are recommended for people who like deep pressure because to other folks they can even be perceived as painful. The hot stone technique is a relaxing way to sooth the tension of the muscles and melt away the pain through the use of heat therapy. After the stones are placed into a warmer, the masseuse places them on tense parts of the body. He or she checks with the client to make sure that the temperature of the stones is comfortable. After the rocks are taken away, the therapist may perform another type of relaxation therapy. Another type is deep tissue. This features a higher amount of pressure put onto the muscles. It is used to aide in the process of getting rid of knots and overly tense or tightened muscles. Because all people have different preferences, some may consider this treatment to be too rough for their liking. In this case the light pressured Swedish may be a better option.

A corporate massage is a little bit different from the others. The participants remain fully clothed and lay face down on a special chair. This differs from the other forms that involve removing clothing to one's level of comfort and lying on a table while covered with a sheet. These services take place in the middle of a busy workday. A corporate massage can last anywhere between five minutes and thirty minutes. They usually are no longer than this considering they are meant to squeeze into a busy work schedule. These therapies are paid for by the employer rather than the employee and are often part of an employee wellness plan. Stress reduction techniques like corporate massage are an important part of ensuring employee happiness and well-being. Partaking in a corporate wellness therapy is likely to give workers a way to cope with the everyday tension of the job. That tension can start to cause negative physiological and psychological effects if it is not kept in check. Treatments such as these are one way it can be managed. Sometimes employers also provide these services as a reward, staff appreciation day, or a holiday event to give the workers a special treat. While each person has different preferences when it comes to massages, most people admit to enjoying them in one form or another.

Georgia Massage Therapy - Continuing Education Requirements

The perks of continuing education are multifold; not only do they encourage licensed professionals to be more mindful of changes and happenings within their industry, they also ensure that these professionals remain up-to-date on key knowledge and facts. Moreover, most professional organizations require such ongoing learning to occur throughout the year. The field of massage therapy is no different. Continuing education is more than just encouraging licensed massage therapists to sharpen their massage therapy knowledge; it also ensures that they adhere to high standards of professional performance.

In the state of Georgia, every two years (every even numbered year), licensed massage therapists must acquire twenty-four hours of massage therapy continuing education units in order to remain compliant with the Georgia State Board of Massage Therapy regulations. This is to ensure that licensed massage therapists are always current and continue to offer their clients the best massage therapy possible.

By October 31, 2010, all licensed massage therapists in the state of Georgia will be required to renew their license with the state massage board. One of the requirements is to submit proof of participation in twenty-four hours of continuing education courses. To learn more about what is needed to stay up-to-date and remain fully compliant as a licensed massage therapist in Georgia, always make sure that you visit sos.state.ga.us/plb/massage.

Remaining Compliant with the State

Course hours & requirements: Twelve of the twenty-four hours of massage therapy continuing education must be hands-on or technique based, while the remaining twelve hours can be on-line or lecture only. Many licensed massage therapists use this time to choose courses that focus on massage techniques and/or modalities in which they wish to specialize or simply learn more about. Topics include sports massage, cranial sacral therapy, geriatric massage, spa techniques or pregnancy massage. The list of possible massage therapy continuing education courses is endless.An approved list of courses and/or providers can be found on the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) website at www.ncbtmb.org.

Credentials: Before beginning any massage therapy continuing education courses, ensure that the program in which you are enrolling is fully recognized by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy and that the instructors are credentialed. The program should have a provider code number assigned by the NCBTMB in order to issue credits.

Program documentation: Should you be audited, you will need to have proper documentation of completed massage therapy continuing education courses.

• This documentation should include proof of attendance and participation at a hands-on workshop, seminar, conference, or other educational program. Upon completion of the program, you should be given a certificate that includes a massage therapist license number and the approved provider's number (signed or verified by a program official), and a program or course description detailing the sponsor, course title, date, course, content description, and schedule.
  


• For massage therapy continuing education courses that do not involve hands-on techniques, such as lectures, multimedia courses, correspondence courses, or formal self-study, you will also need a certificate of completion with the information outlined above. In the case of self-study, you will need to have verification by a course sponsor as well as detailed information about the nature of the course.

New licensees: If you are a massage therapist who was licensed within the first year of the biennial renewal period, you will be responsible for acquiring only twelve massage therapy continuing education hours, six of which must be hands-on supervised instruction. Massage therapists who have been licensed within the past twelve months are not held accountable for acquiring any continuing education credits until the next renewal period.

Record keeping: Your renewal application is subject to a state audit. All licensed massage therapists will need to keep a record of attendance and any supporting documentation for at least three years from the date of attendance. During the license renewal application process, you will need to certify to the Georgia State Board of Massage Therapy that you have completed the hours required for license renewal.

The Perks of Continuing Education for Licensed Massage Therapists

Schools across Georgia offer stimulating, interactive new ways of learning different massage modalities. Massage therapy continuing education is a great way to learn something new and perhaps even introduce a modality you had not yet considered. Your employers and massage therapy clients also benefit from your additional education.

With so many choices, picking and settling on your twenty-four required CEs should be fun! Just don't forget to file away your documentation in case of an audit!

How Massage Therapy Can Help Heal Tendinitis and Tendinosis

In 20 years of practicing therapeutic massage in Gainesville Florida, I've had many clients come to me suffering from joint pains they believe are tendinitis or bursitis, and that they hope are not due to arthritis. Simple assessment techniques help me to evaluate which tissues are injured or causing pain and which treatment approaches can help my clients.

Tendinitis and tendinosis are dysfunctions of tendons, which are the crucial structures in our bodies that connect our muscles to our bones. Tendons must be tough enough to withstand our strongest muscle contractions, and flexible enough to allow the numerous movements that are part of our daily life. Our tendons will stay strong and elastic if we have good circulation, nutrition, hydration, exercise and rest.

A healthy tendon can tear in extreme situations when a sudden force overpowers it. This trauma can be suffered by anyone in the course of their daily life. What happens in this case is that the tear causes inflammation and pain (tendinitis), and scar tissue forms as the healing process continues.

In contrast, tendinosis is the result of a much more common scenario when repetitive strain and chronic overuse cause a breakdown within the integrity of the tendon on a molecular level. This derangement of the tendon tends to occur without inflammation (Lowe, 2006, p. 10 and Hendrickson, 2009, p.20), and as a result, the healing process cannot take place. The science and art of orthopedic massage will initiate a renewed healing process in your body for both tendinitis and tendinosis.

Effective orthopedic massage consists of five crucial elements that include accurately identifying the compromised tissue using skilled orthopedic evaluation and using different techniques that will help the injury to heal. Treatment is most effective when combined with targeted stretches (creating elasticity in the healing tissue) and rehabilitative exercises (creating strength in the healing tissues). A strong elastic scar or remodeled tendon will be much more functional, and much less likely to be re-injured.

Optimal healing of tendinitis or tendinosis requires that the client practice self-care between massage sessions. Besides proper directed exercises for the specific site of injury, clients are instructed to eat well, hydrate, and rest well.

When dealing with tendinosis or tendinitis, your body is experiencing a stressor. You may be emotionally stressed from the pain. Orthopedic treatment of the injuries can reduce the stress of the injury site. Caring for areas of tension felt in your body during the remaining time in an hour massage session will further reduce the stress felt in your body and allow complete healing to take place.

How Much Do Physical Therapists Make a Year?

Numerous people undervalue the role and value of physical therapists. Actually, several people view this profession as mere masseurs and for that reason view their job more as provision of a luxury rather than necessity. Even so, once an individual knows the particular field of medicine and knows the portion a physical therapist plays is in the process of recovery, only then does the person learn to value their importance. A physical therapist's job description is broad but, in a nutshell, they are supposed to help a patient over the recovery process especially right after traumatic experience like an incident. The majority of the procedures that physiotherapists use are non-medical strategies. This really is to express that a physiotherapist should be to be sure that the entire body heals by itself to as fantastic an extent as workable without using any medicinal substances such as medication. The physical therapist income earns depends on a number of things.

Based on the Bureau of labor reports, the majority of physiotherapist salary was $76,310 in 2010. Additional, the research said that the 10 percent of best paid physiotherapist made over $107, 920, although the lowest paid 10 per cent made roughly $53,620. In addition, those doing work in hospitals and physician offices were paid a lot more than those working in clinics or as social employees. This means that physiotherapists are among the best paid professionals in the USA. Below are some factors that determine physical therapist earnings.

The first, and possibly most crucial of these is the degree of knowledge. Physiotherapy is just as challenging as any kind of other industry like business, engineering and accounting. There are thus degrees at varied levels for physiotherapists. The greater the degree an person is in the academic ladder, the greater physical therapist pay. This is to state that the physical therapist earnings for a person who's got a master's degree in physiotherapy will earn more income than one who has an undergraduate (bachelor's degree).

Other elements on which a physical therapist pay depends on include the number of years that an individual has been in the profession (i.e. the level of knowledge), the institution for which one works (state owned institutions normally pay their physiotherapists lower than do lots of privately operated institutions) as well as the period in which one works (regardless working on possibly night or day shift).

In general, for a new graduated who's got just started her or his career as the physiotherapist,they should expect you'll receive somewhere between $50,000 and $60,000 every year. However, this salary goes up as he or she gains experience. Generally, after some time they may make as much as $80,000. On the contrary, physiotherapist assistants earn slightly cheaper than the total amount made by properly accredited and trained therapists. However, once a person finishes his / her on-the-job schooling, she or he should be prepared to make in the region of $50,000 per year.

Physical Therapy Business Part 1

Physical therapy owners are primarily therapists who have a passion to help others and don't really think of their practice as a business. As in any business, you need to establish a plan and have a way to monitor the progress of your plan.

The key component to a physical therapy business is the strategy or guideline by which the physical therapy center can evolve. This plan is a way to keep on track with the goals and destination you want to take your business. Because physical therapy is such a dynamic field, the business plan also needs to be dynamic and adapt to different changes and flexible enough to be re-evaluated and changed to accommodate the changing times.

The business plan should be like a step-by-step plan that can be followed like a story. It should outline specific goals, achievements, growth plans and the direction you want to take your business. One unique way to plan your business is to imagine what you envision your practice to be, then work your way backwards to make a step by step outline that will build up to your dream physical therapy business.

Physical therapy clinic owners need to begin with a focused plan and purpose for operating their physical therapy business. They need to be grounded and clear about the reasons why they set up their own business. That is why a mission statement is a valuable method to write down how and why you are running your business and at the same time it is a reminder of your goals for your business.

Owners need to know what direction their clinic will go and how to make a plan to get there. Also, how it affects the community, as well as have a set of core beliefs that will be the backbone of the clinical practice.

A good, well thought out plan will enable the owner to distinguish good opportunities from bad ones and be able to guide the business towards the future. It will allow for easy evaluation and be adaptable to the changing trends in the field of healthcare.

The plan needs to detail the systems, operations, the structure, the treatments, the overhead, the funding, projected growth and earnings. There also needs to be contingency plans in case the practice needs to make immediate changes.

A physical therapy business needs a plan that is written down. Make that first step in planning and recording everything that is needed in a thriving physical therapy center. Every detail of the practice should be outlined so the plan can be easily implemented and flaws or errors can be corrected in the early stages of the business development.

Make the plan write it down and stick to it. If things aren't going according to plan, re-evaluate, make changes and implement the plan again. Be dynamic and allow yourself to be flexible to adapt to the business environment. A business plan is your guide to your future dreams.

Continuing Education Physical Therapy - Get Your Physical Therapy CEUs

As with everything in life, to stay ahead of the competition one must continue to learn and better themselves. This also rings true for the physical therapist. Not only is it a requirement to obtain continuing education credits, the number of credits needed vary from state to state making it important for the physical therapist to know and understand his or her individual needs to keep his or her license current. Continuing education physical therapy must also be accredited. Meaning that the course must be recognized by the individual state board of licensing to allow for applicable credit.

For anyone searching for ways to get your physical therapy CEUs, you will find that the options are almost endless. You may opt for the traditional campus based classes to obtain the necessary credits. In this instance, you will physically be present in the classroom and listen to lecture for a set amount of time, pass the given exams to acquire your CEUs. However, you may also opt to use the online version when obtaining your physical therapy credits. Making sure the online class that is offered is accredited is the most important aspect prior to signing up for the class. Then you will be able to access the class from the convenience of your home on your home computer. Allowing the flexibility to fit the class around your current schedule.

Not only does refreshing your skills or learning a new technique better you as an individual physical therapist, it also keeps you in line for the possible promotion or wage increase. Something every working persons desires. In addition, these continuing education physical therapy credits are required to maintain and continue to keep your license active and in good standings. Causing the CEUs to be an imperative yearly occurrence to secure your current job or position.

If taking classes is less than exciting for you, look for engaging and ground breaking courses that will hold your attention and interest making the task o taking continuing education physical therapy courses more enjoyable and tolerable. There are a number of schools that offer some of the newest ideas and techniques as well as updated ideas about the standards of the practice and are able to present them in an attention grabbing fashion. Regardless of your excitement level of taking CEUs, they are a requirement that must be met on a timely basis to keep your license and better you as a professional.

Louis Zhang, Accrmassagetherapycourses.com

How to Work With Your Scar Tissue to Get Rid of It!

First off, let me congratulate you that you are trying to do your own healing! So many people go to their MD/DO/physical therapist/chiropractor/massage therapist, etc. and expect that that person is going to be able to heal them completely. I often tell my clients who have chronic conditions (health related issues which last a long time) that even if they come for massage three times a week, they won't see the kinds of improvements they want until they're willing to do their own work to improve (be that stretching, doing their own massage, eating right, ice/heat, etc.). So congratulations on your willingness to do your own healing!

While I have never had multiple surgeries on the same area, I had four surgeries in a 6 year time span (including an ACL replacement in my right knee), and I understand the pain that often accompanies scar tissue.

I was fortunate with my ACL injury in that I had a surgeon who believed it was important to keep the knee moving and stretching. When I came to (from surgery), my knee was already moving in a machine called a CPM unit (Continuous Passive Movement - delivered by Colorado Professional Medical), which allowed me to set the speed and degree of the angle which my knee was moved to. It constantly moved my leg up and down, bending the knee each time. When I got home, I automatically started using the CPM unit again, which had been delivered to my house and which the delivery person had taught me how to use prior to surgery. I increased the speed and angle of degree every day and stopped using the CPM unit one week after surgery, because I had gotten back the full range of movement which the CPM unit allowed for (120 degrees). It was about 6 months after my knee surgery when I learned that some orthopedic knee surgeons believe in keeping the knee immobile for up to a month after ACL surgery. I was surprised and disappointed to hear this because keeping the knee immobile for that long of a time is setting the person up for a longer (and often more difficult) recovery.

Scar tissue develops all the time in muscle. When you pull muscles, some amount of scarring can occur. That scar tissue can be gotten rid of through normal stretching and activity. However, when serious scar tissue develops (as is often the case in whiplash and surgery) it can take a lot more to get that tissue to be reabsorbed into the body. If it is not gotten rid of, it can cause numbness of the nerves in an area, decreased flexibility, and ultimately, pain.

Many people think that scar tissue will simply go away after time, but most often, it does not. It is an injury which needs to be worked with in order to re-heal as effectively as possible.

Healing, depending on whom you talk to, is a complex process. Some people believe that prayer alone will heal, while others believe that only pills and western medicine will heal. Some have great success with acupuncture, others with chiropractic, and others with nutrition. I believe that healing is a combination of all of these things.

What I offer here is advice on how to massage scar tissue, with the hope that you will be able to use it and effectively break up your scar tissue. I hope this works for you, and hope as well that you will let me know your results. I hope you'll incorporate whatever else works for you, as that will help speed up your healing. Also, a point I'll make is that massage is all hands-on, so describing it using a non hands-on medium like email or the Internet is a bit difficult; I'll do my best, but if there's something you don't understand, please email me.

There are two levels of scar tissue which you can address with massage. One is the skin level, and the other is the muscle level. I will first address the skin level, and then address the muscle level.

When scar tissue develops, the brain/nerve connections, which have to happen to detect touch, never develop or develop very weak. This is because scar tissue develops primarily to heal and protect, and only secondarily to feel sensation. In other words, the tissue naturally develops a weak ability to notice sensation while it is being created. Because most people don't use or touch a part of the body which had a kind of trauma to it, (like that which comes from surgery or a car accident,) the tissue doesn't receive any stimulation. This means that in many cases (after surgery or other trauma), the secondary function of scar tissue, sensation, never or barely develops. Over time, this lack of sensation causes an area to be touched less (after all, why would a person touch an area that had no feeling?). It receives less touch, and because of this, it receives less stimulation, which means that the nerve endings and connections develop less, which means that the area has less feeling, so it is touched less; and the process goes on until there is a thick mass of non-sensory tissue, most of it probably scar tissue.

I have larger scars on two of my fingers (from surgery). While sitting in class or somewhere where I only need to listen to what's going on, I will take a sharpened pencil, paper clip, nail file, or even a needle (something with a small point), to see what kind of feeling I have in a specific spot on the scar. I will really pay attention to what kinds of sensations I'm having in the spot that I'm touching. I don't pierce the skin, as that would only cause further injury to a healing area, but I do test to see how much sensation I have. I have done this since having surgery over 8 years ago. Over time, the sensations have become stronger and more definite in the scar tissue itself, and as the sensation has come back, the scar tissue has been reduced (not gone away), and become much less painful. It probably also helps that I am a massage therapist, and while working on a client, I use the sensations coming from my hands to understand when a muscle is tight, or when it has knots, etc. I pay a lot of attention to the sensations coming from my fingers.

For the skin level on a knee, you will want to work on the scar itself. Touch it with an object with a small point in several specific spots on and around the scar. Can you feel the sensation? If not, start by going around the edge of the scar. Can you feel that sensation? Notice what it feels like. Does it make a difference if you press hard or light? What about if you move it around a little?

Set an intention that you want to feel sensation in that specific point you are touching. By doing this, and focusing your attention on it, you are forcing your brain and your body to focus in on the sensory information you should be receiving from those nerves. Just like working to develop more flexibility by stretching the same muscles over an extended amount of time, you are working to develop those nerves on a daily basis by using different kinds of touch. Over time, you will redevelop more feeling in the area than you previously had.

Moving on to the deeper layers, it is important to know that just as scar tissue develops on the outside layers of the skin, it develops in the muscle. Muscle can be divided into two groups with regard to scar tissue; areas which can be worked through direct massage, and those which are much more difficult to work with using massage. Most massage therapists have developed an ability to work at a deep level within the muscle that most non massage therapists have not. For the areas which are difficult to get to when doing massage yourself, I would recommend getting into a regular stretching program and getting regular massage. Most recreation/fitness centers now offer Yoga classes. If yours doesn't offer Yoga or another kind of stretching program, ask them why they don't, and consider joining one that does.

Also, consider getting regular scar tissue massage for a while. If you don't know a good massage therapist, ask a friend who gets regular massage, or even look up a CMT in the phone book. You can find criteria for selecting a massage therapist by clicking here. You may have to take some time researching, but it will be worth it when you find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable, and schedule an appointment. Massage can range from $20 to upwards of $300/hour. The cost doesn't necessarily determine the quality of the massage, so don't think you have to pay an arm and a leg to get a great massage. Let the therapist know your wants with regard to getting your scar tissue broken up, and they should be able to help you.

Another thing to consider (when getting massage for a trauma area) is that the muscles around the area will be tightening up in protection of the injury. In the case of a knee surgery, this would be the quadriceps, hamstrings muscles, calf muscles, and all the muscles on the anterior (front) side of the lower leg. A therapist should know to work these muscles, and you can rub them yourself as well to help keep them loose.

On to the level of scar tissue in the muscle that you can work yourself, cross-fiber technique can be very effective. If your scar tissue is right over the knee cap you'll probably have to lift it up off of the knee and squeeze it between your thumbs and forefingers to get to it. However, if it is in a more substantial set of muscle (lower quads), you will be able to work your fingers across the muscle and use a cross-fiber technique on the muscle (or have someone do this for you).

Cross-Fibering

Start by using a cream, lotion, or oil (I personally recommend Lotus Touch cream, available from http://www.lotustouch.com) and use it on the area you want to work. Skinstore.com also sells a few creams and gels, which have been reported to help considerably to diminish the tightness and the overall thickness of scar tissue. Remember that you are using the massage cream to allow your hands or a tool to more easily move across the skin, so if the skin soaks all of it up, you may need to reapply. You will then want to work across the muscle fibers. In the case of the muscles around the knee: as you are standing, most of the muscle fibers go up and down, so you will want to work across the leg. You can use massage tools and/or implements to get into the muscle deeply and work across the muscle, or you can use your hands. One good hand position is to bend the middle and ring fingers and use the second knuckle (closest knuckle to the hand-but not the knuckle joining the hand) on the middle and ring fingers, to get into the muscle fibers of the quads/calves, while the second and pinky fingers are straight and glide across the leg. Move up and down the muscle, making sure to focus on areas where it feels like there is more binding of the tissues. You can finish by doing a gentle massage on the area to calm it down. This is one possibility for cross-fibering.

Whatever hand position or tool you use with cross-fibering, remember that your goal is to break up the scar tissue by going across the muscle, and remember that this isn't going to happen overnight. By using cross-fibering, you are actually causing minor traumas to an area which promote the healing in that area. You don't want to re-injure the area to the point where more scar tissue develops because of your working on it. A generally good way to know how much pressure is enough is that it should be on the level between uncomfortable and painful. So it should be uncomfortable, but not overly painful. As far as the time it takes for healing, a good general guideline is that you should give the scar tissue as long to break up (if you're working on it daily) as it did for it to be created. In other words, if you had surgery two years ago, and you just started working with the scar tissue yesterday, large improvements could take up to two years from yesterday. Healing doesn't have to take this long, but this should give you an idea of how patient you should be.

In summary:

Work with the scar as often as you think about it.
It is possible to overwork an area, but not likely that you will with the scar tissue.

Use heat to bring blood to an area, cold to take blood away from an area.
Generally speaking, you will want to take the blood away from an area before you work with scar tissue so that it will hurt less to work with it (the cold of ice will also numb the nerves so you can work with the scar tissue). You will then want to work with the tissue that is deeper in the muscle, using cross-fibering, while it is cold. When you are done, you will want to heat the area to bring blood in and carry away the toxins which are released as you break up the scar tissue and open up the area. (Too much time with the heat can cause an abundance of blood in an area, which can cause swelling and a different kind of pain. Generally, 20-30 minutes with the heat is a safe bet.) You will want to use moist heat if possible (i.e. a wet washcloth warmed up in the microwave or something comparable), as it will draw more fluids to the area and encourage the muscle to return to its natural state. (Don't get the heat so hot that it burns you.)

Working with the scar tissue may hurt initially.

Pain should decrease over time, but may not fully go away. Be prepared for this, but don't psyche yourself out. It does get better.

You can do the work yourself

You can have great results just from working on the scar tissue yourself. You will be most successful if you will work on it yourself because you are the only one who is with you 24 hours a day, so you can be there all the time to work on it. However, just like it feels better to get a massage from someone else than it does to give yourself one, you may experience good results from someone else working on you as well. Just make sure that you communicate with them (and that they are willing to listen) when there is too much pain, or not enough pressure, etc. Also, there may be cases where you can not reach the scar tissue (i.e. back surgery. If this is the case, have someone else work with you, and get into a regular stretching program). Caveat: Make sure you say thank you to the person who is helping take care of you. They're much more likely to help again.

Nutrition is important.

Eating well can have a huge impact on how quickly the body will heal. With regard to scar tissue, nutrition plays an important role in how quickly the body will be able to develop feeling in an area and breakdown the scar tissue. It needs the vitamins and minerals to build tissue, create chemical connections, and carry away toxins.

Be patient.

The human organism is amazing in what it can do, if given the time and resources it needs to do so. If you re-injure the area by doing more than it can handle (i.e. bungee-jumping two weeks after surgery), don't expect your body to respond well.

Be patient!

Five Changes That Made My Massage Practice A Success

I opened Sarah Robarge Massage Therapy in Ithaca, NY in 2009. I worked out of an attic treatment room in my house and saw on average three or four clients a month. Every few months or so, I would gain a new client via word of mouth. My practice was a part-time gig that I would dream about making full-time, but, I didn't know how. I inadvertently made a few small changes to my business and in a period of a few weeks, my appointment calendar filled up completely. These are business choices I am sure most massage therapists are familiar with. What surprised me about these business practices was their immediate impact on my massage business. My practice is now my full-time and only job. It is a rare week I do not fill my appointment calendar. I thought I might share these small changes I wish I had made ages ago. I am willing to bet they will work for your massage practice too.

I Rented Office Space

I made this decision for myself out of necessity. My husband and I were working on a number of home improvement projects and I was just too embarrassed to drag my clients through piles of wood and sawdust to my office. I tried doing just out calls for a little while, but with a massive wood massage table I had to find another way.

I found a massage office building just six blocks from my house. I rent, by the hour, in a facility that has four treatment rooms and a very nice waiting room.

There is something legitimatizing about having an office instead of space in my home that clients reacted very positively to. Very often when I am at social events, people will ask if I have a massage office or work out of my home. When I say I have an office, the reaction always seems, "Oh, you mean you do this for real."

I Built A Website

This was a project I had always intended on doing but somehow never got around to. I am very far from being tech savvy and the letters HTML strike fear into my heart. In January of 2012, my massage association announced a competition for massage websites. I am a competitive person and I just had to build one and enter.

My website has a complete description of all the services I offer, the benefits of these services, and an option to schedule and pay online. Now almost thirty percent of by business comes from people searching the internet.The easy online scheduling software spares me the back and forth phone and email tag it takes to get an appointment scheduled.

I Maintain Professional Boundaries

I like to read reviews online about other massage therapists so I know what clients really appreciate and what they do not appreciate. Many clients complain of their therapist talking too much about themselves. Another common complaint is a messy office space. I did notice that most of the complaints had nothing to do with the massage itself but the professional container the therapist failed to maintain. By educating myself on common client complaints I make sure that I: begin and end my appointment at scheduled times; the treatment room is warm, clean and free of clutter; I do not talk about my personal life to my clients even when I am sorely tempted to; and I make sure I have a reliable CD or MP3 player.

I feel that I am rewarded greatly for my professionalism. More than 95% of my clients return for one or more appointments.

I Switched to High Quality Products

One thing I remember about being just a massage client was how expensive massage seemed to me. It was an investment. I keep this in the forefront of my mind with every client. In the beginning I used cheap, often mismatched linens. I was always silently hoping my clients wouldn't notice the poor quality of my products.

One of my first big purchases for my business was top of the line massage table linens and high quality massage oil. Right away I received great feedback from my clients on how good the linens felt and how good my organic oils made their skin feel. My clients seemed to relax much more easily when I used these products. My clients sense that my quality products are an investment in them and in return it is easier for them to invest their trust and business in me.

I Began Asking One Simple Question

"Would you like to schedule you next appointment?"

This question doubled my number of bookings immediately. I can be very shy at times and during the first few year of my practice I truly felt less than other massage therapists. I never asked clients after sessions if they would like to schedule their next appointment. Once I started, I realized most people expected that I would ask for a return appointment. When I didn't ask a client if they would like to come back, some assumed that they had done something wrong as a client.

Most of my clients reschedule when I ask. If a client is unsure, I often suggest they schedule so they may have their preferred time and can cancel if they change their mind. I have noticed when one of my clients has scheduled an appointment on the books, they rarely cancel or reschedule.

I have discovered immense satisfaction of being my own boss and working full-time in the profession I am passionate about. There are many ways that therapists can grow their practices. It was these five changes that made a tremendous difference for mine.

By, Sarah Robarge, LMT

Should You Go to Massage Therapy School?

A massage therapy career is not the right choice for everyone, but it might be a great one for you. Let's talk about the massage therapy education you will submit yourself to and the challenges that await you.

Massage therapy training covers a wide range of topics. Some courses you should expect to take are anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Those courses all deal with studies of the human body - location of organs, muscles, tissues, how the body's mechanics work. Of course all that is necessary knowledge for someone who will dedicate his or her career to healing people's pains.

In addition to learning about the physical aspects of massage therapy, many massage institutes teach courses that at first may seem irrelevant. Some of these courses may be ethics, or business management. Really, though, these courses are just as important because a massage therapist not only performs on clients, but must build relationships with them. The relationship should be businesslike; it has to be one of trust and commitment. In school you learn how to build these therapist-client relationships, the ethics of running a business and the ethics of dealing intimately with your clients.

You will have to touch people. Get used to it! Hands-on training cannot be avoided, and, really, why would you become a massage therapist if you can't stand touching people? In order to learn to give proper massages you will have to touch human beings.

Hygiene, kindness and communication. You'll want your clients to feel comfortable around you. While you're in massage school, you'll have to learn to keep good hygiene of your hands, tables and other materials that you'll use. You will also have to develop bedside manners--treat your teachers, classmates, clients, and anyone else in the industry with the respect that they expect! Learn to listen. Open communication between a massage therapist and his or her client allows everyone to feel relaxed, and your sessions will feel much less tense.

Study, study, study! Getting high marks on your work should be an obvious priority, but don't lose focus. Concentrate on the material because the better you know it, the better you will eventually be able to treat your clients. Happy clients equals more money!

If you think you can dedicate your time in school to the things listed above, then you should go to massage therapy school. There's a lot of opportunity once you receive your certification. It will take hard work and dedication but it will also be fun and rewarding. So if you think it's right for you, start checking out massage therapy schools and apply to one that you think will be best for you. It's your first step to starting your massage therapy career!

Massage

The beauty of massage is that you can do it yourself and you can do it multiple times every day and that's how massage is best done.

Always feel around in the muscles for points or places that make you feel good and relaxed. Massage is a mechanical stimulant for the muscles and though it moves the muscles passively, it can be quite effective because it helps to keep the muscles soft and pliable.
Massage movements can help the muscles to twitch if the motor point (nerve muscle meeting point) of the muscle can be found and stimulated mechanically through manual movements. If you can find pleasurable and relaxing points within the muscle, then the massage is able to twitch (contract) these points which are the motor points and the massage will be even more effective in relaxing the muscles.

If some places in the muscle are too tender, do not use strong pressure in those areas because it can irritate and make the muscle spasm in these areas even more intense. Therefore massage can induce pain or aggravate pain instead of relaxing the muscle.

Pounding the muscles with your hand or using an electric massager can be very effective in massaging large muscles.

Briefly squeezing the muscle with your hand and immediately letting it go can be quite useful especially in the neck or on small to medium size muscles. Also, an effective way for massaging the forearm and arm muscles is to twist the muscles in clockwise and anti-clockwise motion across the shaft of the bone.

For massaging the small muscles of the hand and feet use two fingers, press or roll the muscle with one finger on the top of the hand or foot and the other finger on the palm of the hand or sole of the foot.

The most important areas to massage are the muscles along the side of the spine from the base of the skull to the base of the lower spine. Massage also the slopes the shoulder for the trapezius muscles and muscles over the shoulder blade and along the inner border of the shoulder blade and between the shoulder blades. Include also the latissimus dorsi muscle that runs from the back of the armpit along the back of the chest to the lower back. Massage horizontally also along the lower angle of the shoulder blade wrapping to the side and front of the chest. There are motor points along the upper border of the latissimus dorsi muscle and massage can help twitch to induce relaxation of the muscle.

You can effectively massage the muscles of the back by yourself by leaning against a 1-2 pound plastic coated barbell. This will help to also stretch the back muscles. If you have too much pain, you may wrap the barbell in a small towel or just use a soft rubber ball or a tennis ball to lean against.

You may find it useful also to lean the spine muscles against the edge or corner of a table, door, cabinet or wall. You can slide yourself sideways across that corner to get a better massage effect.

Massage to include as many muscles as you can. These muscles lie on the back and front of the body, the outer and inner aspect of the limbs. Massage to include the lower limb muscles, the gluteus maximus (buttocks), hip, thigh and calf muscles. Include the scalp muscles as well as the facial muscles.

The pressure of the massage should vary according to the tenderness felt during massage. If it is too tender, do not use too much pressure to avoid inducing or aggravating pain. If you should find points that are relaxing and pleasurable, you may massage these areas longer and also find more of these relaxing points.

What Is Iliotibial Band Syndrome?

Do you know what is Iliotibial Band Syndrome or ITBS? To understand more about ITBS, it's essential to learn about the iliotibial band. The iliotibial band is a ligament that runs down the hip to the shin on the outside of the thigh. Working in conjunction with other thigh muscles, the iliotibial band offers stability to the knee joint. This band becomes narrow when it comes near the knee, and it can rub against the bone, causing inflammation.

ITBS is a common injury for serious runners, cyclists or hikers. When the leg is repeatedly turned inward, the iliotibial band is inflamed, and the result is Iliotibial Band Syndrome. This inflammation usually takes place on the outside of the knee joint at the end of the thigh bone where the lateral epicondyle is located. Under normal circumstances, the smooth gliding motion of the iliotibial band is facilitated a bursa which is found between the muscle and the bone. Once the iliotibial band is inflamed, it cannot glide quite as smoothly, resulting in pain in the knee. Since the pain occurs on the outside of the knee, many people who suffer from ITBS mistakenly assume that they have a knee injury.

One thing about ITBS is that it affects both amateur and seasoned athletes. When iliotibial band is inflamed, you will feel pain when you exert pressure on your knee joint. Some people stubbornly try to work through the pain but they will discover that the pain becomes more intense as they continue running, walking, or cycling as they exert more pressure on the knee joint. What are some of the symptoms of ITBS? The most common symptom of ITBS is the detection of pain on the outside of the knee. In the beginning stages, you may feel a pricking or stinging sensation, and then, you will feel some pain when your heel hits the ground. As the situation becomes worse, the pain may be so excruciating when you climb or descend a flight of stairs or even when you walk. In some cases, there will be a popping or snapping sensation when the knee is bent, and there may also be some swelling in the affected area.

How do you treat ITBS? The easiest treatment is rest. One of the main causes of ITBS is overexertion of the iliotibial band so it makes sense to rest the band to allow it to recuperate. Another treatment is to use ice on the affected area. This will help to settle the inflammation and relieve the pain. You have probably seen some professional athletes with ice packs on their knees so it's an effective treatment. There are also anti-inflammatory medications which may be helpful like naproxen and ibuprofen. It's best to consult your doctor before you take these medications because they may have side effects or interactions with other medications. Other types of treatments for ITBS include massage, physical therapy, and some special stretches or exercises. Depending on the severity of the ITBS, it can take weeks or months to recover fully so it requires a certain level of patience.

10 Facts You Should Know About Esthetics Schools

Going to an esthetics school means that you are looking for a career in cosmetology or you want to put up your own skin care business. Whatever the case may be, if you want to become a good esthetician, you will need to first get the education required to become one. This means you will need to find the best esthetics school to enroll in and to get your diploma from. To help you determine whether or not the esthetics schools you are looking to get into are the best ones for you, here are some things you might want to know about these schools:

1. The best esthetics schools you can find will offer you both lectures and hands-on training to complete the course. This includes online schools that require you to attend hands-on lessons at institutions that they are affiliated with.

2. Esthetics schools basically teach you the specialized techniques and skills needed in the field of facial care. This includes deep pore cleansing, facial skin analysis, facial mask applications and even facial massage.

3. Depending on what esthetics school you choose, you can get an Associate's degree or a course certificate for your completed course. These courses often run for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 2 years for Associate's degrees.

4. Also included in the training modules of some of the best esthetics schools in the country are lessons on customer relations and communication skills, handling of different skin types and even business management for those who want to open their own skin care business in the future.

5. Esthetician training programs vary from one to the other with some having more course modules than others. Some of the lessons you may or may not get from these training courses include exfoliation techniques, chemical peels and techniques, makeup artistry, body wraps, use of facial equipment, waxing and hair removal and salon business management.

6. Depending on which school you choose to go to, you may be required to present a high school diploma before you are allowed to enroll.

7. Some esthetician schools require their students to practice not only their esthetician skills but also their communication skills since this is an important part of the job that the person will be getting into upon finishing the course.

8. You should be careful about online schools and check on their accreditation before you enroll. This is due to the fact that some cosmetology boards of certain states do not acknowledge the training a person gets from online institutions unless these are accredited by them beforehand.

9. If you are thinking of practicing your craft in a certain state, it would be best to get your lessons from a school found in that state. Each state has individual licensing practices in place therefore it would be best to get your education from a school that is found in the state you will be working in as an esthetician.

10. To help you see exactly what an esthetician school has to offer, do not simply rely on its website. Instead, pay the school a visit and see what facilities they have for their students and interact with some of the students there to get a feel of the school itself.

Schools For Sports Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is widely accepted as a wonderful remedy for many health related issues. Massage helps in rejuvenating tissues,equip skins to fight aging, relieves tension and also making the blood circulatory system sound and healthy. Sports massage therapy is one of the field which is intended to provide the wonderful effects of massaging therapy to the sport people to improve their stamina and vitality. There are many schools for sports massaging therapy.

Sports massage is very essential for an athlete as it improves the blood circulation and hence enhances the vitality; physical ability to undergo training, helps to prevent injury and also improves the performance of the sports personal. Added to all the above it makes the body fit by removing fat contents, unnecessary waste deposits and also the massaging rejuvenates the tissues with the use of antioxidants and the required nutrients for the skin and body. The sports massaging will give the athletes a feeling of physical well-being, and also increases the mental strength in facing the challenging competition with ease and free of injury. It improves significantly the stamina of the sports people and brings an energetic and enjoyable condition in their sports life.

Sports Massage Schools are offering service to the fitness professionals to bring smile into the faces of sports personals by stimulating the coronary circulation and also by relieving stress. This will help athletes to keep tie physical fitness at the peak and also help them to avoid future injuries.

The Sports Massage Schools conduct classes for specific techniques of massaging which effectively uses various skills namely smooth movements for stretching, compressing and gliding. The main objective of sports massaging is the maintenance of healthy tissues, manipulation of them and the rehabilitation of soft tissues. The sports massaging instructions are taught in these schools in a very professional way. The curriculum covers the massaging techniques in general, sports massaging techniques in particular tailored to the well being of sports personals and athletes. This course also covers the precautions need to be taken in massaging therapy, the advantages of the sports massaging and also the disadvantages. The health benefits of the massaging, the general massaging remedies for strains and pains, the ways to improve the overall muscle strength and many skin-massaging techniques are also dealt in these schools of sports massage therapy. Also in sports massage schools students are equipped with detecting deep tissue damages and imbalances in the body. Also there will be lessons to correct these types of drawbacks in the physical body of the athlete.

Generally sports massage schools offer certificate courses lasting for 180 hours. The fees are very reasonable and the benefits from these schools are price worthy.

Physical Therapy Aide Salary

A physical therapy aide's job can be demanding as well as challenging. They carry out important duties such as assisting patients when needed to walk with crutches as well as other needed equipment. Responsibilities can include helping a physical therapist and assistants prepare the equipment needed for the days sessions. They will work directly under a physical therapist as well as the medical doctors. They are also responsible for at times keeping records as well as checking on the progress of patients. Depending on experience as well as which state you reside in will depend on a physical therapy aide salary.

Physical therapy aides help a therapist achieve their patient goals as well as help to make a session with a patient productive. Aides are under the supervision of the physical therapist in most settings. Statistics have shown that in 2008 there were around sixty thousand physical therapy assistant jobs available and around forty thousand vacancies for physical therapy aides.

In order to work as a physical therapy aide a student is not required to have completed an accredited program. This career does not require an associate's degree but there are many certification courses available, as well as experience that can help with employment. In order to be able to participate in a program a student generally must have obtained a high school diploma. Many of the employers provide in-house training. This profession does not require a license nor do they have to sit a board exam in order to work.

The US Bureau of Labor statistics have shown that job opportunities are excellent and more and more opportunities are presenting themselves and have rapidly grown over the recent years as opposed to other similar occupations. A P.T. aide salary potential is between $24,000 annually or $11.49 per hour, whereas a physical therapy assistant will earn around $49,000 annually and around $23.00 per hour.

In order to find out how much one earns in the various different states you can make use of the salary calculator at salary.com which will define the salary scale in each city in the US.

Overall the main job description for this rehabilitation profession is to keep the treatment area of a physical therapists practice organized and clean, as well as prepare the treatment room for each patient's therapy and treatment. Often the P.T. Aide will also make sure that a patient goes to and from the treatment area safely.

A physical therapy aide salary will be influenced by factors such as their education level as well as the city of employment as well as experience. The more experience a aide has the better the salary scale will be and they can earn around $10 to $15 an hour to begin with and after around fifteen years experience they can earn $20 to $25 an hour. For more information a student can contact the Bureau of Labor Statistics and request their occupational outlook handbook which will give the salary scales for all 50 states.

There is Much, Much More to Massage Therapy Then Meets the Eye

Massage therapy for the therapist is not just about making money - though the money that can be made from this profession can be a very lucrative living indeed, for the therapist it must be more of a love for human beings, their wellness, an understanding of how the body works on all levels and a knowledge of natural and alternative remedies. You will not get much repeat business if you concentrate on the money rather than on the person in front of you.

It is also a fantastic way to make a living, imagine offering that secure, peaceful, relaxing place to those that crave it but can never seem to find it. Imagine being able to give the relief of the tension and stress to those that really need it, have always lived with it and don't know what it is like to live with out it - imagine being able to show them the way, help to make them feel really good and be a major part of the changing of their lives for the better. Imagine doing all that good and being paid for it...

With so many different types of massage therapy to choose from it would be a good idea, if you're thinking of going into this profession, not to limit yourself to just one type and area of massage. Offer as many different types or areas of massage as you feel you can to your client base and bring the best to them. In this way you can hone your skills to meet your client's needs and recommend different treatments that may be beneficial to them without your customers leaving your client base.

Also it is a good idea to be insured as this gives clients more confidence in you, your business, shows that you are professional and taking your role as a massage therapist seriously. Most if not all insurance companies like you, the therapist, to continue in your studies whilst you are actively working, so your learning is continuous. You will need to provide proof that you've attended extra courses or gained new information to help your business grow and maintain that you are up to date with new therapies or treatments to offer your clients.

Dress code and appearance is very important to a massage therapists business - as first impressions last and I can't imagine anyone wanting a massage from a therapist who has a cigarette hanging from the corner of the mouth, looking unwashed, with crusty food down the front of his/her top! No - the dress code we are taught is college is very different:

Hair should be clean and neat, if long (shoulder length or longer) should be tied back.

Clean and ironed uniform should be worn (usually white top and long black trousers).

Enclosed flat shoes, in a dark colour (though shoes and uniform may differ depending on where you work and what their dress code is).

Hands and nails should be clean and free from nail varnish (as some people are allergic to nail varnish - it also hides dirty nails).

Finger nails should be short - so there isn't a chance of injury to your client.

Make up should be kept to a minimum.

Be aware of personal hygiene, garlic or cigarette breath is not nice for anyone, cigarettes along with some other things make your hands smell and isn't pleasant for your client being massaged.

The consultation should be offered with every appointment (even to a recurring customer), is as important as the massage itself. This is the time when you build trust with your client and the relationship between you and your client grows, it is important that your client trusts you and he/she will not do this unless you spend time talking to one another.

Make sure that you take enough time for this before and after the massage treatment, ask the client how they are feeling, which area they feel they would like to have more attention. Check past information they have given you on other appointments to make sure that nothing has changed or needs to be added. Find out how the client felt after the last massage and the time in between. Make the client aware that all information given to you is confidential and make sure that you keep it that way.

Let your client know and feel that they are important, make sure they feel it - it will help to keep them coming back, they will also recommend you to their friends and family which will help to grow your business. When you get new customers ask how they heard about you - it is always interesting to know where your business is coming from, thank relevant clients for recommending your services - you don't have to say names as it's very probable that your client will know who he/she has recommended to you and when their appointment was! (On this point - never be drawn into a conversation with a client concerning another client this is a breach of confidence, and should be avoided, try to steer any conversations away from the subject).

Give your client every opportunity you can and actively encourage them to impart information about themselves, their health and lifestyle. The most important information tends to be given in conversation rather than in a questions and answers scenario (however this does not mean don't ask questions, just let your client talk).

Your client will enjoy feeling like that they are the center of the universe for an hour or so, in today's busy life style it could be the only time your client feels this way, so when booking appointments keep this in mind and give yourself enough time.

Make sure that you answer all your client's questions as fully as you can and leave no hesitancy in your clients minds to your knowledge and/or expertise - if you don't know the answer to the question let your client know that it is a very interesting question and that you will look into the answer for when the client returns on her next appointment - and make sure that you do it as the client will want to know what you've found out and more importantly that you've taken time for her.

Enjoy the massage, keep your mind as clear as possible, concentrate on your client's well being and send good caring thoughts her way.

How Much Do Physical Therapists Get Paid?

For some people, the amount of salary of a particular job is not always the reason for them to pursue such a profession. More often than not, we are looking for a career that we will enjoy and love, and of course one that will give us job security. Nevertheless, it is still important to know how much you can expect from a certain profession, just to have an idea as to how profitable it can be in the future. If you are planning to build your career as a physical therapist, you may also be wondering how much physical therapists get paid.

The most reliable source of information you may use to know the salary levels received by physiotherapists these days is the US Bureau of Labor Statistics along with their information on Occupational Employment Statistics. The latest data available from the bureau is the result of the survey conducted in May 2010. From this data you will find that the salary of a therapist is relatively high, and has actually gone even higher in the last couple of years.

Presently, the median annual salary of a PT is $76,310. The upper 25% of this figure gets as much as $90,350 while the upper 10% has the potential to earn more than $107,920. On the other hand, those therapists in the bottom 10% can earn up to $53,620. There is no doubt that these are amazingly huge numbers. These numbers also imply that regardless of how long you have been in the industry, you can really get a huge salary.

Aside from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are a couple of other means we can know how much PTs earn on average. One is by looking into the various workplace settings a PT may choose to work at and how much these industries pay their therapists. Among the most popular places or work for a physical therapist is in the office of healthcare practitioners, where they can earn a median wage of $76,860. This is almost the same amount of salary PTs receive form general hospitals.

There are many other areas that can be chosen by a physical therapist to work in, and they vary greatly in terms of the average salary of their PTs. If you decide to work in a home health care facility for instance, you can expect to receive up to $86,590 a year. Meanwhile, for private services, you can earn as much as $81,970. The field of technical and management consulting services is actually the one that offers the highest physiotherapists salary, which is around $91,220.

As you may have seen, the career in physical therapy is indeed a promising one especially in terms of the salary. Even physiotherapists who come straight from school can enjoy really huge salaries. And what's even more amazing about this profession is the fact that taking care of people with physical disabilities is already a rewarding job to do. And considering the great salary levels available for a physical therapist, you will find no reason at all not to consider taking this path.

Massage Therapist Jobs - Positive Aspects

Many people have interest in massage therapist jobs. Individuals that are interested in this industry appreciate the opportunity to help other people. People that are looking for this type of opportunity usually are trying to find a way to provide for themselves and help others at the same time.

Usually individuals involved with this industry will rent out space in order to provide the service. Building a client base can be a very positive challenge. Working on the bodies of individuals who have various levels of pain can be very gratifying. Once a person has established a relationship with the client they will try to retain the individual to the best of their ability.

Helping people to manage their pain is the main goal of a person that is involved in the profession. Using their hands to work through any physical discomfort that a person is having is the main service that a person in this industry provides. These individuals can work as part of a group or start their own business.

People involved in this industry can set their own hours. They also have the option of choosing to set their own pay scale. This is advantageous for any person that is trying to expand their financial portfolio. People also have the opportunity to work in a health club or other fitness related facility.

Making sure that people are as comfortable as they could possibly be is the main goal of this kind of professional. Accomplishing the goal is a gradual process that people enjoy taking part in. The service provider will be able to help people to maintain a greater quality of life. These individuals also will be trying to encourage a person to live a healthy lifestyle.

The job market is growing. More than ever before insurance companies are starting to cover the service. This is advantageous for people who choose this career because it means that the number of clients that they are doing business with is constantly expanding. People that are able to expand their business will have an enhanced quality of life.

It is fantastically easy to understand the positive aspects of the massage therapist jobs. People in this profession help others and get paid in the process. They also have a chance to help their fellow members of mankind to live a healthier life. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone that seeking in order to find a solid career choice.