Therapeutic Insight: The Myofascial Release Perspective—Women's Health
2.2.2012
The female pelvis is unique due to the inseparability of its structure/function. Comparatively, a woman's pelvic joint surfaces are flatter than a male's and, therefore, more easily moveable. A woman's pelvis is wider and more easily torqued and traumatized. Every month when a woman experiences her menstrual period, relaxin is released in her system, slacking her ligaments and making her more prone to trauma.

Presence Affects Massage
1.11.2012
Are you fully engaged—body, mind and spirit—when giving human and animal massage? Each facet of mind, body and spirit adds influence, interpretation, response, approach and texture to your massage. Have you ever given a massage and drifted into a riveting conversation with your spirit? You re-emerge to the present. Your hands have been on auto pilot. You have not been completely present. Your mind and its attention were disconnected.

Therapeutic Insight: The Myofascial Release Perspective—Frantically Swimming Upstream
1.3.2012
Do you feel stressed? Is there too much chaos in your life? Do you feel that no matter how hard you try, nothing changes or you feel like you are slipping backward?

Advanced Techniques with Massage Stones
12.20.2011
Massage stones are one of the best therapeutic tools a massage therapist can have. Massage stones share the work with the therapist, saving his or her hands by alleviating the stress and strain it takes to work deeply. The heat or cold from the massage stones penetrates deeply to relax the muscle and reduce pain and swelling. Any technique a therapist can perform with his or her hands can be accomplished with massage stones more effectively—and with less discomfort to the client.

Therapeutic Insight: The Myofascial Release Perspective—Canine Myofascial Release Therapy
12.6.2011
I had an interesting experience with a dog in Maryland. I was giving a Myofascial Release II class, and a therapist came up and said, I'm having this problem with my dog. He's about 8 years old now and has always been a wonderfully relaxed dog. We moved a month ago and ever since then, he's been in a total state of agitation. He runs constantly, he never sits still, he's messing in the house, barking all the time and won't sleep. He never messed in the house or barked before. Is there anything you can do?

What's That Smell? Research Provides Clues to Aromatherapy's Mechanisms
4.14.2011
Many massage therapists incorporate aromatherapy, or the use of particular scents to effect physical or psychological benefits, into massage sessions. Researchers studying how odors are detected and processed by the brain have discovered a previously unknown step in that process.

Leon Chaitow Receives Ashley Montagu Award
4.12.2011
The Canadian Touch Research Center has named Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., as the latest recipient of its Ashley Montagu Award. The award is given every other year to a distinguished member of the massage and bodywork profession and whose devotion leads to the advancement of touch in the world, according to an announcement letter sent by the center.

FSMTB Announces Model Practice Act Task Force
4.1.2011
The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) announces the launch of a project to develop a Model Practice Act (MPA) for the profession. The FSMTB board of directors has appointed an MPA Task Force comprised of representatives from the regulatory community of the FSMTB member boards and agencies.

AMTA National Convention Registration is Now Open
3.31.2011
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) announces that registration for its national convention, to be held in Portland, Oregon from October 19 to 22, is now available online. All massage therapists and students are welcome at the convention and encouraged to take advantage of early-bird rates for registration.

FSMTB to Establish New Continuing Education Approval Program
3.30.2011
The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) announces the launch of a project to develop a new national program for the approval of both continuing education courses and providers. Once it is established, the program will provide state regulatory agencies with a centralized quality assurance process for all courses taken by massage and bodywork therapists for the renewal of State licensure or State certification.

Ayurveda for Massage Therapists 101
This book will teach massage therapists or anyone interested in healing how to integrate aspects of ayurveda into their massage practice. The student will learn step-by-step practical ayurvedic techniques, moves and applications. This information can easily integrate into Western massage therapies.

Qi Gong For Low Back Pain
This program is designed to open, stretch, mobilize and bring circulation to the lower back. Qi Gong Master Lee Holden moves through a four-part stretch and flow sequence focusing on gentle stretches, core strength, and fluid movements to alleviate pain and clear tension.

Craniosacral Therapy Techniques DVD
In this DVD, John Hoffmann, CMT, demonstrates techniques used in a general craniosacral therapeutic session to assess and palpate the fluidity of this system. This holistic, hands-on technique alleviates the restrictions on the craniosacral flow. Approximately 2 hours, 27 minutes.

Polarity Therapy DVD
This DVD shows 16 specific Polarity bodywork sessions, using techniques based on the five elements and three principles of Polarity Therapy. It's used to teach therapists how to evaluate each client and give them a unique treatment targeting their specific needs.

Paraffin Treatments: Face and Décolleté DVD
In this DVD, Rita Page demonstrates how to use facial paraffin wax (with brush and gauze) and paraffin strips on the face and décolleté, as part of a complete facial. Approximately 1 hour, 21 minutes.

Essentials of Swedish Massage DVD
In this DVD, Meade Steadman demonstrates everything from body mechanics, preparing one's workspace to the essentials of a full-body massage from the head and face down to the ankles and feet on both men and women. Duration is two hours and 15 minutes.