Torticollis is a condition that may cause mild neck discomfort in infants and affects approximately 2% of newborns. It can also occur in adults but when it is present in infants it is referred to as Congenital Muscular Torticollis. There is no way to prevent this condition, it is a result of the position of the baby in-utero, too little amniotic fluid, trauma at birth or lack of space while in-utero. An infant suffering with CMT will exhibit symptoms that include the head and neck tilted to one side. Although it looks uncomfortable, torticollis produces no severe pain. Generally, torticollis will not be noticed immediately as a newborn will have a typically wobbly head. Within the first week to the first few months, however, the condition will become more noticeable and will be diagnosed by a pediatrician.

Treatment

It is imperative that an infant exhibiting the symptoms of torticollis be given treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated, torticollis may become a permanent issue. Chiropractic care and physical therapy work well to reverse the muscular dysfunction. Stretching exercises will help to lengthen the tight muscles of the neck. Other exercises will be required daily to be done at home throughout the day to help an infant with increasing head and neck mobility and range of motion. Having the infant turn their head from side to side is also necessary to help reduce stiffness of the neck. Tummy time is also helpful in getting the baby to strengthen the neck and back muscles. If diagnosed early and if exercises are done daily, improvement will be seen within a few weeks and the condition may be fully resolved within one year.

References Cited in this Article

www.babycenter.com

www.torticolliskids.org

Myofascial release is a great alternative treatment that is available for patients, It helps to increase mobility and is 100% safe and effective.  A patient receives the myofascial release during their massage.  Unlike a regular massage the myofascial release massage actually breaks up those areas where the tension lies.  The massage therapist uses massage techniques and manipulations to reach the fascia.  Then they use pressure point techniques to break away the tightened areas.  A massage therapist will stretch and relax the muscles before attempting to use the myofascial release on a client.  The client must be relaxed and massaged for several minutes before the myofascial techniques are used.  Myofascial release is a great option for patients with back and neck pain, along with poor posture or even fibromyalgia.  The trigger point myofascial really works on specific areas.  Over time the patient will feel pain relief in the areas that were tight and sore.  Clients are able to see lasting relief.  However, in most cases patients will have to go through a treatment plan before they see results.  Your massage therapist will normally let you know how many times you need to come in and receive the myofascial release.  For some patients that have acute pain, they may only need to be seen once or twice a month.  Clients that have severe issues may need to be seen three to four times a month.  This will depend on the intensity of the pain and the issues at hand.  Myofascial release is not taught to every massage therapist.  You can call your local spa, chiropractic massage clinic, or massage therapy clinic ahead to find out if they do have someone who can perform this treatment.  In most cases you will find Chiropractic massage therapists to have the most knowledge in this treatment.  Spas typically don’t have a lot of massage therapists on board that can perform this.  It’s important to call ahead to ensure you can receive this treatment before visiting you local spa or massage therapy clinic.

When you think of receiving a massage, you probably think: therapist, table, sheets, lotion and relaxation music. While these things are common and used by therapists, they represent only a percentage of what a therapist may have as a part of their massage therapy supply stash. Generally, the type of massage session that a therapist is offering dictates what type of supplies they may need. Also, supply needs will be different if they are self employed versus an employee working under the supervision of a practitioner.

Necessary Supplies

Aside from the massage supplies such as lotion, tables, bolsters, sheets and essential oils, a therapist also requires items such as text books, anatomy charts, business cards, intake forms and other paperwork and office supplies. If self employed, the therapist is responsible for purchasing all of these supplies, but if they are an employee of a business, almost all massage supplies are provided at no cost to the therapist. There are many online stores available that offer any type of massage therapy supplies. Medical supply catalogs are also available for a therapist needing to order or reorder various items. For any massage therapist, it is important that they find a supply dealer they trust and are comfortable with because over the course of a career, they will be doing business with that supplier countless times.

References Cited in this Article

www.massage-therapy-supply.com

www.scriphessco.com

www.source1medical.com

A great specialty for a massage therapist to offer services for is pregnancy massage. As this form of therapy for mom-to-be’s has become increasingly popular and sought after, a therapist that has the training and equipment to offer women this service will find a highly rewarding and lucrative addition to their business. There are several different types of equipment that are needed in order for a massage therapist to perform pregnancy massage comfortably and safely for a client.  These types include pregnancy pillows, tables and bolsters.

Pregnancy Pillows, Tables and Bolsters

Obviously, a massage therapy table designed solely for use as a pregnancy massage table is the most costly type of equipment that a therapist would encounter. A pregnancy massage table enables a client to receive massage in the traditional face-down position without any discomfort. There are breast and belly recesses as well as an adjustable abdominal sling to provide security and comfort while lying face-down. Pregnancy pillows and bolsters are also an option for a therapist wanting to offer pregnancy massage. Bolsters provide a client with the option to receive a massage while lying on their side and a pregnancy body pillow or cushion has breast and belly recesses designed to be placed on top of a regular massage table during a pregnancy massage session. All three types of massage equipment for pregnancy are adequate and comfortable options for clients.

References Cited in this Article

www.massagesupplies.com

www.blogspot.com

www.accesshealth.com

With a growing number of healthcare professionals referring patients to massage therapists for many different health issues and with the educational standards now requiring state licensure, the profession is growing and therefore the job outlook for current students and therapists is estimated to continue to grow over the next several years and beyond.

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 118,000 massage therapists employed in 2006. It is estimated that from 2006 to 2016, that number will increase by 20%. As the profession continues to grow, more opportunities in more areas of healthcare will become available for therapists. Although massage therapy is well known and becoming more rapidly accepted by both healthcare practitioners and health insurance companies, it is recommended that a graduate begin their massage career as a part-time job before committing to full-time hours. The reason for this being that a successful therapist builds a wide referral base within a community to achieve the salary that they desire. Positive feedback and recommendations from previous clients as well as referrals from other healthcare providers are the best forms of advertising for a therapist.  However, these forms of advertising take time and generally require the therapist to have some other type of employment in order to financially survive in the beginning months or years as a massage therapist.

References Cited in this Article

www.bls.gov

www.edinformatics.com

It is a well known fact that choosing a career in massage therapy means choosing a career of intense physical demands. The hours may be long and the massage techniques requested, even if a relaxation massage, put many demands on a therapist’s body. If done improperly, a therapist will enjoy only a short-lived career with long-lasting body aches and pains. If done correctly, body mechanics will help a massage therapist provide beneficial massage for clients while at the same time extending their career.

Tips for Longevity

When questioned regarding secrets to career longevity and staying in good health while staying so physically active for so many hours per day, many successful career massage therapists reported several of the same things. These included eating well, getting plenty of sleep at night, taking rests between massage sessions, do not overbook your day with too many clients, keeping your body at a healthy weight, retaining a passion for the work you do, practicing great communication with clients and other healthcare professionals with which you may have a referral system, receiving massage services for yourself from other therapists, using proper massage tools and equipment, and most importantly, proper body mechanics. Above all else, body mechanics will dictate the longevity of a massage therapists career. If practiced during each and every massage session, proper body mechanics throughout a massage therapist’s career is the key to longevity.

References Cited in this Article

www.massagemag.com

Massages during pregnancy are extremely beneficial to the mother and baby.  They help to relax and improve the mothers overall circulation as well as help her with the labor later on.  Pregnancy massage is entirely different than a regular massage in the mother doesn’t lie directly on her stomach.  The massage is done while the mother lies on her back or side.  Certain massage techniques cannot be performed, otherwise this can actually induce labor and cause a women to start having contractions.  It’s vital that you only receive a pregnancy massage from someone who is specifically trained on how to administer a massage for a pregnant women. It ensures the massage is done properly and safely for the mother and baby.  A regular massage can cause more harm to the body, and a women should not receive a regular deep tissue massage while they are pregnant otherwise it can cause serious risks during the pregnancy.  Typically pillows will also be used to support the women’s legs.  The legs are elevated to help with the circulation process during the entire massage.  Extra pillows may be added or removed during the entire massage.  This helps the massage therapist work on different targeted areas, and the elevation also helps the women stay comfy during the entire massage.

Pregnancy Massage Misconceptions

Some misconceptions about pregnancy massage are that it can cause premature labor or even a miscarriage.  This is in fact incorrect.  A true pregnancy massage doesn’t induce labor nor cause any issues for the women during or after the massage.  It truly helps the women with the labor pains as well as the fatigue.  The only way that a women may be at risk is if they receive a massage without letting the massage therapist know they are pregnant, as the regular deep tissue and Swedish massage can cause harm to the women.   The amount of pressure that is used is harsher and more concentrated.  This can cause discomfort and complications during the pregnancy.  It’s important to always inform your massage therapist if you are pregnant so they can ensure they only use specific techniques.

If you have the desire to learn massage therapy, you don’t necessarily need to commit to a massage therapy program to become a licensed massage therapist. For those who would like the basic knowledge and techniques without the actual career, there are online courses as well as instructional videos to teach people the how-to’s of basic massage therapy. Typically, these options will offer general knowledge of human anatomy as well as relaxation techniques and safety information.

Online Courses

Online courses are also available for massage therapy students and licensed massage therapists. Continuing education credits can be taken online.  However, states vary regarding their requirements and acceptance of online education, so it is important to research what is appropriate within a state for continuing education. No matter what the reason for learning massage therapy, there are many resources including websites, books and videos available to offer a wide variety of information at varying levels of education for someone wishing to provide massage. Whether wanting to learn massage therapy as a career or just basic techniques to offer someone the gift of relaxation on their birthday, there are plenty of resources available for both.

References Cited in this Article

www.learn-massage-online.com

www.ezinearticles.com

Overview of Education and Training

The first thing you want to do is research different schools and the massage therapy profession.  Talk with some massage therapists and get advice or opinions about their education and career.  Look online for different types of information or check out your local library.  Enroll in a school or program that will certify you at the completion of classes and training.  Some states require a license to practice massage therapy, so it is important to research your state to determine your requirements.  Currently, 33 states require massage therapists to obtain a license.  Each state requires no less than 500 hours of massage training.  It is recommended to enroll in a program that is nationally recognized as an accredited agency.  The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is an agency that has 70 accredited training programs and institutions across the nation.  Becoming licensed will lead to more career opportunities in the future.  The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) administers a test to become nationally certified.  In order to take this exam, you must complete all required training hours and graduate from the program.   Once you have completed the required training hours and obtained your license, you can decide if you want to open your own practice or work in a facility.  Many massage therapists choose to work on their own, but others find employment in medical clinics, health clubs, spas, and corporations. 

Benefits of Home Massage

An at home massage is a great alternative for someone who cannot make it in to the massage therapy clinic.  Patients are able to get total convenience and schedule a massage in the comfort of their home.  It is becoming very popular for those who have busy schedules or debilitating issues that prevent them from receiving a massage at the spa or clinic.  A home massage is done the same way as a traditional massage.  Massage therapists will typically bring a table along with a variety of different lotions or massage oils.  Some massage therapists will also bring candles and aromatherapy oils along with extra amenities at your request.  Every home massage is different, and each massage therapist will offer different options for you.  A lot of patients that are wheelchair bound will also receive in-home massages. This helps with the elasticity in the patient’s skin, along with the circulation within the body.  There are a number of people that also have debilitating issues or diseases that may prevent them from operating a vehicle.  This is a great alternative for the patient who cannot make it into the office.  A large number of patients that have medical issues or cannot exercise find massage as a great stress reliever and pain reliever.  Massage also helps to release the extra toxins and build up within the muscles.  Home massage is offered in all major cities and suburbs.  Your spa or local massage therapy clinic may also do house calls on occasions.  Many clients will book massage spa parties at home, or bridal shower spa parties.  You can often call ahead to ask for specials and pricing to locate the best deal and location nearest you.  Home massage is not for everyone.  Clients that don’t have the space to set up a table in their apartment or home are left with few options.  Home massage is great for someone who has a quiet room that is away from the noise within the house.  It’s important to have an open room the massage therapist can use to ensure the relaxation is complete.