daveclark asked:


This may sound all too familiar, but please, stick with me on this:

Get up, get the kids up, get the kids washed and dressed, organize breakfast, sort out lunches, encourage the use of hats, coats and shoes, herd them into the car, drop them off at school and then take yourself off to work. (Hopefully you’ll find time in there somewhere to get yourself washed and dressed and grab some breakfast of your own) Collect the kids, help with homework, fix dinner, adopt the role of entertainer or taxi driver, put them to bed, collapse in armchair, go to bed yourself, get some sleep. Get up, start all over again.

The tragedy of the routine described above is that it’s less of a cliche than you might think.

Somewhere in that routine is a frighteningly accurate description of me… and it wasn’t that long ago.

The lifestyle I once had, allowed absolutely no time for me, or me time to be specific. If I entertained any notion of putting myself first, it was very quickly replaced by the next immediate task in a very full and hectic schedule that revolved around everyone but me. I just couldn’t contemplate anything different.

What set me straight was a gift from a friend. The gift was a massage. My friend knew perfectly well that there was no way I would organize this for myself, it was just too much of an indulgence, as I understood it then. And besides, even if the notion ever entered my head, when was I going to find the opportunity to step out of my routine and do something purely for me?

Well thankfully my friend made my gift specific to me and made sure that it could only be enjoyed by me, and I’ve never been so grateful. In accepting that gift, I had no idea of the lasting effects it would have. If nobody had made me aware, I would never have been exposed to the benefits that massage and massage therapy can and do bring.

In terms of the range of benefits that massage therapy brings, they can be as basic as feeling a whole lot better (special) for a short period of time to transforming your life for the better, for as long as you want. Without sounding too dramatic, massage therapy can be life changing. Just because massage and massage therapy sounds like a luxury and an indulgence, doesn’t mean it is, in fact the opposite is true.

Massage and massage therapy is an essential element in your health and wellness plan. It can have a fundamental impact on the quality of your life, and in no way should it be considered a luxury, and it is certainly not the preserve of the wealthy.

Having the awareness that you need to regularly schedule time for your health and wellness alongside your everyday routines may be an awkward concept, but please consider this as a proposal that you must develop. There is no maybe here, it is a must.

Maybe you’re the person I described above, and you just can’t see the wood for the trees because you just aren’t aware that there’s a different way. Who knows, maybe one of your friends will give you the same wonderful gift that I received and you could be on your way to a whole new you. Who knows.

The truth is, if you’re reading this right now, you don’t need any further prompt. My message is crystal clear: Schedule some time for your own health and wellbeing as a matter of utmost urgency.

CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd asked:


Massage therapy modalities are as diverse in nature as leaves on a tree; and subsequently, quite effective in helping to naturally heal common and chronic health conditions. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the more common massage therapy modalities, specific strokes and general health benefits.

One of the widely used types of massage therapy is Swedish massage. Most massage therapists have learned and practice this particular form of bodywork; and utilize four types of touch therapy: Effleurage, Friction, Petrisage and Tapotement. These deep tissue motions are known to relax body tissues, increase blood circulation, and alleviate stress.

Another emerging massage therapy is reflexology. Reflexology is a foot massage therapy based on the theory of meridian therapy; whereby parts of the foot sole are believed to be interrelated to various body systems. Pressure is applied to specific points to the sole to help in healing, and in relieving stress. In addition to foot reflexology, there are a number of practitioners that practice hand, ear and body reflexology as well.

Some popular Eastern massage therapy methods include Thai massage, Acupressure/Shiatsu, and Tuina. Thai massage therapy is a bodywork modality that is based on the Yin and Yang principle of restoring energy balance to the body, and is administered through muscle stretching motions. Acupressure (also referred to as Shiatsu) is a distinct massage therapy that facilitates finger pressure to particular energy channels (meridians) along the body. This massage method is similar to acupuncture without the needles, and is believed to restore harmony to the chi (energy flow) to the body; which, in turn restores health and vitality. Tuina massage therapy is commonly taught in many Oriental medicine programs and is referred to as “Chinese medical massage.” In Tuina, various touch methods are used to balance Qi (chi) and the internal organs and body systems.

Myofascial release is a massage therapy that mixes stretches and massage to the fibrous bands of connective tissue (fascia). Gently kneading and softly stretching the fascia, myofascial release lengthens, softens and realigns the fascia; treating an array of health conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sprains, rheumatoid arthritis, among others.

Finally, lymphatic drainage massage therapy is specifically used to reduce edema (swelling of the tissues due to water retention). Facilitating gentle massage along the body’s lymphatic system, lymphatic drainage (also known as manual lymphatic drainage, MLD) is helpful in stimulating the immune system and improving circulation. This particular massage technique is beneficial to patients who suffer from chronic disease like congestive heart failure and cancer.

Stay tuned for Massage Therapy Overview – Part II of this series of articles.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding massage therapy programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore massage therapy near you.

Massage Therapy Overview – Part I

Copyright 2007

The CollegeBound Network

All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd asked:


In “Massage Therapy Overview – Part I,” brief descriptions of some of numerous available massage therapy modalities were introduced. In this article, we’ll go a bit more in-depth into a number of other unique bodywork treatments in which individuals might be interested as both a therapy or professionally.

Aromatherapy massage therapy, for example, is quickly gaining in popularity in day spas and salons, as well as in massage therapy clinics. This particular healing art combines various massage therapy techniques like Swedish massage, with aromatic essential oils. Applying essential oils to the body through massage has been clinically proven to reduce stress and relieve musculoskeletal pain; in addition to positively affecting the limbic system, which consequently helps to enhance mental health.

Polarity therapy, another form of massage therapy, is based on energy healing bodywork that integrates diet, exercise and self-awareness. This massage therapy was actually developed during the 20th century by Dr. Randolph Stone, who discovered how touch can affect the human energy field. Similar to “touch therapy,” polarity therapy is a unique massage technique that is practiced using light to firm touch methods.

As an anti-aging treatment, ****** massage therapy is not only a growing trend for clients, but is also gaining leeway as an instructional program in cosmetology schools, esthetics schools and of course, massage therapy schools. As a beauty treatment, ****** massage therapy gives individuals a natural face lift and is also known to help reduce stress and even remove dead skin cells. Eastern ****** massage therapy is similar to face reflexology as it correlates particular meridians of the face to other body systems, and is believed to help relieve common health conditions like musculoskeletal pain, among others.

For persons experiencing chronic pain conditions, medical massage therapy might be helpful. In many cases, medical massage therapists have received extensive training in a variety of massage techniques including but not limited to craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, sports massage, Swedish massage, and touch therapy. Depending on your particular health problem, doctors may warrant a visit to a professional massage practitioner who will use one or a combination of massage therapy techniques to help reduce pain and inflammation, and increase overall wellbeing.

Sport massage therapy is yet another common modality taught in massage schools. Along with Swedish massage, sports massage is not only great rehabilitative bodywork for humans, but is frequently used to treat both horses and dogs. Facilitating a system of motions that include stretching, compressing and gliding, sports massage acts as a natural detox method that helps to release toxins from the body, enhances circulation and helps to improve overall physical condition.

Stay tuned for Massage Therapy Overview – Part III of this series of articles.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding massage therapy programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like natural healing, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore massage therapy near you.

Massage Therapy Overview – Part II

Copyright 2007

The CollegeBound Network

All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd asked:


Research & Health Benefits

How beneficial is massage therapy?

Some current massage therapy research shows that healing touch, such as Swedish massage, may help in decreasing blood pressure in patients suffering from stress. Other notable organizations, like the Touch Research Institute, have been studying the effects of touch therapy and have demonstrated that massage therapy helps to reduce pain and stress hormones, improve immunity, and reduce depression, among other common health symptoms.

Another interesting massage therapy study demonstrated that administering massage to children asthmatic sufferers helped to improved air flow and pulmonary functioning; subsequently decreasing anxiety and stress.

According to a report published by the NAMTPT (National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists), myofascial trigger point (another form of massage therapy) may be helpful in relieving fibromyalgia symptoms in 72% of patients suffering from the health disorder.

What makes massage therapy such an effective natural health treatment?

In addition to blocking pain signals, massage therapy has been shown to stimulate endorphin and serotonin production, which improves lymph flow (a critical component of the immune system). For example, manual lymph drainage (MLD) is a massage technique that promotes lymph movement throughout the lymphatic vessels. This particular form of massage therapy may be especially helpful to those suffering from edema (excessive fluid retention).

Patients who suffer from musculoskeletal conditions may find Watsu(R) massage therapy, (also known as water Shiatsu) to be a noninvasive treatment; whereby the individual floats in a warm pool of water while the spine is softly manipulated to help in healing.

Whether you choose to pursue this natural healing therapy for medical reasons, or to simply relieve emotional stress, massage therapy is a complementary treatment that has been shown to aid in improving overall health and wellbeing. But as with any new healthcare regimen, it is always important to communicate with your primary care physician to determine if massage therapy is right for you.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding massage therapy programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like natural healing, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore massage therapy near you.

Ref.Touch Therapy InstituteNational Association of Myofascial Trigger Point TherapistsNCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork

View Massage Therapy Overview – Parts I, II, III and IV at HolisticJunction.com

Massage Therapy Overview – Part V

Copyright 2007

The CollegeBound Network

All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

Krishan Bakhru asked:


What should you know about massage therapy? Well apart from it being able to help relieve sore muscles, a few others things like what are the different types, what are the risks, if there are any side effects and whether or not it should substitute conventional medicine.

For starters, there are more than 10 types being used to date. Some examples of these include reflexology, shiatsu, back massage, Thai, hot stone, deep tissue, aromatherapy and Swedish.

There are only a few serious risks with regards to massage therapy and this can be avoided if you take the proper precautions. The best thing to do will be to consult with your doctor to see if it is safe for you to see a masseuse.

Patients who have the following conditions should not undergo massage therapy. These include deep vein thrombosis that happens to be a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs, a bleeding disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin, damaged blood vessels and weakened bones from osteoporosis, a recent fracture, or cancer.

You also should get a massage if you have a fever, have an open injury, been diagnosed with a tumor, have damaged nerves, have an infection or acute inflammation. Certain conditions could also be dangerous if you decide to have a massage. These include pregnancy, cancer, fragile skin, heart problems, dermatomyositis and a history of physical abuse.

There are certain side effects associated with massage therapy. These include temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling and sensitivity or allergy to massage oils.

Massage therapy should not be used a substitute for regular medical care. If your doctor tells you that you can see a specialist, do some research about the person.

You should check on their credentials or licenses, years of experience and training. If you need massage therapy to help cure medical condition, find out beforehand if they have specialized training in this field.

It wouldnt hurt to also ask if they use other CAM practices aside from massage therapy to help their patients. Some examples of these include the use of herbs and requiring the patient to go on a special diet.

If everything checks out, then this is the time you find out how many treatments will be needed, the cost and if this will be covered by your insurance. In most cases, this will not be honored. Some people may even ask for a free ten minute test to see how well they perform.

Part of the criteria should include giving you privacy when you change, he or she covers your body for modesty and warmth, inquires before beginning the session what part of the body you want worked on, asks for feedback as to how they are doing and accommodates requests for less or more intense pressure.

The best part about massage therapy is that it can provide relief without the need to ingest pain killing drugs and knowing some facts about it is good so you know what you are getting yourself into once you visit the place. You can read more about this by doing some research which isnt bad even if you just go for a session to relieve some stress or pain and not have to visit because of a medical condition.

Corbin Newlyn asked:


Nowadays, massage therapy is an extension of physical therapy and goes along with the same educational standards as any medical therapist would. Meeting the requirements of national, local and state certification requires individuals to approve stringent training courses in an assortment of related subjects.

Despite the fact that there are numerous accredited schools that offer a complete message therapy education, the selections will not be simple. The benefits, naturally will be the acceptance by other medical practitioners, respect and trust of your future patients and acknowledgment by health insurers.

The Training

Over half of the states regulate the practice of massage. The requirements of the state all vary. Every one of them require at a minimum 500 hours of training as well as education and several require even more than that. There are some states that require national certification prior to a therapist being able to apply for state recognition. The national level of certification also requires at a minimum 500 hours of training in massage therapy education in an accredited school.

There must be included in the training at least 125 hours of physiology and anatomy, 200 hours of massage and/or bodywork application as well as theory, 40 hours of pathology, 10 hours of ethics as well as business and at a minimum 125 hours of related coursework. A practitioner with 500 hours of experience and training as well as knowledge of the required areas can also submit for review a personal portfolio of examination.

The national certification exam has a minimum of 160 questions that covers all of the required areas of massage therapy education. To maintain your good standing, a professional needs to be certified once every four years. Standards in the Canadian provinces will require a minimum of 2,000 hours.

Prior to choosing a school, a practitioner should determine on what the kind of massage that he or she wishes to specialize in. A general massage therapy education must include rehabilitation, pregnancy massage, sports injuries, pain relief and relaxation massage.

Be sure that the school you choose is fully accredited so that you can qualify for loans and grants. Massage therapy education tuition ranges from about $6-$17 per hour. The needed 500 hours typically runs from $5000-$9000.

Once you have graduated, there are numerous opportunities for seminars and workshops to maintain your massage therapy education and keeping up to date. When you understand the minimum that these educational and training requirements are that you need to complete, you will have a very good idea of what your competition will be like.

Other massage therapists in your area will have at least these levels of training plus contacts and experience. If all of these hours of massage therapy education as well as training sound interesting and exciting, you might have what it takes.

Munya Chinongoza asked:


Massage therapy is a great career choice and an exciting investment in the future of your health and the general health of others. Massaging has been a significant and cost effective therapy for many people, through many social economic backgrounds and cultures for a very long time. Basic massage techniques can be learned and applied to persons suffering from pain, tension and stress.

However the best uses of massages and they are over eighty of them, is investing in formal training. The basic massage applications are easy and provide instant relief, not only in the motions and technique of massaging, but the mere skin to skin contact of human beings provide a connectivity that allows for relief. The best example of this is a mother gently rubbing the arm or forehead of her child.

However the most exciting aspect of being a trained masseuse is the ability to start your own private practice and become an entrepreneur. Creating scented candles, massage oils, writing books and even opening a massage clinic or spa can begin a successful and productive franchise into the alternative health market. Having affiliations with nursing homes, holistic clinics, fitness facilities and sports medicines widen the scope of business within the therapeutic massage industry. The formal training of a any new masseuse, can be realized in a school for massage therapy. There are many schools you can get enrolled in.

The possibilities are endless and are just beyond your imagination when you look into jobs for massage therapy. Just think about the pleasure that you can bring to family friends or your special partners.

Paul Fitzgerald asked:


Did you know that a Swedish massage treatment can actually alleviate physical and emotional stress? It is quite true, you know. In fact, the Swedish massage is usually employed as part of stress management therapies. Just how can this particular massage help an individual?

Well, for starters, Swedish massage actually refers to the various styles of muscle relaxation. It is characterized by applying firm but gentle pressure on the upper muscles press against the deeper muscles and bones. It was become one of the most popular massage therapies that individuals who are interested of learning can actually attend massage therapy schooling and specialize in this technique.

This therapy primarily uses six essential movements. The first includes long gliding strokes on the surface of the body using the palms, thumbs, and fingertips. The second includes kneading movements, of course using the palms, thumbs, and fingertips. The third includes circular pressure movements to awaken sleeping nerves. The fourth includes oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body. The fifth includes brisk hacking or tapping. The sixth includes bending and stretching of the arms, wrists, and legs.

This skill and knowledge of which part of the body should be massaged in a certain way and to which direction should the strokes move toward may be learned from attending massage therapy schooling. The main purpose of this therapy is to loosen tight muscles, relieve muscle tissues of accumulated toxins, as well as to increase oxygen flow all over the body.

Swedish massages actually flushes out uric acid, lactic acid, and other metabolic wastes from muscle tissues, thus accelerating muscle strain recovery. Moreover, this massage technique stretches the tendons and ligaments keeping them elastic and flexible. Additionally, the Swedish massage enhances blood circulation without increasing heart load as it soothes the nerves by stimulating the nervous system and the skin glands. All in all, the toxins that pile up in the muscle tissues are loosened and purged out the kneading, stretching, and vibrating motions of the massage.

Because of its efficacy in hastening of one’s recovery from certain injuries, ridding the body of toxins, and alleviating physical and emotional stress, Swedish massage became the foundation of several other Western massages including sports massage, deep tissue massage, and even aroma therapy.

Swedish massage therapy is wholly beneficial and is not at all difficult to learn. Not only does this promote improved health and well-being, it also helps in tightening the bond between couples. Doesn’t feel great to be receiving a good massage from your wife or husband after a tiring day? And isn’t it just as much fun to be giving that same loving person a good massage as well, to relieve him or her of his or her pains and aches? The skills in perfectly doing this massage can be obtained from attending massage therapy schooling.

Paul Fitzgerald asked:


Hawaii is known as a place of beauty, a paradise where people relax and have fun. But even if you’re lucky to live in Hawaii, you also know that the people there need to work, too. They also live busy, fast paced lives.

From the housewife who cleans the home and prepares the children for school to the businessman who attends meetings all day, these people are often challenged to meet the demands needed for the jobs they keep. And no matter what the job is, being stressed or getting sick is always a possibility.

Yes, there are a lot of pills and tablets that they can take to relieve stress or cure a certain ailment. However, some medicines have side effects while others are ineffective. What then, can these people do to heal their bodies, relieve their stress, or just generally feel better?

Well, more and more people are seeing the beauty of going the alternative way, that being getting massage therapy services. In fact, over the years, studies have shown that more people are relying on natural ways to rejuvenate or heal their bodies. Massage therapy, which can be taught in a school of massage in Hawaii, is an example of natural healing.

Visit a vocational class that offers massage therapy courses, an educational center that teaches massage therapy techniques, or even a school of massage in Hawaii , and you will see many people learning the secrets of massage therapy.

Why not, when massage therapy is considered a science and an art that can not only relieve stress, but cure other ailments as well? Massage therapy has proven to be a way to heal illnesses such as headaches, stomach pains, and strokes. It has also been found useful in alleviating depression and anxiety attacks.

The advantages of knowing massage therapy are many. You can use your knowledge to help a member of your family who is suffering from a certain ailment, you can promote your services to other people for extra income, or you can even start your own massage therapy business, such as a spa or health club.

Many people have benefited from their knowledge of massage therapy and at the same time, made other people’s lives better and easier. Whether you learn the techniques in a vocational class, an educational center, or a school of massage in Hawaii, the result is always the same.

You come out with knowledge that would always be helpful for you in the future. What you do with that knowledge is up to you. One thing is for sure, though. Your knowledge of massage therapy will always be beneficial for you throughout your lifetime.