Physical Therapy Schools|Benefits Of Massage Therapy Schools

On a whole, the role of the physical therapist is to provide services that help individuals improve mobility, alleviate pain and to prevent or limit physical disabilities as the result of disease or injury. Physical therapists play an important role by promoting fitness and health and their patients not only include accident victims but also individuals with disabling conditions such as lower back pain, heart disease and cerebral palsy. Job opportunities for physical therapists are good, especially in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Individuals who wish to pursue a career as a physical therapist typically need a master's degree from accredited physical therapy colleges, along with a State license.

There are actually several different types of master's degrees offered through various physical therapist schools. When the profession was still in its early stages, only a Bachelor's Degree was required, but today that has been replaced by Master's and Doctorate degrees. For example, there is the Direct Entry Master's Physical Therapy Degree which is a perfect choice for those that have completed their Bachelor degree, it's a two year long program with the second year consisting of field work. There is also the Direct Entry Doctorate, which is similar to the Master's degree and is typically one year longer.

After you have determined what kind of degree you are going to pursue, Masters or Doctorate, and researched the requirements, you then need to determine which physical therapy colleges you are going to apply to, and depending on which school you choose, you will have different programs to study. Some programs you will find it necessary to study are Patient Care Fundamentals, Clinical Education and Medical Terminology.

There are many physical therapy colleges located throughout the United States. You can do a comprehensive online search to find the best one for you, depending on where you live and what degree you wish to pursue. One important consideration to keep in mind before choosing a school is the size of the physical therapy program as well as the educational curriculum. You need to ensure that the classes you take will best meet your needs.

Massaging with hot stones is not by any means a new modality. It has been around and in use for many centuries by many different cultures. I am often asked "who used them first" or "where did this technique originate?" I never know where to begin to explain the history behind this wonderful healing art. North American Native Indians used them. They were used in South America, Africa, Europe, Egypt, Japan and India. There is written history confirming that more than 2000 years ago the Chinese used heated stones as a means to improve the function of internal organs. Ancient Greek and Roman cultures which date back to 27 B.C. have a recorded history of using hot stones for massage and bodywork.

Hot-stone massage was re-introduced in the United States in 1993 in Arizona by massage therapist Mary Nelson. Her invention of La Stone Therapy technique caught on and today, there are many styles and techniques of using hot stones during a massage treatment session. Hot rocks are used for full body, deep tissue specific work, facials, pedicures, manicures, meridian therapy, reiki, polarity therapy and even cranial sacral work.

When performed correctly, a hot-stone massage session is one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences a person can receive. The stones have incredible energy. Hot rocks protocols enhance the benefits of a regular massage. The effects hot rocks have on the body are sedative which can relieve chronic pain, reduce stress and promote deep relaxation. There are many other valid reasons to receive a hot stone massage:

• Decrease back pain and muscle spasms


• Improve poor circulation


• Relief from osteoarthritis and arthritis pain


• Decrease stress, anxiety and tension


• Help with insomnia and sleeping disorders


• Decrease depression


• Relief from fibromyalgia


• Increase flexibility in joints, improving mobility and movement


• Relief from strained and contracted muscles

Can you remember the last time that nothing in your body was causing pain?

I received my first hot stone massage when I was three-quarters of the way through massage school in 2005. At the time, I was working full-time during the day at a very high-stress medical facility in the accounting department, going to massage school in the evenings five days a week, and emotionally stressed from coping with surviving a divorce. To say the least, I was physically exhausted and very much in need of some TLC and R&R at the close of the third term in massage school.

A student friend gifted to me a La Stone Massage session. Afterward, as I was sitting with a cool glass of mineral water (and one tiny square of dark chocolate), I felt floaty, loopy..... "stoned" (pun intended). My body felt like a strand of cooked spaghetti. I found myself trying to count the little holes in the ceiling tiles! It was a revelation and an "ah-ha!" moment for me when I realized or rather became consciously aware that never, in my entire adult life had I been pain-free like this. It felt good. I decided then that my first CEU's when I graduated from massage school was to learn how to perform this modality so that I could share with the world how wonderful it is to feel this good without the use of a pharmaceutical drug.

Hot stone massage restores the body. The mind, at first, has a bit of a confusing time with what to do with a pain-free status throughout the body but does eventually recognize and welcome this homeostasis. This in turn lifts the spirits to new heights. There is so much room for happiness when all that pain gets massaged out-of-the-way! Feeling fabulous like this can turn anyone into a hot stone massage junkie.

A good massage therapy depends on the usage of the right kind of massage therapy materials. New massage therapists will have to nest in the basic massage therapy materials to start their practice.

These therapists may start business on their own or be employed by other massage therapy business. He may also be employed in some organization which provides services like in a gymnasium, sports team or a fitness centre. In such businesses the massage therapy materials are supplied by the establishment which is not available in the case of self-employed masseuse. In order to be self reliant many therapists opt to buy their own supplies rather than be dependent on the parent organizations.

Broadly speaking, massage therapists try to locate a base for the supply of massage therapy equipments, though they are provided with enough material to start on a new massage therapy business to cater to several essential supplies a starter would require.

Massage therapy table:
The basic and vital piece of equipment in a massage therapy is the massage table. A massage therapist is provided with various choices for the massage table though a wise one would be to select a portable one, which is foldable and can be easily shifted from place to place. The biggest advantage of a Table that can be easily carried is that it is easy to take up house visits and it can be transported from one office to another as most therapists would start their business in a place and later move to another.

Oils:
Massage oils find a variety of uses in massage therapy. A few of these oils are used to provide relaxation and it also helps in rejuvenating the patients. Certain other kinds of oils are used to relieve tensions in muscles while still others help in reducing friction.

Massage therapy oils include almond oil, grape seed oil, avocado, apricot oil, wheat gram, jojoba, holy oil and hazelnut. Therapists also use creams and lotions according to the service to be offered and the massage type.

Carrying/Display case:
A therapist should find out a way to carry these oils if he is engaged in providing services at various places. He should devise a case that helps in the safe transport of these oils. If massage therapy services are provided in an office only, the therapist has to place the oils in such a place that they are easily accessible and if sale of these oils is also done then display case should be properly arranged.

Towels and Sheets:
Towels and sheets should be maintained in a clean and tidy manner to ensure client privacy and hygienic atmosphere. The therapist should invest his money in a stock of massage therapy materials.

Hands are the vital tool for the conduct of massage therapy so only a few therapists should go in for a business rolling. The materials for massage therapy which are mentioned above provide a sufficient base for fresh massage therapists and more can be bought as the business develops.

Whether you've just started your own PT practice or you're the manager for a major PT clinic with several locations, you know that the right physical therapy software can improve everything from your business' cash flow to the efficiency of your employees and the health outcomes for your patients. There are dozens of programs for a variety of medical and health care services, but only a few truly focus on the needs of PT practices. How do you know which one will perform well once it's installed in your office or clinic? Look for these six crucial features before investing.

Physical Therapy Software That Ties Everything Together

Some programs focus on one particular aspect of your business, such as scheduling, accounts payable and receivable, or documenting your patients' progress, but if you have to have more than one program in place to cover every aspect of your clinic, you should ditch any current billing programs or documentation software and look for one that fully integrates invoicing, progress charts and scheduling in one easy to use solution.

Easy Patient Monitoring Over Time

Your PT documentation should allow you to chart each patient's progress over any length of time. Summaries for review purposes, complete exercise plans, objective criteria to map improvement and the ability to clearly indicate any concerns should be included in any physical therapy documentation software program. Look for physical therapy software that's flexible enough to adapt to individual patient situations while using standard templates as a jumping off point for efficient, comprehensive patient documentation.

Electronic Health Insurance Claims Documentation and Submissions

Most therapists hate wading through and filling out the seemingly endless forms for health insurance claims. The right physical therapy software can automatically fill out the appropriate claims forms and submit them electronically so that your therapists can focus on their patients rather than their paperwork. Look for a system that includes batch reviews and other accuracy controls in order to minimize the number of rejected insurance claims.

Scalability

Not all solutions are created equal. You'll find some that work best for individual physical therapists who need a simple solution for billing while others are designed to fill the needs of clinics with multiple branches and dozens of employees. Some won't have the scalability that will give you just what you need now with optional features that will grow with your practice. You may be wearing many hats today, but if you're good at what you do, you'll soon need physical therapy billing software that will grow with your business.

HIPAA Compliance

Be sure you choose a PT tracking program that is fully HIPAA compliant and respects the privacy of each patient. Failing to safeguard the health information of any of your patients can lead to lengthy legal battles and a damaged reputation. A software package that's HIPAA compliant can put your mind -- and your patients' minds -- at ease.

Detailed PT Documentation

Every patient's condition is unique to him or her; the right tracking program will allow you to fully document their initial complaints, the progress, and the results they achieve along an appropriate timeline. Look for systems that feature illustrated treatment options and visual pain guides for the most effective treatment protocols.

You want to focus on the business of healing and bringing comfort to your patients. Investing in the right physical therapy software will let you do just that by organizing and streamlining the business side of PT for you.

A common prescribed sciatica treatment is physical therapy. When seeing a doctor for sciatica you may be given special instruction on what and what not to do as well as a referral will be given to you to see a physical therapist. Many professionals still prescribe strict bed rest although in some instances can worsen the condition. Other treatments suggested are sleeping on an extra hard surface or even on the floor.

Most physical therapists will tell you to apply hot and cold packs and if you go onto the internet and browse the various different exercises for back pain you will be able to view videos as well as pictures of back stretches and exercises which can be applied once the pain has subsided. However, back pain education and sciatica treatment protocols may differ considerably from one source to another as well as professionals having conflicting opinions.

Studies and recent research have revealed that one should remain as active as possible and stay within your limits especially if you are experiencing severe lower back pain. One should also make an effort to remain at work unless the pain is so severe that you require rest. However, bed rest should not be longer than a day or two. Long periods of bed rest have proved to worsen the pain.

If a sciatica treatment protocol is not effective and you find that your condition is not improving then you need to consult with a professional immediately and find out if there are any other alternatives. There are people that obtain relief when visiting osteopaths, chiropractors and physical therapists. Others suffering from sciatica find relief as well as relaxation from acupuncture and relaxation therapy.

Many professionals say that exercise therapy is a solution to treat persistent back pain that has lasted for a few weeks. Exercises such as yoga, walking, swimming and other such specialized exercise programs are included. Recent studies that were carried out in Europe, reveled that botulinum toxin injections which is Botox provides pain relief to patients suffering from long-term sciatica symptoms. However, there is insufficient evidence and the studies are inconclusive.

Another common sciatica treatment is following a well balanced diet that contains all the essential vitamins and minerals. Foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, beef and pork, brown rice and legumes, bananas and whole grains are essential and maintain ones health. A natural source of B1 and other B vitamins are also essential in controlling sciatica symptoms.

Medical professional schools encourage students to develop the broadest academic base possible during their undergraduate years. Any undergraduate major may be used as background for entry. It is important that students understand they can major in just about anything, as long they complete the standard prerequisites for medicine. All pre-medical students should take courses that develop disciplined thinking, intelligent appreciation of values, and empathetic understanding of society and human interaction. Applicants are encouraged to take coursework in any of the following disciplines: anthropology, communication, computer science, economics, ethics, human development, literature, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and statistics.

Most colleges have pre-professional medical programs that serve as advisory committees for student interested in careers in allopathic or osteopathic medicine, nursing, chiropractic, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and veterinary medicine programs. These programs or societies give students an opportunity to interact with their pre-medical peers and obtain guidance from the school faculty.

A baccalaureate degree is required for admission to most professional medical programs. You do not need a bachelor's degree, however, to become a registered nurse. You can obtain an associate's in Nursing without formal college education. Professional schools base admission decisions on a variety of items such as grade point average, entrance exam score, interview, and personal references. The application process usually occurs one year before the intended entry date.

Professional schools encourage employment or volunteer experience within a professional or related medical setting. Work and volunteer experiences (including shadowing) in health care facilities, hospitals and physician's offices are strongly recommended. It is important to note that you can go outside of medicine as well - volunteer experience in and of itself is very important to the medical community.

Core Courses for Professional Schools

The undergraduate degree must also include the successful completion of the required prerequisite core of courses such as:

One Year of English Composition

One Year of College Level Math (One Semester of Calculus for some schools)

One Year of Inorganic Chemistry (w/labs)

One Year of Organic Chemistry (w/labs)

One Year of General Biology (w/labs)

One Year of General College Physics (w/labs)

Additional courses such as biochemistry may strengthen your experience.

Medicine (MD or DO)

Admission requirements are essentially the same for the MD (allopathic) and DO (osteopathic) programs. The Medical College Admissions Test is required for MD and DO professional schools as well as for most podiatry schools. It is offered electronically in January and also April through September each year.

Chiropractic (DC)

Each professional school sets its own prerequisites and requirements. Check your state or local college to learn about the prerequisites to obtaining DC training.

Dentistry (DDS)

Applicants for the field of dentistry complete the core courses listed above and also additional biology courses. An academic advisor can assist in choosing these courses. The Dental Admissions Test is also usually required.

Optometry (OD)

Entry requirements for this professional school are considerably different from the others. The Optometry Admissions Test is required. Early in their academic career, students should see an academic advisor for information about specific schools and programs.

Pharmacology (Pharm.D)

Pharmacy programs usually require two preparatory years of university level coursework followed by four years in the professional curriculum. The sequence of the courses is important, so students are urged to meet with an academic advisor early in the student's academic career. After completing the pre-requisites for pharmacy school, you will take the PCAT exam and apply for admission to the pharmacy school of your choice. Most schools with a college of pharmacy have specialized combined degree programs that allow students to move directly from undergraduate study to graduate study in pharmacology. If this interests you check with your college to find out more information.

Massage therapy has several health benefits. It promotes your mental, physical as well as emotional well-being if you consider doing it on a regular basis. It can be considered as an excellent alternative for various medicines which has harmful side effects. Whether it is a Swedish massage or a sports massage, the health benefits you receive are the same. This article deals with some of the important benefits of massage therapy.

Firstly, massage therapy improves your blood circulation. When massage is done, it stimulates your body tissues, thereby improving blood flow to all parts of the body. Having a good blood flow means that oxygen and other life saving nutrients are supplied to all the cells and waste materials are eliminated out of the body very effectively. The better supply of nutrients to all parts of the body results in better health.

Massage is very effective in reducing stress levels. A simple massage can free up your mind from negative emotions to a greater extent. Since massage therapy relaxes tight muscles, it is very effective for tension associated headaches. Massage is also known for its effectiveness in relieving pain. Sometimes massage is used in conjunction with other therapies such as physical therapy, hydrotherapy etc. Also it is considered as an effective pain management measure for patients who suffer from muscle spasms, arthritis and sciatica. The lower back pain can be reduced by massage therapy. The pain relief happens due to the release of endorphins which is mainly accomplished by endorphins, the natural painkillers of the body.

It is also found that massage improves one's immunity. The massage stimulates the flow of lymph which is considered as body's defense system. Also, massage therapy is believed to increase your WBC count. Massage produces both sedative and stimulating effect on your central nervous system. A simple massage can either relax the nervous system or stimulate it. The effect produced on the CNS directly depends on your nervous system's current status, massage type and its duration. It works well to calm down a patient with aggressive behavior.

Finally massage therapy improve your joint's range of motion, making your body to become more flexible. It stretches your connective tissues which support the muscles, thereby increasing your body's flexibility. If you use transverse massage strokes, you can prevent adhering of muscles fibers to a greater extent. This will ensure your muscle's full range of motion and flexibility.

How to give a really good foot massage

There is nobody in the world who does not love to be pampered and cared for. Spending money on facial massages seems to be a regular and essential activity for most women and some men. However, our feet seem to be neglected when it comes to pampering and care. We tend to ignore the part of our body which experiences the most exertion. Spending money on your feet seems to be a waste, since the feet are usually hidden under your shoes.

However, if you want to relax and rejuvenate yourself, a quick foot massage at the end of the day is a great solution. And you can actually give a good foot massage at home! All you need to do is follow certain tricks, practice them as often as you can and see the person thanking you for the wonderful experience.

To become a massage expert, you don't need to have special knowledge. All you need to have is patience to learn and a person to practice on (that you can find easily). But before you start, you need to know the basic of a massage. Foot massage therapy is linked with reflexology. That is, while massaging the foot, pressure is applied at certain reflex points on the feet. The pressure can relieve the whole body of pain and aches. You can give a good massage by incorporating some knowledge of reflex therapy.

Essentials for a Foot Massage

To start, you need to have the following; a towel, massage oil (there are various massage oils available on the market), and strong, firm hands. If you are going to give a quick but effective massage then sorbolene cream is a good emollient that will act immediately. But it gets absorbed by the skin very easily and therefore will make the massage tough after some time. Using massage oil on the feet can result in a smoother massage.

Ask the person to wash his/her feet. This will not only make him/her feel comfortable, but you will be more comfortable as well. Or you can also arrange for a massage spa, or even a massage bath for your client before the massage.

After the feet are washed and cleansed, you start the massage by rubbing and oiling both feet gently with massage oil, using your palm and fingers. Gently roll your thumb finger to massage the soul of the feet.

Now, use one hand to hold the heel firmly on your hand, and use the other hand to gently rotate the forefoot clockwise and then counter clockwise. This will relax the nerves. Work with the toes separately, up and down, then side to side rubbing very gently with your fingers. Massage the sole of the foot with the help of your palm, fingers, and the knuckles. Form small circles while massaging.

Here is a little trick. Grab the foot with both your hand in such a way that the toes face you. Your fingers should be on the top and the thumb at the bottom of the foot. Now rotate the joints individually with the help of your finger moving up and down. Top of the foot should be massaged with the palm and the fingers.

At the end give another general foot rubbing with the oil. This will end the process and your client will be totally satisfied.

Foot Massage Machines Simulate a Real Foot Massage

In reality, time and money constraints prevent most people from getting regular massages by a professional massage therapist. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of massager machines on the market that can actually simulate an effective massage. Having a foot massage machine at home allows you to receive a relaxing massage anytime in the comfort of your home. Try a Handheld Body Massager today and get instant relief!

Summary
Most people would agree that getting a foot massage is one of the most relaxing things you can do for yourself. According to foot reflexology, different parts of the feet correspond to organs in the human body so applying pressure to these areas of the feet will stimulate corresponding organs promoting health benefits. Foot massage machines can simulate a real massage with a variety of functions to promote better health.

Remedial massage is a deep tissue style massage, therapeutic in nature, designed to heal specific health issues, muscle problems and injuries. Massage therapists believe that everything in the body is connected and related and that if one part is injured it will in turn affect the whole body. A person with an injured knee may then favour the other leg which will throw out the muscles in the hip and back leading to back ache. The tightening of these muscles may then cause an imbalance affecting the neck muscles which may then cause a head ache.

So the client may come in complaining of persistent headaches where the primary cause of this problem is a knee injury. A remedial massage therapist is trained to not only diagnose what is causing the problem but also in treating it with massage.

Clients that visit a remedial massage therapist will have a consultation with them before any treatment takes place to find out what is causing the issue or injury. This consultation will take a variety of forms, usually questions and also a series of tests to see how much range of movement the client may have in certain muscles groups. For example if the client is complaining of headaches, the remedial massage therapist may get the client to turn their head, to see how far their muscles will let the head turn to see if there is muscle tightness in the neck region which might be causing the problem.

The therapist will also observe the client's posture. In the example above, the therapist might notice the client favouring one leg whilst walking and then find out that there has been a knee injury that needs to be fixed. Remedial therapists also use palpitation of the muscles which is generally just feeling the different muscle groups to feel if they are tight or shortened.

Muscle tissue works by contraction. If muscles tissues are so shortened it cannot work properly then sometimes it cannot contract further and is not able to do the work of the muscle. This can occur from repetitive use of the muscle or it can occur from inaction, for example is an arm is in a sling for a long period of time.

A remedial massage therapist will then use a variety of techniques to soften, stretch and manipulate the muscle so that it will start to work as it should again. These techniques include trigger point therapy. Trigger points are small, highly contracted areas of the muscle and the remedial therapist will manipulate these regions to release them.

Trigger points are often a large source of pain, and releasing them can cause relief from tension and hurt. Sometimes trigger points cause referred pain. So a trigger point maybe located in the shoulder but the pain maybe referred by the muscle to another region in the back. Remedial massage therapists are trained to diagnose referred pain and also treat the underlying cause.

Remedial massage also uses a wide range of other techniques like deep tissue friction that warms and releases the muscles, relaxation massage strokes that soothe the muscles after the deep tissue work, and also stretching. The therapist may get the client to do follow up exercises and stretches at home to continue the work. Remedial therapists are qualified to deal with issues such as arthritis, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, muscular injuries from sport, neck and back pain, headaches and whiplash.

Shiatsu is from the Japanese word shi meaning finger and atsu meaning pressure. It is characterized by the systematic application of pressure with the fingers, thumbs, palms, elbows, forearms, knees and feet on specific points (tsubos), and areas (meridians) on the body. Unlike acupressure, Shiatsu uses not only the main acupuncture points located on a meridian, but also the spaces in between those points. It does not use typical massage mediums such as oils or creams, and as such can be done through clothing. Shiatsu is traditionally practised on the floor on a thin futon.

The basic premise of Shiatsu is that pressure is applied at a perpendicular angle to the plane of the body and held for approximately 3 to 7 seconds. In many styles of Shiatsu there is a support hand which remains stationary, and a working hand which applies pressure along the meridian. The most common application of pressure is with the palm and thumb. The depth of pressure or weight is gauged according to the client's condition and constitution.

The sustained application of pressure during a Shiatsu treatment activates the mechano-receptor cells in the body and the parasympathetic nervous system, often resulting in a change of brain wave patterns. This allows the body to relax, promotes the smooth flow of blood and qi (ki in Japanese) or vital life force, and activates the natural or innate healing power of the individual.

Shiatsu uses the primal sense of touch along the body's largest organ (skin) to exact change on a cellular level. In doing so, stored traumas and emotional issues can often be released and resolved.

Shiatsu's roots can be traced to China and a style of massage known as Anma. In the 6th century A.D., there was a migration of Buddhism from China to Japan, along with a concurrent migration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including Anma massage. Anma, the precursor of Shiatsu, underwent considerable refinement in Japan, and flourished during the Edo period (1603-1868).

Shiatsu's popularity was increasing by the 1900s, and underwent further refinements as Japan became more Westernized. Tamai Tempaku wrote Shiatsu Ryoho - Finger Pressure Way of Healing in 1915 and Shiatsu Ho - Finger Pressure Method in 1919. Then in 1925, Tokujiro Namikoshi started the Clinic of Pressure Therapy in Hokkaido and the Japan Shiatsu Institute in 1940. Shiatsu gained official recognition as a treatment modality in 1955, and in 1964 emerged as a form of bodywork distinct from Anma and Swedish massage. It was introduced into Canada in 1971.

The main effect of the modernization of Shiatsu was in the ratio of pressing to rubbing. Anma massage held a ratio of 80% rubbing to 20% pressing. Shiatsu reversed this to 80% pressing and 20% rubbing.

Standards of Practice

The minimum standard of practice for professional Shiatsu therapists is 500 hours. This standard is used in Britain, Europe, Australia and some parts of the U.S. Shiatsu is unregulated in Canada, and there are both longer and shorter programs available. A prospective student should look for things such as course curriculum, experienced instructors, quality of teaching and a supportive learning environment when selecting a school.

Therapeutic Benefits of Shiatsu

Shiatsu can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, pain being the most common. Often pain, particularly in the soft tissues, is treated by Western medicine with muscle relaxants and pain killers. Shiatsu seeks to treat the underlying cause of pain, as well as the symptoms.

In my own practice, I have seen numerous cases of Shiatsu's unique healing properties. One particular client's recovery using Shiatsu was especially rewarding. Several years ago, this client visited me with severe TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain. It was so severe she could not open her mouth fully and was restricted to eating soft, mushy foods. She had been feeling pain in the jaw for about 1-1/2 years, and now she was experiencing severe headaches as well. She had gone to see several specialists who recommended surgery.

Shiatsu done on her neck and shoulders provided considerable relief after just one treatment. By the end of the third treatment all pain and accompanying symptoms were gone. She couldn't believe the results and was now even able to manage a smile! I was especially surprised that the recovery came so quickly, as I had anticipated at least 6 to 10 treatments.

The role of the Shiatsu therapist is to help activate the natural healing and recuperative powers of the patient. Regular treatments are important when there is a chronic condition, but Shiatsu is most effective when used preventively. The cumulative effect of treatments helps to strengthen the immune system, tonify organs, and keep the qi and blood flowing smoothly.

Shiatsu is very old, powerful medicine with its roots at least 5,000 years in the past. Yet it still remains an important and potent way for people to connect with themselves, their health, and their environment in the fast-paced 21st century.