Have you ever thought of becoming a massage therapist?  Well, you’re not alone!  There are thousands of massage therapists within the United States and many more becoming nationally certified by the N.C.B.T.M.B every day.  More and more institutes and colleges are offering massage therapist programs.  Most accredited institutions offer programs that are 500-hours in duration.  Massage therapy students must take the following classes: human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, orthopedic testing, range of motion, and clinical application.  The massage techniques applicable to a therapist are Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement, Roulement, Trigger Point Release, Myofascial Release, Cross-friction massage, Cyriax friction, Shiatsu, Rain-drop therapy, Sacral-Occipital Technique, and hydrotherapy applications.  Once graduated, the new therapist has many different options for employment such as spas, cruise ships, Chiropractic offices, wellness and fitness centers, acupuncture offices, physical therapy rehabilitation, and hospitals. 

N.B.C.T.M.B.

The National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offer a specialized test to qualify candidates for national certification.  This test sets apart therapists among the field to ensure the public the highest level of safety and technique.  This certification demands that the therapist complete 50-hour of continuing education every four years with ethics being a major requirement.  In addition, they also require them to show proof of hand-on application throughout the 4-year time frame.           

Various Items

Massage therapy supply may include items like oils, candles, massage table, massage chair, or towels.  Practitioners will use oils to help calm the muscles and increase sensation during the massage.  Candles are used to relax and sooth the client.  Also, the lights may be dimmed and soft toned music may be played in the background.  Most practitioners will place clients on a massage table in order to move around the clients more easily.  Massage tables are also very comfortable and assist clients in making them feel comfortable.  Practitioners who work in offices or malls may have a portable massage chair to bring to their clients.                 

About Massage Chairs

Massage chairs are convenient, lightweight and provide relief for those suffering from sore achy muscles.  These massages have been known to promote overall well being and performance by reducing stress, increasing concentration, lowering anxiety, increasing circulation, lowering blood pressure, and promoting muscular relaxation.  An added benefit of the chair massage is that it is performed outside of the clothing so there is no need to get undressed.  You may feel that a traditional massage is uncomfortable because you have to remove your clothing in front of a stranger.   Not only will a portable chair massage save you money and time, but you can take it with you anywhere.

Aromatherapy incorporates the use of various herbs, flowers, and extracts either applied topically or inhaled with the purpose of improving the health of the body and mind.  Aromatherapy, similar to Chiropractic, works with the innate healing capability of the body.  Aromatherapy aims to improve the patient’s immune system through either very dramatic or subtle aromas.  Aromatherapists construct essential oils from different components of plants; the process results in a large variety of different concoctions with very different effects and results.  As a reflection of the vast diversity of aromas, a variety of responses are seen in patients to the same aroma; therefore, aromatherapy is very individualized to meet the needs to each patient. 

Forms of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can be divided into three primary forms.  Cosmetic Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils in skin and body care products such as shampoo, soap, or lotions.  Often bath products will feature essential oils to enhance relaxation.  Olfactory Aromatherapy involves the application of essential oils into a mist or spray that spreads throughout the treatment arena.  Massage Aromatherapy allows patients to receive the benefits of wonderful aromas along with conventional Swedish Massage application.  Often Massage oils will include a variety of Aromatherapeutic oils blended together.  Don’t be surprised if during your next visit to a Massage Therapist, Aromatherapy is involved in your massage experience.[1]

Reiki

When visiting a spa for Massage Therapy, a variety of massage techniques are used.  Reiki is a Massage technique that involves the Massage Therapist placing his/her hands onto the body to funnel the body’s vital energy to areas of discomfort.  Reiki facilitates the body’s innate ability to heal itself.  Sometimes, spas also features Massage Therapists trained in Sports Massage. 

Sports Massage

Sports Massage involves soft tissue massage as well as stretching and joint movement evaluation. 

Stone Therapy

Stone Therapy also is used as Spas.  Stone Therapy utilizes primarily marble stones that are either heated or cooled.  Heated stones help to relax muscles thus allowing Massage Therapists to more effectively target areas of muscle tightness.  Cold stones are often used for patients with sinus troubles. 

Aromatherapy

Spa Therapy also commonly involves the use of Aromatherapy as well as nutrition practices.  Spa Therapy is quickly becoming a very popular option for people interested in relaxation as well as healing.[1]

Trigger Point Massage

Finally, Trigger Point Massage is often used to target areas of muscle, tendon, or ligament that are very tender.  The pressure applied to the area of inflammation allows the blood to filter in and out of the location.  The flow of blood in and out of the area of discomfort allows for alleviation of pain and discomfort as well as eventual healing. 

Massage therapy is well known for its health and relaxation benefits, and because of these benefits, it may also be known for its overall beauty benefits as well. Many people think of beauty regimes and treatments along the lines of botox, chemical peels and plastic surgery, and while some of the treatments do offer positive effects from the damage of the main cause of aging, free radicals, much of what massage therapy has to offer are natural body benefits from within the body with results that can be seen on the outside.

Effects of Massage Therapy

In general, all of the effects of massage therapy are positive health and wellness benefits that people will feel during the massage, immediately following the massage and for days or weeks to follow. Some of the more specific physiological effects that would be closely related to helping improve body beauty with massage would be increased circulation, which helps to deliver more nutrients and oxygen to organs and tissues, improvement of the elasticity and condition of the skin, reduction of swelling and adhesions as well as reduction of overall weariness and fatigue, which can lead to improved sleep at night with a more restful feeling in the morning.

Calming

Massage therapy is used to help calm the feelings of anxiety and depression. The power of human touch by itself is enough to cause healing and relaxation throughout the body. Continued massage sessions can leave a client with more radiant skin, better facial tone to help eliminate discoloration under the eyes and better circulation in the limbs to help fight against vein damage. With routine visits to a licensed massage therapist these benefits will result in a person experiencing a constant and long lasting positive beauty effect on the body as well as many other health benefits and an overall increase in physical and mental well being.

References Cited in this Article

www.massagetherapy.com

www.naturalnews.com

Used for nearly one thousand years, aromatherapy healing has a long and popular history of relaxation and approval from most who receive the treatment. Aromatherapy can most easily be described as a general massage with essential oils that are added to massage lotion to help aid with certain health issues. Most people seek aromatherapy for relaxation and stress reduction as well as increased feelings of energy. Aromatherapy is also very beneficial in helping with emotional and physiological issues. The most common essential oil used is lavender.

Limbic system

Scientific studies have shown that aromatherapy affects the limbic system in the body, which deals with heart rate, digestion, the immune system, blood pressure, breathing and stress management. It can also help with such issues as post-partum depression, beauty and hygiene concerns. The essentials oils used may be absorbed into the skin, therefore aromatherapy uses only non-synthetic ingredients that are antibacterial. Some of these ingredients include sea salts, milk powders, clays, mud, cold-pressed vegetable oils, herbs, jojoba and hydrosols. Essential oils have different qualities and so different oils are used for different responses. Some oils are used to calm and cleanse while others are used to energize and decongest.

Benefits

An aromatherapy session can help with stress, depression and skin irritations. Be sure to let your therapist know if you have any open sores or skin conditions that would be contraindicated for aromatherapy. Also mention if you are overly sensitive to any of the various types of essential oils. For most people, an aromatherapy session is a wonderful way to relax and heal the body and mind.

References Cited in this Article

www.aromaweb.com

www.altmedicine.about.com

www.naha.org