Personal Care Massage

Ask the average person what he thinks of when you mention massage therapy and he is likely to describe an image straight out of popular media someone with a blissful expression getting pampered in a luxurious resort. This aspect of the profession is considered a personal care service that which someone uses for overall wellness enhancement, general relaxation, and to feel good, not for specific pain, injury, palliative care, or other ailment.

The fastest growing environment for this sector in the last decade is the spa industry. Spas in the United States employ more than two hundred fifty thousand people and massage therapy is the most requested service.5 The spa industry is experiencing a high growth rate, an estimated 1516 percent per year. Spas provide a distinct employment advantage for some massage therapists, especially those fresh out of school. A new therapist needs to gain confidence and experience by working on a large number of people. In addition, the economic pressures of setting up a private practice may be overwhelming when combined with remaining school expenses. We can expect steady growth in the spa sector for at least several more years.

Given the demand for personal care massage therapy, the outlook is quite positive for these practitioners. There are increasing opportunities and lots of room for the entrepreneurial creativity of massage therapists.

DIY MASSAGE TIPS

The day of guiltless chocolate and comfy stilettos may not yet be here, but there’s no need to go without a needed massage if you know a few simple tricks. Besides feeling great, a good massage gets rid of muscle spasms and can increase flexibility, so it’s a justifiable self-indulgence. Try incorporating the following self-massage into your schedule three to seven days a week. Your body and mind will thank you for it!

Warm up your muscles

Before working neck and shoulder muscles, use a hot or warm washcloth (microwaving it briefly also works) and drape it around your neck to relax muscles. Warming the muscles increases the effectiveness of the massage and prolongs the benefits.

Use massage tools

To spare stress on fingers and hands, use tennis balls, golf balls or tools like the TheraCane, massage balls, firm rubber balls or foam rollers, available in many sporting goods stores.

Forget “no pain, no gain”

Use caution and never massage to the point of pain. Also avoid massaging areas if you have varicose veins, fibromyalgia or other muscular or nervous system issues — see a licensed massage therapist.

DIY head and neck massage

For neck muscles, use your hand to squeeze and release the muscle between your head and shoulder as you shrug or rotate the shoulder. Or use a single finger or Theracane to apply pressure directly to a sore spot and hold for 20 to 30 seconds. Release and repeat until the muscle relaxes.

DIY mid-back (between shoulder blades) massage

Place a tennis ball against the wall (freeze it first, if you prefer cold) and lean your back against it, resting the tennis ball between your shoulder blades. Or use two tennis balls in a sock, tie a knot in the middle and on the end to massage both sides of your back at once. Squat up and down by bending your knees, allowing the ball to roll around to hit different muscles.

DIY lower-back, hips and glutes massage

Use a tennis ball for a small area and a foam roller for a larger area. Lie on the tennis ball on a forgiving surface such as a bed or couch (don’t use a hard floor). For glutes and hips, roll on the ball until you find a tender spot and press against it, making sure to breathe, for 20 to 30 seconds. Repeat until you feel the muscle relax.

DIY foot massage

For a soothing after-work foot massage, put marbles in a zip-lock bag or use a tennis ball or golf ball and roll your feet over it. To soothe hot, tired feet, freeze a water bottle and roll your foot over it.

Source: http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/841815/diy-massage-for-sore-muscles

Careers in Healthcare Massage

Massage therapy has a long history in healthcare throughout parts of the world. However, in the United States, its use as a healthcare practice greatly diminished with the rise of technological medicine and the pharmaceutical industry in the early twentieth century. For example, although once an integral part of physical therapy, massage gradually became a much smaller part of this profession in the latter half of the twentieth century.

It wasn’t long ago that healthcare professionals in the United States scoffed at the idea of massage as a serious modality for a wide array of healthcare complaints ranging from musculoskeletal injury to pain management for cancer patients. Today, views are changing significantly. Groundbreaking studies on alternative medicine use by researchers such as David Eisenberg and Daniel Cherkin have shown a consistent pattern of both increased use and acceptance of massage as not only a viable healthcare modality, but a valuable one.

For massage therapists wanting to make inroads into the traditional healthcare system in the United States, the outlook for this branch of the profession is bright. Practitioners offering treatment for pain and injury conditions, palliative care, and stress and anxiety will find their services in ever greater demand. In fact, consumer expectations in this regard are increasingly placing pressure on massage therapists in terms of skills.

Therapists offering healthcare massage are found in private clinics, sports settings, and other healthcare facilities. Increasingly, practitioners work in chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, doctors’ offices, hospitals, universities, or other healthcare establishments. Massage is also an integrated healthcare program in professional sports, dance, and other physically demanding professions. We can look for greater inclusion of massage in mainstream settings, such as hospitals and primary care health clinics. We can also expect massage to continue to garner greater respect, and thus referral, by traditional medical practitioners.

Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2008. Copyright 2008. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.

Did you know that Rizzieri School for the Healing Arts offers affordable massages, that do not require a contract, and are always at a low price?

We offer 50-Minute Elemental Nature (Swedish) Massage for just $45 with our Professional Massage Therapists.  We offer 50-Minute Elemental Nature (Swedish) Massage for just $35 with one of our Students.  (who are under the instruction and guidance of a teacher)

FAQs

Q: Can I request a male or female massage therapist? 

A: Yes, however, requests will only be honored with our Professional Massage Therapists.  We cannot guarantee your request with our Students, as they all need to be properly trained.

Q: Will I be in front of a whole class setting when I have a student?

A: No, you will be in your very own room that is in the spa portion of Rizzieri School for the Healing Arts.

Q: Are there any fees or contracts added to that low price?

A: No, that’s our everyday low price!

* Before the session, give your massage therapist accurate health information and share your expectations.

* Your massage therapist will probably use oils, lotions or powders to decrease friction on your skin. If you have allergies, tell your massage therapist.

* Music might be played during your massage session. If you find music distracting, let your massage therapist know your preferences. The same goes for talking during your session.

* Report any discomfort you experience during the massage session, whether it’s physical or has something to do with the environment.

* Provide your massage therapist feedback during the massage concerning pressure and speed of hand movement, for example.

* Discuss any apprehensions you have about massage therapy with your massage therapist. Remember, your massage therapist is a professional who is dedicated to the profession.

* Remember, too, the therapeutic benefits of massage are cumulative, so the more often you get a massage, the better you will feel and the more quickly your body will respond.

Source: Parts of this article were excerpted from mtj® (Massage Therapy Journal®) Spring 2010.

After a winter spent mostly indoors, an increase in physical activity and exercise can leave muscles feeling sore and overworked. Now, a new study shows massage therapy can reduce inflammation after exercise, in turn reducing the pain that might accompany a new work out plan.

It’s no secret that regular exercise is key to maintaining overall health and wellness. Now we know that integrating massage therapy into your routine can help ease the inflammation that results from exercise-induced muscle damage.

» The research: How massage reduces inflammation in muscles.

10 Natural Ways to Relax and Rejuvenate

Easy Ways to Manage Stress and Build Immunity

Protecting the immune system and managing stress are vital aspects of living longer, feeling younger, and being healthy. Here are 10 ways to reduce stress, boost your immune system, and slow down the hands of time.

Physical activity. Regular exercise whether it’s walking or dancing strengthens your cardiovascular system, heart, muscles, and bones. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, improves mental functioning, concentration/attention, and cognitive performance, and lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, cortisol, and other stress hormones.

Yoga and stretching. The slow movements and controlled postures of yoga improve muscle strength, flexibility, balance, circulation, mental focus, and calmness. Hand hygiene. The most effective measure in preventing the spread of germs is good hand hygiene. Washing your hands as soon as you come home, and always before you eat, greatly reduces your exposure to bacterial and viral infections.  Carry alcohol based hand wipes to control exposures away from home.

Laughter and humor. There is truth to the saying that laughter is the best medicine. Laughing reduces stress hormones like adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol and benefits the immune system. High nutrient diet. Eat foods rich in antioxidants (strawberries, oranges, tomatoes), omega3  fatty acids (walnuts, salmon, soybeans), and folate (dark green, leafy vegetables). Antioxidants neutralize molecules that can cause heart disease, cancer, and premature aging. Omega3 fatty acids have antiinflammatory,  cardiovascularenhancing, and immuneregulating properties. Folate prevents agerelated cognitive decline, ensures DNA integrity (important during pregnancy), and promotes healthy red blood cells.

Music. Listening to your favorite music is a great method of reducing stress and relieving anxiety. Sleep. Sound sleep has a profound impact on stress levels, immune function, and disease resistance. Your body and immune system do most of their repairs during sleep, so strive to get in seven to eight hours each night.

Positive thinking. Optimism can counteract the negative impact stress, tension, and anxiety have on your immune system and wellbeing. Often it is how you  perceive things that determine if you get overwhelmed, both mentally and physically.

Tea. Regularly drinking green and black teas throughout the day can help strengthen your immune system and your body’s ability to fight off germs and infections. Hydrotherapy. Relaxing in a hot bath relieves sore muscles and joints, reduces stress and tension, and promotes sleep. Add music, soft lighting, and scented oils to create a spa experience in the privacy of your own home.

Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc., is a health, nutrition and lifestyle coach, certified personal trainer/fitness counselor, and author of Virtues of Soy: A Practical Health Guide and Cookbook. She has offered guidance in natural health, nutrition, fitness, and stress management since 1989. Contact her at  www.moniquengilbert.com.

By Monique N. Gilbert

Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, April/May 2005.

Copyright 2005. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.

Tips for Mindful Meditation:

Sit in a quiet room, set your environment to your comfort, close or open the door (your choice).

Sit still. Take deep breaths, in your nose, out your mouth. At one point, you may not realize you’re even breathing because it happens so naturally. It’s truly fascinating, and it feels liberating.

Try to think of nothing and just be. Be the person in the room. Be you. I try to think of a white room without any surroundings, corners, or edges.

While you attempt to do this random thoughts will pop up: What’s for dinner? When will that email come in? Ice cream sounds good right about now. And so on. Simply observe them and let them pass.

Focus on what you want.

Do this for 10 minutes a day if you can. If you can do more, then do it.

Practice often. All you need to do is breathe.

Always remember: go slowly.

The truth is, meditating takes much practice. You learn to develop the habit of sitting still, purging your negative thoughts, and simply breathing.

Source: Tiny Buddha

Photo by Urbanicsgroup