Money Magazine lists massage therapy among its top 20 careers.

(ARA) – With high unemployment rates and a wide-spread recession, you might think jobs in a “luxury” industry would be in short supply. Yet many day spas have actually seen an increase in demand, and need qualified massage therapists, yoga instructors and other professionals to keep pace with business.

Penny-pinching Americans may not be willing to spend extra on some luxuries or comfort items, but a trip to the day spa can be seen as making sense for both economic and health reasons, points out Debbie Bates, a massage therapy and spa instructor at Everest College in Fife, Wash. People who once took long vacations and bought big-ticket luxury items are cutting back, but still want to feel like they are treating themselves.

“We find that many people have started indulging in affordable luxuries like massages and yoga,” Bates says. “Day spas aren’t competing with the local beauty parlor. A trip to the spa is seen as a luxury good, like a two-week vacation or diamond bracelet. But compared to a cruise or expensive jewelry, a 90-minute massage is a real bargain.”

There are well over 14,500 spas in the U.S, with about 80 percent of those being day spas, according to the International Spa Association’s 2007 estimates. With many day spas experiencing increased demand, qualified salon and spa professionals are needed.

Demand for massage therapists is expected to grow by 20 percent through 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Money Magazine lists massage therapy among its top 20 careers. Demand for spa professionals has been growing for a while.

The industry has boomed since 1999, and 53 percent of salon owners had job openings in 2006, hiring nearly half a million new employees, according to a 2007 report commissioned by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences. Despite industry changes, the future of the salon and spa industry is strong, and demand for experienced employees still exceeds supply at many day spas, the commission found.

Another factor driving increased demand at spas is the public perception of spas’ emphasis on overall wellness, Bates says. “Spas are not simply places for ‘pampering.’ Rather, they promote health and wellness. They really focus on helping clients relax and manage their stress.”

Americans’ stress levels have been rising for years. In fact, a 2004 APA survey found that 73 percent of Americans cited money concerns as the top factor affecting their stress level. “When times are tough, finding the right way to relax might be the best thing you can do for your health,” Bates says.

“Some see massage as a luxury, but in our Massage Therapy program at Everest Institute, we really emphasize how massage promotes overall wellness and can be an essential part of a healthy lifestyle,” says Erin Murphy, who also teaches massage and spa therapy at Everest College in Fife. She says that professionals find that even when times are tough economically, clients keep coming back for their massages because they know it’s essential to mental and physical health.

“There is no doubt that the recession is going to affect all sectors of our economy, but we have seen that the spa industry is quite resilient,” Murphy says.

To learn more about preparing for career opportunities in the day spa industry, visit www.Everest.edu.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Everest Institute, massage therapist jobs, massage therapists, Massage Therapy program, spa instructors, spas

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Massage therapy is a must for holiday planning and shopping lists, both as a great gift idea and a way to take a break from extra-busy holiday schedules.

As Americans get into the full swing of the holiday season, massage therapy can be a winning addition to holiday planning and shopping lists. Massage therapy gift certificates are surefire holiday gifts; consumers love giving and receiving gift cards and certificates and first-time massage clients rate their massage experience as highly positive, according to consumer research sponsored by Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) and others.

What’s more, massage is a “green gift” — one that fits the increasing consumer preference for experiential gifts instead of more “stuff.” Massage therapy is right in step with what consumers say they want and these trends show no sign of slowing. Massage leaves only a small carbon footprint and prices have remained stable in recent years. It’s exactly the kind of gift Americans of all ages are looking for: One that fits their values and budgets.

Respite From the Rush
As well as making a great gift, massage is ideal for stressed-out shoppers, holiday travelers, party-givers and people hosting family gatherings. A bonus for these folks is that shopping malls and airports are increasingly offering chair massage — a quick and inexpensive remedy for shoulders and necks burdened by shopping bags and luggage. Chair massage is performed in a private or semi-private setting in a special, ergonomic chair and usually costs $1 a minute.

What You Need to Know
For best results, ABMP recommends finding qualified massage therapists from the thousands of practitioners listed at www.massagetherapy.com. A zip-code finder and search tool for different kinds of massage makes finding the right therapist a snap. Some massage therapists offer gift packages for a series of massage sessions. Most can sell gift certificates over the phone and mail them, and some Web sites even allow consumers to print the certificates themselves. ABMP is the nation’s largest massage membership association and has licensing and educational requirements for its 65,000 members.

Parties with Plus
Another holiday trend is the spa party, including massage and other services for those hard-working employees, family members in town or friends who want a new way to celebrate. This is a wonderful alternative to overindulgence in food and drink, or stress-filled activities that are unoriginal and time-consuming. Spa parties also strengthen bonds and create memories, while traditional events may soon be forgotten.

Thoughtful gift-givers can also create their own special days by scheduling appointments with independent massage therapists and adding excursions to favorite lunch spots, movie theaters or museums.

A Gift of Lasting Value
Massage will be the gift that keeps on giving as clients enjoy not only relaxation, but the health benefits of massage. In addition to providing relief from anxiety, pain and stress, research shows massage provides beneficial effects to the immune system and lessens the frequency of headaches. While massage may be perceived as a luxury by some, these health benefits are becoming more widely understood as medical professionals increasingly recommend massage for various conditions, especially back pain and sports injuries. More information on the health benefits of massage and how to get the most from a massage session (or a series of sessions) is available at www.massagetherapy.com.

A longer-term health and relaxation benefit will provide lingering memories of the experience and the gift-giver. The gift of massage therapy is something that can start people down the path to less stressful lives; that’s a very nice way to honor a friend or loved one. At an average $60 an hour, this makes massage an excellent value.

There are 250 types of massage therapy currently being practiced in the United States. ABMP encourages consumers to consult the glossary at www.massagetherapy.com to find just the right match.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: green gifts, massage gifts, Massage Therapy

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Although being an institution of higher learning is impressive in and of itself, that’s just part of what the New School of Massage has to offer those lucky enough to love in Chicago.  It offers workshops and classes open to the public and offers massages at a deep discount.

Frugal Delights

What keeps people coming to the New School for Massage is not the excellent facilities or instructors – it’s the chance to get a deep tissue body massage for half price.  Although some people refuse to let students touch them, there are still many tense Chicagoans who love to get massages from the students at the New School for Massage.  You do have to book an appointment for the type of massage you want.  Everything from Swedish to specialty massage for very expectant mothers are offered.

There are also special discounts and combined offers for steady customers of the New School for Massage’s students.  Very often, you can get another massage at an even cheaper price if you make another one within a certain time frame.  Check the New School for Massage for exact details.  And if you are too wary of letting the students work on you, sessions with the instructors are available, but at a higher price.

Workshops

The New School for Massage offers many workshops in subjects somehow related to massage to massage and healing.  For example, the courses offered for this year include CPR and Introduction to Massage.  This are usually all day affairs with a lunch break and often gives you some hands-on experience.  They are usually less than $100.

The School

And, if you’ve guessed by the name, the New School for Massage (which only opened its doors in 2002) is an accredited school for professional massage therapists.  It is recognized by the state of Illinois as a school that meets or exceeds their standards.  The undergraduate program, to help you pass your national certification exams, is about 600 hours long.

In addition to the workshops open to the public, there are special post-graduate courses and those for medical professionals.  These include such diverse topics as Indian head massage, Zen facial massage and aromatherapy.  The New School for Massage tries to limit classes to a mere twelve students in order to give intense training.  They are very proud to boast of a graduate employment rate of 98.1%.  In 2002, the Chico Tribune listed the New School for Massage in their “Chicago’s Best” list.

Tags: body massage, new school for massage

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A massage chair offers all the same benefits as a real live massage. Massage is much more than just enjoyable. It also helps to calm the nervous system and promote a sense of relaxation and well being, improves blood circulation which in turn delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body, and as well it stimulates the lymphatic system which carries away the body’s waste products.

Massage also helps by preventing and relieving muscles, cramps and spasms, reduces tension and anxiety, and can help with pain management in certain conditions such as arthritis, sciatica, and more. Whether you have gone through massage school and need a massage chair for your business, or are just looking to get a massage chair for your home so you can give massages right in your house, there is a great importance to using a massage chair review.

With a massage chair review you will be getting a real, honest, firsthand opinion on a particular massage chair, done by a past consumer who has already purchased and used the chair. This is important because rather than just getting reviews from the store you are planning to buy from because obviously they are not going to give you any of the bad reviews. The best idea is for you to not just read one massage chair review but instead a few, so that you can get a broader idea of the different massage chairs that are out there and which is going to be best for you to purchase.

Where to Find Them

There are actually a few different ways to get a massage chair review selection to peruse through, but the best resource of all to you here will be the Internet. With the Internet you are able to browse through a multitude of different sites and companies so you can read through a variety of reviews and get all the information that you are looking for.

The point here is that even if you only read a single massage chair review you are really going to be doing yourself a great favor and make the process of finding and buying a massage chair as quick and easy for you as possible, and this is what really matters. A massage chair will be a great investment, and definitely something that everyone should at least consider. These days you can get luxury chairs so you can even have it right in your living room and it will fit right in.

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Massage therapy is becoming a very popular field, to which many people are entering into. Not only is it enjoyable to meet different people and know that you are helping to make them feel better, but as well it is a very financially rewarding career. If you want to become a massage therapist, one of the first massages you are going to need to learn is how to deep tissue massage.
The deep tissue massage is one of the most popular and commonly performed types of massage, and so learning how to deep tissue massage is going to be one of the first things you will have to learn here.

How to Deep Tissue Massage

The process of learning how to deep tissue massage is actually pretty simple, so you should not be worried. The first thing you will need to do is get a massage chair, so your client or the person you are practicing on will have a place to sit while you are giving the massage. If you are learning through a massage therapy course or class they should have these chairs already available for you.

Now to learn how to deep tissue massage, one of the first things you need to learn about is trigger point therapy. The deep tissue massage works by putting pressure on certain trigger points in the body, which results in temporarily stopping blood flow to that area of the body. It then releases it and flooding that body part with fresh blood. This leaves the area feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, and free from aches and pains. It also feels strange to the person because it will make them realize just how warm and powerful their blood is as it surges back into their veins.

Learning how to deep tissue massage can definitely take a bit of time but it is one of the first massages you will need to learn if you want to make this your professional career. As long as you go to the right school and work with a qualified and experienced teacher, you are sure to learn quickly and properly and be well on your way to becoming a certified massage therapist.
Remember that practice makes perfect, so you should not get frustrated if you do not get it right the first couple times around. You are going to have to practice and practice if you want to become really great at it.

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If you are interested in getting one of the best massages of your life, and really who isn’t, then you are going to want to go and get a body and soul massage. There are various therapy centers around the world that offer the body and soul massage, and here are a few examples that you may want to consider.

Body and Soul Spa

This is a fantastic spa that is open to the public and which should definitely be considered by anyone looking to get a first class body and soul massage. Their mission is to deliver massage therapy in a caring and professional manner in order to promote health and wellbeing.

They offer a few different types of therapy, and primarily this consists of aromatherapy, deep tissue massage, LaStone therapy, Swedish massage, and trigger point therapy. They believe that part of the beauty of therapy is their ability to mix and blend different styles together into a single session, to offer each client exactly what they are looking for and what they need.

Body and Soul Massage and Wellness Center

This is another great body and soul massage company. They are located in the heart of downtown Salem, Massachusetts, and they offer the highest quality massage and bodywork from licensed professionals. Each session is specifically catered to you, so that you get the best massage each and every time and so you know that the focus is being put on you and nothing else. They feature heated beds which are particularly nice during the cold winter months, and they have air conditioned rooms during the warmer summer months.

They offer Swedish massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, post pregnancy massage, reflexology, and you can even have a massage party. There is a minimum of three guests, and you can even have them come to your home, so it is perfect for that girls’ night in and bridal parties.

Massage is more than just enjoyable, it also helps to loosen and limber up your muscles, which will leave you happier, healthier, and more flexible. Just make sure that if you go to get a massage you go to a trained professional who is going to know what they are doing and not going to end up injuring you further. You can get hurt if you are massaged incorrectly, and of course the last thing you want is to leave the massage therapist to feel worse than you did when you went in.

Tags: body and soul massage

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When people announce that they are becoming a massage therapist there are instantly images of a massage table and potentially the police vice squad.  But becoming a massage therapist is not what many people think it is and probably the most difficult people to convince will be your parents.  Unless your parents are massage therapists then they will inevitably think that you becoming a massage therapist means that you will be getting into the adult entertainment industry.

So, how do you answer that?  How do you let your family know that becoming a massage therapist is actually becoming part of something that is rapidly being accepted as effective and mainstream therapy?  The big secret to convincing people that becoming a massage therapist does not mean you are entering the adult entertainment industry is to know what you are talking about before you even get ready to tell them.

You can legitimize the idea of becoming a massage therapist by discussing with your family all of the muscles and joints that you will be dealing with and how the interact.  If you really know what you are talking about then you may gain your first few clients within your own family.

Hollywood does not make becoming a massage therapist any easier to people that just don’t understand it.  To this day any massage therapist in a movie is a beautiful female with lurid intentions.  It is almost as if you have to be criminal to consider becoming a massage therapist.  That is a huge hill to climb.  But if you truly prepare yourself for the conversation then you can talk your family through the science of it and convince them that you are not headed down the path to prison or worse.

Maybe You Should Not Even Try to Explain it to the Kids

The toughest crowd to convince will be the children in your family so maybe you should just try and avoid that encounter altogether.  Kids can let their imagination run wild and if you tell them too much then they may think you are trying to kill people and if you don’t tell them enough then they may believe all the naughty stuff they heard.  When it comes to kids it is best to just tell them that you are getting into the business of helping people and perhaps just leave it at that until they get older and understand better.

Tags: becoming a massage therapist

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Massages can soothe the body and relax the spirit, which is why many opt to have massages as often as once a week or more. The effect of this form of therapy can alter a person’s mood, outlook and perception. Massage tables are the norm for most massages although there are also mats for massaging and other forms of beds or tables that can accommodate a single person.

There are also many different kinds of massage table accessories that can help the client feel more comfortable during the session. These massage table accessories are varied items that can be necessary for a therapeutic session with a masseuse or just a form of luxury for the person.

Pillows and Bolsters

These massage table accessories are aimed at making the individual comfortable during the therapeutic session. Bolsters are often used to support the different parts of the body that need support during the therapy. Ideally, these kinds of massage table accessories should be in soft cotton to promote a natural and soft feel for the client. In many cases, these massage table accessories are upholstered with leather to make it convenient for wiping and cleaning. Leather can also be durable and withstand exposure to water, heat and cold.

Pillows are used to support the head of the person, usually in the head rest. The head rest is where a person rests his or her head during the massage. This is a necessary feature for most tables or beds for massaging because it allows the client to lie in a prone position without having to twist the head to breathe. Head rests may need pillows when the client is laying on his back without the need for the head rest hole. Some pillows can cover the head rest hole during the duration of laying face up. These massage table accessories can also be used to support the legs and arms of the individual during the session.

Arm Rest Shelves

These massage table accessories are similar to head rests in the sense that these are where one lays their arms during the therapeutic massage session. These massage table accessories can be necessary luxuries especially when the client does not like to place his or her arms beside them during the massaging session. Many of these kinds of massage table accessories are upholstered in either cotton or leather.

These massage table accessories are just the ones that may be necessities for many people. There are many other massage table accessories that may come to mind but not all of them are necessary nor vital.

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Perhaps you long how to do a proper massage and yet do not want to change your profession.  You just want to be able to give your loved ones a real treat.  But have you looked at the cost of education from Swedish, Shiatsu or Thai massage schools?  Ouch!  How can you learn what you want to know without it becoming a second full time job?  By going to workshops open to the public that are often given by massage schools such as the New School for Massage in Chicago.

What Subjects Are Offered?

You might have so much fun at the Thai massage school workshop that you will want to take another.  It is a much less stressful way to learn practical health and healing in a social rather than a formal setting.  Usually, all the materials would be supplied ina workshop or weekend course offered by a Thai massage school, but you should always check to see if you are expected to bring anything.

There are many subjects offered in Thai massage schools – not just massage!  Often, there will be workshops offered in the subjects of aromatherapy, facial massage, Indian head massage, CPR, emergency first aid, reflexology, acupressure or anatomy.  These classes change from year to year, depending on the Thai massage school, so there’s no guarantee that a class held this year will be offered next year.

Are They Offered Anywhere Else?

You aren’t limited by just the Thai massage schools in your area in order to find massage workshops or adult education courses.  They are often taught in YMCAs and community colleges.  You might also want to check out any Yoga centers in your area, as they often have massage courses.

These are often all day affairs or are broken up over the weekend, whether they are held at the YMCA or at a Thai massage school.  You often need to register and pay in advance, instead of just showing up on the day of the workshop with your checkbook in hand.  You need to know the refund policy (if there is one) in case you have to cancel the workshop at the last minute.

More and more, people are interested in helping themselves in any way possible.  Going to a massage workshop at a Thai massage school is one way to not only learn a pleasurable activity, but learn an alternative healing technique to help soothe your family and very close friends.

Tags: new school for massage, thai massage school

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If you are interested in getting an interactive health massage chair, and really who isn’t, of course one of the first steps you are going to have to take is learning about where you can go to find and purchase one. There are some fabulous retailers that you can shop at for an interactive health massage chair, but of all these there are a few in particular you should check out.

Human Touch

One is the Human Touch Company. Anyone who has looked for a massage chair before or even purchased one has surely heard of Human Touch. They are one of the leading names in the massage chair industry and definitely one that you can trust in and rely on.

They offer one of the largest interactive health massage chair selections in the world, and all their chairs are affordably priced. You can work together with one of their trained and friendly customer service associates who can help you find the perfect interactive health massage chair for you, one that offers you the functions and features you are looking for and at a price you can afford.

Good Chairs

The Good Chairs Company is another great option if you want an interactive massage chair. They feature the HEC DR700K, HEC SA5000K, HEC A2500K, HEC SR1000K, Panasonic 1272, Panasonic 3222, Fujikura 2000, Fujikura 1000, Fujikura 900, and IJoy 300, just to name a few.

Their RMS-15 is particular popular, and really takes chair massages to a whole new level. It will give your body the massage treatment it deserves, when and where you want it. It features a sophisticated set of mechanisms, and from the controls of the chair’s conveniently placed wired robot remote, you are able to choose your method of massage as well as the preferred mode.

There is also a compression mode featured, and with this the chair gives you the feel of the heel of your therapist’s hands, which is quite impressive. If you were being massaged in this chair and closed your eyes, you would probably not even be able to tell the difference between the chair and a real live masseuse.

Another useful tip is to read a massage chair review. This way you will get a real, honest opinion on the interactive health massage chair or at least one in particular, and what their opinion was on it. You may want to get one of these chairs and use it in combination with a real masseuse, or get rid of the masseuse altogether and save yourself time and money by just using the chair.

Tags: interactive health massage chair

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