How to Become a Massage Therapist

One of the fastest growing fields in medicine right now is massage therapy. More and more doctors are recognizing the benefits of medical massage to provide pain relief for their patients. There are a number of large medical practices which now have a massage therapist on staff and a growing number of insurance companies are providing at least partial coverage for massage when it is medically merited. Professional sports teams are hiring massage therapists to work for them and so are the major college sports programs creating an abundance of opportunities.

To become a massage therapist, it is necessary to complete an educational program. There are schools across the country which specialize just in medical massage and there are programs at community colleges and universities which offer degrees in massage therapy. A minimum of 500 hours of training is required in most states to become a licensed massage therapist. One of the tests that is required for certification is administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. You are required to know in detail anatomy, physiology and kinesiology. You also must be able to answer questions pertaining to Therapeutic massage assessment and application. Plus, there is a section on the test that covers professional standards, ethics, business and legal practices.

When you decide to enter the field, you also must decide what type of massage you want to specialize in. There are over 80 types of massage being practiced around the globe which are distinguished by the techniques which are used. Some employ the deep muscle kneading that most of us associate with massage while others use warm oils or even hot stones. There is one type of massage that does not use the hands of the therapists at all, the therapist uses their bare feet.

Whatever you decide to specialize in, one of the keys to becoming successful is professionalism. Unfortunately, massage has been misused by people who have used it as a front to provide sexual services. It is absolutely critical for the massage therapist to avoid any inappropriate contact with a patient. Make sure that the person is comfortable with what you are doing and always allow them to decide if they want to be clothed or covered up.

There are exciting opportunities for massage therapists to work in a variety of settings. You could choose to be employed in a doctors office, a chiropractic office or sports medicine clinic. There are a number of spas all across the country which offer massage services and you could even do a stint on a cruise ship where massages are routinely offered each day by the pool. Once you are a certified as a massage therapist you will have to go through additional training to maintain your certification. You are required to have 50 hours of continuing education every four years to keep your certificate up to date. It is also required that you document performing at least 200 hours of massage therapy over that time.

2011
01/12
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Couples Massage Therapy

Offered by many spas and massage centers, a couples’ massage is an excellent way for spouses, partners, lovers, and even friends to enjoy a massage at the same time. The massages can vary from traditional to sensual and erotic, but all of them have a few elements in common.

In most cases, the couples’ massages are performed in larger rooms, which have two massage beds and enough space for at least two therapists to move freely around them. The benefits of sharing a massage are many as partners can bond and feel much more comfortable when they are in each other’s presence. This is quite often the perfect way of introducing someone to the wonderful world of massaging and is also ideal for men, who are often more apprehensive about being nude during a massage or could feel vulnerable.

Various massage centers offer special couples’ massages, which aim at teaching the partners how to massage each other and introduce them to the basic techniques, strokes, and practices of erotic and sensual massage. These sessions are performed by experienced therapists or masseurs, who can show men and women or same-sex partners how to add new and beautiful element to their intimate life. The sessions could involve not only a hands-on approach, but also sharing of the deeper and philosophical aspects of tantric and sensual massages and teaching the partners how to channel their sexual energy, give each other great pleasure, and achieve even greater sexual satisfaction. Such lessons can also be part of complete massage courses, which are extremely beneficial for couples that wish to improve their lovemaking and can include various techniques of pleasuring and self-pleasuring, as well as Yoni and Lingam massaging.

In the stressful times that we live, the relationships could be easily harmed by financial problems, career concerns, and numerous other negative factors. Quite often, the physical aspect of these relationships is the one that suffers the most, but with the help of regular couples’ massages, this is the aspect, which can not only be rekindled, but also brought to new exciting levels.

In order to receive the full and long-term benefits from a couples’ massage, it should be done on a regular basis, with the full commitment from both partners, and approached with an open mind. For the Western couples, many of the practices and techniques could be seen as unusual or inappropriate, especially when it comes to sensual and erotic massages, but their aim is to improve the couples’ intimate life and strengthen their physical and spiritual relationship. If you are not a Tantric follower, you can still benefit from the spontaneous couples’ massage and use it as a wonderful form of relaxation and recreation. After all, what can be more rewarding than sharing this sensual experience with the partner that you love? Offered by many spas and massage centers, quite often you can design your own, custom, couples’ massage and ask the procedure to be performed in a way that you and your partner are completely comfortable with.

2011
01/11
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Massage Therapy
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Tips for a Healthy Massage

A whole day of work can bring exhaust and health problems to our bodies. Why not have a massage rest in the evening or noon breaks? It is a good idea to do exchange massage between two partners, for massage can make whole body relaxed and reduce some illness risks. However, bad massage could cause serious body injury, so it’s necessary to know some tips for healthy massage.

Keep your hands in good conditions

You are not advised to make use of lotions or oils at the start of a massage. They can be helpful only if massage hand are in good conditions. Hands are considered as most important tools for good massage. It’s better to keep hands warm, clean and tender, which makes massage comfortable and healthy. Unclean hands may pass virus to the massage receivers. Fingernails should also be kept well not to leave skin injury on the one who take your massage.

Keep proper posture

Body relaxation plays a important role in massage. Good posture can help keep receivers’ body relaxed. Receivers are advised to lie down without benting parts. You can put something under the feet of the receiver, which help him keep balance of whole body and reduce pressure on the lower parts of his body.

Aware massage reactions

In massage process, you should be aware of the receiver’s body and feeling reactions. Make sure not to press too hard. Over-pressure on body parts may cause unexpected injuries. You can ask the receiver how he feel. Avoid some massage skills that are likely to cause pain. There are many skills that will not cause discomforts. Take a short break in the process and injury would be less likely to happen.

All in all, massage could release us from work tensions and it can be good for our overall health if we get good command of it.

2011
01/10
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Types
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Why Use Self Massage For Pain?

If you have lingering pain after an injury, and it should be gone, or if you have chronic or recurring pain from headaches, sinuses, hips, etc., you know how frustrating it can be to get lasting relief. Many people are taking matters into their own hands, literally by working on their own bodies. Why use self massage for pain? Here are some reasons.

Price

It is much cheaper to get a tool, or a whole arsenal of them, in fact, than to make regular visits to a massage therapist, bodyworker, or chiropractor for help. While I wholeheartedly endorse their services, realistically speaking, most people cannot afford them very often. (How I wish I could!)

Massaging yourself costs very little, yet the benefits are many. You can start with a simple rubber racquetball, which costs about one dollar at any sports equipment store. You cannot argue with that!

Convenience

You do not need to make an appointment, drive in traffic, find a parking space, or wait for an appointment to get help. You can do self massage at any time, and almost any place. (Sometimes this depends on your level of modesty!)

Control

You are the one in control of the experience when you massage your own body. You can pinpoint the area of pain, apply the exact amount of pressure you want, and determine when enough is enough. Even if your therapist or bodyworker has excellent communication with you, they cannot read your mind or feel what you are feeling. Only you can.

Knowledge

When you do self massage, you learn about your body and get in touch with yourself. You find out where you hold tension, what sorts of techniques work best for you, and what feels good.

When you focus on your body, you learn to trust your inner voice, that higher power or intuition. That is always connected to our natural, inborn desire for balance and good health. By working on your own body, you learn to tune into that and follow it.

Effectiveness

Self massaging works, period. It is effective and simple. You figure out where it hurts, find out where on your body to massage and how, and do it. You can repeat it several times throughout the day, if necessary, or use it when pain awakens you in the middle of the night.

Those are some of the reasons to use self massage for pain. If you have suffered with discomfort or muscle tension and are frustrated with your treatment results so far, consider taking charge of your body and working on yourself.

2010
12/22
CATEGORY
Massage Therapy
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Foot Massage

Do I need a foot massage? That depends, do you like having good balance, comfortable feet, strong back, lack of tension? I sure do. The great thing to do at the end of the day is kick off our shoes, free our poor feet! All that running, walking, lifting, socks and shoes, no air. How can anyone not need the human touch. This not the situation where we insert a quarter for our feet to be shaken around, but someone genuinely qualified in making us feel better. I highly recommend giving the gift of foot massage, either to yourself or a loved one!

Chinese records dating back 5,000 years document the use of foot massage. The ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians, as well as the Japanese, Romans and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and even Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.

In the 21st century modern United States we have learned how to apply and use kinds of traditional massage therapies. We have even developed new forms. One of these forms is foot massage. Your feet do not need to be bare in order to receive a massage, but it is better if they are. If not, your masseuse will probably clean them with a wipe or wet cloth. He/she will then most likely use some sort of oil, and make the room clean and comfortable with dim atmosphere, candles and scents. If you are ticklish, be sure to let them know, as you don’t want to spend the whole foot massage laughing. There are certain feathery touches that they will avoid. You will be seated with your feet up, or on a massage table.

As with all forms of massage, there are a variety of foot massage techniques. Thai Foot Massage or reflexology is one form.

Reflexology originates from an ancient Chinese system and is based on the notion that there are nerve endings in the soles of the feet that correspond to all of the organs of the body such as the liver, kidney or spleen. The gentle and repeated massage of these pressure points stimulates and detoxifies the internal organs and improves circulation to the problem area.

Stress relief is the major benefit experienced by everyone who has a foot massage. There are even some studies that prove that stress levels can be decreased, and the overall health of the body and mind can increase. Numerous medical studies show that decreased stress levels improve the overall health of the body and mind, mentally and physically as well. It is always better to have a massage therapist do it, but if this is impossible, it possible to purchase a foot massage unit designed for use in the home! Why not try it?

2010
12/18
CATEGORY
Types
101 comments

Cellulite Massage Technique Options To Consider

If you’re having a problem with cellulite, you may want to explore cellulite massage technique options. Cellulite is nothing more than a collection of fat cells below the surface of the skin. Massage has been shown to smooth out the bumpiness created by those collections.

Hand Massages

One cellulite reduction massage technique is a hand massage. It has to be done a particular way to be optimized for cellulite removal, though. So, it’s best to have it done by a licensed massage therapist. Typically, it will involve gentle pinching or lifting of the skin and circular hand motions. The idea is to stretch and smooth out the skin.

Of course, there is a down side to having a professional give you a cellulite smoothing massage by hand. It can take a lot of time and money. That’s especially true when you think about the fact that cellulite reduction massages are really only temporary. You need to get repeated massage therapy, if you want ongoing results.

Cellulite Massage Machines

Another good cellulite massaging option is to use cellulite massage machines. These mechanisms lift and massage the skin. They also sometimes use vibrations or heat to intensify the effects. Some of these machines are even designed for home use. So, you can use them to control your own cellulite management.

Cellulite machines for home use are usually very affordable. They’re also extremely convenient to use. You can easily find plenty of them on the Internet. Just be sure to familiarize yourself with the different types, before you choose one to buy. Product reviews can really help you to make a good decision.

More Powerful Machines

Of course, there are more powerful machines that can be used to smooth out your cellulite dimples. Typically, though, you can only find them in professional massage parlors. They can be used to give you a deep tissue massage that really hits the cellulite at its source.

Lasers

Laser treatments are another option. The light of the laser can target the fat deposits that are under the surface of the skin. It’s a procedure that needs to be done by professionals, though. One reason I that lasers can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Another is that the laser machine is just plain too big and expensive to get for your own home.

In general, you have to remember that cellulite massages are not quick fixes. They also aren’t one-time events. You need to get or give yourself treatments on a regular basis, if you want to see some real changes for the better. That’s why patience is key, no matter what cellulite massage technique you choose.

2010
12/16
CATEGORY
Massage Therapy
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Benefits of Getting a Good Massage

In present times, each and every person is very much in tension because of the workload and job pressure. There is an instant need to lower this pressure otherwise everybody will be bored of the work they do. Consequently the quality of the work is going to be ruined. The best way to lower this pressure is either plan for a vacation, dance, or get a soothing massage. Getting a massage is the best way to look and the best thing about it that people don’t have to spend anything and get relaxed and refreshed at their home itself.

To attain wellness we need to do away with stress and tension. But doing away with it with some medicines is still a risk. Medicines have side effects that may trigger more problems in the future. A safe way to do away with the stress and tension is through massage. There are many benefits of massage such as you heart starts working more efficiently. In a survey conducted in United States of America it was found that people who have massage every month twice they live two years more than the normal person. The best thing that massage does to a person’s body is that blood circulation is very frequent and nice.

Nowadays, a wide variety of different massage chairs are very common in the market. A consumer looking for a chiropractic chair is offered dozens of brands to choose from, all of them promising better features and that too at a very low cost. There are various devices such as g5 professional massager, etc, which can be used to have a good massage. More importantly patients with musculo-skeletal problems are benefited from this a lot.

G5 massage therapy is very common among people living in urban areas, and there are various companies which offer such services at very minimal rate. Shoulder pain and tension affect many different people, regardless of how they live or how old they might be. Many times, this pain can be a result of old trauma to the neck, shoulders or back as well as other parts of the body. However, it may also be due to being out of shape, bad posture, over-extension, sitting or lying in the same or odd position for extended amounts of time, these problems are curbed by a good massage. These are very common problem among people who are into office job, so if in a month these people have massage, they can save themselves from such problems.

2010
12/11
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Massage Therapy
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5 Reasons to Massage Your Partner

When we bump our body on something, we naturally put our hand on that body part. Rubbing a loved one’s back or shoulders when they are experiencing pain or stress is another thing we do without thinking. Touch, or massage, is one of the most natural expressions we have as human beings. There are some very compelling reasons to use massage as a tool to connect with those around you. This list includes what we feel are some of the most important reasons to massage your partner…specifically OUR Top 5 Reasons to Massage Your Partner. We’ve been teaching couples massage as a means for partners to reconnect to each other for over a decade, and have had a tremendous amount of feedback from participants in our classes. Some of the reasons below were reinforced by people who learned to massage their partner with us, and others are basic massage benefits.

1) Massage boosts your immune system. There have been medical studies that prove that massage increases the efficiency of the immune system, through stimulating the production of the cells that are the first line of defense for the immune system, as well as stimulation of the lymphatic system. Massage increases circulation and decreases blood pressure temporarily. This benefits your organs and the overall health of tissues in your body. Doing something healthy for your partner is a great way to show them you care for their health!

2) Massage gives you a chance to reconnect with your partner in the craziness of the everyday. Frequently the wear and tear of everyday keeps us from connecting to our partners in meaningful, thoughtful ways. When you give yourselves time to come back together, in a slower pace, it allows you to open up to your partner again. Taking time to breathe, and enjoy some calm physical touch, can bring you to a deeper level of emotional intimacy with your partner.

3) Massage helps you to de-stress. Massage has been shown to increase endorphins, while reducing cortisol and adrenaline secretion. In other words, massaging your partner allows you both to escape stress for a little while. The inevitable deeper breaths you take during giving or receiving a massage allows you to use another tool that is helpful in reducing the stress response in the body. Deep abdominal breathing helps to further the relaxation response in the body.

4) Massage gives you a chance to practice receiving. When we are constantly running around taking care of everything that needs to be done, many of us don’t take the time to receive. We suggest that couples exchange massage on different nights, so that each partner can truly relax into receiving, or focus on giving. This will allow each partner to focus on receiving the loving touch and attention, which will offer an enhanced experience to both.

5) Massage is a tool to increase awareness. When you receive a massage, you become more aware of tension and pain in your body. This allows us a greater tool for health, and a way to notice injuries before they get out of hand. It also allows you to recognize what feels good in your body, or what is supporting your overall level of well-being. In using massage in this way with your partner, it allows you to work together for better health for both of you. For instance, when your partner notices over and over that one leg or arm is tighter than the other, you can evaluate how you are sitting or sleeping, which can increase your level of comfort from day-to-day.

2010
12/10
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Massage Therapy
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Day Spa Services Are Stress Busters That You Should Try

Stress is a silent killer that many people don’t realize lurk around. Most people just brush off the feeling of fatigue and weakness which are the primary symptoms of this medical condition, instead they take pills and try to rest a bit. But experts say the problem is more complicated than it presents itself to be. For one, it is quite impossible to get the right amount of rest in this modern age because distractions are everywhere. This is why we recommend going to day spa expert for the right venue to relax.

Why cant you just go home and sleep to feel better?

Medical experts say this should be the ideal way to rest but modern lifestyles are making it hard for most people to get the proper rest your body needs. Unlike decades ago when the home was considered a quiet place to relax and destress, the homes today are fastly becoming extensions of the work place and at times even school.

It is tough to get the right amount of sleep when you are surrounded by devices that can disturb you at anytime. Mobile phones are great for communications but oftentimes the hours you should spend resting are eaten up by messages and phone calls. This is the reason why most day spa services request patrons to turn off cell phones or leave them in safe lockers when coming in to relax.

How can you really relax in a day spa?

There are many therapeutic treatments available to induce your body to relax and get rid of stress. Body massage is a favorite among those who have tried it and it comes in many forms. You can choose whether you like the traditional massage, the Asian methods like Thai or Japanese, or other western forms like Swedish or French. Whatever it is you desire, you will never run out of choices cause there are hundreds of day spa services all over the world.

Another way to relax is to pamper your skin. Women just love to get these skin treatments in day spas because they can come in anytime they feel like getting a facial. Facials are very popular choices as well as full body scrubs. Cleansing is a very good way to relax your body and releive stress. According to experts, stress can also be caused by toxins from the environment that people are exposed to all the time and getting rid of them from time to time helps refresh the body. This is why day spa services are located in busy and highly populated areas and they offer treatment to those who need them the most.

Life is tough and making a living is even tougher. But regardless of the amount of work you do every day, you must never allow your body to become stressed. Try to relax and take a breather every now and then. Visit one of the nearest day spa services and let them help you bust stress from your life.

2010
12/09
CATEGORY
Spa
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Tips on Finding Massage Courses

Let’s begin with some advocacy on massage. What is massage? Or what is a massage therapy? Humbleness is always respected in massage therapy. The existence of massage is one of the oldest as well as the simplest stems of therapy that not only earmarks equanimity to ones mind. It is additionally a method of pressing, kneading as well as stroking various areas of the body to alleviate pain, and it also helps in relaxing as well as stimulating, along with toning the body. More than creating a pleasant sensation on ones body, this therapy additionally behaves on the delicate tissues (the muscles, tendons, as well as ligaments) which furthermore benefits in improving the muscle tone.


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However massage therapy copiously affects those muscles that are just under the skin, it also benefits by reaching those deep layers of muscles as well, and mostly it benefits the organ themselves. It also helps in increasing ones blood circulation along with assisting the lymphatic system (that liquefies parallel to the circulatory system), which further helps in improving the abolishment of lay waste throughout the body. Let us now talk about some benefits of it. Benefits of therapy could be relaxing, soothing, healing, reassuring, eases tension, stiffness, and pain. It also benefits us by improving ones breathing system, circulation system and enhances ones well being.

A Brief explanation on the effects of massage therapy:

Single massage is really enjoyable, but later the effects of massage are cumulative and unbeatable, and a course of massage treatments will experience the best benefits, it’s like a boon. proper massage can allocate the effect of strengthening and further toning ones entire body mechanism, and at the same duration it benefits to dissuade unnecessary strains as well as injuries that might otherwise abide due to excess antagonism and any resulting syntactical weaknesses.Massage therapy helps one body to stimulate or calm the entire nervous system-that depends on am individual body type and requirements -and further helps in reducing fatigue, with a feeling of positive and fresh energy.

In today’s world we have many career fields of massage therapy available nowadays and therefore training for being a massage therapist is very much possible, which therefore is a great step towards creating a stimulating as well as rewarding job. for getting admission in any of the massage courses, you have to look appealing to the schools who at the same time need to operate as a business; they got to search and give admission to the best candidates to help safeguard their name as well as increase their income through the fees they earn from their various massage courses available for the students. Hence forth they set a massage institutes entrance requirements to help them get the “wheat from the chaff”.

2010
12/08
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