Dearest Justin and the Muscle Matters team.

 Having had many massages before, and from many different therapists, I have become quite choosey over the years because I feel a lot of therapists don’t display either solid skills, or value for money, or professionalism.

Since starting to use Muscle Matters in 2007, I can happily report that your services have never failed to impress me.  From the entirely professional but friendly mannerisms, though to the therapeutic skills evident in your staff, I find all aspects of dealing with Muscle Matters very pleasing.

Thank you for your skills and caring and I look forward to my next appointment.

Scott Jones (CDE)
General Manager  

IT Leaders Pty Ltd
]]> http://www.musclematters.net.au/testimonials/dearest-muscle-matters-team/143/feed/ http://www.musclematters.net.au/links/links/141/ http://www.musclematters.net.au/links/links/141/#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:47:05 +0000 Justin http://www.musclematters.net.au/links/links/141/ Here are some links that we love.

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Why do we bother in checking for a licensed medical practitioner?  To ensure our own safety, to ensure that the professional with whom we are consulting has been properly trained, is up to date with the latest medical releases relevant to their field and to ensure that there are no cases of malpractice registered against them.

These are the same reasons to seek for licensed message therapists whenever you decide you need massage therapy.  The most important reason is you.  Whether you decide to visit a massage therapist for relaxation, rehabilitation or rejuvenation, you ought to be paid by a practitioner who is skilled and knowledgeable.

In order to become nationally certified, licensed massage therapists need to demonstrate a mastery of the core skills, display an understanding and appreciation of the relevant knowledge, pass a NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) standardized exam, maintain and uphold the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and take part in continued education. 

There are currently more then 90,000 licensed massage therapists who have passed this license and met all other requirements in order to become licensed.  Recently the 39^th State just passed a law requiring that anyone providing a professional massage needs to be a licensed massage therapist in order to do so and this trend is growing.  It is only a matter of time before all states have this requirement.  A similar trend is showing in Europe and Asia will not be far behind.

Even if one is practicing in a state that does not require licensing, becoming a licensed massage therapist indicates a higher level of commitment towards the profession.  Most states that do require massage therapists to hold a license, require that these therapists first obtain certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork before giving a state specific exam.

In order to obtain the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworks license, one needs to make an application and undergo training and study.  Licensed massage therapists have undergone a minimum of 500 hours of instruction and many hours of practice.  An advantage of being a licensed massage therapist is that one becomes listed in the directory of this organization and this helps build business.

Other benefits of being licensed are that it indicated the highest credential in the field.  It communicates a commitment to a safe and ethical practice.  It provides a competitive edge and helps one build credibility and visibility by reassuring clients and potential employers.  It even allows for reimbursement by some insurance companies thereby putting the profession at par with other professionals requiring certification.

However, becoming a licensed massage therapist is only the beginning of a serious career in this field.  One can then become specialized in a variety of different fields according to their desire and capability.  However it is a good start and should always be insisted upon by anyone seeking massage therapy, whether for relaxation, rehabilitation or rejuvenation.

Sports massage can be considered to be the specific application of massage techniques to achieve a specific goal when treating an athlete.  There are three key principles which are applied to understand which type of sports massage is to be given to the athlete.  The principles are Timing, Technique and Intent.

Timing, in the case of sports massage, refers to whether the massage is given pre-event, port event, during recovery, during maintenance period or during rehabilitation.  Therefore a sports massage may be given to a fighter before a tournament in order to help them stretch their muscles.  It can be given after an event to help the athlete relax.  It may be given during a break as a ‘quick fix’ to a minor problem or it may be given to help heal a long term injury.

Technique refers to the particular type of application or method utilized in the sports massage.  Some of the techniques are effleurage, friction, pettrisage, vibration, shaking, compression, broadening strokes, direct pressure, cross-fiber friction, range of motion and stretching.  Most massage therapists practicing sports massage become specialists in this field and focus solely on sports massages. 

The Intent of the massage refers to the desired goal of the sports massage.  Therefore intent is the reason for the massage.  It can be to warm up, to increase the blood flow, to stimulate neurological pathways, to aid recovery from exertion, to increase flexibility, to improve strength or to improve posture.

Taking examples from the above, if a sports masseur is to provide a pre-event massage in order to warm up the body and increase the blood flow, then techniques which are commonly

used are friction, compression, shaking and stretching.  In the case of a post-event massage with the intent being to aid in recovery from exertion, effleurage, pettrisage, compression, broadening strokes and range of motion.  Lets say if the sports massage was to assist the proper formation of scar tissue to an athlete, then effleurage, compression and cross-fiber friction which will be followed by ice treatment and movement.

Most deep tissue massages are conducted only be certified masseurs and experienced professionals.  Sports masseurs are probably the most highly paid amongst the masseurs and this is clearly because of the importance of their work.  The right application of a massage at the right time can prevent a lifetime injury.  They are usually available in the locker room before and after the event and on the grounds during the event.  They will come to practices and provide regular sessions to each athlete of the team according to that athletes specific physical structure and body requirement.

It is quite clear that understanding and applying a sports massage is not as simple and this is the reason that even masseurs need to become specialists in this kind of massage.  Mastering the art of sports massage takes years of education and experience not to mention a passion for sports.  There is no single modality, technique or approach that will work every single time. 

Next Topic Chi Your Life Force

Massage therapy is used to treat painful ailments, decompress tires and overworked muscles, reduce stress, rehabilitate sports injuries and promote general health.

Massage therapists can specialize in over 80 different types of massage, known as modalities. Deep tissue, Swedish, Reflexology, Sports, Acupressure and neuromuscular are just some of the approaches. Most massage therapists specialize in several types of modalities.

Massage sessions can range between 15 minutes to 2 hours and depends on the client’s physical condition and their needs. Therefore massage therapists may use an approach for clients with injuries that would not be used for clients seeking relaxation. Approaches suitable for prenatal massage and infant massage can not be applied on any other type of client.

Massage therapists work by appointment and conduct an informal interview with the client to find out their medical history and desired results from the massage. Based on the persons goals, ailments, medical history, and stress / pain relates problems, the massage therapist will decide whether a massage would be harmful, and if not, will move forward accordingly. During the session, therapists may alter their approach or concentrate on areas of particular discomfort if necessary.

Most modalities of massage use accessories such as massage oils, lotions or cream to massage and rub the client’s muscles. Many massage therapists supply their own tables, chairs, sheets, pillows and lotions and creams. Most of the modalities of massage necessitate the client to be covered in a towel or sheet and be either undressed or wear loose fitting clothing. The massage therapist will only expose the part of the body being massaged and there are some types of massage that can be performed without oils or lotions and are done with the client fully clothed.

Massage therapists need to develop a rapport and relationship if they want repeat customers. People who seek therapists tend to make regular visits and therefore developing a loyal clientele is important.

Massage therapists work in a variety of setting. Some are private and some are public and locations include private offices, fitness centers, sports medicine facilities, airports, shopping malls etc. Many massage therapists will also travel to clients homes. It is not uncommon for a massage therapist to divide their time between a number of these options.

Most massage therapists provide massages in dimly lit settings and the usage of candles or incense is not uncommon.  Calm and soothing music is often played.  The surrounding is thus created to put the client at ease, something that may not be possible if visiting the client’s office.  Therefore the working conditions depend largely on the massage therapist’s location and what the client wants.

As massage therapy is physically demanding massage therapists can succumb to injury if the proper technique is not used.  Repetitive motion problems and fatigue are the most common problems.  This risk can be reduced by the application of proper technique, sufficient rest and breaks between sessions and, in many cases, with massage therapists receiving massages themselves!

One of the perils of our hectic modern pace of life is the onslaught of stress related disorders and ailments. Stress and strain are our frequent companions at the workplace. We spend a large part of our day seated in a chair; we move around very little; we tend to worry more as our duties and liabilities have doubled over the last few decades; and we are always stressed. No wonder, there has been such an increase in stress related complaints in the last few years!

Unfortunately, our workplace is where we face maximum stress. The tension level is high and there is a lot of work pressure on the mind and the body. Most of us cannot afford to indulge in the luxury of taking a couple of days off from our weekly schedule for a soothing massaging session at home or at some therapy center. With onsite seated massage services, however, you may never have to leave your office, and can receive all the benefits of a good rubdown while remaining seated in your chair.

Onsite seated massage has made it easy for busy executives and other working professionals to reduce their stress levels and feel reenergized without having to reschedule or skip a meeting. It’s all in a day’s work. Research shows that even a brief 15-minute chair massage can dramatically reduce job stress, improve alertness and increased speed and accuracy on mathematical computations.

Some of the startling statistics about stress related complaints at the workplace are as follow:

·         Office workers who regularly received some form of massaging were found to be more alert and better performers. They also had lower stress levels than the others.

·         Stress-related complaints comprise almost 90% of all visits to primary care physicians.

·         Stress-related disorders account for $26 billion in medical and disability payments.

·         They also result in $95 billion worth of lost productivity annually. In fact, over 50% of lost workdays are stress related.

·         People with complaints of high stress levels spend 50% more in various healthcare services than those without.

Onsite seated massage benefits not only the recipient, but also the company. Both the business and its employees are benefited. Some of the corporate benefits include,

·         Increased employee retention and lower attrition.

·         Improved productivity.

·         Enrichment of the corporate culture.

·         Drop in absenteeism.

The employees enjoy a handful of direct benefits such as

·         Enhanced creative thinking and increased motivation

·         Lowered anxiety and hostility

·         Relief from fatigue

·         Strengthening of immunity

·         Improved problem solving capabilities.

Onsite seated massage is fast changing the way today’s businesses are coping with the debilitating effects of stress. All one needs to do is contact an onsite seated massage service provider (the Internet can quickly put you in touch with a dozen good ones instantly) and schedule a session. Licensed, professional practitioners will travel to your office, with all the equipment they need (even ergonomically designed massage chairs) and in less than 30 minutes, the management and the staff will be rejuvenated, with lower stress levels, enhanced mental clarity and increased productivity. The beauty of the process is that participants can choose to remain fully clothed as no oil or lotion is used.

The verdict is out – therapeutic message has proved to be of immense value in its healing properties. The message not only heals the physical ailments, but it also rejuvenates, refreshes and relaxes a person. The therapeutic message helps in many ways – it heals arthritis and body ache, helps to reduce weight, detoxifies the body, enhances blood flow, relaxes the muscles and the tissues – the message even helps a sportsperson perform better and avoid injury. And in all this, the importance of the therapeutic message oil can never be under estimated.

However it needs to be kept in mind that the term therapeutic massage oil is used in a generic way as there are many kinds of oils with varying properties and their applications are also not the same. What oil is to be used for which message completely depends on the problem the person is facing. For example the oil that is used to message a baby would of course not be the same that is applied to an athlete as their needs are very different. The message oils can also be used to deliver a sensual message for those who prefer such an intimate experience.

Apart from its ability to heal physically, therapeutic massage oils also has a deep impact on the mind. It works as a soothing balm and removes tension and stress that is affecting so many people these days. When the message is administered, the oil enters the body and mixes with the blood and this has a positive impact. It can be safely said that these oils also achieve an internal cleansing – working much like a natural detox system and bringing out the toxins from the human body. Therapeutic message with a specially developed oil can also fight obesity by removing the blocks from the nerve endings and increasing the BMR.

New findings are proving this every day. In fact, even those who practice conventional medicine also agree that therapeutic massage oils have great healing properties, not only on the body, but also on the mind. But the history of these oils go back a long time as centuries earlier in ancient China and India they were using these oils to message people and cure various ailments and the results were positive too. But somewhere down the line the knowledge was lost. It is only in the last few decades that we are beginning to rediscover this and so, the message and the oils are making a comeback.

Therapeutic massage oil and their source

Often these oils are natural products and they are obtained from herbs and plants – particularly from their barks and roots. But in many cases the plant extracts are not enough – it is mixed with milk powders, mud, clay and other natural ingredients to come up with the final product that has the necessary curative properties.

The application of therapeutic massage oil and the message it is used in is also often referred to as aromatherapy. But often the message oil itself will not have a pleasant aroma – but the good news is, its therapeutic value will be high and thus making it important.

Next Topic Remedial Massage

Looking for a massage therapist online is not a very tough proposition these days. All one needs to do is visit one of the popular search engines on the Internet and search for one. Just key in “massage therapist online” in the search field and hit the ‘Enter’ key on your keyboard. You’ll be returned with plenty more than you can really chew – hundreds upon thousands of matches for you to choose from! Indeed, finding a massage therapist online has never been easier than now!

However, the easy availability of a massage therapist online is not without a shade of danger. The Internet is a huge marketplace and there is an alarming abundance of faceless or unscrupulous businesses. It is easy to get duped or simply end up receiving a bad service. The point that I am trying to make here is that one can never be too careful in choosing a massage therapist online. Take every measure as you see fit to ascertain, and be fully satisfied with, the credentials and abilities of the massage therapist of your choice. Talk to him if you can, exchange emails, or if he has a brick and mortar address where he may be found, try paying a visit. Make sure that you have chosen a qualified massage therapist, and chosen well. These small measures will ensure that you are not getting taken on a ride by a teenager working from his bedroom and posing as a massage therapist, whose only interest is in making some fast bucks off you and then making himself scarce.

Finding a good and competent massage therapist online is often wining half the battle. Well, in fact, it is all that one really needs to concentrate upon. What makes a massage therapy really beneficial, enjoyable and relaxing? The effectiveness of a massage therapy hardly ever depends of the softness of the towels that you lie on, or the price of the body oil that you have rubbed all over yourself. Rather, it depends on who is giving you the massage.

It is important to remember that a good massage is never an accident, but the result of a disciplined study of human physiology and a thorough understanding of the knots and tension points in the human body, how these tension points develop and a good grounding in the theory of what actually happens as each part is massaged. Of course, one also needs to have knowledge of different massaging techniques.

Massage has a very peculiar duality of nature. It can be both a very simple and an incredibly complicated art. Almost anybody can give you a rubdown. But massage therapy is a completely different proposition. Professional massage therapists use not just hands, but wrists, knuckles, elbows and forearms in order to apply the correct pressures from the correct angles to their clients. They are able to diagnose and treat quite severe injuries such as muscle spasms and tears, as well as ease pain in burn victims and arthritis sufferers.

 If you’ve not been feeling yourself lately and experiencing some nagging pains in the joints and muscles, you could consider a soothing and relaxing massage at home. Massage, as we all know, is a great stress-buster, a killer of tension that is our constant companion in our busy, hectic lives. Tension, while it affects our entire being, tends to accumulate more in certain areas of the body such as the lower back, the neck and the shoulders, the feet and the face.

While it could be tempting to pop in a painkiller and get rid of all the annoying aches, it is hardly a sustainable solution. The relief too is often short lived and killing the pain with a pill does not eradicate the tension, but only masks its effects for a short time. The same applies to more serious conditions where the pain is more acutely felt and there is some amount of impediment to mobility involved. Muscle pains, stiff joints and other related skeletal disorders come under this. If ignored or not treated properly, these ailments can affect our productivity, alter mood and put varying degrees of impediments to many of our daily activities.

Care for the condition and the path to wellness, fortunately, can begin at home. One doesn’t require expensive equipment or apparatus, or any special facilities to start feeling better. The name of the game is home message therapy. That’s right; one can start the therapy right in one’s own home. At the core of the therapy would be a handful of massages, delivered diligently by a professional, to gradually make the patient feel better and finally overcome whatever problem he or she might be having.

It is needless to say that like all other therapies, one need to take home massage therapy seriously. It is critical to ensure, among other things, that you receive the therapy from a professional therapist or an accomplished masseur. It is only by putting your body in a pair of good, able hands that you can be certain of receiving maximum benefits from every session. Check the credentials of your therapist to be sure and explain your condition to him. Remember, a wrong massage can ruin it all and even do more harm than good.

A good relaxing session of home massage therapy, most often, requires very little equipment. One can get quickly started with a pair of clean towels, some body oil and a smooth, flat surface to lie down upon. Find a quiet room in your house to begin the therapy and keep aside an hour or so for the entire therapy. Of course, the total duration of the therapy will depend on the nature of your condition. It is important to feel relaxed even before you start the therapy. A mind distraught with thoughts will prevent you from receiving all the benefits of the therapy.

Begin the therapy and enjoy it. Keep asking yourself, “Do I like it? Is it feeling good?” You will know that you have good thing going when the answer is a “yes”. Just remember to choose your therapist with care and then, you will not have much to worry about.

 Chiropractic massage has been benefiting mankind for a very long time. It is actually a very old practice. Chiropractic is a specialized branch of the healing arts and is based upon the fundamental principle that good health is partly dependant on a normally functioning nervous system. The focus of Chiropractic is on the spine and the nerves extending from it. The word itself originates from the Greek word ‘Chiropraktikos’ which means “effective treatment by hand.” Chiropractic, in its essence, stresses the idea that most of the disease processes begin due to the human body’s inability to adapt to its environment. Chiropractic aims to treat such conditions not through the use of drugs or chemicals, but by locating and repairing a musculoskeletal region in the body that is not functioning properly.

Millions around the world have benefited from a Chiropractic massage. Chiropractic practitioners can treat you for a host of conditions, which are as varied as the nervous system itself. Before initiating a Chiropractic massage, a chiropractor will subject you to a standard examination to diagnose the condition and then decide the best course o treatment for you. Most often, conventional methods such as consultation, studying case history, conducting a physical examination, laboratory analysis and x-ray examination, are used. There may also be a specialized chiropractic structural examination, with particular attention to the spine.

As stated earlier, at the core of Chiropractic treatment is a close examination of the spine, which is conducted to evaluate its structure and functioning. The spinal column in the human body is a series of movable bones that start off from the base of the skull and terminate somewhere below the lower back region. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves shooting off from the spine and extending to different parts of the body. The nerves form an intricate network mesh and influence every living tissue in the body.

Many things can cause a disruption in this nervous system and disturb its fine balance Stress, tension, accidents, falls, overexertion and many other factors can cause this to happen. The result is varying degrees of irritation to the nerves and these irritations, in turn, are responsible for various malfunctions. Chiropractic aims to counter these irritations by concentrating its efforts on the human spine and the surrounding nervous system.

It is interesting to note that the Chiropractic mode of treatment also places an emphasis on nutritional and exercise programs, wellness and lifestyle modifications for promoting physical and mental health. Chiropractic care is also widely recommended in times of pregnancy. The expectant mother has to go through a lot, having to provide for two. As a result, there is an excessive strain on the internal organs. It is critical to help the expectant mother maintain the optimal functioning of her organs and body systems for the healthy development of the baby. Specialized chiropractic care throughout pregnancy can work wonders in enhancing the functioning of the nervous system and keep the mother and her baby in good health.