Monthly Archive for October, 2009

Chair Massage: a Lucrative Specialization?

Published
by
Terry
on October 27, 2009
in chair massage, massage business, massage equipment, massage specialties, sports massage, trigger point massage and types of massage
. 1 Comment

Chair massage – or seated massage – isn’t exactly a new trend.  The ancient Chinese discovered trigger points in the body with healing responses so when the practice spread to India and Japan, the trigger point treatment method included a type of seated massage. Chair massage started catching the world’s attention in the 1980s when an entrepreneur called David Palmer actively promoted it.  His first major break came when Apple Computer hired him to give chair massages to employees.  When that ended, Palmer decided to launch his chair massage business.  It has since become popular, not only because of its simplicity and low overhead costs, but also because of the income potential.  Unlike a massage session, chair massage can be carried out within view of the public. Today, you see massage therapists at work in many public areas:  airports, malls, offices, hospitals, train stations and even in streets.  As Valerie Voner, LMT says, “for many folks, chair massage is their introduction into the healing world of skilled, compassionate touch.” (F+W Publications, 2004).

We looked for articles written by David Palmer, and we singled out this one which might be of special interest to students who are thinking of acquiring a chair massage franchise after graduation.  It’s an enlightening article that deals with fainting incidents of people receiving a massage while seated.  The fainting spells happened so frequently that questions were raised about whether or not chair massage could still be considered a viable practice. David Palmer decided to look into it because chair massage therapists were getting apprehensive.

David Palmer says that a person faints (medical term for fainting is “syncope”) when the vasovagal nerve reflex receives pressure, leading to a sudden drop in blood pressure and a decreased supply of oxygen to the brain.  When these two things happen, the person being massaged on a chair passes out and becomes unconscious.  David Palmer explains it fully in his article which you can read here:  http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/310/Fainting-and-Chair-Massage.  After asking clients about their experiences, he discovered that those who fainted had low blood sugar at the time they were starting to be massaged because they had skipped a meal.  Also, a good number of those who fainted were just recovering from an illness like the flu.  Palmer points to the need for screening clients before therapists administer a massage.  Asking about medications, fainting spells and recent hospitalizations are good ways to screen clients.

Don’t let this piece of news change your mind about specializing in chair massage because there is high income potential in this line of work.  Opportunities are numerous.  Ms. Voner mentions conventions and meeting centers, charity events and schools.  “No matter the profession, just about everyone is willing to try a chair massage…massage of any type is fantastic, but there are many people who do not want to take off their clothes…Chair massage has no added expense, because you do not have to buy oils or use linens to drape,” she says.

While many schools offer chair massage as part of their program (the strokes used for chair massage are learned from Swedish massage, acupressure, stretching, petrissage and effleurage techniques) a few schools offer it as a distinct course or program.  The massage school in Marietta, Georgia – Everest Institute – specifically mentions seated massage as a course offering.  Also, the Potomac Massage Training Institute in Washington, DC offers it as a specialization. If you go to their web site http://www.pmti.org/index.php?id=3 and go to “About Us”, scroll down the page where you will see pictures of chair massage being done.

Massage Schools: What’s the Curriculum Like?

Published
by
Terry
on October 24, 2009
in continuing education, health issues, massage certification and massage school
. 0 Comments

If you browse the curricula or course programs of some massage schools, you will find that course offerings are identical.  One reason is that massage schools prepare graduates for  certification and accreditation, so certain courses are obligatory.  For example, a review of a handful of massage schools show that students need to complete credits in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, massage therapies and in other subjects.  Majority of massage schools also offer courses in business ethics, administration and client assessment methods.  If you  look at the electives, courses in aromatherapy and flower essences in some massage schools are available to students desiring to earn extra credits.  For purposes of certification and accreditation, students enrolling in massage schools will not be able to “skip” a course like physiology or anatomy because these fall under the required courses category.

Some massage schools make the effort to introduce new courses that are of interest to students looking to learn modalities off “the beaten path.”  If you’re looking for a massage school, it might be worth your while to really take the time to examine their curricula, and see if there might be a course or two that you can take as “add-ons.”  For example, the massage school in Lombard, Illinois – National University of Health Sciences – has a course called Palpation.  The school describes Palpation as the “study and application of the major superficial muscles and body landmarks.”  This is a hands-on course.  If you are one of those students who dream of opening their own massage therapy business, taking an extra course like Palpation might be a very useful tool for your practice.  This massage school in Lombard also offers a course called Massage Therapy for Special Populations and students learn how to apply what they learn in more specialized fields covering geriatric, cancer, pregnant women and infant populations.

The massage school in Manhattan, New York – The Swedish Institute - offers a course called Five Element Shiatsu.  This is a course that aims to integrate the study of Qi (energy) through the body.  A student enrolled in The Swedish Institute taking the Five Element Shiatsu course can expect to learn about another Eastern method called Tuina, and will be introduced to the approach of combining Eastern and Western modalities to further their professional development as massage therapists.

Massage Therapy is a dynamic field where new approaches and exciting concepts and methods are introduced, reason why your education never ends with your diploma.  Millions of massage therapists who love what they do make continuing education part of their routine.  As a student, you may want to take advantage of your time in school to be on the lookout for new and uncommon courses that fall outside the realm of standard curricula!

Massage Therapists: Know Your Limits

Published
by
Terry
on October 21, 2009
in health issues, massage school and medical massage
. 1 Comment

Everyone agrees:  massage promotes rest and relaxation, and wellness.  Speak to anyone who has had a massage and you’ll hear only positive comments about their massage experience.  It is clearly the “go-to” method for de-stressing because it allows you to close your eyes and be oblivious to the troubles of the outside world – even for just an hour.

As you complete your courses in massage school and prepare for your license, some of your instructors who will no doubt discuss the safety factor in massage therapy.  This is important because when we spread wellness, some of us tend to think that we have all the answers to health problems.  Some successful massage therapists begin to believe that they have the knowledge and power to cure.

They don’t.

When you start to practice, you may receive numerous compliments from clients praising you for your massage skills and how much you made them feel better.  Your sacred duty as a massage therapist – even if you possess all the proper credentials – is to always remember that you are not a doctor of medicine.

Given that some clients forget about accidents or illnesses they had, you may want to ask them questions about the medications they’re taking, accidents they’ve had, if they are prone to asthma or are pregnant – just to be on the safe side.  It is natural to want to take in as many clients, but there are certain clients you may have to turn away, encouraging them instead to see a doctor.

What kinds of clients should you NOT massage?

Pregnant women in their first three months of pregnancy are one example. If you’re planning the use of aromatherapy substances, you cannot massage women who are breastfeeding.

Clients who are alcohol or drug dependent should not be massaged, and patients who have been diagnosed with thrombosis or certain types of cancer should also be on your NO list until their conditions return to normal.  A massage applied to patients with thrombosis could dislodge a blood clot; as for cancer patients, they must have their doctor’s written authorization for a massage.  Better to be safe than sorry!

Massage therapists would also avoid massaging certain areas in the body such as:

-  swollen areas provoked by arthritic attacks, gout, bursitis and other similar conditions
-  open wounds and bruises
-  herpes, warts, bacterial/fungal infections
-  broken bones or ligaments
-  breakage in soft tissues
-  undiagnosed lumps
-  varicose veins (the general rule of thumb is that when varicose veins are serious, no massage is allowed; in moderate cases, very light pressure can be applied)

The best advice for massage therapy students:  always ask your instructors about the safety factor in massage therapy.  Also, update your knowledge and skills.  If you are considering branching out to medical massage or orthopedic massage, find a good school that offers training, licensing and certification in these specializations.  Be wary of courses or schools that state you will be certified as a medical massage specialist with just a few hours of training or after attending a three-hour workshop.

Are Prospects Bright for Massage School Graduates?

Published
by
Terry
on October 15, 2009
in massage business and massage career
. 0 Comments

Overheard in a downtown cafe one day:

“I’m booked for the next 3 months.  I’ve had to turn away clients and feel bad because I want to help them.”

“I’ve just earned my licence so I’m relatively new in the field.  The place I work for though has a steady stream of clients so I’m slowly building good client relationships.  The potential for repeat business is excellent.”

When you graduate from massage school and earn your license, you gain experience by working in a salon or spa, in the offices of doctors, occupational therapists, physiologists and rehabilitation therapists, and chiropractors.  You may find joy in working in fitness centers and gyms, or in hotels and corporate environments.

Some massage therapists also choose to be self-employed.  In fact, of the 118,000 massage therapists in 2006, 64 percent% were self-employed, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Here’s the good news:  job growth for massage therapists is expected to rise faster than average.  There are also good job prospects for those who want to practice massage therapy part-time. The better news?  The Department of Labor forecasts a 20% increase of jobs for the 10-year period from 2006 to 2016!  This number will continue to grow because more and more people are learning (and enjoying) the numerous benefits of massage therapy.  The prospects are even brighter because massage therapy has come to be accepted by health care providers and insurance companies as a legitimate medical approach.

Massage therapists who are formally trained and have the necessary state and national credentials face bright opportunities in the field of massage therapy.  In addition to earning your license, you may want to devote time and effort to networking.  One way of doing this is to join a state association or local chapter of a recognized massage organization.  You can’t underestimate the value of networking skills.  It will provide referral business, enabling you to establish a constant stream of clients.  If you’re female, you have an edge over your male counterparts, because 84% of massage therapists in 2006 were female.

If you’re looking for advancement in your career as a massage therapist, earn all the licensing and certifications required, refine your networking skills by looking at membership possibilities at associations and foundations, and most of all, find meaning in what you do.  Finding meaning is probably the one task that you have to nurture and sustain throughout your career.  Since massage therapy rhymes with the giving of care and the promoting of wellness, how about thinking of giving some of your time to people in need?  In other words, keep the spirit of volunteerism alive whenever time permits.  It is what Susan Lallak describes as “seeing the beauty within” where modest acts of charity allowed her to see people from a different perspective.  You can read about it here: http://www.massagetherapyfoundation.org/pdf/Charity_MNB_MA_09.pdf.

Massage Schools: Tips for Applying for Financial Aid

Published
by
Terry
on October 5, 2009
in financial aid and massage school accreditation
. 1 Comment

We have already written somewhat extensively about receiving financial aid for massage school. We won’t repeat what has been said but we’ll discuss things you should remember when applying for financial aid.  Ideally, the massage school you have chosen will have guidelines on their financial aid options. The key factor here is accreditation.  The massage school must be accredited by the State and offer a full massage therapy program covering about 500 hours of training for you to be able to apply for a federal loan.  Some tips for you:

Tip # 1: Choose an accredited school that offers a solid and reputable massage therapy program.  If the school is a member of several national organizations, the chances are good that it can offer more financial aid options.  The Cortiva Institute for instance is an association of many schools across the US that offer massage therapy programs.  Currently it has 11 locations.

Tip # 2: Your “to-do” list must have scholarships and grants at the top.  The reason is obvious.  You don’t have to pay back scholarships and grants.  Check with a handful of massage schools about scholarships.  It is possible that they have set aside some funds for deserving students or may have contacts in influential organizations seeking to promote massage therapy education.

Tip # 3: Don’t fill in your application for financial aid like a robot, like you’re filling “just another form.”  Be professional and be clear regarding your goals.  When you say, “I want to be a massage therapist so I can help others”, it is not as convincing as “I want to be a massage therapist because I want to show people that they can avoid chronic pain by adopting a healthy lifestyle; I want to share with them specific exercises that will relieve stress and anxiety.  After three years as an employee, my goal is to set up my own massage therapy clinic.”

Tip # 4: Read the instructions very carefully.  If there is anything on the form you don’t understand, ask questions.  Think twice – thrice – before writing or typing your answer.

Tip # 5: Perfect timing puts you in good stead.  If you’re applying for a federal loan, the deadline is generally the first week of January.  If you’re on your fourth year of high school and you’re enrolling at a massage school in September of the same year, your application must be submitted by January.  Keep tabs on all your applications and follow up, follow up!

Many schools listed in our massage schools guide have a section on financial aid.  They have trained staff members who can provide information.  For example, the massage school in Mesa Arizona – PIMA Medical Institute - says:  “The Financial Aid staff is available to help students at Pima Medical Institute determine eligibility for financial aid and work through the application process. Students are eligible to participate in Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant), Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduates, Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships, and Campus Based Funding. In addition, U.S. Armed Forces veterans attending PMI are eligible for funding from various Veterans programs.”

Another massage school in Westport, Connecticut – the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy – has financial aid for deserving students.  It is now part of the Steiner Education Group which offers massage training in 17 locations in 9 States.  The Steiner Education Group is owned by Steiner Leisure Limited, a worldwide provider of spa services (note what we said for tip # 1).

With diligent research, you just might stumble on a massage school that’s in a position to offer scholarships and grants because they have affiliates that constantly need massage therapists.  They would therefore be more than glad to help you become a licensed massage therapist!

Learning Infant Massage in Massage School

Published
by
Terry
on October 3, 2009
in continuing education, infant massage, massage career and massage employment options
. 0 Comments

Carl Sandburg had a beautiful quote about babies.  People say it many times and no doubt is written on congratulatory cards for new parents.  He said, “a baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.”  If you have an enduring love for babies, you can help them develop through the magic of touch and gentle massage.  You’ll be filled with pride knowing that the baby you’re touching will turn into a physically and emotionally balanced human being.

At first we thought that infant massage was a course that was integrated into the curriculum of massage therapy training, worth perhaps three or six credits.  To our surprise, infant massage is a specialization in itself, and some schools across the country are now offering full training programs in this field.  This means that infant massage is important enough so that schools offer it as a special training program.

Why Choose Infant Message as a Specialty?

The first reason is summed up in three words:  touch is vital.  Infants who are touched (or massaged) grow up less irritable and are better sleepers.  From an emotional perspective, an infant who is regularly massaged has a more stable temperament and engages in more meaningful interaction.  For babies, touching symbolizes the first signs of communication and this helps them develop motor skills and reflexes at a faster rate than infants who are touch-deprived.

Second reason:  massage makes it easier for infants to breathe on their own.  While inside the womb, infants receive oxygen from the placenta.  When they come out, they have to adapt immediately to their new environment and must learn to breathe without help.  When a baby is touched and massaged, he learns to relax.  When relaxed, babies learn to breathe on their own.

Third reason:  health experts say that massage supports the endocrine system.  Valerie Voner (LMT, CRT and RMT) wrote that “infants who receive massage have greater hormonal support, which in turn increases the activity of their vital organs.”  Ms. Voner adds, “remember, a baby’s organ are still learning how to function…outside the womb, so stimulation on a hormonal level is good.”

There are definitely other reasons why students aspiring to be massage therapists should look into infant massage as a specialization.

Infant Massage School in New Jersey

As infant massage gains in importance, numerous massage schools are now offering this special training.  The massage school in Piscataway, New Jersey – Cortiva Institute (Somerset School of Massage Therapy) is an example.  It has a Maternity and Infant Massage Program designed for massage therapists who are already certified and who wish to further their careers.  Students in this program must complete five hundred hours (500) within the 10 month period of enrolment.

You may also want to visit the web site of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) founded by Colorado resident Vimala Schneider.  The International Board of IAIM is composed of directors who come from Sweden, Taiwan, the UK and other countries and have an interesting structure (what it calls their flower structure).

In our next blog:  applying for financial aid.