Archive for the 'massage techniques' Category

Lomilomi Massage Article

Published
by
Terry
on March 8, 2010
in lomilomi, massage techniques and types of massage
. 0 Comments

On our main website, we have posted an article describing the ancient  practice of Lomilomi, a Hawaiian massage technique. For anyone (like me for instance) that is sick of cold weather and snow, reading about the history and philosophy behind Lomilomi, which addresses the spiritual and emotional well-being of the recipient as well as the physical aspects.

As you read this informative piece you will almost be able to feel the warm tropical breezes and the hear the gentle surf rush onto pristine beaches. You will learn something and I assure you that you will feel refreshed just reading about the art of Lomilomi massage.

Just click here to read the article about Lomilomi massage.

Massage Schools and Continuing Education (Part 2)

Published
by
Terry
on February 18, 2010
in continuing education, massage school, massage school locations, massage techniques, thai massage and trigger point massage
. 0 Comments

Let’s look at a few more massage schools with continuing education courses or at least have programs closely tied to continuing education.

Seacoast Career Schools in Maine

Seacost Career Schools with branches in Manchester and Sanford offer the Massage Therapy Program which focuses on “classical massage techniques, advanced therapeutic procedures and soft tissue manipulation.”  The program prepares students for the National Examination.  While the school’s web site does not have a section specifically for continuing education, you click on the “Accreditation” link at the bottom of the home page and you’ll see that Seacoast Career Schools work with the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) which involves the Department of Education of Maine, the Postsecondary Education Commission of New Hampshire, the Approving Agency for Veterans Education in Maine and the State Agency for Veterans Education in New Hampshire.

Seacoast Career Schools in Maine also have what they call “externships” aimed to provide students with opportunities to apply what they learned in a business, legal or medical setting.  This must be the school’s version of continuing education – instead of sitting in a classroom, you’re sent out “to the world” to learn some more.  Unfortunately, these externships are unpaid, although the school will assist you in obtaining an externship.

MTTI WellSpring (Center for Natural Health and Wellness) in Kansas City

MTTI WellSpring offers continuing education courses that are offered in the evenings and on weekends so that workers can fit the course of their choice into their busy work schedule.  Some of these courses are:

- Corrective Exercise Training (NASM Certification)
- Introduction to Energy Balancing
- Reiki I
- Lessons from Esalen (Introductory course)
- Advanced Esalen Massage
- Massage for People Living with Cancer

All the above courses are taught in MTTI’s Kansas City campus at 9140 Ward Parkway.  We were curious about Esalen and MTTI says that it’s based on Swedish massage although it borrows freely from Trigger Point, Thai massage and Energy massage.  The instructor is Ed Odell and the approach is described as a massage that “is done in a reverent manner and consists, in part, of long, flowing, rhythmic strokes combined with specific detail work, as well as elegant stretches and rotations. Emphasis for the therapist is on developing intuition when working with the client rather than performing a set routine.”

Given the growing popularity of massage therapy programs, it is no wonder that schools enthusiastically offer continuing education courses that are as valuable and stimulating as those offered in the regular programs.

Massage Therapist: Just One Day (Part 1)

Published
by
Terry
on November 1, 2009
in massage career, massage employment options, massage techniques and types of massage
. 0 Comments

We have to admit that we struggled for a few minutes about choosing an appropriate title for today’s blog.  Two reasons:  a massage session lasts an hour, so when people come out of the massage room feeling re-invigorated and more optimistic about the future, it’s really the 60 minutes spent under the healing hands of a massage therapist that make the difference.  But the intention for this blog was to describe “a day in the life of a massage therapist” type of story so we can give new students and graduates of massage therapy a peek into what their days will be like after massage school.

There is no such thing as a “typical day” for a massage therapist.  The profession, being a flexible one, offers massage therapists several options on how they want to structure their work hours.  A snapshot of a working day would depend on whether the person works part time or full time, the kind of working environment the therapist chooses to work in (as an employee in a health club, a freelance therapist working for a spa or resort, or working for physical and occupational therapist or doctor in a hospital or clinic) or as a business owner.

Jenny Platt owns a massage business in Virginia and her days can be hectic or relatively unhurried.  There are joys and challenges.  Some of these challenges arise when clients don’t show up for their appointments.  She says that clients need to provide two hours’ notice; if they don’t, they forfeit their session.  Ms. Platt says she often has to explain this to clients in an ethical and non-offensive way, and it can get tricky because many clients are on multiple session packages.  Clients tend to forget that some massage therapists who are hired are paid for actual work they do, not for hours sitting around waiting for clients.

Ms. Platt and her massage therapists reserve an extra half hour for each session to prepare:  changing linens, pulling out the client’s file, preparing the products, choosing the music and lighting candles.  As a business owner, she also has a myriad of administrative matters to look after.  Taking three to four clients a day, therefore, is the ideal client load for her.  When clients come in, they are offered water and directed to the washrooms.  If she is meeting clients for the first time, she spends 20-30 minutes for consultation.  Because client needs are different, the types of massage vary.  The variety is what she enjoys most;  it prevents her from feeling tired or burning out at the end of the day.  She could start her day applying a rigorous type of massage, but before lunch, she could be doing the raindrop technique or the Thai herbal compress - lighter forms of therapy.

Ms. Platt’s clients range in age from 20 to 70, but she says majority are in the 30-50 age range.  Regular or repeat customers account for 85% of her business.  Of those who come, 60% have a specific problem so they’re not getting a massage purely for relaxation.  Her center is open seven days a week and the last session is at 7:30 in the evening.  When she started, she was working seven days a week, but now she works only Mondays through Fridays from 11:00 am to 6:00 or 7:00 pm.

In our next post, we’ll peek into the day of a massage therapist working in a hospital setting.

Offer Massage Clients Some Options To Preserve Energy

Published
by
Terry
on July 28, 2009
in massage business, massage career and massage techniques
. 0 Comments

By Courtney Slivka

Anyone who has given a massage can attest to its physical requirements. Depending on the type of massage, the client, and the length of the session, therapists may find that they are frequently facing strenuous exertion on a regular basis. Depending on the work environment, a massage therapist’s day may be packed back to back with appointments. For these reasons, the massage therapist burnout can run on the high side, but adding more services to your menu can actually help to save your sanity and physical health without sacrificing your financial stability or loyal client-base.

Many spa treatments make your clients feel just as relaxed as a deep tissue massage, yet they require much less physical exertion on the part of the therapist. Additionally, learning to perform spa treatments can really set you apart from other massage therapists in your area. There are a number of different options you have as a massage therapist and body-worker to add a spa flair to your services. Some require additional training, but are very worthwhile endeavors to pursue.

To add a unique element to any of your massages, consider exploring aromatherapy. If you have not yet entered school, consider finding one that offers an aromatherapy program as well as the standard massage curriculum. Aromatherapy can help your clients to feel extra pampered, which will earn their respect and loyalty. Additionally, the aromatherapy can also work to soothe your own mind and body even as you apply it to your clients.

You may also want to consider offering specialty treatments to your clients. Body wraps are a great way to provide your clients with a unique experience while exerting very little physical energy. Body scrubs are another way to pamper your clients without leaving the session with sore muscles or physical exhaustion. With the right education and initiative, you can even customize your own scrubs, lotions, and oils for your spa sessions. Some therapists may even choose to bottle and sell their concoctions to their clients.

Remember that if you notice yourself feeling fatigue or exhaustion, consider incorporating a bit more creativity into your massage sessions. You can provide your clients a great deal of options while maintaining your own physical health. Look for massage schools and continuing education classes that provide the proper training for aromatherapy and spa services.

Massage Students Should Gain Exposure to Eastern and Western Techniques

Published
by
Terry
on July 22, 2009
in accupressure, asian massage, deep tissue, massage techniques, myofascial, swedish massage, thai massage and types of massage
. 1 Comment

By Courtney Slivka

Put quite simply, most massage traditions are categorized as either Eastern or Western. Yet travel around the world and you will probably find both Eastern and Western offerings in each city, sometimes even offered within the same establishment, and even by the same therapist. So what differentiates Eastern massage techniques from Western massage traditions? The categories arise from the origins of each form of massage.

Eastern traditions of bodywork are often thought to be the oldest traditions in the world. Many of these techniques arose in the ancient civilizations of Asia, yet the traditions are still practiced even today. Eastern forms of bodywork include Shiatsu, Thai massage, and acupressure, though there are numerous other techniques as well. Many of these schools of thought focus on the traditional Asian ideas of medicine and the human body, which varies in many ways from today’s modern beliefs about human science.

The Western theories of massage are much newer in comparison to many of the Eastern techniques. Today the most popular form of Western massage theory is Swedish massage. It is a therapeutic form of massage meant to enhance overall well-being by promoting relaxation. In addition, deep tissue, sports massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release have all evolved from the basic techniques of Swedish massage.

Many American massage schools focus primarily on the Western techniques of massage since it is the one most commonly practiced in American spas, gyms, health clubs, and more. Nevertheless the Eastern bodywork traditions are also quite popular, and even schools with a Western based curriculum include at least basic introductions to some of the Eastern techniques.

As a student of massage therapy, it is advisable to at least get a taste of a number of different techniques. Then you will have the information and experience to choose a tradition to study further, or incorporate into your own practice. Along with learning each tradition in school, take time to schedule sessions with professionals in each of the different areas of massage. You can experience the different types of massage first hand, and see which type you would most like to perform on a regular basis.

Hot Stone Massage

Published
by
Terry
on July 13, 2009
in deep tissue, hot stone massge, massage specialties and massage techniques
. 0 Comments

By Courtney Slivka

If you attend many upscale spas, you will probably find that they offer hot stone massage sessions. In fact, the hot stone massages may be among their most popular treatments. There is certainly something special about combining the therapeutic effects of a massage with the healing power of natural elements. When the two come together in a hot stone massage, the results are usually quite powerful for both the therapist and client.

The hot stones are powerful because they transfer heat which warms the body and muscles. As the muscles become warm, they become relaxed and the soft tissues become easier to manipulate. Receiving a hot stone massage feels similar to a hot bath in the sense that both are very soothing and comfortable. The heat also helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, thus bringing a greater state of healing to the body.

In a hot stone massage, the client is not the only one to reap the benefits. The massage therapist can use the stones as tools throughout the massage, utilizing both the heat and firmness of the stones to perform deep tissue massage while saving their hand muscles from stress and trauma. Therapists can personalize the hot stone massage by searching river banks and beaches for their own collection of smooth, natural stones.

Cleanliness is key when using hot stones. Be sure to thoroughly sanitize any stones before a treatment, and again after the session. Communicate with your client when it comes to temperature and pressure to keep them comfortable and safe through the session. Hot stones can take extra time to set up and dismantle, but clients are usually quite appreciative of the treatment.

If you are interested in providing hot stone massage treatments to you clients, seek out a massage school that provides a comprehensive program incorporating the stones. Because it can be slightly complicated until you have a real feel for the process of a hot stone treatment, consider taking specific continuing education classes that focus on the treatments, and even certify therapists to perform the hot stone sessions.