I am a carer for my parents mainly my mum I started caring for them 7 years ago and I needed to be able to work round my caring for them. I trained as a massage therapist in Edinburgh at night school and I wish I had done this years ago. I am qualified in Swedish massage, Indian Head massage and Reflexology. I work from my home near Dalkeith from 2p.m till 7pm during the week and from 10am at the weekends I have 3 children (if you can call them that) all left home and granny to 8 I love meeting people and all animals. I enjoy watching films and reading my family are important to me and love it when we can all get together. I have 2 maine coon cats 1 expecting.
Mini-Blogs
arthritis pain and the effect of massage on pain
Created On: 03/15/2009 16:52:19 Edited By webmaster On: 03/15/2009 16:58:38
Massage Therapy for Managing Arthritis Pain
More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates wrote that doctors should be experienced in "rubbing that can bind a joint that is loose and loosen a joint that is too hard." Today, massage is still a popular way to manage arthritis pain. Proponents claim that massage therapy, done correctly, can help improve joint movement, relax tense muscles, and stimulate the flow of blood and nutrients to the skin and underlying tissues. What's more, it just feels good, and the relaxation it brings can help break the cycle of pain and stress that often goes along with arthritis.
Pressing the Flesh
Technically speaking, massage involves the manipulation of soft tissues with the hands through rubbing, stroking, pressure, and so on. Trained practitioners use massage therapy techniques to improve the well-being of clients. in the United States, and nearly one-fifth of adults now get a professional massage each year. The ScottishMassage Therapy organisationation (SMTO), the field's leading professional organizations, lists arthritis as one of the conditions for which massage can help. But how well does it work? It reviewed the medical literature on the use of massage to manage arthritis pain and it concluded that few people would dispute the short-term benefits for arthritis pain relief. However, studies of the long-term effects of the technique are still lacking.
Hands-on Approaches
Massage therapy can take a wide variety of forms. These are some of the most common ones:
Swedish massage—This is what most people think of when they hear the word "massage." It's a full-body treatment that combines stroking, kneading, and friction on the top layer of muscles with gentle movement of the joints.
Deep tissue massage—This technique uses slow strokes and strong pressure on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. The goal is to release tension there. However, the deep pressure can cause some soreness, so it's not for everyone.
Myofascial release—This approach uses long, stretching strokes to release tension in the fascia, the connective tissue around the muscles.
Trigger point therapy—This method uses concentrated finger pressure on knots of tension or pain that can trigger pain elsewhere in the body.
Acupressure and shiatsu—These Asian techniques use finger pressure on specific points on the body—the same points that are stimulated in acupuncture. The pressure is supposed to unblock the flow of life energy, called qi ("chee".
Reflexology—This method involves rubbing certain points on the feet, hands, or ears that are believed to correspond to various parts of the body.
Much-Kneaded Advice
A typical massage therapy session lasts about 60 to 90 minutes. To see real improvement, though, you may need four to six sessions about a week apart. The cost runs £30 to £90.00 or more per hour, but insurance sometimes covers the treatment if a doctor prescribes it. The first session usually begins with the massage therapist asking questions about your current physical condition, medical history, and goals for the treatment. Next, you'll be asked to remove some or all of your clothing and lie on a padded table. A sheet or towel should be provided, and the therapist should uncover only the part of your body being massaged. This not only protects your modesty, but also helps you stay warm. Often, the therapist will use oil or lotion, so if you know you have skin allergies, be sure to mention them up front. During the massage, don't hesitate to speak up if anything feels inappropriate or causes pain. While massage therapy may provide short-term pain relief, massage therapy that is too rough may aggravate arthritis pain and symptoms.
Hand-y Self-help
In addition to giving you a massage, a good therapist can show you techniques to use on yourself at home. Giving yourself a massage isn't as relaxing as having someone else do it, but it can still help ease pain and tension. Not only will the part being rubbed feel better, but so may your hands, since they're getting a workout in the process. Self-massage works best for localized trouble spots that are easily accessible. For hard-to-reach places, you might ask a partner to lend a hand or buy an electric massager. But don't try massage on an inflamed joint or when you have an infection, since it could make these problems worse.
Here are some simple techniques to try:
Kneading—Grasp the muscle between your palm (or thumb) and fingers. Then lift slightly and squeeze, as if you were kneading dough. Don't just pinch the skin. Work into the muscle itself with a slow, regular squeeze-and-release motion. Be careful not to overdo it. Fifteen to 20 seconds on the same spot is enough.
Stroking—Cup your hand over the muscle you want to massage. Then firmly glide your hand over the length of the muscle in a slow, repeated movement. A little oil or lotion may help. Try using different amounts of pressure until you find out what works best for you.
One key to a good experience is finding the right massage therapist. Always ask about credentials and education. The main credential to watch for is Scottish Massage Therapy Oranisation (S.M.T.O.). Also, look for a a QUALIFIED THERAPIST ask to see certificates if not on dispaly check with the SMTO to see if they are registered. In addition, ask about which techniques the therapist uses and whether he or she has experience working with other people who have arthritis. To find a qualified therapist in your area,
contact Jill Sullivan(chakrastouchmassage.squarespace.com). tel Jill 0131 660 2363
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and the Effects of the Massage
Approximately 1 in 1,000 children suffers from arthritis. It usually shows up between the ages of 2 and 6. It may go undiagnosed for a long time, because parents may attribute it to 'growing pains.'
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), formerly known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis to affect children. It is an autoimmune disorder, and it starts when the immune system attacks the joints, wearing away at the joint lining and causing damage. It is characterized by joint inflammation, pain, fatigue, rash, morning stiffness, flu-like feeling, weight loss, and nausea. The joints feel tender to the touch, and there is all-over body soreness. It affects four or more of the joints. Some children will develop arthritis in every joint, as. If the disease is not treated quickly and aggressively, the child will most likely end up with permanent joint damage.
JIA and JS are the most common forms of juvenile arthritis, but there are over 100 forms of arthritis that can occur at any age. Some others types of the disease are Psoriatic Arthritis, Juvenile Non-Inflammatory Disorders, Juvenile Systemic Lupus, Juvenile Dermatomyositis, and Juvenile Scleroderma. There are also arthritis-related diseases like Fibromyalgia and Raynaud's phenomenon.
There is, however, a lot of hope for children diagnosed with arthritis. If arthritis is detected early and treated quickly, children may go into remission and will sustain less joint damage. Some children with JIA go into remission and never have another flare-up. There have been cases where children completely 'outgrew' their arthritis. Medical practitioners attribute this to the resilient nature of children's bodies. Children's hospitals and physical rehabilitation centres can help teach children how to deal with their disease symptoms, and to live a full life despite the illness. Children with supportive families and medical practitioners will have a better chance of success than children who are neglected.
Arthritis symptoms can be eased with proper medication, exercise, diet, a well-balanced lifestyle low in stress, and alternative treatments such as massage and reflexology. Children should definitely see a physiotherapist to learn the best forms of exercise and stretching, which will aid the joints. It is also advisable for kids to talk to counsellors, and to see an occupational therapist, who can help the child with any needed lifestyle or physical modifications.
Reflexology is healing system within complementary medicine in which specific points on the feet (and occasionally the hands), known as reflex points, are manipulated to bring about changes in other parts of the body. These reflex points are believed to correspond to every major organ, gland, or area of the body.
Reflexology was first introduced to the Western world in the early 20th century as zone therapy. It is based on the principle of ancient Asian medicine in which a life force circulates throughout the body, connecting one part to another; when this energy is blocked, disease develops. By stimulating reflex points on the feet or hands, reflexology is thought to restore the energy flow and the body's own natural ability to heal itself.
Reflexology is viewed primarily as a general healing therapy that helps the body regain its natural balance, harmony, and health. It stimulates circulation in the blood and lymph systems and is considered especially useful for migraine , sinus trouble, and constipation . During a reflexology session, the therapist uses fingers, thumbs, and palms to stroke or lightly press the reflex points on each foot or hand. Where energy blocks—commonly felt as tiny crystalline deposits are found, the reflexologist applies deep pressure for seconds or minutes until these deposits are broken down (it is advised to drink water after a session in order to expel these toxins from the body). Reflexology sessions generally last about 50 minutes.
The benefits of reflexology are said to include an overall feeling of well-being, released tension, increased energy, and pain relief. Often one or two reflexology sessions are enough to produce results. Persistent conditions may require weekly treatment at first. Reflexologists recommend regular maintenance sessions to strengthen and balance the energy flow.
Complementary Medicine sometimes called alternative medicine, unconventional approaches to healing and health, many of which are now thought to complement conventional Western medicine. Some of these techniques, such as acupuncture, have gained widespread acceptance and approval by both conventional doctors and the general public, but many others are still viewed with suspicion and occasionally outright hostility by the established medical profession. Shared care is only permitted if a registered practitioner remains in overall control; this is not always acceptable to practitioners of complementary medicine.
Traditionally, medicine as practised by a doctor has largely been mechanistic, with doctors picturing the body as a machine made of many parts, with the respective individual parts treated separately. The mechanistic approach stresses the role of doctors in the healing process as their intervention is active, and in general downplays the role of mental and emotional factors that may cause the disease or play a role in its natural evolution or treatment.
While mechanistic medicine largely ignores the emotional or spiritual aspects of health and healing, holistic medicine (from the Greek holos,”whole”) treats the person as a whole. The philosophy of holism treats the person as an entire unit rather than as individual parts. In this, it attempts to bring emotional, social, physical, and spiritual dimensions of the person’s being into harmony and emphasizes the role of therapy or treatment which stimulates the person’s own healing process. Holistic medicine highlights the interaction between the living body and the spirit, which in holism is defined as giving the person direction in life and a sense of inner happiness. In addition, holistic medicine stresses the importance of the individual maintaining the individual’s own sense of well-being and health. It extends also to the prevention of disease, with emphasis on the maintenance of good health and active healing of disease processes.
While traditional medicine stresses the importance of pathological factors ( bacteria , viruses , environmental agents) in the causation of disease (aetiology), holistic medicine maintains that decreased resistance brought about by poor habits and physical and mental stress directly makes the body susceptible to disease. Disease, therefore, is seen as an imbalance between social, personal, and economic stresses as well as biological influences. Paavo Airola, a leading proponent of holistic medicine, defines these stresses as fears, worries, emotional stresses, exogenous poisons from air pollution , food, water, toxic drugs , excess alcohol intake, overeating, over-indulgence in fats , and lack of sufficient exercise , rest, and relaxation. In terms of prevention, holistic medicine attempts to establish and maintain a balance between the individual and the environment .
Reflexology can help with the treatment of J.I.D. by reducing stress reducing pain, restoring balance in the body and restoring the energy balance in the body to promote natural healing .and balancing the body and emotions there-for increasing the sense of well-being.
Going For Something Greater Than Yourself ? No Matter What
I am moved and inspired by recent remembrances of Ted Kennedy?s life and accomplishments. Something in the stories of who he was and how he lived has stirred something deep within me.
He was clearly a man who believed in redemption. He lived a full life ? full-hearted, full of mistakes. Yet he was also full of integrity, and the belief that the world could be a better place if he worked to make it so.
He was brought to his knees many times throughout his career, physically, emotionally and politically. Yet each time, his capacity to recover and come back better enabled him to go on.
He had more loss and responsibility placed on his shoulders than most people experience in three lifetimes. What?s more impressive is what he did in response.
Yes, he grieved deeply. But each time he chose to pick up the torch and go on, strengthening his commitment to what he stood for ? a better world where the voiceless get heard, where the poor are remembered, and where healthcare is universal and not a just privilege for those who can afford it.
Senator Kennedy was clearly a lifelong learner not afraid to try new things. With each mistake he made and each loss he suffered, he didn?t just endure them. He did not become more callous.
He grew from each experience no matter how painful, and he grabbed life more fully in the aftermath. His legacy of five decades of vital legislation and lasting friendships on both sides of the aisle bear witness to that fact.
He had another valuable trait that we all need to remember, especially now. He knew how to reach out for the resources he needed every step of the way.
His wife Victoria is credited with being a powerful resource that saved his life. The staff he trusted implicitly was a resource that made his work possible. Spending time on the ocean was a resource that renewed and healed him. Over and over, he connected with healthy resources that allowed him to carry on.
Someone shared that his generous spirit called those around him to higher ground, and to release their pettiness when there were differences between them. In story after story, I heard how he showed up for his friends, colleagues and family members in their own times of need and loss. He literally showed up at the door, called repeatedly, or used his presence to get them the help they needed.
Ted Kennedy was a man of tremendous presence, born from a family imbued with an essence that mandated them to ?do good? and create a better world. He clearly contributed to that. But what?s impressed me most was his hard work and unflagging persistence in ?staying the course,? day in and day out, for more than five decades in the Senate.
He used his gifts and he persisted. And his presence grew from that.
When all is said and done, Ted Kennedy?s hard work and daily commitment to what he believed in left us with a legacy like none other.
As bodyworkers, we have a tremendous amount to give in the ?do good? department. Now I?m even more inspired to make a difference in all ways, large and small, in my own world given my gifts.
None of us is perfect or even close. Ted Kennedy is a testament to that, too. But what we do supports health. What we do helps people relax and relieve themselves of pressure. What we do reduces stress and helps people manage their lives better.
We help them feel more at home in the incredible navigational system of their bodies. And living from inside their bodies leads to wiser decisions, better self-esteem, more creativity and more joy. That?s a vital role we serve in healthcare, now and in the coming decades.
So your mandate, should you choose to accept it, is to stay your own course. Grab life with both hands and live it. Grow from the adversity life hands you and learn from it all.
Learn to take care of yourself. People are depending on you.
And persist. Keep sharing your gifts. When the time comes, your eulogy will be filled with what you want it to say ? all the ways in which you made a positive difference in your world.
Food addictions often begin as addictions to sugar. In fact, alcohol addictions are sugar addictions. Of course, there are also addictions to salt and fat. In fact, it’s a constant desire for sugar, salt and fat, that keeps people eating without ever achieving a feeling of satisfaction.
The food addict?s insatiable diet is never satisfied because the body is constantly out of balance. Unfortunately, by eating more sugar, salt and fat, the addiction only gets worse and the imbalances grow more pronounced.
The trick is to replace all the sugary, salty and fatty foods with healthy, whole foods. When the food addict begins eating a more balanced diet including plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, the body begins to achieve homeostasis and cravings disappear.
Sugar is one of the most powerfully addicting substances in our food supply. Since it is in so many products, most people don?t know how to avoid it. The consumer must be diligent, and look for healthy alternatives like stevia. Stevia is actually 300 times sweeter than sugar, yet helps individuals to maintain normal blood sugar levels without the constant spikes and crashes.
For more information about stevia, read these articles:
I have treated dogs, cats, birds and race horses successfully using my Myofascial Release principles. Cathleen recently asked the following question on my latest blog:
?Good evening Mr. Barnes,
I?m interested in taking Mark Barnes Equine 1 with Tamara Rapier. What results have you seen with the horses? Do the principles and teaching of Mark Barnes? course mirror your own? Do you recommend the course and Miss Rapier as a teacher and practitioner?
Your insight and direction are sincerely appreciated.
Best,
Cathleen?
Animals respond even faster than humans to Myofascial Release techniques. Their life is motion. They become an active participant in their treatment.
For more information on equine Myofascial Release, call Tamara Rapier (573-694-0350 or inquiry@myofascialrelease.com ) or Cathy Covell (260-829-6363 or http://www.motionforlife.net/ ). Both are incredible therapists that teach the Myofascial Release principles that mirror mine and I highly recommend their equine Myofascial Release seminars.
Grow Your Massage Practice Through Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances
There are many ways to generate leads for your massage practice. One of the fastest, least expensive and most powerful ways to generate leads is through joint ventures.
Having a joint venture with another business means “joining forces” with another business or practitioner that has a similar target market. By joining forces you are able to benefit each other and each of your prospective clients.
Some examples of joint ventures may be an acupuncture practice and a yoga studio working together to help clients reduce stress. A massage therapist and a local health club or personal trainer referring clients to each other. A vitamin shop and a running store teaming together to promote techniques on optimizing performance to both of their clients.
Joint ventures work in a variety of ways. Businesses can advertise together, refer clients to each other, create packages together, and share client lists to name a few things. Truly, your imagination is all that stops you from coming up with other ideas.
Let’s take a detailed look at some common joint venture techniques massage therapists have successfully used in the past:
Joint marketing. Joining forces in marketing and advertising endeavors can both reduce advertising costs as well as improve the reach of an advertisement. Look outside the massage therapy arena as well as in. Stretch yourself to think outside the box. You can implement a formal referral program with specific businesses.
Creating “packages” with another business. Look for businesses that your existing client base has an interest in, and that complement your business and that are easy to integrate products and services with each other.
For example, a massage therapist that has a patient base consisting of many young mothers may partner with a local dance studio or mother of preschoolers group (mops) to give talks on health and safety.
Another idea is to partner with local sports teams. A massage therapist may be the “official sponsor” of the local recreation center as well as most of the sports teams (such as soccer, golf, lacrosse, etc). They often have staff at events and publish health articles in rec center publications as well as have handouts, etc at the front desk. In return, the rec center and sports teams offer more value to players and their families for no additional charge. The clinic also has information for their patients about what’s going on at the rec center. It’s a win/win for both.
Another example may be a massage therapist that partners with a local restaurant and health spa to create a “bridal party package”. Brides can purchase these packages as thank-you gifts for their bridesmaids or for a “pre-wedding party” for the bridal party itself. By working together these three businesses are able to help the bride with the problem of a meaningful thank-you gift for her bridesmaids and three businesses are able to attract new clients in a unique, easy and fun way.
Refer clients to another business exclusively. Referring clients to another business is an inexpensive and solid way to grow your business. Forming an exclusive relationship with another business creates a strong relationship and a solid referral network for all involved. You may find your clients are familiar with one business, let’s use the yoga studio example, and are likely to have a positive impression of them. If you are affiliated with the yoga studio, even recommended by them that immediately separates you in the clients eyes from most other options, simply because you are referred.
Sharing client lists. This is an easy and popular joint venture opportunity for businesses large and small. Think physical mailings, handouts, email and ezines. Joint venture opportunities can range from swapping ads and sponsorships to recommending each other as resources with discounts and coupons. Having links to each other’s websites is a common technique that is simple to do too.
Joining forces with other businesses allows you to serve many of your patients needs ? even ones that you don?t provide. And it allows you to connect with people that you otherwise may not have.
One of the best ways to find joint venture partners is to have a clear vision of your target market and a clear understanding of what niche is attracted to your practice. Our ?Practice Specialization Package? at A Marketing Connection may be just what you need to get your marketing out of stagnate mode and into profitability.
Kelly Robbins also publishes The Healthcare Marketing Connection, a free e-zine on healthcare marketing tips. Contact Kelly to receive her free report, ?5 Critical Mistakes Healthcare Marketers Make that Lose Sales and Plummet Profits? at www.AMarketingConnection.com or 303-460-0285.
I have been in the massage business for about eight years. Within these eight years, I have practiced massage on my own, but not as a business owner and I have worked for other people in spa’s and clinics. I have noticed now that I am a business owner I seem to get less tips. When I worked in the spa’s and clinics I did get tips, but the owners would not, which I thought was fair because I am giving them half of cost of the massage. What if you are a business owner, but you are the only employee. You do all the marketing, scheduling, and practicing. Is that work worth a tip or because I am the owner is that not necessary? Any thoughts? Bee Healhy. Bee Happy. Bee Well…..
As the days grow shorter and the holidays approach, I notice that everyone around me seems to be speeding up, to get it all done before they cross the finish line to the New Year.
In times like this, having the ability to slow down and drink in the joys of this season is a skill well worth the effort. As I go about my days, I am taking time to rest, to ground myself, to soak in a warm tub, to walk in the cold air wrapped in many layers. My favorite activity is making time to contact the people in my world that I am especially grateful for – the people who have made a difference in my life. It is so easy in today’s busy world to forget to give thanks – and yet, my heart opens and gets bigger every time I feel my gratitude in this way.
Life has been challenging this past year for all of us. There is a lot of stress and uncertainty in the world right now. And yet, there is also a remarkable sense that this time of change holds the possibility of deep healing and transformation for our nation and for the planet. So how can we open to this possibility? How can we feed the positive change and let go of the fear and distrust?
The Five Principles of Full Body Presence can be a guide here.
Trust that there is a nurturing source of life energy around you at all times. Gratitude for the blessings you already have in your life is an excellent way to bring this trust in at a deeper level right now.
Feel this life energy in your body – feel your feet connecting to the earth beneath you. Take a deep breath and let in rejuvenating energy wherever you are. Last weekend I was helping out in the concession stand at my son’s high school basketball game. It was extremely busy and chaotic, and yet, we were all enjoying ourselves as we sold hot dogs and sodas. A kind of rhythm was established in the midst of the chaos, and we worked as a team churning out food and drink for the crowds. It was exhilarating. So allow yourself to connect to whatever activity you are doing and feel the flow of life moving through you as you do it – whether it is cooking for your family and friends, shopping, or visiting an elderly relative. Each moment can be rich if we feel what is there that is energizing, that is life-giving.
Integrate this life energy throughout your entire system. To me, this means that I allow myself to feel as full as I can. This gives me the steadiness to meet old family patterns and my expectations in a new way. When I am grounded and full, my boundaries are better. I remember to take a walk rather than staying in an familiar, draining family situation. I go and take a nap if I need one. I put on the music that feeds me at this time of year. This keeps me more full and resilient. Having this cushion of energy is vital to my health and well-being. It also means I can be of more help to those around me.
Expanding my perceptual lens enables me to see the joy in my life, no matter what I am doing at that moment. As my lens expands, I can let go of expectations and let people be who they are, pure and simple. This makes my relatives and old friends so much more fun to be with!
When I remember to take care of myself as I move through the holidays – when I connect to healthy resources moment to moment – my tank stays full and I am a nicer person. This year I am putting up my Christmas decorations rather late. The rest of the neighborhood has been lit up for weeks. I needed to rest after a long trip and the decorations will be put up when the energy is there to do it. Treating it this way means I am a nicer, less stressed out person.
So may this holiday season bring you more trust in life, more sense of gratitude for what you have, more resilience and nourishment within, more capacity to share the love in your heart, and an unending connection to what feeds your soul.
Welcome to my blog! This is my first entry and my intention is to share my business and massage experience in a way that will be helpful to my fellow therapists!
My background: I have been practicing massage therapy since 2000. I opened a retail massage studio in 2002 and another in 2005 (both in Colorado). I currently employ over 30 massage therapists. In 2006 Fitness Together Franchise Corporation began franchising my business model. We currently have 80 franchises sold in the United States, Costa Rica, Ireland and England.
My advice: I have noticed over the past 8 years in business that customers don?t look at yellow pages that much anymore, they use the internet. One way you can increase your business visibility on the internet is to put a free listing on ?google?. To do this, go to www.google.com/local/add. Sign up for a free ?google? account if you do not have one and then add your business listing, it is FREE! Good Luck!
With the holidays over, and as I settle into 2009, I can’t help but reflect on the past year, and all that I am grateful for including my business. When it comes to owning a business how much does karma and the law of attraction effect it? Well my belief is more than we will ever know. When I first started Bee Well Massage, time management was a big struggle and still is. I work 32hrs. at a health food store, I also write for a publication as well as other random projects I like to get involved with along with taking time for my boyfriend of 3 years and 10 year old dog, as well as run BWM. All of these things in my life bring me great joy, but it is a lot of energy to distribute. There were times when I had to reschedule massage or change my work schedule. I would have to cancel plans with friends and change plans last minute with them and my boyfriend. It was just short of chaotic. Clients started to cancel on me, they would not take me or Bee Well Massage seriously. I had had enough, and decided I would dedicate two days a week to massage, and only book three a day. That way I had time for clients, family and still one day off for me! With that being said my massage schedule is not flexable but its consistent and makes it so I am more reliable to my clients and friends.
I have had issues in the past with people wanting more than the proffesional massage I provide. I was so confused as to why I was attracting these people in to my business. I took a step back and came to the conclusion that nowhere on my website did I have a disclaimer explaing I am a proffesional and only practice therapuetic massage. I also had to look at all the “free” places I was advertising. When you first start a business you are trying to get your name out there as much as you can, of course, that is what you are supposed to do, but we also work in a somewhat risky practice. So even though it may be free it still comes at a price. I have even stopped in the middle of a massage after a man had made a sexual suggestion towards me, and told him “Bee Well Massage practices the law of attraction and I am not looking to attract clients like you” he thought I was crazy but I don’t care. I ask the universe to guide me to reliable, polite clients, I visualise meeting clients that like my practice because it is proffesional and give thanks for the clients I have the appreciate the services I provide.
Each day I give thanks for my business, ask for success with the right clients and visualise it happening. I have set reasonable goals, that are all surfacing into reality. My clients are reliable, and have been perfect for me. I will always practice the law of attraction in Bee Well Massage and in all my life. I encourage you all to do the same.
I just read that AMTA Massage Industry Research Report says:
Nearly sixty percent (57.8 percent) of school administrators responded that the average age of students has declined at their school in the past five years, according to the 2008 AMTA Massage School Survey. School administrators estimate that the average student is 30 years old, with 36.6 percent being 25 years old or less.
The National Average for massage therapists was 45 and is now about 40 and is continuing to decline according to these facts. (that of course are not public information – another of my AMTA pet peeves!)
What does that mean for the massage profession?
I have been seeing a trend through my website www.massage-career-guides.com where I talk about what it takes to become a massage therapist that more people right out of high school are wanting to go to massage school. Their main question is ‘do I have to take math?’ If people are coming to a career in massage just to get out of taking math classes what will that do to the profession? Do they have the maturity to hold the therapeutic relationship?
Careers in massage are becoming more appealing to younger people but with only a 500 hour training program I for once don’t think it is enough. I come from the camp that less education is really better and that anyone can take a 100 hour massage school training and provide adequate relaxation massage and also bill insurance companies if they want to learn the ropes on how to do that as massage for stress is applicable to just about everything!
But thinking about high school kids wanting to become a massage therapist I usually tell them to go to college and get a degree in business and marketing and then decide later if you still want to go.
If people are coming to the massage profession just to get out of taking math or they are also drawn by the so called ‘ high wages’ that of course is not true – where has the passion and a calling to help people gone? For me being a massage therapist is a lifestyle and a way of life and a great road for personal and professional development.
I think it is about time we do start thinking about creating 4 year college programs like Japan or 3 year training programs like Canada for these younger people. My concern is that will massage just be massage – in the totally pure physical sense without the emotional, mental, and spiritual healing aspects?
Who is studying these trends and working on keeping up with them in our massage training programs?
Today?s massage marketing environment is substantially different than it was even ten years ago. If you?ve been doing the same types of marketing for years and they were once successful but are not as effective now there is a good reason for that.
Pull vs Push your messages to others
Society has changed and the way people expect to hear from you has changed. Where marketing and communications used to be your practice sending information ?out? or pushing information to patients and prospects, it is now about you brining them in or ?pulling? them to you. Communicating in our society has changed and your marketing communications should reflect that change from a push to a pull strategy. Pushing your information out to anyone that would listen in order to initiate a conversation worked in the past, but no more. Now there is a need to pull prospects and clients into your sphere ? this is today?s communication. This is how to connect with people today.
How Obama changed the face of social media
A great example of this was Obama?s presidential campaign. I did a ton of research on this for the healthcare conference I did a workshop in January. Obama did an awesome job ?marketing? his campaign and run for presidency. His messaging played an important role (for change) as well as the WAYS he connected with people.
Obama was able to raise over 200 million dollars through a pull marketing strategy. He did this by pulling people in one small step at a time. He received absolutely none of that money from businesses. He built an email list of 3.5 million people in a very short time span. In a very easy and nonintrusive way he simply asked people to join his list to keep up to date on what was going on. He would then ask them to donate small amounts, $10, $15, $20 increments (this is just like asking people to take small steps to improve their health). He spoke to them through short text messages through twitter and YouTube. All with their permission. All through short, concise marketing communications.
How do we know this? Simply take a look at what?s going on with new communication trends. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are all about sending short, concise messages to people that asked to or agreed to hear from you.
Why the change?
There is so much ?noise? going on around us and we are all so bombarded with advertisements that we simply can?t process it all.
So healthcare consumers are electing who and what they want to hear about, just like consumers in any other industry.
Bringing this back to you and your practice, look at what types of marketing you are doing. Are you sending things out, out, out and not asking for a commitment or an action from your community? Are you doing the same old post cards, the same old grocery cart brand awareness?
If you are not asking prospects to say ?yes? to hear from you they are probably not listening. You don?t have their buy-in. You are pushing.
What are some pull strategies that work well?
Anything where you are getting your client or prospect to say ?yes I want to hear from you?. An ezine or this blog is a perfect example. You agreed to receive it. You learned a little bit about it, obviously are interested in healthcare marketing, and gave us your name and email address to learn more.
Blogs, podcasts, newsletters and ezines where the reader has asked to receive the information (rather than just sending it to them), are just a few examples of ways to incorporate a pull strategy into your marketing rather than the current push strategy you may be using.
If you are seeing your marketing is not as effective as it once was understand there is a reason. Look at how you are connecting with both your clients and your prospects.
Kelly Robbins also publishes The Healthcare Marketing Connection, a free e-zine on healthcare marketing tips. Contact Kelly to receive her free report, ?5 Critical Mistakes Healthcare Marketers Make that Lose Sales and Plummet Profits? at www.AMarketingConnection.com or 303-460-0285.
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