Archive for November, 2008

Nov 19 2008

Mississippi Board of Massage Therapy: The Information Center of Therapists

Published by Liz under Massage Supplies

Uses for Existing Massage Therapists

This Web page for the Mississippi Board of Massage Therapy is a useful source of information for massage therapists who practice in this state. It contains an important news link that can notify these professionals of any changes in massage therapy certification as well as any changes in the forms that must be filled out by every client that is receiving these services.

There is also a Web page available on the Mississippi Board of Massage Therapy Web site that contains all the information that is relevant to the continuing education clause that all massage therapists must meet every four years.

Uses for New Graduates

There is also a Web Page for new graduates of massage therapy training to register with the Mississippi Board of Massage Therapy. These forms and other information pertaining to certification and registration are available on this page. There are also lists of locations where the tests are being held to gain massage therapy certification.

Uses for Anyone Interested In Becoming a Massage Therapist

The Mississippi Board of Massage Therapy Web Page also has a listing of all the accredited schools that offer massage therapy courses. If you are interested in enrolling in therapy classes in Mississippi, you should choose a school from this list.

Another factor that you may not be aware of is that Mississippi state law prohibits certification for massage therapy if your studies were done totally online. The Mississippi Board of Massage Therapy stipulates that you can only spend 3 classroom hours per calendar year in an online class. This ruling is to ensure that massage therapy student receive the vital “hands on” training that they need.

This is just a small part of the wealth of information that can be found on the Mississippi Board of Massage Therapy Web Site. You should visit this site if you are interested in practicing massage therapy in the state of Mississippi.

Comments Off

Nov 15 2008

Massage Therapy Schools Online: Earn Your Certification At Home

Published by Liz under Massage Supplies

If you wish to earn your certification in massage therapy from the comforts of your home, you should check into massage therapy schools online. There are several advantages that an online course has that traditional educational methods do not.

Advantages of Online Study

One advantage that massage therapy schools online have over their traditional counterparts is the availability for you to learn at a time that fits into your busy schedule. You can “attend class” whenever it is convenient for you, unlike traditional classroom settings in which class begins and ends at a specific time. Many working students prefer this method of learning as it is the easiest work in around a busy career.

In a classroom setting, you must keep up with the teacher’s schedule and you may find that he moves too quickly. Another advantage that massage therapy schools online have is giving you the ability to work at your own pace. If there is an area that you do not understand or have difficulty with, you can take the extra time to review the information until you fully comprehend it.

With today’s soaring gasoline prices, the largest advantage that “massage therapy online schools” may have is the fact that you never have to leave your home in order to attend class. Many students at traditional universities are struggling with the financial strains that the long commute to their school is placing on them. This problem is totally eliminated by attending massage therapy schools online.

Finding an Online Massage Therapy Program

Finding massage therapy schools online is right at your fingertips. You can simply search the Internet to discover the numerous massage therapy programs that are available. You need to research these programs to ensure that they are accredited by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. While this will not pose a problem when attending online programs affiliated with universities, you may want to be leery of classes that are offered by independent organizations.

If you are interested in becoming a massage therapist and the idea of learning at home appeals to you, you can visit www.DirectoryofOnlineSchools.com to find massage therapy schools online that may be right for you.

Comments Off

Nov 11 2008

Massage therapy equipment: What Every Massage Therapist Needs

Published by Liz under Massage Supplies

When starting out as a massage therapist, there are several pieces of massage therapy equipment that you will need. These items include furniture as well as other accessories that will enable you to give your clients the best care possible.

Massage Table and/or Chair

One of the major pieces of massage therapy equipment that you will need to purchase is a massage table and/or chair. Some massage professionals choose to have both of these options available to their patients while others choose the one that best suits their needs. The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing these tables and chairs is comfort. You should provide your clients with the most relaxing piece of furniture possible.

Another detail to keep in mind when choosing this massage therapy equipment is the height of the piece. You should make sure that you will be able to bend over the table and/or chair easily without putting strain on your own body. You may want to consider purchasing these items with adjustable legs that will enable you to change the height as needed.

Couch Covers

Other massage therapy equipment that you will need to purchase is couch covers. Again, comfort is the most important consideration when buying these items. These covers should feel soft to the touch and should allow your clients to lay on them for long periods of time without the covers causing irritation. You also need to keep in mind the fact that these items may become stained with massage oil. Your best bet is to buy couch covers made of an easily washable fabric, such as cotton. Buying an all-natural fabric such as this one can also reduce the risk of your client experiencing an allergic reaction to the material in your couch covers.

Other Equipment

There are several other items of massage therapy equipment that you will need to purchase. A massage belt can be a useful item as it allows you to have easy access to all your massage supplies. All-natural massage oil is also another worthwhile investment.

These are just a few of the massage therapy equipment that you will need when beginning you own therapy office. To find out more, you can visit www.source1medical.com or one of other various massage supply Web pages found via the Internet.

Comments Off

Nov 07 2008

Intake Forms for Massage Therapy: Massage Therapy Patient Forms

Published by Liz under Massage Supplies

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

Comments Off

Nov 03 2008

Starting Salaries for Massage Therapy: Being Paid What You’re Worth

Published by Liz under Massage Supplies

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

Comments Off