January/February 2016
Technique
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Is It Time to Specialize?
When you specialize by client type, you are drawn to focus your career on the particular needs and wants of a specific population and become highly knowledgeable about their health concerns and wellness goals.
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Lymph in the Brain
By Bruno ChiklyLet’s look briefly at the historical journey of our ongoing understanding of fluid dynamics, unveil some of the newest and most exciting discoveries concerning the circulation of lymph and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and then offer some effective manual therapy techniques for lymph drainage.
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Visualizing Movement
Doug Nelson recounts a session where a client struggled to visualize the movements for stretches at her hip. After reviewing the actions of how the hip joints move, she could then visualize and feel the movement...something that seemed impossible before.
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Massage for Lymphatic Function
By Sandy FritzThe massage therapy profession is moving toward an understanding of the importance of evidence-informed practice, a process that allows us to make statements about the benefits and risks of massage based on objective criteria and not just anecdotal reports.
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A Global Approach to Lymphatic Drainage Massage
When a client’s lymphatic system is already overburdened because of poor circulation, lymphedema, or lymph node removal, traditional massage is contraindicated.
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Breastfeeding & Bodywork
By addressing an infant’s soft-tissue restrictions that may negatively impact breastfeeding, bodyworkers are in a unique position to work through the underlying causes of a difficult nursing relationship, and thus potentially improve the quality of life for mother and baby.
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An Alternate Approach to Tennis Elbow
Since the elbow bends and straightens much like a basic door hinge, it is referred to as a hinge joint —let's see how dysfunctional elbow mechanics could be a major contributor to forearm and hand pain.
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Chakras
By Cyndi DaleFormatted as an excerpt from my book, this column includes a brief introduction to the chakras and their three main functions; a look at the science of chakras; and an overview of one of the dozens of energetic systems, the Yorubic system.
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Sequencing Your Techniques
By Til LuchauOne way to always remember how to apply a certain technique is to establish a protocol. Without trying to replicate Rolf’s recipe, we can respectfully adapt her general principles of preparation, differentiation, and integration to inform any approach.
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"Alternative" to What?
How did massage therapy—once championed by a number of influential doctors—become considered alternative?
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Five Ways to Strengthen Your Practice
Could you benefit from a webinar on money management? Or how about a refresher on building your digital website and social media? Here are 5 ways to strengthen your practice.
Critical Thinking and Essentials
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The Evolution of Massage
Patricia J. Benjamin tells stories of how massage and therapy evolved over centuries, from North America to Europe and beyond. Read on to learn more about the history of massage therapy.
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What Is Your Favorite Modality to Practice and Why?
By Tara DoyleHow many modalities can you name off the top of your head? The list in massage therapy is long and still growing...
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Examining Our Beliefs About Money
Last year, as I surveyed my life as an MT for topics to write about, there was one major issue that kept coming to me as perhaps the biggest self-care issue I could name: money.
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Major Code Changes
It is your responsibility to know and use the new International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes in your insurance billing; otherwise, you won’t be reimbursed for the services you provide to your clients.
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6 Must-Dos to Increase Your Massage Revenue
Are your clients able to view your schedule and book their appointments online, or how about follow your blog or website, or buy retail items? Here are 6 ways to increase your revenue in the digital age.
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A Month-by-Month List to Boost Your Business
Ready to take your practice to a new level? This handy guide covers everything from becoming a numbers nerd to embracing the crazy.
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Learning to Play (Again)
Somehow, I have become too serious about everything, including the things I do for fun and enjoyment. Recently, I was reminded I need to learn to "play" more.
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Body Shaming
By Ruth WernerWhy do some people avoid massage? Maybe it's because they don’t have the time, or they have a financial barrier. But often, the story of why someone doesn’t get massage is because of body image...
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Deltoid
By Christy CaelThe deltoid muscle is a large, superficial structure that covers the lateral shoulder. It begins where the trapezius muscle ends, but with clear delineation provided by the bony landmarks, and is a prime mover for nearly all movements of the shoulder.
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Massage Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
Treatment of MS is frequently sought through disease-modifying medications along with other medications for symptom relief. Massage therapy is one of the most commonly used complementary and alternative medicines. However, very little is known about its benefits for MS.
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Hand to Heart
By Steve GordonSteve Gordon has a regular massage practice he loves, but much of what he does as a massage therapist is with people who have advanced cancer...through a nonprofit program called The Hand to Heart Project.
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The Long and Winding Nerve
By Whitney LoweIn this newly focused column, my goal is to shed light on current pain science, as well as a host of nerve-related disorders that go undetected or misidentified on a regular basis.
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"It's Not Work": Benn Perry's Advice for New Practitioners
After 43 years in a variety of careers helping people, Perry found the thing he loves to do most—helping people through massage.