Archive for February, 2010
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.