Physical Therapy Schools|Benefits Of Massage Therapy Schools

Balinese massage, which traces its roots in Bali, Indonesia is a type of natural therapy which includes the manipulation of the body's meridian through a combination of various massage techniques. Acupressure, aromatherapy massage and reflexology are used by the masseuse during the therapy to address various types of problems both emotionally and physically with a specific technique.

The patient often experiences the satisfying benefits and effects right after the massage therapy. Whole body relaxation may probably be the most common noticeable effect of this type of massage therapy. The body loosens up with every massage strokes and manipulation of each pressure point with the acupressure and reflexology method. The aroma of therapeutic herbs is used specifically in soothing and calming the emotion of the client. Aromatherapy massage is also essential in setting up the mood inside the room which greatly increases the healing capability as well as the relaxing experience of a Balinese massage. Each of the essential oils have their own healing, energizing, and calming effects when applied on the skin, although some of these oils may have negative effects on sensitive skin. Discussing the skin medical history of the patient as well as his or her current condition is vital in preventing this kind of problem from occurring during and after the therapy session. The client may also want to use other clothes as some of these massage oils may leave stains on the cloth.

Balinese massage therapy also includes deep tissue massage which helps relieve the patient from all sorts of muscle pains. This type of therapy not only focuses on the soothing of the body but also aims for the total wellness of the body. Each stroke stimulates the nervous system which enhances the mood of the patient as well as heightens the sense of wellness. Acupressure is known for targeting pressure points which addresses to the corresponding part of the body. As the therapist conducts acupressure techniques with his or her hands, the body loosens up and relaxes with each application of pressure. The main goal of acupressure in this therapy is to regain strength to the weakened muscle groups, relax stiff muscles, and relieve muscle pain. This technique helps in balancing the energy or qi within the body to maintain a healthy physical and mental condition.

Reflexology in a Balinese massage is used to manipulate each part of the body through the hands and feet of the patient. The body benefits with the improvement of blood and oxygen circulation which is attained by unblocking each of their specific pathways for the two to freely flow throughout the body. When these two important supplies needed in the body freely circulates without blockage or shortage in supply, the body works properly and in its optimum performance. The result is a healthy mind and body. Reflexology focuses on the treatment rather than making the body calm down and relax which is the work of aromatherapy in this type of therapeutic massage.

Although this therapy has a great combination that can both heal and sooth the body, it is still best to consult a doctor before trying this alternative medical care.

Criteria for Choosing the Right Partners.
 
When you are thinking about who you might partner with to enhance your practice and the services you offer it is very important to choose the right people or partners. Read the list below for some of the things to consider when identifying the right partners for your practice.
 
There are several important criteria to consider in choosing the right partner.

1.  Approach prospective partners who target the same people that belong to your target market.


2. Each partner must feel as though she or he is getting the better part of the deal. I like to see that a partnership will help build my business as well as help my new partner.


3. One partner at least must have marketing ability or a way to reach the mutual target audience.


4. At least one party must have the expertise for the partnering "project". This is essential.


5. Your idea for a partnership must be highly targeted, that is, must be very specific to a particular group of people.


6. Stay within the criteria you established for a partnership or what you need from the partnership. Don't endorse a service or product if it doesn't fit your needs even if it is an excellent service or product.


7. Make sure you create high quality promotional materials for this new service or product you are jointly offering. An excellent product is not good enough without high quality promotional information.


8. When considering a prospective partner a good criterion is to help them fill a gap in their services and products, too. Ask: what are they missing? Offer them something they do not have.

Massage is one of the oldest forms of art with the human body and the benefits of it are often underestimated. The history of massage is one that stems from Asia, specifically in China and India. Many ask what exactly is massage therapy, as the term is used broadly in places such as spas to hospitals. It is the combination of human touch and moving of the muscles to create a relaxed state of mind. To learn it, you must learn its different definitions, practices and therapeutic effects known to practitioners throughout the history.

The foundation of massage, especially medical therapy is often credited to the Eastern Chinese medical practices of 2000 BC. However, can have many benefits that are not all medical massage benefits. For example, the human touch element that has little to do with how you learn and much to do with how personable the massage therapist is and the energy they bring into the room. Kneading muscles and skin, having a top of the line massage table warmer or using the perfect combination of towels and lighting is not effective if the client is not in a relaxed state of mind. The therapist, too, has to learn massage therapy in a way that is relaxing and creates positive energy for their patients. Remember, no matter which type of massage you practice, patients usually see you for help becoming more relaxed and in less pain.

Types of practice include back pain therapy, medical therapy, chronic massage therapy, stress relief therapy and other practices that are similar such as aroma therapy (massage techniques with scented oils), Reiki (foot massage) and other techniques. There is great debate on whether back pain therapy is really effective in the medical community. For example, a Pub Med article by the USA government department of health studied a group of chronic back pain therapy patients and found that it significantly approved their condition and made their back pain less intense. In fact, the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario found that in order to learn massage therapy and effectively help these patients, it was necessary to learn it on back pain. Continuing education showed that, in this study, 92% of patients had improved function, less intense pain and decrease sharpness of pain when massage therapy was used.

Healing practices or occurred in the 2000 BC but continue to occur today. Most medical massage therapists treat back pain therapy, sports injury or other types of chronic pain. These therapists are often certified and learn therapy through different schools and educational programs. However, the longest program in the world is in British Columbia, Canada and is three years long to learn massage. While this seems like a long program, for any program, massage continuing education is an important part of any program. Healers in Eastern cultures are often priests, or spiritual leaders who practice medical therapy in their community. However, as researcher Paul Ingram of Vancouver, Canada, suggests, massage benefits tend to be "temporary and inconsistent" and can vary from patient to patient, massage therapy spa clinic to clinic and even from therapist to therapist.

Current trends extend past the history of massage and use historical techniques with modern medicine to establish practices that are well balanced between the two. In order to learn massage, therapists today should be open to a broad range of techniques, tools and purposes. While massage used to be a simple concept, new Western and Eastern combination of the history of massage therapy with today allows for diversity in techniques.

Most of us will probably believe that a massage is a luxury reserved only for special times in our lives like birthdays or anniversaries. As a matter of fact, it is not only an indulgence but also a way of keeping our mind and body healthy. There are a lot of reasons people get a massage. It can either be for medical reasons to alleviate pain or just simply to be more relaxed and rejuvenated. Massage therapies like the hot stone massage therapy offers many therapeutic effects. It also gives your body an instant boost of energy.

Massage therapies is a soothing practice for the mind, body and soul that is why it is able to relieve the stress. It also has physical conditioning effects that are a great help for a professional athlete. For instance, after doing a tough workout in the gym, a massage can release the spasms which slow down blood flow. This will usually cause the inflammation, pain and dysfunction. With a massage, it will slowly improve blood circulation by allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients to vital organs and tissues. Over straining is prevented by the relaxation of the tension and sedation of the nervous system allowing muscles to work more effectively.

A massage can also reduce the recovery time needed for strenuous workouts by helping in the elimination of toxins. By improving blood circulation and increasing intake of water, these toxins can be cleared out of the body. This will maximize blood flow improving the general nutrition of the muscles for optimal performance.

Energy and vitality is also increased through a massage. It can facilitate the muscle-building response of the body at the same time improving the range of flexibility and motion. Muscles are elongated and its proficiency is increased.

Although there are many benefits you can acquire physically from a massage therapy, you have to keep in mind some of these important points.

o Remember that you will not acquire the full benefits of a massage therapy if you only have one session. It will take several treatment sessions before you achieve the expected physical effects such as releasing spasms and tightness.

o You may want to focus on specific areas because of the demand it receives but do not forget this is a holistic approach. Do not overlook other parts of your body to avoid future pains and aches.

o It is also better to ask advice from your doctor and your therapist. It is much better to have a collaborative treatment plan with professionals so you will be sure of the proper treatment plan.

o Do not hesitate to speak up when you feel uncomfortable or pain in the massage therapy session. For instance, if the rock used in the hot stone therapy is too warm, inform your masseuse immediately.

After keeping in mind all these considerations and benefits, it is now time to book your first massage session. Check the credentials of the massage therapist to make sure you have quality bodywork. In your first visit, it is important that massage therapist take a history of your specific problem areas and goals. Then, together with your doctor and therapist, you can now set the best schedule to maximize your goals.

If you have Parkinson's, you would know that it is a neurologic disorder that causes your brain to have difficulty in controlling muscle movements. Most physicians would claim that it has no direct cure, and would prescribe various drugs to control symptoms. But apart from this it is also important that some other methods, such as physical therapy for Parkinson's disease, are done in order for improvements to surface.

Treatment for Parkinsons however, does not target the root cause of the disease, but instead aims to manage symptoms by decreasing them through various types of drugs. Your doctor may wait for your symptoms to really become a hindrance to your activities before prescribing drugs.

What physical therapy for Parkinsons disease does is that it helps you compensate for movement difficulties. A therapist may teach you how to control your muscles to be able to do basic activities, like picking up objects.

This type of non-pharmacologic therapy along with a change in lifestyle may not promise to eliminate all symptoms, but are still very important to help improve your condition. After all, you cannot rely too much on your prescribed drugs as they may add toxicity to your body.

With physical therapy for Parkinson's disease, you are empowered to naturally address your symptoms like problems in coordination, pain, and weakness. And if partnered with much more natural methods such as a healthy diet, then significant changes may be expected.

This particular illness may be difficult and you cannot rely solely on medications because often times they may do you more harm than help you with your condition. But with practicing physical therapy for Parkinsons disease [http://parkinsons-disease-treatment.blogspot.com/2007/09/parkinsons-alternative-treatment.html] and adopting other natural methods, you are one step forward to taking control of your condition.

Massage therapy is not always performed in the same way. There are many varieties. When a body is stressed, there is muscle tension which can create pain and improper function.

While many people may still believe that massages are simply for pleasure, there is growing realization that they are actually very helpful to their recipient's health. Massage therapy can be performed in a variety of ways.

It is almost like religions in that the main beliefs and goals are similar but the methodology is not. Since many practitioners are now recognizing the intense mind-body connection of a human being, mental ailments are also seen to be helped by massage. Touch is such a basic human need that without it infants fail to thrive and marriages can fail. Marriage counselors are now advising couples to have a minimum of seven minutes of physical contact each day in order to ensure a happy union. Neck rubs and back rubs can fill the bill.

There are many options of massage therapy touch available in countries around the globe. Some examples include:

Ayurvedic: This is a form of natural health care which originated in India. It is a combination of touch, yoga, herbs and meditation. Heated oils also play a part in ayurvedic.

Barefoot: Barefoot deep tissue systems work with stretching, transverse friction, compressing, utilizing trigger points and combines eastern and western techniques.

Balinese: These motions are subtle and intended to relax the person receiving the treatment. Aromatic oils are used to add an additional sensory element.

Hot stones: Hot stone technique involves heating up smooth river rock and placing them on specific locations on the body. This heat relaxes muscles and is combined with touching.

Bowen: This was developed by a man named Tom Bowen and involves rolling motions. Joints, fascia, ligaments and tendons are addressed as well as the musculature. It does not involve as much rubbing friction as other methods but rather a light touch.

Reiki: Reiki is a bit different from what is traditionally thought of as massage but it is bodywork. Reiki practitioners heal and move energy without actually touching the skin surface but instead feel and work with the energy above the body.

Breema: In this sort of bodywork, an individual would remain dressed and would be manipulated by stretches which are performed rhythmically.

Deep tissue techniques: This methodology targets a deeper range than many other types. The masseuse applies quite a bit of force and pressure to certain body regions. Deep tissue is a good way to address pain which has resulted from athletic strains.

Lomi Lomi: Lomi Lomi originated in Hawaii and involves heat and pressure. It is also popular on the island of Samoa. Depending on which island a masseuse was trained, each interpretation may be a bit different than others.

Swedish: Swedish strokes are lengthy and flowing in order to create relaxation. Tapping motions may also be utilized and are said to help with arthritis and joint pain.

Although the styles of massage therapy may be different, they share a common goal. That is to create well being and relaxation in their recipients.

Christmas is coming and many are looking for great gift ideas. You don't want to give just "anything" to your family this year...do you? We didn't think so! Try these fun and creative gift ideas for great Christmas gifts they'll be talking about all year. Your only problem? Coming up with something even better for next year!

Sending Mom to a spa for a massage or a facial can be pricey. A great bargain hunter's secret is to search for a massage school in your area to see if their graduate (or final year) students give massages. Often they do and at a discounted rate! This is a great way to give Mom the luxurious spa treatment without that expensive price tag.

Most people have enough "things." What they are really missing are things that intrigue them and teach them something they can enjoy and have fun with. For many family members consider giving the gift of a gift certificate for a class. There are many types of classes that aren't too expensive, try Continuing Education at your local college or high school for a wide variety of courses. Or the local craft or knitting store for crafts classes. A class can introduce them to a new hobby or activity - or help them deepen an interest they already have.

Plan a fun activity for the entire family to celebrate Christmas - instead of giving an "ordinary" gift. Try getting tickets to live theater or a dance performance. There are many Christmas themed performances available that are fun for families or couples. The Nutcracker is one of the most popular but there are many others.

Want to romance your husband or wife? Try getting them dance lessons to remind them of your courting days. Spend a few weeks learning to salsa or do the fox trot and you'll have so much fun it will be like going on your first date. Dance lessons can be private or group lessons, many dance programs have parties for their members.

Choosing a massage therapist can be difficult. Whether you have used massage for years or are new to the experience, there will always be times when you need to find a new therapist and, in the case of injury, fast! This article outlines what I look for when choosing a therapist and why.

My four top considerations in choosing a therapist are:

1. Location


2. Technique


3. Gut feeling


4. Availability

From a practical perspective, it is great if my massage therapist is close to home. I am not entirely myself by the end of a massage. As well as being fatigued, I can sometimes feel a bit ill and I don't trust myself to drive long distances in that state, so this criterion largely relates to self preservation.

The other point that I take into consideration is the type of practice the therapist operates within. If they are independent then I will immediately skip to their profile, but if they are working within a centre, then I will take its key features and service offering into consideration. These can vary considerably and typically speak to the therapist's background and preferred style of treatment.

2. Technique

Each therapist will have a preferred massage technique and over time, you will learn those that you respond to. As an example, I will only consider therapists that specialize in variations of remedial massage and sports massage. Other techniques such as pressure point or shiatsu are also interesting to me. I will avoid anyone that is focused purely on relaxation as this tends to be too gentle my needs.

3. Gut Feeling

Massage is a very personal experience. I will look at the photos and profile to help judge whether the therapist is a person I trust. After all, you are going to be lying there with nothing but a towel between you and this person, so I care about what my gut is telling me. This is where it becomes really important to trust your instincts. My personal preference is for therapists that work with athletes or have a sporting background, as they are more likely to understand my specific needs and propose an appropriate treatment.

4. Availability

I am an extremely disorganized person. Whilst I will occasionally book in advance, there are frequently times when having a massage is a last minute decision for me. So, availability is quite important to me. Some people are happy to take a more structured approach and book well in advance, in which case this criterion is less relevant.

Over time, I have found an approach to address this issue, and that is to have a panel of therapists rather than just one. I typically have my 'Number One' who is the person that I would ideally see and I have developed a relationship with. When I am organized, I will make the effort to book in advance with my Number One.

Then I have my back-up providers. These are generally larger clinics that I know have a strong overall standard and a number of therapists on staff. This is where I go for my last minute needs. I may not know the specific person that I am getting, but I know that the practice hires quality professionals. In this case, I am generally after point treatment to fix a specific ailment so these massages are a transaction for me.

So, in summary the four criteria that I consider are location, technique, gut feeling and availability. These may not be the most logical, but they work for me. I really hope you find them useful.

Couple's massage has made a huge gain in popularity over the last few years. This massage, which involves a couple having massage therapy side by side, has a number of benefits for everyone involved. If you have ever considered getting a massage with a friend or your significant other, couple's massage might be for you, for these reasons.

One of the main reasons that couples get massages together is that it gives them the opportunity to spend relaxing, quality time together. In this busy world, it is all to easy to be distracted by day to day life. Time spent together is often little more than a quick dinner or a few hours in front of the television. Getting a massage together gives you the chance to relax together and enjoy a shared experience without the distraction of the television.

It is a fact of the massage business that different therapists take a different amount of time to work on different patients. Many couples that go for regular massages together find that they are finished at different times and one person has to wait for the other. If you want to avoid the frustration of having to wait for each other, couple's massage is a great choice, because the massage always ends for both of you at the same time.

If being alone in a room while a stranger massages you, you are not alone. Many people find the activity to be far too intimate to do without their partner. When you do a couple's massage, however, you will never be alone. It becomes a couple's activity and any intimacy is transferred to the shared experience between the two of you. The massage therapist is only an enabler of the experience.

If you have trouble finding new and interesting activities for date night, couple's massage is a great idea. It is intimate, yet fun, and both of you will come out of the experience feeling relaxed, refreshed and renewed. Is there a better way to feel after a date?

Couple's massage does not have to be a romantic activity. In fact, many a girls' night has started with a group or couple's massage. It is a particularly great way to introduce a reluctant friend to your favorite type of massage therapy. With you there, he or she may be far more likely to give this type of therapy a try.

There are many reasons to give couple's massage a try. Whether you are trying to add a new spark to a familiar relationship, you want to spend some quality time with your significant other, or you simply have a friend who could benefit from a group nudge in the right direction, couple's massage can be a very rewarding experience.

Acrosage therapy or also known as inversion therapy is a form of massage therapy that is combined with above-the-ground yoga that will surely make you feel good. This type of therapeutic massage aims on releasing pressure from the neck and spine. Pressure points are targeted and worked on during the elevated yoga session as a way of healing, removing stress, realigning shoulders, hips, and spine.

This unusual type of massage therapy focuses on working on the patient while being balanced and transitioned in various postures above the ground. Most of the time during the massage session, the patient is hanging balanced on the feet of the acrosage therapist. As the patient is held suspended upside down, the massage therapist then works on and conducts his massage techniques on the patient. The trust between the patients and their therapist is required in order to perform properly during the massage therapy session. Although it may seem quite scary being transitioned with your head, feet and arms hanging, there's no need for worries as acrosage sessions are done without injuries and accidents unless done by an untrained practitioner.

Benjamin Marantz was a circus acrobatics performer during the time of his discovery of this revitalizing technique. He was surprised on how wonderful and relaxing he felt as his acupressure points were worked on as he was inverted. This curiosity then led to his practice and soon development of acrosage technique. Marantz's first patients were his fellow performers in the circus he was working at during that time. As his skill in this new therapeutic massage technique was mastered, he started on treating in the public.

Marantz's idea is to give a soothing experience as the body of the patient is in many various acrobatic positions. During each positions, the practitioner works on realigning and decompressing the spine, correcting the position of the neck, shoulder and hips as well as massaging the back, arms, and feet of the patient. He believes that this form of therapeutic massage also allows the body of the patient to fully receive the benefits and effect of the massage as the head hangs freely while the neck and spine carries no pressure.

Extra oxygen is passed on to the brain and an improvement in the circulation is enjoyed after sessions of acrosage therapy. Blood circulation is also a benefit the patient can get while being suspended without having gushes of blood going to your brain unlike with some of the inverted therapies. The patient can also relax as he or she meditates while being held in a comfortable upside down posture that is ideal for improving the spirituality of the client. Good posture of the body is also acquired after series of acrosage sessions as the patient's spine is constantly checked and corrected in its ideal place.

A boost in the overall immune system is also another great benefit from the natural therapy which can be achieved with regular sessions. Although this technique has many wonderful effects to the human body, it should be done with utmost caution and care as it involves much risk when performed.