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Massage News


5/19/2012
Securing financing—for business expansion, to purchase high-end spa equipment or other reasons—is essential to growing a successful massage practice. … Full Story

•   For Self-Care, Nutrition May Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

•   Massage Organization Representatives Attend Leadership Summit

•   MASSAGE Magazine and Hands for Heroes Launch Campaign to Support U.S. Troops

•   MASSAGE Magazine Partners with MINDBODY for free Webinar May 22

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  1. Massage Therapy Called "Blazing Healthcare Job" by Major Publication - 5/14/2012
    Massage therapists are included on U.S. News & World Report's new article, The 8 Blazing Healthcare Jobs of 2012. … Read More

  2. Ann Catlin Receives Humanitarian Award - 5/13/2012
    Center for Compassionate Touch Founder Ann Catlin was awarded the ONE Concept Humanitarian Award by ONE Concept at the American Massage Conference, in April, in San Diego, California. … Read More

  3. Canine-Massage Therapist Profile - 5/12/2012
    Animal-massage therapist Claudia Jahraus's work with dogs was described as something that helps her clients benefit greatly. … Read More

  4. Lotion Sales to Benefit Massage Therapy Foundation - 5/12/2012
    During the month of July, massage therapists who purchase lotion from Soothing Touch will be supporting the Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) as well. … Read More

  5. Research Shows Massage Therapy Improves Heart Rate Variability in Pre-Term Infants - 5/11/2012
    In new research, massage therapy improved heart rate variability in a homogeneous sample of hospitalized, medically stable, preterm male infants, and may improve infant response to exogenous stressors, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov. … Read More

  6. MASSAGE Magazine Partners with Schedulicity in May Facebook Giveaway - 5/10/2012
    MASSAGE Magazine is offering its Facebook fans a chance to win a one-year subscription to Schedulicity, courtesy of Schedulicity, during its May giveaway. Ten winners will receive the prize. … Read More

  7. For Low-Back Pain, CAM Plus Usual Care Trumps Usual Care Alone - 5/9/2012
    New research indicates that massage therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture and other complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies utilized as part of a multidisciplinary, team-based model of care benefit low-back-pain patients significantly. … Read More

  8. Breaking News: Florida Governor Signs Massage PIP Exclusion into Law, Therapists Launch Campaign to Win Back Right to Bill Insurance - 5/8/2012
    On May 4, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into a law a bill that will prohibit the state's massage therapists and acupuncturists from billing personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. … Read More

  9. Gender Differences in Nerve Impulses Could Explain Women's Greater Risk of Knee Injury - 5/7/2012
    Women are more prone to knee injuries than men are, and the findings of a new study suggest this may involve more than just differences in muscular and skeletal structure. … Read More

  10. German Spa Services Kindergartners - 5/6/2012
    Children as young as three will be offered massage therapy and foot baths at a new spa located at a kindergarten in Stuttgart, Germany, that targets the very young, according to an article published by The Daily Mail, a British newspaper. … Read More

  11. For Self-Care, Eat More Fiber - 5/5/2012
    Researchers have found that foods high in fiber provide protection against cardiovascular disease, and the effect is particularly marked in women. … Read More

  12. Jean Shea Awarded ONE Concept Innovation Award - 5/4/2012
    BIOTONE Founder and President Jean Shea was awarded the ONE Concept Innovation Award by the American Massage Conference (AMC) for her achievements in advancing the market for professional massage therapy products through innovation. … Read More

  13. Massage Envy Donates $10K to Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards - 5/3/2012
    The nation's largest franchise massage-clinic company, Massage Envy, has donated $10,000 to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), according to an FSMTB press release. … Read More

  14. Breast Cancer Patients Suffer from Stress—Can Massage Help? - 5/2/2012
    Massage therapy has been shown to decrease stress, pain and anxiety in cancer patients, in numerous research studies. New, unrelated, research indicates stress contributes to cognitive declines in women with breast cancer. … Read More

  15. For Self-Care, Choose Chocolate - 4/29/2012
    In good news for chocolate lovers, researchers have found benefits of cocoa, the key ingredient in chocolate. … Read More

  16. Research Exposes Indoor Air Quality, Bacteria - 4/28/2012
    Massage therapists know it's important to clean all surfaces in their massage session rooms—but their session-room floors could be the biggest source of bacteria. … Read More

  17. Acupressure Reduces Labor Pain - 4/27/2012
    New research indicated acupressure was effective at decreasing pain and duration of labor, the participants were satisfied, and no adverse effects were observed. … Read More

  18. Massage Therapists Can Use National Arthritis Month to Educate, Market - 4/26/2012
    May is National Arthritis Month. Massage therapists can use this nationally designated month to inform the public about the benefits of massage and spa therapies to arthritis sufferers. … Read More

  1. Less Sleep, Disrupted Internal 24-Hour Clock Means Higher Risk of Diabetes and Obesity - 5/9/2012
    A study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) reinforces the finding that too little sleep or sleep patterns that are inconsistent with our body's internal biological clock may lead to increased risk of diabetes and obesity.

  2. Stress Contributes to Cognitive Declines in Women with Breast Cancer, Researcher Says - 5/9/2012
    Women undergoing treatment for breast cancer can experience cognitive declines, such as decreased verbal fluency or loss of memory and attention. Often experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy, the declines have become known as chemo brain. However, a health psychologist at the University of Missouri says chemo brain isn't always to blame.

  3. A Simple, Low-Cost Yoga Program can Enhance Coping and Quality of Life for Caregivers - 3/21/2012
    For every individual who's a victim of Alzheimer's—some 5.4 million persons in the U.S. alone—there's a related victim: the caregiver. Spouse, son, daughter, other relative or friend, the loneliness, exhaustion, fear and most of all stress and depression takes a toll.

  4. Social Networking a Shortcut to Finding Health Experts - 3/20/2012
    It can be difficult for someone outside of a specialist field to identify subject experts and the ever increasing amount of available data can be bewildering. New research, published in BioMed Central's open access journal, Journal of Biomedical Semantics, describes a method of social network analysis, similar to finding friends on Facebook, able to sift through scientific literature and news articles to identify opinion leaders and media experts.

  5. Poor Sleep Linked to Increased Health and Behavior Problems in Young Diabetics - 2/28/2012
    A recent study suggests young diabetics may be struggling to get a good night's sleep, resulting in worse control of their blood sugar, poorer school performance and misbehavior.

  6. Low Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Cause Memory Problems - 2/28/2012
    A diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients commonly found in fish, may cause your brain to age faster and lose some of its memory and thinking abilities, according to a study published in the Feb. 28, 2012, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

  7. Washing Away Disease - 12/21/2011
    With holiday gatherings, New Year celebrations and constant travelling, hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent getting sick and spreading germs. Many illnesses, including the common cold, are spread by not washing hands properly with soap and water. According to statistics from the National Library of Medicine, the common cold accounts for approximately 22 million missed days of school and 20 million absences from work (which includes time away from work to care for sick children).

  8. Tart Cherry Juice Drinkers Gain Sleep Advantage - 12/12/2011
    Americans seeking a better night's sleep may need to look no further than tart cherry juice, according to a new study in the European Journal of Nutrition. An international team of researchers found that when adults had two daily glasses of tart cherry juice, they slept 39 minutes longer, on average, and had up to 6 percent increase in overall sleep efficiency (significantly less nonsleep time in bed), compared to when they drank a noncherry, fruit cocktail.

  9. Chronic Pain in Children and Adolescents Becoming More Common - 12/12/2011
    Children who suffer from persistent or recurring chronic pain may miss school, withdraw from social activities and are at risk of developing internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety, in response to their pain. In the first comprehensive review of chronic pain in children and adolescents in 20 years, a group of researchers found that more children now are suffering from chronic pain and that girls suffer more frequently from chronic pain than boys.

  10. Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget - 11/21/2011
    According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a realistic low-cost at-home food plan is about $110 per week for a family of two and $187 per week for a family of four who have kids older than 6 years old. Even with their low-cost figures, some families may wonder in this economy how to make that work, while still striving to eat healthy meals. The good news is there are many things families can do to help keep costs down, yet eat healthy at the same time

The latest news from wires and the Web...
  1. AMTA's Health Care Relationships 2012: An Update of the Association's Relationships and their Impact on the Massage Therapy Profession - 5/17/2012
    The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTAinvolvement through its 51 chapters. AMTA works to advance the profession through ethics and standards, the promotion of fair and consistent licensing of massage therapists in all states, and public education on the benefits of massage.

  2. Murad Introduces Resurgence Age-Diffusing Firming Mask that Instantly Tightens, Firms and Rehydrates Skin - 5/16/2012
    Murad Inc. has announced the launch of its latest anti-aging innovation for its best-selling anti-aging line, Resurgence, the first comprehensive skin care line developed to treat hormonally aging skin. Murad's Age-Diffusing Firming Mask is a rich at-home booster that enhances skin elasticity and promotes instant firming to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

  3. Massage Magazine Insurance Plus Partners with LMT Success Group in May Facebook Giveaway - 5/16/2012
    Massage Magazine Insurance Plus (MMIP) has kicked off the month of May by offering its Facebook fans a chance to win a free Seminars at Sea Cruise from LMT Success Group.

  4. MASSAGE Magazine and Hands for Heroes Partner to Launch a Campaign to Support the Troops - 5/15/2012
    MASSAGE Magazine has teamed up with Hands for Heroes to encourage massage therapists and bodyworkers nationwide to donate their services to our nation's veterans. Hands for Heroes is an organization of bodywork professionals who donate their time and skills to provide therapeutic bodywork at no charge for military veterans across the U.S.

  5. 'Advanced Therapeutic Massage' DVD Wins Telly Award - 5/15/2012
    Massage therapist Paul Lewis does it again with his multi-language instructional DVD Dynamic Integrative Massage Techniques for the Upper Body, which won a Bronze Telly Award in this year's 33rd Annual Telly Awards' competition.

  6. Human Touch® Introduces Its Signature Perfect Chair® Zero-Gravity™ Recliner to Specialty and Online Retailer, Brookstone - 5/14/2012
    Human Touch®, the U.S. market leader of innovative health and lifestyle solutions, announced today that its popular Perfect Chair® Zero-Gravity™ Recliner is now available for sale at Brookstone, the specialty retailer well-known for its unique and high-quality technology and wellness products. Brookstone now offers this state-of-the-art relaxation recliner in its retail stores, catalog and on Brookstone.com.

  7. Trail Guide to the Body Releases Four New Products - 5/14/2012
    Books of Discovery is excited to announce the release of four Trail Guide to the Body educational products for students and practitioners in the manual therapy fields. These products contain the same quality illustrations and information that schools and consumers have come to expect from Trail Guide to the Body.

  8. The Bionic Knee a Major Breakthrough in Science Technology - 5/14/2012
    A medical breakthrough in science technology is changing the way people deal with chronic pain associated with knee problems world-wide.

  9. Leadership Summit in Chicago addresses Concerns of the Profession - 5/14/2012
    Seven of the massage therapy profession's organizations gathered for a second Leadership Summit May 1-2 in Chicago. Organizations represented were Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE); American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA); Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP); Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA); Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB); Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF); and National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

  10. Erik Dalton Receives Lifetime Achievement Award - 5/11/2012
    Renowned author, educator and therapist Erik Dalton, Ph.D., was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 American Massage Conference at the ONE Concept Gala banquet for his decades of service and innovation in the industry.

  1. Tap Topicals for Pain Management
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    Massage therapists work hard to ensure each client receives the best possible care. Giving a great massage often equates to easing the aches and pains, tension and stress that plague so many people. Primarily, massage therapists use their hands to effect such healing; however, faster, stronger and longer-lasting results may be achieved by massage therapists who mix topicals into their protocol for pain management. Read More

  2. Roll it Out: Promote Wellness with Rollers
    by Allison Hartigan
    Incorporating self-care exercises into your daily routine is a must if you seek a long-term career practicing massage therapy. If you aren’t doing enough to nurture yourself on a daily basis, then the foot roller may be the ideal self-care solution you seek, as it can easily be incorporated into a massage therapist’s on-the-go lifestyle. Read More

  3. Improve Client Outcomes with Manual Therapy
    by Amanda Cuda
    When is a frozen shoulder not just a frozen shoulder? When is a muscle spasm not just a muscle spasm? Answer: When they’re reactions to something more complicated going on in the body. This is according to Ayelet Connell-Giammatteo, a practitioner of Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT), a compilation of assessment and treatment methodologies that address pain, dysfunction and disability. Read More

  4. Attract Clients with Sports Massage Taping
    by Jeremy Maready
    As a sports massage therapist, you know weekly sessions with your clients aren’t always enough to soothe the aches and pains of the high school athlete or weekend warrior. But by adding a cost-effective component, such as sports massage taping, to your practice, you can simulate your healing methods to span the intervals between scheduled appointments. Read More

  5. Sound Therapy Complements Massage
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    In most cases, the biological rhythm of life is set to external beats, or cues. A circadian rhythm, for instance, typically corresponds to the cue of light, as it comes and goes with the sun. In pace with the daylight, we set our sleep cycles and define our days. Read More

  6. Boost Client Comfort with Heat and Cold Therapy
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    In the healing realm of massage therapy, client comfort is a top priority. Massage therapists should take time to consider every detail that could boost—or potentially inhibit—a client’s comfort level. Oftentimes, it’s the seemingly small touches that make the difference between a good massage and a great one. Read More

  7. A Healthy Burn: Use Caution with Candles
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    Just like fluffy linens and soothing music, candles can add to the healing, relaxing nature of massage. However, not all candles are created equal. Some of those soft lights may actually be harming you and your clients, rather than helping. ... Read More

  8. A Potent Blend - AROMATHERAPY AND MASSAGE
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    Using plant extracts to foster wellness has, like healthy touch, been practiced for thousands of years. In a manner both natural and noninvasive, aromatherapy promotes relaxation, improves circulation and boosts one’s sense of wellbeing. The combination of ... Read More

  9. Integrative Reflexology: Beyond the Feet
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    Seventy years ago, Eunice Ingham’s Stories the Feet Can Tell was first published. This thrust the practice of reflexology into the spotlight, as Ingham began touring North America, presenting seminars on reflexology. Ingham was a pioneer of reflexology ... Read More

  10. The Web Propels Education's Evolution
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    From baby shoes and banking to diets and dating, the Internet has a prominent place in nearly every aspect of modern life. Even massage therapy, with human contact at its core, is being swept up in the wave of the World Wide Web. As technology advances ... Read More

  11. Stay Fresh with Continuing Education
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    One key to a vibrant life is to continue on the quest for new knowledge. When we stop pushing ourselves to learn, grow and adopt fresh information,our daily routines can become stagnant and perhaps even a little bit boring. Fortunately, in the field of ... Read More

  12. Be Ready for Risks
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    Imagine this: Last night, temperatures in your town dipped below zero, and unbeknownst to you, a slick coat of ice formed on the stairs leading up to your massage practice. Your first client of the day should arrive any minute. You check your watch and ... Read More

  13. The Benefits of Belonging
    by Amanda Cuda
    You've received the proper training, the necessary licensing, a good location and the right equipment. You might think you have everything you need to be a successful massage therapist—but have you considered ... Read More

  14. Separate All-Natural Concern for Your Well-Being from All-Hype
    by Brandi Schlossberg
    Whether you’re shopping for laundry detergent or strawberry preserves, if the label says "natural," you may be more inclined to pick that product. The word natural seems to imply a commodity is free of synthetic ingredients. Unfortunately, it's not that ... Read More

  15. Light Touch, Big Impact
    What's on your wish list? Expanding your customer base to reach more clients? Broadening your skill set to enhance your services and increase revenue? Increasing the perceived value of your services to support higher prices for what you offer? Extending your career by ... Read More


Ryan Hoyme
Ryan Hoyme
Blogging, Websites, Newsletters and More with Allissa Haines from WritingaBlueStreak (67 Minutes)
5/17/2012
Allissa Haines from WritingaBlueStreak talks about Blogging, Dianne Polseno, Massage Therapy Foundation...and eating! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSgSb_nGho8 Sponsors: Massage Magazine ... Read More
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Suzanne Scurlock-Durana
Suzanne Scurlock-Durana
The Elephant Whisperer
5/17/2012
May 17, 2012 I have just finished reading one of the most moving pieces I have ever read about the rich interconnections between species, in this case ... Read More
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Earl Wenk
Earl Wenk
Welcome to the New Sports Massage Blog
5/17/2012
Hello everybody! I am excited to start this sports massage blog, to bring news, thoughts, and ideas on how massage can support athletes training for competition.  My ... Read More
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Jane from Maine
Jane from Maine
Mothers Day
5/16/2012
Mothers Day. What does it mean? For many it means getting together with your loved ones and celebrating life as you know it. For others it ... Read More
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Ann Catlin
Ann Catlin
We've Lost One of our Own
5/16/2012
I'm saddened by the news of Dianne Polseno's death. Not because she was a close personal friend. I've never spent time with her. I've know OF her ... Read More
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retailgals
retailgals
AMC Recap
5/15/2012
We had a great time presenting a live class on Profit for Products: Your Unique Position, at the American Massage Conference (AMC) in April. We were excited ... Read More
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Jayne Thomas
Jayne Thomas
Your "Off-Site" Brochure
5/15/2012
Whenever I am in a new location, I look everywhere for massage therapy marketing information. Should I see a brochure, I take the time to notice ... Read More
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Karina Braun
Karina Braun
With a Yogic Mindset Anything is Possible
5/08/2012
The physical and mental benefits that yoga gives you when you practice can create transformation. When I had my injury and long recovery, I definitely used ... Read More
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John Barnes
John Barnes
The Tide has Turned!!!
5/07/2012
Myofascial Release therapists are experiencing a huge “up swell” of interest in Myofascial Release. Their practices are booming. If you have been “on the fence” about ... Read More
comments(3)

Laura Allen
Laura Allen
A Betrayal of Trust
5/05/2012
Any time one of the major organizations in the massage field tries to fire up a project that will “advance the profession”, I get awfully suspicious. ... Read More
comments(1)

Julie Onofrio
Julie Onofrio
Massage Insurance Billing
5/05/2012
Billing Insurance for massage services has been one of the ways I have been able to stay in the massage profession for 23 years. Right from ... Read More
comments(2)

Mary Kathleen Rose
Mary Kathleen Rose
Comfort Touch with Children – Part 2
4/29/2012
Last month I talked about special considerations in offering Comfort Touch to infants and children. I want to continue on that theme a bit to talk ... Read More
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Tad Wanveer
Tad Wanveer
Beyond Words
4/28/2012
“No, look, ‘cat’ is spelled C A T.  Now Tad, how is cat ... Read More
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Remember to Breathe

by Lauriann Greene, C.E.A.S., and Richard W. Goggins, C.P.E., L.M.P.

Remember to Breathe, MASSAGE MagazineMany massage therapists unconsciously hold their breath or breathe shallowly while they work. The most common cause is tension. It can be emotional tension, due to stress or anxiety, or physical tension due to awkward postures, fatigue or a number of other causes.

Your tissues need oxygen to function properly, so any decrease in breathing is problematic for your musculoskeletal health. It also becomes a vicious circle: you feel stressed or uncomfortable, so you breathe shallowly; the lack of breath causes more tension, which leads to more shallow breathing, and so on. Working with that kind of tension puts you at risk for work-related injury.

Ask a colleague to watch you work and look for signs of reduced breath like raised shoulders and/or stiffness in the way you move. If your colleague points out that you're not breathing deeply, stop and ask yourself: Do I feel stressed? Am I uncomfortable? Take a moment to adjust your position or your work environment (for example, your table height). Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, think of blowing your stress or discomfort out of the room. As you breathe deeply, your client will likely do the same, which will help her to be more receptive to your treatment.

Get in the habit of doing breathing exercises every day. Try breathing in on a count of five, then out on a count of five while expanding your ribs in all directions (we call this "three-dimensional breathing"). Make sure you're breathing from the diaphragm, deep in the abdomen. With practice, you can make breathing deeply a reflex that dispels tension as you work.

Reproduced with permission from Save Your Hands! The Complete Guide to Injury Prevention and Ergonomics for Manual Therapists, 2nd Edition, by Lauriann Greene, C.E.A.S., and Richard W. Goggins, C.P.E., L.M.P., © 2008 Gilded Age Press, www.saveyourhands.com.

The Hidden Secret to a Growing Referral Network

by Earl Wenk

The Hidden Secret to a Growing Referral Network, MASSAGE MagazineDo you want to make more money and improve your marketing strategy as a massage therapist? If so, then stop accepting tips.

This might sound crazy, but let me explain. We don't tip our physical therapist, doctor or dentist, but people are accustomed to tip their massage therapist. It's not like we are performing a shoe shine, valet parking or some other task the client does not wish to perform themselves. We have specialized education and training to correct muscle imbalances, reduce pain and improve quality of life. Eliminating gratuities can improve the standing of your practice.

Instead, tell your clients, "If you want to tip me, give someone my business card. To tell someone else about me is the best tip I could possibly receive." You will be surprised how well this works. Instead of receiving an extra $5 or $10, you now have a marketing champion, someone who will tell the world about you and your abilities.

Let's look at the math: A monthly client who pays you a $10 tip would add up to $120 per year, whereas a new client returning once per month for $60 per hour would be $720 per year. Not a bad trade-off for giving up $10 cash, is it? Plus, this new client is told the same thing and you are now on your way to a dedicated referral network.

This strategy works great for sports massage, as athletes always talk to one another about training tips and injuries. It has helped me develop a healthy practice while also reducing my overall marketing budget.

Earl Wenk, MASSAGE MagazineEarl Wenk, A.T.C., C.S.C.S., N.C.T.M.B., has more than 17 years of experience in the field of sports medicine, working as a massage therapist, certified athletic trainer, and strength-and-conditioning specialist. He works with athletes of all ages and skill levels, from recreational runners to Olympic and world champions. Visit www.musclewisdom.com to learn about his sports massage workshops.

Poll of the Week Quick Poll

Poll of the Week Previous Poll
What strategy do you use most to retain clients?
Bundled packages and discounts
 16.7%
Daily deals
 16.7%
Excellent customer service
 50.0%
Network at community events
 0.0%
Social media/Web marketing
 16.7%
Lumbar Myofascial Release Lift to Reduce Lumbosacral Tightness

Lumbar Myofascial Release Lift to Reduce Lumbosacral Tightness
5/11/2012
Walt Fritz of Foundations in Myofascial Release Seminars (www.waltfritzseminars.com) is at the Oakworks facility (www.massagetables.com) demonstrating lumbar myofascial release lift to reduce lumbosacral tightness.

Application of CTM for Pregnancy, Labor & Postpartum: Part 1

Application of CTM for Pregnancy, Labor & Postpartum: Part 1
5/11/2012
Kate Jordan, developer of Bodywork for the Childbearing Year (www.katejordanseminars.com), explains applications of CTM for pregnancy, labor and postpartum using Oakworks massage equipment (www.massagetables.com).

Aromatherapy Sinus Recipe

Aromatherapy Sinus Recipe
5/11/2012
Aromatherapy is a great way to deal with sinus issues including blocked nasal passages and infection.




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