Back on Track
Techniques To Relieve Low-Back Pain
Many massage therapists see clients who have acute or chronic lower-back pain; some estimates indicate that up to 85 percent of all Americans will suffer from low-back pain during their lives. Causes of pain include lumbar strain or sprain, nerve irritation, and degenerative bone or disc syndromes. The good news is that clients can find relief at the hands of massage therapists. This article details the 3-Position Lower-Back Routine to help therapists aid clients in living pain-free.
by George P. Kousaleos

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The Importance of Orthopedic Assessment Skills 
A growing number of clients seek massage for pain and injury. Consequently, basic massage skills now require, at minimum, the ability to recognize common conditions in order to either refer or treat the client appropriately. .
by Whitney Lowe

ONLINE Exclusives

• Integrative Medicine Consult Service Established at the NIH Clinical Center
• Exercise Reverses Aging in Human Skeletal Muscle
• Your Path to Success

NEWS

• MT Takes Outcalls on the Road
• Insurance Company Promotes CAM
• Chiropractors Earn More with Massage
• Baby Massage Extravaganza
• Indiana to Certify Massage Therapists
• Med Students’ CAM Training Limited

Hydration Matters
Water’s Role in Optimal Health
Massage therapists tell clients to drink plenty of water after a massage—but how, exactly, does hydration help our bodies eliminate toxins and stay healthy and energized?
by Brandi Schlossberg

Stay Strong!
How long do you plan for your ­massage career to last? One year? Five? Ten or more? How you take care of yourself now will play a large role in determining the longevity of your practice. Here, follow along with exercises designed to prevent and address injuries massage therapists are susceptible to.  
by Lynda Solien-Wolfe

Strokes and Stretches for Athletes
Pre- and Post-Event Massage
Whether you’re providing massage to professional or amateur athletes, the application and benefits of pre- and post-event sports massage are the same.
by Lee Chaffee

EXPERT ADVICE
What is neuromuscular therapy and how does it differ from Swedish?
Judith Delaney Responds

RESEARCH REPORTS

• CAM Usage Prevalent in People with Chronic Fatigue Illnesses
• Manual Therapy and Acupuncture Help Treat TMJ Disorder

Spa Massage News

• Day Spa Teams Up with MADD
• Spa Week Cultivates Clients
• Spas Called to Battle Skin Cancer
• We Asked: What are the most important qualities you look for when hiring a massage therapist?
• 2007 Top Spas Named

BE WELL

• Toxic-free Zone Cleaning the Natural Way
• Estrogen is Important for Men, Too
• Good Eats: Eating for healthy Joints and Bones

BODY & SPA
Deconstructing Massage Stones
by Tomi Wertheim