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How Do I Become A Certified Massage Therapist?

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Do you want to own your own business, make your own hours with little overhead cost? Maybe becoming a certified massage therapist is exactly what you have been looking for to kick start your career and do something that you will love while helping others live a healthier life.

Do I Have To Be Certified to become a massage therapist?

Thirty six of the fifty US states and DC regulate massage and require some sort of licensing, the best way to assure you are within the boundaries of the law in your area is to attend an accredited school offers a certified massage therapist certificate. There are many courses online but most do not offer anything beyond a few massage techniques and any that claim certification should raise a red flag for consumers. Most certified massage therapists put in at least six hundred hours of class and hands on time during their training this is difficult to offer in an online course. As well as state regulations many counties and townships have their own regulations, contacting your country clerk is helpful when considering your schooling.

Is Become A Massage therapist Really For Me?

Working as a certified massage therapist is not for everyone and it is certainly not a choice for someone who has reservations about working in close proximity with other people. Consider your own personality and the way you interact with others before making a final decision because if you are not the kind of person that is able to put others at ease they are going to be very uncomfortable with you touching them and very likely will not enjoy the benefits of a massage from you.
Do you have the time to commit to both school and to building your business is another question you should ask yourself. If you are looking for a quick course and a quick buck then you don’t have the time to become a certified massage therapist. While some schools offer part time status some do not and training often takes anywhere from eight months to two years including hands on time. Many certified massage therapists can find work with a chiropractor or physical therapist and also places such as health clubs or day spas but many do want to be their own boss and building any business takes time, expect at least six months to a year before you have a regular clientele and steady income if you are planning a branch out on your own.

Become a certified massage therapist takes time a commitment it also takes a great deal of people skills, if you are willing to put in the effort and you like working with people this is an opportunity you certainly want to consider.

Find A Massage Technique That Is Right For You

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Everyone loves a good massage but not every massage technique is right for every person. On the net you can findpictures on massage techniques. Your physical condition and your specific needs should be taken into account and discussed with your massage therapist before deciding on what massage technique is best for you.

Pre-Natal/Pregnancy Massage

Most pregnant women have been told for years that massage can be dangerous to the fetus and while that is partially true it is mostly myth. Massage therapists are trained to offer a safe and relaxing massage to pregnant women. The massage technique offered is safe to both mother and baby and can help reduce many of the pains and discomforts of pregnancy. Many hospitals also offer labor massage as a way to soothe and comfort the mother. Before choosing a massage therapist during your pregnancy ask your doctor if this is a safe practice for both you and your baby. Many doctors will also have a list of trusted practitioners.

The Swedish Massage

For many years this has been the most popular massage technique among massage therapists. It is a relaxing massage and gets the blood pumping to the heart and helps relieve a tension. If you are looking for something that really works into your muscles this is probably not the massage technique for you but if tension is your main problem this is the perfect massage for you.

Cranio-Sacral Therapy

Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST) is a massage technique that is used both as a healing and preventative technique. The touch of this massage is considered to be equal to the weight of nickel and focuses on the soft tissue and membranes of the head, spine and pelvis. Releasing fluids around the spinal cord and allows them to move. It is believed to both relieve problems such as migraine headaches, sinus problems and chronic muscle pain and also prevent illness and other problems that are affected by spinal fluid.
This massage technique is also recommended for those who have recently been sick with a cold or flu.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an ancient practice developed in Asia using pressure points throughout the body to relieve pain and pressure. This massage technique is one that can be beneficial to most people as it can often relieve sore muscles and various aches and pains throughout the body. It uses the same principles as acupuncture but it does not employ the use of needles of any form or invasive procedure. Acupressure is a massage technique believed to assist the body in healing itself.

There are many massage techniques available that offer everything for deep tissue work to energy healing do a little research and find what is best suited to your needs.

Why Should I Get A Sports Massage?

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Are you an athlete, do you exercise on a regular basis or are you simply someone who has a great deal of physical activity in your day to day life? If any of the above fit you then you are a prime candidate to enjoy the many benefits of a sports massage. Just watch a sports massage how to video and you will see.
As any athlete knows keeping your muscles healthy and flexible are a must in any physical activity and even though good health and nutrition play a large part in healthy muscles a sports massage can also help increase muscle and mental well being.

Who Should Get A Sports Massage?

Anyone who is physically active on a regular basis, not just athletes, but the person that works out more than once a week and a person who might have a physically demanding job should consider a sports massage. Muscles get a work from more than just playing sports and they require good care to keep them in healthy working order. Just as you exercise, eat right, take vitamins and make choices to maintain good health, a sports massage is a good fit to a healthy and happy lifestyle. Many sports clinics, teams and health clubs include a sports massage in their services because of the benefits it can offer.

What Is A Sports Massage?

A sports massage incorporates various massage techniques including deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and shiatsu, based on the need of the client. A sports massage can be administered both before and after physical activity to soothe painful muscles and prevent injury as well as offering a better mental attitude. A relaxed and less stressful mind does wonders for both the outlook of a personas mental state and their physical well being, a sports massage is a wonderful way for any active person to main their overall heath.

What Are The Benefits?

The benefits of a sports massage include stress relief to mind and body, increased blood flow and circulation, increased tissue strength as well as stretching the muscles and breaking down scar tissue that can pose problems later in life. Muscle mobility is a must for any active person and the best way to keep that mobility is to take care of the muscles. Anyone who thinks it’s good to constantly be sore from physical activity is putting their health at risk. While some soreness is normal, especially when beginning a new work out or activity it should not be something that lasts for more than a week without causing alarm. A sports massage can help reduce injuries by keeping the muscles healthy and relaxed as tense muscles are much more prone to injury than a relaxed muscle.

If you are an active person consider the benefits of a sports massage to your overall well being and consider how a healthier and happier you will affect your family and job. Too often in this busy world we forget to take care of ourselves or we short change that care, a sports massage can range from twenty minutes to an hour, don’t deny yourself something that takes so little time out of your schedule and offers so many benefits simply because you don’t think you have the time. In the end your family and business will be better off when you are healthy, happy and productive.

Get a Massage Therapy Degree and Change Your Life!

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Working in the field you enjoy is essential in order to be happy at your place of work, as well as perform at your best. Therefore, if you are a people person who enjoys helping others by performing massages that relieve stress and pain then a massage therapy degree can help you achieve your dream.

What to Expect From a Massage Therapy Degree

There are many types of massage therapy degrees and depending on which field you choose you will be directed to the respective program, however all degrees will consist of courses in physiology, anatomy, hydrotherapy, clinical pathology, kinesiology as well as some modern and old massage techniques.

You will also learn different massage modalities such as chair massage, clinical massage, geriatric massage, sports massage, Swedish massage, oriental massage and application of the same as well as in depth usage of medical terminology.

If you have a medical background, it will help greatly but if you don’t, you will be walked through all the required terminology so you can understand and converse in the same language as doctors when and as needed.

How Long Does a Massage Therapy Degree Take to Achieve?

Usually, a massage therapy degree takes approximately 1,000 hours and sometimes longer if you are a part time student or are doing the course online. If you are doing the massage course online, you will still be required to attend a practical exam in a near by medical facility, which the institute will appoint.

It is very important you attend all classes and learn the subject thoroughly in order to be able to perform massage therapies that will cure people of pain and stress.

A Rewarding Job

A massage therapy degree can provide you with a rewarding job where you will put smiles on people’s faces with your bare hands. Massage therapists sometimes are as good as doctors as they relieve us of stress, which is one of the most dangerous factors in our lives and the cause of many diseases. Massage therapists also can cure pains, cramps and sometimes even major diseases.

Pursue your dream career and get a massage therapy degree today with an accredited institute whose certification you can use world wide. Even if you don’t end up using the degree to maintain a degree in massage therapy, you’ll always have the satisfaction of knowing that you could if the time ever came that you wanted to.

Back Massageback Techniques: Get Those Knots Out

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We live in a very stressful world and this stress can accumulate over time to create such knots in various muscles that it can almost be debilitating. One of the spots that stress seems to accumulate these knots the most is in the back. If you feel a lot of tension or stress in your back, you know how it can slow you down and how it can cause undue pain and discomfort. If you feel this way, then it’s time to get a back massage.

If you’ve ever given a back massage, such as to a relative, friend or significant other, you know what those knots that can gather in the back feel like. They make the muscle tight, almost solid, as if the muscles have literally tied themselves together. You literally have to knead the palms of your hands into their back, sometimes as they suck air through their teeth in discomfort, just to get those knots to loosen up. However, once you’re done, the person feels better and is more relaxed. Now, imagine if you actually had back massage training.

A Mini-Vacation For Those Who Can’t Get Away

Professional masseuses who have gone through the proper back massage techniques training, know exactly how a back massage is supposed to be performed. They know the exact pressure points, the exact movements, that relieve those tension spots so that the person can feel relaxed once more. Usually, these professionals have a reliable clientele who keep coming back again and again just to feel those magic fingers on their skin whenever they need it. That’s because, if done correctly, a proper back massage can be a sort of mini-vacation for those who don’t have the time or money to get away.

So, schedule a back massage today and get ready to have those knots in your back worked out and relieved. There’s nothing else like it, especially if you lead a very stressful life and, let’s face it, who doesn’t? To find a masseuse near you, check the local yellow pages or check the internet. Or, ask your friends, family and coworkers if they can recommend a masseuse because you’re in bad need of a back massage.

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a masseuse who is worth your time and money. If your friends, family or coworkers are willing to recommend a masseuse to you, you can bet that they are worth scheduling an appointment. Go ahead and give them a try. You never know, it could be the best back massage you’ve ever received.

How Do I Pick the Right Massage Therapy College?

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So, you want to learn to be a massage therapist? This is a great career that can be very rewarding personally and financially. Going to a massage therapy college can teach you skills to put you in high demand of a growing career field. Massage therapists are finding jobs in many places such as resorts, spas, medical facilities and can even working from home and having clients come in to their home for massages. You can purchase massage equipment that’s portable and can go with you. This is a fantastic career with low overhead but high profits.

Massage therapy college will teach you the skills to learn effective massage techniques that you can use to help rid people of pain and stress. Massage can also be very erotic and people who do not want to learn this trade for their career options are also taking courses at massage therapy college so that they can use the skills learned to enhance their intimacy in their relationship with their spouse or significant other.

How Do I find a Good Massage Therapy College?

If you are searching for a place to learn the techniques of massage, look for a school that has a structured curriculum, licensed professional instructors, small class sizes and job placement assistance. Don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials from other graduates. A good indication of a school’s professionalism will be demonstrated by the amount of time they take to answer your questions prior to enrollment. Guarantees in writing will also put your mind at ease. There are many techniques to massage therapy so you should be aware of what your course curriculum includes so that you know how well versed your training will be.

Some schools will take payment plans to help people get enrolled and others may have cancellation fees if you choose to cancel your enrollment so it’s best to understand all the massage therapy college policies and procedures before enrolling. Don’t hesitate to visit more than one school to get a full picture of what each course offers to students. The right massage therapy college course will offer you a combination of hands on training as well as the theory behind massage therapy. Different clients will have different needs so it’s best if your course covers learning how to differentiate between effective methods of massage for your various clients and their differing needs.

Foot Massage: Can Be Performed On Self Or On Near And Dear Ones

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One of the most relaxing treats that one could get or give to others is the foot massage and the study of foot massage is known as foot reflexology and a trained reflexologist may be able to determine where to give the best foot massage following a foot massage chart. Before giving a foot massage, one should ensure that the foot is comfortably positioned on a pillow or sofa and for a foot massage for oneself one needs a comfortable chair or sofa and it may be accompanied by soft music or a meditation CD that will provide a catalyst to get one into the right frame of mind. Besides being in the mood, one may also need to use some creams and oils for the foot massage and ensuring that the feet are clean is important and this may be achieved by taking a foot soak with Epsom salts which should help in distressing prior to the massage. Also, ensure that the feet are absolutely dry before beginning the foot massage.

Foot Massage Techniques

Foot massage and chinese foot massage can be learned from a foot massage video. One technique frequently applied at the foot massage points is to stroke the feet which should stimulate the blood vessels in the feet and provide gentle heat. There should be applied light pressure near the toes and ankles and one may repeat five times. Another technique used is that of ankle rotation in which firstly one should gently move the ankle from side to side and thus loosens the ankle joint. Rotating the foot clockwise and anti-clockwise thrice or four times will relax the foot from the ankle joint and when the direction is reversed it will calm as well as distress the senses. This technique should be performed gently when giving a foot massage.

Pivoting is another technique and so is kneading and finger walking. In the pivoting technique, one may gently hold the foot and massage the soles with one’s thumb and start at the area just below the large toe and gradually move to the other toes. This is a very relaxing form of foot massage more so, when the amount of pressure is varied on the balls of the feet. When kneading one should use the thumb or fingertips to knead back and forth on the soles of the feet and the process is similar to how one kneads dough and consists of large pressing and rotating movements, but the kneading should be gentle at all times. Walking the fingers horizontally on small areas of the feet and beginning at the big toe and performing on both feet are another technique used in a foot massage.