tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 2011-08-01T09:25:32-07:00 How to's, tips and opinion on raising healthy lifestyle awareness. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14391 2011-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

A quick glance around us at the number of people who require glasses, contact lenses, and eye surgeries reflects a widespread need to prevent visual deterioration and to use natural means to improve vision. This short discussion offers steps you can take to gain better health of the muscles of the eyes.

By Judith DeLany, LMT A quick glance around us at the number of people who require glasses, contact lenses, and eye surgeries reflects a widespread need to prevent visual deterioration and to use natural means to improve vision. This short discussion offers steps you can take to gain better health of the muscles of the eyes. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14373 2011-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

Sexuality is a natural part of the human experience. We are born as sexual beings with a need for touch and intimacy. We require a healthy environment that supports our natural development in these areas to thrive as organisms. By definition, sex, touch and intimacy are three distinct behaviors and experiences. The fact that they overlap at times is what creates confusion.

By Cherie Sohnen-Moe Sexuality is a natural part of the human experience. We are born as sexual beings with a need for touch and intimacy. We require a healthy environment that supports our natural development in these areas to thrive as organisms. By definition, sex, touch and intimacy are three distinct behaviors and experiences. The fact that they overlap at times is what creates confusion. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14370 2011-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

In my past article "Chasing the Pain", I reported that pain (especially leg pain) may be the result of medications your clients are taking. A thorough medical intake questionnaire that includes medications is imperative for customizing and evaluating your massage plan for each client. Identifying the cause of pain and plan of treatment involves more than subjective and objective observations.

By Rita Woods, LMT In my past article "Chasing the Pain", I reported that pain (especially leg pain) may be the result of medications your clients are taking. A thorough medical intake questionnaire that includes medications is imperative for customizing and evaluating your massage plan for each client. Identifying the cause of pain and plan of treatment involves more than subjective and objective observations. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14351 2011-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

Over the past several years, research on massage therapy and bodywork has been conducted in isolated studies throughout the country. For the most part, these research studies are funded for the purpose of publishing the results in medical and similar style journals. In other words, the promotion and facilitation of research on various massage therapy and bodywork modalities seems to be targeted at proving the validity of our profession to the wider allopathic and complementary medical communities. While this is a fine and respected endeavor, the positive results of these research studies are getting filed in medical journals and talked about in medical venues but fail to reach the people who could use it the most: massage therapists and consumers.

By CG Funk, LMT Over the past several years, research on massage therapy and bodywork has been conducted in isolated studies throughout the country. For the most part, these research studies are funded for the purpose of publishing the results in medical and similar style journals. In other words, the promotion and facilitation of research on various massage therapy and bodywork modalities seems to be targeted at proving the validity of our profession to the wider allopathic and complementary medical communities. While this is a fine and respected endeavor, the positive results of these research studies are getting filed in medical journals and talked about in medical venues but fail to reach the people who could use it the most: massage therapists and consumers. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14329 2010-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

Our work as massage therapists helps millions of people. By integrating exercise into their treatment plans, we can take their healing an important step further. All exercise programs should start with a thorough assessment. There are two types of assessments that are important to getting your client well and keeping them that way. The first is an injury assessment, which we have discussed many times in this column. The second is a movement or exercise assessment--and here is where we move into new territory. Very few massage therapists are skilled at assessing movement and prescribing exercise. This is unfortunate because movement assessments can provide valuable information about why your client got injured by identifying predisposing factors. Clients are often in pain because of an underlying weakness, instability, lack of mobility, and a poor understanding of how to move properly.

By Ben Benjamin, PhD Our work as massage therapists helps millions of people. By integrating exercise into their treatment plans, we can take their healing an important step further. All exercise programs should start with a thorough assessment. There are two types of assessments that are important to getting your client well and keeping them that way. The first is an injury assessment, which we have discussed many times in this column. The second is a movement or exercise assessment--and here is where we move into new territory. Very few massage therapists are skilled at assessing movement and prescribing exercise. This is unfortunate because movement assessments can provide valuable information about why your client got injured by identifying predisposing factors. Clients are often in pain because of an underlying weakness, instability, lack of mobility, and a poor understanding of how to move properly. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14316 2010-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

It is important to understand that since there is no regulation on essential oil production and sale in the U.S. and in many other countries, the buyer must find ways to assure to the best of their ability that the essences purchased are of good quality. And because this is important, there are also many claims made by certain companies that suggest exclusivity on quality which include misleading information about regulation. We'll examine some of those claims and discuss the best way to resource quality essential oils.

By Shellie Enteen, RA, BA, LMBT It is important to understand that since there is no regulation on essential oil production and sale in the U.S. and in many other countries, the buyer must find ways to assure to the best of their ability that the essences purchased are of good quality. And because this is important, there are also many claims made by certain companies that suggest exclusivity on quality which include misleading information about regulation. We'll examine some of those claims and discuss the best way to resource quality essential oils. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14254 2010-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

There is abundant research linking pelvic pain, and associated urinary tract symptoms, with various sporting activities. The studies reported on in this brief review are offered as a caution - particularly against excessive training and sport in early life.

By Leon Chaitow, ND, DO There is abundant research linking pelvic pain, and associated urinary tract symptoms, with various sporting activities. The studies reported on in this brief review are offered as a caution - particularly against excessive training and sport in early life. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14253 2010-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

Today, as many people try to get more done in the day than the minutes allow, you might discover that you are clenching your teeth, even during the daytime. This is a common reaction to stressful situations, and even more common when the stress is unrelenting and the pressures of time management unyielding. Many of us clench our teeth without being aware of it and very often have tight temporomandibular joint (TMJ) muscles, without necessarily displaying any overt symptoms.

By Judith DeLany, LMT Today, as many people try to get more done in the day than the minutes allow, you might discover that you are clenching your teeth, even during the daytime. This is a common reaction to stressful situations, and even more common when the stress is unrelenting and the pressures of time management unyielding. Many of us clench our teeth without being aware of it and very often have tight temporomandibular joint (TMJ) muscles, without necessarily displaying any overt symptoms. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14161 2010-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

Working on people who have pain and injury problems is quite different from performing relaxation massage. Relaxation massage therapy might be effective if the client comes once a week, twice a month, or even once a month -- depending on the degree of stress the person's body is under.

By Ben Benjamin, PhD Working on people who have pain and injury problems is quite different from performing relaxation massage. Relaxation massage therapy might be effective if the client comes once a week, twice a month, or even once a month -- depending on the degree of stress the person's body is under. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14116 2009-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

As I mentioned in a previous column (September 2009), whenever a client comes to me with an injury or pain condition, I make sure the person goes to see a physician if they have not already. I recommend this policy to all the practitioners I have trained around the country, and believe it is one of the most important steps we can take to protect our clients, our profession, and ourselves.

By Ben Benjamin, PhD As I mentioned in a previous column (September 2009), whenever a client comes to me with an injury or pain condition, I make sure the person goes to see a physician if they have not already. I recommend this policy to all the practitioners I have trained around the country, and believe it is one of the most important steps we can take to protect our clients, our profession, and ourselves. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14101 2009-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

I am writing this in high summer, which is prime tick season. Consequently, in this installment, we will examine one of the most mysterious and frustrating conditions associated with summertime activities: Lyme disease. This comes about thanks to the comments of Joy Sablatura in response to my article about Sjogren's syndrome.

By Ruth Werner, LMP, NCTMB I am writing this in high summer, which is prime tick season. Consequently, in this installment, we will examine one of the most mysterious and frustrating conditions associated with summertime activities: Lyme disease. This comes about thanks to the comments of Joy Sablatura in response to my article about Sjogren's syndrome. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14098 2009-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

Water is indisputably the most essential nutrient for the human body. Adults are composed of approximately 60 to 65 percent water, with somewhat less in elderly and much more in infants. In Job's Body, Deane Juhan jokingly quotes, "A human being is a container invented by water so that it can walk around." It is not surprising that the therapeutic application of water - in any of its many forms - is enjoyed throughout the world.

By Judith DeLany, LMT Water is indisputably the most essential nutrient for the human body. Adults are composed of approximately 60 to 65 percent water, with somewhat less in elderly and much more in infants. In Job's Body, Deane Juhan jokingly quotes, "A human being is a container invented by water so that it can walk around." It is not surprising that the therapeutic application of water - in any of its many forms - is enjoyed throughout the world. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14034 2009-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

This year the two largest professional massage therapy conventions will take place in Orlando, Fla. They are the Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA) convention on July 8-12 and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) convention on Sept. 23-26.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB This year the two largest professional massage therapy conventions will take place in Orlando, Fla. They are the Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA) convention on July 8-12 and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) convention on Sept. 23-26. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14031 2009-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

Question: When you teach a client exercises as part of a treatment plan, how do you ensure that they do them regularly? Answer: It depends on the client. Each of your clients may be motivated by something different.

By Ben Benjamin, PhD Question: When you teach a client exercises as part of a treatment plan, how do you ensure that they do them regularly? Answer: It depends on the client. Each of your clients may be motivated by something different. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14029 2009-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

In our last article "The Progression of Airway Obstruction," we illustrated a normal airway, an abnormal airway and described a number of progressive disorders that may evolve from this abnormal growth during childhood. The clear assertion of this article series is that normal development requires that air be able to flow through a clear and unobstructed airway from the nose through the throat and bronchial tree ending in the lungs.

By Dale G. Alexander, LMT, MA, PhD and Thomas M. Walsh II, DDS In our last article "The Progression of Airway Obstruction," we illustrated a normal airway, an abnormal airway and described a number of progressive disorders that may evolve from this abnormal growth during childhood. The clear assertion of this article series is that normal development requires that air be able to flow through a clear and unobstructed airway from the nose through the throat and bronchial tree ending in the lungs.