Massage Therapy and the Entrepreneur

Some people enter massage school to help others through healing touch. Some attend massage school to work in a particular field such as sports medicine or in a spa environment. Others receive massage training to satisfy a different ambition. They want to:

¨ Own their own business

¨ Be their own boss

¨ Make a lot of money

The massage industry is not immune to capitalistic instincts. Nor should it be.

Many massage schools tout the income potential of a career as a massage therapist. Income projections for a good massage therapist range from $50-$75 per hour. That translates to about $65,000-$100,000 a year depending on the number of clients served each day. This also requires that you are working independently and managing your own client base.

As attractive as a six-figure salary for providing massage therapy may be, the reality is that the median income for a massage therapist is $35,000. Many massage therapists only work part-time and quite a few are working in spas or health clubs as an employee or sub-contractor. So apparently, the big money in massage therapy goes to those that own their own business and practice full time.

So can you make big bucks as a massage therapist?

It is definitely possible to make a quite decent living as a massage therapist. But don't expect to strike it rich right out of massage school. You will have to build up a fairly substantial client base and that doesn't happen overnight. Many new massage therapists go to work in a spa or health club to gain experience and build a reputation. Others perform massages for a very low fee or even for free just to get some buzz going about their capabilities. It can be a slow go once a therapist is out on their own and quite a few massage therapists call it quits as a full time enterprise early on.

As in any business it is usually the person that works the hardest and provides the best service that becomes successful. It takes patience and perseverance to build a business from scratch. It also takes some decent business skills. A self-employed massage therapist should be prepared to spend time managing financial records, keeping licenses current, filing taxes appropriately and treating their massage therapy practice like the business enterprise it is.

If starting at square one and taking the slow road to success is not appealing you may want to consider jump-starting your massage business by making an investment in a massage franchise. For a mere $39,000 you can become the proud owner of a Massage Envy franchise.

Massage Envy is a hot new franchise that currently boasts 101 units in operation with a total of 274 franchise units awarded. The company offers a recognized brand, training program and ongoing support for franchisees. Each Massage Envy clinic offers a variety of massage modalities and is open 7 days a week. As an owner you would employ multiple massage therapists. Heck, you don't even have to be a massage therapist to own a massage business like this one.

There is no doubt that the demand for massage is growing rapidly and the need for massage therapists will grow right along with it. Those therapists with excellent massage skills, good business sense and a dedication to service can expect to make a comfortable living. Others can take satisfaction in helping others to deal with pain and stress while making some decent part-time income.

3 Essential Oils Used in Hot Stone Massage Therapy

The use of essential oils in massage therapy plays an important role in the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness that comes from incorporating aromatherapy into massages. Aromatherapy has been used for ages to enhance the physical well-being of a person and has also been used in spiritual rituals. The effect of smell on the mind and the emotions has medical and scientific basis.

Hot stone massage has also been practiced for centuries although it was revived in its present form by Arizona massage therapist, Mary Nelson who trademarked the LaStone therapy. Several versions of hot stone massage are practiced in different spas and the use of lubrication's for aromatherapy is a favorite choice among massage therapists.

Some lubrication's can be used alone and others need to be mixed, either with lighter lubrication's or with massage oil to make it gentler on the skin. Lubrication's are as varied as there are herbs and plants in the world. However, a few have been found beneficial and much easier to use.

1. Basil Essential Oil: this oil is an extract from the basil herb, which has a lot of medicinal properties. It has been used in Europe and Asia for centuries. In India, it is used mostly in the ancient Ayurveda practice. Basil essential oils has a lot of benefits to the skin. It is used in massage to enhance the luster of the skin, working on dull looking skin to make it more healthy looking and lustrous.

The benefits of Basil essential oil are numerous and include pain relief for conditions like arthritis, sports injuries, sprains and headaches. It is also improves blood circulation and has a calming soothing effect that works to cure stress and stress related disorders.

Because of the multi-faceted nature of basil oil, it is a great favorite amongst hot stone massage therapists.

2. Chamomile Essential Oil: this is another favorite among hot stone massage therapists and is widely popular in use during aromatherapy. Chamomile oil has calming and sedative properties and is used to calm the mind and soothe anxiety. It is also used to relieve pain tied to the nerves and for headaches. When used in massages, it should be diluted with a carrier oil.

3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Eucalyptus oil is an extract of the eucalyptus tree which is found primarily in Australia. As a oil, it is pretty new on the scene and its benefits are only being gradually discovered. Eucalyptus oil offers relief from pain in the muscles and joints and is usually recommended for people suffering from rheumatism, sprains and aches.

Eucalyptus oil has stimulating properties and is used to get rid of exhaustion and to rejuvenate the senses. It is also one of those lubrication that require a carrier oil because direct application of eucalyptus oil to the skin could cause irritation.

It should however be used with care especially when used on clients with high blood pressure and epilepsy. This is because eucalyptus oil has cooling properties and is usually used to bring down raging fevers. The sharp scent of the essential oil could also pose as a trigger asthma therefore people with asthmas should use it with care.

There are several essential oils that can be used for hot stone massages, which incorporate the use of aromatherapy. Each one has healing and soothing benefits and are highly recommended.

Is Massage Therapy the Best Treatment for Back Pain?

A recent study suggests that relieving back pain might be better accomplished through massage than such traditional formats of bed rest, medicine, and exercise. Although massage is a short-term relief, it may serve well until back pain can be alleviated by other means.

The research that brought the conclusions was conducted on 400 patients with pain in their lower back. Most of the test subjects were female Caucasians who were middle aged. Some of the subjects were given traditional medicines for their condition along with physical therapy, while the others received only massage therapy. Those receiving structural and relaxation massage were more active and consistently better able to perform job duties than those who were treated with drugs.

Three Test Groups

There were actually three groups of patients in the study. Two groups received massage, one the relaxation type and the other the structural type. Those receiving the massage had therapy for one hour each week for ten weeks. After the test period, more than a third of the test subjects who received massage therapy reported their pain was gone completely or better than before the test took place. Only 25 of the patients given traditional care reported an improvement in their condition.

Another key that massage was a better treatment was exemplified by the fact that those patients were twice as likely to:

* use less pain medication
* have spent less time in bed rest
* have taken part in more activities than the other test group

Patients after the Tests

The benefits achieved from massage lasted for some time after the 10-week test period. For as long as six months after the study, patients continued to have better functionality. However, this did not hold true one year after the study, indicating that massage therapy is more of a treatment than a cure.

There was no noticeable difference between relaxation and structural massage as in pain relief. This fact is puzzling to some who support the structural massage because it pinpoints the areas of ligaments and muscles where the pain originates, while relaxation massage is a much more general technique.

In Conclusion

Although the general feeling by those responsible for the study is that massage therapy appears to be the better choice for short-term back pain, the results are not conclusive enough to convince everyone. It is difficult to measure actual improvement when findings are based solely on the opinions of the test subjects. Recommendations are to give massage a try and see if it is effective for relieving your back pain and if so, a regular massage routine may prove to be beneficial for you.

Should You Become An Occupational Therapy Assistant Or An Occupational Therapist?

Occupational Therapy Assistant Versus Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapy (OT) is not unlike physical therapy (PT). The therapist seeks to relieve the patient's pain. Both also allow improving mobility and raising flexibility. One difference is that occupational therapy is more holistic in regards to its method of care. You can either choose to be an occupational therapist assistant (OTA) or an occupational therapist (OT). Most employers or companies prefer assistants first. If the assistant is ready to handle heavier obligations, she can become a full occupational therapist.

The Difference

Education for assistants and full therapists varies. Also, there are specific guidelines if you decide to be an assistant now and decide to be an OT later on. To be an occupational therapy assistant, you have to have at least an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy. Besides that, you need to have a certification as well as pass a licensure exam. Another requirement is a supervised fieldwork of 16 weeks. Occupational therapists on the other hand, need at least a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. They should also pass the licensure exam and have a supervised fieldwork of 24 weeks.

Choosing to be an Assistant First

You may choose to be an assistant first and transition to a full occupational therapist after. The requirements to make this transition depend on the school. Some schools give you credit for having experience as an OTA. Some schools do not give any credit for your experience. You will need to check your school of interest to determine its policies.

The fastest way to become a full occupational therapist when you're already an assistant is to enroll in an acceleration, master's, or combination program. A combination program would allow you to finish your Bachelor's as well as your Master's at the same time. Besides that, it would only take around three and a half years to be complete. But if you already have finished your Bachelor's then it would be easier to just go through a Master's program.

Advantages of Choosing to Be an Assistant First

One of the advantages of being an assistant first is that you can gain real experience from just completing an Associate Degree. While you are finishing your Bachelor's and Master's, you can take a distance learning transition program which will let you work as an assistant while you are studying to be a full occupational therapist.

Another advantage of choosing to be an assistant first is that, in some cases, an occupational therapy program will consider the credits and experience you earned as an assistant. You can check with your school regarding what classes can be credited and eliminated.

Should You Become An Occupational Therapy Assistant?

It is not very hard to choose between being an assistant and being a full occupational therapist. The education for a full therapist is longer but know that you can further your studies even while working as an assistant. Becoming an OTA first also puts you at an advantage by allowing you to gain more experience.

The Benefits of Frequent Massage Therapy

A daily massage is actually good for you and has numerous health benefits regardless of whether you suffer from back or muscle pain. There is much more to a massage then relaxation for the mind and body, there are psychological and physiological changes that occur, especially if you use massage as a frequent therapy and not just when you have a pain one day. Here are just a few benefits that massage can do to help improve your overall health.

Everyone knows that massage can increase relaxation but did you know that massage can help lower blood pressure, increase circulation, increase the speed in which you recover from an injury, help you sleep better and enhance your concentration. Massage can also reduce fatigue and increase your energy levels to help you deal with stress.

For those of us who exercise on a regular basis massage also helps soften injured and overused muscles. A massage will also assist in reducing spasms and cramping. Frequent massage will increase joint flexibility, reduce your body's recovery time, and help prepare you for strenuous workouts. Massage are known to release endorphins, your body's natural painkillers, which will help eliminate the subsequent pains of athletes at all fitness levels.

Massage has been used for healing for thousands of years all over the world and is even used in treating chronic illness'. Whether you are just wanting a massage to help alleviate daily tensions it is important to realize that a massage is just so much more than that and will help improve your overall health in so many ways.

Getting to Know the Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy or PT is an important part of the health care industry. Physical therapists work with patients who have problems with their movement and mobility. They are specially trained to diagnose and treat patients who have illnesses or injuries that limit their movements. These limitations prevent patients from performing daily, functional tasks which can then lead to emotional stress and eventually affect their mental health.

A physical therapist's skills are in treating joints, bones and ligaments, muscles and tendons. Therefore, many people associate PT with sports but in truth, it is an important branch in health care as it helps patients suffering from diseases such as Parkinson's, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and arthritis. Patients who have had surgery on their joints or hip also need therapy to heal properly.

A Physical Therapist works with movement and mobility so the plan of care usually involves some form of exercise, stretching and a wellness oriented program including massage. The plan of care will be executed by a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) who works under the direction of a PT to help the patients exercise or assist them with new tasks such as using crutches and the wheelchair.

The role of the PTA is equally important as they work hands-on with the patients and monitor their progress. They are able to perform massages, electrical stimulation, mechanical traction and balance training with the patients. The PTAs will also need to get the work area and equipment ready before a session. They also do some billing and clerical work.

The physical therapy assistants are required by law to hold a degree and obtain a recognized certification in courses such as CPR. There are many recognized programs in educational institutions or one can opt to take courses online. The online courses are similar to the ones you find in colleges, as they both prepare the students with tutorials and introduce the students to anatomy, physiology and psychology. Online courses are usually more affordable and one can study at their own time and pace. Students who pass the necessary exams are then trained on the job.

Employment for a physical therapy assistant is projected to grow rapidly as health care needs are never on a decline. Employment in the health care industry is also very attractive and rewarding. Physical therapists and their assistants can work in a number of settings including the hospital, clinics, outpatient and other nursing or health care homes. They may also find employment in the military or in the corporate world.

Types Of Massages Available Today

There are many types of Massages and there are many people that love to have massage therapy because they feel fantastic nevertheless they also benefit your well being and most people do not know this. Massage therapy and techniques when they are carried out the proper way can reduce your tension levels but additionally loosen up your muscles and they can improve your immune system too. Massages can also assist to relive discomfort within the body and get rid of headaches. Healing injury and retaining muscle and joint mobility are also accredited to massage therapy. If you are having any type of problems with one of these zones and traditional medical procedures aren't operating for you personally, speak to your health care supplier regarding the alternative treatment options like therapeutic massage.

Quite a few from the various massage therapy can target certain parts from the physique. A Cranio-Sacral massage will focus in your neck, head, and spine to get it operating properly in the proper alignment again. This may also loosen up the tight muscles in the body. Chi Nei Tsang is 1 type of therapeutic massage which will focus on your abdominal organs and help you together with your digestive pain or disease. In case your joints are giving you the issue, you should use The Trager Approach. This is really a kind of massage which will improve your life when it's done the right way. You can also use them in connection with the Swedish massage or other types to target the problem and relax the entire physique.

One other type of massage therapy will certainly relax or alleviate tension such as the Rosen Technique. All of the massages should allow you to feel physically and emotionally much better. You will find a few types of massage like the deep tissue therapeutic massage that can be a little painful and ought to only be utilized when the doctor recommends it for you. Rolfing is one of these techniques that operate to align your tissues the proper way and straighten the spine up. Even after this massage, you ought to really feel better and not worse. If your condition gets more serious, you need to get hold of your physician and take different measures correct away.