January/February 2015
Technique
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Clicking Jaw Syndrome
Joint noise is not unusual, but a clicking jaw can represent an incorrect relationship between the condyle disc and the mandibular fossa, or possibly osteoarthritis. It's best to address the condition before it worsens.
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Working with the Diaphragm
By Til LuchauImagine the diaphragm, attached all around the lower rim of the bell-like rib cage, moving up and down inside. The diaphragm opens and closes like a slow-motion umbrella. As you inhale, the diaphragm contracts; as you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes.
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Mindful Massage
As massage therapists, we are supposed to be graceful, kind, and warm. But sometimes, the work piles up, we are not fully engaged in the session, or we're distracted. We all know what happens next—our work suffers. You can prevent that by learning to massage mindfully.
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How to Keep Your Joy for Bodywork
Remember the inspiration that got you into massage? You probably had a great desire to help people—with their stress, injuries, illnesses, and routine maintenance. Those needs will never go away.
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6 Short Stories About the Biomechanics of Movement
By Andrew BielLet's use some real-world analogies to explore everyday motions and movements the body may perform. Remember, biomechanics—the mechanical principles that directly relate to the body—is just another way of talking about everyday stuff.
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The Empathic Healer
By Cyndi DaleDo you frequently sense clients’ pain in your body? Sense their needs before they speak? Empathy is classically defined as the ability to sense what’s happening to another, but it can also include being aware of your own internal state.
Critical Thinking and Essentials
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Tax Planning for Massage Therapists
By Larry KopsaWhat comes to mind when you hear the term tax planning? You may think it’s about saving your receipts and keeping track of your expenses and income. But it’s much more than that.
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The Successful Massage Therapist
What constitutes professional success in the field of massage and bodywork? Is it a six-figure income? Is it a collaborative partnership with the medical community? Is it professional fame?
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Raising the Bar
The beginning of a career in massage and bodywork is so exciting...but can also be confusing. How do you know when to raise the bar?
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Defect or Defense?
“I’m worse. Way worse. This is so discouraging.” These are not the words you want to hear from a client at the beginning of a session. If you do hear these words, it's important to do some digging to find out what's going on.
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Your Massage Equipment: A Primer
When it comes to supplies, each piece of equipment in your practice represents an investment in your business and in your clients. When you purchase your equipment, do so carefully, after researching brands, understanding available options, and comparing products.
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Reflections on Mirror Therapy
By Ruth WernerDuring massage, have you ever worked with someone exactly how you wish someone would work on you? As you poured your intention into addressing your client’s pain or tension, did you feel your own pain or tension release just a little? These phenomena reveal some things about the brain that may eventually lead to noninvasive strategies for pain management.
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10 Quick Exercises to Avoid Repetitive Strain
Repetitive strain injuries are caused by the overuse of specific body parts to perform a specific task, such as using thumbs or fingers to palpate muscle tissue. Bodyworkers and massage therapists are especially at risk for these types of injuries due to the precise nature of their work.
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Massage Therapy Reduces Blood Pressure
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three American adults has hypertension. A recent review article searched seven research databases for randomized controlled trials on massage therapy for improvement of hypertension.
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Who Are You Today?
Ever feel like your practice requires you to be a different person from day to day? That's because being a massage therapist frequently requires stepping into various roles to run a business.
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Pectoralis Major
By Christy CaelThe pectoralis major is a large, superficial muscle that covers the chest from clavicle to abdomen.
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Helping Dustin Play
By Whitney LoweThe practice of clinical massage provides wonderful opportunities to learn new things about the body and help people who are looking for relief from their pain and injury complaints. This case study looks at arm and hand dysfunction in a professional piano player.