5 Key Benefits of Massage Therapy
This is a guest post by Morgan Taylor
Morgan Taylor is a recent college graduate living in North Carolina. As a communications major, she enjoys writing and learning about health, productivity and fitness. When she isn’t writing about health and wellness she enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and cooking exciting new recipes.
The healing benefits of massage therapy have been understood and utilized by other cultures for centuries, however, these benefits are still relatively unknown by many in Western culture. Thankfully, we are seeing more and more practitioners of massage working to illuminate the holistic power of massage therapy. Here’s the five most important reasons you should try massage therapy.
Massage Counteracts All the Sitting We Do
There is no denying it – we are in a sedentary age. And, although we know how detrimental it is to our health, the average American is still spending between 6 to 8 hours of their day sedentary. All of this sitting is causing us to suffer from serious postural stress, spinal problems, and pain in the neck, shoulders, back, and glutes. Massages work to relieve the tension caused by a sedentary lifestyle, improve blood circulation, and counteract the spinal imbalances caused by excessive sitting.
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5 Self-Care Massage Tools Everybody Should Own
In 15 years of being a massage therapist, I have bought and used many massage tools for self-care. Of the many I have tried, there are only a few I use consistently and recommend to others.
These are the tools I use to help me after a long day of giving massages and what I recommend to my clients for self massage at home between their appointments.
For years, I have seen how self massage can help decrease pain and maintain the benefits of massage between appointments. My clients who use these tools have a better awareness of where their pain is, what causes it, and often report less pain and tension between appointments.
These simple, safe tools can be used anytime over clothing. They can be kept in your car, travel bag or office desk.
Ready to find out what tool is best for you?
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How to Chose the Best Massage Table for You and Your Clients
A massage table is one of the biggest investments you will make in your massage business. This purchase is not given the thought it deserves, especially by those new to the field.
Think of your massage table as a tool. It affects your client’s comfort and your body mechanics, two very important things. This purchase needs thought and research.
There are a lot of choices out there and I want you to avoid the mistakes myself and others have made, as well as give you some advice on what you should look for during your search.
You need to consider your work/modality, future plans, office space, clients and budget. A table that is perfect for you is not going to be perfect for your classmate and their clients.
Let’s learn a little bit more about you, your business and your clients.
Managing Your Massage Business With Just One Website?
Recently I was invited by MassageBook to look at their site, and if I chose to do so, write a review. This weekend I sat down, signed up, filled out my profile, and explored the site. Here is what I found:
What is MassageBook?
MassageBook is an online directory and scheduling service for massage therapists.
In addition, MassageBook has a couple other tools/services available and plans for a few more to be added in the future.
Once all of the tools are live, MassageBook could be a “one stop shop” for some massage therapists.
Other Tools Include
Email Marketing
Social and Local SEO Management
Accept Credit Card Payments
Simple Bookkeeping
HIPAA Compliant SOAP Notes
Online Community
Interesting Price Model
Unlike other scheduling services, MassageBook does not charge a monthly fee. Instead, you pay per booking. It works like this: [Read More…]
Tennessee 2012 Massage License Renewal
December 31st, 2012, all Tennessee massage licenses will come due. Here is a quick breakdown of the renewal educational requirements.
- Tennessee requires massage therapists to complete 25 CE hours every 2 years for license renewal.
- 2 CE hours must be in Tennessee statutes and rules – This course must in a live-seminar format
- and 2 CE hours must be in practice management, ethics or substance abuse. It is not required for this course requirement to be completed in a home study format. Click here if you need to complete your ethics requirement.
- Courses taken from NCBTMB-approved providers are accepted.
- If this is your first renewal, here is a pro-rated chart for CE hours .
Changes for December 31st, 2014, Renewal
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2012 Illinois Massage License Renewal Requirements
The end of the year is quickly approaching. A few states will have their license renewal deadlines. Illinois is one of those states. Here is a quick guide to the Illinois renewal requirements. [Read More…]
MBLEx Study Guide and Online Practice Exams
I understand the gravity of passing the MBLEx for people in your position.
You want to get your business going – like yesterday if possible.
I am also certain that this is the last time you want to take this test and you absolutely do not want to pay to take the test again.
So you have decided you are going to set aside some time to study and pass this exam. Now you need to find something to study.
I have been in your shoes. I took the NCETMB nearly twenty years ago to get my Iowa massage license. After I passed, I was so relieved to have my license in hand. I was so happy that I never had to take a licensing exam again!
So, why did I take the MBLEx so many years after I graduated? You!
Why I Took the MBLEx
As a continuing education provider, part of my job involves helping colleagues that are transferring their massage license to Florida.
For the people who needed to take a massage licensing exam, I am often asked, “which massage exam should I take,” and then, “what is a good resource for studying for the MBLEx?”
The MBLEx is often referred to as the preferred exam (since the NCETMB is no longer given), but I did not know for sure. Since I had never taken the MBLEx, I did not know what study material was good either.
I wanted to recommend this exam with some confidence. So, one day I decided that I was going to take the MBLEx.
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