Massage World 2010
24 February 2010I find time is somehow accelerated as I mature. I look at all the possibilities to choose from as far as where I want to take my massage career, and I am happy at the prospects. I believe that when you have a profession you love, opportunities present them selves, to take you where you need to go. It might not have even been a thought when you started bodywork, but you find yourself loving the next step life brings.
Enjoy every client, enjoy every day.
Massage and Tape
17 February 2010Ever hear of Kinesio Taping? I have clients that could really use this, so I am checking out the DVD and text books associated with it. Its a little more involved then just knowing where the muscles are, you have to identify the Actions, Origin and Insertion in order to place the tape correctly.
I have told some family members I will need test subjects and I am never want for bodies to apply new techniques so I am sure I will get the necessary practice in before I utilize it for my clients.
The main reason I checked into it was because of a client with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. It has been almost a year, but with awareness of his body alignment, muscle stripping his forearms (homework and in session) and running along the pathway distal to proximal while supinating, his nerve would return to its proper position.
Then when I was looking into this technique I found it was also used for lymphedemia, silly me of course it would be. The tape has the ability to stay on for 3-4 days, even with showering and workouts. I will let you know how it works out for my client.
Sole Proprietor Tax Time
10 February 2010Lucky me, I have chosen my tax time to be all year around. Paying quarterly is better for my pocket and not quit a shock at the beginning of the year. Or so I thought. I got a friendly update from the IRS about my 2008 report. Yup, some 1099’s that didn’t make it into my hands, made it into the IRS’s hands just fine.
Please learn from my mistakes and have a checklist of companies that you should have a 1099 from. If you massage any clients that utilize their insurance, keep track.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the IRS helpline to be extremely helpful. They truly are there to help with any questions you have regarding your taxes. The gentleman I worked with on the phone was patient and explained to me all my questions, until I had none. He said, “just as long as I get to go home when my shift is over”. I had never called the IRS before so I am happy to report there is more help for my tax questions then I had originally thought. Some others I know, spend time with the good resources at lets say H&R or someplace. I myself have had a bad experience early on in life that made me do my own taxes. Ahhh Turbo Tax!
I found this article on How Sole Proprietor’s are Taxed, its great. Any help to make taxes more clear. 15.3% just for Self Employment Tax, ouch…..
Massage Therapy Recognition & Acceptance
3 February 2010I read this article by Peter Joseph about Stretching Your Healthcare Dollar. It is nice to know that not everyone in the Healthcare industry thinks Alternative care is “fluff” with no benefits. When I get referrals from insurance companies, the client is in a chronic condition that is in need of a Therapeutic massage.
Clients are surprised by the fact that issues in their tissues are the main cause of pain. Therapists work through the layers of adhered fascia and scar tissue to improve overall well being and decrease chronic issues. Most of the time it is recommended for the client to come in for a massage once a week for the first month and then once every two weeks, working their way down to once a month.
Because of daily life, work and stress, these chronic issues can persist. They can even progress into major surgery that just adds more scar tissue alleviating the pain for a few months only to return with a vengeance. Taking care of tissue issues with weight lose, fitness and Alternative care can eliminate big expenditures for the client, employer and the Insurance company.
In the beginning of this Western Medical infancy, massage was part of the nursing program. Through the years it was given to Physical therapist and then left on its own to work its way back into the healthcare scene. Working through misconceptions and media blunders of grouping true massage therapist in with the non-therapeutic “therapists”. As our reputation improves and more qualified Therapists work towards the health and well being of each client, our industry will have the proper recognition and acceptance.
What Do You Want?
27 January 2010Sometimes Massage Therapists are the biggest hypocrites. We tell our clients they need to take care of themselves. Take the time to exercise and stretch, breath in deeply and take time to meditate and rejuvenate so your life can be one of health and happiness. Ice a new injury, heat the old and come in for massages as often as possible.
When was the last time I went in for a massage, or exercised for that matter? Its not that I can’t sympathize with my clients, because I do. In the course of the day we have a list of things that must get done or we can’t sleep at night. My solution now is to go to bed early and wake up early. Yeah I know, not a new one but, I haven’t done it in a while. I would love to get things checked off my list so I can have the rest of the day to take care of my family and myself, or myself and my family.
I know what I want, but don’t take the necessary steps to obtain these things. New Years always spurs this kind of thinking. What did I accomplish this last year? What do I need or want to accomplish this year? What do I need to do to get it done?
What is a comfort to me, is knowing I am not alone in this plight. Our goals as a whole, in the professional massage community is to build our credibility for proper recognition and efficient utilization of our training and gifts. This train is moving and it will continue to move, because there is no end to our learning.
Here is to the new year and here is to crossing things off our lists. Good Luck my fellow therapists!
Clearing One’s Mind
20 January 2010Integrity in business is not optional if you are seeking longevity. There are no short cuts, blurred lines or adequate excuses available to cover up a lack of integrity. What attributes clients are looking for are consistency, knowledge in the field, competency, and trust.
Sometimes our personal life can get in the way of a clear focused mind, that is necessary for connecting with our clients. IF that happens all the time, then you can count that as consistency and your clients expect it or are prepared when it occurs. When you stop to think about what is said and done with your client on the table, you might be surprised to find out that the session was not about your client, it was about you.
I don’t pretend to know what everyone’s situation or character is. I only know what I am looking for when I step into a massage and prone in a faceplate. Yup, you guest it a quite, relaxing, and rejuvenating massage, with the full presence and attention of my therapist.
Everyone’s needs are different, we all don’t desire to be a lead singer in a band, or the worlds best superhero. Our talents are individual to us, along with our thoughts, words and actions. So it is nice to know when an appointment is made and necessity calls for relaxation, massage is here for us all.
Last week I was not the same as I always had been, going into my massage’s. I was distracted and frustrated, oh man was it hard to focus. I really had to concentrate hard on my client’s and their needs, when it normally comes easily. I am here and what do you need?
The sad thing about personal issues, is that they can’t always be solved as soon as they arise. I don’t want a repeat of last week. However my issues are not resolved and are pressing heavily on my mind continually. What can I do to clear my mind?
Got Scar Tissue?
13 January 2010Who doesn’t? As a Massage Therapist I work on sub-acute and chronic issues dealing with the fascia scar tissue. This is my first time coming across the Graston Technique. They have an awesome slide show that you can direct your clients to about the formation of scar tissue. Their schedule for CE classes is on the site for this year as well, the nice thing about having muscle knowledge and learning simular techniques in school is that I don’t need to pay additional money to learn what I already know. I bet you have to pay additional for the tools as well. They look cool, but I rather spend my money on something that wasnt in my massage curriculum.
Also the Chinese have been using this method for thousands of years, its called scrapping or Gua Sha. It is mostly used on acupuncture points for specific pathologies, but can be used to break up adhesion’s as well. I love knowledge, I will always seek for more and never get board.
It’s All About The Partners
5 January 2010Massage Envy is the largest franchise in the massage industry. They have partnered up with Sentinel Capital a privet equity firm that invests in up in coming companies. It doesn’t sound like they will be changing much about the company, but you never know. Sentinel Capital is partners with Golub Capital a lender helping them in the Acquisition of Massage Envy. Now these companies have a reputation for making money. They must improve on the foundations of the other buyouts or they wouldn’t be able to continue.
Massage Envy is perfect for newly graduated Massage Therapy students. They will interview with perspective graduates and help insure that their employees pass the licensing exams for the state requirements. Schedule is flexible, so you can work out of your office and utilize Massage Envy to supplement your income until you no longer need the extra income.
Working as a therapist (partner) at Massage Envy insures that you will keep fresh on the information acquired at school so you can put into practice what ideas you have for your new talent. Also other therapists working there will have advice on all the aspects of the massage business. It is a great stepping stone, or if you wish to remain, it is great employment without the worry of business owner duties.
I have learned that not all therapists want to own their own business, to each their own. Good Luck in what ever you decide to do with your training. It is an awesome profession that changes peoples lives. Mostly the therapists. 
Need CE’s in 2010?
31 December 2009Life in the fast lane, demands therapist’s to take time out and learn a new trick from our vast trade. There is no end to our learning, there is no end to our growth. The only cap we obtain is the one we place on ourselves. This is true for any aspect of your life. When you learn a thing and put it into practice or act upon the knowledge acquired, you add an additional link to your never-ending chain of life.
The World Massage Festival not to be confused with the the online World Massage Conference. Can help us in our endeavors. Both have CE’s available and both have benefits to increase our foundations strength. If traveling is not in your budget, the online conference works for now. But there is nothing like being in a group of like minded people to stimulate the creative juices.
Health Care and Massage
22 December 2009I have read how other counties have successfully utilized National Health Care, and find it is nothing like what is being proposed in our talks of reform. Like many Massage Therapists, I am self employed. A Sole Proprietor who pays taxes and works hard for her money, yet I am without health care.
This information coupled with the fact that 98% of my Massage Therapist income is from my Insurance clientele, gives me cause to worry. Information varies on weather or not MT’s will make the cut, I found a glimmer of hope when I read this Massage Today article.
I will keep my ears open and hope for the best.
top