August 2005 [Volume 4, Issue 8]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Another State Passes Massage Legislation
• At Any Age, It's Wise to Exercise
• Answers to Your Massage Questions: Highlights From This Month's "Ask a Massage Therapist" Online Forum

Following on the heels of South Dakota and Georgia, Nevada has become the 36th state to pass massage regulation. Assembly Bill (AB) 250 passed the Nevada Senate on June 4, 2005, and was signed into law by Gov. Kenny Guinn on June 10.

Among the requirements for licensure, massage therapists will be required to show proof of completion of a board-approved massage education program with a minimum of 500 hours, submit to a full background check, and pass a written exam. A grandfathering clause will grant licenses to therapists who have been previously licensed to practice massage therapy (whether in Nevada or another state) and are currently practicing massage, and who meet other administrative requirements. Additionally, therapists meeting specific requirements may be granted a 90-day temporary massage license in which they would be allowed to practice under the supervision of a fully licensed massage therapist.

The bill also requires the governor to appoint a seven-member massage therapy board, six of which are licensed massage therapists and one public member, by July 1, 2007.

What is the current status of the massage therapy profession in your state? To find out more information, visit www.massagetoday.com/archives/linkspage.html, which features extensive information on massage therapy schools and programs, state associations, state regulatory boards, and other resources.

The benefits of exercise have been well-documented over the years. Among other benefits, numerous studies have shown that exercise can help reduce the incidence of disease, promote weight loss, and improve mental health. A recent long-term study set out to examine if exercising during the senior years benefits people who were previously sedentary.

Canadian researchers investigated two groups of previously sedentary healthy adults, ages 55-75 years at baseline, for 10 years. One group remained sedentary during the study period, while the other group engaged in regular exercise, consisting of 30- to 45-minute aerobic sessions, three times a week, for a minimum of 46 weeks a year.

At the conclusion of the study, researchers examined data for 161 participants in the active group and 136 participants in the sedentary group. Among their findings: "The active group showed a significantly lower prevalence (11%) of metabolic syndrome than the sedentary group (28%) at 10 years." (Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that can lead to Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, among other health problems.) The sedentary group also had a 13% decrease in fitness over the 10-year study period, while the exercise group showed a small increase in fitness levels. In the exercise group, HDL, or "good" cholesterol, increased by 9%, whereas the sedentary group showed an 18% decrease in HDL. The active group also had "fewer comorbid conditions, and fewer signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease" than their sedentary counterparts.

Petrella RJ, Lattanzio CN, Demeray A, et al. Can adoption of regular exercise later in life prevent metabolic risk for cardiovascular disease? Diabetes Care 2005;28:694-701.

Question: Is it better to get certified and then look for a job as a massage therapist, or find a job with the stipulation that I will get the certification while working? Would it be difficult finding a job (at a spa, chiropractic office, health club, etc.) without the certification? I'm anxious to start but I haven't even gotten back my transcript from school to apply to take the national exam. I'm afraid that I'll lose my momentum, which is why I'm rushing a bit.

Answer: To keep up your momentum, why don't you get organized by gathering the contact names and addresses of the places you are considering working in and prepare your resume and cover letter?

The requirements vary from state to state as to whether you can work under a temporary license until you get your license, so you'll need to check on that first if you want to work prior to getting licensed. You may also want to seek a position part time in a massage office or spa as a receptionist, while waiting for your license. This will give you firsthand experience in that atmosphere and tell you if you'd enjoy working in that establishment.

Whatever you decide, keep practicing your technique with other therapists so you gain confidence and experience.

Question: Recently I had a massage where the therapist used cream instead of oil. The massage felt the same but I feel the application of oil had a more soothing and pleasurable effect. I even enjoyed the sound of the therapist preparing the oil! What are the advantages or disadvantages of using cream instead of oil?

Answer: For the body personally I prefer working with oils best. Actually what I am using the most is a hypoallergenic massage gel. For a massage therapist, oils provide a wonderful glide and they last a long time. I find I have to reapply and reapply lotions and creams as they seem to be absorbed by the skin more.

When doing facial massages, I generally use an herbal facial massage lotion, as most folks prefer not to add oil on their face. For foot massages, I use a soothing peppermint lotion often. It just feels good.

Creams are great for people who have to go back to work or to other activities right after a massage treatment, so I guess oils, lotions and creams all have their place.

Note: Information provided in this Q&A section is drawn from the "Ask a Massage Therapist" online forum, in which massage therapists field questions relative to the massage profession. Readers are encouraged to post their questions at www.massagetoday.com/ask/. Answers should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation and do not in any way constitute the practice of massage therapy or any other health care profession. Readers should consult their own health care providers for medical advice.

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