Massage Therapy

734 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: A career in massage therapy essay

Massage therapists are trained to understand the body and must be able to apply the appropriate techniques needed to meet patients needs. This course of employment is fitting for someone who has good listening attributions and is able to understand the complexity of systems in the human body. Massage therapy has an allure for many as a result of flexible hours, a variety of customers, and the opportunity for self-employment. When done professionally, massage therapy can aid the body in proper healing. It was held in high value by the ancient Chinese.
Predating most of todays healing arts, the first known therapeutic therapy is from over 4,000 years ago. Dating back to as late as 2,700 B.C.E., “It [massage therapy] was first recorded as a therapeutic technique in the ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine treatise, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine.” (Massage Therapist) Until the 1900s, massage therapy was not formally accepted as a healing art. Over the course of thousands of years the complexity of massage evolved and, in todays world massage therapy has been taken to a completely new level. With the integration of many techniques, practitioners are better able to meet the different health demands and needs of the population.
Therapy is meant to apply “focused, hands-on techniques to promote relaxation and increase circulation in the body’s soft tissues.” (Massage Therapist) The average amount of hands-on work is calculated at a fifteen hour work week. This fifteen hours does not, however, take into consideration the time that must be diligently spent on keeping records, scheduling, marketing or amassing the necessary supplies. In their work, massage therapists, sometimes called “body workers,” can perfor...

... middle of paper ...

...t all relaxation. It is physically demanding of the therapist and there are a few health risks involved with the overuse of hands and arms. A career of such complexity should not be taken lightly. Much motivation and manual dexterity is required. Massage therapy is becoming a very respected substitute to the medicine of todays world. Many people are becoming weary of seeing their physicians and of taking the prescribed medications that have horrible side effects. Massage Therapy is a rising career in today’s economy and will continue to rise in popularity and demand.

Works Cited

“Massage Therapist” http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/86/Massage_Therapist 18 November 2013

“Industry Fact Sheet” http://www.amtamassage.org/infocenter/economic_industry-fact-sheet.html#MTcareer 9 December 2013

Occupational Guidance [United States] Finney Company 2004

Show More
Related

  • Becoming An Occupational Therapy Assistant Essay

    635 Words  | 2 Pages

    Observing therapy assistants in the field and seeing what they do in their jobs was an eye opener for me. Getting to experience on-the-job shadowing helped me to identify the roles of a therapy assistant better than reading or talking to people about the job description. First, I shadowed at Athletico Physical Therapy, an outpatient facility in Festus, MO. Paul Kohler is the Occupational/Hand Therapist that I shadowed during my experience. There were several different injuries that I saw, ranging from people with work related injuries to jamming fingers in machines. After observing Mr. Kohler throughout the day, I got to see him interact with patients and perform activities that helped his patients in their rehabilitation phase of recovery. He told me that the improvements he sees first hand from his patients is rewarding and he feels achieved when he sees patients make steady recoveries. From this experience, I also learned that occupational therapy offers a diverse number of avenues for employment. I was pleased to know that I can specialize in a specific area if I desire to do so in the

    Read More

  • Occupational Therapy Assistant

    1251 Words  | 3 Pages

    The health care industry is always growing and needing more workers. Occupational therapy has an extremely bright job outlook. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than other occupations. (Occupational, 2017) A reason for such a high outlook is because of the baby-boom generation becoming older which means more health implications. Becoming older can affect their ability to perform everyday

    Read More

  • Touch Healing Methods: Therapeutic Touch by Dolores Krieger and Dora Kunz

    2009 Words  | 5 Pages

    Therapeutic touch was developed by Dolores Krieger and Dora Kunz in the 1970s as a non-invasive nursing intervention (Kelly et al. 2004). Jackson and Keegan (2009, p.614) defined therapeutic touch as “a specific technique of centring intention used while the practitioner moves the hands through a recipient’s energy field for the purpose of assessing and treating energy field imbalance.” The original theory of the technique proposed by nursing theorist Rogers (1970) is that individuals as a unified whole have their own permeable energy fields that extend from the skin surface and flow evenly when they are healthy. The energy field of the ill physical body is disrupted, misaligned, obstructed or “out of tune” (Huff et al. 2006). TT has the potential to re-pattern, reorganize and restore the individual’s imbalanced energy fields through the open system extending from the surface of the body interacting with the environment constantly (Krieger, 1979). The earliest studies of healing touch were carried out in the 1950s and 1960s: biochemist Bernard Grad (1965) collaborated with famous healer Oskar Estebany to demonstrate the significantly accelerated healing effects of therapeutic touch on wounded mice and damaged barley seeds. The central aim of healing therapies is to relax and calm patients in order to activate patients’ natural healing ability, and it does not include any religious activity (Lorenc et al. 2010).

    Read More

  • A Career as a Chiropractor

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    The word “chiropractor” has two word origins, the Greek words cheir and praxis; meanwhile, cheir means “hand” and praxis means “practice.” Also, most of the work that chiropractors do is done by hand (Pike para. 5). In 2002, going to a chiropractor was found to be the most commonly used program for therapy. Seventy-four percent, about 4 million, of people that had back pain went to a chiropractor to get treated. Among that 74 percent of people, 66 percent of them stated that they got “a great benefit” (Pike para. 9). Many chiropractors work full time but 1 out of 3 chiropractors work part time. Chiropractors work whenever their patients need them, even on w...

    Read More

  • Psychosocial Aspects Of Occupational Therapy

    1145 Words  | 3 Pages

    Occupation is defined as “activites of everyday life, names, organized and given meaning by individuals and a culture” (Association, 2006). This article also discusses the historical aspects of occupational therapy. Occupational therapy was founded by many different professionals with different backgrounds, that came together to share the same idea about how occupational therapy should be and the importance of activites for a person. This article also talks about different types of services that occupational therapy offers. Occupational therapists and assistances can work in many different settings. With the variety of settings a therapist and assistance can work in, the services that are offered there are different. Some different services that can be offered at these settings can include community mobility skills, stress management, alternative routines and habits, and more. It is important for therapists and assistances to know what settings offer what type of services when they are referencing their client to a new setting. The last topic this article discussed

    Read More

  • The gift of touch

    2078 Words  | 5 Pages

    Touch is as essential to a healthy and happy life as eating right, getting proper sleep, and exercising. With the world growing more technological, the need for healthy human contact is more important than ever. Massage and body therapies are an age old healing refuge for us in this fast-paced, stressed-out world. The practice of massage therapy is rapidly growing in the United States. It has so much to offer and is becoming more widely accepted by doctors and the general public. Massage is touching another person by such movements as rubbing, kneading, pressing, rolling, slapping, and tapping. This type of therapy provides circulation of the blood and lymph, relaxation of muscles, relief from pain, restoration of metabolic balance, and many other benefits both physical and mental. There is much historical evidence to indicate that massage is one of the earliest remedies for pain relief and for the restoration of a healthy body. It is said to be the most natural and instinctive means of relieving pain and discomfort. Massage has proven to be an effective method for treating many conditions for thousands of years and it will continue to be used for thousands of years to come. Massage therapy is a great treatment for the body and soul.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Physical Therapy Vs Physical Therapy

    1575 Words  | 4 Pages

    Physical therapy has been around since 460 BC (History of Physical Therapy). Yet, many people do not actually know what physical therapy is and how it benefits people with various injuries and surgeries. Many physical therapists personalize in different therapeutic practices including orthopedic, post-operative care, cardiovascular, neurologic, rehabilitation, or pulmonary rehab to specialize in the various needs of people. Physical therapy is more beneficial than chiropractors because it improves your mobility, prevents injuries, avoid surgery or recover more quickly from surgery, and the healing process is more natural and can help reduce pain.

    Read More

  • Physical Therapy

    1641 Words  | 4 Pages

    Educational requirements, opportunities and general demands of the career are only a few of the areas to inquire about in the field of physical therapy. This career is diverse in nature, in that a therapist sees many different ailments ranging from a sprained ankle to rehabilitating someone who has had an amputation. There is a fair degree of difficulty involved in becoming a physical therapist, and due to the high competition involved in entering the various Master’s degree programs as stated earlier, high grades and a positive attitude are very important for success in an interested student’s career. Volunteering is a great way to find out if a person would or would not be interested in entering the practice of physical therapy. This is an exciting career with many opportunities for advancement. This career is also a nice choice for those who become bored with the tedious monotony of a daily routine, since each day is a new experience.

    Read More

  • Occupational Therapy

    2265 Words  | 5 Pages

    OT was founded in 1917(Barker Schwartz, 2003). Since then, the paradigm has shifted twice, resulting in three different paradigms. Kielhofner (2009) describes the first paradigm as paradigm of occupation that prevailed within occupational therapy from its founding until the 1940s. This paradigm views occupation as an essential part of life and health and focuses on the environment and mind rather than body and impairment. Occupation was seen as a therapeutic tool and a way of achieving dignity for the individual. These values arose due to the influences of social and health care movements of pragmatism, Arts and Crafts movement, and moral...

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Chiropractic Care

    1014 Words  | 3 Pages

    Individuals who go through the process of becoming a chiropractor are dedicating their lives to improve others through their own hands. Giving a patient relief and satisfaction without harming their body with drugs that can have horrible side effects is a feeling that is unlike anything else. Facilitating an individual to heal and strengthening their life entirely is what chiropractors strive for and many accomplish that ambition. Additionally, studies and surveys have shown why students of chiropractic chose this profession. The top reasons were that they truly want to help people and heal them, the increase in financial status, and the ambition of having the title “Doctor.” (Wardwell 154). Chiropractors must complete many demanding courses

    Read More

  • The Power of Therapeutic Touch

    523 Words  | 2 Pages

    Therapeutic touch can be learned by anyone. Those who wish to become practitioners take special courses. The practitioner is taught to center himself, physically and psychologically, where he can find within himself an inner reference of stability. The pupil must learn to assess the patient by feeling hot, cold, tingling, congestion or pressure sensations in his hands when gliding through another person's energy fi...

    Read More

  • Massage and the Lymphatic System

    1259 Words  | 3 Pages

    Massage has been practiced for many centuries and has been used for a number of reasons, from medical treatments to general relaxation therapies. Lots of styles have been developed throughout the years and therapists have adapted their personalised treatments using routines, methods and mediums to create the effects and feelings that they are looking to achieve for their clients. Massage includes the therapist using mainly their hands, elbows and arms to manipulate the body’s muscle tissues. There are many types of massage however the main one we have looked at as a class is Swedish massage. This form of massage includes five main movement groups.

    Read More

  • Massage Therapy

    2233 Words  | 5 Pages

    There are many different things that a massage therapist must do. First off they have to find somewhere to work and get clients, but that’s the obvious. There are also things they have to do after this, other than just massage. In an interview with Stephanie Melroy, who owns and runs The Massage Studio in Holdrege, she said to me, “A lot of high school girls are really interested in massage therapy but most of them don’t realize all the work and education that it requires. The classes that you take aren’t the easiest either. You have to take a lot of anatomy and physiology, know every bone, muscle, and nerve and they work.” You’ll to prepare the client before the massage, which might include: applying heat, alcohol, lubricants, salt, or other rubbing compounds. Of course the massage therapist will massage the client using kneading, rubbing, and/or stroking movements. You also need to know different types of diseases and skin irritations because if they have a certain kind of disease you can’t treat them. But there are also many types of massage or therapy that they might do. This includes Hydrotherapy, Swedish massage, Sports massage, Shiatsu, Trager, Hellerwork, Polarity, Reflexology, Acupressure, Rolfing, and many more. Other than a manual massage they might also use mechanical or electrical machines as well.

    Read More

  • Physical Therapy - An Exciting Healthcare Profession

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    Physical therapy is a fun and exciting healthcare profession that helps people. It is all about helping other people who have problems with their body, muscles, joints and other parts of their body. Patients includes accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy. Physical therapy will perform an evaluation of your problem or difficulty. They evaluate your problem by performing tests and measures to assess the problem. These tests includes muscle strength, joint motion, sensory and neurological, coordination, balance, observation, palpation, flexibility, postural screening, movement analysis, and special tests are designed for a particular problem. Next, they develop a treatment plan and goals and then manage the appropriate treatment to aid in recovery of a problem or dysfunction. Physical therapists are able to treat their patients by using many different treatments depending on the type of injury. Some of the treatments are electrical stimulation, hot and cold packs, infrared and ultrasound to reduce swelling or relieve pain. These treatments are used to help decrease pain and increase movement and function. Therapeutic exercises instructions will help restore strength, movement, balance, or skill as a guide towards full functional recovery. Physical therapy provides "hands on techniques" like massage or joint mobilizations skills to restore joint motion or increase soft tissue flexibility. They will focus on basic skills such as getting out of bed, walking safely with crutches or a walker, moving specific joints and muscles of the body. Physical therapists treatment includes patient education to teach them how to deal with a current problem and how to prevent the problem in the future. Such documentation is used to track the patient's progress, and identify areas requiring more or less attention. They encourage patients to use their own muscles. Their main goal is to improve how an individual functions at work and home.

    Read More

  • Essay On Physical Therapy As A Career

    2568 Words  | 6 Pages

    Physical therapists are health care professionals that provide therapeutic services to their patients who have temporary or chronic physical conditions that were caused from injury or disease. Physical therapist also provided therapeutic services to patients after they have gone through surgery to help them gain back mobility and manage their pain. They can also work in preventive care by promoting healthy life styles and instructing individual patients or groups on preventing injury by using exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles. To help their patients try to recover they use massage techniques, wellness plans, and different types of equipment. When a physical therapist sees a patient for the very first time they must do an examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and then put together a physical intervention to start the rehabilitation process. They also work as a team with other health care professionals to help with their patients needs. Physical therapist can really make a difference in their patient’s lives by not only providing therapeutic services but also encouraging and motivating them so they can get better. The main goals of physical therapist are to help their patients retain or gain back lost physical mobility, eliminate or reduce pain, increase productivity and help promote a healthy life style so patients can have a better quality of life and become more independent.

    Read More

More about Massage Therapy

Open Document