Archive for October, 2011
Massage & Water
26 October 2011Good ol’ H2O. There has not been a time in my life that I haven’t heard or find myself saying; “Are you drinking enough water?” At the end of each massage I hand my client a bottle of water. I am an advocate for the benefits that water has on the body as a whole, and the role it plays with the success and results of a massage.
Many times in conversations people tell me that they can’t stand water. Now I am fully aware that I am a Water snob, I also know not everyone had parents who made sure they were well hydrated, but not liking the taste of Water? Isn’t there taste receptors that are specifically for the express purpose of tasting water? You have your bitter, sour, salty, sweet, and of course water (I cant prove it but I know its true:)).
Drinking water= Hydration, Hydration= Better functions of your bodies systems.
Water helps the muscular system with mineral transport and hydration so the muscles can function optimally. When massage techniques are applied, blood flow is increased and a kind of hydration flush occurs, replacing spent minerals to the tissue for healing and use.
I like to tell my clients that their are many factors to their water intake, activity level, our climate, and health. The 8 for 8 rule is 64 fl oz a day. I like to have my client take their total body weight and divide it in half, the answer is the amount of oz you should be having per day. Most of my clients who are more active with sports tend to report that they drink way more then that to feel like they are truly adequate in their water intake.
I found this article about resetting your taste buds to enjoy water. Now I know what to say to people who despise the taste of water.
Massage Cant Do Without Kinesiology, Anatomy & Physiology
17 October 2011Massage is not a profession without the basic knowledge of the Kinesiology, Anatomy & Physiology. Kinesiology is the study of movement, working with range of motion (ROM Active, Passive and Resistant), the function and structure of joints, fiber direction, location, action, origins and insertions of muscles, muscle contraction concepts, proprioceptors and muscle characteristics.
Anatomy is the study of system structure; muscular, nervous, lymphatic, integumentary, endocrine, digestive, circulatory, skeletal, respiratory, reproductive, urinary and special senses.
Physiology is the study of system function; tissue injury and repair, healthcare related and medical terminology, plus all the systems mentioned in the Anatomy. It is amazing how when you stop telling yourself the name of the muscle you are working on or think about its shape its fiber direction and all its actions, how fast the information leaves your mind.
If you need to refresh your knowledge base, check out Massage-Exam.com to review. You may find additional info to help you in your practice with our detailed rationale.
I’ll Say It Again
11 October 2011Self Care will make or break your Massage Career. This article will help you with a few other things as well.
One of the first things I learned from my sister who is a MT was to “Take Care of yourself”. I know that it is a given because we are all suppose to do it no matter what, eat right, exercise, and stretch. However, the first thing that tends to be thrown out the window when we are taking classes and studying or running a business, is the maintenance of Self. When in reality if you don’t take some time out for yourself, your body will force you to take some time with an injury or worse something debilitating for life.
So before your body forces you to take time for yourself, start the habit now and have a long and prosperous career.
Education After Massage License
4 October 2011I have mentioned many times before that Massage and any profession working with the body is a never ending buffet of learning. Sure you can be an expert at one thing, however there are 20 million more you know very little or nothing about. Each massage therapist has their own idea of what they could learn or want to learn to add to their existing tool-belt to better assist their clientele. This in turn gives each therapist the benefit of obtaining a client base that prefers the style they apply. Correct assessment is essential, correct application is even more essential, if you do not know the proper way to assess and address a pathology the results could be disasters.
I love that we have a choice of what modalities we as therapists can add to our repertoire. Their are so many to choose from but only the ones that appeal to you are the ones that you will do. This makes for a very different massage from when you stepped fresh green off the massage school train and onto the Professional student train. Even if your state is in the dark ages and doesn’t require you to have CEU’s get them yourself. Enhance your understanding of the Body through your studies, never ending learning,…. Oh how I love Massage:)