Physical Therapy Schools|Benefits Of Massage Therapy Schools

The simple answer is yes. The first prerequisite for a cash practice is to determine if there is a need for the service.

There are over 47 million uninsured in the US and many of them are in need of physical therapy but do not have insurance. There is also a public of hugely underinsured people and the rate of the uninsured and underinsured is growing every year. Articles in the New York Times and USA Today are painting a very grim picture and organizations such as Families USA have the statistical information to back up these reports. But what does this mean to you. Historically, the uninsured or underinsured cannot afford physical therapy in a cash-based format. Why? Well because the high delivery and overhead costs of your traditional practice does not afford the owner any profit offering cash patients a truly economical service.

The current healthcare system is suppressive and I'd imagine I have your agreement on that. You have only two options when you are under suppression and those are to handle or disconnect. We don't want you to give up your fight to provide physical therapy service and resort to other "solutions" to make yourself profitable by diversifying into providing, for example, vitamins and supplements to your patients or opening a Wellness Clinic with the intention to capture your discharged patients and have them pay cash for this service, etc.

We want physical therapists to promote and deliver physical therapy and not become some kind of substitute profession of vitamin salesman or health club operator. We are talking about you keeping your traditional physical therapy practice and opening a separate physical therapy practice that delivers cash only physical therapy services to patients.

It can be done. You can make a profit and still deliver a high quality of care to your patients. This is not a situation where you have to make a choice between paying the bills or providing a patient with the best possible care. For once you can have your cake and eat it too. There is a simple and easy solution on how to set this up and we want to show you how.

A career as a massage therapist can be extremely rewarding. The work you perform can be very fulfilling, as you get the chance to directly and positively impact someone's life. You also have the opportunity to start your own practice, where you have total control over the hours you work and the money you make. However, while you are thinking about all of the benefits to this career, you also need to take into consideration that, like any other career, there is a potential downside associated with a career as a massage therapist. These disadvantages can be experienced by both, the therapist working herself or, one working in a spa or medical facility. Below, you will read about some of the advantages and disadvantages you should consider as you learn about how to become a masseuse.

Massage Therapist Advantages

Schedule. One of the great benefits of this career is that the job is not your typical 9am-5pm. As a practitioner of massage therapy, you have a lot of flexibility concerning the hours you're available to work. If you open up your own private practice, you have total control over when you work. If you choose to work for someone else, you'll discover that many therapists work part-time. This will allow you to schedule your appointments in the evenings, or even on the weekends.

Mobility. You don't have to worry about being tied down to one specific area. Because there are so many places where a therapist can work, you have a lot of freedom in moving around and getting to experience the different work environments. Spas and medical facilities exist all across the country. You won't have any problems finding work, should you need to relocate.

Money. A job in this industry can be a very lucrative one. The money you can potentially earn depends on a number of factors. As mentioned previously, if you open your own practice and work for yourself, you can choose how much to charge for your services. Also, depending on how many different types of massage therapy (modalities) you specialize in, you can potentially earn more money. As a masseuse, you also have the opportunity to earn tips. As your experience and reputation go up, so too will your earnings.

Massage Therapist Disadvantages

Long Hours Standing. This job is one that can be physically taxing on your body. As such, it is not hard to get burned out. If you're constantly seeing patients and performing services, without taking breaks, you're more prone to injury. Performing massages can be very hard on your hands and upper extremities. Mostly, injuries fall into the category of overuse. As such, you'll want to ensure you enact the proper amount of self-care as possible. Seeing as how a career as a massage therapist demands a lot from you, you need to make keeping yourself healthy a top priority.

Money. We're talking about money again. The money you earn as a licensed masseuse can also be a disadvantage. This business is client-based which means your pay is directly affected by the number of clients you see. Less clients means less money. To prepare for when you're not bringing in as much money, you'll want to make sure you're good at budgeting and saving. If you can, and are interested, try to seek out spas that pay therapists by the hour.

Unrealistic Client Expectations. Some of your clients may expect for you to completely rid them of their pain and discomfort. Given that this is an unrealistic expectation, massage therapists can be negatively affected as this can result in dissatisfied clients. It will be your duty to correct the clients beliefs so as to not have them expecting permanent healing. It might help to discuss everything up front before beginning treatment. Remember, you're reputation plays a huge role in building up your clientele.

As with any career, there are advantages and disadvantages. Make sure you are interested in this career because you enjoy helping people. Becoming a massage therapist for the right reasons will go a long way towards having a great career. Good luck as you continue to learn more about how to become a massage therapist.

Massage therapy for small animals is part of Veterinary Massage Therapy. This is a form of massage deriving its techniques from therapeutic massage for humans. It adapts the various methods and methodology to suit the specific purpose. As in the case of massage therapy for humans, Veterinary Massage varies according to the choice of the practitioner.

Massage therapy for small animals can be holistic in its application. It can also focus solely on the physical. Again, it depends totally on the approach and its philosophy. Some therapists believe you have to treat the entire make-up of a living being before you can heal it. You have to restore the universal life force, returning it into balance. Others perceive massage therapy as a means of healing the body. They do not consider it anything beyond a form of physical treatment. For some therapists, Veterinary Massage is Medical Massage for animals.

You can locate various types of Veterinary Massage for small animals on the internet. There is the Tellington Touch promoted by Linda Tellington-Jones. It promotes a method utilizing circular hand movements across the entire body of the animal. It is to help the animal by improving its health. It is also a means to address and correct behavioral problems. It can also help dogs and cats with lameness, stiffness, stress and sore backs.

You also run across Hands-To-Paws and other groups offering their services. There are small animal massage therapists and those who specialize in cats or dogs. You can take courses from an accredited school. Here, they will teach you some of the basic techniques. Many of them derive from Swedish or Classic Massage.

The basic techniques from Swedish Massage are Effleurage, Tapotement and Petrissage. These techniques are also part of a specific type of Veterinary Massage -Animal Sports Massage. Though frequently associated with horses, it is applicable to small animals. There are working dogs and show dogs who benefit from Animals Sports Massage.

Sporting dogs benefit from two categories of Sports Massage. They need pre-event and post-event treatments. A pre-event treatment helps to warm up the muscles for the contest and to stimulate the body for action. A post-event Animal Sports massage helps the animal cool down. It is also diagnostic. It will help indicate any injury. Show cats can also receive similar treatment, although the intent might differ.

All small animals can benefit from the different types of massage now available. It can help reduce stress. An animal will relax under a good massage treatment. Under certain conditions, massage treatments are beneficial in healing or at least mitigating the problem and speeding up the process of healing. This is particularly true for dogs recovering from surgery.

Massage therapy can help dogs after surgery in a number of ways. It can help them to relax. Massage therapy reduces the stress and allows the healing to begin. Certain types of massage may decrease the amount of scar tissue build-up. This will help in their movement. In Pet Massage Therapy, one technique further enhances this by utilizing Passive Joint Movement.

Elder animals may also benefit from Small Animal Massage Therapy. Passive Joint Movement or Passive Range of Movement Therapy and other massage techniques can help increase the mobility of joints. This is especially effective with dogs. Pet Massage can help with arthritis and such conditions as hip dysplasia. This is, of course, along with medical attention. Pet Massage is, after all, a form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).

Another form of Pet Massage is Reiki. This no-touching type of massage therapy is popular for its perceived holistic treatment of the animal. It tries to channel energy into the animal. It unblocks channels to allow free flow of the life force. This helps create a healthy animal, on the physical, mental and emotional planes.

There is also the use of Acupressure as a treatment among some small animals. This even includes many reptiles. As with the case of all massage therapy treatments of animals, you need to work with the pet. Never force massage therapy on an unwilling animal. Always respect the boundaries they set. Be aware of the areas you are exploring. Be careful of the abdomen, never pressing too hard or too deeply. Above all, remember this is a co-operative effort.

Massage affects the body as a whole. To understand how massage therapy works, some of the physiological effects of massage need to be briefly examined.

Massage is known to increase the circulation of blood and flow of lymph. The direct mechanical effect of rhythmically applied manual pressure and movement used in massage can dramatically increase the rate of blood flow. Also, the stimulation of nerve receptors causes the blood vessels (by reflex action) to dilate, which also facilitates blood flow.

A milky white fluid called lymph carries impurities and waste away from the tissues and passes through gland-like structures spaced throughout the lymphatic system that act as filtering valves. The lymph does not circulate as blood does, so its movement depends largely on the squeezing effect of muscle contractions. Consequently, inactive people fail to stimulate lymph flow. On the other hand, the stimulation caused by vigorous activity can be outstripped by the increased waste produced by that activity. Massage can dramatically aid the movement of lymph in either case.

For the whole body to be healthy, the sum of its parts - the cells - must be healthy. The individual cells of the body are dependent on an abundant supply of blood and lymph because these fluids supply nutrients and oxygen and carry away wastes and toxins. So, it is easy to understand why good circulation is so important for the entire body, due to its effect on the circulation alone.

Massage is also known to:

- Cause changes in the blood. The oxygen capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after massage

- Affect muscles throughout the body. Massage can help loosen contracted, shortened muscles and can stimulate weak, flaccid muscles. This muscle "balancing" can help posture and promote more efficient movement. Massage does not directly increase muscle strength, but it can speed recovery from fatigue that occurs after exercise. In this way, it can be possible to do more exercise and training, which in the long run strengthens muscles and improves conditioning. Massage also provides a gentle stretching action to both the muscles and connective tissues that surround and support the muscles and many other parts of the body, which helps keep these tissues elastic.

- Increase the body's secretions and excretions. There is a proven increase in the production of gastric juices, saliva, and urine after massage. There is also increased excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorous, and sodium chloride (salt). This suggests that the metabolic rate (the utilization of absorbed material by the body's cells) increases.

- Affect the nervous system. Massage balances the nervous system by soothing or stimulating it, depending on which effect is needed by the individual at the time of massage.

- Enhance skin condition. Massage directly improves the function of the sebaceous (oil) and sweat glands which keep the skin lubricated, clean and cooled. Tough, inflexible skin can become softer and more supple.

- Affect internal organs. By indirectly stimulating nerves that supply internal organs, blood vessels of these organs dilate and allow greater blood supply to them.

Knowing about the physiological effects of massage makes it possible to better understand the health and fitness benefits of massage. What takes place under the massage therapists hands has profound importance for those interested in health and fitness in tuning up their bodies. In every sport or form of exercise, massage can help. By helping to reduce physiological fatigue and aid recovery from the exertion of working out or playing, massage enables better training, with longer, more effective workouts, thus facilitating better performance and preventing injury.

The people of ancient Mediterranean civilizations knew this. After bathing exercise, they included a full body massage. The ancients understood that education involves equal development of the mind and body. The modern publics interest in physical fitness, holistic health, wellness and human potential represents a bid to revive a time honoured philosophy.

For most people embarking on a fitness program, often the spirit is willing but the flesh is not. When regular exercise is begun almost every part of the body changes. Of interest to massage therapists is the way blood vessels become more intricate in order the meet the body's demand for more oxygen, to supply more nutrients, to permit more elimination. This takes time. While the muscles are getting into shape, they have trouble getting enough oxygen and nutrient and wastes back up and stagnate.

Unfortunately, many exercise programs regard aches and pains as the inevitable price to be paid. This is simply not true. Massage can be used as the Greeks and Romans used it - to increase endurance, control fatigue and feel better as part of a regular health program.

Massage acts to disperse the accumulated by-products of muscle action that irritate muscles and nerve endings. Lactic and carbonic acids build up in muscle tissue shortly after exercise begins. These acids are waste products that contribute to the causation of the pain and occasional cramping that exercisers, athletes, dancers, etc. suffer during and/or after workouts or performing. These acids are formed when the glycogen stored in the liver and muscles in burned to produce the energy expended during exercise. The acids must eventually be reconverted to glycogen and stored again, or drained out via the lymph and circulatory systems. Pain and fatigue persist until this process of reconverting or excreting is completed. Massage can help eliminate the irritation caused by these wastes, thus increasing muscle recovery rates. When massage has been substituted for rest, an increase from 20-75%, even 100% muscle recovery has been recorded. For example, this is why boxers are massaged rather than rested between rounds.

Joints are critical to exercise because joints are moved by the muscles to produce movement. All joints are complicated, and their parts have a way of settling and stiffening when not used. A sluggish, numbed feeling in the joints discourages exercise. A massage therapist counteracts this by using massage strokes and passive movement to release the muscle tension and free the connective tissue found around the joints that can bind the joints.

Massage also aids recovery from soft tissues injuries such as sprains and strains. This is possible because the growth and repair of tissue are accelerated by efficient circulation in the injured areas and appropriate stimulation of the healing tissues. Many soft tissue injuries are not serious enough to necessitate a visit to the doctor or hospital, or are only treated with some first-aid, but still cause some discomfort and disability. Massage therapy can often help speed and improve recovery and reduce discomfort from such mishaps. In this way, massage helps bridge the gap between common neglect of injury and major medical intervention.

Increased health awareness has also increased nutrition awareness. The most carefully planned diet is partly wasted if blood vessels are not developed an open so that nutrition can reach the cells. Massage can aid internal nutrition rates by improving circulation.

The relationship of stress and illness is of interest to anyone maintaining their health. We all have stress in our daily lives relating to work, family, environment, society. Mental tensions, frustrations and insecurity are among the most damaging. Stress causes the release of hormones that create vasoconstriction - vessel shrinking - and reduced circulation Affected by stress, the heart works harder, breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and digestion slows. Nearly every body process is degraded. Psychosomatic studies show how stress factors can cause migraines, hypertension, depression, some peptic ulcers, etc. Researchers have estimated that 80% of disease is stress-related. Soothing and relaxing massage therapy can help counteract stressing effects.

Massage has a definite psychological effect. Since massage animates the tactile sense, the body's primary sense, it brings people into the here and now and away from tension generated by constant preoccupation with problems. Also, loosening of muscle tension or armouring - the physical counterpart to how we defend and protect ourselves from psychological pain - can lead to freeing of repressed emotions.

Users of massage therapy as a healing tool quickly realise that they have found a form of drugless therapy. Headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders including constipation and spastic colon, arthritis, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis and minor aches and pains are some of the problems that can respond to massage therapy. Massage can have an excellent effect on nervous people who have been dependent on their pharmacy for rest and relaxation.

Simply stated, the foundation stone of the therapeutic effect of massage is what Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine and an advocate of massage, defined as vis medicatrix naturae, or the body's natural recuperative powers, the life force. Massage therapy essentially promotes health by boosting the body's own processes.
While this article has focused on how massage can help tune the body and on the concrete scientific effects of massage, it should also be mentioned that massage can be seen as a healing art as well as a science. The theories of therapeutic massage are scientific in character, but the actual application of these theories is an art, for it involves the healing sense, sensitivity of touch, insight and intuition. It is a unique way of communicating without words, sharing energy, enjoying pleasurable relaxation, and experiencing peace of mind. Massage is often attributed to have ethereal spiritual effects akin to those of meditation.

The past ten years or so have been seen a proliferation of different terms, titles, and systems of massage such as: Therapeutic, Holistic, Swedish, Sports, Neuromuscular, Bodywork, Oriental, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Esalen, Reichian, Polarity, Reflexology, etc. For the sake of clarity, the term amssage or massage therapy as used in this article refers to the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues. The thing to keep in mind is that every healing art that employs massage therapy should include some form of kneading, pressing, or stroking with the use of pressure and movement, no matter how slight the touch or how often it is used.

The best way to find a massage therapist is to get a referral from a friend who gets massage therapy or a health professional who is knowledgeable about forms of complementary and alternative health care such as massage therapy. Or you can contact Queensland Association of Massage Therapists and the Australian Massage Therapists Association for names of qualified massage therapists in your area.

Since there are many styles of massage, you may want to shop around to find someone who practices the style of massage most suited to your needs. You should be able to find a massage therapist who is right for you., though you may or may not need to try a few massage therapists to do so.

Whenever interviewing a massage therapist you should always feel comfortable asking if they have graduated from a school that is accredited or approved by a credible accrediting agency, belong to a credible professional association such as the Q.A.M.T or A.M.T.A, and also their amount of experience and styles of massage.

In terms of what to expect during a massage therapy session, they generally are an hour in length. Clients are usually asked to remove as much clothing as they are comfortable with and rest on a padded massage table. To respect personal privacy and provide adequate warmth, the client is covered or draped with a sheet or towel so that only the part of the body worked on is exposed at any given time.

Whether or not you would expect to talk during a session depends on your needs at the time. Some clients need to talk. Some need silence. Massage therapists will usually try to accommodate what the client needs. However, sometimes talking detracts from entering a state of relaxation or experiencing the physical, nonverbal dimensions of the massage. In any case, feel comfortable giving feedback about your needs and what you like or do not like during the session. Good communication enhances the massage session.

There are a few other key points to note regarding your massage therapy session. The massage therapist will likely use a high quality oil or lotion, but if you have an allergic reaction you should let the massage therapist know. Some massage therapists offer to play music during a session, others may feel it distracting. It is best not to have eaten just before a session. Your massage therapist can answer many other questions you may have. If for any other reason you must miss a massage appointment, your massage therapist will surely appreciate being notified as soon as possible.

To enjoy the benefits of massage which have been discussed, it is best to receive a therapeutic massage from a practitioner who has blended a thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and massage technique with a sensitive, powerful touch and healing sense. Yours in health!

(c) Professional Therapist

One of the most important methods for marketing for massage therapists is to introduce yourself and your business to other business owners within your community. Getting to know other business owners that have already created a trust and respect with their customer base is a really powerful way to attract massage clients. You can offer a discount to their customers, simply ask for referrals, or give the business owner a % of the money earned from the referral.

Another great method of marketing for massage therapists it to donate gift certificates to different organizations within your community. Not only will people see this as a generous thing to do and gain respect for you and your business, but it also exposes your massage services to a wide range of people that might not otherwise receive massage. This is a great opportunity to help the community and help your business at the same time.

Furthermore, figuring out your target market, or the type of people you want to market your business to is crucial if you are going to attract potential clients. Make sure you are marketing to specific issues or problems that people might be having, instead of marketing just massage therapy. For instance, you could market to pregnant women that are suffering from low back and hip pain and provide your skilled massage therapy services as the solution to their problem. Speaking to peoples problems in your marketing will no doubt set your apart from your competition.

In addition, you must have a website that details your massage therapy business. Marketing for massage therapists isn't just about placing ads and making brochures. If you are going to be successful you must have a website that speaks to those in your community who are searching for a massage therapist. Having a website is like having a marketing funnel constantly working for you. Without one, building your business will no doubt take much longer.

Lastly, you must have some type of referral program in place to reward your existing clients. Marketing for massage therapists always needs to include leveraging your existing client base. You have already built a trusting relationship with your existing clients, why not utilize that trust to attract more clients. Make sure you reward your existing clients with some type of discount or gift. They will feel appreciated and continue to refer more clients your way. Make sure you have a referral program in place at all times.

As you can see, there are many different methods for marketing for massage therapists. Once you grasp the different types of marketing necessary to attract clients into your business, you will begin to see a huge increase in how many massages you are doing per week. Keep working hard and don't give up. With the right mindset and hard work you will no doubt be successful

In the most recent term of the Texas Legislature the legislators finally took positive action regarding the laws governing Massage Therapy in the state. Many Massage Therapists and Massage Therapy associations in Texas have been asking the legislature to increase the number training hours required for massage therapy licensure in the state. Prior to this legislation only 300 hours of training were required for massage therapy licensure in the State of Texas.

On June 17th, 2007 Texas Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 2644. The bill amended Texas Massage Therapy law in a very positive manner. Effective September 1, 2007, candidates for massage therapy licensure must now have completed a more comprehensive training program of at least 500 hours in length, a significant increase over the previously required 300 hours. The new 500 hour training programs will meet the following requirements:

1) 200 hours taught by a licensed massage therapy instructor and dedicated to the study of massage therapy techniques and theory and the practice of manipulation of soft tissue, with at least 125 hours dedicated to the study of Swedish massage therapy techniques;

2) 50 hours of anatomy;

3) 25 hours of physiology;

4) 50 hours of kinesiology;

5) 40 hours of pathology;

6) 20 hours of hydrotherapy;

7) 45 hours of massage therapy laws and rules, business practices, and professional ethics standards;

8) 20 hours of health, hygiene, first aid, universal precautions, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and

9) 50 hours in an internship program.

Additionally, the bill eliminated the practical (hands-on) examination requirement. The elimination of the 6-minute practical exam eliminates the requirement for all massage therapy licensure candidates to travel to Austin to take the exam. Therefore, all massage therapy licensure candidates may take the written licensure exam near home instead of having to travel to the state capitol.

As written, the new law's requirements do not affect any of the approximately 20,000 currently licensed massage therapists. The law also does not affect any massage therapy student pursuing a massage therapy training program provided the student was enrolled in the program before September 1, 2007.

The new requirements are meant to improve the quality of massage therapy provided in the State of Texas and to improve the professional image of Licensed Massage Therapists in the state. The new requirements also bring Texas' massage therapy regulations more in line with other states regulating massage therapy and with the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). So, it is likely that the new laws will improve license reciprocity, allowing Texas Licensed Massage Therapists to more easily relocate to other states and separately licensed municipalities.