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• American Massage Therapy Association Convention Approaches
• Elderly Massage Clients: Healthy or Not?
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Eating Berries May Activate the Brain's Natural Housekeeper for Healthy Aging - 8/24/2010
Scientists have reported the first evidence that eating blueberries, strawberries and acai berries may help the aging brain stay healthy in a crucial but previously unrecognized way. Their study, presented at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), concluded that berries, and possibly walnuts, activate the brain's natural housekeeper mechanism, which cleans up and recycles toxic proteins linked to age-related memory loss and other mental decline.
Special Yoga Classes Aimed at Breast-Cancer Survivors Improves Recovery - 8/18/2010
University of Alberta research fellow Amy Speed-Andrews has examined how a specialized Iyengar yoga program for women currently in treatment for breast cancer, and who have completed treatment, makes a difference in their recovery.
All Pain is Not the Same: Psychologist Discusses Gender Differences in Chronic Pain - 8/16/2010
Women experience chronic pain longer, more intensely and more often than men, according to a psychologist who works with both men and women dealing with diseases and conditions that leave them suffering.
Biochemist Proposes Worldwide Policy Change to Step Up Daily Vitamin D Intake - 8/10/2010
Anthony Norman, a leading international expert in vitamin D, proposes worldwide policy changes regarding people's vitamin D daily intake amount in order to maximize the vitamin's contribution to reducing the frequency of many diseases, including childhood rickets, adult osteomalacia, cancer, autoimmune type-1 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity and muscle weakness.
Stress Gets Under our Skin - 8/10/2010
Everyone experiences social stress, whether it is nervousness over a job interview, difficulty meeting people at parties or angst over giving a speech. In a new report, UCLA researchers have discovered that how your brain responds to social stressors can influence the body's immune system in ways that may negatively affect health.
The Healing Effects of Forests - 7/26/2010
Many people, says Dr. Eeva Karjalainen, of the Finnish Forest Research Institute, Metla, feel relaxed and good when they are out in nature. But not many of us know that there is also scientific evidence about the healing effects of nature.
Are All Meditation Techniques the Same? - 7/21/2010
As doctors increasingly prescribe meditation to patients for stress-related disorders, scientists are gaining a better understanding of how different techniques from Buddhist, Chinese and Vedic traditions produce different results.
Women in Their 50s More Prone to PTSD Than Men - 7/21/2010
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rates peak in women later than they do in men. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Annals of General Psychiatry found men are most vulnerable to PTSD between the ages of 41 and 45 years, while women are most vulnerable at 51 to 55.
Eating Foods Rich in Vitamin E Associated with Lower Dementia Risk - 7/13/2010
Consuming more vitamin E through diet appears to be associated with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
A Massage is Proven to Relieve Psychophysiological State of Patients with Chronic Headache - 7/12/2010
Researchers at the University of Granada--in collaboration with the Clinical Hospital San Cecilio and the University Rey Juan Carlos--have proven that the psychological and physiological state of patients with tension headache improves within 24 hours after receiving a 30-minute massage.
The Professional Beauty Association's Salon & Spa Performance Index Records Fifth Consecutive Quarter Increase - 8/31/2010
Sales and customer traffic levels continue to gradually increase as the Professional Beauty Association's (PBA) Salon & Spa Performance Index (SSPI) hit a record high in the second quarter of 2010. The Salon & Spa Performance Index, a quarterly composite index that tracks the health and outlook for the U.S. salon/spa industry, stood at 103.6 in the second quarter, up 0.5 percent from its first quarter level and continuing a rising trend.
More Than 80 Compressive and Stretching Techniques Visually Depicted in New Massage Text - 8/31/2010
Many clients enjoy the sensation of deep-tissue massage; yet, some therapists shy away from incorporating this form of massage into their treatments, believing it to require the application of force greater than what they can deliver. Or, they are anxious about how to apply pressure safely.
Repêchage to be Incorporated into The International College of Aesthetics Curriculum in All Locations - 8/30/2010
Lydia Sarfati, CEO and founder of Repêchage, is teaming up with Isabel Calleros, consultant/esthetician and esthetics school owner, to recreate her curriculum, originally developed in 1997 with the National Aesthetics Institute. The school will incorporate Repêchage treatments and products into its salon, spa and clinical program.
Alliance for Massage Therapy Education Sends Veto Request to New York Governor - 8/27/2010
This week, the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education sent a letter to New York Governor David A. Paterson asking him to veto Senate Bill 5431. This legislation would establish mandatory continuing education requirements for New York licensed massage therapists.
Michele Merhib Named to Denver Business Journal's 'Outstanding Women in Business' Honorees for 2010 - 8/27/2010
Michele Merhib, founder of Elements Therapeutic Massage, has been named to the Denver Business Journal’s “Outstanding Women in Business” list. The finalists were chosen based on their accomplishments in their industry as well as for being innovative, entrepreneurial leaders in their community.
Human Touch Welcomes Five Esteemed Experts to its Wellness Council - 8/26/2010
Human Touch®, a U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners and other wellness solutions, has added five new esteemed experts to its wellness council. The Human Touch® Wellness Council is a group of esteemed experts from across various disciplines dedicated to educating people about how to achieve a healthier and happier life through regular massage, relaxation, sound posture and other wellness practices.
derma e Supports Heal the Bay - 8/26/2010
derma e® Natural Bodycare, a pioneer in formulating cutting-edge effective natural skin-care products, continues to show its commitment to the environment by supporting Heal the Bay, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California coastal waters and watersheds, safe, healthy and clean. This is the fourth year derma e® has donated to this worthy cause.
Gewhol Launches Med Brand Callus Cream to Cut Away Calluses in 28 Days or Less - 8/26/2010
Gehwol’s med Brand has added a new addition to the Gehwol family with the announcement of Gehwol med Callus Cream. A one-month treatment with the new cream guarantees the rapid and gentle removal of excess calluses on feet.
Pivotal Health Solutions Inc. and Pressure Positive Company Announce Global Sales and Marketing Agreement - 8/25/2010
Pivotal Health Solutions, a leading provider of products to the health and wellness industry, has agreed to market and sell the Pressure Positive Company's leading line of self-care tools. Under the agreement, Pivotal will immediately begin to integrate the product line into its extensive distribution chain.
MINDBODY Finder Offers Wellness Businesses a New Source of Revenue - 8/24/2010
MINDBODY Finder technology is revolutionizing the health and wellness industry by giving consumers unprecedented access to wellness classes and appointments and by providing businesses a significant new channel of customers.
Trigger Point Therapy for Foot, Ankle, Knee & Leg Pain
New Harbinger Publications
This book presents complete treatment protocols readers can use at home to relieve pain and prevent it from coming back.
Product Features
Trigger Point Therapy for Foot, Ankle, Knee & Leg Pain costs $19.95.
New Harbinger Publications
5674 Shattuck Ave
(800) 748-6273
http://www.newharbinger.com
You may think an injury couldn't possibly happen to you. That's what I thought, too. I kept my body healthy and strong. I iced my arms when I performed more than three hours of massage a day. I did yoga every morning, consumed nutritious foods and received eight hours of sleep every night. What went wrong? I had a predisposing factor I was not aware of in my spine, and I was performing unnatural and repetitive motions with my feet and ankles.
A repetitive strain injury happens from repetition and overuse of a certain body part and is cumulative. The most important factor in preventing this type of an injury from becoming chronic is to notice the first warning signs, get treatment and rest the area. Warning signs can be subtle, but if you take notice and get treatment, you can prevent further damage.
Massage therapists think of themselves as caregivers and do not focus on the physical strain their body goes through while they perform their work. Self-care is done on one’s “free-time” when it should be considered something that must be done to prepare and heal the body from physical activity. Injuries do happen. Realize how physical your job is and have body maintenance steps in place before an injury occurs. If an injury happens, take the time to heal completely, so you can enjoy this career for many years to come.
Warning signs for a repetitive strain injury include:
• Stiffness
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Difficulty using body part
• Waking up with pain
• Tingling, numbness and burning
• Recurring pain
• Lack of endurance
• Feeling of heaviness in body part
Karina Braun wrote the innovative book, Creating Peace with Your Hands, which includes insightful strategies for self-care and injury prevention. For more information, visit www.igetintouch.com.
by Stephen A. Kreger, L.M.T.
Massage therapists should learn how to get other businesses to promote their practice. The example I will use involves a salon, but it works well with any business.
In looking for a way to get referrals from other businesses in the area, we decided the best way to do this was to offer something they could give their customers. We came up with a promotional coupon that was low cost.
There are several key components to using this type of marketing piece. Most importantly, remove your ego from the piece. The first and most prominent item in the piece is the other business’s name. The name of your business or practice should be smaller and at the end of the piece. It is important to make the business you are seeking referrals from look like a hero, as if the other business negotiated or developed this promotion exclusively for its customers.
The promotion must have a specific dollar value, not a percentage. This produces a psychological effect for the recipient that they are being given money instead of just a coupon. It can be as little as $5 or as much as $20. I highly recommend the higher amount and this is why:
You can print these pieces three to an 8.5-inch by 11-inch page, and then cut them down. Use white, not colored, paper; keep the color for the art and text. This makes your cost about $.03 cents per coupon. When you give these to another business, make sure they are personalized for that business, not just a generic piece. They will gladly hand them out to customers. It costs them nothing, promotes them and it makes them look good to their customers. Plus, you get the added bonus of someone personally handing them to a customer. This is almost like a personal referral, and the customer is more likely to use it. You get the other business to do all the work, and all you have to do is supply the marketing piece.
This works well for any business, including:
• Hair salons (as a thank you)
• Nail salon (as a thank you)
• Dog groomer (as a thank you)
• Apartment complex (in the welcome packet or with rent receipt)
This piece will bring you many new clients long after you hand it out. The salon we first worked with loved it, and our center received more than 50 new clients in six months.
Stephen A. Kreger, L.M.T. is the president of Island Software Company, www.islandsoftwareco.com.
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