What Is Passive Stretch Massage
In my last article I described how i discovered Passive Stretch Massage. In this article I will describe what Passive Stretch Massage is its risks and benefits its indications and contraindications and required space and equipment.
In my last article I described how i discovered Passive Stretch Massage. In this article I will describe what Passive Stretch Massage is its risks and benefits its indications and contraindications and required space and equipment.
A full-body Passive Stretch Massage session is comprised of the assessment and relaxation phase, the tractioning of the legs, arms and head.
As with any other massage modality, Passive Stretch Massage should be designed to meet the goal of each clients individual and specific needs. PSM can be applied with relaxation and assessment as a lower or upper body treatment, or parts of it can be included into a massage therapy treatment, to mobilize a joint if required.
The client is first positioned supine on the mat. The therapist then instructs them in proper abdominal breathing. I simply tell the client to slowly breath in through their nose, allowing their stomach to fully rise, and then slowly let the air out through their mouth until their stomach has fully dropped.
This part of the treatment is vital if you wish to provide maximum benefit. I often take a few minutes and inform the client of the benefits of abdominal breathing during the Passive Stretch Massage session.
Should I Become A Massage Therapist
Before committing to the profession, aspiring massage therapists should consider the skills and qualities it demands.
Comfort with frequent physical contactMassage therapy is a hands-on profession. Practitioners cannot be squeamish about physical contact.
Physical health, strength, and attention to maintaining a reasonable work scheduleThe work of massage therapists requires strength, dexterity, and the ability to stand for up to 90 minutes at a time. In health care settings, they may need to adjust their techniques around beds and medical equipment. Therapists who overwork their body risk tendonitis in the wrists, elbows, and shoulders carpal tunnel in the wrists tennis elbow and trigger finger/thumb. Reputable schools suggest a 4-to-6-hour work day with breaks of at least 10 minutes between massages.
Mental and emotional healthMassage therapists have to build rapport and trust with their clients, while still maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Interpersonal skillsTo understand their clients conditions, objectives, and preferences and to develop a loyal client base, it is imperative that massage therapists be effective listeners and communicators.
A significant part of the massage therapists job is evaluating clients needs and formulating appropriate treatment plans.
Business skillsMarketing, accounting, and other business acumens are especially important for the many massage therapists who are self-employed.
The Problem With Using The Words Medical Massage
The problem is that there are so many different teachers/schools calling their work medical massage that it is making it so confusing to massage therapists looking for more skills/knowledge and to the doctors who are referring patients to something they think is a special method when in fact it could be anything anyone wants to call medical massage.
The bigger problem is that a few insurance carriers are using the term medical massage and defining it for us! Premera Blue Cross which is a major insurer in WA State is using it in their medical policies :
Medical Massage Therapy:Medical massage, also called therapeutic massage, is outcome-based massage, using specific treatment modalities targeted to the functional problem or diagnosis provided by the primary licensed clinician with prescribing authority.Medical massage therapy or therapeutic massage may be provided by various qualified providers.
****NOTE: There are NO true certifications in Medical Massage. Teachers/Schools can give you a certificate of completion of their program which is different from a certification. Certification programs are often fostered or supervised by some certifying agency, such as a professional association. A certificate says that you acquired specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies. A certification validate the participants competency through a conformity assessment system. See Institute for Credentialing Excellence: Certificates vs Certification.
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What Are The Requirements To Become A Massage Therapist
In states that regulate massage therapy , therapists must get a license or certification before practicing massage. State regulations typically require graduation from an approved program and passing an examination.
Some massage therapists obtain certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. To do this, they must meet specific educational requirements, undergo a background check, and pass an examination.
Masseuse Vs Massage Therapist: Whats The Difference
That ache in your back is not going away, and its time to let a professional have at it. Time to call a masseuseor is it massage therapist? Is there even a difference?
If youve been injured in a car accident or while playing sports, you want to find the best treatment available to address your underlying condition and provide real healing, not just symptom relief.
While massage can be a helpful tool in your recovery, its important to find the right kind of massage performed by the right person.
In this article, well look at the difference between a masseuse vs. massage therapist as well as the many types of massages available to you.
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How To Give A Sensual Massage
This article was co-authored by Justyna Kareta. Justyna Kareta is a Certified Master Massage Therapist and Owner of Lush Massage, a massage studio based in San Francisco, California. Justyna has over nine years of experience as a therapist and specializes in Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage and CranioSacral Therapy to soothe the nervous system and facilitate deep healing. She received her massage therapy training from the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, is certified by California Massage Therapy Council, and is a member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. This article has been viewed 380,553 times.
Learning to give a good sensual massage can put a spark into your relationship and help to spice up your love life. It’s a great gift that you can give to your partner, and a great way to build trust and intimacy together. If you want to give better massages, you can learn to prepare your body and your space, how to communicate effectively, and some tips and techniques for hitting all the right spots.
Masseuse Masseur Massage Therapist Whats In A Name
Masseuse/Masseur is the French translation of a person who practices massage and physiotherapy professionally. The terms come from the French word masser.
I found this information on the origins of the word on a forum discussion of word origins:
The official dictionary of the French language says the French verb masser meaning to massage is first attested in French in 1779ref: CNRTL.fr, sup2and the noun massage is first attested in French in 1808ref: CNRTL.fr
Who knew these terms could cause such a stir in the massage profession today. Whenever a discussion comes up on Facebook that asks about what to do when someone refers to you a a masseuse or masseur or even when I post an piece on the history of massage that refers to an old advertisement that uses the words masseur or masseuse, massage therapists take it personally. This cool tool from Google shows how the use of the words were more popular in the 1800s, and 1900s up to about 1980 when the word massage therapist started being used. The use of masseur, masseuse has finally dropped starting in 2010 or so according this chart.
The problem is that more and more the terms are often associated with prostitutes and illegal massage places that do more then massage. In many places in the US though the words are commonly used to refer to a professional massage therapist. Even here in WA, I have been referred to as a masseuse.
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How Often Should I Get A Massage
The answer depends on your current situation and your goals with massage.
From a relaxation perspective, the frequency is depending on your personal needs and situation. Oftentimes, patients will come in on a monthly basis for an extra boost in relaxation and wellness.
From a sports perspective, massage therapy is capable of decreasing recovery time between events and training sessions, allowing the athlete more time to focus on their chosen sport. Massage can also be used in a preemptive manner, with the goal of preventing injuries before they arise. Weekly massages are generally the norm for athletes who are returning to play from an injury, looking to improve their performance or maintain their tissue health and joint mobility.
For chronic conditions, the length of time between massages may range from a week to a month, as the body is in a state of slow recovery from such condition. In this regard, the massage therapist will seek to facilitate an appropriate amount of tissue change to produce a positive result as the patient goes through rehabilitation.
What Are The Effects Of Massage Therapy
The effects can be physiological and/or psychological, depending on the goals of the patient, the skill of the Registered Massage Therapist , the therapist-patient relationship and the particular condition of the patient.
Physiological effects of massage would be the decrease in muscle tension or pain residing within a particular area of the body. Common areas that experience tension would be the upper and lower back or the jaw.
The psychological effects of massage are neurological in nature and the RMT would be interacting with the central, peripheral and autonomic system to produce a desired, positive effect. A common reflexive effect of massage therapy is relaxation and reducing stress.
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Does Theragun Help With Arthritis
This massage gun is more like Theragun and Hypervolt which eases down the muscular stress. Improves blood circulation which gives more oxygen and nutrition to the muscle tissues, encouraging a long life. Makes body muscles flexible. It improves the body movement especially for those suffering from Arthritis.
What Is A Masseuse Masseur Massage Therapist Whats In A Name
What do you call a person who does massage professionally?
Does it depend if the therapist is male or female ? Where they work ? Or should we simply use the unisex term Massage Therapist?
A lot depends on who youre asking. Major factors include whether youre asking an actual massage professional or someone else, where that person is from, and how old that person is.
There is even some debate within the massage field about the appropriate use of the above terms. Some massage professionals may actually find being called a few of these terms quite insulting!
Let me first explain what is a Masseuse and Masseur. These are both French words, and both are gender specific. While many English speakers commonly misinterpret the gender connotations, Masseuse is a female term and Masseur is male. These terms are used quite commonly in Europe without any negative association. If you ask someone outside of the United States, you are more likely to have one of these two terms returned as the answer when asking What do you call someone who does massage?.
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Features Of Massage Therapy Chairs
Though there are variations among models, the basic premise of a massage therapy chair is to provide massage-like effects on the body. There are typically a number of cycles to choose from, as well as the option of a heating element that can be turned on or off.
These are the most standard options for therapeutic massage chairs:
- Location controls To indicate where the massage should happen
- Heat controls To choose temperature
- Intensity controls To set the desired strength of the massage
What Is A Therapists Salary
The range of a therapists salary varies depending on education level, additional credentials, location, the types of clients they see, and the environment they work in. The lowest point is around $30,000 a year and the highest is upward of $129,000. A therapist with a Ph.D. in New York City, for example, would make a lot more than their peer with only a masters degree in a small town.
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The Complicated History Of Massage
Nobody knows exactly when massage began, but it has been practiced for at least 5000 years.
The location of the first massage is also impossible to pin down. Early records in books and murals from China, India and Egypt all show people practicing their art.
In Europe and the United States, the most common type of massage is known as Swedish massage.
This particular style of massage was created in the early 1800s by a Dutch doctor named Johann Geog Mezger and actually is not Swedish at all.
Its known as Swedish massage due to confusion over the similar technique names used by Mezger and Per Henril Ling, a Swedish doctor and fencing instructor who also created massage-like techniques to ease aching muscles.
Swedish massage is not the only game in town, however.
Thai massage uses a combination of assisted yoga, the use of acupressure or pressure points and traditional understandings of the body.
In Bali, massage practitioners may strike and flick the skin and apply essential oils or heated stones.
There are also more modern types of massage like Watsu, a combination of Japanese shiatsu techniques, dance, massage and muscle stretching while mostly submerged in warm water.
All that aside, in most cases the basic question remains. Just what do you call someone who gives a massage?
Do Massage Chairs Work
Heres the key: most massage therapy chairs excel at one main thing vibration. Massage therapists use this technique when there is a particularly stubborn trigger point or area of high tension.
The big difference is that a therapist would never spend an entire massage session using only this one technique, yet this seems to be the main technique electronictherapeutic massage chairsare able to do.
The more expensive massage therapy chairs will provide other ways of massaging the body, including compression on legs and arms. There can also be internal rollers that move up and down the back.
However, none of those extra features are as customizable as the work of a massage therapist. Massage therapists will assess the clients situation and make decisions based on their training:
- What level of pressure is appropriate for the clients muscle pain and discomfort?
- Whats the best way to address an injured area to help promote healing?
- Which muscle groups should be worked together given the areas of tension the client has?
- How long should each area be worked so the main issues are addressed most efficiently?
- Given their understanding of muscle attachments, trigger points, the nervous system, and physiology, whats the best approach for each client?
Because automated massage therapy chairs are programmed, there arent any case-by-case assessments done. However, massage therapists addresses each session with every client in an individualized way.
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So Many Definitions So Little Clarity Whats The Answer
Currently, the only answer I can think of is to get the NCBTMB to create a true Board Certification in massage that works with medical conditions. I do know that this in in the works but not sure if it will come to be. The NCBTMB is struggling financially and AMTA is currently funding them for the most part.
Also tiered licensing is always brought up to create tiers of basic massage and advanced massage. It will take a big shake up in the profession to make that happen, as each state is currently responsible for that.
Fighting For Better Pay
As far as pay goes, we are proud to say that Zeel is a leading force in the area of therapist compensation. Since the creation of Zeel Massage On Demand® in 2012, weve made sure that our massage therapists are fairly paid for their hard work. They typically earn 70% of the price of each Zeel Massage, with an 18% tip automatically added and clearly indicated on the receipt. This percentage means they earn, on average, twice what massage therapists earn at typical spas and salons and even more at franchises, where the pay rate is even lower.
Between the aging of the population and peoples increased focus on health and wellness, the demand for massage therapists will only continue to grow. We need to make sure that massage therapists today and the massage therapists of the future will be fully supported and respected when choosing this important line of work.
Interested in becoming a Massage Therapist for Zeel? Apply today.
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How Much Does A Massage Cost
Prices vary greatly for massages in the United States. An hourlong massage is usually $50$150. Most therapists will expect a 1520 percent tip on top of this. However, some places dont accept gratuity.
Aromatherapy, hot stone, and prenatal massages tend to be more expensive than standard massages. Depending on the place, some specialty massages such as deep tissue, Thai, or sports massages may run a bit higher, too.
You can check out a massage school in your area or find a massage therapist who works at home if you want to find massages at a more reasonable cost.
Insurance sometimes covers massage therapy if you can show its being used to treat a medical condition. Sometimes insurance companies will cover massage therapy if its part of chiropractic care.
Massage Therapist Duties & Responsibilities
While massage therapy does not require as much training and expertise as other medical professions, it is an important field in healthcare. Muscle tension can be responsible for many injuries, and qualified massage therapists can find where that tension exists and relieve it to prevent more serious injuries. A massage therapists duties include:
- Collaborating with clients on stress and pain in order to create a treatment plan
- Assisting doctors and/or chiropractors in a patients physical therapy or recovery from injury
- Exercising sensitivity to a clients medical history and injuries while using massage to relieve pain and tension
- Coaching clients on proper exercise, stretch, and relaxation techniques
- Properly documenting all treatments
- Maintaining treatment records
- Recognizing health issues that need a referral to another healthcare provider
As a massage therapist, you will work extensively with your hands to locate stress and injuries. Knowing which parts of the muscles to target, as well as the appropriate amount of pressure to place on those parts comes with experience and training.
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