Massage Professionals Update

Massage Stroke Review Part 4: Compression, Friction and Vibration

July 23rd, 2010

As time goes on and you are further removed from the massage school experience, you may find yourself getting stuck in a specific massage routine. Expanding your repertoire of strokes is one way of customizing each massage therapy session to address the needs of individual clients. Lean how compression, friction and vibration techniques can increase the beneficial effects on the body during a massage. This is the final installment of the Institute’s four-part series of informative articles about massage stroke review.

Massage Stroke Review Part 3: Tapotement

June 24th, 2010

Tapotement is probably one of the most underused categories of massage techniques. Except in pre-event warm-up in sports massage where it is routinely used, it is often left out of massage sessions completely. Learn the basics of tapotement and how it can be an important inclusion in your massage therapy routine. This is the third installment of the Institute’s four-part series of informative articles about massage stroke review.

Five Common Concerns of a First Time Massage Client

June 23rd, 2010

Being in tune with a first time client’s apprehension about massage can immediately escalate his or her comfort level during the massage therapy session.

Bodyworker’s Pearl: The Jaw and Hip Connection

June 22nd, 2010

Backed by a variety of medical traditions that confirm the hip and jaw’s connectivity, learn how bodyworkers can confidently utilize this knowledge for clients affected by pain in one of these regions.

Herpes Mandates Universal Precautions

May 20th, 2010

A large percentage of adults have genital herpes. While genital herpes is classified as a sexually transmitted disease, there is considerable confusion regarding its impact on a massage therapy practice.

Massage Stroke Review Part 2: Petrissage

May 19th, 2010

Rediscover the massage stroke techniques of petrissage and what they all have in common, the benefits and precautions associated with petrissage – and how this massage stroke differs from effleurage. This is the second installment of the Institute’s four-part series of informative articles about massage stroke review.

Massage Stroke Review Part 1: Effleurage

May 3rd, 2010

A well-executed effleurage technique can be a massage therapist’s bread and butter. If done skillfully, a full body Swedish massage session can be performed using only this stroke, and your client will come away feeling stress-free and eager to make another appointment. This is the first installment of the Institute’s four-part series of informative articles about massage stroke review.

Bodywork for Quitting Cocaine

April 29th, 2010

More and more bodyworkers are being recruited to work in a variety of health-inspired settings, including drug treatment programs. By being familiar with the plight of cocaine addiction and withdrawal, massage therapists are more qualified for the surprisingly rewarding job of helping people quit cocaine.

Crossing Over from Symptom Relief Into Holistic Healing

April 27th, 2010

By asking about physical woes and attempting to deliver symptom relief, many massage therapists practice just like allopathic doctors do. However, bodyworkers are in an ideal position to go beyond mere symptom relief by adding a holistic healing dimension to their work.

Pathology Review: Can You Identify That Rash?

April 2nd, 2010

If a client came in with a rash, would you know what to do? Would you recognize it as contagious or infectious? Do you know the difference between hives and poison ivy? Read on to learn about identifying the most common rashes and when massage therapy is contraindicated.