Handouts for Clients - Home Care

Sometimes a client will benefit from self-care at home - either with the goal of decreasing their pain level, increasing their flexibility, or maybe just helping to relieve chronic tension in a specific area.

Here are some resources for massage therapists who are looking for “handouts” to give to their clients.

• The book ‘Maintaining Body Balance Flexibility and Stability’ by Leon Chaitow not only helps massage therapists in their practice, but also has several handout sheets that can be photocopied (permission is given!) and sent home with clients. A great resource for massage therapists!
• Massage Therapy Practice Website - This stretch index has several handouts that can be printed off and given to clients who are concerned with tension in the specific area: back of the neck, hip flexors, shoulders, etc.

I've been published!

It's official! I've sold an article about Massage Intake Procedures to Massage and Bodywork Magazine - the publication of Association of Massage and Bodywork Professionals.

I'm very excited to be a part of this excellent magazine. It's one I've been subscribed to for years myself. My article will appear in the November/December issue and will be my first print publication.

New Spa Treatments for Southeast Oklahoma!

Who knew that Atoka County would have herbal body wraps, mud masks and seaweed body coccoons? Not I! And yet I have just begun offering these things at the shop and am THRILLED. I have so many clients with a wide variety of massage and relaxation needs that it's really nice to be able to expand my menu of options.

So not only do I have those rehabilitating for muscular injuries and range of motion problems/chronic pain problems who come in for deep tissue massage sessions - but now I also have some wonderful clients who want a head, neck and shoulders massage with hair strengthening head mask and facial massage! Lovely!

Never a boring moment when you're offering professional massages in Caney, Oklahoma.

Spa Bodywork Book Review

Anne Williams wrote a book called Spa Bodywork: A Guide for Massage Therapists and I've written a review of the book.

Any massage therapist who wants to add spa type treatments to their menu of options should take a look at this book.

Enjoy! http://relaxation-stress-reduction.suite101.com/article.cfm/spa_bodywork_guide_for_bodyworkers

Angela <><

Massage Shown Effective for Headache Relief

Of course - the fact that massage is effective for relieving chronic tension headaches is no surprise to any massage therapist who has been practicing for any length of time.

I loved the way this study was set up however, with specific protocol for the therapists to follow. And, being familiar with most of the techniques myself it was easy to email this article to my clients with a little note saying "Remember - I am trained in the techniques described in the study so if you know a friend who suffers from chronic tension headaches it might be worth a try to see if regular massage can help decrease their pain levels."

I've already had one positive response!

Angela <><

Discounting Massages - Pros and Cons

In my article about gifts and specials for massage clients I pose a question about special pricing options and discounting massages.

In the last paragraph the article says, "Some therapists feel this creates a situation where clients postpone getting massages during the rest of the year, holding out for special prices. Others feel that special pricing may attract new clients who will try the massage and stay throughout the coming year."

And so I'll ask you here - What do you think about discounting massages?

Home Study Massage Courses and Their Safety

Today I was talking with Ruthie Hardee, the founder of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy® and we were discussing the issue of homestudy massage classes and their safety.

In Texas, licensed massage therapists are required to have HANDS ON continuing education hours and the classes cannot be homestudy courses. I believe this is a good rule. However - the NCBTMB takes homestudy courses. In fact, a massage therapist certified with them could never set foot in another classroom - or lay hands on another body - and maintain their certification.

Some techniques, more than others, could be DANGEROUS is learned incorrectly. I would consider deep tissue, barefoot massage to be one of these techniques. I would count hot rock, pregnancy massage and a few others in this same category as well.

Do you feel it is appropriate for a massage therapist to only learn new massage techniques through homestudy courses? What role, if any, does home study availability play in education of a massage therapist?

Massage Therapy Blog

With all the articles I've been writing lately, and thanks to several reader's suggestions I am creating a massage therapy blog.

I will include information for massage therapists AND information for massage clients and customers as well.

Feel free to ask questions, comment, etc.

Blessings, Angela <><