Physical Therapy Schools|Benefits Of Massage Therapy Schools

Using electronic muscle stimulators for body building provides nerve and flexor training for the muscles and seems to allow the muscle tissue to grow at a rate comparable to simple exercise. However, with the stimulators the body goes without the after-pain associated with strenuous weight training exercises. In this way the electronic muscle stimulators can help the body building enthusiast to better control the level of pain that is felt after a workout. Some people with problem areas such as sore shoulder muscles can use the stimulators to help alleviate the pain before the next session of exercising.

The same applies to anyone looking to lose weight with electronic muscle stimulator use. While the stimulator may help to alleviate the pain sometimes associated with weight loss exercising, the unit itself will most likely have very little to do with actual weight loss. However, by helping the person control any pain associated with the exercising, the stimulator may, in fact, help these people to exercise more. They will then have a better chance at losing more weight.

Electronic muscle stimulators have been thoroughly proven to help with physical therapy where nerve and muscle damage has occurred. Many therapists highly recommend the use of these units when their patients routinely complain of sore muscles during and after exercise workouts, or have some form of nerve damage that prevents them from getting the most out of life.

The effective use of these electronic muscle stimulators depends a lot on the type of patient and the nerve or muscle damage they may be suffering from. In general use, the stimulator units can be used easily by the patients themselves after only a few minutes of training. In this way, the patients control the amount of voltage used and the rhythm cycle that controls the rate of muscle contractions. Many health spas and gyms have electronic muscle stimulators on hand to help alleviate any sudden pain or muscle spasms that their customers may have while exercising. It's fairly easy to become adept at using these units and many people swear by the relief that these units give them from their muscle and nerve pain.

Many manufacturers of these electronic muscle stimulators are quick to point out the safety and value of their products when it comes to weight loss or muscle building. How would a company stay in business if it didn't promote its own products? Many federal departments have done exhaustive tests on these electronic muscle stimulators and have found that very few of them do anything at all in the way of weight loss. The results from using one of these units for weight loss is comparable to not using one at all, proving that the units are ineffective at best. In fact, they may end up being harmful if overused to stimulate out-of-shape muscle and fat tissue. Because the stimulators contract the muscles, many people believe that this motion causes the body to lose weight, but it is simply not true.

Most of us can appreciate the health benefits provided by massage techniques. The facts are that many of us have never personally received a massage because paying a professional masseur for a 30-minute service can be very expensive. Many of us just do not have the time to go and visit the private clubs where massage services are available because of busy work or social schedules. Some of us prefer to keep our bodies private and feel uncomfortable and vulnerable in front of strangers wearing nothing but a towel.

The advantages of a massage have escaped many of us but now thanks to modern technology there is an ideal solution available. Massage chairs enable anyone, no matter how busy they are and how tight their financial budget is to receive the benefits of muscle and stress manipulation in the comfort of their own home. Massage chairs have bridged the gap and now all of us can enjoy the ultimate in relaxation and muscle free pain.

One of the most popular forms of massage is Shiatsu. This form of massage typically uses the parts of the hand such as palms, fingers, thumbs and knuckles to rub, knead, press and pat the body to encourage the natural fluids to aid recovery. This same type of treatment is available in massage chairs because they use a mixture of rollers, probes, heat and vibration in the same manner as the effective Shiatsu methods.

We use many muscles in our everyday lives and sometimes when we stretch we find that we use other muscles that are being worked in a stressful, unnatural position. This is where muscle strains are most common. It could be a simple leg stretch or reaching out with the arms or an unexpected accident. When they happen they can be very painful and this uncomfortable feeling can last for many days and sometimes weeks in more severe strains. Although massaging the area and maybe adding some gel or ointment can relieve some of the pain it can be tiring if you have to do it yourself or maybe the area that needs attention is in an awkward place such as the lower back or shoulder.

Massage chairs are the ideal solution in circumstances such as these. They can target any area immediately by providing probing massage, vibration, air-controlled manipulation and heat if needed. The massage will relieve the area of stress and will generate inner body fluids that encourage nutrients to feed the tissue and muscle. Massage will also aid the circulation of the blood that will increase the recovery period and decrease high blood pressure. The natural fluids in our body need to be able to flow freely and massage is the perfect manipulation to encourage this. Natural fluid help us fight disease and will ensure that our body functions like clockwork and our metabolism remains regular making us more comfortable and relaxed.

Massage chairs are also perfect for seniors who unfortunately have more accidents due to lack of balance as the years take their toll. A soothing chair massage can soothe those aching muscles in no time at all. While you receive the ultimate in body manipulation you can be watching your favourite television program, talk to friends on the telephone, read a book or just sitting back and relax while the massage chair does the work.

When the massage is over and you feel completely relaxed and pain free you may be wondering why you did not invest in a massage chair earlier. Massage chairs are ideal for any home. You never know when you may want to call upon your own private masseur that is available to use at a moments notice 24-hours a day.

I don't know how many times I have had to explain to acquaintenances that as a physical therapist I do not spend my day giving massages. Physical therapists provide more treatment than "just a massage," but let's first start by giving a definition of what a physical therapist is. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (2006), physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. We also help prevent conditions associated with loss of mobility, strength, endurance, balance, coordination and function through fitness and wellness programs.

Physical therapists are experts in the view of the body based on biomechanics and kinesiology. In a nutshell, we understand the way the body moves or needs to move. Physical therapists must have a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure exam. Coursework is rigorous and includes classes in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biology, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, diagnostics and therapeutic exercise to name a few. In addition to class work, students of physical therapy have laboratory instruction and supervised clinical education.

Upon completion of coursework and a passing standard on a national licensure exam, physical therapists can work in a variety of settings. This would include hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and home care. Physical therapists in these settings can work with people of all ages and diagnoses. Some possible diagnoses include cardiopulmonary dysfunction such as cystic fibrosis, heart attack, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Other diagnoses include wound care, urinary incontinence, stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, orthopedic injuries such as rotator cuff dysfunction, arthritis, muscle strains, joint/ligamentous sprains, lumbar and cervical disc herniations, overuse injuries, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, whiplash, fibromyalgia, etc. Basically, physical therapy may help you if you have any loss of motion, loss of strength, loss of coordination or balance, loss of endurance, loss of function and/or acute or chronic pain.

A typical physical therapy examination will include a subjective examination (interview), an objective examination, an assessment and a plan. The subjective portion of the exam clarifies medical history, identifies symptoms and patient goals. The objective portion of the examination can include a posture assessment, range of motion evaluation, strength tests, neurologic tests, palpation and functional assessment to name a few. Once the objective portion is completed, an assessment of the condition is developed and an appropriate treatment plan can be formulated.

Treatment by a physical therapist can include exercise prescription, walking assistance devices or braces/splints, patient education, manual techniques, pool therapy and therapeutic physical therapy modalities. Manual techniques can pertain to soft tissue mobilizations, manual stretching and, yes, massage. Some physical therapy locations have a pool available to use for treatment in water. Water will "unload" the body and can be used to decrease stress to an area or increase stress to an area dependent upon the effect warranted. Therapeutic physical therapy modalities involve things such as ultrasound, interferential current, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, phonophoresis, ice, heat, etc. Physical therapists can also evaluate your throwing mechanics, pitching mechanics, golf swing, tennis stroke, work station and job setting.

So, as you can see, physical therapists do so much more than massage. Contact an Excel Physical Therapist to see if they can help you. http://www.ExcelPT.com

Is ice massage therapy the answer for relieving my back pain? The answer is yes! If you are experiencing a sore back an ice massage may be just what the doctor ordered. If you are like me and have played a lot of sports you know that coaches usually carry several packets of "instant ice" in their first aid kits.

When there is an injury on the field the first thing a coach reaches for is an ice pack. The coach quickly activates the package placing it directly on the injured area. The ice does several things:

1. It reduces the swelling and inflammation.

2. It temporarily relieves the pain by stopping pain signals to your brain.

3. Prevents damage to injured tissue.

Now if you have a sore back you don't need a fancy ice packet. Just crush some ice, put it in a ziplock bag, wrap it in a towel and place on your sore back. Limit the ice to about ten minutes. Even a bag of frozen peas will work if you are in a rush.

To further improve on using ice to relieve your sore back try an ice massage. Simply take your bag of frozen peas or ice pack, place on the injured area and move it in a circular monition around the sore muscle. Don't put the ice directly on your skin, always have some protective cloth, towel or clothing between the ice an skin. Ice massage is a quick, free and effective way to quickly bring relief to your aching back. Personally I give myself an ice massage at least once a day. Usually after my forty mile daily work commute. On weekends depending on how active I am I may use the ice twice a day.

In my opinion ice massage therapy does work. The fact that coaches use this therapy as "first aid" for an injured player reinforces ice massage's effectiveness. However ice massage does not get at the root cause of your pain. For that you need a program or system that addresses the underlying cause of your pain/injury. Many times the real causes are weak muscles and/or muscle imbalance.

The baby boomers are growing in age and these individuals will see an increased desire for mobility devices and supplies to aid in their activities of daily living (ADLs). While this may involve something minor such as a raised toilet seat or grab bars installed to assist in the shower, a more heavy duty device such as a bath hoist may become a necessity depending on the severity of one's limitations.

There's a decent chance a friend or loved one in the baby boomer age group will seek your advice on the topic of mobility devices in the future. While it may seem like a simple task to research the proper device, the reality is there are so many options available both in store and online that it can become difficult. Purchasing an improper device can actually exacerbate one's condition and be a safety hazard. Buying an improperly fit lift or hoist could lead to a hit not only to one's body but also their wallet. Below is a list of five mistakes to avoid when one is ready to make this type of purchase.

1) Not Doing the Proper Research- Each disorder has its own needs and this should be researched before offering advice. Suggesting a standard bathtub lift for someone who is borderline obese will not give the weight support needed to ensure safety. Make sure to know the capacity and dimensions for each lift device.

2) Being Cheap-- We all love a good bargain. As consumers we like to purchase items on sale or believe to be of value even if that item may not be the best for the situation. When it comes to mobility equipment, the rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. For example, a new lower end lift bath hoist might cost $400 which may seem like a great deal. However, this type of bath device might not have a swivel seat nor a remote control which should be standard for anyone who truly wants a reliable and safe piece of equipment. Don't start pinching pennies when it comes to safety and mobility.

3) Waiting Too Long- A common issue that arises is the embarrassment that accompanies using a mobility device. Many people view using a bath hoist as being crippled or having a negative connotation associated with it. Because of this, people tend to wait too long to buy which costs themselves saving further decline in their status. Don't let this happen to you.

4) Not Taking Measurements - The most common complaint that arises after buying a device is that it doesn't fit right. While this indeed can arise from poor communication or purchasing error, most likely it stems from not taking body measurements before ordering. The number of people who are lazy and don't take simple measurements is dumbfounding and causes eventual problems down the road with poor fit.

5) Not Consulting with a Professional - With higher priced items such as disabled bath lifts, purchasing blindly without professional consultation is risky. Spending sums of money on a device without really knowing if it is appropriate would be irresponsible. Consulting with a physical therapist or other mobility pro would be wise if someone you know is looking to make a higher end mobility device purchase such as a bath hoist. Doing so might save not only money but also aggravation in the end.

Physical therapy is one of the very successful and non-hazardous methods of managing moderate to severe issues involving joints, muscles and ligaments. Neck pain is a very common issue that may occur at any age; however, most of the cases of neck pain are trivial and disappear with proper sleep, rest and pain-killers. But in some cases, it is an early symptom of a more serious issue or organic pathology that requires serious interventions.

Neck pain is normally seen in adult professionals after using the computer and other devices for long hours without properly supporting the back musculature. Most young adults experience neck pain after a muscle pull during physical activity; however, in most elderly individuals (especially post-menopausal women) the cause of neck pain is cervical disc herniation as a result of degenerative bone disorders or inflammatory joint conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. It is also reported very frequently in individuals with a chronic history of osteoporosis or endocrinological disorders.

The symptoms of cervical disc herniation include pain in most cases but in advanced cases, it also affects the nerves exiting through the affected cervical vertebrae, due to nerve impingement or nerve entrapment at the level of tiny foramina. In long standing cases, symptoms include numbness and parenthesis of upper limbs and/or limitation of neck motion.

Pain of the neck can be a symptom of just a muscle pull that may have occurred while sleeping on the wrong pillow or supporting the neck on a hard surface like sleeping on floor or on a couch or while travelling by air. However, in some cases, it may occur as a part of degenerative bone disease like osteoporosis or cervical disc herniation. Cervical vertebrae are separated by a thin layer of cartilage that offers gliding movement across cervical vertebrae; however, due to aging, menopause or spinal degenerative disease, this cartilaginous disc undergoes wear and tear changes that may lead to spinal disc herniation, manifesting as pain in 80% of the cases.

You must see a healthcare provider as early as possible if your pain is associated with any of the following symptoms indicating a more organic pathology. If your neck pain is chronic (persists more than 2-4 weeks) and does not go away with simple modifications, if your neck pain is getting worse, if neck pain is associated with numbness, weakness of upper or lower limbs, if you experience an episode of fall, loss of consciousness or paralysis or limitation of neck movement you must see a healthcare provider.

In most cases of long-standing moderate to severe neck pain, the ideal therapy advised is maintaining optimal neck support with the help of a cervical collar that helps in stabilizing neck muscles. Cervical neck support pillows are advised to people who develop muscle sprain due to improper sleeping habits.

Physical therapy is a non-surgical and a non-invasive mode of therapy that is effective in all types of neck pain, no matter how acute or chronic symptoms are. The aim of physical therapy is to help in improvement of pain symptoms and to prevent the nervous complications from occurring. Physiotherapists also work in collaboration with patients in order to improve neck posture. Long term efficacy of these exercises is manifested by strengthening of neck muscles, supporting damaged inter-vertebral discs and relieving the pressure from entrapped nerves.

Physical therapy exercises, primarily cervical traction, aims at alleviating the pressure from the cervical vertebrae that removed the pressure from nerves. Cervical traction exercises can be periodic or intermittent depending upon the symptoms. Sometimes, special devices are also advised to stabilize and pull neck muscles by the use of pulleys in moderately severe cases.

Other modes of therapy that is normally employed by physiotherapists and chiropractors include deep tissue massage which helps in reducing the intensity of pain by improving the blood circulation through tense and tender muscles. Moreover, massage also helps in releasing toxins from the tissue to kill the source of inflammation in tissues.

If you are experiencing chronic neck pain that is affecting your performance at work or your lifestyle in general, see your healthcare provider to discuss if physiotherapy may help your case.

Wikipedia mentions a simple explanation of this title and goes thus: A stone massage is a massage that uses smooth, flat, and heated rocks placed at key points on the body.

This is one of the least detailed explanations on the Massage Stone Therapy as one can find amongst hundreds of articles on the internet. Stone therapy has increasingly become popular among the alternate therapy fraternity. It is even said that the massage stone used serves as an energy reservoir which contains the healing energy of the therapist.

These iron rich stones can be heated in a stone warmer equipment and contain the heat which helps in warming and relaxing the muscle and thus allowing the therapist to work deeper if required. The stone therapy is considered to be useful for a variety of symptoms like back pains, osteoarthritis and arthritis pain, insomnia and other stress related modern uneasiness.

Basalt stones are used in the process which is heated under water to about 125 簞F (52 簞C). These are then placed on some specific points on the body, especially on the back, shoulders, in between toes, sometimes on the palms and even on the face. All this depends on the style offered by the massage therapist and the requirement of the client.

These days most of the modern spas and massage centers offer Hot Stone Massage or Stone Therapy. The number of different styles however, is almost as varied as the stones themselves and thus it is imperative to have a brief study of the kind suitable before making a decision to buy them.

There are varied suppliers of the right kind of stones searchable on the internet. One of best products available in this category is the Hand-Shaped Massage Stones and Naturally-Shaped Massage Stones.

Hand-Shaped Massage Stones are derived from the black volcanic rock and are carefully cut to the same shape in various sizes. The end product is a skillfully polished perfect massage stone for the stone therapy. These come as a 20, 30 or 50 Pcs-Basalt set of stones and include varied shapes and sizes for relevant therapy.

Naturally-Shaped Massage Stones as the name implies are provided as found in the Mother Nature and most of them come from Peru. Peruvian massage stones are known to retain the heat much better than other stone types. These come as a 38, 50 or 66 - Pcs Peruvian Basalt and include every almost every stone a massage therapist would need to treat the entire body. It includes large and heavy belly stones as well as those needed for a delicate work on the neck, feet and hands.

Combine the above with a hot stone warmer with a preset temperature setting and what you have is a ready to heal stone massage set.

One can say that if you are a body worker, a massage therapist or an owner/manager of a spa and are interested in providing a good stone massage therapy to your clients, you can begin with procuring the right material from the right supplier who takes care of your budget and the essential quality. The steps, if taken in the right way would reduce your time in dealing with the practices and reserve the energy to heal the client. Happy healing!

The word "label" can cause many parents to cringe inwardly. They often see it as a big sign hung on the back of their child, making them conspicuously different from the rest of the population. Some parents may fear a label will stay with their child for the rest of their lives, preventing both social acceptance and employment opportunities. Others may see a label as some kind of failure in regards to their parenting skills. In fact, no parent wants his/her child to be labeled.

However, labeling may be unavoidable. Getting your child diagnosed is the single most important step in the foundation of his education. If you perform your own evaluation and red flags pop up, it's time to take action.

Your first call should be to your child's primary care physician. At well-child check-ups, your doctor will ask questions regarding developmental benchmarks. Benchmarks are guidelines of normal development your child should reach by a certain age. These include expressive language, receptive language, vocabulary, and fine and gross motor skills. Because language development can vary from child to child, physicians may be lax in taking appropriate action for a child who is not reaching benchmarks. As a parent, your intuition should serve you well. Call your local county Child Development Services (CDS) office and request an evaluation. Your CDS case manager will refer you to specialists more suited to diagnosing disabilities.

If your child is already attending school and you are worried about his progress, keep the lines of communication open with his teachers. Many teachers will refer students to the special education department for an evaluation. Regardless of the results of a public school evaluation, you may want to get an unbiased, independent evaluation. Tutoring centers like Sylvan use specialized testing. In this way, you have a back up should the school district decline services.

If your child does have a disability, an appropriate diagnosis is important in order for the state to recognize him as a special education student. State funds ensure support staff will be available to help your child meet the goals listed in his IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. This plan includes any therapeutic services your child may need such as speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and adaptive physical education. These services are vital to your child's success throughout his primary and secondary education.

Sometimes the biggest hurdle is dealing with having your child "singled out" as a special education student. You fear your child will be seen as different, weird, stupid or weak. While there is no easy fix for this issue, being an advocate for your child and his education can alleviate some of those fears. At the primary level, ask the special education teacher about reverse mainstreaming. This process invites mainstream students into the self-contained/special education classrooms. Students who spend time in the specialized classrooms tend to be more accepting of differences because they are allowed to get to know special education students on a personal level. If reverse mainstreaming is promoted regularly, lasting bonds can form between students that will carry over into the mainstream classrooms and all over the school.

Finally, teach your child to advocate for himself. Understanding the cause and reason behind a label can sometimes ease anxiety about being different. Understanding how a specialized program works, even on a basic level, can go a long way in teaching your child to advocate for himself throughout the course of his education.

Rotator cuff physical therapy exercises are the first phase in recovery from any of the rotator cuff disorders. If you have a tear, tendonitis, impingement or have had surgery; physical therapy will be the starting point of your recovery.

So, what happens next? As an example, rotator cuff tear therapy will be followed by a rehabilitation phase and then finally strengthening. No matter what condition it is you have developed this is the basic progress map.

Rotator cuff rehabilitation starts, pretty much, as soon after injury or surgery as possible. If it is after surgery then you should be given a rehabilitation protocol to work through. If it's a fresh injury then a physical therapist will likely be involved. The key message is the sooner the better.

What is involved?

These are very simple exercises that are completed passively, isometrically or supported in some way. Little or no stress is put on the healing joint and absolutely no additional weight is used.

These exercises should be repeated in sets of up to 10. They should be done 2 or 3 times per day. Remember to warm up before and ice afterwards. A little discomfort is to be expected but if it is painful you are pushing too hard so STOP.

It is important to exercises in a range of ways, or planes of movement, to ensure the whole of the cuff is exercised equally. This is to ensure muscle balance; a key to regaining strength and especially stability in the joint.

Rotator cuff physical therapy exercises

Isometric - Isometric exercises are designed to contract muscles without any actual movement. They maintain and build muscle strength without risking joint damage as you heal.

Passively - You, or probably someone, else moves the arm for you. Initially this will most certainly be a Physical Therapist. During passive exercises, your shoulder joint is moved, but your muscles stay relaxed. Your therapist gently moves your joint and gradually stretches your arm. You should be taught how to do passive exercises at home.

Supported - A variation on a theme. Similar to assisted but using a table or similar rather than another person for support.

A variation is the pendulum swing. Although not classically passive or assisted it is another of those rotator cuff exercises that allow motion without strain.

The benefits

• Begin to immediately restore range of motion.


• Increases strength and stability


• Increase blood flow to the affected area.


• Prevent scarring.


• Builds confidence.


• Speeds recovery

The types of exercise outlined above form the basis of any rehabilitation protocol. There is a wide range of rotator cuff physical therapy exercises available, join me to learn more.

In the past, when the subject of massage would come up a person would automatically think about a day relaxing at a spa. This would be located in some fancy resort or maybe a health club. Today, all that has changed as deep tissue massage has now become a viable therapy.

There are various types of massage. The basic term means the rubbing and manipulation of the tendons, ligaments, skin and muscles. Therapists typically use their fingers and hands to perform the massage, but some do add their forearms and elbows to create an effective outcome.

Deep tissue massage is employs more pressure than other approaches. This powerful, slow technique hones in on the deeper layers of your muscles and connective tissues. This method is typically used for relieving areas that are traumatized by injuries. The deep muscle massage concentrates on realigning the various layers deep within the muscles. Some of the techniques uses are similar to ones used in other types of massage, except the strokes are deeper and slower.

Even though massage has been used for healing for many years, there is an increased interest in it today especially with the professionals for relieving many bodily problems and conditions. The individuals who have had the deep muscle massage performed on them will tell you of the many benefits they received from it.

Deep tissue massage focuses on adhesions that occur with scars, which restores natural movement, along with relieving pain. During the process of massage, a client could experience a bit of discomfort because of the pressured that is applied. When this happens, the person should inform the therapist if the discomfort or pain is too much to bear.

Typically, the issues that are addressed with deep tissue massage include:

1. Mobility limited from either a disease or injury

2. Pain that is chronic

3. Injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome that come on because of repetitive actions

4. Forms of arthritis

5. Falls, injuries from sports, or whiplash

6. Fibromyalgia and other similar conditions

7. Muscle spasms

The therapist may ask you to take deep breaths during specific points in the massage process. This is to release the metabolic waste products from your muscles. After a massage, you should drink a lot of water. This helps to flush the waste and toxins from your body.

With deep tissue massage, the therapist targets specific parts of your body. This type of massage can cause soreness at times either during or after the session because the muscles release their toxins and tension. However, in just a day or so you will feel much better. Since the muscles release so many toxins, it is vital that you drink enough water after a massage session to flush out these toxins out of your body.

You should eat light before going for a deep tissue massage. In addition, arrive about 5 minutes before your appointment, so you can relax and rest prior to the therapist performing the massage for you.