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Archive for the ‘Massage Therapy’ Category

What’s the Best Way to Get a Bad Massage? A Tongue-in-Cheek Primer

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , on May 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

I ran across a very funny post today “How to get a Bad Massage” linked by a fellow Massage Therapist on Facebook. It’s a sarcastic list of things you can do to guarantee you will have a horrible massage experience. Posted by “Mole” a part-time massage therapist, former artist, part-time not-for-profit worker, and  blogger. And he loves wind and rain and clouds.  Click here to read the entire post. Well worth the 5 minutes of your time.

Who is the Mole?

Dale Favier, a massage therapist in Portland Oregon.
Dale does a nice job explaining who he is on his About Me page here.

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Save Your Neck and Shoulders With a Document Holder

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, Workplace Wellness, tagged , , , , , on May 13, 2011| 1 Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Massage therapists see many people with neck and shoulder pain. In the U.S., a large proportion of people either work at a computer all day. A pain pattern I see commonly from those that place their keyboards far away from the edge of the desk and set papers in front of them on the desk before the keyboard. Then they lean far over the paper to type. This can result in tight and painful muscles in the middle of the back.

An easy and inexpensive fix for this is to buy a document holder and use it to stand your papers or books upright, at a slight angle so that you can see your documents and still have your keyboard closer to you as you type. I’ve provided a list of the best document stands I could find on Amazon below.

Jasmine Book Stand (Bookstand / Bookstands / Holder / Cookbook / Music)

$29.99 at Amazon click here.

Amazon reviewers say:

• This book stand is so amazing! As a graduate student, it has made all the difference in the world with my reading and research. It makes it much easier to take notes; it can accommodate quite thick books; it is very sturdy; and, it is a great size. My reading and note taking are happening with greater ease and speed. This is a wonderful product! C roberts

• I have degenerative disc disease in my cervical spine and I can hold my head in only one direction for longer than 5 minutes–straight ahead. I am a student and have a lot of reading to do. This bookstand has saved me a lot of pain and discomfort, allowing me to maintain good posture while I study. I highly recommend this product to anyone with neck pain.  j hunter

• I purchased this stand to hold thick textbooks, and it is exactly what I wanted. As an added benefit, I also use it to hold my computer tablet. Now I’m considering getting another one.  Sydney

• I’m a nursing student, and I got this stand because I was getting neck aches from studying so much. This stand put a prompt end to that! It is sturdy, easy to use, and it works well at my computer desk for my online class. I can easily set my book at a 45 degree angle to my computer screen and a bit to the side, and I can see the screen, the textbook, and have my binder open in front of my screen to follow along during a lecture. It is lightweight and stores fairly flat, too. I love it!  R H May

• I use this bookstand in front of my computer at work to hold file folders while I type letters and reports, etc. It’s excellent for this. Some of the files can be a little thick and heavy; this book stand holds up. It’s made much better than the one I had before that was made from plastic and had bent under the weight of the files over time. I don’t see that happening with this stand. I do wish the tray was slightly deeper to hold even thicker files (or books), but overall I’m very happy with it. In spite of its strength, it is very light weight, but a little bulky if you plan to carry it around with you a lot. I would definitely recommend this book stand to my family and friends.  SS

• This is a steal for $30. The best part is the smooth surface finish and the solid feel of the assembly. The main hinge assembly is made of black plastic, but it is very rigid and the screws are metal. Another great feature is that the stand folds up flat so that you can put it in a backpack or a large notebook bag. I went to the library today and whipped it out onto a desk. The clips that hold the pages in place are nice too: firm enough to keep the pages down but not too strong so as to be a nuisance when turning pages. I’m definitely recommending this to all my friends who are students or who are serious readers.  Mpay

Fellowes Kopy-Aid Black Letter Copyholder (11053)

$24.88 at Amazon, click here.

I like this stand because its affordable and because it’s metal, it is most likely easier to write on if you need to take notes.

Amazon reviewers say:

• Top of the line document holder. I use the Fellowes Kopy-Aid both at home and work. I’d be lost without it. I do accounting and bookkeeping entries and nothing beats the moveable magnetic line guide. I highly recommend the Fellowes Kopy-Aid. J. Ferrero “MontanaJoe”

• I purchased this after my plastic on broke for the second time. It is very stable and won’t be likely to break or turn over like the ones I have used previously. I like the way the magnetic line guide fits at the side. Easy to use on one sheet or 20 semi-rumpled sheets. Patricia Adcock

• This item was pretty sturdy and help avoid a stiff neck when copying something. It was delivered on time and in good condition. The price is right. Edgardo P. Yamsuan

Portabook Message Board and Multifunctional Book and Laptop Stand (Light Gray)

Price on Amazon $12.99 click here.

Amazon reviewers say:

• This is the 4th or 5th Portabook I’ve purchased. I recommend them to massage clients and give them to friends and family. The Portabook is lightweight and easy to pack into a backpack along with laptop. It holds books, papers and lap taps easily. A set of coated rubber bands holds large books or a laptop keyboard in place. Using the Portabook relieves neck and shoulder pain caused by looking down at papers and books. It can also be used to hold a laptop at an angle that is easier to viewing the screen. However, it’s best to plug-in an extended keyboard in this setup or you ave to type with your arms up to your shoulders!

We only broke one Portabook after 2 years of constant use. For such an inexpensive and lightweight product 2 years of use is pretty good. I highly recommend the Portabook if you want an easy way to hold books and papers at an angle while you read. Wellness Woman

Roberts 732310000 Book Holder

$35.25 at Amazon click here.

Fellowes Flex Arm Weighted Base Copyholder Platinum/Graphite

$26.23 at Amazon, click here.

I am leery of this stand but it does offer the flexibility of allowing you to position your document where its easiest for you to view. the down side is that the stand takes up a lot of room and that these types of arms tend to be flimsy and break often as noted by Amazon reviewers.

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Clarifying Legal Issues for Massage and Chiropractic in Illinois

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , on May 2, 2011| 9 Comments »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Recently, I had a reader post a questions about an earlier post I had written regarding massage and chiropractic issues in Illinois. While trying to answer her questions, I found out much more about the legislation that governs the use of unlicensed personnel to perform massage in chiropractic offices.  I thought it might be useful to others if I wrote it out in a post versus burying it in a comment, so read on…

In my mind, having a non massage therapist receptionist perform a massage, whether or not the chiropractor is in the same office, is unethical, even if it were legal in Illinois. However, there other stipulations that restrict the use of a receptionist and office manager from performing massage in a chiropractic office. And specifically, in Illinois, unlicensed people may not practice massage on new patients outside the office setting even if the chiropractor is present.

Let me give another example of how this law can be broken and how unlicensed, untrained people can be giving massages out in public. Last fall, I volunteered at a charity event performing massage with the understanding that my company would be the only massage providers at this event. I bought signs for our booth (which set me back quite a bit), contracted with a massage therapist to work the event with me (because I don’t expect other massage therapists to work for free to promote my business) and made it to the event to locate our booth. And what did I find? A chiropractor was setting up massage chairs in our booth and had a young lady in tow to help him give massages. I was uncomfortable with having people I don’t know giving massages under my company’s banner, but at that point the event had already started. So we welcomed the chiropractor and his staff person and got to know them better.

We had spoken to the chiropractor about our frustrations with the law regarding chiropractors hiring unlicensed people to perform massage.  I asked the young lady if she was a licensed massage therapist and she said “No.” My fellow massage therapist and I were shocked and concerned that she would be giving massages in our booth. The young lady said “Well, I’ve been in enough locker rooms and have seen people get massage to know what I am doing.” With that as her rationale for being able to provide massage, and the chiropractor mumbling something about his other massage therapist not being available that day, she started massaging people. Soon she was massaging children under 18 years old. Granted, the chiropractor was standing right next to her the entire time. But would you want your kids or loved ones to be given a massage by someone who’s main claim to her abilities was seeing other people get massages in a rehab room? I wouldn’t. Was the chiropractor violating the law? Yes. Was she? Yes, as well. And if she hurt someone or even gave them a bad massage, it was my name on the banner people would associate her with. I did not know then that they were not obeying the law. Now that I know I would have handled the situation differently.

So if you are hosting a charity event or getting a massage at such an event, make sure you ask if the massage therapist is licensed, especially if they are part of a chiropractor’s booth. I have to wonder too if a chiropractor is using unlicensed people illegally to give massages, could I trust him or her in other areas of my care?

I pasted the relevant text of the relevant law below. Note that although the text says physicians, chiropractors are included as physicians in this act. My clarifications are given in brackets.

(225 ILCS 60/54.2)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)
Sec. 54.2. Physician delegation of authority. [Which also includes chiropractors]
(a) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the delegation of patient care tasks or duties by a physician, to a licensed practical nurse, a registered professional nurse, or other licensed person practicing within the scope of his or her individual licensing Act. Delegation by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches to physician assistants or advanced practice nurses is also addressed in Section 54.5 of this Act. No physician may delegate any patient care task or duty that is statutorily or by rule mandated to be performed by a physician.
(b) In an office or practice setting[so only in the office, not at health fairs or at charity events to market the practice] and within a physician‑patient relationship, [which means, within the context of an existing patient/physician relationship, not to market new clients] a physician may delegate patient care tasks or duties to an unlicensed person who possesses appropriate training and experience provided a health care professional [which in this case would either be training by the chiropractor OR licensed massage therapist], who is practicing within the scope of such licensed professional’s individual licensing Act, is on site to provide assistance [so the licensed massage therapist must be on site to provide assistance unless the chiropractor is trained to give massages].
(c) Any such patient care task or duty delegated to a licensed or unlicensed person must be within the scope of practice, education, training, or experience of the delegating physician and within the context of a physician‑patient relationship. [Again, the massage given must be within the scope of practice of the chiropractor/and or licensed massage therapist on site AND must be within an existing physician-patient relationships, not for marketing purposes or for new patients]
(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to affect referrals for professional services required by law.
(e) The Department shall have the authority to promulgate rules concerning a physician’s delegation, including but not limited to, the use of light emitting devices for patient care or treatment.
(Source: P.A. 96‑618, eff. 1‑1‑10.)

The link to the final law is here.

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How Much is That Discount Massage Really Costing You?

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , on March 15, 2011| 14 Comments »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Since the Recession, I’ve seen an uptick in the number of coupon services and “discount” massage and spa service offers. Makes sense. People are more cost conscious and stressed out and want stress relief but are afraid to spend money on themselves beyond basic needs. Some people have no choice but to only pay for basic needs. But for those of us with enough disposable income to pay for health and wellness services, let’s look at what these “discount” services are really costing us.

To start off, one massage company that has really embraced the idea of offering “discounts” has a brilliant marketing strategy. They offer a “low-priced” massage usually about $49-$59 per hour (which is actually a 50-minute massage, not a full hour). This discount massage company pays its massage therapists between $17-$20 an hour with the understanding that YOU the customer will pick up the rest of their wages through the tip/gratuity that is suggested in signs plastered all over treatment rooms. So you pay $59 (in downtown Chicago) and then are “encouraged” to tip the massage therapist $20. In essence, you pay $79, or about $80 an hour, for your 50-minute massage at the discount company.

What’s brilliant about this strategy is that the discount company makes you think you are getting a bargain. But what is really going on is that the owners of the discount company are cost shifting. Instead of the discount company charging $79 for your massage and paying their massage therapists $35-40 per hour-long massage  (which is more the going rate for massage therapists employed by chiropractors or self-employed), the discount company pays $18-$20/hour and the client bears the burden of the rest of the massage therapists wages ($20 tip). Brilliant!  And the client leaves, thinking he/she got a bargain massage of only $59. But in actually, the client pays $79 for the massage. (And the discount company does not have to take out taxes or pay unemployment or workers comp taxes on the tip if you pay the massage therapists in cash. Which is extra savings for the discount massage company owners!)

Now let’s say you read this and say, “Well, then I WON’T tip the massage therapist. Let the discount company pay their people fairly and not shift the cost to me. ”

Think about it, the massage therapist at a discount company makes half the going rate for massage. Her employer promises her that you will make up the rest of your wages through tips and you,  the client, do not tip.  How enthusiastic would the massage therapist at the discount company be about giving you, the non-tipping client, your next massage? And if the massage therapist you first had work on you tells other massage therapist you don’t tip,  how happy do you think the massage therapists are going to be when you come in for your next massage?

Note: If you go to a high price salon or hotel and pay $100 or more for  a massage, you are usually paying more for the ambiance, not for the massage therapists. Massage therapists at high-end spas usually make about $25-30 of that $100 fee and also rely on tips. Not a bargain for the client or for the massage therapist. The landlord  of the high-end spa is the winner in this deal because most of the cost goes to high overhead.

How Much Do Massage Therapists Really Earn Per Hour?

Keep in mind that earning $17-40 per hour-long massage is not equivalent to earning $17-40 an hour in a 40-hour a week office job. Most full-time massage therapists can only physically perform 20-25 hours of massage per week without injuring our bodies or sacrificing the quality of our work. The rest if our time is not spent sitting on a divan eating bon bons. We still have to chart, change sheets, do laundry, marketing, scheduling and do all the other business-related chores office workers do. But this work is absorbed in the cost of the hour-long massage. As is the cost of our own self-paid sick days, holidays, vacation time and health insurance. AND, if we are not booked with clients 20-25 hours per week, we earn significantly less. (Think about how it would be if you came into work and your boss said, wow, we can only pay you for half a week’s work this week.  That’s not uncommon in the massage field.)

I’m not trying to gain pity for massage therapists. But I am pointing out that you are paying more for the “discount” massage than you think. In any case, I hope you get your massages at whatever location you prefer. Just know what you are paying for it!

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Shampoo and a Massage All at Once at One Chicago Salon: Kelly Cardenas

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , on December 19, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Recently a client of mine recommended a new hair salon for me to try out. One of the big selling features for me was that they had good hairstylists. But they also have something more: they give 10 minute neck and shoulder massages while they shampoo your hair.  I know, many hair salons give you a relaxing scalp massage as they wash your hair. But I have never been in a hair salon where the massage experience is such a, well, a massage experience.

At Kelly Cardenas Salon in Bucktown (a neighborhood in Chicago near Wicker Park), they have set up a special darkened room with relaxing music and 3 shampoo chairs.

Relaing massage/shampoo room is just behind the darkened glass window!

When you arrive at the salon they have you change into a smock and then whisk you into the relaxing shampoo station. There a hair dressor rests your weary head back in the shampoo bowl and the massage/shampoo experience begins. Sure she washes your hair but then she does a really relaxing shoulder and neck massage while you rest your head against her arm. As a massage therapist, I am always appreciative of someone else giving ME a massage!  And getting a great haircut on top of it makes Kelly Cardenas Salon a winner in my book.

Kelly Cardenas also has a salon in Las Vegas. But for Chicagoean, you can find them at

1909 W. North Avenue in Chicago. Phone: 773-342-4474

To go to the website click here.

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Where to Get Quick, Affordable, Relaxing, Therapeutic Massage in Chicago

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , , on December 14, 2010| 3 Comments »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Aside from the stress of the holidays, it’s the end of 2010 and many of us are feeling the tension from increased holiday traffic, holiday party obligations, kids being off school, economic woes and general deadlines and busy-ness. All that stress can lead to muscle tension, stress-related ailments like headaches, gastrointestinal distress and fatigue. I have had a lot of extra stress due to final exams myself!

So where can we go for stress relief? You know I am going to say to get a massage! And you know where I recommend going to get fantastic massage, with no appointment needed and  no need to disrobe or take a few hours out of your busy schedules: Working Well Massage chair massage stations in the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park Whole Foods Markets.

DECEMBER YELP SPECIAL: Stop by one of our two Working Well Massage chair stations any time between Noon and 8pm this December and mention our Yelp special to receive a 20-minute massage for only $20 (regularly $24). Offer valid until December 31, 2010. Valid one per client. No valid with other offers. Check out our ad on Yelp:  Go to our WWM Gold Coast ad page here . Go to our WWM Lincoln Park Yelp page here.

I don’t just recommend you go and get a massage from one of the talented Working Well Massage therapists, I go myself! During Final exams, I’ve been to both the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park massage stations for massages quite a few times. I usually get at least 20 minutes, 30 minutes if I have time. In 20 minutes, I know I can get most of the tension worked out of my neck and shoulders with even some attention to my low back. Bending over a computer typing or reading and studying heavy textbooks, makes my neck and shoulders really tense and sore. So, for me, chair massage is perfect because I get attention paid to the areas I hurt the most, while sitting in a really relaxing padded massage chair.

The price for chair massage is very reasonable as well. instead of paying $80 (or MORE) for a massage at a spa where I may or may not get a massage therapist I like, I can get shorter massages, with attention to the areas of my body that need it most (my  back, neck and shoulders) for only $24 for 20 minutes. It’s far easier and cheaper for me to get three 20-minute massages than one hour massage on a table. And it costs me at least $10 less ($70 if you did a full hour at WWM versus $80 for a table massage at a spa). Now, I do enjoy table massages. But they take more time because you not only have to factor in the time for making the appointment as well as the actual massage time, but also time for getting disrobed and dressed after the massage, and time to find parking. At Working Well Massage chair stations, we are located inside Whole Foods stores with free parking. So you can get a great 20 minute massage, grab a healthy meal and you are on your way back to the busy-ness of your life.

For more info about i Well Massage chair massage stations, click here.

For more info on chair massage at Whole Foods in general and for locations around the country, click here.

Working Well Massage
Gold Coast Chair Massage Station

30 West Huron Street
(between Dearborn and State Streets)
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Free parking: Underground lot. Enter off Dearborn Street going Northbound.

Sessions: Drop in, sign up.

Get Directions | In-store Map | Massage Schedule

Wholefood

Hours: Daily, Noon to 8 p.m.

Working Well Massage
Lincoln Park Chair Massage Station
1550 N. Kingsbury
(between North Avenue and Division Street)
Chicago, Illinois 60642
Free parking: available in the garage, enter on Kingsbury

Sessions: Drop in, sign up

Get Directions | In-store Map | Massage Schedule

Wholefood

Hours: Daily, Noon to 8 p.m.
Prices:

Quick Fix (5-Minute Massage) = $6
Short Stop (10-Minute Massage) = $12
Mellow Moment (15-Minute Massage) = $18
Complete Retreat I (20-Minute Massage) = $24
Complete Retreat II (30-Minute Massage) = $35

Additional increments of 5 minutes = $6

Please note that we do not accept credit card payments at the Massage Stations. Payment accepted in cash or checks only. You are welcome to purchase chair massage gift certificates at our Massage Station with cash or checks only during our business hours from noon to 8p.m. We do not accept credit cards at our chair stations for purchase of gift certificates.

How to Use WWM Chair Massage Stations:

  • No need to make an appointment! If someone else is already receiving a massage when you arrive, simply sign in and wait your turn.
  • Before your massage begins, let the therapist know how long you’d like the massage to last and any areas that are bothering you. Be sure to let him or her know if you have any medical contraindications such as high or low blood pressure, pregnancy, or fever.
  • Your therapist will help you get seated in the chair and begin the massage. Let him or her know if you need the pressure adjusted. We welcome your feedback; it helps us give you a better massage.
  • When your massage ends, your therapist will help you out of the chair . He or she will provide you with any feedback you may need about stretching or follow-up.
  • Pay the therapist for the massage. Gratuity is always appreciated but not required.
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Self Care Tips for Muscle Pain

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , on December 3, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Lately laboring long hours over my books and computers along with my regular workload has made me feel like some of my massage clients: I’ve had s sore neck, aching back and painful shoulders.  So I do what I tell my clients and everyone else to do when they have this kind of pain and intense amount of computer or book work. Follow these easy tips to help you reduce your muscle pain.  I’ve been doing them all the past few weeks and it’s getting me through final exams!

1. Since I don’t have much time for table massage as often as I need massage, I’ve been stopping by Whole Foods Gold Coast and Lincoln Park to get chair massages at the WWM massage stations. Check out hours and info here.

 

WWM Chair Station at Whole Foods Gold Coast, 30 W Huron. Image by Sue Shekut.

 

 

2. At night I’ve been using Herbal Muscle Heat balm to help reduce muscle pain and relax my tight muscle knots. I posted about this balm before and it really works. Check out my post here.

 

Herbal Muscle Heating Balm

 

3. When I get home from work or take a study break, I use the Miracle Ball Method to self massage my low back and shoulder trigger points. Link here for more info.

 

4. When I work too long on the computer, I get really sore upper back and neck muscles. For those days, I grab a cold pack from the freezer and wrap it around my neck and shoulders. It helps reduce inflammation and also acts as a mild analgesic (pain reliever). Read more about when to use heat or ice here.

5. I also find that soaking in a hot tub with Epsom salts helps relax my sore muscles, but using an ice pack first helps keep me from increasing inflammation in sore muscles.

6. Lastly, get some rest! Taking time off from the computer or from the desk helps your body relax and rejuvenate.

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Meet Heather Rabitt, Infant Massage Instructor in Chicago

Posted in Massage Research, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , , on November 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Infant massage helps baby's digestion and gassiness

I met Heather Rabbit recently at the AMTA-IL Strategic planning meeting. After spending a day with Heather and chatting with her over lunch, I can say that, if I were pregnant, she is the massage therapist I would most likely go to for pregnancy massage. And if I had a new born, I would also pick her as my number one Infant Massage Instructor. Heather is not only fit, smart, professional, knowledgeable and articulate, she is also warm and compassionate. And Heather has a passion for infant massage instruction as well as massage therapy in general. She is also a nationally certified and state licensed massage therapist practicing in Chicago, Illinois. She teaches parents how to give their babies massage in her Infant Massage Class at Swedish Covenent Hospital. Her website is here.

Read this excerpt about infant massage as explained by Heather from an article by Anne E. Stein, a Contributing writer in WellCommunity, a publication of Swedish Covenent Hospital.:

“Believe it or not, babies get stressed out,” Rabbitt says. “Massage helps them learn what relaxation is at a young age, and studies have shown they’ll be more relaxed as they grow.”

In addition to calming a baby, massage helps with digestion and gassiness by stimulating the stomach and large intestine. Tummy massage, explains Rabbitt, is extremely helpful for soothing colicky babies.

Other studies have shown that, like adults, babies derive a significant amount of relaxation and good feeling from massage because it decreases the stress hormone cortisol, which is harmful for brain development. Reduction in this hormone can cause an increase in the antibodies that fight infection and facilitate healthy weight gain.

More studies still have found that infant massage may increase babies’ alertness, attentiveness and ability to learn.

“Overall, brain development is defined and guided by our environment, and infant massage helps create a physical and emotional environment for baby that is open to learning,” Rabbitt said. “The sensation of touch can facilitate this brain development and creates denser and more comprehensive brain cells.”

This theory is based on the fact that babies (by about age 1) naturally have about 150 percent more neural connections (brain cells) than adults do. As babies age, their bodies start to shed the connections that are not being used. But if their brains are well stimulated at an early age, they retain more information, and are more responsive to learning.

Therefore, it is essential that babies take in as much sensation and information as possible during that time, and infant massage can serve as the needed stimulus.

Massage is a great tool for parents, especially if swaddling and rocking aren’t working. When a parent gets home from work, for example, infant massage provides quality time that comforts baby and decreases the parent’s stress.

The connection created by massage can be especially important for dads, who often feel left out because they haven’t carried the baby for nine months and don’t experience the intimacy of breastfeeding.

Infant massage techniques are similar to adult massage techniques though gentler, and generally 20 minutes is the maximum time for massage. It’s extremely easy to learn, said Rabbitt. At Swedish Covenant Hospital, up to two caregivers can attend three, 60 to 90-minute classes with their baby (Rabbitt also provides in-home sessions). The massage techniques are designed for babies from birth to one year, but classes are typically taken between four weeks to just before the baby starts to crawl.

Infant massage is also being used in a research project in the hospital’s special care nursery for late pre-term babies (27-34 weeks). Babies receive three massages a day for five days, with a goal of increasing their weight gain faster so they can go home sooner. Previous studies have shown that early pre-term infants gained 47 percent more weight and were discharged earlier than infants who weren’t massaged.

Link to the entire article here.

Heather Rabbit, LMT, Infant Massage Instructor

In 2008, Heather received a grant from the Massage Therapy Foundation entitled: Increasing Infant-Mother Interaction, Decreasing Depression – Teaching Infant Massage to Women With Symptoms of Postpartum Depression. With this grant, she was able to help 15 new mothers use infant massage as a tool to decrease anxiety, create a healthy and loving relationship with their new babies, and make sure their babies were developing properly for their age.

Heather is certified in Pre, Peri and Postnatal massage, as well as orthopedic massage. She is also the Secretary on the Board of Directors for 3300 member-Illinois chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association and she has BA from Ohio State University.

Watch Heather explain infant massage in this video, You Tube link here. Link to Heather’s website here.

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AMTA-IL Strategic Planning Meeting Charts a Proactive Course for Massage in Illinois

Posted in Massage Therapy, tagged , , on October 26, 2010| 2 Comments »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to spend a day with board members and other LMT’s (Licensed Massage Therapists) from the Illinois Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. Since we’ve had so many legislative issues effecting Chicago and Illinois massage therapists, I wanted to do my part and put my two cents in on their annual Strategic Planning session. I want to share my observations with my loyal readers and any fellow massage therapists that read my blog.

What So Great About the AMTA?

First off, I recently rejoined the AMTA after quitting the organization about 6 years ago. I’ve been a member of the Association for Bodywork and Massage Professionals for the past 6 years or so instead. However, after seeing how proactive AMTA-IL has been, I decided to reactive my AMTA membership. Now, I belong to both organizations! Why, because both organizations do different things well. And two things I’ve seen AMTA-IL do really well this past year is to get out the word to massage therapists about pending legislation and to use the AMTA local volunteer network to access legislators on a few key issues. Unfortunately, AMTA and massage therapists efforts were not enough to stop two pieces of legislation from being passed–legislation that is damaging to massage therapists, and in my book, to the public as well.  But as the old saying goes, it ain’t over til it’s over. Or in this case, it’s not over until AMTA-IL  massage therapists, and the public in general, decide to stop fighting against legislation that is not in the public’s best interests nor in the best interests of the massage therapy profession. I just don’t see that fight ending any time soon. Legislation can be overturned or changed. New laws and ordinances can be written. It just takes effort. A lot of effort!

The Interesting People I Met at the Strategic Planning Meeting of the AMTA-IL Chapter

That all said, the Strategic Planning session was about 10 times more fun than I anticipated. There were about 25 people in a meeting room at a local Schaumberg hotel. The Chapter provided breakfast, lunch, treats (Fresh made cookies from the hotel kitchen as well as fruit, my favorite snack!) and beverages to keep us fortified and hydrated.

• I met “celebrity” massage therapist and winner of the  National Sports Massage Achiever Award, Nester Battaung. You would recognize Nester if you say him because his face is plastered all over Athletico ads in the area. Nester is fun, energetic and a former collegiate gymnast.

• I also spoke at length with  Becky Schwoebel, Senior Vice President of the chapter and a massage therapist in the eastern part of the state near St. Louis. If it hadn’t been for the meeting, I would never have met Becky since she practices and lives 5 hours away.

• One of the treats of the day was to hear stories about the history of massage therapy from Pat Malone, a man with a book inside his head, waiting to come out. (Write your stories into a history of the profession, Pat!)

• I also met Heather Rabbit in the flesh. In addition to being a Licensed Massage Therapist, Heather runs Infant Massage Classes at Swedish Covenent Hospital and she promised to share her infant massage video with me for this  blog. (Coming soon!)

• I also got to spend time with Mike Hovi, President of the IL Chapter and a real stud! (One of the bonding exercises we did was to draw a symbol that represented how we see ourselves. Mike drew a stud because he holds up/supports the chapter and, like a stud in the wall, he can’t do it alone.)

• Lastly, I met Robin Doerr,  an LMT from Elmhurst that runs her own massage business and has rooms for rent for other LMTs in the area. Robin and I have read each others comments on Facebook (and realized we were both WMTI grads!) but this was our first chance to meet in person and swap ideas about business and management.  She has since agreed to meet my Facebook challenge and plans to present at the upcoming  Spring Conference of the AMTA-IL.

What We Did at the Strategic Planning Meeting

We spent a great deal of time coming up with ideas to help promote Illinois massage therapists, and to educate the public, the medical community and our legislators about the massage profession. There are still many legislators (as evidenced by our recent City Council passing restrictive zoning ordinances) that don’t know the difference between massage “parlor” illicit activities and legitimate massage therapy.  There are also large segments of the population that don’t have access to or experience with licensed massage therapists, only with people pretending to be massage therapists but really offering illicit activities. We also talked about how massage therapists as a group need to be better educated about massage research, how to use it and how to conduct or design new research studies for massage therapy as well as about how to run their own businesses, market their practices and be successful.

The Future of Massage Therapy in Illinois

Some people may see this as a dark time for the massage profession because we’d had so many setbacks legislatively, in the media (The View, The Al Gore story, etc.) and with the struggling economy. I see it as a time of great opportunity for the massage profession to use these obstacles as a spring-board for a stronger, better educated, better organized, proactive approach to making massage an important part of mainstream health care, a practical low-cost stress management intervention for workplaces, and a partner with other health care providers. And the AMTA-IL Chapter is one big cog in this wheel of progress.

As only the recently converted can be, I hope I don’t come across as a zealot for the AMTA-IL chapter. I simply have high hopes for the over 3300 massage therapists in Illinois that rely on the guidance of the Illinois chapter. As one of  the over 3300, I am doing my part to help my fellow massage therapists, my clients and the public in general to live in a future world where massage is more respected, where massage therapists are better educated and proactive regarding legislative issues that effect our profession.  Mike Hovi will be publishing the results of the Strategic Planning committee to members soon and he will also be putting out a call to action to Illinois AMTA members with all the gory details.

A Great Opportunity for AMTA-Illinois Massage Therapists

If you are a LMT and a member of the AMTA-IL, don’t be intimidated (or bored) by the idea of working with the chapter. They need all of us to do even a small part. Sometimes they need someone to send emails or make phone calls or help out with mailings or other tasks. If you are an instructor with something valuable to share with other massage therapists, the chapter is looking for presenters for the upcoming AMTA-IL state conference in Itasca in April. If you are Facebook savvy and want to help out with the chapter Facebook pages (due to the mysteries of how Facebook works,  they have two Facebook pages for the IL Chapter!), they need help there as well. Link here and here.

How AMTA-IL Members Can Benefit Massage Clients

If you are a client of a Licensed Massage Therapist who is an AMTA member ask them what is going on with the Illinois chapter of AMTA. (Don’t know if they are? Ask them!) Your AMTA-IL massage therapist may be able to work with you to help provide outreach efforts in your community for charity events, community fairs or even give short talks about massage therapy to your group or church.

My Contribution to AMTA-IL State Conference in April

My friends, clients, and family know I am a very busy person. I run a business, have my own clients, and also started graduate school in Clinical Professional Psychology this fall. (You may have noticed my blog postings slowing down, Now you know why!) But I felt this Strategic Planning session was too important to miss.  I don’t have much time left in my jam-packed schedule to help out the AMTA-IL chapter, but I am fitting in what I can when I can. This spring I committed to presenting a Continuing Education session for my fellow massage therapists on Marketing their practices. If every busy, and especially not busy, of the over 3300 AMTA-IL massage therapists did just one thing, one task, one project, or attended one meeting, think of all the good that could come for the profession, for the lot of Illinois massage therapists and for the public.

I can hardly wait to see how this year unfolds. And see what my fellow AMTA-IL massage therapists and the chapter board members produce in the coming year. I will keep you posted as I find out!

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Infant Massage Classes: Great Stress Relief for Babies AND Parents

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , on October 15, 2010| 1 Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

 

Adina Rosenberg's Infant Massage class

 

Recently I’ve had a number of my female clients deliver happy healthy adorable babies! As a big promoter of  a healthy lifestyle and wellness services like massage therapy, I want to share some information about infant massage for new moms and dads and other infant childcare providers.

Research shows children and infants that are massaged regularly show sleep better, are less anxious and show less signs of stress as indicated by heart rate and stress hormone levels. Infant massage supports the healthy development of  your baby’s body and  builds a foundation of trust and healthy communication between you and your child.

So, where do you go to learn how to safely massage your infant in the Chicago area? I found a few infant massage instructors and class offerings for you and am posting them below.

Adina Rosenberg, Breathe Bodyworks

 

Adina Rosenberg

 

As seen on “Fox Thing in the Morning”, Adina teaches  easy massage and yoga techniques to benefit your baby and you. The benefits of infant massage and yoga stretches include early brain development, stimulation, relaxation of muscles, gas relief, and enhanced sleep quality for baby and parent. The massage giver benefits from increased awareness of their baby’s needs and strengthens your bonds with baby. A 10 minute massage, two or three times a week, will make for a more confident caregiver-infant relationship and a very happy baby. It’s easy, fun and rewarding. All care givers are welcome – Mothers, Fathers, Expecting Parents, Grandparents, Sitters, etc. Please bring your baby or a doll to practice techniques.

Infant Massage Workshop
 Sunday, December 12, 2010, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.<

Soulistic Studio & Spa
805 Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago Il 60642

The cost of this workshop is $35/family. Space is limited an pre-registration is required.

To Register go to Soulistic.com.

Infant Massage Course at Galter Life Center

5157 N Francisco Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60625

Infant massage has numerous benefits, including relaxing and soothing your baby, deepening your communication and bonding and helping your baby sleep. Learn the proper techniques for massaging newborns to 1-year-olds from Heather Rabbitt, LMT, certified infant massage instructor.The class fee is $60 per infant, with a discount for babies delivered at Swedish Covenant Hospital (enter schdelivery as your discount code at checkout).

For more information about this course, please call (773) 878-8200, Ext. 7340 or go to this link here.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Infant Massage Classes — Two-part series is for parents of infants from 3 weeks to crawling and is one of the most pleasant ways to “get in touch” with your infant. Infant massage helps regulate digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems, while influencing motor and memory development. It helps baby sleep better, too! Small group sessions, or private sessions at the hospital, are taught by a Certified Infant Massage Instructor. ONLY MOTHER NEEDS TO BE REGISTERED. Two-Part Group session: $80 Private Session: $100
Register for the next class on November 3 by clicking here.

Infant Massage Class in Oak Park with Mary Cay Cavanagh, NCBTMB, LMT, CPMT, CEIM

 

Mary Cay Cavanagh

 

Medical Arts Building | 715 Lake Street | Suite 200 | Oak Park, IL 60301

  • Classes held in Oak Park location
  • Babies may be any age under one year (pre-crawling is ideal!)
  • Expectant parents may attend and bring a doll on which to practice the strokes – this is a great way to prepare for your baby’s homecoming
  • Classes are valuable for all caregivers, i.e., moms, dads, nannies, grandparents, older siblings or anyone who enriches your baby’s life with his/her presence. Especially great for new dads as it gives them a physical bond (like mom already has) with their new baby
  • Wonderful opportunity to meet others with new babies in their lives and to share experiences
  • Each session focusing on massage techniques for different parts of the body so you can work with your baby and discover his/her favorites techniques. We also discuss various aspects of infant massage i.e., history, benefits, infant brain development.
  • Price is $150.00 per family for the 2 week series

Please email or phone Mary at 630.452.1527 if you are interested in a class or if you would like information about future classes with Mary.

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