The Nervous System and the Benefits of Swedish Massage Therapy

Swedish massage stimulates your central nervous system to sooth and calm your nerves. By doing so, it reduces stress and tension in both a physical and psychological sense. This is why Swedish massage is often recommended as an important part of a stress management program for people who are otherwise naturally predisposed to suffering from elevated stress levels.

Your body's nervous system is responsible for sending, receiving and carrying nerve impulses around your body. It is the main control unit in your body and these nerve impulses allow your organs and muscles to work efficiently.

Nerve impulses are electrochemical signals carrying information, which travel from your brain to nerves around your body. The stresses and strains of everyday life can affect the smooth running of the nervous system and this where massage therapy can help alleviate the problems this causes.

The skin is the body's largest sensory organ of the body, and when it is touched thousands of tiny nerve receptors send messages to the brain. These are interpreted and returned to the muscles. When the muscles are massaged the body's natural painkillers, endorphins, are triggered which send messages of calm and relaxation. If vigorous massage strokes are applied, the skin's underlying muscles are stimulated, easing tension and stiffness.

Massage can have a very powerful sedative effect on the nerves and problems such as headaches can be relieved, patterns of insomnia broken, tension, stress and anxiety relieved, as well as encouraging relaxed muscles.

The effect of a Swedish massage on the nervous system depends on the reaction of the nerves stimulated. Depending on the type of massage strokes used, the nervous system can be stimulated or soothed creating a calming and relaxed state of well being in the receiver.

The Benefits of massage on the nervous system are:

1. Stimulates blood circulation and the nervous system's response enhancing your well being and boosting your energy

2. Reduces stress, tension and anxiety which can result in headaches, backaches, neck pain, eyestrain, poor concentration, depression, irritability, anger

3. Improves nerve function

4. Massage therapy relaxes contracted muscles which press on or pinch nerves, causing tingling, numbness and pain.

5. Helps treat insomnia caused by tense muscles. Massage therapy relaxes them and allows you to have a good night's sleep

6. Helps balance the nervous system

7. Stimulates the release of endorphins which are the body's natural painkillers thus decreasing pain

8. Massage relaxes and tones the muscles due to its effect its effect on the neuro-muscular reflex pathways.

9. Depending on the type and length of a massage given it will leave you relaxed yet stimulated

10. Massage stimulates the touch, pressure, and receptors of the skin and underlying tissue.

If anyone suffers from any problems caused by the dysfunction of their nervous system then a Swedish massage is the answer to their problems. With a little practice anyone can learn a few strokes to alleviate and improve a person's health and well being.

Massage Therapy Technique - Using Your Hand to Glide Over Fascia

Have you ever removed the skin off turkey when preparing a turkey dinner for Thanksgiving? Are you familiar with the thin, transparent, membranous substance underneath the skin and surrounding muscle? That substance is called fascia. It resembles saran wrap and covers every cell, muscle, bone, and organ in the human body. It also forms a uniform, continuous lining underneath your skin. It is thought that meridians travel through this see-through substance, and that is why you feel the results of meridian therapy very quickly in many different places in your body.

In the human body, fascia has approximately 2,000 pounds of tensile strength. What that means is that fascia can withstand forces up to 60 miles an hour before tearing. Furthermore, fascia can carry electrical impulses faster than nervous tissue.

If you are considering getting a massage and want to know what fascia feels like, just take your hand and put it over your leg or other arm with minimal pressure. Allow your hand to sink into your skin. Feel for the muscle and fat layer underneath your skin. Then let off on the pressure from your hand and gently move your skin so that it slides over the muscle and/or tissue below. It is this fascia that allows your skin to glide smoothly over your muscle and tissue underneath.

The next time your prepare turkey for Thanksgiving, try this skin sliding technique on the turkey. You may be surprised by what you find.

If you decide to cut up a turkey before sticking it in the oven, locate the fascia underneath the skin and the covering of the outside surface of the muscle. Try to use this sliding method to find fascia.

Physical Therapy and Direct Access

Physical Therapists have historically been required to work under the direction of a referring physician. While this has been a relationship that has worked in the past, the profession of Physical Therapy is growing with advanced degrees now required of all new graduates to have their Masters in Physical Therapy and more programs offering a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. As Physical Therapists and the profession of Physical Therapy advances, the relationship between the therapist and the physician must be redefined.

In order for a client to seek the services of a Physical Therapist, they have been previously required to see their primary care physician first for an initial assessment. The primary care physician then had the option of writing a referral to therapy services or referring the patient to a specialist such as an orthopedist, cardiologist, neurologist, or one of many other specialists. While this diagnostic assessment is critical to the success of the patient and the therapist, the time it took the patient to be processed through these systems has been extensive. With more time lapsing, the patient often suffered from increasing pain and decreasing function. Without the immediate intervention and education provided by a Physical Therapist to compliment the ongoing diagnostic assessments, patients have had to unnecessarily wait to solicit and initiate the services of a Physical Therapist.

Over the past several years, the National American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in cooperation with each state's Physical Therapy Association has lobbied congress for Direct Access in each state. Direct access, as stated by the APTA, "is the ability of a physical therapist to provide evaluation and treatment to patients without the need for a physician referral. At this time, more than 35 states have some form of direct access as part of their state practice act. Physical therapists in states that currently have restrictions to direct access are actively working with those state legislatures to make the changes needed to permit patients/clients to having access to care."

As the nation accepts Direct Access for Physical Therapy services, clients will now be able to go directly to a therapist for assessment and treatment. In most states, it is still required for patients to follow up with their primary care physician or specialist as a script for therapy services is still required to continue ongoing PT treatment. This immediate access to therapeutic care in cooperation and conjunction with the diagnostic assessment of the physicians and supporting medical community leads to a much higher rate of success in a timely manner for the individual seeking services.

The National APTA has issued a Vision Statement for Physical Therapy services over the next 12 years. The APTA Vision Statement for Physical Therapy 2020 is "Physical therapy, by 2020, will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy and who may be board-certified specialists. Consumers will have direct access to physical therapists in all environments for patient/client management, prevention, and wellness services. Physical therapists will be practitioners of choice in patients'/clients' health networks and will hold all privileges of autonomous practice."

More Physical Therapists are graduating from college with their Doctorate of Physical Therapy. There is also a growing trend of practicing Physical Therapists with their Bachelors and Masters Degrees to go back to school to earn advanced degrees in order to achieve the Vision of the APTA. As advanced clinicians, we are now able to achieve and support the APTA's vision to provide direct access to Physical Therapy services in our communities.

Pregnancy Massage - How to Choose a Prenatal Massage Therapist for You and Your Baby

When you become pregnant, your health and wellness options become vitally important. The health benefits of receiving massage during your pregnancy are numerous. But like all other decisions about your prenatal health, choosing a massage therapist should be done with thought and investigation.

How are the health of mother and baby improved by receiving prenatal massage?

Massage therapy is always useful for relaxation, pain relief, and loosening tight muscles. Pregnant women can expect those same great effects from massage, plus some that help the baby and pregnancy conditions, too.

A few benefits of receiving prenatal massage include:

• Enhances nutrient and oxygen flow for mother and baby
  


• Reduces swelling
  


• Promotes relaxation and tension relief
  


• Decreases hip and pelvic pain
  


• Relaxes painful areas like back and hips
  


• Loosens tight muscles and stiff joints

How is pregnancy massage different from other massage?

Most massage styles are founded in relaxing Swedish massage. Some therapists also use more therapeutic approaches for medical conditions and chronic tensions.

Pregnancy massage is mostly a modification of Swedish massage. The therapist makes accommodations so that the client (you, the Mom-to-be) is comfortable and peaceful.

Prenatal massage is always relaxing, with many therapeutic effects. However, massage therapists express that it becomes increasingly difficult as the mother grows larger to provide Deep Tissue and firmer pressure during the massage. This is mainly due to positioning of the client on the table.

Again, relaxation is the goal, moreso than deep, clinical application.

How do I know which massage therapist to see for my prenatal massage?

You will find relief in the hands of almost any massage therapist who offers prenatal massage. However, choosing the best therapist for you and your baby's needs can make a huge difference in your experience.

If you and your therapist are an exceptional "fit", you'll want to get pregnant all over again just to keep getting regular massages!

First, choose a massage therapist who is certified and specially-trained in prenatal massage. And one who seeks prenatal clients because they are excited to support your pregnancy and good health.

Avoid getting massages from therapists who are not specially trained, or who seem even-slightly hesitant about working on a pregnant woman. There are many passionate, caring, and qualified therapists to be found.

Next, interview your prospective therapist. Join them for a cup of tea. Ask about their background, and what other kinds of wellness care they provide.

If the massage therapist has a background in another health field, they may be more competent to answer questions and adjust their treatments to your body's changing needs. For example, a therapist who is also a midwife or doula can help your delivery. A therapist who also practices fitness training can offer exercise guidelines that are safe and effective for your prenatal fitness needs. A therapist who was formally a nurse will know how gestational diabetes and edema contribute to your pregnancy, and to your massage experience.

Trust your instincts. If you meet a massage therapist who does not seem to understand your lifestyle, or who does not agree with your healthcare choices, you are free to seek another therapist.

As your pregnancy progresses, you may wish to get more frequent massages. Monthly may become bi-monthly, and then weekly, depending on your needs and physical challenges that arise.

Like any other choice you make about your pregnancy or your baby's health, your choices in health and wellness providers are based on long-term relationships of no less than nine months. Your prenatal massage therapist should be chosen with these same considerations.

Concerns About The Physical Therapist Assistant Salary

If you are planning a career in physical therapy and concerned about the physical therapist assistant salary, then don't be! For years, the medical profession has been the most looked upon and wanted career. With the emerging health concerns, the demand for health care professionals continues to increase. Those who want to pursue this career without getting involved in intricate procedures opt for the physical therapy field. There has been high demand of physical therapists and their assistants and ultimately, has resulted in continuous increase in their salaries.

As a physical therapist assistant, you have the possibility to work either full time or part time. Whichever you choose, it offers quite a competitive package. However, various factors affect what you can make per year. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage in this field was $51,110 for May 2011 with $24.57 as the mean hourly wage. These average figures are only for guidance, as the actual physical therapist assistant salary you may draw at the yearend may be somewhat different.

Time spent on the job, performance, skills, qualification, the state you're practicing in and type of facility; all have a lot of influence on your compensation package.

• Like all occupations, amount paid at the entry level is lower, but then you work to move your scale up. Here, performance plays a major role on how quickly you can attract higher income figures after probation period.


• Type of facility, i.e. whether you're working for a hospital, with a sports team, at a private clinic, homecare services or nursing care facilities; affect the amount of salary. Nursing and homecare facilities are considered to be the highest paying. The annual mean wage was $60,090 for home health care facilities in May 2011. Surgical units and general medical care are also amongst other high paying institutions.


• A physical therapist assistant salary also varies state to state. Low income states, offer lower compensation as compared to high income. For instance, Texas is considered to be the highest paying, around $62,000 per annum as compared to South Dakota with $33,000 per year as the lowest.

What you're earning today, you will not be earning tomorrow. Because you'll be making higher than what you are today! This law generally applies to most of us. But, to get that, requires hard work and dedication. The job of a PTA is challenging as well as very demanding. It not only requires to have the basic education and training but in order to be at par with the new techniques and procedures, it is important to keep oneself updated. Also one way of increasing income is by acquiring additional certifications and trainings, such as, athletes training certification, life support certifications etc. This not only gives you better and more specialized skills but also makes you an imperative part of your team.

Hence, the physical therapist assistant salary has been growing at an above average rate, despite hard economic times. And it's positive employment outlook is expected to have an upbeat impact on the salaries too.

5 Questions You Should Ask a Massage Therapist Before Booking an Appointment

Massage has become widely popular over the last few years. In a lot of cities, there is a massage center or day spa on every other corner. Massages are also becoming more affordable. And massage schools are popping up all over the place.

Although this can be exciting news for the industry, how does it affect the consumer? Well, anytime something becomes more mainstream, popular, and profitable, it also has the potential to become watered down. This increase in quantity usually means a decrease in quality.

So how do you ensure you receive a quality massage? Here are 5 questions you should ask any massage therapist before hiring them:

1. What types of massage do you specialize in?
This is especially important to ensure the therapist's preferred style of massage matches yours. There are well over 50 different types of massage styles. If a massage therapist focuses on sports massage and deep tissue massage, and you are more interested in relaxation and you hate painful massages, then this is not the therapist for you. If you are unsure of the different types of massage, ask the therapist, "what are the benefits of your massage?" and "how will I feel after your massage?" This will help you determine if this massage is right for you.

2. What training and certifications do you have?
This question helps determine the quality of the massage therapist. There are a lot of massage schools more interested in profit and business, than in training qualified massage therapists. In fact, I know a few schools who have business teachers on staff and no massage therapists.

Also, you want to make sure that the therapist is certified. There is a National Certification Agency for massage therapists called, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). All states do not require a national certification, although you can be sure that therapist who acquire it are dedicated to their craft since it requires them to take a standardized test. To find out which states require NCBTMB, go to http://www.ncbtmb.org.

As long as the Massage Therapist is licensed in your respective state, they have followed the required certification requirements.

3. Do you have testimonials you can share?
Find out what others have said about the potential massage therapist you are thinking of going to. This is one of the best ways to evaluate any type of bodywork therapist. If the therapist does not have testimonials on their website, you may not want to hire them.

If you are hiring a therapist for an in home massage, you may also want to ask if there are any clients you can e-mail as references. This will help you check the quality of the massage and professionalism of the therapist.

4. What do you do for stress relief?
Make sure the massage therapist practices what they preach. If they do not regularly schedule time to relax and take care of their health, how can they really guide you in relieving stress?

Also, consider that massage is a type of relaxation therapy in where touch is used to manipulate soft tissue. And this same touch can transfer stress from the therapist to the client.

The state of mind of the therapist can affect your session. If the massage therapist is stressed during the massage, they can transfer that state of stress to you, which is one of the reasons I don't suggest going to a massage studio that requires therapist to perform 6 or 7 massages a day. Can you imagine the poor quality of massage the 6th or 7th person receives? Who wants to receive massage from an exhausted massage therapist.

Those who take their craft seriously will incorporate it into their own lives.

5. How long have you been practicing?
The average life span of a massage therapist is very short: 1-3 years. If the therapist has been practicing for more than three years, this shows real dedication. Massage is a craft that you truly learn through the experience of actually working on real people. So make sure your therapist has invested some time in the field.

If the therapist has been practicing for 10 or more years, ask them how they continue to improve their craft. Make sure they still take continuing education classes to stay on top of new developments in the field.

These questions will guarantee you find a qualified massage therapist. Lastly, any therapist who respects and enjoys the art of massage will be ready and willing to answer all of your questions. If a therapist does not return your phone call promptly or seems frustrated by your questions, then I strongly suggest you stop doing business with them. You want their professionalism to be top notch during your first encounter. If it's not, it's likely to continue to decline.

Massage is relaxation therapy. Why pay someone for stress relief when they cause you more stress?

These questions may seem detailed, but how many strangers do you hire that you share such an intimate space with? Massage is psycho-somatic, meaning there's a physical component and psychological component. So make sure your therapist is qualified before you get on their table.

Learn the Art of a Good Facial Massage

One of the best ways to keep your skin healthy and relaxed is to get a facial massage from an expert. It helps remove dirt and dead cells besides reducing the wrinkles on the face. A facial is an instant way to a glowing and dirt free skin. You can learn the art of a good facial massage if you want to make a career as a beauty specialist.

First, understand the types of facials and their benefits.

Different types and benefits of skin facial:

Facial has several advantages, which not only makes the skin glowing, but also keeps the skin-tight and wrinkle-free through the soothing massage. However, it is recommended to keep your skin type in mind before selecting a facial. Not all kinds of facials suit all skin textures.

Once you enroll in a beauty school, you would receive the training on the best facial treatment that suits a skin type.

a) Normal facial: This facial involves simple cleansing and massaging. A normal facial is good for people with a normal skin type that is not prone to acne or oil accumulation. Such facials are less expensive as compared to several other facials.

b) Acne Facials: This is a recommended treatment for teenagers and adults who are suffering from different skin problems, specifically acne. Such facials involve cleansing, followed by an enzyme or acid exfoliation treatment, and a warm vapor mist.

c) Special facials: These are special facials meant to improve your skin texture. According to the skin type, face packs are applied. This facial is recommended for people with a sensitive skin type.

Career as a beauty therapist:

With the growing demand and the desire to look gorgeous, the need for professional experts in saloons, health centers and spas have increased over the years. You need to browse through the internet and search for the best beauty school. Enroll in a reputed beauty training school to learn the art and science of facial and beauty. A number of institutes teach candidates to do proper make-up, how to act as a consultant for clients, give skin treatment, analyze the skin type and suggest the type of facial.

What you will learn from a professional course on facials?

• How to study the skin type of the client
• On skin allergies and how to deal with them
• Know about the various facial types
• Suggest the treatment that is best suitable for their skin type - whether dry, oily or acne prone.

Beauty therapy courses teach you about different facial techniques, both theoretically and practically. Get a hand on experience for a better exposure.

Facial is the first step towards being a professional beautician. Make-up courses give practical exposure to candidates to learn a-z on beauty. A degree from a reputed beauty school brings in excellent employment opportunities and lucrative salary packages.