Physical Therapy Schools|Benefits Of Massage Therapy Schools

MUSCLE WEAKNESS

If a muscle is not given any work to do each little muscle fibre becomes thinner and the whole muscle begins to lose its strength. Some groups of muscles become weak faster than others. When a footballer has a knee injury his quadriceps, the muscles on the front of his thigh get weak very rapidly. These muscles need exercising early on in order to increase their strength so that he can return to his team as soon as possible. It is also very important that all patients are given exercises to restore muscle strength as soon as possible and so minimise the amount of weakness that occurs. These early exercises, therefore, have to be carefully designed so as to complement the other Physio techniques. Exercises are needed for all the muscle groups in the affected area and they are adapted to suit each patient's requirements.

Ideally exercises are part of the ongoing treatment once the initial pain has subsided. Muscles only respond to the demands placed on them. When an injury has healed the muscles will recover in response to the amount of work they are asked to do. If the limb is favoured then the muscle will never recover its normal function. After a period in bed, during which time the leg muscles have been completely inactive, one feels weak at the knees when up. Stay in bed too long and the muscle fibres become so weak that one wouldn't even be able to stand up. So in the case of a long illness or a long-term injury the muscles have to be given specific work to do to build up and restore the power required for every day living. In so many cases, due to the absence of specific exercises, a compromise is struck and the body has to make do. People are heard to say - I've never had any strength in my back since my accident - my shoulder has always been weak since the car crash - that's my bad leg - I'm always going over on that ankle - I've never been able to open a jar with that hand since I broke my wrist - etc. etc.

All of these situations are examples of inadequate muscle power. Even after a long period of time muscles can still adapt and strengthen in response to stimuli from the right type of exercises. Muscular imbalance can lead to problems in the future. For instance a calf injury will result in weakness of the muscles and if not restored to normal strength running and even walking will be slightly out of kilter. This puts strain on other muscles and joints. By being aware of and practising 'special warm-up exercises' prior to any bout of violent exercise many of the torn muscles, trapped nerves, sprained ankles or back problems which occur can be prevented. Exercises only increase the strength in muscles when they are done on a regular basis.

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Pop into any day spa or salon in your neighbourhood and you've probably noticed a number of different massages as part of their offerings. Relaxing massages, hot stone massages, Thai massage... the list is endless. But if you're thinking of massage therapy, take note: These spa-style massages aren't what you need.

Yes, indulging in a luxurious massage at a spa is indeed a wonderful thing. It's a great way to relax and unwind from our hectic lifestyles. Massage therapy, on the other hand, is just that: Therapy. It is designed to help alleviate pain, treat health conditions and ailments and is part of a good, overall health management plan.

That's why you need to ensure you see a registered massage therapist, or RMT. If you're suffering from neck pain, back pain, knee pain or a whole host of other conditions, an RMT is the person who can help. Unlike getting a "relaxation" massage at a spa, seeing an RMT means you are seeing someone who is trained in more than just massage techniques. An RMT can help you identify the cause of an injury and take an active role in your treatment and recovery.

An RMT is trained in a number of different areas, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology and much more. In fact, in Ontario, an RMT must complete a minimum of 150 clinical hours and successfully completed examinations in accordance with the law. Other provinces have similar requirements, which means when you see an RMT, you know you're seeing someone with the experience and education to help treat your particular health issue.

Most extended health care benefits plans cover the cost of massage therapy, although some plans may require you obtain a doctor's note. Be sure to check with the massage therapist to ensure he or she is registered and you can submit the invoices to your benefits provider.

Want to know how to find a good RMT? Start by searching for one on the Internet. The massage therapist's website will have information to help you determine if that person meets your requirements.

Of course, that's not to say you can't ever go for a relaxing spa treatment massage. It's simply that if you're looking for relief from a health condition, an RMT is definitely the way to go.

We all know that massage is an excellent therapy for treating stress, for "unknotting" tight muscles, for relieving aches and pains, for easing stiffness and for helping us to sleep, but massage is also an excellent natural therapy for treating digestive orders.

Massage and Digestion

Have you ever felt "butterflies" in your stomach before an exam, meeting or surgical procedure? That all too common feeling of your stomach churning or doing flips? This is because stress has a tendency to attack our digestive system. Worry goes straight to our stomachs.
Stress and our busy lifestyles, which often don't give us chance to sit down and take our time over a meal, can lead to a whole range of digestive troubles and disorders. Add to that the fact that we often eat junk food, take-outs and wash it all down with a huge quantity of caffeine, and you've got a recipe for a digestive disaster!

So, how can massage help our digestive disorders?
 
Constipation - Constipation is no fun, and it can lead to bloating, headaches, skin problems and bad breath, as well as pain and discomfort. Massage can aid and improve digestion by stimulating peristalsis, the wave-like muscle contractions which move the food we have eaten through our digestive tract. This stimulation of natural peristalsis helps our digestive system to function efficiently and prevents us from becoming constipated.
 
Digestive enzymes - Digestive enzymes help us to break down the food that we eat so that our bodies can absorb and use essential nutrients. Massage encourages the body to release these enzymes, thus helping digestion and our overall health.
 
IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common digestive disorder which is characterized by abdominal bloating, cramps and either constipation or diarrhea. It is often triggered, or exacerbated, by stress, anxiety and tension, so massage therapy, which relieves stress and promotes a feeling of well-being, can be beneficial in improving symptoms. Massaging the affected area can also stimulate peristalsis, help remove blockages in the digestive tract and reduce bloating, gas and cramps.
 
Stress-related disorders - IBS is not the only digestive disorder which is related to stress. Stress, anxiety and a busy lifestyle can also lead to indigestion, heartburn, stomach ulcers and intestinal problems. General massage lowers our stress levels by causing the release of endorphins, the body's "feel-good" chemicals, and abdominal massage can relieve indigestion, abdominal pain and bloating. Back massage is also great for indigestion and gas.
 
Detox - Back massage and abdominal massage can assist with detoxification, when used with a detox program. The massage will have a cleansing effect on the digestive system by helping it to eliminate waste and toxins quickly and efficiently.

Does it seem like your sore shoulder is getting worse? Be careful... the dull ache in your shoulder could be a warning sign of a rotator cuff injury and if left untreated could turn into an injury that requires surgery. The good news is that with proper rest and perhaps rotator cuff therapy exercises, you can heal your shoulder and avoid aggravating your condition.

The rotator cuff is a series of small muscles, tendons, and connective tissues. This is a delicate area that is especially prone to injury. Weight lifting and repetitive motions, particularly overhead motions are a common cause of this type of shoulder injury.

The first thing you must do is cease any athletic activities or repetitive motions. This can be hard to do if you're an active person or you have a physical job that requires repetitive motions. But the bottom line is you need to stop if you want your shoulder to heal.

Physical therapy exercises are the best way to get you on track to a full recovery. Remember that the rotator cuff is a delicate area comprised of many small muscles and tendons. Because of this, any exercises must be done with light weight, higher repetitions and in a very controlled manner.

Don't try to create your own shoulder therapy program made up of random exercises you read about. Shoulder rehabilitation must be done is a very specific and progressive manner.... otherwise you risk making your injury worse.

Research the different rotator cuff therapy programs available. There are many good ones you can do from the comfort of your home. The key to full recovery is staying consistent and patient. These small shoulder muscles don't receive a lot of blood flow and as a result healing can take a while.

These days all companies are really trying to cut down on employee health care costs. One method to achieve this goal is to offer wellness programs that prevent employees from getting sick in the first place. Many massage and therapy professionals, promotes wellness in the workplace through on-site massage therapy. Those are the best massage companies, who are having all of their therapists, are National Board Certified, licensed, and insured. The therapists who are members of the American Massage Therapy Association, the Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals, and CAM PPO which sets them apart from other massage companies. They provide convenient, affordable, relief from pain and stress by offering on site massage sessions ranging from 5 to 30 minutes. Employer benefits of corporate massage therapy: Improved employee health, morale, and productivity Employee benefits of onsite massage: Quick, convenient relief from pain and stress during the time it takes to drink a coffee.

Services from massage companies during the workday reduces the number of employee sick days, health care costs, and workers compensation costs from repetitive strain injuries. During an on-site massage session massage therapists use techniques suited for clothed massages that relieve stress from tension headaches, neck strain, back pain, etc. Services from massage companies have been known to improve employee alertness, speed, and accuracy. An on-site massage routine can reduce depression and improve the body's immunity. Massage companies can provide services that are great for employee wellness programs, employee recognition and reward, corporate events, and trade show booths. A certified company ensures that their professional team of on-site massage therapists is 100% licensed and insured. Not all massage companies offer top of the line services from highly trained professionals. Like every companies, massage companies also do have their sites. These sites explain the benefits of on-site massage and give a variety of worker wellness tips. Not only do they refer to the helpful work of massage companies, but the site also offers tips to prevent neck or back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. Even if an individual is not fortunate enough to have on-site massage services at work, they can still benefit from the stretching, exercise and weight management tips on these websites. Here one can also get some innovative tools to keep track of their health status. Individuals should consult the physician before going for any exercise moves. All exercises and stretches should be done with required precaution to avoid any injury or over exertion.

Think of all the joy you will have when your baby finally arrives after those nine long months that seemed as if they would never end. Yet, you probably never thought of all of the bodily changes that would take place during this very special time either. There is something that you could benefit from and perhaps have never thought of and that is the benefits of pregnancy massage.

Studies have been performed that indicate that this type of massage when performed during your pregnancy is able to reduce anxiety, relieve depression symptoms, soothe those bothersome joint pains and muscle aches and even improve the outcome of your labour and benefit the health of your new little bundle of joy.

Swedish massage, as the technique is often called, is able to relax built-up muscle tension but this form of massage can also improve the lymphatic system as well as blood circulation. These results are accomplished by applying mild pressure to the body's various muscle groups. Swedish massage is recommended during the prenatal part of your pregnancy because it can assuage many of the common discomforts that are known to take place in the skeletal and circulatory systems that are triggered by hormonal shifts that take place during your pregnancy. Here are the top 3 benefits of pregnancy massage:

1. Regulation of Hormones

Over the past decade, studies have been conducted indicating that hormone levels linked with stress and relaxation are changed significantly. These hormones have a distinct effect on mood relaxation, and there has been varying degrees of improvement upon cardiovascular health when Swedish massage was done during the prenatal care of women. For some women who experienced only five weeks of bi-weekly massages, there was a reduction of cortisol and norepinephrine, which are commonly known as the "stress hormones". There was also an increase of serotonin and dopamine levels, which, when these levels get low, depression may rear its ugly head. When there was a change in these hormonal levels, fewer complications were seen during the baby's birth. Newborn complications, like low birth weight, were shown to decrease. When Swedish massage was integrated into the prenatal care regimen, there seemed to be benefits to both mother and baby.

2. Reduced Swelling

Swelling, which is called edema in medical terminology, can be a very bothersome symptom during your pregnancy. Do your legs look like balloons and have your ankles all but disappeared? This is due to a reduction in your circulation, and an increase of pressure is being exerted on all of your major blood vessels due to your expanding uterus. Swedish massage will help stimulate the soft tissues so that the collection of fluids found in your swollen joints may be reduced. There will also be an improvement in tissue waste removal, which is carried by the lymphatic system of your body.

3. Nerve Pain Improvement

Many women experience pain in the sciatic nerve during pregnancy. The uterus exerts pressure on your upper and lower leg muscles. This causes swelling in your legs and increased pressure is put on nerves nearby. Massage therapy can help to relieve this problem. This is just one of the many benefits of pregnancy massage.

Hopefully, you now understand the benefits of pregnancy message and may be willing to give it a try the next time you are expecting your little bundle of joy.

Pregnancy can be a taxing time for your body due to the hormonal changes that occur and the extra burden your body has to bear. For some women, aches and pains associated with pregnancy start from the very first weeks. Massage therapy has been used for a long time to alleviate the aches and also for relaxation. However, some people argue that a pregnant woman should not get a massage. These are some of the common reasons given.

One of the reasons is that some massages trigger pressure points. Trained massage therapists are aware of certain pressure points in the ankles and wrists that usually cause stimulation to the pelvic muscles which might cause early labor. Avoidance of intentional massage of these pressure points is important therefore for a massage therapist. A woman who has had pre-term labor or has had Braxton-Hicks contractions should tell the therapist so as to completely avoid these trigger points.

Another reason given is that a woman in her first trimester should avoid having a prenatal massage. Due to the high incidences of miscarriages in the first trimester, many people are wary of getting a massage during this period. This may be because of the sensitive pressure points that when massaged may bring on complications. However, if a skilled prenatal massage therapists is used, this will not be a problem. The other reason is that during a massage the body is getting rid of toxins and therefore may induce a miscarriage. However, the removal of toxins that a massage induces is actually good for you and the baby.

The Risk of Massage Tables is another concern for pregnant women. There are some spas that have a massage table with a hole through which the belly can fit. However this might not provide adequate support for your belly and may cause your stomach to dangle causing discomfort. They are dangerous as they put pressure on the uterus. Most professionals recommend that a prenatal massage be performed when the woman is on her side to avoid any discomfort.You should ask your massage therapist which position you will be laying in before you go in for a massage.

For women with a complicated pregnancy, there are various conditions that would make them high risk for a massage. Women with complications such as hypertension have had pre-term labor before, preeclampsia or extreme swelling should first consult a doctor before getting a massage.

A pregnant woman should therefore take all the necessary precautions to avoid any complications. However, given the numerous benefits that a prenatal massage done by a professional prenatal massage therapist can provide for a pregnant woman, it should be given consideration for a smoother ride for those nine months.

Have you ever thought about being an occupational therapist? In such a position you get to help people who have either sustained injuries, been born with a disability, or are unable to function in everyday life. Occupational therapists help their patients develop or relearn basic skills. Social workers, physical and speech therapists, psychiatrists and other professionals work along with them to assist the patients.

For instance, an occupational therapist might help a stroke victim to learn how to write again, work on memory exercises, brush teeth or button a sweater. Such therapy begins while the person is still in the hospital and continues on for a couple weeks or months, depending on the person's needs.

Did You Know...

1. Robotics and other new technologies are making their way into the profession.
Engineers are working with them to create machines that can help stroke victims, those with multiple sclerosis and people with autism. These technologies are still new in the field.

2. Men are a minority in this field.
Men can be very useful in this type of work because men who are patients frequently prefer other men to help them in more personal tasks, such as bathroom tasks. Being a minority in the field, it is typically easier for men to get work as an occupational therapist than women. They also generally earn higher pay than women in these positions.

3. The need for occupational therapists is growing rapidly.
As the baby boomer generation gets older, more people will need help coping with disabilities and disease. Additionally, advances in science make it possible for people to live through more traumatic injuries and illnesses. They need help doing their daily activities.

4. Occupational therapists need a master's degree and a license to practice.
To stay licensed, they have to take continuing education courses. Employers want applicants who have graduated from accredited colleges and universities. Certification is optional but encouraged.

5. Occupational therapy ensures treatment for all.
Phillipe Pinel, a French philosopher, and William Tuke, an English Quaker, started calling attention to the need for humane treatment of the mentally ill in the late 1700s. They felt that people who were mentally ill were not a danger to society. Pinel and Tuke worked to help mentally ill patients to find emotional peace and encouraged those in mental institutions to take up positive activities to improve their quality of life. In time, going for walks, knitting and making toys were popular activities.

6. Occupational therapy was born during WWI.
Occupational Therapy was officially organized as a profession in 1917 to help returning World War I soldiers to work through emotional, mental and physical injuries. At that time, the practice became more scientific and the medical field recognized it as a medical profession.

7. Occupational therapy helps all kinds of people and problems
Occupational therapists help with those who have hearing loss, blindness, a loss of motor skills, trouble coping with stress, autism, stroke, heart attack, brain or spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer's disease, drug and alcohol abuse and other needs. The word "occupational" tends to make people think of helping people with their careers, but really their duties focus more on helping individuals learn, or relearn, skills that can help them be self sufficient.

The field of occupational therapy continues to change as new technologies and ways of thinking evolve. However, the need for occupational therapists will always be there. As these advances occur, patients will get more assistance with their needs and become more successful in coping with everyday events and in the recovery process.

Are you curious about your career possibilities in the field of Occupational Therapy?

Careers in Occupational Therapy are of three selections. The educational and training requirements that you need depend on your chosen career option. If you are not sure about the career differences in this field, read on to get the basic and most important ideas to guide you in your choosing.

What follows are the descriptions that distinguish each career possibility from one another:

Occupational Therapist (OT)

OT's think of treatment strategies to help a person overcome a physical, emotional, psychological or mental disorder, and help them live as normally as possible. They differ from the Psychologists and Psychiatrists in the sense that the they advise the most suitable method for the patient's condition based on the diagnoses of the Psychologists and Psychiatrists. On the other hand, Psychologists and Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing the patient's condition.

Occupational Therapist have premium salary wages. These salary ranges differ per state, depending on the demand and the median annual salary followed by that particular state. For instance, California employs the highest number of OT's and also give the highest median annual salary. In 2008, the median annual salary for OT's in California is $80,830. Second state that pays the highest is New Jersey with a median annual salary set at $79,620. The states that have the lowest hourly wages include New Hampshire ($26.16) and Maine ($28.72).

Aside from the median salary range per state, another factor to salary difference is the industry where the OT is employed. The different industries that employ occupational therapist and their median annual salary are as follows: Home Health Care Services ($79,110), Employment Services ($78,630), Academic Institutions ($75,260), Nursing Care Facilities ($73,200) and Clinics of Physicians ($71,840).

Occupational Therapist Assistant

OTA's assist the in facilitating everyday treatments. They record the patient's progress and patient's response to the treatment.

Nowadays, the state requires aspirants to attend training and accredited programs offered in Technical Institutions and Occupational Therapy Schools. These include fieldwork to hasten the skills and broaden the knowledge of the students. In some states, passing the licensure test is required before practice. If you are interested to be an OTA, expect a median annual salary of $42,060.

Occupational Therapist Aides (OT Aides)

The job of an Aide is to prepare the materials and equipment needed by the OT and OTA during therapy. OT Aides also do clerical work. If you want to be an Aide, simply finish high school and attend the on-the-job trainings offered by technical schools and colleges as part of their Occupational Therapy Programs. An Aide has a median annual salary of $25,020.

If you've ever had the desire to travel to different parts of the country using your physical, occupational or rehabilitation skills in facilities where they're needed most, consider working as a travel therapist.

The benefits of doing so are many. Here are just a few:

• You'll more than likely make more money. The hourly wages paid to traveling therapists generally are more than those paid to therapists who work full-time at one facility. In addition, many staffing services pay their therapists bonuses for signing on, for staying with the service for several assignments and for referring other therapists to their service for assignments.


• Your travel therapist company also will probably pay for your housing. Your therapy service will pay your expenses in a nice apartment not too far from your assignment facility. These apartments often are furnished, and offer many amenities such as pools and fitness centers. If you don't wish to stay in the apartment the service finds for you, many travel therapist staffing services will pay you a generous housing stipend that you may use to find your own accommodations.


• You'll also receive generous health benefits as well as the opportunity to invest in the travel therapist staffing service's retirement plan, often a 401(k) plan.


• What's more, you'll be working on assignments where your skills and expertise are highly valued. Healthcare facilities often turn to travel therapist staffing services because they are short-handed with a large patient case load. They are desperate for help and are thrilled when skilled therapists "come to the rescue" at their site.


• Your skills also will increase due to the fact that you'll be working in a new environment, possibly (depending on the assignment facility) with new equipment using the latest techniques.

In fact, many traveling therapists tell us that the satisfaction they get from being put to such good use and helping patients heal is the best benefit they receive.