Professional Development

This week starts a series of weekly articles into the business of massage therapy. Basically how to get work, keep work, increase your skills, how to dress, etc. Hopefully the information will be useful to those therapists still in school, just graduated and even experienced therapists. Our first topic: Knowledge.

In massage we will discuss two types of knowledge; specialized and on the job.

Specialized knowledge must be sought after and absorbed to be effective. Specialized knowledge is learned from mentors, teachers and from the volumes of printed material shared from our ancestors wisdom and experience.

This type of knowledge involves hard work and personal study into topics that will take you back in history. Specialized knowledge is the key to understanding that all things come from one source and you can tap into that source at any time. Some examples in massage are; Tui Na, Thai massage, nerve points (trigger points), acupressure, different modalities, reflexology and Rolfing.

Now this is about understanding and how to be focused in your work. Specialized knowledge brings things into focus because of the hours of dedication you have put into your craft. A general unfocused treatment is very superficial.

The second type is on the job training. The experience you receive while working is very valuable. Your specialized knowledge will be your guide while on the job and will help you when others haven't a clue as to what to do. I have worked in many different places doing massage. This allowed me to "feel" many different body types to understand that everyone is different and will respond or not to different kinds of techniques.

Please note that this type of knowledge must be experienced in different work environments. Each spa, chiropractor's office, etc has a certain kind of person that will go to that particular place. By being in one place you see one type but many places will give you hundreds of people to learn from. That's what on the job knowledge is; learning from the people and everything that makes an individual.

Remember the mother of knowledge is repetition. Keep working, learning and growing.

Knowledge will keep you ahead of the game and a leader in your field.

Next week, Professional Development 2.

Seated Asian Bodywork

Please check out this therapist. He is doing advanced chair techniques.

Believe me, this is only the beginning to what you can do!

To see click HERE.

Desk Stress

This is what I call the condition that many people may feel if they work at a computer for long hours. Symptoms are: tightness and/or pain in the shoulders, upper/mid back, neck, arms and hands. You may also experience tightness in the upper chest.

The above is what happens to the body when the body is forced to sit in one position all day long. The body is designed to move and we do the exact opposite in our daily work. If you do not have some activities to balance this out the body will create holding patterns. Essentially the body will only do what it is used to doing and very little else.

There are some proactive things you can do throughout the day to help yourself.

1) Take a few minutes if you can to stretch, move and shake your body. Reach up over your head like you're grabbing something from the top shelve. Hold that for a few seconds. Slow rotations of the neck and turning the neck from side to side is helpful to relax the neck.

Massage and stretch your hands and arms. Rotate your wrists to remind the body you still like to move around. And if you can, get away from your desk for a couple of minutes.

2) Exercise. Take a pilates, yoga or Tai Chi class. The movement is what we are going for here to stretch, move and also relax your muscles.

3) Take an eye break. Close your eyes and take some deep breaths.

4) Have lunch outside if weather permits.

5) Get a massage. If your place of employment offers chair massage take advantage. A good 15 minute chair massage every other week or once a month can do wonders for your body.

Chair Massage Training

As promised I have some tips for those who would like to learn the art of chair massage. Skills in this area will not only make you a more verstile therapist but also help build your table business. Below I have broken down training into books, video media and actual classes. Please note, over the years I have bought books, videos, etc. and the following are in my opinion some of the best information in regards to chair massage. Let's get started.

Click HERE for the most useful book on chair massage.

For a video companion to the book click Here.

Now useful chair massage classes are few and far between in Chicago but there is a class coming to the city May 30, 2009. This class offers CEU's and will help you learn a "routine" to get you started. For more information click HERE.

I will be teaching a chair massage class with more advance techniques in mid June. In this class I will show supine, prone upper and lower body, Tui Na, Thai massage, trigger points and so much more. Stay tuned for that. But the above should get you started.

Tools of the Trade

Two years ago at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, I taught a Deep Tissue Massage class. As part of the class I made massage tools required for my course. I knew then as I know now that tools are a necessary part of a massage career. Without them we are more open to injury and lose the effectiveness of our craft.

I have been using massage tools since massage school. The tools bring a different level to your work, a refinement if you will. I know many therapists reluctant to use tools for many reasons. But to prevent injury to your digits, arms, shoulders, etc. from working to hard are the reasons to use them.

Now tools have been around for thousands of years as aids for our healing ancestors. They are nothing new. Our ancestors knew back then, that to be effective in their work they needed help from an object that they gave life to, just by using it. Tools are just an extension of your hands, fingers, elbows; because you are in control.

In Chinese medicine they will use anything from a mason jar to a spoon to get the job done. Again, it is not the tool that is in control but you. Ask any Jedi Knight if they want to work without their tool, the light saber!

I use a lot of tools in my table and chair work for different things (right tool for the right job). I use the entire line of Acufore tools. These are some of the best on the market and they come with a instructional dvd to get you started. Just so you know, the Star was my first tool. For more info click HERE.

For ji fa (chopping) I will use Bongers. The Bongers are great for stimulation. Another good tool that I use in my chair work is the Therapist Thumb. This tool as well as the Acuforce Star are great for working on the sub occipital muscles of the neck.

I will also incorporate the Omni massage roller for rubbing along the back and outside of the legs. The Omni along the IT-band is great for breaking up adhesions. Try it in the hip also. To find these tools and others click HERE.

The way to use tools is just like using your fingers, hands, elbow and knees. You must practice and practice. Then one day you will point a tool in a trigger point and feel the point relax or feel the energy of a acupressure point through your tool to your body. Now that is true healing.

Now if you are a therapist interested in learning more about tools and how to use them; Tony Zayner will be teaching a class called Tool Time at the Naprapathy College on April 29. He will instruct the class in over 25 tools from manual to mechanical. For more info click HERE.

Up Coming Classes

I just want inform you of 4 classes I will be teaching over the next 4 Sundays starting April 19.

The classes will take place at the Discovery Center in Chicago. The time of the class is 10am-1pm. The first 3 classes will cover lower body, upper body and full body. The focus of the class are basic massage techniques and stretches that anyone can do. The forth class is the couples class, which is always fun. In this class I instruct the couples the best way to work with their partner, how to listen and communicate through therapeutic touch. All the classes are open to the general public. Hope to see you there. To find out more information click HERE.

Three People You Should Know

I want to tell you about three therapists you should know about. If you need/want a good therapist here are the people to see and where to find them.

Tony Zayner-you can find him at the National College of Naprathic Medicine in Chicago. Tony is doing his internship until October 2009, so you can get his services at a reduced cost. Tony focuses on naprathy in the clinic and will integrate manual and mechanical tools, Thai massage and nutritional counseling. $50 for the first visit and $30 for any follow-up visits. Find more info about the clinic HERE.

To learn more about Naprathy click HERE.

Manuel Cruz-can be found at Infuse Yoga Spa on Thursdays. Manuel was mentored by Tony and myself and is a top notch therapist in the city. Manuel is trained in Table Thai massage, Tui Na, trigger point therapy just to name a few. $90 for an hour session. Infuse Yoga Spa is doing a special promo through April 19th. with half-off Thai massage sessions. Check it out HERE.

To read Manuel's own words click HERE.

Karen Colbert- can be located at Bahdy on the south side of Chicago. Bahdy offers professional massage services for her clients. Karen was also mentored by Tony and myself, so she is trained in a variety of clinical and Asian styles. Since she is first class her services are as well. Now Karen also has a service called Club Bahdy, which offers a reduction in price if you are a member. See more info HERE.

Trust me folks, if you see any of these people your money is well spent. I will feature more therapists in future articles.

Grab a Chair

This is for therapists, soon to be therapists and want to be therapists. If you don't already have a massage chair, get one. Please. There are many reasons but the number one is flexibility.

As I have stated before the world is changing and in order to change with it you must be flexible to do so. The ability to adapt is important. You must be able to be in different places, to help many people and stand above the crowd. If you don't you will fall by the way side. The strong and the unique survive.

Why does it seem like I push chair massage? Because it works as a business and as a modality. I'm not saying get rid of your table but in an hour I can work on about 4 people. Your standard table work will yield 1. Now I can make the same amount of money as a 1 hour table but those 4 people tell other people. And what do they tell them? That here is a guy who can help you with a lot of your aches and pains in 15 minutes or so and it cost $15! Or they can get on a table for 60 or 90 minutes and feel relaxed for a short while. That costs $85-$150!

See the difference?

That is how my business has grown over the last 4 years. I have worked in many different places and received experience. That is priceless! Meeting people led me to other people and so on and so on. That's what Nepatism is about.

Now, if you are thinking where can I get a good chair. I have some answers. There are some good inexpensive chairs because you don't need to spend a lot. When I bought my chair it was $199 on sale. But I would buy it at regular price. See Here.

Also, you'll find a package deal Here.

Another chair under $200 Here.

If you don't already own a massage chair, these will get you started. From there we will go on to training, where to get it and how to develop your SKILLS. This is what brings clients back, time and time again. Relaxation may be the number one reason people will get a massage but helping them with shoulder pain, headaches, sore back and hip tightness is why they come back.

Be Here next week as the saga continues.

Massage Relief

I would like to share a massage story that I came across that you should know about. This is indeed the time for stepping up and helping others. This is one of those stories.

For the massage relief efforts click HERE.

Many know the benefits of massage therapy but the best benefit for the therapist is the honor of touching another person in their time of need. Just you and the client. A touch that lasts a lifetime.

Nepa Massage

There is one question that I get from my clients that I have to talk about here so that everyone will know. The top question is; "what kind of massage do you do" or "what do you call this type of massage". The answer is Nepa Massage. A long time client came up with that name 2 years ago and it has stuck ever since. Now I know that Nepa Massage doesn't describe what I do but after I explain maybe things will be that much clearer.

I have trained in Tai Chi for almost ten years from my teacher/mentor Tony Zayner. This same mentor also taught me Asian bodywork (acupressure, table Thai massage, Tui Na), Chinese medicine modalities (gua sha, cupping, moxa) as well as magnets. I was introduced to reflexology, trigger point therapy, passive movement stretching, different kinds of massage tools and my favorite, chair massage. After learning all of the above, I worked to develop my own style and use that with my natural abilities. Each therapist must do the same for themselves.

All these styles and techniques are time proven over the centuries and have been known to work as individual techniques. Now I don't see them as different when I work but as ONE. Unlike some therapists who can do mixture of techniques/styles and piece a little here and there; I feel, act and know they are all one thing. So when I work with a client, I am "talking" to their body which always tells me what is going on. I have to listen and respond (yin & yang). I communicate verbally as well. I may joke with them or just listen to hear whatever is on their mind. My work is really deep because it truly evolves.

It has evolved for me into working more with chair massage than with the massage table. I feel chair massage allows more freedom to play (yes, play) and have fun (yes, have fun) because the client is in an upright position and I can dance around them. The shorter time frame trains my mind/body/spirit to be very focused on working with the client and the opportunity to see more people. Not to mention the cost factor, which is of utmost importance to everyone right now. That we cannot ignore.

So Nepa Massage is the spirit of the work which is in touch with eternity. And in eternity, there are no techniques.

Hold On To Your Seat

The sitting position in Thai massage is one of the most effective for releasing tightness, pain and soreness in the neck, shoulders, chest, back and arms. Thai massage focuses not only on muscle tissue but the sen (lines) of energy that flows throughout our bodies. In Thai, the feet, knees, hands and elbows are used as tools for compressions along the sen. A Thai massage session will also include range of motion movement and stretching to help heal and balance the body. By using Thai techniques on the upper body and neck/face muscles you can help treat headaches, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel and so much more.

Chair massage is rapidly growing around the country as the method of choice for bodywork. Because of the inexpensive cost and shorter sessions, the demand for chair massage will continue around the country and even the world. If you haven't noticed but the above chair is made and used in Thailand.

Here are some useful positions for those therapists out there that might want to add some seated Thai techniques to their chair massage treatments: pressing the shoulders, thumb press the neck, backward arm lever, hacking the shoulders, arm lock, butterfly shoulder stretch & twist and the bear hug. In supine you can try the "cross town" (be careful). In prone you can also try the feet to back stretch. You should sit on a stool to do this one.

These are a just few of the techniques I use in my chair massage practice. In future posts, we will go deeper into the world of seated manual therapy.