RESOURCES for Massage Therapy Research

Massage Therapy Foundation

PubMed

BioMed Central

Touch Research Institute

Google Scholar

Science Direct

Science Daily

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

SCIRUS

Massage Therapy Research Network

Scientific Method

Journal of the American Medical Association

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: National Institutes of Health

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

American Journal of Preventative Medicine

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

E-Medicine from WebMD

Massage Research: Ways to GET INVOLVED!!

A gentleman on facebook asked me today (Aug 8, 2011) how he can get involved with massage therapy research. This is a great question that many therapists have.

Below is an excerpt from Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice, p 86.

"HOW CAN MASSAGE THERAPISTS SUPPORT RESEARCH EFFORTS?

The easiest way is to become involved with an organization that supports research. Will include a list of organizations and resources in a later post. You can become a member, donate money or donate your time through volunteering. One easy way to support an organization financially is to donate the price of one massage each year to an organization that funds massage therapy research.

Additionally, researchers are often looking for qualified massage therapists to assist with providing treatments for studies. That is, many studies collate data from multiple “sites” where massage therapists from across a region or country submit data from their practices. This research participation can be volunteer or paid work, and advances the profession.

Encouraging clients, family, or friends to participate is another way to support massage therapy research.

Finally, supporting the continuing need for quality research through your professional organization, to other therapists and medical professionals, and to your political representatives (National Institutes of Health [NIH] is funded through Congress so get in touch with your representatives and tell them how important National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM] is to your profession. There are those in Congress who wish to eliminate NCCAM from the NIH). Even seemingly small efforts when combined with those of other therapists can make a tremendous difference to the overall goal of establishing an outstanding research knowledge base for massage therapy."

~ JoEllen M. Sefton , PhD, ATC, CMT

Students Reflect on Massage Clinic Experience

Two students at the Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy share their journey through massage clinic held in the months of May and June 2011. Thank you Sara and Jessica.

A View Into The Mind of A Massage
By Jessica Arabie

My first client is on the table.
My heart is racing, racing, racing.
My mind is playing the familiar tune,
I can’t do this, I can’t do this.

I have forgotten all my strokes.
If all else fails effleurage!
The Heart!
Do the Heart stroke!
Desperately praying “Please guide my hands to my clients needs.”
“Calm my spirit dear Lord”
“Bring back to my memory all I’ve learned”,
“Help me Lord, Help me”

My nerves start to calm,
My mind slows down.
I have lost myself in this massage.
The strokes are coming naturally now.
My hands following the contour of my clients body.
My game face is on.
The traps, the lats, and yes, that is the quads.

I go a little deeper to the Rhomboids, up and around the deltoids.
Yes, Yes, I remember !

My heart beats slow and my spirit is calm.
My mind is clear,
And all is peaceful.
I CAN DO THIS!
YES, I CAN DO THIS !
_________________________________________________________

The Diary of a Mad Massage Therapy Student
By: Sara House

For all massage therapists, current students and future students out there, you may know the feeling I had right before clinicals… I am talking about the feeling of a MAD massage school student. Do you know the feeling of sheer panic and madness? The one you have just before you are about to jump off a cliff. That is the same feeling that I had before giving my first client massage.

During one of our first weekends of clinicals, I was requested by a known client who LOVES deep pressure. Knowing the other therapist in class who had given her a massage, I knew that I would not live up to their massage. Automatically I reverted back to my pre-clinical freak-out mode and believed that I would fail. During the massage the client kept telling me what a great job I was doing. I started to feel like I could do this! After the massage was over the client proceeded to tell me how she thought I had extra training and loved her massage.

Now, three weeks into clinical the feeling of panic and self-doubt has mostly subsided, but a tiny fraction still remains. By the time we are done with clinicals, I predict that the feeling will be 100% gone. I am on the way to no longer being a mad, panicked student and to becoming a confident massage therapist.

All I Really Needed To Know I Learned In Massage School

Be punctual, prepared, and keep good notes. Wash your hands. When you are ready, the perfect teacher will arrive. Knowledge of Greek and Latin prefixes is beneficial. Don’t panic, tests are for your own growth – if you falter you can, and will, repeat the lesson. Nurture your Self. Strength lies in balance. Receive massage. Eat your vegetables. Drink plenty of water. Be cheerful. Exercise daily. “Ohm,” “Aah,” or just be still. Wear comfortable shoes.

Create a peaceful environment. Nourish the senses: aromatic candles, meditative music, and cotton flannel sheets. Every body is sacred. Be reverent. Warm your hands. Warm the room. Warm your heart. Talk less, listen more. Live open-minded. Beware of your prejudices. Refuse gossip. Value confidentiality. Be honest. Presence and intention are paramount. Wholeheartedly attend the moment. The lightest touch can heal. Transition with ease and grace. Spirit each move. Individual responses vary. Deep pressure. Gentle rocking. Embrace the difference. Stretch. Don’t pretend to be an expert on that which you are not. Never force. Never rush. “How’s the pressure?” Care. Pain is subjective. Laughter is healing, so are tears. The body remembers. It’s never too late to ice it. Forgive. Forgive yourself.

Practice. Practice. Practice. Challenge rules. Welcome possibilities. There is no routine. Let it flow. Create. Dance. Don’t forget to breathe. Deeply. Relax. Shoulders down. Knees loose. Move from your center. Trust intuition. The mind thinks, the heart knows. Believe in others. Believe in yourself and in your profession. Believe in a force greater than yourself.

Be gentle, be strong, be willing and the healing power of creation will flow through to benefit all you touch. From atom to universe, we are whole and all are connected. Honor all. Judge no one. Offer freely to those in need. Continue to learn. Share your knowledge. Respect. Expect respect. Strive to grown, every day. Be open to prosperity. Accept tips. Be grateful. Follow up and follow through. Success walks a determined step. Clarify aspirations. The path will clear. Dream specifics. Doors will open. Dream big. Thoughts manifest. Never give up. Never lose hope. And above all else, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

- Jo Sodona

Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge Program Takes Shape

Well the votes are in and the staff of the massage school is proud to say that our Director, Susan G. Salvo, has been named one of eight members of the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge Task Force.

The task force, made up of subject matter experts in the field (practitioners, educators, and researchers), will define and develop a consistent set of national standards for the massage therapy industry.

As you know, the field of massage varies greatly, incorporating the hard sciences of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, with a huge spectrum of hands on techniques. These modalities range from traditional Swedish massage to Shiatsu to Reiki. They are based on diverse philosophies ranging from Western science to Oriental medicine to intuitive touch.

The task force of the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge, which Salvo is now an appointed member, will help shape the future of the massage industry. Their task is to develop and adopt a common body of knowledge that embraces all segments of our profession. These guidelines will be used to set consistent national standards for education, research, teacher qualifications, and regulatory requirements.

The Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge Project consists of representatives from several national groups including the American Massage Therapy Association and AMTA Council of Schools, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, Massage Therapy Foundation, and National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

For more information about the Project, log onto http://www.mtbok.org/

Discussion Board: Is Alcohol a Drug?

Some medical historians have said that if alcohol was discovered today, it would be classified as a schedule 2 drug.

Use your textbook Mosby's Pathology for Massage Therapists 2e and other reliable sources to research drug schedules as well as the side effects and abuse potential of alcohol. Include in your research legal alcohol consumption limits in your state.

Discussion Question: If you suspected that your client was intoxicated when he or she arrived for a massage, what treatment modifications would you employ, if any?

Be sure and support your position.

New Educational YouTube Account

Recently, my fantastic daughter introduced me to the wonderful worlds of Facebook and YouTube.

Although I'm failing at Facebook, I have managed to set up a YouTube account with several videos already (with her wonderful help, of course). The original videos were all snippets of my teaching style. The newest ones are more practical and instructional and include Pregnancy Massage Tips, Hand Massage, Chair Massage, Polarity, Massage for Headaches, and Stretches and Joint Mobilizations. Let me know what you think- I'm open to constructive criticism.

Go check out the site! I will keep updating it in the future! New videos will include instructional aspects of massage therapy.

http://www.youtube.com/LAmassageschool