There is a school of thinking that says certain people are just natural born care givers. That they're born with a natural sense of empathy and a desire to take care of other people. Whether this is true or not is questionable, but it does seem that there are certain people in the world who really do appear to have a special gift for helping others. … Read More

Since we’ve already covered what veterans should be thinking about once they leave the service, let’s discuss the potential careers they could have if they chose to go into alternative medicine. In the previous blog post we discussed the reasons why veterans are actually quite a good fit for a career in alternative medicine. Once a veteran has graduated from their school of choice, they’re faced with challenges like every other graduate, however being they have a set of skills so unique, they also have many advantages. … Read More

When considering any post secondary education the first question people often have to ask themselves is "how on earth am I going to pay for this". It's not news that the cost of education in America is rising, but so are the financial rewards you'll receive in the years after you get your degree. In order to combat this barrier to entry for many potential students, the government provides assistance called Federal Student Aid, usually just called Financial Aid. Financial Aid has helped millions of students afford school and is a great opportunity for people without the means to pay for school on their own to get an education. … Read More

So, you’ve already made up your mind that you want to go back to school, specifically a school specializing in alternative medicine. While that first step in itself is a big one, you’ve got to make another hard choice; in which area should I focus my studies? Sure, in an ideal world you’d be able to study and master every branch of alternative medicine that you’re heart would desire, but our everyday obligations and responsibilities make that incredibly difficult. So, to boil it down to only two areas of specialty, specifically acupuncture and massage, you can’t really go wrong in either direction. However you, being the highly motivated and enthusiastic person that you are, want to do your research as to which one might be a better fit for you. That’s where this blog comes in to help. While it may not have all the answers to your questions, it should give you a good idea as to which area might better suit you. … Read More

Coming home from a stint in the military can be an overwhelming experience for many veterans. They’re faced with a million questions and problems that they often don’t have the solutions to. One of the biggest they face is what should they do for a career now that their service is over? All too often, particularly in generations past, veterans were left to flounder on their own in the job market. Luckily those days are largely behind us and veterans coming home have a bevy of career options ahead of them. … Read More

When considering going into alternative medicine there are many paths one can take in their area of specialty. There are courses in a multitude of areas with many different teaching styles. Now you may find yourself wondering what can someone do with a holistic medicine degree or an alternative medicine degree. Aside from the obvious massage therapist and acupuncturist, there are many different ways someone can go once receiving their degree. … Read More

Switching careers at any stage of life can be daunting. While there are many exciting opportunities out there, there’s a lot on the line when it comes to your investment, time, and personal and professional risk. … Read More

Forty is a significant milestone in people’s lives. At 40, people report having greater clarity about their strengths and likes and dislikes, along with revitalized energy to pursue long-held ambitions. At 40, people’s children may be older, giving them more time to dedicate to themselves and their own professions. And at 40, people may find themselves closer to retirement, and feeling an urgency to take steps to increase their income. … Read More

For women in their 30s and 40s, a keyword in any job search is flexibility. The demand for flexible positions is growing as women realize it’s the key to work/life balance, excelling in their chosen careers, and being there for their children, aging parents, families, and communities. Flexibility is no longer a dream perk that’s difficult to attain. It’s a realistic work expectation in more and more fields, and it is empowering women to make room in their lives for all the things they find important. … Read More

Perineal massage is a massage technique used to stretch and prepare the skin of the perineum, (the skin between the vagina and anus) for birth. By preparing the perineal tissues for the stretching encountered in birthing, there is less likelihood that they will tear. Women who practice perineal massage on a daily basis for 10 minutes tend to experience less of the stinging sensation that occurs during crowning. Additionally, women who do this massage technique familiarize themselves with the stretching sensations that will occur during birth. … Read More

Students of massage therapy as well as established massage therapists use instructional massage and bodywork videos. These videos can improve creativity, productivity and heighten energy. Massage videos can focus on various types of massage—including Thai, reflexology, Shiatsu, Swedish, and clinical massage.They can also focus on massage techniques such as deep and soft tissue. Whether beginning massage therapy training or already practicing, these videos can assist individuals in becoming more knowledgeable in specialized types and techniques of massage. Extended volume video sets of massage can also provide clear demonstrations of virtually any tissue technique the massage therapist will practice. Live demonstrations on video also enhance learning capabilities beyond what is possible to demonstrate and describe in books alone. Videos can explore general demonstrations of specific massage techniques as well as go into further detail to describe subtleties of working with tissue. Individualized videos as well as sets designed to serve as full supplemental study courses for massage therapy students are available for those wishing to expand their skills. Several massage video resources exist, including general video outlets, computer and electronic stores; massage magazines, and online sources such as Amazon.com. … Read More

Indian head massage (IHM) is a Hindu massage technique, tracing back to the ancient ways of Ayurvedic Indian health care. Used for over 4,000 years to improve overall health, this massage has become more and more prevalent in recent years. It is also known as champissage or shiroabhyanga. How the IHM works Many European spas and holistic health clinics offer Indian head massage. The practice focuses on the parts of the body that are most prone to tension and stress: scalp face neck arms shoulders upper back Indian head massage combines techniques to include various massage strokes and acupressure points. Treatment includes kneading and probing of the neck and shoulder areas. The scalp is then massaged, using squeezing, tapping, rubbing or prodding motions. The therapist will also manipulate facial pressure points to relieve sinus pressure, increase alertness and stimulate circulation. A patient's ears may then be pressed and tugged, and their hair tousled. Conditions IHM helps treat Through a variety of massage movements, Indian head massage also restores joint motion and aids in the condition and health of hair resulting in improved hair growth. Indian head massage is used by massage therapists to increase mental clarity and rejuvenate the person receiving the massage. Although treatments include massage of the back, arms, shoulders and neck, head massage and face massage make up the main parts of the treatment. The massage therapist typically performs IHM through the clothes. As the technique is easy to apply over a blouse or shirt, Indian head massage is ideal for people who are modest or for less able bodied such as the elderly people, or those who have arthritis or a disability. Some treatments may include the use of special oils, which are also beneficial to hair growth. Therapeutic and relaxing, Indian head massage is effective in treatment of stress-related ailments like migraines and headaches. It can be performed almost anywhere and requires less time than a body massage treatment, typically lasting about thirty to forty minutes. More benefits of IHM The benefits of Indian head massage include that it helps release of toxins from tense and knotted muscles, and improves oxygen flow to the brain. It also reduces jaw ache, stimulates lymphatic drainage and aids sleep. By stimulating the release of endorphins IHM also aids in reducing stress and anxiety, and alleviating mental tiredness. The treatment is especially effective in relieving tightness around the neck and shoulders. Degree programs at massage therapy school can include Indian head massage as part of the curriculum. Courses may include additional study in the areas of chakra energy and balancing techniques as well as contra-indications and stress management. Are you looking to study massage therapy in south Florida? Contact the Acupuncture and Massage College, where you can complete a program in less than a year at (305) 595-9500. … Read More

Health professionals and chiropractors in treating muscle aches and pains use back massagers. Individuals also use them as personal care products for therapeutic massage. There are a variety of back massagers available, ranging from hand-held to full size. Different back massagers also come in heated, nonheated and spa product versions. Both traditional and more modern hand-held product types exist. Designs straight from the Orient include body sticks and tapping balls, known as bongers, which tapped along the body, provide a Shiatsu-type percussion massage. These back massage products stimulate circulation. Levels of massage therapy vary as well, from light touch to intensive muscle treatment for pain relief and increased energy. Some back massagers feature a multi-rotational device that glides along the surface of the body, to contour up and down the spine. … Read More

There are presently 54 schools, accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, (ACAOM) for potential students of acupuncture and Oriental medicine to choose from. By attending accredited schools, students receive training that enables them to become licensed and legally practice in the majority of states. … Read More

Similar to the acupuncture techniques used to regulate imbalances of energy in the meridians of the human body, earth acupuncture, (geopuncture) techniques work to balance the earth's energies. Earth energy lines can have a detrimental effect on an individual's health, when they lie beneath home or workspace. … Read More