Jul
31
2008
When beginning a massage therapy treatment program, the practitioner who will be responsible for treating you will ask you to fill out intake forms for massage therapy. This paperwork is necessary for the massage therapist to evaluate the techniques that will best suit your needs as well as making him aware of any medical conditions that you may have.
The Basic Information
The basic information that is found on intake forms for massage therapy is the same format as the paperwork that you would fill out when seeing any medical and health professional. This data includes your name, address, phone number, and date of birth.
Medical History
The rest of the intake forms for massage therapy ask you for information about your medical history. The forms question you about any massage therapy that you may have had in the past as well as the type of therapy that you received.
It then goes on to ask about any medications that you may be taking. It would be helpful to the massage practitioner if you could list your medications, the amount of dosage, and the reasons for them on the intake forms for massage therapy.
The next section of the intake forms for massage therapy asks if you are seeing a healthcare professional. If you are, you need to list all the people that you are seeing and the reasons for which you are being treated. You then need to check off any conditions that you may have that are listed on the forms.
Problem Areas and Side Effects
The next part of the intake forms for massage therapy contains an illustration of the human body. This section will instruct you to mark with an “X” any areas that you are having problems with. You are also asked to explain what your goals and expectations are after receiving massage therapy.
There is also a section on the intake forms for massage therapy that explains the effects that your body may experience during the massage session. It also includes an agreement on your part to ensure that you understand the procedures involved with massage therapy. It also requires your signature as a testament that all the information that you have given is truthful.
The intake forms for massage therapy are vital for you to receive the best care possible. You can glance at one of these forms at www.guidedhandstherapeutic.com
Jul
26
2008
Estimates of Starting Salary
Salary.com estimates that the starting salaries for massage therapy is anywhere from $41,000 to $58,000 a year. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics claims that a beginning massage therapist can earn $20 per hour while a more experienced practitioner can earn $50 or more per hour. While these salaries may sound wonderful, there are several factors that you need to take into consideration.
Location Matters
These estimations of starting salaries for massage therapy may fall far short of the reality if you are planning to practice in a smaller town or city. The location in which you set up your practice can make a big difference in the amount of money that you can earn. For example, massage therapists in Angola, Indiana are going to make far less money than those who are practicing in Beverly Hills, California.
Setting up Shop
When computing the starting salaries for massage therapy, you will also need to deduct the initial costs that you can entail when setting up your practice. You will need to purchase a massage table and/or chair, massage creams and oils, couch covers, massage robes, and sanitizing cleaners to start with. You will also need to pay for advertising, health insurance, liability insurance, and laundry services.
You will need to decide if you are going to lease your own office area or rent a space at a local spa or salon. These rental or leasing fees will also need to be considered when estimating starting salaries for massage therapy.
These are just a few of the costs that you will need to consider when estimating starting salaries for massage therapy. To find further information about massage therapy salaries, you can visit www.salary.com or www.fedstats.gov
Jul
25
2008
Massage therapy has been used as a healing tool since ancient times and people today in the medical profession have also recognized massage therapy benefits. These treatments can aid with medical as well as psychological problems.
Medical Applications
There are several different medical situations that can be eased by the massage therapy benefits. For patients who are suffering from back problems, massage therapy can relieve any muscle aches and has even proven beneficial by increasing the amount of mobility in the problem area. Massage therapy can also ease the pains during labor that are experienced by expectant mothers and hasten their recovery time.
Other massage therapy benefits when treating medical conditions include stimulation of the body’s natural immune system and allowing other patients to ease off their dependency to certain medications. Atrophied or injured muscles can also be exercised and stretched using this type of therapeutic treatment.
The massage therapy benefits have also been recognized in the area of sports medicine. The use of a massage therapy program during training and when participating in competitions can help an athlete to improve his performance while decreasing his risk of injury at the same time.
Psychological Benefits
The massage therapy benefits can also improve a patient’s psychological health. It is a well known fact that massage therapy is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. Experts have also discovered that it can help people who have poor quality sleep patterns as well. After a massage therapy treatment program, many of these patients have reported getting a better night’s sleep. Other patients have claimed that their energy levels have increased and their concentration has become more focused.
Massage Therapy and the Medical World
As more results from clinical studies are proving massage therapy benefits, many doctors are recommending that their patients begin a massage therapy program when suffering from certain medical conditions. For more information about massage therapy benefits, you can visit www.massagetherapy.com/learnmore/benefits.php
Jul
15
2008
When you are beginning a career as a massage therapist, you will need to purchase a variety of massage therapy supplies. These products come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are all essential ingredients to build a successful therapy career.
Massage Oils and Creams
The first massage therapy supplies that you will need to buy are your massage oils and creams. You should try to find high quality substances that are made from all-natural ingredients as these types of products can reduce the risk of your client suffering from an allergic reaction. You will want to test these oils and creams to ensure that they do not leave a greasy residue behind.
Couch Covers
You will also want to purchase a number of couch covers when picking up your “massage therapy supplies.” These covers need to be soft to the touch and comfortable enough for your clients to lie upon for extended periods of time. You should also try to pick covers that are made of all-natural fabrics (such as cotton) that will not irritate your client’s skin and are easily washable due to the fact that these items will become stained with your oils and creams.
Massage Robes
Massage robes are other massage therapy supplies that you will need to purchase. Again, an all natural fabric is the best to prevent irritation to your client and is durable through numerous washings. You should buy a large supply of these robes to ensure that you have enough to last you for a few days between cleanings.
Sanitizing Products
You will also need to purchase sanitizing products when you are picking up your massage therapy supplies. For hygienic reasons, you should completely wash down your massage table and/or chair after each therapy session. You will need to read the instructions carefully as to the use of these products to determine that you find one that can effectively eliminate germs as well as a variety of viral infections.
These are just a few of the many massage therapy supplies that you will need. To find a complete listing of these products, you can visit www.bodymall.com or a number of other Web sites to help you fill your supply needs.