07th March 2008Author: Brandon Thomas

It is well known that massage therapy can reduce anxiety, pain and tension and generally feels good. However massage can be more than just relaxing. For athletes massage therapy can be a key contributor to their training regime and considerably enhance their performance. More commonly known as “Sports Massage” massage for athletes utilizes deep muscle working techniques that eliminate toxins in muscle fiber as well as remove adhesions. These techniques applied to athletes, and called Sports Massage, are a combination of Shiatsue and Swedish massage. Some specific methods commonly utilized are pressure point, cross-fiber friction and Swedish strokes. This form of massage can be separated into two sections when it comes to athletes receiving massage: pre-event massage and post-event massage.

Pre-event massage is best done up to two days before your event. This stimulates the flow of nutrients and blood to muscles and produces a mental confidence caused by physiological relaxation. A pre-event massage can significantly improve an athlete’s warm up as well. Besides reducing mental tension before competition or training, massage increases circulation reducing the chance of injury. Muscle tension is relaxed and tissue pliability also benefits hugely from pre-performance massage.

A post-performance massage is short and direct in nature. Lasting for approximately 10-15 minutes it usually focuses on the areas specific to the athlete’s sport. This massage utilizes compression, compressive and petrissage techniques to spread and ease muscle tension. Post-performance massage is thought to significantly expedite muscle recovery and reduce muscle spasms. Full range of motion is a main objective while increased blood flow to muscles after a work out is another benefit. Other benefits include a shorter recovery time, and a significant decrease in delayed onset muscle soreness. Sports massage therapists usually can be found at sporting events practicing chair massage.

Sports massage incorporates the physical, psychological and physiological aspects of the athlete to create balance in the system. The physical effect massage has on the athlete’s body is extreme. Lactic acid and other waste products are expedited more quickly out of the system. The improved circulation increases oxygen delivery to muscles, through deep tissue work, which significantly decreases recovery time. The break down of scar tissue and improved muscle elasticity is another advantage. Psychologically speaking massage relaxes the nerves and reduces anxiety and stress. Before an event, utilizing the services of a on-site massage therapist can increase performance. Increased blood flow is generally acknowledged to be good for the immune system, organs and mental health. Physiologically speaking reduced pain will increase the performance of any athlete. The muscle relaxation, which is an obvious benefit of Sports Massage, directly before or after exercise, will increase performance regardless of the type of sport.

Sports Massage promotes recovery and general well being for the serious athlete. Pre and Post massages from trained Sports Massage therapists can greatly reduce risk of injury, improve muscle elasticity and decrease the time it takes to recover from athletic performance.

Tags: main objective, recovery time, muscle tension, muscle spasms, massage therapy, massage massage, sports massage, mental tension, swedish massage, chair massage, massage therapists, muscle fiber, inco
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27th October 2008Author: Terry
Views: 12
Understanding and Working with Massage Chairs

In recent years, chair massage has become one of the most popular massage options for both massage therapists and the clients they serve. The primary reason is that the concept of chair massage is one that appeals to people who don’t normally take advantage of massage therapy. Chair massage avoids the traditional massage setting, allows clients to remain fully clothed throughout the session, and takes less time overall. In this way, those who may be intimidated by massage or who feel they cannot afford the costs are introduced to its benefits in a comforting, easy environment.

How Massage Chairs Work

Although there are different types and sizes of massage chairs, most of them have the same basic composition: they have padded surfaces for the head, chest, knees, arms, and seating area as well as the ability to adjust to fit each individual client. In most cases, the face is nestled in a horseshoe-like ring for client comfort.

The chair works with the client seated with his or her front to the cushions. This exposes the client’s posterior side, granting the massage therapist access to the back, shoulders, neck, arms, hips, and even head.

Benefits of Massage Chair Therapy

Chair massage has actually only been around as a massage technique for several decades. It originally came about as portable business-ready massage, a practice that operated under the premise that people busy at work could benefit from a brief massage brought directly to their door. Over time, this idea caught on, and practitioners moved from bringing chair massage solely to the workplace to setting up booths in retail outlets, health food stores, airports, and conventions.

Most chair massage sessions are shorter in duration than traditional massage work. Because the body is kept in an upright position or gently inclined, it exposes specific body parts in need of pressure-based massage. Therapists are then able complete in five to thirty minutes what traditionally takes at least an hour, simply because they can focus their concentration on problem areas.

Some massage therapists also find that using massage chairs in place of massage tables is more beneficial for their own comfort, since they typically don’t have to bend over as far to reach the client.

Massage Chair Options

Due to the massage chair’s popularity and appeal to so many different types of users, massage therapists have a number of options to consider when choosing which model is right for them. Most of the massage therapy chairs are fairly simple in their composition, making them both easy-to-use and cost-effective.

The majority of the chairs currently on the market are portable, since the nature of the massage chair is one that it allows it to be taken from location to location to serve a wider client demographic. Those that are stationary (also known as on-site massage chairs) are typically found in massage clinics or offices that want to offer a greater array of massage choices. Heavier in weight and more durable, they are typically constructed to last longer than the portable options.

Folding massage chairs are designed to be compact and lightweight. Most of the models weigh less than 20 pounds, as they are meant to be carried from session to session. They are typically constructed of aluminum, which is great for portability, but may not uphold through the years or be able to stand up to extensive wear and tear. That’s why most portable massage chairs are fairly inexpensive when compared with their stationary counterparts.

Desktop massage chairs are an additional, portable option. They are basically miniature massage chairs. They use a desk or flat surface to provide most of the support, and offer a padded seat and head rest for the client. These are typically used solely for office calls.

Types of Massage Chair Bodywork

One of the primary reasons for the recent popularity of massage chairs is their versatility. For example, massage therapists who work directly with the feet and hands can often benefit from a massage chair because it places the client’s limbs in an easily accessible position.

Some of the more popular massage chair specialties include trigger point therapy, thumb kneading, scalp massage, and any type of massage that focuses on the neck, shoulders, and bodily extremities – usually the parts of the body most affected by working over a computer in a business or other office. In fact, portable massage is often sold as a way to reduce incidences of carpal tunnel and poor posture at work.

Massage Chair Practitioners

Although almost any licensed massage therapist can use a massage chair, it is rapidly becoming a unique subset of massage therapy with experienced practitioners skilled in just chair techniques.

Special certification is not required to be a chair massage practitioner, but those interested in practicing can either choose an educational center that includes chair massage in the curriculum or take continuing education credits specifically in the field.

J. Terrence (Terry) McDermott is the administrator of Massage Schools Guide at http://www.massageschoolsguide.com, a website offering resources for prospective massage therapists. He specializes in online continuing education resources.

Tags: retail outlets, body parts, booths, cushions, health food stores, massage therapy, massage chairs, massage chair, massage technique, benefits of massage, massage therapist, chair massage, massage therapists
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16th September 2008Author: Brandon Thomas
Views: 20
New York is a fast growing, rapidly changing metropolis with a population of more than 8 million people. The city has long been an important center for shipping, finance, media and culture and the New York metropolitan area serves as the headquarters for many of the world’s largest corporations. The job opportunities are as varied as the population and all hope to attract the best and brightest professionals. There is stiff competition among companies to lure well-qualified candidates and retain them once they are hired.

Once hired, many employees find themselves over stressed and fatigued do to the competitive and fast paced nature of New York’s corporate culture. Increased levels of stress can have an adverse effect on job performance and health if left unaddressed. Excess stress has been shown to cause insomnia, chronic headaches, overeating, an inability to focus and can contribute to more serious problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Employers see an increase in absenteeism, lowered productivity and poor office morale, which translate into lost revenue.

A growing number of corporations are implementing employee wellness programs to keep their staff healthy and to reduce the frequency of sick days. Chair massage is an excellent addition to a corporate wellness program because of its convenience and lasting benefits. Therapeutic massage has been proven effective in calming anxiety, reducing stress and improving mental clarity. Physical benefits include relief from muscle aches, lowered blood pressure, improved circulation and improved immune system function.

Chair massage is ideal for a workplace setting because it requires only a small amount of space and is performed in short but thorough sessions. Sessions normally last between 5 and 15 minutes, which is within the span of a typical coffee break. Chair massage therapists do not use oils or lotions, which allows professionals to maintain their appearance and remain completely dressed. Positive results can be felt immediately and are long lasting. Work related injuries, resulting from poor ergonomics or repetitive stress and strain are escalating among office workers. New York massage services can alleviate pain caused by muscle strain and reduce tenderness and swelling of areas affected by repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The improved circulation that New York chair massage provides helps to rid tissues of excess fluids and toxins, while facilitating the flow of important nutrients to the area. Harried professionals often consume high levels of refined sugar and caffeine, which contributes to a nutrient-poor diet. A poor diet coupled with increased stress can take a toll on the immune system’s ability to ward off illness by hindering the production of white blood cells. A short New York City massage releases toxins and heightens the production and effectiveness of the body’s natural germ fighters.

Morale and job satisfaction are also major concerns for employers. A low office morale can greatly reduce productivity by fostering feelings of apathy and an individual’s inability to effect change. Workers within such environments report feeling burned out, unmotivated and overly anxious. The negative effects of stress are multiplied and can cause a marked increase in absenteeism and employee turnover. Companies that offer regular employee massage have found it to be a cost effective way to improve workplace morale, attract top performers and view it as an opportunity to show their commitment to their employees’ physical and emotional health.

Tags: high blood pressure, mental clarity, reducing stress, immune system function, therapeutic massage, coffee break, chronic headaches, levels of stress, chair massage, massage therapists
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15th September 2008Author: Brandon Thomas
Views: 15
New York City is a top destination and hub for the world’s most prominent companies. It’s no surprise that New York’s metro area convention centers and large venues are booked with trade shows featuring the latest innovations and products for a wide variety of applications, spanning across numerous industries. Spaces at these events are often limited and exhibitor’s fees alone can cost thousands of dollars. Advertising, furnishing and operating a trade show booth is also costly, and the price for transportation and lodging of employees comes at a premium.

With all of the time, effort and money spent on promoting a company’s products at a trade show, it is imperative that the booth stands out among the crowd. Most corporate trade show booths offer brochures and promotional gifts to entice visitors to spend a few moments hearing about what they offer. However, these tactics are proving to be less effective as a means of attracting and retaining potential clients long enough to see a product demonstration or to hear the sales pitch. More often than not, visitors will give most corporate booths a passing glance and pick up a brochure or free pen, and then continue on their way. This makes it quite difficult for the sales team to assess whether or not they have made a lasting impression, or generated a quality lead. Spending meaningful face time with a potential client is the most effective way to produce valuable sales leads.

Offering a free chair massage at a corporate trade show booth is an enjoyable and cost effective marketing tool aimed at providing an exhibitor with increased visibility and face time with future clients. The massage chair is easily set up and is ideal for a trade show environment because a fully functional station can operate in a very compact space. Chair massage therapists do not use oils or lotions, which eliminates the need to undress. The massage is performed over clothing and sessions last for an average of five minutes. A New York chair massage is an excellent draw to a company’s booth because most trade show visitors have traveled a significant distance and are on their feet for extended periods of time. These factors can cause visitors to feel fatigued and lacking focus, which take away from the impact of the marketing message. A free massage is always attractive to weary trade show attendees, and many will wait in line just to receive one. A small crowd gathered at your corporate booth will attract more attention and the time that guests spend there will increase exponentially. Your sales team will have an extended opportunity to meet and speak with potential clients as they wait for their free chair massage, resulting in a positive effect on the number of quality leads they can generate while providing increased exposure for your company’s products.

Chair massage is also a great way to garner positive name recognition for your company and products. A short, thorough session soothes aches and calms anxiety. Recipients of New York massage services feel relaxed and invigorated with an enhanced sense of well being. These feelings are long lasting and correlate directly with the company that provided them with the enjoyable experience.

Tags: marketing tool, time effort, latest innovations, massage chair, trade show booths, lasting impression, cost effective marketing, chair massage, massage therapists, undress, trade show booth, promotional gifts, metro area, face time
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Regardless of the training received in massage school, the fainting of a client is a stressful situation for any bodywork professional. Review the causes and warning signs of fainting, preventive measures, as well as the necessary steps to safely and confidently handle this unpredictable occurrence like a pro.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Realizing clients may faint during massage therapy does not mean you possess the confidence to handle the real, live situation. A formal massage education does not include an emergency room internship, where challenging experiences take place under the watch of a professional. Often, the first time a client faints during massage, the practitioner is on their own.

Why do Clients Faint?
Fainting, or syncope, is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness. Someone who faints may only pass out for several seconds or for as long as an hour. There are hundreds of possible causes of syncope, most of which are due to the vasovagal reflex, where blood vessels relax and dilate, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Some of the most common reasons clients faint include:

· Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), common in early pregnancy and diabetes
· Anemia
· Heat stroke or heat exhaustion
· Dehydration
· Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia
· A sudden change in body position like standing up too quickly (postural hypotension)
· Extreme pain
· Sudden emotional stress or fright
· Anxiety
· Taking some form of prescription medication. Examples include medicines that lower high blood pressure, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or excessive use of some over-the-counter medicines.
· Being in a hot, stuffy room or hot, humid surroundings
· Alcohol consumption

Fainting Prevention
The number one way to prevent client syncope is through being prepared and communication with clients.

· Be familiar with the medications clients are taking, including new medications and anything that may lower blood pressure.
· If your client has just come from physical activity and is overheated, allow them to cool down and re-hydrate.
· Know if your client has a history of orthostatic hypotension, fainting or dizzy spells.
· Be aware if your clients are diabetic and make certain they have checked their blood sugar or have sugar pills, juice or cookies available if necessary.
· If your client is hypoglycemic, or hasn’t eaten within the past five hours, provide them with a light snack or refuse treatment.

Foreshadowing
Even if you have no reason to suspect that a client may faint, there are a few signs that may precede a temporary loss of consciousness. If any of these signs appear, verbally check with your client to see if they are okay prior to continuing a session.

· The skin becomes hot and sweaty or cold and clammy.
· A client suddenly becomes fidgety.
· Complaints of dizziness or light-headedness.
· The person lifts their head out of the face cradle to yawn or take a breath. According to David Palmer, this is an involuntary reaction to not getting enough oxygen to the brain.

What to do
Although a client becoming fully unconsciousness is rare, it is best to be prepared. The following is the preferred order of steps to address syncope:

1. Be Calm - The number one thing to remember if a client loses consciousness is to remain calm.

2. Proper positioning - If the client is not lying down, assist them into a position where they can’t fall, their head is below their heart and the legs are elevated. This position promotes blood flow to the brain. If a victim who is about to faint can lie down right away, he or she may not lose consciousness. Call for assistance if you need help in accomplishing this, but do not leave the client’s side.

3. Check breath and pulse – If there are no sounds of breathing, make sure the airway is open and begin rescue breathing. If there is no pulse, begin CPR. Look for a medical identification bracelet, necklace or card that identifies a medical problem, such as epilepsy or diabetes. In either case, have someone call 911 for emergency help.

If the client has a pulse and is breathing, it is not necessary to call 911 unless the client does not regain consciousness in a few minutes or if the person is diabetic. A diabetic may be in insulin shock, requiring additional support.

4. Comfort measures – Make sure there is no tight-fitting clothing around the client’s neck, that there is adequate air circulation, and keep the client from getting chilled.

5. Acupressure – Only after the first four steps have been taken, consider this age-old technique for fainting. Oriental meridian theory suggests applying firm pressure to the following locations to revive someone from syncope:

· Governing Vessel 26 - Located in the philtrum, about 1/3 the distance from the bottom of the nose to the top of the lip.
· Stomach 36 - Located four finger breadths below the eye of the knee, one finger breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia, in the tibialis anterior.

Additional Tips
Upon fainting, a common mistake is to try to give the person something to eat or drink, including water. This gesture must wait until the client is fully conscious. Additionally, don’t allow the person who’s fainted to get up until the sense of physical weakness passes. Then be watchful for a few minutes to be sure he or she doesn’t faint again. Once again, don’t leave your client’s side until they have fully recovered.

Other Reasons to call 911
If your client also has signs of a heart attack, call for emergency help. Such symptoms include:
· Chest pain or pressure.
· Pain that spreads to the arm, neck or jaw.
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
· Nausea and/or vomiting.
· Sweating.
· Rapid, slow or irregular heartbeat.

If your client also shows signs of a stroke, call for emergency help. Such symptoms include:
· Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg.
· Temporary loss of vision or speech, double vision.
· Sudden, severe headache.

Confidence
While episodes of syncope in the massage setting don’t occur every day, most massage therapists may encounter a few in their career. A thorough intake will provide the therapist with the information to prevent such an episode by alerting them to a fainting possibility, discovering if the client hasn’t had anything to eat or drink prior to a session, or by prompting modification of the session. Such modifications include avoiding strokes or techniques that further lower blood pressure or those drawing energy away from the head. Reviewing the causes of syncope, including these warnings and procedures, will build your confidence so if you do encounter syncope, you are both calm and prepared.

Massage professionals interested in enhancing their knowledge on this subject would benefit from the Institute’s Pharmacology for Massage distance learning program. This 13-credit course covers different medications that may render clients more susceptible to fainting and also suggests massage strokes to use to counter this tendency.

Editor’s Note: This information is for education purposes only, and is not intended to replace professional medical care. If not completely sure of your client’s well being, seek emergency medical help.

Recommended Study:

Pharmacology for Massage

References:

Palmer, David, Fainting and Chair Massage, Massage & Bodywork, June/July 2000.

Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine, Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text, Eastland Press, 1995: 572-3.

www.healthy.net, First Aid for Fainting, American Institute for Preventive Medicine, 1996.

Posted by Editors at 09:28 AM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org <http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/>

Name: Vanilla Absolute.

Botanical Name: Vanilla planifolia.

Common Method of Extraction: Solvent or CO2 Extracted.

Color: Deep Brown.

Consistency: Thick.

Perfumery Note: Base.

Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong.

Aromatic Description: Rich, warm, sweet vanilla aroma.

Possible Uses: Perfumery and enhancing the fragrance of aromatherapy and natural skin/hair care formulations.

Constituents: Vanillin, hydroxybenzaldehyde, acetic acid, isobutyric acid, caproic acid, eugenol, furfural. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 233.].

Safety Information: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 233.].

All Essential oils or highly concentrated, do not ingests or add directly to the skin. Always ask your trained massage aroma therapist on how to use any essential oils. These oils are used as a guide only.

Name: Lemongrass Essential Oil.

Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus.

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled.

Color: Pale Yellow to Vivid Yellow.

Consistency: Thin.

Perfumery Note: Top.

Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong.

Aromatic Description: Fresh, lemony, earthy.

Possible Uses: Acne, athlete’s foot, excessive perspiration, flatulence, insect repellent, muscle aches, oily skin, scabies, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.].

Constituents: Citral, Geranyl Acetate, Linalyl Acetate, Geranial, Neral, Limonene, Myrcene, Beta-caryophyllene [Shirley Price, The Aromatherapy Workbook (Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, 1993), 54-5.].

Safety Information: Avoid in glaucoma and with children. Use caution in prostatic hyperplasia and with skin hypersensitivity or damaged skin. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 146.].

All Essential oils or highly concentrated, do not ingests or add directly to the skin. Always ask your trained massage aroma therapist on how to use any essential oils. These oils are used as a guide only.

Here’s how chair massage can help you grow your massage practice, help more people, increase profitability, and attract and build new clientele.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Finding new ways to infuse experience and profitability into a practice is how many achieve success. The beauty about adding chair massage to your repertoire is its adaptability. With the ability to work just about anywhere, a myriad of opportunities await the practitioner administering chair massage.

As a professional in business, a therapist typically asks the question, “How do I get clients to come to me?” This initial question drives the majority of advertising and marketing attempts. However, performing chair massage changes the initial question to, “Who would want and benefit most from massage?” Once a practitioner answers this, the goal then becomes bringing your chair to those you’ve identified as wanting and benefiting most from massage.

To spark your thought process on where you might aim to bring your chair, our experts have compiled some popular locations abundant with those who are likely to want and benefit from bodywork:

1. Sporting Events – While athletes are prime candidates for massage, it can be a challenge encouraging them to visit a massage office. High level sporting competitions are the perfect venue for setting up a massage chair. Whether it is the Olympics, karate championship, soccer competition, golf tournament or track meet – athletes reap the benefits of pain relief and enhanced performance when receiving massage before, in-between and after activity. Local sporting organizations are a good place to begin seeking information on the logistics of chair massage at a sporting event.

2. Expos, Shows and Conventions – Typically housed in large, sprawling spaces, these events require people to be on their feet or in a chair all day long. Home and garden expos, trade shows, health and wellness fairs and professional conventions are just a few examples of events where participants attend for the entire day. An easily accessible, quick chair massage can relax tense muscles while rejuvenating the recipient to tackle the remainder of their convention, expo or show. Venue marketing managers, event planners or professional organization directors can be valuable people to contact for setting up chair massage at such an event.

3. Business Offices – According to David Palmer, instructor of the Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies’ Chair Massage Fundamentals continuing education course, most office-related physical symptoms can be attributed to a loss of circulation. Tight muscles caused by stress and sitting behind a desk all day, especially at a work station that is not ergonomically designed, can impede blood and lymph flow through the body. Bringing chair massage to an office can relieve the mental fogginess, decreased energy and susceptibility to repetitive stress injuries (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) common in today’s work environment. Contacting the human resource department of the business you are considering is a good place to start for offering chair massage services. Be sure to emphasize the benefits of your presence to the employer such as increased productivity and retention rates, decreased absenteeism and ergonomic-related injuries, and lowered employee stress levels.

Depending upon the situation you perform chair massage in, being reimbursed can take on several different forms:

4. Direct Client Payment – Charge clients for short blocks of time. Those who really want it will happily spend $10 for a 10 minute badly-needed massage.

5. Second Party Reimbursement – Contract with the company, sponsor or organization to give chair massages for an agreed upon block of time. In this type of agreement, the client does not pay directly for your services. Instead, the company, sponsor or organization pays the therapist and uses chair massage as their marketing tool.

6. Volunteer – While this is not financially rewarding immediately, offering short, free chair massages introduces those who wouldn’t ordinarily sign up for massage a chance to experience massage therapy. This is a great way to distribute your business cards to those who might be interested and get new clients in the process.

Some additional tips to consider when offering chair massages to the public:

7. Get Permission – Whether you are volunteering, being paid by an organization or charging for your services independently, always make sure you have permission to work at your desired location.

8. Insurance – Most responsible companies will require you to have your own liability insurance. Discounted policies are typically offered when you belong to a professional organization.

By working with some of these eight tips, you can successfully bring massage to those who could really use it. The ability to perform chair massage in just about any location can change the way the public perceives massage therapy. Through experiencing its benefits on-the-spot, people who ordinarily wouldn’t seek bodywork can easily become long-term clients in your massage therapy practice.

Recommended Study:
Chair Massage Fundamentals

References:

www.eventschairmassage.com, Chair Massage Sponsor, Chair Massage, 2007.

www.joylifetherapeutics, Corporate Chair Massage for Offices & Trade Shows, JoyLife Therapeutics, Inc, 2007.

www.massagemag.com, Hospital Merges Mainstream Medicine with Massage, Brandi Schlossberg, Massage Magazine Inc., May/June 2002.

www.massagesuccess.wordpress.com, Using Chair Massage at Public Events to Build Your Massage Therapy Business, Amy Roberts, March 2007.

www.vpul.upenn.edu, Chair Massage Helps Desk-Bound Workers, Kelle Walsh, University of Pennsylvania, 2007.

Posted by Editors at 09:48 AM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

Acquiring a massage table is one of the most important (and expensive) purchases a massage therapist makes. They definitely want a massage table that will serve them and their clients well. Discover six essentials bodyworkers should consider before making this crucial decision and potentially large expenditure.

by Linda Fehrs, LMT

Buying a massage table will probably be one of the biggest purchases you will make as a massage therapist. The price of a massage table ranges anywhere from $250 up to $4,000. Often you are required to get one while in massage school, and yet there is usually little or no advice given on how to choose the correct one.

There are many different types of practices, different personal needs and different types of clients. While there are a variety of massage tables, choosing the best style for you does not have to be daunting – consider the following before purchasing a massage table:

1. Portable or Fixed – Will you be doing out-calls or will you be working strictly out of an office? A portable table can be folded and carried about, while a fixed table is heavy, stable and, for all practical purposes, unmovable. Many massage therapists choose to have a portable table, even though they have an office, because occasionally they do out-calls or they use multiple offices. This means constant setting up and breaking down, which is impossible with a fixed table.

2. Price – The cost of a massage table will probably weigh heavy in making your choice. Are you a student just starting out? School is expensive enough without the added burden of a high cost massage table. Perhaps this is a second table, purchased after you have been in practice for a while. One option you have is to purchase a less expensive table while in school, and then resell it to an incoming student after graduation. By then you will know more about what features work for you and may be more able to make a better selection. You may be tempted by the lure of a low-cost mass-market table, but low cost can also mean poor quality and the lack of a manufacturer’s warrantee.

3. Table Height and Width – The size of your table may not seem to matter all that much, but the wrong size can wreak havoc with body mechanics. A table too narrow or too wide, too tall or too short can have you in pain in no time at all. Tables come in widths anywhere from 28 to 35 inches, and range in heights of 20 to 36 inches. The width is not adjustable, but tables generally have an adjustment of about ten inches, which helps accommodate not only you as a massage therapist, but also allows for differences you may encounter in client size. If you are 5’4” tall or less, you wouldn’t want to get a table wider than 29 inches, and if you are 5’10” or taller, anywhere from 27 to 33 inches is a good width. As a general rule, your average table height should fall somewhere around your hip joint, with some allowance for the size of your average client.

4. Thickness of Padding – This comes under the heading of client comfort. It may also determine the long-term quality of your table. You want your clients to feel like they are lying on a comfortable mattress, not a plank of plywood. And, thick foam padding holds up longer and shows less wear and tear than something lightweight and thin. Many companies also offer various firmnesses of padding, from extra-firm to plush. Some companies also offer firmness zones, allowing for less firm foam in the breast area of the table. The firmness you choose also depends on the type of massage you will be doing. Sports massage may require something more firm, while prenatal massage might be less so.

5. Weight – If you choose a fixed table, weight is not as important as when choosing a portable table. In a fixed table you want stability, not portability. A portable table can weigh anywhere from 22 to 30 pounds or more depending on the size and material it is made with. A good solid fixed table could weigh 150 to 300 pounds. In both cases those made with wood are generally heavier, those made from aluminum will be a few pounds lighter. If you are getting a portable table, take into consideration how you will be using it. Will it be mostly for out-calls where you will need to be carrying the table up and down flights of stairs, or on public transportation? You may want to invest in a table cart, which can mean less wear and tear on your back, but can also be more of a hassle getting it in and out of a car or other form of transportation.

6. Durability – If you are spending a lot of money on your table, you want to make sure it will last a long time. A frame made of hard wood like Maple or Birch will last longer than a softer wood such as Pine. Some companies are now using eco-friendly Bamboo for the table frames. Some fabrics are more durable than others. You want something that is easy to clean and will stand up to a lot of use. In the early days of massage therapy, table fabric was either cloth or leather, but now there are many synthetics that are soft, easy to clean and made using environmentally safe techniques.

Choosing the right table for you is an important decision, and these six considerations will help you make that choice. If you are still in school, pay close attention to the tables that are used for students. Schools want durable, sturdy tables that stand up to a lot of use and are cost effective. They also generally have a wide range of heights and widths to accommodate the many sizes and shapes of students. They are also concerned about safety and choose tables that won’t collapse because of weak hinges or poor construction.

Take your time and choose wisely. The right massage table is second only to your talent and skill as a massage therapist.

References:

www.massage-tools.com, Massage Table Options to Consider Before Purchasing Your Table, Massage-Tools.com, Inc., 2008.

www.bodyworkmall.com, Buying A Massage Table: 10 Points to Consider, BodyWorkMall.com, Inc., 2008.

www.healingenergies-at-londonwest.com, Massage Table – Purchase Guidance, Healing Energies at Londonwest, 2008.

Posted by Editors at 09:56 AM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

The winter season often sees a decline in the scheduling of massages. Longtime clients get busy and new ones just don’t seem to appear. Hard economic times can be depressing and make you feel like you want to give it all up. Learn how one woman survived as a massage therapist during the Great Depression and how her skills can be applied to your own practice.

by Linda Fehrs, LMT

There is a story I would like to share that served as my inspiration for becoming a massage therapist. It is the story of Anna, a young woman who emigrated from Norway to the United States in 1923.

After paying for her transportation, Anna had just enough money to pay for one week’s lodging. Speaking no English, she found work as a cook at the Norwegian Seamen’s Home in New York City. Within two years she saved enough money to enroll in massage school and, in 1927, graduated from a grueling two-year program which included not only classes in massage, but all aspects of physiotherapy, including what Per Henrik Ling called Swedish Gymnastic techniques, and a year long hospital internship.

What the classes did not cover were instructions on marketing, how to find a job or setting up a private practice. Anna would learn this on her own. After graduation, she approached local physicians informing them of her skills and asking for patient referrals. Within a short time she was working for several doctors and making enough of an income with a private practice to rent an apartment in Manhattan.

In 1929 the stock market crashed. Anna was now married and pregnant. She and her husband William lost all their savings. What work William could find paid very little, 30 cents an hour at best. Anna’s practice, though, was doing fairly well, and at $2 to 3 per hour-long session, she was able to provide for the family. Between 1929 and 1934 her family grew to include not only her husband, but two children as well. The national economy was in crisis and there was little work to be found.

Anna knew she still had to make a living and never wavered from her work as a massage therapist. She never turned down a client, even after working a ten-hour day, for she never knew if or when there would be a time when there would be no more. A ground floor apartment provided her with an extra room to use as an office, which meant she was able to work from home. She offered special coupon books, paid for in advance, where clients paid the equivalent of nine sessions, but got ten coupons. At times she bartered her services for food and clothing, even furniture, knowing that clients relying on her had no money. Her family not only survived, yet in many ways prospered during the Great Depression, at a time when others were in dire straits.

Anna became a massage therapist because she wanted to help people. Her motivation was not to become rich, but simply to be of service to others. She knew if her intentions were good, honest and pure that she would in turn be given the means to provide for her family. She was not only determined, yet also assertive in seeking out and maintaining clients. Many of them remained with her for more than 20 years.

At the age of 75, after 50 years of working as a massage therapist, Anna finally retired. She still had several elderly clients that she worked on in their own homes and visited weekly.

Anna was my grandmother. At 75 she moved in with her daughter, my mother. Still holding true to her belief that massage was the answer to good health, and wanting to keep up her skills, she continued to give massages once a week to my mother for the next 25 years!

There are many messages for us in her story, messages about perseverance, determination and creativity.

Having a massage practice is not much different now and some of her ideas can be converted to a twenty-first century practice:

· Use down time to learn a new skill or technique. Have you been too busy in the past to take a course in hot stone massage? Now is the time to get in some CE Hours needed for re-certification.

· Get together with other massage therapists and contract for providing chair massage to local businesses. This may not only supplement your current income, but also provide you with potential future clients.

· Partner with local retail establishments to provide chair massage for busy holiday shoppers. Make sure to hand out business cards or fliers with special holiday offers for future massage sessions.

· Offer special pricing, such as buying a gift certificate for a massage at full price and getting another at a discount, or for the price of four massages the client gets five.

· Consider the feasibility of working out of your home, rather than a rented office. Do you have a room you could use as an office that would be convenient for clients and meets zoning requirements?

· Consider offering classes. You might provide instruction on infant massage to new mothers, classes in meditation, tai chi or stress reduction.

· Volunteer. Whether it is as a massage therapist, or serving meals at a homeless shelter, volunteering is a way to help others who are having an even harder time than you are. It also helps put things in perspective.

· Barter your services. Maybe there is a yoga class you would like to take but can’t afford. You can do this on a one-to-one basis with someone you know, or join a bartering club where services and goods are banked with a third party.

· For the winter holidays look into taking on a second part-time job. Retailers are often looking for temporary help. You’ll have opportunities to let more people know about your practice, earn extra income and perhaps get a substantial discount on items you need for your office or home.

Surviving a depressed economy is not easy. Instead of sitting at home or in an empty office worrying about what will happen next, use the time to approach your business in a new way, to expand your knowledge of the profession and to reflect on how you can reach out and be of service to others. What you give to them will come back to you in ways you could never imagine.

Recommended Study:
Chair Massage Fundamentals

References:

“Barter News.” 2008. Barter News. 4 Nov 2008 .

Roseberry, Monica. Marketing Massage: How to Build Your Dream Practice. Albany, New York: Milady Publishing, 2002.

Sohnen-Moe, Cherie. Business Mastery. 2nd. Tucson, Arizona: Sohnen-Moe Associates, 1991.

“How To Start and Operate Your Own Bartering Club.” 2008. World Information Center For Knowledge. 4 Nov 2008 .

Posted by Editors at 03:53 PM
© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org