Undertaking a massage therapy continuing education class does not count towards any kind of academic credit such as a diploma or degree. What it does is helps the therapist to keep abreast of new developments in the field such as any new techniques that are being introduced.

Well-rounded courses

Aside from the practical applications of massage therapy, the continuing education class may also offer business training, including accounting, marketing and client analysis. These are all vital tools that help a therapist to run a successful, profitable business, while ensuring that clients are well taken care of.

Study at home or on campus

While some courses can be taken in a school environment such as a beauty school’s classrooms, many can be taken online or at home. All the course materials are emailed or posted to the student and assistance can be obtained online or by telephone. This may seem interesting, considering that one might think that a massage therapy continuing education class might be very hands-on. Keep in mind, however that some techniques can be taught via instructional DVD or downloadable streaming video. Other classes are purely theory-based so books and documents form the tools for study.

From basic and advanced anatomy to identifying and treating various health complaints, there are massage therapy continuing education classes to cater for a range of qualifications and disciplines. A therapist who specializes in day spa treatments may not choose to undergo training in Fibromyalgia. Similarly, one who deals with pre-natal and post-natal massage as well as treatment during labor and childbirth may find classes aimed at treating HIV-positive patients unnecessary.

Maintain credibility and uphold standards

Still, a good all-round education is helpful to those therapists who choose not to limit their options in the massage therapy industry. Being qualified in a broad range of areas expands their employment opportunities. Taking massage therapy continuing education classes that deal with specialties outside of one’s usual realm of treatments can lead the student towards new employers or to offer their services to more clients.

Examples of courses
Here is a sample listing of the kinds of massage therapy continuing education classes available for students to take online:

o Reflexology
o Prenatal Massage fundamentals
o Shiatsu Anma therapy
o Sports Massage
o Ethical Case Management
o Deep Vein Thrombosis
o Advanced Anatomy and Pathology
o Aromatherapy
o Stone Massage
o Cranial-Sacral fundamentals
o Ethical and Legal Considerations in the Practice of Massage Therapy
o Thai Massage

Some schools offer massage therapy continuing education classes in modules that can be taken over a weekend at an in-residence program. Students can choose from a range of classes offered and spend all of Saturday and Sunday in training. This can be a very cost-effective and time-efficient way of attaining CE credits without having to set aside time each evening in the case of online courses. The classes are begun and completed in two days and the credits are attained very promptly.

Since some employers will not take on therapists who do not continually update their training, it’s highly advisable to undergo massage therapy continuing education classes for the sake of one’s career. Even employers aside, taking classes to improve one’s own reputation and credibility as a therapist is highly desirable indeed.

For more on massage therapy training and massage therapy schools, visit http://www.fountia.com

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On June 17th, 2007 Texas Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 2644. The bill amended Texas Massage Therapy law in a very positive manner. Effective September 1, 2007, candidates for massage therapy licensure must now have completed a more comprehensive training program of at least 500 hours in length, a significant increase over the previously required 300 hours. The new 500 hour training programs will meet the following requirements:

1) 200 hours taught by a licensed massage therapy instructor and dedicated to the study of massage therapy techniques and theory and the practice of manipulation of soft tissue, with at least 125 hours dedicated to the study of Swedish massage therapy techniques;

2) 50 hours of anatomy;

3) 25 hours of physiology;

4) 50 hours of kinesiology;

5) 40 hours of pathology;

6) 20 hours of hydrotherapy;

7) 45 hours of massage therapy laws and rules, business practices, and professional ethics standards;

20 hours of health, hygiene, first aid, universal precautions, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and

9) 50 hours in an internship program.

Additionally, the bill eliminated the practical (hands-on) examination requirement. The elimination of the 6-minute practical exam eliminates the requirement for all massage therapy licensure candidates to travel to Austin to take the exam. Therefore, all massage therapy licensure candidates may take the written licensure exam near home instead of having to travel to the state capitol.

As written, the new law’s requirements do not affect any of the approximately 20,000 currently licensed massage therapists. The law also does not affect any massage therapy student pursuing a massage therapy training program provided the student was enrolled in the program before September 1, 2007.

The new requirements are meant to improve the quality of massage therapy provided in the State of Texas and to improve the professional image of Licensed Massage Therapists in the state. The new requirements also bring Texas’ massage therapy regulations more in line with other states regulating massage therapy and with the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). So, it is likely that the new laws will improve license reciprocity, allowing Texas Licensed Massage Therapists to more easily relocate to other states and separately licensed municipalities.

Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, and Neuromuscular Therapy Instructor in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Crabtree’s practice is dedicated to relieving pain and dysfunction using Neuromuscular Therapy, Medical Massage and other bodywork techniques. Mr. Crabtree may be reached through his website http://www.sanantoniomassage-therapy.com

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In massage therapy, a therapist conducts motion and muscle tests and proposes treatment plans such as soft tissue manipulation, hydrotherapy, remedial exercise programs and client self-help programs. Most therapists also provide courses of treatment for medical conditions and injuries, and may work with other healthcare professionals as part of a team to promote health and overall wellness.

Most massage therapy has developed from a number of sources and there are an estimated 150 types of massage therapy that one can try. Some of the popular massage therapies are breema, chair massage, Chinese Tui Na massage, deep muscle therapy, deep tissue massage, foot or sole massage, traditional Hawaiian massage, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, scalp massage, stone massage, Thai massage, and Swedish massage, among others. Most therapy massages can be performed with pressure ranging from superficial to deep; however, an ideal therapeutic massage can be identified when a receiver experiences some discomfort, activating the body’s natural healing response. Although most therapeutic massage leaves some soreness, it is recommended to check with your therapist if the soreness lasts more than two or three days.

Massage therapy is an organized business and most countries have specific organizations that provide information regarding the therapy. In the US, the American Massage Therapy Association is the largest non-profit professional organization of massage therapists in the country. One can also undertake a test to be a professional massage therapist, conducted by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Massages provides detailed information on Massages, Full Body Massages, Massage Therapy, Foot Massages and more. Massages is affiliated with Massage Therapy Jobs [http://www.e-MassageTherapy.com].

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Massage therapists can benefit from learning different specialized massage techniques to better serve their clients who may range from geriatric patients to baby boomers and infants. To much of the general public, the thought of massage therapy involves a pampering treatment designed to relax them. People are just beginning to realize some of the healing powers of massage as it is now being used more often in medicine.

As with any other profession, it is important to keep abreast of any new massage therapy training schools techniques and other information within your field. Just as doctors and other medical professionals receive constant updates regarding medical standards and discoveries, the professional massage therapist should also make certain that he or she has the most up to date information in their field.

Many massage therapists are now working with A shiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy which was developed by Ruthie Hardee in 1995. This technique treats the feet for pain and combines Swedish massage as well as deep tissue massage. The difference in this new technique from ordinary A shiatsu Oriental Therapy for the feet is that the therapist uses overhead bars for better balance during the massage therapy.

Other massage therapists are working with color therapy that is based upon using light as treatments. With color therapy, the massage therapist uses different colors to treat different parts of the body as each color works in a unique way and reacts differently to light.

Infant massage therapy has been used for years in hospitals and is now becoming more acceptable to the general public not only as a way of treating colic but to allow the baby to relax and go to sleep. Many parents can benefit from learning these techniques from a certified massage therapist.

Perhaps some people may benefit from the Rosen method of massage. This technique uses very light touching instead of deep massage and communication to help clients relax and release their stress. The Rosen technique has been practiced for years but many massage therapists are unaware of this effective therapy.

More massage therapists are now combining ancient Chinese treatments and practices along with their massage therapy techniques. Aromatherapy is now being used by many therapists as a way not only to relax their clients but to actually treat minor ailments.

Just as it is for any profession, it is important for a professional massage therapist to keep up with new techniques or technology that may enhance their performance. There are new products being produced to help massage therapists treat clients and these products are often demonstrated at trade shows or shown in trade publications.

Massage therapy is a very rewarding career for individuals who like to help people and have good communication skills. As it is being used more often as an alternative medicine, it is very important for a professional massage therapist to attend seminars and trade shows, keep up with the latest news in the field and learn any new techniques in massage therapy. The need for massage therapists has doubled in the past decade and is expected to grow as more of the general public are beginning to realize the value of this ancient way of healing ones body and mind.

Robert C. Vignoli has been a massage therapist for over 10 years. He currently co-owns Roman Paradigm Massage, but now he is helping to improve the massage industry by building a “hands off” massage business model. MassageSpace.net is the new MySpace for Massage Therapist, learn more @ http://www.think-diagonal.com

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1. Stay focused

It’s easy to become distracted sometimes when you work from home doing massage therapy. It’s too easy to say “Oh I’ll just get a cup of coffee” whilst writing your all-important massage business plan. When things are difficult or challenging in your massage therapy practice you can easily head straight for the comforts of your home and not go back to the important tasks at hand. In a massage therapy clinic away from home, you can become more focused and can get more done than at home for this very reason. No distractions and nothing to use as an excuse to distract you from something you’d much rather not do.

If possible have your massage therapy treatment room away from the main living areas. If you have a spare room as far away from the rest of house as possible then it will prove not only quiet but less distraction should prevail.

2. Set your hours.

While working from home gives you more freedom over the booked massage therapy treatments, it also gives you more room to become lapse at keep up with other tasks that are important such as bookkeeping, keeping up to date with client history files, washing towels, cleaning down the room from the days activities. So try to set strict working hours for certain tasks. Since you are seeing more people during the day and most likely in the evenings too, make sure you allocate the next morning to catch up on all these other tasks that are essential to running your massage business.

3. Getting It Clear With Family.

As great as they are, family need to understand your working boundaries. It’s too easy for the kids to knock on your door whilst doing a massage or trying to get your massage therapy client records up to date. Your family need to be fully aware (emergencies excepted of course) that you are not to be disturbed during certain allocated working hours. You can say that between 7pm and 8.30pm you need to be undisturbed after you finish treating clients for the day. That way you can get all those things done that you don’t get time to do during the day when treating clients.

4. Adhere to that massage therapy business plan.

A massage therapy business plan is a working progress of what direction you are going in your massage therapy business. It’s a map to achieving your goals and attaining the massage therapy business you would love to have in your life. A massage therapy business plan is not just something you write on your computer because you’ve been told you should. A massage therapy business plan, if done with heartfelt joy for your massage therapy business, is fun, colourful and enjoyable. It should be a plan of what you are going to do and how you are going to do it. Its your own personal guide to your success.

Working from home can be great fun and very relaxing. It gives you complete control over your environment and can give you many years of enjoyment. Always remember to put it into perspective and avoid the saboteurs.

Good luck!

Amy Roberts

http://www.massagetherapymarketingsuccess.com

http://www.massagetherapysuccess.com

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The line up of valuable ideas have been developed for reducing the stress, moreover to myofascial release, deep muscle therapy, trigger point reduction, pain relieve by inserting lactic acids, treatment for muscles spasm, sports rehabilitation, reducing muscles pools and postural drainage.

We can observe that bunch of people are now moving towards the massage therapy and they have got faith it quality percussion massage therapy would obliterate all the stress, major physical and mental predicaments are seem to be associated with their social, personal and business lives. Scout’s honor that a massage therapy can really heal your ordeals and it makes no odd that what are the reasons for such problems, hence a percussion massage therapy is meant to saturate your body on the highest level of ease and comfort, where you can forget all the turmoil and perturbations.

Numberless advantages are embraced to the term “Percussion Massage Therapy”, it informally vouches for the series of brisk, soothing, light and striking actions usually are applied in rapid intervals, with the help of alternate hands. Mainly two actions can be considered as the fundamental percussion strokes namely as cupping and hacking: these strokes can be performed on to different areas of the body, and the systems become more efficacious, if both are used on the area of the body with large muscular/fleshy area, for an instance thigh and upper part of the body. Other devoting movements with regards to percussion massage therapy are beating, throbbing and tapping.

The set of these there movements is often starts out its performance from the area of the wrist rather than from shoulders, elbows and head, yet it is the basic thing each therapist must be acquainted of, because majority of the therapist sets out to perform the percussion therapy, making movements from the elbows and shoulders, which is totally wrong and in severe case it may result in stern frustration, disturbance and gaucheness.

Cupping is a sensitive part of the therapy, which is normally done with the palms, moving vertically (facing down), and creating the shape of a hollow curvature. In this way therapist moves the cupped hands at the rapid pace as a result a vacuum is formed that gets release when the therapist bring the hands up , that performance may sound like hollow like treating horse, and there must be such sound for making sure that the movement is being done to the right direction. This art of massage is often identified as Cupping sometimes also acknowledged as clapping, in both names it indicate the term “cupped” hands.

Hacking is another part of the percussion therapy and it is undoubtedly the best recommended massage therapy, it is the same kind of therapy we often watch in the movies, it is performed with the edge of both hands, in this procedure the therapist holds the hands over the body with the position, two palms facing each other, and keeping the thumbs on the uppermost position. At the last therapist moves up and down the hands in the rhythmical interval with rapid succession. These movements are frequently done to wake up the person.

The next movement is Flicking, which is very much the same to Hacking, and it is also signified to describe the term finger hacking. In this part of performance the therapist has to flex the wrists slowly by bringing the sides of the fingers into connection to the body, without involving the edge of the hands. Flicking is a type of relaxing movement can give long lasting effect to the body muscles.

The last steps in the percussion massage therapy are beating and pounding, the therapist executes these with the hands, in a closed position and hands of the massager may slightly clench with the fists. Beating is executed with the help of unlar border, using closed fists and on the other hands the pounding is done by employing the both hands, tacking on the surface of the body. Both of the movements are managed to perform in a quick succession for getting better results.

Percussion massage therapies are very momentary and can rouse the muscles very effectively. The circulation of the bloods enhances and blood starts moving into the body very rapidly. Percussion therapy can improve the working power of the muscle tone and helps muscle in contracting and expanding with good grace.

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