Massage Therapist Business Cards With Muscle - Part 3

I've never been a big fan of business cards and in Part 1 of this series of articles I outlined why most massage therapist business cards simply were not a useful marketing tool. But I had a change of heart and in Part 2 of this series, you found out how to add a direct response element to your card to get people calling you for appointments.

Now there is one further very important element that every massage therapist business card should have. It doesn't seem like a big thing, but studies have shown that people will hang onto your business card longer and are more likely to respond...

...if you upscale your image by having them printed in full color on glossy stock.

Use full color business cards. Test after test has shown them to be worth much, much more than the extra expense to print them.

It's true that glossy full color business cards are a little more expensive than a regular card printed on ordinary paper, but the cost is inconsequential. Does it really matter if the cost goes up three or four cents per card? That's hardly going to break your bank account.

They are valuable for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they give you an almost instant boost in credibility. They do this by upscaling your business in your prospect's eyes. Let's face it - they look more professional; they look higher class.

This is particularly important in an industry like massage where we are selling an intangible service. Potential customers can kick the tires when they're checking out a new car, but they can't kick you. They have nothing to judge you on but the visual image that you present. So the materials that represent you must be of the highest quality to represent the quality of your service.

Another benefit is that people hold on to glossy full color business cards much longer on average than black and white ones - ten times as long according to one survey. I guess because they look more expensive, people are just hesitant to throw them out.

So if you're a massage therapist, business cards you create should always be full color, glossy ones and should always have a direct response element to them.

Choosing a Massage Career

Interested in becoming a massage therapist? Well, there are many ways to accomplish the massage career path. But first it is essential to understand message therapy and its wonders.

Massage therapy is widely used around the world due to the health benefits it provides people. In fact, massage therapy is considered as a CAM or complementary and alternative medicine. Undergoing any type of massage reduces stress and relieves pain resulting to overall wellness.

According to statistics, 10 percent of men and 25 percent of women received massage therapy in year 2010. While in early 2011, around 13 percent of men and 24 percent of women underwent the so-called massage therapy. Most of them availed of the massage on spas for relaxation purposes. However, late last year, there was a huge increase on the percentage of Americans availing it. Around 44 percent of adult Americans received massage therapy not only for relaxation purposes but also for medical and health purposes.

These show that massage is indeed helpful and effective in reducing stress and pain. In addition, these also mean that people interested in taking a massage career and become a massage therapist can be helpful and rewarding. Here's a list on what a person needs to know.

Choosing a training program - At present, more than 350 accredited massage therapy schools are in the United States. Those interested can research which schools offer such programs and compare it with other schools near their place. To name a few, Nevada School of Massage Therapy in Las Vegas, Carrington College in Phoenix and Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego offers massage therapy programs.

Usually, the program requires a student to master all the core skills, pass all the exams and understand the code of ethics to become a certified massage therapist. However, there are also a certain number of hours allotted for trainings that the students should undergo. Moreover, all of these requirements vary depending on the state.

Knowing the employment opportunities - Upon becoming a message therapist, looking for a job may not be that hard. According to reports, the employment rate of massage therapists will continue to grow. In fact since 2010, there was already an increase due to the demands of massage services which may also lead to 20 to 35 percent growth in 2012. These mean that there is a lot in store for future massage therapists.

Understanding the work environment - Since massage school teaches every technique such as corrective, conditioning, energetic and relaxation, indeed there are employment opportunities waiting for massage therapists. They can work in diverse industries which include working in airports, fitness centers, hospitals, nursing homes, resorts, studios, spas, shopping malls and even in private offices. Some are also given the opportunity to go on different places.

Besides the time and effort, massage therapists earn competitively. If they work hard, they can earn $180,000 or more yearly. This clearly shows that a massage career is indeed a rewarding career. However, a massage practitioner should always remember to fulfill the duties and responsibilities to satisfy every client.

How to Give a Sensual Massage - 3 Tips That Will Blow Your Partner's Mind

When you are giving your partner a sensual massage it is important that you use the right sorts of hand strokes. What is important is that these strokes should be long and slow. Also in the beginning don't apply too much pressure as you are carrying out the strokes. Only as time passes can you start to increase this.

However there are other things that you can do which can further heighten the sensual feelings that your partner will have as you carry out this type of massage. Below are just a few things worth considering doing when you are performing a sensual massage on someone you really care for.

Tip 1 - Rather than using your hands to start the massage instead use some fur or feathers. This will allow you to very gently and softly touch the body so in fact only the hairs are coming into contact with them.

Tip 2 - Another that you can try as you are giving your partner a sensual massage is to blow on them as your hands move across the body. Not only will this further help them to relax but will create feelings within them that they find very sexual.

Tip 3 - One more thing that you can do which will heighten your partner's feelings as you carry out a sensual massage is to suck their fingers and toes. Many couples find this very erotic and could lead to your partner enjoying much more than a massage. Plus you may find that this is something that is erotic to you and heightens the pleasure you are getting from giving your partner a sensual massage.

The Advantages of a Head Massage

One of the most common types of head massage is an Indian head massage. This particular technique is quick, effective and provides instant relief from tension and stress.

A brief history: Also known as Champissage, this is a simple yet efficient massage technique that has been practised in India for over 1000 years. Originally the technique centred mainly around the head and hair alone with the intention of improving Indian women's hair condition and stimulating blood flow around the scalp. It was then brought to the west in the 1970s by Narendra Mehta who evolved the treatment to not only concentrate on the head but also face, neck, shoulders and upper arms. This development now enabled the massage technique to address the body's most important energy channels and while tackling stress in the muscle of these additional areas.

With the client lying down, beauty therapist carefully kneads the muscles around key areas.
Different massage pressures and rhythms are used to stimulate the head, neck, and upper back and shoulder area. It also involves stroking and stimulating pressure points around the face. The release of tension and stress can be felt immediately. The duration of an Indian Head Massage is usually 30 minutes however some therapists only take 15 to 20 minutes.

The treatment also addresses fibrous adhesion (knots and nodules in the muscles), breaking them down resulting in the dispersal of toxins from tense muscles. This in turn relaxes the whole body and improves blood circulation (especially in the head and neck area). As an alternative medicine therapy an Indian Head Massage soothes, comforts and re-balances your energy flow, clearing blocks in your energy channels which leads to peace, calm and tranquility.

Not only is an Indian Head Massage effective for relieving stress, tension, and improving blood circulation, it also helps with lymphatic flow and drainage which helps reduce fluid retention. The addition benefits of this massage are endless: helping loosen a tight neck, improving mobility of the head, neck and shoulders, reduces insomnia, poor concentration and headaches, particularly tension headaches. It also promotes hair growth plus high levels of alertness and concentration.

To summarize, an Indian Head Massage is particularly good for relaxation, aches and pains, tackles knots and relaxing the muscles, blood circulation, circulation of the lymphatic system, tension headaches, eye strain, healthy scalp and hair. In addition to the physiological benefits, there are also a number of psychological benefits which are: addresses insomnia and sleep disorders, improves concentration plus helps with mental tiredness and tension.

It is always best to discuss the treatment with a beauty therapist prior to an appointment as they will always be happy to offer you more information and advice.

Discover How Massage Therapy Can Help With Stress Management

Today, there are so many options when it comes to stress management. There are those who opt for more advanced techniques such as using medications or undergoing some medical procedures. And there are also those who opt for more natural means of managing stress such as massage therapy. Effectiveness of massage therapy in managing stress. Massage therapy has become a significant part of general health care for many people living in today's stressful world. Many professionals and even traditional healthcare systems-all throughout the world-recognize that traditional means of managing stress such as in massage therapy-could be effective in treating chronic ailments caused by stress and could can and contribute to a higher sense of general well-being.To many, stress management through massage therapy is considered as the modern antidote for stress because it helps combat stress by trying to reduce the tension build up in the muscles. Aside from boosting the body's immune system, massage therapy also prevents the decrease in circulation and nutrient delivery to tissues which many people who are stressed often are prone with.Popular as an ultimate "stress reducers," many healthcare professionals make recommendation to their patients- people, especially those who live by the rule of stress-to undergo massage therapy in their health care treatment plans and stress management strategies.Benefiting from massage therapy. Statistics show that the most common cause of today's health problems is stress. Aside from improper diet and unhealthy life style, prolonged periods of stress subconsciously affect many systems of the human body.

Aside from being an effective means of managing stress, massage therapy poses a lot of benefits to people. Primarily, it can develop, maintain, rehabilitate, or augment physical function. Among the extensive benefits of massage therapy, most people consider the therapeutic affect of the treatment on their bodies. Since massage therapy causes diverse physiological effects due to the therapist's hands moving over the body, its therapeutic effect is proven to improve health by acting directly on the muscular, nervous, circulatory and immune systems.It also helps relieve or prevent physical dysfunction and pain. And since it targets body parts, which are prone to stress, massage therapy also relaxes tight and tense muscles while improve circulation, recovery time, and immune system function, which reduce overall stress.

Concentrating in creating different movements that can physically stretch muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia, massage therapy also encourages the circulation through the tissue, inhibit muscular spasms, and be either sedating or stimulating to the nervous system. And with the continuing research on the beneficial effects of massage therapy, its effectiveness was also discovered in controlling chronic or acute pain.With the array benefits massage therapy offers to people specially in stress reduction and in creating a sense of relaxation and well-being, it is no wonder that a wide patronage of it will increase energy and will improve people's outlook on life. When using massage therapy as a stress management option, it is very important to understand that elementary knowledge of it is not enough for ordinary individuals to practice it and benefit from it.Being a regulated health profession, massage therapy requires professionals who have completed hours of education at accredited schools and have extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, assessment, bodywork techniques, and pathology to know when massage therapy is or is not suitable.

Massage Therapy and Pain - Does Therapeutic Massage Reduce Pain?

Is massage helpful when you have physical pain?

"I almost cannot speak of an aspect of medicine where the application of massage therapy wouldn't apply. Massage effects...certainly are more profound than a visit to a doctor. You don't sit around feeling better at the doctor's office!" - Dr. Candace Pert, Psychoneuroimmunology researcher and pharmacologist

Well, I guess that answers the question pretty well!

Dr. Pert said she believed that if we all had a massage every week, we would have ninety percent fewer illnesses. That's a huge number!

Massage starts out affecting our skin surface and the soft structures below the skin, and as it becomes deeper, contact is made with our muscles. In fact, all of our soft tissues (everything that is not bone) are affected by massage.

"Knots" and spasm can be worked out. A skilled massage therapist will know where to work to release your areas of tightness...and it might not be where you thought it would!

There is a wide variety of massage techniques, and you will find some more useful or beneficial than others. The type of massage that will help you the most depends on what your specific problem is.

For instance, for stress relief, a general all-over relaxation professional massage will meet your needs.

But, when you have pain, you may need a massage therapist trained in sports massage, neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy, Rolfing or Hellerwork. This is not "feel-good" massage like a relaxation massage is, but you will feel better afterward. These types of massage are more like a "seek and destroy mission."

A well-trained and skillful massage or muscle therapist will be able to "put their finger" on your problem. They will assess the cause of your pain and work with you to reduce or eliminate it.

Some Benefits of Massage Chairs

A massage chair is a tool often used by massage therapists to ensure that you will get what you want for your massage therapy. All factors pertaining to or correlated with the massage process are vital and it is an aspect that one should consider. One of it is choosing the best chair because that is where you will lay all your weight and enjoy the therapeutic benefit of massage. A massage chair is also helpful in coordination with the massage techniques since it reduces the amount of stress and makes our body relaxed and comfortable during the therapy. Now here are some tips on why you should select the best massage chair in the market.

It avoids additional tension during massage therapy

Having a massage therapy oftentimes last long depending on the areas of concentration of the massage. It is very important that you will be in a comfortable chair the whole time so that you will feel relaxed and more comfortable during the therapy. The disadvantage of using a traditional chair during a massage therapy is that it can stimulate cramping or impairment of the circulation in some areas of your body. Thus adding additional discomfort during massage and adding to the unsatisfactory feeling after the therapy. In a massage business, owners often ensure their massage parlor's quality by securing the best massage chair which is manipulated upon either manual or automatic. The benefit of using a great-quality chair is it has a very durable and soft foam covering making your patient feel more comfortable as they lay down. Also, in some contemporary massage chairs, the chair is easily manipulated whether to lower or higher the back of the chair according to your preference during the therapy.

It helps promote more relaxation on the patient

Imagine if you are being massaged in a rough or hard chair? Isn't it an uncomfortable feeling? Can you sleep during the therapy? All of us can relate in this scenario. That is why more and more massage centers are using the best chair so that during the therapy, their customers can really feel the relaxation plus the benefit of massage therapy. They often associate it with sound clips like nature clips, forest sound clips and many more. This facilitates relaxation. Also, when the patient can sleep during the therapy, their body is ensured from any discomfort like muscle spraining, tension and cramping. This is something worth-paying on the side of the patient. The feeling that when they will wake up, they will have a super light feeling.