Massage Professionals Update

The latest news, articles and information related to massage therapy and techniques.

Bodywork and Myofascial Pain Syndrome

October 12th, 2010

By releasing trigger point congestion, two styles of bodywork are particularly beneficial for those suffering from myofascial pain syndrome.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Massage Therapy

September 17th, 2010

Chronic pain is a complaint massage therapists hear from many clients. The causes vary from pain as a result of injury or accident to post-surgery pain. There may be times that the actual cause is unknown or elusive. Learn more about complex regional pain syndrome, a chronic and often debilitating form of pain that may be helped by the use of massage therapy.

The Impact of Color and Your Massage Office

September 10th, 2010

Color surrounds us every day of our lives. It can be stimulating or calming. In most massage sessions, the client’s eyes are closed, so it may seem that the colors used in a massage office are less important than in other settings. However, the colors used in your office convey an important message. Learn how to use color to set the tone and help clients get the most out of their massage.

Two Proven Approaches to Help Osteoarthritic Knees

September 8th, 2010

Staying up-to-date on research involving your client’s condition is a great way to gain trust and make sure you are delivering the best treatment and advice possible. Because osteoarthritis of the knee is so prevalent, massage therapists should know about the two alternative approaches proven to help this kind of arthritis.

10 Tips for Avoiding Injury With Onsite Massage

August 25th, 2010

Portable massage tables have been around since 1910 – though back then portable did not necessarily mean light in weight – and massage chairs were invented in 1986. But doing onsite massage therapy on a regular basis is still relatively new and, in order to avoid injury, requires an increased awareness to one’s surroundings.

Bodyworkers Can Influence the Cranial Keystone

August 18th, 2010

Known as the cranial keystone, the sphenoid bone is one of the more mysterious parts of our anatomy. Connected with many common problems, a restricted sphenoid can be freed by cranial-sacral therapy.

Massage for Sunburn Healing

July 28th, 2010

Whether you live along the Sunbelt or practice massage therapy in the northern states, clients may come in at almost any time of the year with sunburn. In the summer, it might be after spending too much time at the beach or in the backyard. In the winter months, it could be from skiing or from a holiday spent in a sunny climate. Learn how to help your clients cope with the effects of too much sun exposure.

Bodywork for Releasing Grief

July 27th, 2010

Complaints commonly encountered in massage therapy may be due to unresolved grief. By understanding and working with two popular systems of bodywork, massage therapists can help their clients release this stuck emotion.

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.