Mobile Massage Services Offer Therapy Anytime, Anywhere

For much of the past, getting a massage meant visiting a therapist at an office equipped with a massage table, oils and other specialized equipment. These days, mobile massage tables and other accessories have enabled massage therapists to perform their services at clients' homes and offices. Here's a look at the biggest advantages of mobile massage services for clients and therapists.

Lower Operating Costs

With the high rates involved in standard massage therapy, many clients are unable to spend as much time being massaged as they'd prefer. Overhead costs at an office can be tremendous, forcing massage therapists to charge higher rates in order to make a profit. Mobile massage reduces overhead costs dramatically, letting massage therapists perform their services for less and making massage affordable for more people than ever before.

Public Events

Since many mobile massage therapists are experienced at serving clients who are fully clothed, they're able to provide their services at public events, such as industry conventions. Business conventions leave many professionals tired and stressed, eventually destroying their morale and productivity. With the services of a mobile massage therapist, the entire atmosphere of the convention can enhance with the individual improvements in mood and energy. In many cases, simply knowing that there will be massage offered at an event is added incentive for professionals to attend.

Less Time Involved

Receiving a massage at a therapist's office involves making an appointment, driving to and from the office and waiting in a waiting room. Mobile massage eliminates this inconvenience, letting clients call massage therapists to their homes or offices and continue working in the meantime. As soon as the appointment is over, work or recreation can continue again without further interruption.

Workplace Productivity

Stressed employees can bring everybody down at work, resulting in the office getting less done as a team. Mobile message offers a simple, effective solution for this. By investing in a visit from a mobile massage service, employers can boost employee morale and enhance workflow at the office. This can also reduce stress for the manager, who can more easily concentrate on the big picture instead of handling issues among individual workers.

Reduce Worker Absenteeism

In recent years, preventative medical care such as massage has become more popular for improving immunity and reducing the risk of heart problems. Regular visits from mobile message services are very effective at reducing stress, which is a huge contributor to poor health. This way, workplaces can reduce absenteeism and frequent tardiness and postpone having to hire new workers due to disability among existing employees.

Many people find that the greatest benefit from message comes with regular treatments. With this in mind, many mobile massage services offer scheduling plans for regular therapy. Sometimes, discounts are available with these plans. Even single visits, however, are well worth the cost for preventative health care and peace of mind. Reduced pain, deeper sleep and better quality of life are all available from the comfort of home or the office with mobile massage services.

Benefits of Lymph Drainage Therapy

Lymph Drainage Therapy is a popular and scientifically proven type of light massage therapy conducted on the superficial layers of tissues on the human body that are high in efficacy and are successfully done without any risks during the therapy session whatsoever. Due to its popularity and effectiveness in dealing with health issues pertaining to the lymphatic circulatory system, the therapy has been considered and used as a part of the professional medical care in most hospitals, health centers, and clinics in Europe and some places world-wide.

The therapy was designed to fit as a gentle, safe, and effective alternative medical treatment that was developed by Bruno Chikly. The French Physician was able to formulate and materialize a therapy that has been used and is still being used today in solving the health problems that are in connection with the flow, accumulation, and drainage system of lymph and other fluids of the body.

There are many health benefits and amazing physical, mental, and emotional effects received when using the Lymph Drainage Therapy. During the therapy session, the massage therapist triggers the body's ability to activate and improve self-healing that is essential for optimum functioning of the organs, cells, and tissues of the body. Among these benefits include:

• Relieves stress, chronic fatigue, and tension - the gentle and smooth massage strokes are perfect for de-stressing a worn-out physical body including the mind after a laborious day. The stimulation of the nerves and superficial tissues are great for releasing tensions and in sending good messages to the brain.

• Maintains the right lymphatic drainage - the stimulation done on the lymphatic pathways both on the superficial and deep levels of the human body are capable of doing the job perfectly as compared when no human intervention is conducted.

• Keeps the lymphatic flow in check - it helps regulate the flow of lymph and other fluids that can cause health problems such as edema when not kept in proper amount.

• Relieves chronic body pain - the massage strokes and techniques performed by the massage therapist are capable of providing such treatment to the physical body of the client regardless of the treatment being designed for addressing lymphatic issues.

• Helps in the regeneration process of wounds, scars, and inflammations - the recovery of cells and tissues provides such magical effects to the skin of the client in the form of healing and removing these physical conditions that are unpleasant to look upon.

• Has anti-aging effects - the stimulating and soothing effects of the therapy are also great for promoting a younger looking skin as well as an alert senses.

• Boosts the immune system - regular use of LDT (Lymph Drainage Therapy) can help improve the immunity of the patient by keeping the body healthy inside and outside.

2012 Job Outlook For Careers In Massage Therapy

After being named one of the Top Jobs for 2012 by U.S. News and World Report, massage therapy is looking like a better and better option for budding professionals. Spas that offer massage services and dedicated massage clinics are increasing in number on a regular basis around the country. Massage therapy is considered a legitimate medicinal practice in the West like never before, and many people are jumping on the bandwagon once they see the benefits, leading to a continued increase in demand. Once you consider the facts, you might just decide to switch gears and pursue this rewarding career path.

The most impressive facts about the job outlook for careers in massage therapy come from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau predicts 20 percent employment growth in this field between 2010 and 2020, which translates to an additional 30,000 jobs. It looks like the industry is well on its way to making these projections come true.

As far as salary goes, there is a great deal of potential for massage therapists to do quite well for themselves. The median annual salary for a massage therapist was a respectable $34,900 in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the top 10 percent of therapists working in the massage field make closer to $70,000 per year.

Getting into this field can be somewhat difficult, but for those who are passionate about their work in holistic medicine, the journey is well worth any such difficulties. Requirements vary by state, but some general requirements include the completion of a formal training program and somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 practice hours. There are also different areas of specialization that require additional training. Having more areas of expertise helps increase the chances of having a successful career in this field, though, so it's worth the extra time for the personal and financial rewards that should follow.

There are jobs available in hospitals, malls, private offices and spas, and some massage therapists even work from their homes, the clients' homes or the clients' places of work. Although the job outlook for massage therapists is very good right now, it's still important for massage therapists to set themselves apart from the competition. Many people are entering the job market and offering a variety of massage services, so it's important to find a way to get ahead of the pack.

Learn Marketing Ideas for Massage Therapists to Gain an Edge Over Your Competition

As a massage therapist, your key to making money is by having clients come into your practice. To see a regular number of clients on a steady basis, you must have ways to get the word out about your practice, so people will be aware of what you have available. By using marketing ideas for massage therapists, you can learn what you need to do in order to get the clients rolling in. Another way of looking at massage marketing is that it is the way you let your community know that you can provide a solution to their problems. And the marketing ideas you come up with are the ways to make it possible for them to find out about you. It's really cut and dry. You must take certain steps that will ensure people will know about you and what you do.

Some great marketing ideas for massage therapists can be as simple as getting out and meeting people in your community. You can provide your own massage marketing by simply handing out your business card and/or flyer to passers-by.

Maybe you can stand in front of your practice, hand people a flyer, and tell them you are offering a discount on massages that day. Or, maybe you can offer a two for one special, meaning you can do two people at the same price.

If you live in an area where people are often stressed, you can highlight that in your literature and when you talk to people on the street. You don't have to be too expensive with your rates to start of with. Just give them a good deal.

By using such marketing ideas for massage therapists, you can be a part of that group of therapists that gets a lot of clients. Use massage marketing to your advantage. You don't have to just appear at street corners or in front of your practice. You can give a block party and invite everyone in your neighbourhood. Pass out flyers to all people. Advertise in your local paper. Let people know the day and time. When they come, you can hand out your card and give them special deals.

Why not write an article for your local paper. In the article you can talk about what you do and what your practice involves. Maybe you can go into the scientific aspect of massages and end the article by suggesting people stop by to find out more about it. People will be curious. By doing this, you will soon see how quickly people will come to your location, asking for a massage. When they get one and see how great you are, they will spread the word around town. Before you know it, your reputation as a massage therapist will spread quickly. You'll begin to see many clients come into your door.

Craniosacral Therapy - Description and Benefits

Craniosacral therapy (CST) was developed about 30 years ago by John Upledger, DO. Dr. Upledger originally studied the practice of cranial osteopathy, which was devised by William Sutherland, DO in the early twentieth century, but adapted it based on his own research and personal observation during his career as an osteopathic physician.

Craniosacral therapy is based on several theories. The first of these is that the bones of the skull do not fuse completely in early childhood as is usually believed. Also, in his early career Dr. Upledger observed, while assisting during a surgical procedure, that the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord - the meninges - actually move rhythmically. At first it was thought that this rhythm was due to the heartbeat, but Dr. Upledger discovered that the rhythm of the meninges is a different pattern from that of the heartbeat.

Craniosacral therapists are taught to detect and evaluate the movement of the meninges by just holding the head and the base of the spine - the sacrum - very still and focusing on what they feel with their fingers and hand. After the evaluation, it is possible to very slowly and gently "adjust" the bones of the skull, so that the cerebrospinal fluid - the fluid lining the brain and spinal cord - can flow more naturally.

Craniosacral therapy is used for a wide range of symptoms, including neck and low back pain, chronic fatigue, temporomandibular joint syndrome, fibromyalgia and even emotional issues like depression and anxiety. It is especially good for chronic conditions that may have a neurological component, like coordination problems, hyperactivity and learning disorders. It has even been used to treat autism; Dr. Upledger has found that the meninges of most autistic children are unusually tight and that it is possible to loosen them during a CST treatment.

Craniosacral therapy is performed with the client lying on a treatment table while the therapist holds the head and/or the sacrum. The therapist's hands then move slightly as they do the needed adjusting. It may not feel like much is happening during the treatment; the therapist needs to maintain their concentration, so they don't talk much and the client, because they are not moving much themselves, may fall asleep. The effects are subtle and it can take a lot of sensitivity to notice them at first.

And what are the effects? To begin with, the client may notice that they are calmer and can concentrate more easily. Their posture or coordination may improve and they may have less pain; perhaps that nagging headache they've had is now gone. Or maybe they feel more optimistic about life in general. The issues in their life that have been a source of anxiety no longer seem so challenging - or hard to get over. (Because it has such a wide range of benefits, CST can be used in conjunction with other therapies, including emotional treatment.)

Craniosacral therapy can help people of all ages, from infants to elders. About the only time it is definitely not recommended is when there is a high-risk condition located in or affecting the brain or spinal cord, like an aneurysm or intracranial hemorrhage. The craniosacral therapist will obtain a medical history and may consult with a physician or other practitioner before doing a treatment.

Craniosacral therapy can be practiced by massage therapists, but it is not massage. It can be done by osteopathic physicians, but it's not an osteopathic adjustment. It takes special training to do this sort of work. But many people - practitioners and clients alike - swear by it and would never try anything else.

Want a Top Cosmetology Job? Choose the Right School

Of the approximately 1,300 cosmetology programs which are accredited through the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, some of the programs stand out in terms of reputation and curriculum. These schools arguably offer some of the best programs:

Aveda Institute

There are over 30 Aveda Institutes across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Australia. Students at Aveda Institute learn top-notch technical skills and are trained according to Aveda's philosophies of environmental sustainability and personal well-being. Aveda is a professional product line featuring plant-based products. Aveda's cosmetology training covers haircutting, coloring, and texture services, and features Aveda's trademarked science of "aromaology" which is the study of scents, aromas, and beauty treatments. The massage and day spa training features classes in anatomy, basic massage, and hydrotherapy. Facials, waxing, makeup application, and "sugaring" is the focus of Aveda Institute's esthiology program, while nail technology training includes natural nail care, and spa manicures and pedicures. Aveda's cosmetology program costs approximately $17,000 for 1250 hours of training; the esthetics program costs $4000 for 300 training hours; the nail program fee is $2600 for 200 hours of training.

Empire Education Group

For more than 70 years, Empire Education Group has been in the cosmetology education business, and currently has over 87 schools located in 18 states. The focus at Empire is practical training in the following areas: cosmetology and hair styling, nail technology, esthetics, massage, and cosmetology instructor education. All the programs include training in salon management, communication, reception, marketing and sales. Empire Education Group is known for excellent career guidance services and for giving a high degree of personal attention to every student. Courses, costs, and hours of instruction vary in accordance with individual state requirements.

Ogle School of Hair, Skin, and Nails

Shelton Ogle founded Ogle School of Hair, Skin, and Nails in Texas over 25 years ago. There are currently four Ogle schools in Dallas, Fort Worth, Hurst, and Arlington, which offer three distinct programs: cosmetology operator, esthetology/facial, and student instructor. The cosmetology operator course features 1500 hours of intensive, hands-on training that prepares students for careers in hairstyling, makeup, and salon ownership. The esthetology/facial program includes 750 hours of advanced skin care training, and the student instructor course covers the principles of teaching both hands-on and theory skills to students. Ogle Schools have classes starting every month, and offer both day and evening classes for the cosmetology operator and esthetology/facial programs. Another feature that sets Ogle apart from other cosmetology schools is their Career Service Coordinator, who starts assisting students with job identification and interview preparation from the first day of class.

Paul Mitchell Schools

There are 10 Paul Mitchell Schools in the state of California, as well as another 50 schools in 25 other states. Paul Mitchell schools have very competitive enrollment requirements, which accept only the most dedicated students and set their graduates apart from those of many other cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell Schools offer three areas of training: Basic Cosmetology, the Skin Academy, and the Nail Academy. The basic cosmetology course is heavily focused upon hair design, and students learn cutting, coloring, multicultural styling, makeup application, and general fashion trends. The Skin Academy covers skin treatments, waxing, skin analysis, ingredient technology, makeup technique, and the principles of retailing. The Nail Academy trains students on the concepts of beauty of the hands and feet, products, and trends. All three programs include business skills training including marketing, merchandizing, and advertising. The schools base their education on the world famous John Paul Mitchell product line, which was introduced in 1980.

Regency Beauty Institute

Regency Beauty Institute has 30 schools in nine states, and is expanding. What makes their program solid is a single curriculum taught in all locations, small class sizes, and experienced educators. Regency offers one comprehensive cosmetology program which encompasses hair, skin, and nail care. A student incentive program is in place at all locations which serves to reward students who excel in client satisfaction, service volume, and retail sales. The first 320 hours of instruction are spent in the classroom, and the rest of the education is a combination of hands-on experience on the clinic floor and continued classroom training. Hours of training and length of program vary according to state, from 1500 hours (9-10 months full-time) to 1800 hours (11-12 months full-time).

Is Massage Therapy Training For You? 8 Good Reasons to Enroll in Massage Therapist Training

For those looking at their options for Massage Therapy Training and considering a career in the massage and wellness industry, here are 8 good reasons to enroll in Massage Therapist Training if you're still sitting on the fence.

  1 - Exceptional Opportunity to "Do Good"   The first duty of any health care practitioner whether it be conventional or alternative health care is to "do no harm". Massage therapy training places you in a career with unlimited opportunity to provide a therapy proven over not decades, not centuries but millennia of time tested application, and provide effective and safe treatment for a huge spectrum of ailments.   Most people employed or self employed in the massage industry are by nature caring and nurturing individuals. Few careers will provide the opportunity and scope to care for such a broad range of people and conditions.  

2 - Growing Acceptance   Insurance industries and medical providers are recommending and covering the cost of massage therapy at an increasing rate. This acceptance of massage as a valid and effective treatment by the insurance and medical providers has the flow on effect of growing acceptance by the public.  

3 - Growing Demand   Naturally the flow on effect of this is greater demand for massage therapy services and providers. Massage therapist training will avail you to an ever growing crowd of fans of the very service you provide.  

4 - Growing Opportunity   With growing acceptance and growing demand, is there any wonder that we are seeing an industry in need of more people to undergo massage therapy training and supply the demand.   The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition, published by the U.S. Department of Labour Bureau of Labour Statistics, states that employment opportunities for massage therapists are increasing "faster than average."  

5 - Enormous Choice for Training   Anyone wishing to enrol in massage therapist training will need to find both a system of massage, and a training facility that is suitable for them, and appropriate for their tastes, their goals and their location.  
·        There are up to 200 different systems of massage in practice.
·        There are thousands of massage training facilities across the country.  

6 - Enormous Choice for Work   As a trained massage therapist you will have employment opportunities in many arenas. Many however will choose to become self employed or business owners.   You can have a home clinic, be a mobile therapist, or work at corporate or sports organisations. Don't believe for a moment that any of these options don't have enormous lucrative potential.   For the real entrepreneur you can also aspire to set up a multi discipline clinic, aligning yourself with other complimentary practitioners. This is something you may have a goal to achieve down the track. For the right person the rewards would be immense.  

7 - Amazing Flexibility   This is kind of a summary of everything that a massage therapist career entails. In a world where choices are often in short supply, massage therapy training will place you in an industry of flexibility.   
·        Flexibility of the style(s) of massage you wish to practice
·        The geographical location (city, state, country?) you wish to work at
·        Home, clinic, corporate, sports club or mobile
·        Hours of your liking, part time - full time
·        Employed or self employed
·        A business that can grow with you  

8 - Solid Industry   The last point is simply this; massage isn't "going anywhere". There are many industries that will simply not exist in a few years time. This has become a world of dying industries. One technology replaces another and the former dies a slow death or even vanishes overnight.   Massage has been practiced and enjoyed for thousands of years and it will continue to be practiced and enjoyed for thousands of years to come. You never need to be concerned if people will still want a massage in 10 or 20 years time.  

There is no doubt that like anything, you will need to put in effort, and persistence, but be sure that for the right person, massage therapist training will lead you into an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career.