Standard 8.1 Research Massage Therapy as a career Massage Therapist Standard 8.1 Research Massage Therapy as a career

Interesting Facts about Massage Therapy Touch is the first sense to develop in humans, and may be the last to fade there are approximately 5 million touch receptors in our skin-- 3000 in a finger tip a touch of any kind can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure touch stimulates the release of endorphins (the body's natural pain killers) which is why a mother's hug for a child's skinned knee can literally make it better

massage before an athletic event, makes the athlete more flexible, enhanced speed and power, and less prone to injury In 1996, massage therapy and bodywork was officially offered for the first time as a core medical service in the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. At the Games, Nationally Certified practitioners were providing key medical services.

Salary Earns between $37,502 and $59,788 with the top 10 percent earning $66,323 or higher for full-time massage work

School If you live in a state that regulates massage licensing laws, the state requirements set your minimum education. Legal minimums can range from 330 to 1,000 contact hours, and programs can take from a few weeks to two years, depending on how the program is structured.

School If your location has no governmental regulation, you can start your practice with whatever training you choose to get - even none! However, proper training enables you to go further, so consider your long-term goals when you decide on the education you need.

Job Outlook Employment of massage therapists is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Continued growth in the demand for massage services will lead to new openings for massage therapists.

What they do Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the soft-tissue muscles of the body. With their touch, therapists relieve pain, rehabilitate injuries, reduce stress, increase relaxation, and aid in the general wellness of clients.

Work environment Massage therapists work in an array of settings, both private and public, such as private offices, spas, hospitals, fitness centers, and shopping malls. Some massage therapists also travel to clients’ homes or offices to provide a massage.

Activities

Back Massage Begin your back massage with long, slow strokes. Start at the lower back. Keep your hands spread out and slowly stroke your hands up. Apply medium pressure. Keep stroking all the way up to the top of the shoulders. Continue this for a number of minutes. It will help the person relax and get the back massage started on the right note.

Back Massage knots and tight spots. Once the person is relaxed by your broad, slow massaging, target the specific knots and tight muscles. Gently massage the muscles of the shoulders in circular motions. Don't press too hard. You can also massage down either side of the spine to the lower back. Make sure you are careful of the shoulder blades and spine.

Listen!!! Make sure you listen to the person you are massaging. Let them know you want their feedback. Ask how it feels, what they like best, and make sure they are letting you know if it hurts. It is important that you pay attention to what they like and dislike -- most importantly you need to stop doing what hurts them!

Legs Make sure you listen to the person you are massaging. Let them know you want their feedback. Ask how it feels, what they like best, and make sure they are letting you know if it hurts. It is important that you pay attention to what they like and dislike -- most importantly you need to stop doing what hurts them!

Legs Use the forearm to apply pressure to the calf muscle first. Push the forearm along the leg in as smooth a motion as possible, using your non-massaging hand to hold your wrist for added pressure.

Legs Put intense pressure on specific spots. Use the thumbs together to reduce the knots in specific parts of the leg. Press the thumbs firmly into any questionable spot on the person's leg. Work until the knots or tissue seems to relax. Continue massaging the leg as long as the recipient is comfortable.

Arms Use both hands to smoothly rub from the wrist up the arm and over the top of the shoulder. Repeat six times.

Arms Use your thumbs to massage from the wrist to the top of the arm, using an overlapping motion. Increase pressure with each pass, and repeat five times. Gently turn the arm over and do the same thing to the underside of the arm.

Arms Massage from the elbow down to the underarm, using your thumbs. Repeat three times, then do the same thing to the outside of the arm, elbow to shoulder muscle. Increase pressure with each repetition.

Arms Tickle the arm lightly down from the shoulder to the wrist. This is a pleasant feeling, and gives a perfect ending to your massage

Feet Step 1: Stroke the top of the foot Stroking stimulates circulation and warms the foot. Holding your partner's foot in your hands, on the top of the foot begin a long, slow, firm, stroking motion with your thumbs, starting at the tips of the toes and sliding back away from you, all the way up to the ankle, then retrace your steps back to the toes with a lighter stroke. Repeat this step three to five times, then stroke the bottom of the foot in the same manner.

Feet Step 2: Ankle rotations Loosens joints and relaxes feet. Cup one hand under the heel, behind the ankle, to brace the foot and leg. Grasp the ball of the foot with the other hand and turn the foot slowly at the ankle for three to five times in each direction. With repeated foot massages, any stiffness will begin to recede. (This is a particularly good exercise for anyone suffering from arthritis.)

Feet Step 3: Toe pulls and squeezes Toes, like fingers, are quite sensitive to the touch -- this massage can be very calming. Grasp the foot beneath the arch. With the other hand, beginning with the big toe, hold the toe with your thumb on top and index finger beneath. Starting at the base of the toe, slowly and firmly pull the toe, sliding your fingers to the top and back to the base.

Feet Now repeat, but gently squeeze and roll the toe between your thumb and index finger, working your way to the tip and back to the base. Repeat these two movements on the remaining toes.

Feet Step 4: Toe slides Grasp foot behind the ankle, cupping under heel. With the index finger of the other hand, slide your finger between the toes, back and forth for three to five

Feet Step 5: Arch press Releases tension in the inner and outer longitudinal arches. Hold foot as you did in Step 4. Using the heel of your other hand, push hard as you slide along the arch from the ball of the foot toward the heel and back again. Repeat five times. This part of the foot can stand a little extra exertion on your part, just don't apply too much pressure. Push your hand along the arch of the foot.

Assignment for THURSDAY and FRIDAY On THURSDAY, The person with the oldest parent in your partner group will be the patient/client today. They will lay on a mat and remove their shoes and socks. The Massage Therapist will provide a thorough(Back, Arms, Legs, and Feet) Massage, while telling the client how this will help them. At the end of the massage, the clinician will fill out a summary of medical history update, CC, All Exercises, recall appt., Starting and Ending B/P, Pulse, and Respiration. On FRIDAY we will switch. CHARTS ARE DUE ON the day you do your lab!!!!