September/October 2016
Technique
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Role Reversal
The therapist’s clarity and confidence are extremely important to consider from the client’s perspective, and how that confidence is communicated through both the therapist’s language and touch. After all, communication is a two-way street.
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The Massage Artist
Great massage therapists are both analytical and creative. Both types of skills and thinking are equally important in the massage therapy room, but sometimes the artistry can be lost or forgotten along the way.
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Working with the Hip Joint
By Til LuchauAs anyone with hip pain can confirm, when the hip joint does not move easily, all manner of troubles ensue. The hip joint’s ball-and-socket structure allows it a great deal of potential mobility, second only to that of the shoulder.
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Addressing Fascia with Myofascial Release
John Barnes, founder of Myofascial Release Treatment Centers & Seminars, was a traditional PT for the first 15 years of his career before he began to explore the modalities and philosophies that would inform his work and become part of his myofascial release protocols today.
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The Impact of One Man's Fascial Journey on Us All
By Thomas MyersThe first glimpse of Dr. Jean-Claude Guimberteau’s unique imagery of living fascia at work in the body—mine was probably 10 years ago—strikes the viewer as unbelievable.
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Unraveling the Complexities of Piriformis Syndrome
By Whitney LoweSciatica is a poorly defined condition that generally refers to any pain sensation felt in the gluteal region or down the lower extremity along the path of the sciatic nerve.
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Faster Than the Speed of Light
By Cyndi DaleMost of us don’t spend much time musing about surpassing the speed of light. I’m not sure I want to. But, as healers, the issue is actually important. Engaging energetically beyond the light barrier is equivalent to providing instant healing.
Critical Thinking and Essentials
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Joint Mechanoreceptors
By Christy CaelThe information gathered by joint mechanoreceptors tends to be subtler than that of their muscular counterparts, as these structures are activated by relatively small amounts of stimulus. However, they can still influence the activity of the entire proprioceptive system.
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Understanding Fascia
By Thomas MyersFascia is today’s buzzword in the field of bodywork; in fact, there are lots of new therapies with '"fascial" in their name. But fascia is also shorthand for a groundbreaking new way of seeing our biomechanics that every hands-on therapist should understand.
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The Obstinate Pec Minor
By Peggy LambThe obstinate pectoralis minor can produce a hailstorm of problems throughout the body, especially in the shoulders, arms, and neck. Working with it effectively goes a long way in helping your clients with neck and shoulder issues, breathing restrictions, and even wrist and elbow pain.
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Finding Fascia
What we see in Jean-Claude Guimberteau's book on fascia's photographs and accompanying videos is both simple and complex; chaotic, yet organized. It's fascia in its living form—much different from the often minimalistic illustrations depicted in most anatomy books.
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The Spondy Quandary
By Ruth Werner“Back pain” doesn’t delineate between muscle spasm, ligament sprain, osteophytes putting pressure on nerve roots, cracked bones, or bulging discs. Small wonder then, that most research about treatment options for back pain are inconclusive.
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How to Get What You Really Want
Money is not the goal. Money is only the means to the goal, whatever that goal might be for you. Let's think about long-term goals...as it relates to your massage journey or career.
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Straight Talk from Your Peers
We wanted to hear from you for this issue. What was the best thing you’ve done to market and grow your practice?
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Massage Therapy for Athletic Performance Recovery
In a recent clinical trial, researchers compared massage therapy with pneumatic compression for ultramarathon recovery.
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Massage, Movement & Mindfulness
Pain compounds other client issues—elevating stress, altering posture, and reducing one’s ability to participate in daily activities. Fear of movement and the resulting isolation eventually make it difficult for the person in pain to reach out for help.
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"Massaging for World Peace"
By Angel BrazilMassage & Bodywork magazine once asked in the Speak Your Mind section, "What is the best compliment you've received as a therapist?" I thought I'd finally share my answer...
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Back to Nature
When I was a child, my mother would always shoo us kids outside. I was always reluctant at first. Now, as an adult, I love being outside—I am grateful that for myself, nature can be a form of self-care.