Physical Therapy Schools|Benefits Of Massage Therapy Schools

Physical therapist assistants or PTAs work alongside physical therapists. They assist them in the implementation of the rehab exercises and therapies which are designed for the faster recovery of a patient from disability or injury. If you are planning to become a physiotherapist, but you don't have the resources to attend college for several years, you may as well study to be a physical therapy assistant. Physical therapist assistants actually have a great chance of becoming a physical therapist by having additional years of education and training.

Responsibilities and Job Duties of PTAs

A physical therapist assistant may perform the same sets of tasks as a physiotherapist, like assisting patients in their exercises, massages, workouts, electric stimulation as well as paraffin baths. In general, PTAs do their jobs under the supervision of physical therapists, who are ultimately the ones responsible for designing the rehab program and progress of the patients. Basically, physical therapy assistants are active in the documentation and monitoring of the progress of patients.

Work Environment for PTAs

Physical therapist assistants can work in clinics, medical offices, rehabilitation centers, and medical hospitals. As a PTA, regardless of the location of your work, you will need to be physically strong and fit as your job includes a lot of lifting and supporting patients. Also, you may be asked to help move or operate some heavy equipment.

In terms of the work schedules given to a physiotherapist assistant, they depend on the requirement of the employer as well as the number of patients that need to be attended to. In general, a PTA can work full time or part time, and may be required to work nights and even weekends.

Training and Education Requirements

If you are looking to become a physical therapy assistant, you need to earn an associate degree through an accredited program. Typically, this would include two years of undergraduate education. You will not have difficulties finding such programs as they are available in almost every state.

In most cases, a PTA degree program consists of a combination of clinical and classroom instruction. Just like some other medical fields, the curriculum involves life sciences such as physiology, anatomy and other first aid or life saving skills.

Expected Annual Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that an average physiotherapist assistant can earn an average of $46,300 a year. However, the salary range can greatly vary according to the state of employment, employer and industry. It is also said that home health care employers are the ones who pay PTAs the highest. Aside from the basic salary, an assistant to a physiotherapist is eligible for health care insurance and paid vacation.

In terms of looking for your future employment, it is very important that you do your own research about a certain industry. Make sure also that you choose the right school and accredited degree program in preparation for your career. Keeping these in mind, there is no doubt that becoming a physical therapy assistant will be the right career for you.

Newborns simply love to be touched and cuddled. The skin to skin touch helps you and your baby bond, comforts your baby when she is upset or uneasy with gas or colic problems. Hence, touch is a critical part of growth and development.

The massage strokes used on adults are completely different from the strokes to be used on newborns. You can adapt the adult strokes to massage your child. Just make sure that your strokes are lighter on them. The younger they are, more delicate and smaller will be the strokes be.

It is ideal that you take your child either on your lap or lay him on any kind of elevated soft surface such as few thick towels put together. Be very gentle while massaging. If your child cries or does not enjoy it, stop massaging till it feels comfortable about the whole thing.

Massage steps for the front of the body

- Lay the child on the back. Start by stroking gently the face, move to the middle of the forehead and temples

- Stroke the cheeks from nose to ears and back moving down to the chin. Gently stroke the area around the eyes.

- Stroke the front of the body along the arms. Make clockwise circles around the navel with both hands. Do gentle wringing action across the abdomen and up the body.

- Take one arm at a time, start stroking from shoulder to hand to fingers. Massage the hand, squeeze and rotate each of the fingers in turn. Do the same for other arm.

- Take one leg at time. Do a gentle wring or squeeze up the leg and stroke down the leg. Do the same for other arm.

Massage steps for the back of the body

- Lay the child stomach down. Stoke up and over the back and along the arms.

- Do a gentle kneading on the child's shoulder

- Do a gentle wringing stroke all over the body. Massage the rear side with gentle kneading or pinching strokes.

- Slide smoothly down the spine alternating with both the hands. Start from the base of the neck and move to working down to the base of spine.

- Gently stroke the legs, bending the knee up and working all the way to the foot.

- Hold the anklebone between your fingertips and move both the hands in circular motion.

- Squeeze the heal with one hand and use the thumb of your other hand to massage the sole of the foot.

- Massage the toes by gentle squeezing, rotating and pulling it in turns. Hold the foot firmly between your hands for few seconds. Repeat the same for massaging the backside of other leg.

Lastly, turn the baby over and give it a final massage in two strokes. Start from one foot up the leg, across the lower abdomen and move down the other leg. Do light strokes from the top of head right down to the feet.

To massage the baby having gas or digestive problems, use the "I Love You" technique.

- Lay the baby on the back and undress it completely or just leave the diaper on.

- Use two or three fingers of your right hand to trace the alphabet "I" on the right side of the abdomen with gentle, yet firm movements.

- Next do a gentle stroke from left to right across the baby's abdomen and then do a small downward stroke along the right side of his stomach forming upside down "L" alphabet.

- Last, stroke up from the left side of your baby's hipbone moving towards the left side of the abdomen, across the baby's body from left to right horizontally along the stomach and finally finish by stroking down the right side in the same manner, forming the "U" alphabet in upside down direction.

Massage stones are utilized for either hot or cold massage therapy sessions. While you might think any variety of flat stone works for use in a stone massage, that's not the case. Different types of stones offer different benefits, and not all stones can be effectively used for a stone massage. When the right kind of stone is used, a stone massage can relieve stress and relax the muscles.

One of the most commonly used rock during a stone massage is the basalt stone. These rock are best used during a hot stone massage as they retain the heat so well. These rock, when heated, warm the skin and loosen the muscles, making it easier for the body to absorb the oils basalt stones are often covered in. These are naturally occurring oils in basalt that happen as a result of the magnesium, serpentine, manganese, and iron that basalt stones are rich in. The combination of these oils creates a natural lubricant that aids the muscles in relief of stress and tension.

Jade is another type of stone commonly used during a heated massage. They also serve as an excellent muscle relaxant. The Chinese were the first to see healing properties in jade, and massage therapists today believe that using jade during a massage promotes longevity, generosity, compassion, and courage. Jade stones, when chilled, are often used during massage to quickly bring clients to a state of deep relaxation. This is especially beneficial as less effort is required on part of the massage therapists to bring about this level of relaxation on their own. When used in this way, stones are simply held in the therapist's hands and used as tools.

Marble is a type of massage pebble exclusively used during cold stone massage. These pebbles are created from living organisms and naturally mixed with calcite and limestone. Massage therapists typically place marble stones on specific points in the body with the intentions of removing blocked energy. It is believed these pebbles help create a sense of balance within the body.

While some rocks are best used exclusively for either hot or cold stone therapy massage, sardonyx is the big exception to this rule. This rock is one of the oldest rocks known to man and retains both temperature extremes amazingly well.

Therapists using these stones believe they work particularly well at relieving stress and anxiety. One of the unique benefits sardonyx offers is its function as a sleep aid. This works well for massage therapists wishing to bring their clients to the ultimate state of relaxation. Clients have also reported feeling a certain state of protection from bad energy as a result of these stones. These sleep aid benefits carry on far beyond the massage appointment too, as clients have reported better sleeping patterns following regular stone massages uses sardonyx.

When giving and getting stone massages it's important to realize that not all stones are created equal. Some stones are best suited for heat, others for cold, while a chosen few are considered "all purpose."

Now we often hear the term nanotechnology in different high tech devices around us. It has become so common that it is essential for us to understand the application and usefulness of this technology in our life. Now let us find more about this new technology to analyze the reason behind its success.

Defining Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is defined as the study which is involved in formulating technological devices whose size is measured in nanometers which is equal to billionths of a meter. This scientific, theoretical disciplined is involved in making high tech devices by using innovative techniques which will be more easy and convenient to use.

Applications of Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is being applied in a number of materials which has helped to reduce the size of these appliances with advanced physical properties. The nanoparticles have the capability to enhance the mechanical properties of materials with better elasticity and stiffness. It also helps to reduce the weight of the devices and also increases its stability and performance level. The main purpose of nanotechnology is to control the structure of materials and make them more effective by reconstructing and reducing their molecular structure. As the main purpose of this technology is to manipulate the size of various materials it has being applied in the following sectors to improve their performance and result.

Advantages of Nanotechnology in different Sectors

Medicine - Nonomaterial are as small as the biological molecules, therefore it can be used in biomedical researches and other medical treatments in making better diagnostic devices, drug delivery vehicles, physical therapy applications etc that can easily pass through the organs in our body.

Reduce Energy Consumption - Nanotechnology will help in energy consumption with the help of advanced light emitting diodes and quantum caged atoms.

Minimize the battery disposal problem - The nonomaterials will make the batteries more durable by increasing their energy content, by making them rechargeable with the help of supercapacitors.

By applying this technology resource in manufacturing fabrics, dress materials can be made stain repellent or wrinkle free. It can also be applied in heavy industries in making aircraft and automobile. And the list goes on. With the advancing technology it will soon become more efficient and effective to make work easier for human being.

Corporate massage has been demonstrated to be an effective motivational tool in offices (1). However, when wellness directors make the wise decision to bring chair massage therapy into their offices, what should they look for in a therapist?

First and foremost, most states now have certificates or licenses that therapists must (or should) obtain to demonstrate their completion of training and standards of professionalism. Be sure that any therapist you hire for corporate massage has one of these credentials. In states where these credentials do not yet exist, there are usually municipal credentials that can serve the same purpose. An acceptable substitute in areas without state or local licenses/certificates can be the therapist's school transcripts (showing completion of 500 training hours or more) and a detailed resume.

After assuring that your therapist has appropriate credentials, get an idea of his or her experience in providing office chair massage. Have they worked in an office before? What is the length of their average session? What areas do they focus on in their work? Do they have their own chair? Are they comfortable providing all the supplies necessary to do onsite corporate massage?

An effective therapist should be able to meet any reasonable demands you have for your wellness program. They should be able to provide massages in lengths of 10 minutes to 30 minutes. They should be able to provide all supplies you need them to and have an effective routine that involves work on the back, shoulders and arms. Many therapists will also be able to provide extra services that can enhance an office chair massage, such as aromatherapy, music, and foot or hand massages.

Finding a therapist who matches all these qualifications can be difficult, especially if you have offices located in different parts of the country. Because of this, hiring a nationwide massage therapy provider can be helpful, as it can then handle all the scheduling and logistical issues that arise when managing staff in separate locations.

If managing your therapist(s) alone, it is important to find someone you are comfortable speaking with when hiring, and who can answer all the questions mentioned above, as well as provide you with copies of their credentials. It is also important that you find someone who is punctual and who can manage his or her time effectively as - especially in the world of business - employees need to know when they can receive their massages, for how long, and then not be kept waiting.

Often times, in the more laid back world of massage therapy, this can be a problem, but there are literally tens of thousands of professional therapists who would love to work at a well managed corporate massage job. Knowing what to look for can help ensure that your chair massage therapist does a good job.

(1) http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5425998/using_corporate_massage_to_strengthen.html?cat=5

Massage is an effective way to manage arthritis pain. Massage as a treatment for arthritis is sometimes controversial. However, those who are believers in this therapy are individuals who have
experienced the relief from pain.

Massage therapy is a proven way to improve muscle and joint movement. Athletes use massage as a way to relax tense muscles and stimulate circulation. Massage therapy for arthritis is not only enjoyable, it has proven to be therapeutic.

Massage therapies for arthritis break the cycle of pain that often goes along with arthritis. Massage is being used successfully in some medical facilities as a healing therapy for people who suffer from arthritis.

Now as the medical community becomes enlightened to the benefits of massage insurance sometimes covers the treatment when prescribed by a a doctor. Now millions of Americans have access to massage as a treatment alternative for painful arthritis symptoms.

The use of massage in the treatment of arthritis continues to grow as the efficacy of the treatments is validated. The use of massage in the treatment of arthritis is being acknowledged by the medical establishment as a less invasive method of therapy for chronic conditions.

Massage has few side effects and does not add toxins to the body as traditional medications that are prescribed to treat arthritis. Some of the most common forms of massage used in the treatment of arthritis pain include: These are some of the most common ones:

*Deep tissue massage using slow strong pressure to reach the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Releasing tissue is the primary goal. The side effects may be soreness and some minor discomfort.

However deep tissue massage is sometimes associated with acupressure that has therapeutic benefits to the body and eases the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis

*Swedish massage is the most popular method of massaging the body. The whole body is stroked and kneaded. The top layer of muscles are manipulated with gentle stokes and movement. The Swedish massage is considered to be the most enjoyable massage technique.

*Myofascial release massage involves long strokes that stretch the body. These strokesare intended to release tension in the fascia. The fascia is the connective tissue around the muscles.

*Acupressure and Shiatsu massage are ancient Asian techniques that use pressure points on specific parts of the body. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture in that acupressure uses the same points that are stimulated in acupuncture.

*Trigger point therapy uses concentrated finger pressure on points or knots of tension or pain in the body.

*Reflexology therapy involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to other parts of the body

The benefits of massage therapy for arthritis are many:

*Deep muscle and tissue relaxation

*Reduces stress

*Releases toxins from the body

*Increases the flexibility of muscles

*Improves blood circulations

*Lowers blood pressure

*Relieves tension and pain

*Balances the body

*Reduces nervousness

*Heightens mental and spiritual awareness

Massage therapy has been proven to be effective in treating the pain associated with arthritis that other medical treatments are unable to address Massage therapy has proven to provide a higher quality of life to individuals who use massage therapy to relieve pain. More people are learning to experience relief of pain as they are treated to the miraculous healing power of a massage.

Massage therapy is definitely a strong career opportunity to look into. Unlike many other job options, massaging offers you a great deal of flexibility. While you can generate a sizable income working at a spa or hotel, many people are able to make good money simply by working from home with a select list of clients. Another thing to consider is that the scope of this job is far-reaching. Today many different kinds of institutions use massage therapy, meaning there is a variety of jobs available in a range of different sectors.

How Does It Work?

These kinds of therapists are generally paid according to their experience. That is, the longer you have worked in the business, the better salary you can expect. It is true that self-employed therapists generally make more money than those who work for someone else. However, it is difficult to start massage therapy on a freelance basis. The key is to work with reputed facilities for a good amount of time. This helps build an impressive resume as well as gives you the skill sets needed to start a business on your own. Perhaps most important of all, it will help you build a client list which you can rely on during your self employment.

A factor that will affect your salary rate is where you are employed. Today, therapists are employed by places as varied as hotels, gyms, nursing homes and hospitals. A therapist will be paid either on an hourly basis or on a per-session basis. In general, the hourly basis method is more popular. Most therapists will work a 40-hour week, since the job is physically taxing on the arms and shoulders. Another thing to consider is that most massages also include other kinds of treatments and preparations.

Don't Be Put Off By The Hourly Rate

When considering massage therapy careers, some people get put off by the starting hourly rates. It is true that the rates do vary slightly between those therapists who are licensed and those who are certified. The starting hourly wage at a private company can be a little over ten dollars an hour. But a self-employed therapist can charge thirty dollars an hour or even double that amount. It's important to remember that while the starting rate may seem small, the pay rapidly increases. Studies have shown that after just a single year of work experience, the starting hourly rate can jump by as much as 39%. Because it is such a lucrative career option which often doesn't take up much time, many people like to do it on a part time basis while pursuing other courses, like nursing.

The bottom line is that massage therapy gives you the ability to earn a full-time salary even if you only work on a part time basis. However, in order to draw a good salary, you need to start by gathering an ample amount of work experience. Other factors that will affect the salary you draw or the amount you can charge are the location of your facility and what kind of massages or extra treatment you offer in a session.

A pediatric physical therapist deals with the rehabilitation of children recovering from injuries, fractures and other ailments. Pediatric physical therapist jobs provide immense job satisfaction because you can help in reshaping the lives of children and have the gratification of assisting the little ones get back to their routine lives.

Pediatric physical therapy is aimed at relieving pain, preventing injury or disability, and improving the clients' functions. It has the complete well-being of the child as the main objective. Through physical exercises and medication, pediatric physical therapists help the patient regain his/her physical capabilities. The treatment process is well-coordinated and includes proper diagnosis, formulating the best treatment plan, educating the children to perform physical exercises, evaluating different stages and more.

Basic Requirements for a Pediatric Physical Therapist Job

Individuals having good academic credentials can soar high in this job. They should have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy. They should be professional, at the same time, sociable for effective interaction with the patients and other caregivers. Ability to organize, supervise, resolve specific health problems of the patient, plan treatment programs, and set goals, are the necessary qualities needed for an ideal physical therapy professional. Above all, the candidate should be licensed after undergoing training in an accredited institute.

Job Opportunities in Reputable Medical Firms

Home health agencies, school systems, outpatient clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and many other medical facilities offer job vacancies for physical therapists. Finding a proper place with excellent remuneration meeting all your individual requirements, might involve a lot of time and effort. Nowadays, people depend on recruiting agencies to find ideal jobs. When vacancies arise, these agencies inform their clients from where they will direct them to the right job providers. This gives the candidates the freedom to choose the job suiting their needs. Thus you can find highly rewarding jobs in the medical industry which will put you in a position where you can help the infants and children recover their health.

There are many benefits to getting a massage on a regular basis. Besides just enjoying the pleasure, a wide variety of health and personal benefits exist that further support the notion of weekly massages.

Massage services can be somewhat expensive, but certain places will offer you discounts if you come often enough. Either that, or you can sign up for a plan that saves you money, which would be a lot more affordable than buying massages each time you come in. Depending on what business you go to, and if it is independently owned, you may be able to form a relationship with the owners and further drive down the price.

The primary benefit of weekly massages is the relief that is given to different parts of the body. Over the course of the week, tension builds in many places, and it can inhibit our daily activities. A massage relieves this physical stress and enables you to operate at an optimal level. This is invaluable in this fast-paced world, and you will find that the investment in massage services quickly pays off in the way you feel and the increased productivity you have.

Being productive is meaningless if we are not healthy, and there are tons of health problems out there that can bring us down at any moment. Massages stimulate portions of the body that are responsible for fighting off conditions, and having your body regularly recharged in this way is overall beneficial to your health. Most importantly, the positive feelings generated from massages reduces stress to an almost nonexistent level, and since stress is a major contributor to heart disease and cancer, this is certainly an important factor.

Getting a massage improves your focus, both after and during the massage. It enables you to think more clearly without having to worry about troubles that perpetually cross our minds. Experiencing clouded thinking can be very unpleasant and debilitating, and being free of this is quite liberating. For all these reasons and more, you should definitely consider a weekly massage, or at least one on a less frequent basis.

After many years of time and study, researchers have investigated the possible emotional, physical and medical benefits of therapeutic massage. This study has been going on since the 1800s and only recently have their been substantial and legitimate findings. The truth is that therapeutic massage has many beneficial qualities within the daily life of all people. Researchers now stand by therapeutic massage and its advantages to the human body and mind.

Anxiety and Stress Relief

Therapeutic therapy has always been said to be a great anxiety and stress reliever. Now, according to the AMTA or American Massage Therapy Association, therapeutic therapy has the ability to relax the mind, relieve stress and improve a humans ability to recognize and monitor their stress signals. In addition, therapeutic therapy also helps to reduce anxiety, improves mental alertness and increases the mind and body connection. Studies were performed on medical students and was discovered that after a therapeutic therapy was administered these students responded cautiously to stress signals and had a decreased rate of anxiety. Remarkably, therapeutic therapy was also found beneficial to cancer patients after successfully reducing their anxiety levels as well.

Attention and Focus

Additional research found that when therapeutic massages were given to already stressed office workers they were able to perform better in the workplace more so than those who were not given a massage. Persons who were given regular massages were far more alert and experienced less stress than persons who went without a massage. Research was also performed on several autistic children who showed reduced erratic behaviour after a therapeutic massage. Erratic behaviour is very common in autistic individuals.

Healing and Rehabilitation

Therapeutic therapy is also common in the medical field in healing and rehabilitation aspects. It has been proven to stimulate and relax inactive and weak muscles in order to quicken recovery time. This was found to be especially beneficial to individuals who had experienced a debilitating injury or sickness. These illnesses or injuries cause inactivity which further bring about muscle deterioration. Therapeutic therapy was also found to be beneficial to HIV-exposed, premature infants as it enabled them to experience healthy weight gain.

Pain Relief

Pregnant woman often seek out therapeutic therapies in order to help alleviate discomforts during pregnancy. Therapeutic massages are very common in these instances. Additionally, professional athletes also seek out massages in order to help with muscle pain and swelling. These massages have been proven to relieve swelling and pain brought about by sprained or strained muscles. It can also help to reduce tension headaches or those related to types of eye strain.

Therapeutic Massage in General Health

Therapeutic therapy has been found to be highly beneficial in an individuals general heath. This type of massage helps the circulation of blood throughout the body. It helps to reduce blood pressure and also gives the immune system a much needed boost.

Therapeutic massage has always been known for its physical relief agents but it is also a great emotional aid. Massages help individuals who experience stress related problems. Therapeutic therapy is extremely beneficial to those who go through constant anxiety and stress and even depression.