Finding a massage therapist

Besides the Yellow Pages, there are other ways to find a therapist. The American Massage Therapy Association maintains a locater service. This service allows you to select by zip code or city name, and by specialty. It also tells you if the therapist you then select on will sell gift certifcates. It also provides their hours and more details about where they work and the type of work they do.

Word of mouth is one of the best ways, seek out recommendations from friends. Use the newspaper, Craigslist and online searches carefully. Be sure that the advertising says "Licensed Massage Therapist" or "Registered Massage Practitioner". If they don't say this, then the therapist may not be trained in Swedish, Deep Tissue or other legitimate massage therapy modalities (methods).

Use this opportunity to post a comment to ask us for articles about specific topics that you may be interested in.

Gift Certificates - Buying Smart

Since it's the time of year for gift giving, and you don't know what to buy, consider purchasing gift certificates for Massage Therapy.

Our clinic at CCBC also offers gift certificates. Not only do you save money on these, but you are purchasing time with students who have received the very latest in training and technique, and are quite concerned about doing your massage very properly. Call us at 443-840-1598 and leave a message for more information.

Gift Certificates purchased in Maryland since 2006 have some additional protections. Effective in October of 2006, a new gift card/gift certificate law went into effect in Maryland. This new law applies to all gift cards and certificates except those that can be used at many different places, such as Master Card or Discover gift cards. Any gift card or certificate in Maryland that is for a specific business now must be good for a minimum of four years. During this period, no changes to the conditions may be made unless they benefit the consumer. Do beware, there are still businesses that sell gift certificates that say they expire in 90 days. You can fight this, but it could take some time and require contacting the Consumer Protection office.

To buy a gift certificate from a massage therapist, simply call them. See also, our article on finding a massage therapist. You may also be able to receive a discount if you purchase multiple gift certificates at one time.

Encourage your recipient to use the certificate sooner, rather than later. They may find that Massage Therapy is more helpful than expected at feeling better, more alert and/or relaxed.

Doug

Expectations for Table Massage

Last week, we wrote a little about what to expect with a chair massage. This week, we will describe for the beginning massage client what to expect when receiving a massage on a massage table. This applies whether you go to a licensed professional therapist or to our student clinic at CCBC.

Normally, the therapist or receptionist will have you complete a brief health questionaire. This is necessary because some of your health conditions may affect the results of a massage, or a massage may negatively affect your health when some conditions are present. For example, a blood clot is a good reason not to get a massage; if it is disturbed, it may move to the heart, lungs or brain and result in a really bad day for you family.

If you are asking for relaxation massage, you will be instructed to get on the table (see below). If you are asking for therapeutic work (normally correction for pain or restrictions in movement, among other conditions), the therapist may ask you to stand or move about a little bit to assess the way your muscles work, looking for problems. Sometimes the way we walk or stand affects conditions such as low back pain. By observing the movement, the therapist can pinpoint the particular trouble spot.

Once it's time to get on the table, the therapist will tell you how they want you positioned, face up or face down. They will then leave the room to wash their hands and arms. You will be allowed a few minutes to undress and get on the table, under the sheet. You may remove or keep on whatever clothing you wish. You will be totally covered by a sheet except for the body part that is being worked on at the moment. Most people, men and women, remove everything or all but their underpants. If you are under age 18, a parent or legal guardian will normally be required to be in the room with you during the entire massage process.

The therapist will then knock and enter the room. They may ask you about the music, room temperature and lighting. If there is anything that you don't care for, do speak up. They will then begin the massage, slowly at first. Cream or oil may be used to reduce friction and allow the therapist's hands to glide over your skin.

At the conclusion of the massage, you will be told to relax a bit, then get dressed and open the door when you are ready. The therapist may return to provide you wish some home care instruction, such as use of ice or heat, or perhaps stretching moves you may consider performing. They may also ask you about your next appointment. Be sure to take this time to ask any questions you may have about the work that was performed or the work you may be interested in.

If you have other topics you would like to read about, please write us at dwittich at ccbcmd.edu.

Doug Wittich, Adjunct Instructor

What is Chair Massage?

Chair Massage is a quick way to seek relief for the high-tension areas of the neck, shoulders and upper back. Chair Massage is usually given to people on a massage chair. This special-purpose equipment has a seat, leg pad, arm pad, chest pad and face pad. As you sit in this chair, your entire body is supported so that you can let you muscles totally relax. The massage is normally 15 minutes in length, but may be longer or shorter depending on the circumstances. These types of massage may be found for "free" at events therapists and school programs use to meet the public. They may also be available for a small fee. The fee is normally $1 per minute, so the 15 minute massage would be $15.

One may casually find these at the state fair, civic events or trade shows, such as the home show at the fairgrounds. They are also available by appointment from many therapists. Some therapists will even book in to your home spa party. The therapist should always ask you a few questions to be sure that the massage would be healthful for you. There are conditions where massage can do more harm than good, so the therapist will want to "screen" you for these. They may ask about medications you are taking, if you've had any recent injury or surgery and if you have any skin issues. They may also ask you if there are particular trouble spots you want them to work on. During the massage, the client is in charge; you can say if it is too hard, or doesn't feel good, and the therapist will adjust their work.

Chair Massage is an easy and inexpensive way to experience massage therapy, loosen tight shoulders, backs and necks and learn more about this wonderful way to help take care of your body. It is taught in our MASS101 and MASS210 courses.

Doug Wittich, Adjunct Instructor
Maryland State Licensed Massage Therapist
8913 Clement Ave (In Chiropractic Wellness Associates), Parkville, Md 21234
443-794-0735

Public Presentation

We will provide a speaker to the Cedmont Community Association meeting on Thursday, November 13th at 7:30 PM. The Cedmont Community Association is open to the public and serves communities in the Northeast Baltimore area, approximately south of Belair Rd, east of White Avenue, north of I-95.

The meeting will be at Epiphany Lutheran Church (http://www.god-is-love.org/), 4301 Raspe Ave, Baltimore MD 21206.

The presentation will be an introduction to Massage Therapy, including the benefits of massage and what to expect during a massage session.

WE HAVE A BLOG!

With the gracious help of Karen at the CCBC Library, the Massage Therapy Program at CCBC now has its own blog! We hope you will visit us often for updates on happenings at the CCBC Student Massage Therapy Program.