Archive for May, 2010
Massage Therapist’s Secret Weapon
26 May 2010What is the thing we use most? Our Body’s of course. How can we ensure we will have longevity in our career? By taking care of them. We take care of our clients, give them homework, and ideas on how to enhance the healing process of a muscle issue. Yet, somehow it is all to easy to not show our body’s the same respect.
I was a whole year without having a regular workout program. I finally got off my duff and strive to visit the gym at least three times a week. Now, I am not one to “Pump Iron” or trip all over my self in aerobics class (although that does sound like a challenge for later), but I do love sports. My gym has racquetball courts, so I thought I would try my hand at it. Turns out its really hard to schedule a regular partner so most days I am in there chasing that blue ball by myself. It is so fun! Among the many benefits of increasing my heart rate and sweating, I have found I have better muscle tone in my arms. I stretch all the muscles a little before to warm up and long good breath stretches at the end and my shoulder ROM has improved to almost 100% and the popping on rotation has decreased 85%. I have also found my Volleyball skills have increased with this secret weapon of mine.
I have therapist friends who utilize swimming for these very reasons. When I get to a point where I need to change it up, I plan on that as my next sport to master. Whats your secret weapon?
Whole Body Cold Hydrotherapy Treatment
25 May 2010You know how in your practice you tend to give the same homework to your clients in a wave. I have talked to many therapist about this subject. My normal self treatment plan consists of heat (hot packs, baths, showers, tubs, saunas…) for some reason I have had an influx of clients needing to utilize cold hydrotherapy. Some even for there whole body. So I had to do some reading to remind myself of the contraindications for full-body cold hydro;
Clients who have kidney disease, cardiovascular, and peripheral neuropathy issues. Clients who get cold easily or just plain say “heck no” to ice. For some reason when clients say cold does not work for them, it just does not work for them. It tends to make things worse???? Always listen to your client, sometimes it just takes time. For some reason I can explain to them the many benefits of cold therapies and as they begin to trust me, the cold therapies actually begin to work for them.
Pregnancy Massage
19 May 2010I came across this awesome article for High-risk Pregnancy’s. As a caution I always treat every pregnancy massage as high-risk. That’s what I was taught in school from our instructor anyway. The women who I have been massaging that start coming in for pregnancy massage, really notice a difference in the techniques used. No deep work or stretching, some women really don’t care for repeated strokes in the same area, so you must be dynamic in your use of strokes.
The main complaints in pregnancy for my clients has been the good old low back. A few have had swollen legs, and none have gotten sick from the rocking motion on my table. I always ask them in my pre-massage disclaimer to make me aware of uncomfortable position or techniques so that I can make adjustments according to their needs.
Even after the pregnancy, for their comfort it is best to keep them in side-lying (at least for the first month), or use pillows under the belly to prop up nursing mothers. Listen to the mothers and you both will have an enjoyable experiences. (humm, seams like I have heard that before??)
Version 1 of The MTBOK Released
18 May 2010The Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge has released their first version of the Body of Knowledge (BOK) which is; “The domain of essential information, mastery over which is the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practice.” All recognized and functioning professions have them.
I talked about this before in my blog, the tools and stepping stones necessary for the Massage profession to be recognized for what it is, a Profession, this step is essential. In our efforts to get rid of misconceptions surrounding the field of Massage, this is just another point to check off the list.
Yahoo! To progress.
Professional Massage Community
17 May 2010I got invited to become part of LinkedIn. I signed up for some Groups under the Massage heading that looked interesting to me. It seams like a good source to ask questions and get answers.
The first group that showed up in my search was ABMP, my professional coverage and association. They have good resources available to their members, so it will be interesting to see if this adventure bears fruit.
Massage & Herbs or Pharmaceutical Drugs
13 May 2010This article by Massage Mag, talks about the reactions clients may have to massage while taking a prescription drug or herbal remedy. Our school did teach us about these indications, however I am finding some schools do not teach about the importance of knowing this information before you massage.
That’s why I love the health intake forms. Make sure you ask your regulars periodically if there has been any changes to there information on the history form.
Here is to remembering all that needs to be done. 
Massage Business
11 May 2010A question I get a lot from my clients and people who find out I am a Massage Therapist, is whether or not I am staying busy. What is nice is that I can honestly say, that I am spoiled in that regard. Some how when I don’t have a full schedule it works out perfectly to where I needed that time for duties at home. If I have a cancellation, I just work on paperwork or read.
The last two appointments of the day are always taken, my school teachers and others who can’t get time off during the day. I am always grateful for the awesome clients Ive been sent, so that in and of its self makes it especially satisfying to be a therapist.
But what brings me the most joy, is seeing the change that occurs in that simple hour. So in that regard, my job is the best. Not many professions can say they help relieve tension and restore vitality to the muscles of the people they serve.
My sister went through school many years ago, she told me then that I would love to be a Massage Therapist and I would be good at it. I brushed her off and said no, that’s your thing. I want to find my own. Only to join her later and prove her right.
If you are thinking about massage as a career, the best thing I can say would be to make sure you first take care of your self so that you can more fully take care of your clients needs. This will bring longevity and joy to your work place.
Massage & Nursing
10 May 2010Knightingale’s instruction of nursing included Massage, however through the years it was given to physical therapists and then dismissed from the curriculum altogether. Leaving independent therapists of massage without medical ties. It did survive the separation, and now is being placed within the western medical realm again.
As our fast paced world becomes even faster, Massage is being increasingly sought after. I read this Massage Mag article that talks of studies being done. The reputation of Therapeutic Massage is positively increasing and will continue to do so with the continued efforts of us all. Thanks for all your hard work.
Folding Your Massage Sheets
5 May 2010It is faster to fold your sheets in a manner that will decrease the time it takes you to change your table. The bottom sheet is folded with the outside showing, so you can put your hand in each corner and wrap it around the table faster. The top sheet is folded with the insides together. This helps so when you fold the top over the blanket it has the nice side showing. The other Therapist I work with has it down, it looks like she is throwing the top sheet and blanket on so fast and she hardly ever has to adjust where the sheets land.
I was also taught to take the blanket off in folds so when you place it on again, you just unfold it on its place. These tricks have cut time spent on changing the table in between massages.