January/February 2017
Technique
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Iliosacral Alignment and Sciatic Nerve Entrapment
What typically comes to mind when a client presents with chronic sciatic symptoms? Disc injuries, joint conditions? Let's consider ligaments, too.
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Gentle Techniques for the Jaw and TMJ
By Til LuchauLearn and practice a few manual therapy techniques for the jaw, neck, and temporomandibular joint.
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Touch as Language
By Amrit RaiTouch is the silent language of connection. It is a bridge between two separate bodies, universes, energy fields. What exactly is transmitted through touch?
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Massage as a Catalyst
Doug Nelson shares a lesson from working with a client recovering from a surgically repaired broken bone in her arm who had post-op muscle pain.
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Sensory Overload
Massage therapy is commonly sought out by fibromyalgia patients to help manage their widespread chronic pain. Let's look at techniques that are most effective.
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Essential Oils and Acupressure for Fibromyalgia
Can tools like aromatherapy and acupressure help clients with fibromyalgia pain?
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Elbow Room
People with recent injuries—tears, dislocations, fractures, sprains, strains, or injury from trauma—often seek help through massage therapy. Read our author's own injury and rehabilitation journey.
Critical Thinking and Essentials
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What's Your Ethics IQ? Part 2
Ethics is not something meant to be learned once and then relied upon only in the direst of situations. Truth is, ethical knowledge and practices inform massage therapists and bodyworkers everywhere, every day.
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You Already Have What It Takes
Do you have a clear vision for your massage career? Do you have a goal of how many clients you would like to see each week? Then great! But likely, there's something holding you up from setting or reaching your goals. Here's what to do if so!
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Mark White
Mark White runs his home-based practice, Ohana Massage—in the remote community of Barrow, the northernmost town in the United States, at the far northern tip of Alaska. White says there's something special about being an MT in this tight-knit community.
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Skeletal Muscle Fiber
By Christy CaelDid you know that skeletal muscles are made up of two distinct types of muscle fibers, that vary in both structure and function? You can select treatment methods according to the dominant type of skeletal muscle fibers in the area of a client's underlying issue.
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How Breath Can Impact Fibromyalgia Pain
By Leon ChaitowThere is a wealth of evidence that points to a significant connection between chronic conditions—like fibromyalgia—and breathing problems.
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Ethics of a Thai Doctor
As the Thai medical profession extends to massage, there are arguably higher ethical standards in traditional Thai massage than the rest of the profession.
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Putting the Squeeze on Morton's Neuroma
By Whitney LoweOne of the more common nerve problems affecting the lower extremity is Morton's neuroma. The term neuroma is a bit of a misnomer because this condition does not involve a true neuroma (a nerve cyst), but instead involves nerve impingement.
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Competition: You've Got It
Competition is constantly occurring around us. Is business competition any different? What motivates us to compete?
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The Art of Abhyanga
As a massage therapist, you are an expert at the art of touch. You also probably receive bodywork from other therapists as a form of self-care...but did you know you can massage yourself?!
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The Nuts and Bolts of Boundaries
By Laura AllenQuality of care means more than giving a good massage. Many times, it's the framework—the nuts and bolts of the business—that's equally important.
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Goal Setting as a Sacred Practice
By Cyndi DaleBefore jumping into how to better set goals to achieve your dreams or idea of success, let's agree on a definition of the word "goal."
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Guillain-Barré Syndrome
By Ruth WernerIn 1984, I got a call from a prospective client who had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. The condition is rare....but nonetheless, let's look at its presentation and implications for massage therapy.