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In a time when the economy continues to be difficult to navigate and many people are considering their career options, you might be wondering if it’s the right time to start massage school. While there is always a benefit to increasing your education....
One of the best ways to pay for massage school is to earn a scholarship (or several scholarships) to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, and supplies. Scholarships, which don’t have to be repaid and are usually offered based on financial status and personal....
We may all be familiar with Swedish massage or Chinese massage, but we could use a bit of “enlightenment” about Russian massage. An article by David Helwig caught our attention. He says the basic premise of Russian message is that it focuses more on the “physiology of a dysfunction rather than on anatomy as the principal guideline for treatment.” If we understand this correctly, the massage therapist looks at the injury and how this injury has brought about reduced mobility Read More…
I’m sure many of you can make an educated guess about what aromatherapy massage is. It is similar to Swedish massage except it uses essential oils. Aromatherapy massage helps the body absorb these essential oils through the skin. Essential oils are a fascinating field of study; this industry has witnessed the remarkable growth of oil products, boosting the practice of massage therapy. The word aromatherapy was coined by a chemist – Rene Maurice Gattefosse in the 1920s. He accidentally burned Read More…
Massage schools offer courses dealing with the importance of massage on skin. These courses fall under the prerequisites of Anatomy and Physiology. One of the things a massage school student will learn is that skin is generally of three types: oily (this skin condition occurs when there is an overproduction of sebum), dry (aging and environmental pollutants drag the moisture out of skin, making it dry) and sensitive (people with allergies or are exposed to too many chemicals at work Read More…
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 Read More…
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 Read More…
By Courtney Slivka, LMT Modern society typically approaches the human body as dictated by recent scientific discoveries. Body parts and systems have very official names, functions, and positions within a human. However ancient traditions often had a different approach to understanding the human body. Learning about the history of bodywork is an important part of understanding its role in today’s modern world. Due to its significance, many massage schools incorporate a great deal of bodywork history into their curriculum. One Read More…
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 Read More…
By Courtney Slivka When most people think about massage therapy, they picture the relaxing oasis of a spa. Though it is becoming increasingly popular as a therapeutic practice, some still view it as a luxury meant for those with extra time and money. However many nursing homes, hospitals, and doctors are recommending that the elderly get regular massages. Not only does it help to enhance their overall physical health, but it can also assist them emotionally in going through life Read More…
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 Read More…
By Courtney Slivka Working in the field of massage therapy has countless rewards. Nevertheless like all things worth having in life, massage therapy also presents many challenges to those who pursue it for a living. Some of these challenges may be physical, while others might be mental or even emotional. Whether your body is tired from performing massages, or your mind is distracted due to other areas of your life, energy work can provide an invaluable opportunity to reconnect with Read More…
By Courtney Slivka Many people turn to massage therapy as a way to let go of stress and increase relaxation. Ask most people and they will agree that massage is supposed to feel good. They are indeed correct, but oftentimes an effective massage session provides more than mere relaxation. In fact, sometimes massage and bodywork can lead to outright discomfort. But do not be alarmed because many of the uncomfortable sensations following a session are signs of an effective massage. Read More…
If you are going to present information about a particular topic, you may as well go right to the source. A couple weeks ago we posted an article on our website about massage chairs. The article did a very good job of presenting the benefits of chair massage and a good deal if information about the practice and methodology. However, if you are going to drill down to the source and origins of modern day chair massage, you simply have Read More…
Drawbacks of Deep Tissue Massage Although deep tissue massage isn’t meant to be painful, it tends to be more uncomfortable than other types of massage. This is because many of the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue can only be manipulated by intense pressure. Discomfort is usually expected, but prolonged pain is not. Excessive discomfort might actually indicate that the problem cannot be correct by massage or that the masseuse is using an incorrect technique. Most masseuses recommend plenty Read More…
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage that goes above and beyond traditional techniques to get to the underlying layer of muscle and connective tissue that give the body strength. Like Swedish massage, which seeks to improve circulation, ease muscle pain, and increase flexibility, deep tissue massage uses long, smooth strokes to get maximum results. However, most deep tissue massage techniques are more intense and more focused than Swedish or traditional massage techniques, which means that the client gets Read More…
Benefits of Trigger Point Massage Many individuals seek trigger point massage when other attempts at pain relief have failed. This means that there is often an understanding of the location and source of pain prior to the first appointment, which the massage therapist can use to help determine what trigger points to target during the massage. Other individuals may need to undergo a thorough exam to determine where to focus the massage – most often in areas where tension or Read More…
Trigger Point Massage – Overview Trigger point massage is a type of massage used primarily to treat chronic pain. It identifies and heals areas within the myofascial tissue of the body that contribute to muscle pain, spasms, and difficulties in posture. Trigger point massage works primarily by combining the Eastern techniques of acupressure with a more Western approach to massage. The trigger points of the body are closely aligned with the traditional areas of acupuncture focus. By manipulating these areas Read More…
Lymphatic massage is a type of physical manipulation that encourages the movement of fluids through the body’s tissues and muscles. It is intended to move toxins out of the body and stimulate the production of healthy lymph, which in turn boosts the immune system and increases energy. Although most people link lymphatic massage with toxin release, it is also used for the traditional benefits of massage (including recovering from sports injuries or simply relaxing). In fact, almost all types of Read More…
We have recently published a new article about massage chairs on our main website. In this article we explain the growing attraction of chair massage and some of the factors that are contributing to the increased popularity of this practice. We’ll also explain the specific therapeutic benefits of chair massage, the different styles of chair massage bodywork, the types of massage chairs and the advantages and challenges of this approach to massage.
We have noticed a dramatic increase in inquiries about Thai massage and the availability of Thai massage schools in the United States. Consequently, we have written an article that addresses the topic of Thai massage schools which is available in the articles section of our main site. Thai massage is not classic massage therapy as we would understand it. It is more a combination of techniques. While the overall goal is still physical, mental and spiritual wellness, the techniques are Read More…
Anyone considering attending a massage school will likely be evaluating the types of massage in which they will specialize. As Gary indicated in his previous blog, there are certain characteristics that a massage therapist should have. There are also specific interests that a massage therapist will have that will guide their career path as a therapist. Sports massage is a specific focus for a massage therapist and an area that is gaining traction as a specific career path to be Read More…
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