May/June 2016
Technique
-
Breath
To put it simply, for many clients, breathing is harder than it should be; breathing is yet another kind of work.
-
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Revisited
By adding simple nerve and joint gliding techniques to existing treatments for medial nerve compression, inflammation is often reduced.
-
Do More Massage and Hurt Less
By Mark LiskeyIt seems fairly straightforward that you should immediately stop doing a massage technique that hurts you; But some massage modalities frown on technique modification as sacrilege. If you follow such a modality, you’ll have to decide for yourself whether you think modifying a massage technique will affect the treatment outcome.
-
The Evolution of U.S. Sports Massage
Sports massage today is a valuable component in most collegiate, professional, and Olympic training programs across the country. And more sports medicine teams are including massage therapists, though that's not always the case.
-
Hand Health
By Ruth WernerTake care of your hands! We get this message from the first day of massage school and hear constant reminders along the way, but still we struggle with the best ways to prevent the transmission of pathogens by way of the skin.
-
Craniosacral Therapy Benefits People with Chronic Neck Pain
Approximately 30 percent of the population will experience neck pain in any given year. So what treatments are proven to help, and what treatments don't work?
-
Razor's Edge
The NFL Scouting Combine is a grueling weeklong event in which the nation’s top college football players undergo a series of tests. It’s one chance to make an impression on NFL teams—and the margin of error is close to nil. Performance is everything.
-
The Audience and the Orchestra
My new client, Ms. J., has been struggling with hip pain for several months. On top of that, her doctor wasn't sure what to do, but recommended therapy could help.
-
Do You Prefer to Work With Certain Clients?
By Tara DoyleIf you are lucky enough to choose your clientele, you likely pick those who make you happy, inspire you, and rekindle the inner fire and passion you hold for your craft.
-
Subtle Energy Healing In Your Practice
By Cyndi DaleWe’re starting to see that physical health-care modalities—including surgery, technological evaluations such as X-rays and MRIs, and, yes, bodywork—are more similar than not to the softer healing processes, which include emotional therapy, hands-on healing, and homeopathy.
-
The Story of Massage: The Bath Attendant
Patricia J. Benjamin tells stories of how massage and therapy evolved over centuries, from North America to Europe and beyond. Read this issue's excerpt from her book.
Critical Thinking and Essentials
-
8 Ideas for Lifelong Learning
What Is a Lifelong Learner? Lifelong learners are curious about the world around them and constantly seek out new ideas and inspiration.
-
Rethinking the Iliotibial Band
By Til LuchauRecently, the iliotibial band has been the subject of sometimes-intense debate by academics, athletes, bloggers, hands-on practitioners, and more. Can it be stretched? Should it be rolled? The ongoing debates have ensued from a more complete understanding of this structure’s anatomy and function.
-
What's Your Come-Back Strategy
The art of getting clients to rebook includes more than just asking them to (although, yes, that’s a part). It’s also about creating value for your work in your clients’ minds.
-
Golgi Tendon Organs
By Christy CaelIn our last column, we began with an examination of the muscle spindle and continue here with the Golgi tendon organ anatomy.
-
What's Your Profit Margin?
By Les SweeneyDo you know how much money you make per hour, per session, per month, per year? Or in other words, after taxes and expenses, do you know your profit margin?
-
Let It Go
"Taking action" is form of self-care because, as we move into action, we gain confidence, relieve anxiety, and create space for playfulness and other positive emotions. The next step after this is to "let it go".
-
Define Your Value
Where does value come from? Most people think the material objects in our lives have value. But they don't. A thing is only valuable if you perceive it as having value.
-
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
By Whitney LoweNerve pain in the hand is a common complaint for clients, but it can also be an occupational challenge for massage practitioners. Let's look at some common causes of nerve compression/nerve pain.
-
Step Up and Lead!
Massage therapy is regulated in 47 states across the country...but a handful of states don't have regulatory offices or state massage boards.
-
Helping The Achievers Achieve
From weekend warriors to Olympic medalists, Geoffrey Bishop sees a variety of athletes in his practice, Stay Tuned Therapeutics, based in Flagstaff, Arizona.