Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘Massage Therapy and Bodywork’

Runner’s World Sheds Some Light on the Confusing Reporting of Massage Research

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Research, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , on September 26, 2011| Leave a Comment »

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

The world of massage research is in many ways, still in its infancy.  As such there is a lot of conflicting studies that can easily lead people to draw incorrect conclusions. mainstream press often takes the most sensational points from a study and broadcast those points to the world as if it were the Gospel. How do concerned citizens, loyal readers and fellow massage aficionados cope with the deluge of conflicting and confusing information about massage research?  one magazine that does a pretty good job of reporting on massage reasearch is Runner’s World.  In his article, Massage Q+A: Does it Work?, author Sam Murphy writes about a number of studies and explains how research results can be misleading when they don’t compare apples and oranges. or in this case, when research doe snot compare the effects of multiple massage session with the effects of a  single 8-minute session. Runners and research consumers,  take a few minutes to read Sam Murphy’s article. It may clear up questions you have about using massage to improve your athletic performance and or aid recovery from muscle injury.

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Read Full Post »

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!

Enhanced by Zemanta

Read Full Post »

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.
    • Enhanced by Zemanta

Read Full Post »

How to Report a Suspicious Massage Business aka Massage Parlor

Posted in Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , , on September 6, 2010| 19 Comments »

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

Future massage “parlor” in Chicago?

I’ve been posting about Chicago’s zoning changes for massage businesses for the past year. For those unaware, Chicago’s City Council voted to restrict new massage businesses to C Districts (also known as isolated industrial corridors and used car lots). Which makes no sense to my fellow massage therapists, clients, and friends.

However, for some people, the only experience they have with “massage” is when they live or have lived  near a “massage parlor” (or what turns out to be a house of prostitution). In that case, I can see why they would want to move “massage parlors” to the same areas as other “adult services,” such as strip clubs, tattoo parlors and the like.

How do you know if a massage business is legitimate?  I am providing a few tips and then a method of reporting massage businesses that you think may not be legitimate.

How to Identify Potential Massage “Parlors”

(aka houses of prostitution that front as massage businesses but are not legit massage businesses):

• Often advertise things like “Beautiful girls,”  “European and Asian beauties,” “sensuous massage.”

• Advertise on “adult” sites that offer strip clubs or sexual services like the ones I found on a site described as a locator for strip clubs which lists 57 “massage parlors” operating in Chicago.

• Are often open 24 hours a day or have late evening hours (beyond 8pm).

• May employ massage therapists without Illinois Massage Therapy licenses.

• Tend to have covered windows which are not visible from the street.

• Provide “happy endings” or sexual services along with or instead of a legitimate massage.

How to Recognize Legitimate Massage Businesses

• Tend to advertise things like “Licensed Massage Therapists,” “Members of AMTA or ABMP” “NCBTMB,” “Pain Relief,” “Therapeutic Massage.”

• Have ads that do not mention anything about the massage therapists’ looks or clothing.

• Tend to have more standard business hours, say from 10am to 8pm.

• Do not provide sexual services of any kind.

• Will respond by ending a massage session, if the client is sexually inappropriate or asks for sexual services of any kind.

Note: The list of behaviors for legit and non-legit massage businesses is not a hard and fast rule. Some legit massage businesses may have hours later than 8pm and some non-legit massage businesses may advertise pain relief as a way to camouflage their real services. This is a big part of why it is so difficult to prosecute and differentiate between the “parlors” and legit massage businesses.

So what can you do if you think there is a massage “parlor” (aka non-legitimate massage business) operating near you?  You can report the business to the City of Chicago. There are two main ways to report a massage business you think may not be legitimate: anonymously or via your Alderman’s office.

Reporting Suspicious Massage Businesses Anonymously

The advantage of this reporting method is that you can be anonymous. The disadvantage is that you don’t have an easy way to track the response and resolution of your complaint.

1. Call 311. You do not need to provide your name or contact information.

2. Provide the name of the business, the address and the reason you believe it is not a legitimate business or that you think the business should be inspected.

3. Check the business operator’s Massage Establishment License status to see if they have a license or if the license has been revoked here.

Reporting Suspicious Massage Businesses Via Alderman

1. Call or visit your Alderman’s office. Tell the staff at your alderman’s office that you want to ledge a formal complaint or investigation into a suspicious massage business.

2. Provide the name of the business, the address and the reason you believe it is not a legitimate business or that you think the business should be inspected.

3. You can keep in touch with the staff of your alderman’s office  to follow up on the progress of your complaint.

Related articles by Zemanta
Enhanced by Zemanta

Read Full Post »

Healthy is Boring, But Pain Relief is Not

Posted in Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , , on July 29, 2010| 1 Comment »

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

Massage for Pain and Stress Relief

Massage for Pain and Stress Relief

I’m really happy for Jennifer Love Hewitt. After being bashed in the tabloids for being a bit chubby, she has lost weight, got her body into great shape and graced the cover of People Magazine in a  swimsuit. She looks great and she worked hard to get back into shape! But now she uses her new curvy but fit body to star in a made for TV movie on Lifetime network that disparages massage therapists. Her film is called  “The Client List.”

In the movie, Love Hewitt plays a woman who turns to illicit activity to feed her family during the economic downturn. Love Hewitt’s character takes a job in a massage parlor that turns out to be… a front for prostitution. Despite claims that the movie is “based on a true story,” it is fiction.The movie, it turns out, is not a biography of the woman in Odessa, Texas that was arrested for prostitution which the movie is “loosely” based upon. The movie is a fictionalized account. (According to new reports, in real life, the woman arrested in Odessa did not have a current massage license, did not have a husband and used the money she made to pay for her cocaine habit, not for her family. )

Normally I wouldn’t protest Ms. Love Hewitt’s choice of movie role.  But right now, there seems to be a disturbing trend in the media, from The View to Lifetime to just about every media channel I turn to. The trend is to depict the entire profession of massage as prostitution.

Think about it, what if other professions were used by criminals to hide their real business dealings. What if prostitutes pretended to be interior designers or accountants and then professionals from these businesses had to prove that they were legit and not prostitutes. What if it became a trend for prostitution rings to set up shop as fake dentists offices? Would dentists then have to submit to fingerprinting and police background checks? Would Elizabeth Hasselbeck then joke on The View about being nervous when her husband goes into his office with a hot looking “interior decorator” to discuss “fabric swatches”?

Massage is Boring
The recent Zoning change in the city of Chicago shows just how damaging movies like The Client List can be for the massage therapy profession. Few Hollywood movies or TV shows depict the massage profession in a favorable nonsexual light.

It’s not that Hollywood has it in for us. It’s just that healthy is boring. Watching someone get a sports massage or deep tissue massage is about as entertaining as watching someone get a tooth filled. If Elizabeth Hasselbeck had stayed in the room with her husband while he was getting his massage, she would have likely fallen asleep due to boredom instead of sitting outside letting her  imagination run wild. (Previously this month, members of the View were disparaging the entire massage profession to make light of a complaint against Al Gore here.)

Watching people get muscle pain relieved is not a big ratings draw, it seems. It’s not life threatening as in an Emergency Room drama. And Massage Therapy lacks the excitement of a forensic lab. Or does it?

The Real Stories of Massage

Hollywood is really missing out on the real stories, the real drama behind legitimate massage therapy. Instead of waiting until someone dies and trying to find the cause of death like on many police drama, Licensed Massage Therapists try to find the source of your muscle pain while you are still living. It may not be as interesting to watch, but if you have ever had chronic low back pain or neck and shoulder pain, finding relief for that pain is pretty darn exciting!

Legitimate massage therapist also give clients a safe place to relax from the stress of every day life. In the massage room or even the massage chair, massage therapy clients get a little bit of time and space that’s all about them. It’s the one time they get to be the center of attention. Getting a massage is one place where you can talk about yourself, have someone attend to your aches and pains and literally get a break from stress and demands for your attention.

In some ways I do blame myself for Hollywood’s insistence on showing sensationalized sexual massage versus healthy but boring legitimate massage. I blame myself because, if I had followed a different dream and gotten my MFA in creative writing, I could have written a lot of great scripts about the world of massage!  But then my clients would still be in pain and I would not have had the benefit of helping many people over the past ten years to recover from muscle tension, pain and stress. Which is the real story about massage therapy!

Related articles by Zemanta
Enhanced by Zemanta

Read Full Post »

The Best Massage School in Chicago: The Soma Institute

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , on July 2, 2010| Leave a Comment »

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

The other day I stopped by one of the Working Well Massage booths to get a much needed massage. As a massage therapist myself, I try to get regular massages including chair massages. As manager of the WWM massage stations, I also like to get massages from my staff. Why, because I know how good they are. In this case, I got a fantastic massage from Mysti Cobb. Mysti has been with WWM for the past few months and she is a whiz at finding knots and working them out. Mysti is also a  personal trainer and just finished training in Pilates. But best of all, Mysti is a SOMA Institute graduate.

Over the past ten years, I’ve had the great fortune to interview a lot of massage therapists. And field questions from people wondering which massage school to attend. I used to tell them, go to WMTI, my alma mater, the Wellness Massage Training Institute. I was very lucky to have attended WMTI in the late 1990’s. I had some of the best teachers and learned a lot about going beyond Swedish massage to really help people feel better and releases chronic muscle tension areas. I’ve also taught workshops and classes at WMTI. Now, sadly, my old school has been sold to another company and it’s curriculum has been gutted. Most of the best teachers at WMTI have long gone. WMTI turned out some fantastic massage therapists while it was in operation, but now in Chicago, my top pick for people looking to go to massage school is the SOMA Institute.

Why SOMA?

SOMA’s curriculum is geared toward therapeutic massage, not spa massage. Spa massage is great for relaxation. And stress relief is an important benefit of massage therapy. But I am so glad I learned  in depth techniques for helping people with chronic muscular pain. When I interview students from SOMA, I tend to see this same attention to chronic areas of muscle tension. SOMA graduates tend to have greater clinical skills than recent graduates of the other schools in the area. SOMA’s continuing education classes also tend to be a cut above the others I see offered in the Chicago area.

With teachers like Mike Hovi and Michael Jones, SOMA provides students with a wide range of massage training by working professionals that are top in their field.

SOMA also has a great career placement office. As a business owner, I regularly get emails from SOMA”s Career Services Department asking if I have any openings. SOMA has a 98% placement rate! And SOMA’s been expanding their Professional Services Division, offering high quality classes to graduates and other professional massage therapists looking for continuing education credits. (The state of Illinois requires us to obtain at least 24 CE credits every 2 years to maintain a masage therapy license).

SOMA isn’t the only massage school in town. And I have a number of fantastic massage therapists that did not attend SOMA. But if you are looking for  a massage school to attend or know someone that is, I recommend the SOMA Institute above all others at this time.

Note: Neither Working Well Massage nor Sue Shekut is affiliated with the SOMA Institute in any way. We do not receive any fee for this post nor do we benefit financially in any way from our endorsement. SOMA is simply a great school and we want to tell our local readers about it and about SOMA graduates.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Read Full Post »

Meet Mysti Cobb-WWM Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor

Posted in Health and Wellness, Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , , , , , on June 30, 2010| 1 Comment »

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

I recently had a fantastic massage from Mysti Cobb at our Working Well Massage station inside Whole Foods Lincoln Park. One of the reason I like getting massage from Mysti is that she knows her anatomy and kineseology. When I told her I was having pain in my wrist and my pecs were tight, she knew exactly where to work and how to position me on the massage chair to get maximum exposure of my pectoral muscles. (She sat me facing away from the chair as opposed to how you would normally sit, facing the chair.) I have had experience both receiving and giving massage for chronic tension and injury rehab, and Mysti has had similar experiences as both a patient and a massage therapist.

Mysti Cobb-smiling and providng pain relief at Working Well Massage. Image by Sue Shekut

A personal trainer and Pilates instructor as well as a massage therapists, I think Mysti brings more to the massage session than your average massage therapist. (Or course, we don’t have any average massage therapists in our booths!) Since Mysti is female and has a fantastic smile,  some people think Mysti is a lightweight massage therapist. Those people would be sadly incorrect! Mysti is STRONG and can give super deep tissue massages or she can back off the pressure and give a more gentle relaxation massage. For me, I go to Mysti for deep work though!

Mysti hard at work, concentrating on releasing muscle tension. Image by Sue Shekut

Mysti Cobb’s Bio

Tall and lean, it’s no surprise that Mysti’s passion for movement began in her ballet classes at age 4.  Her years of practice and love of dance led  to a full dance scholarship with the Joseph Holmes Dance Company in 1993. Unfortunately for Mystia, she later tore her ACL while studying at Millikin University and that put an end to a full-time dance career. After six months of physical therapy and rehabilitation, Mysti realized strength training was a new way for her to incorporate movement into her daily life and career.  In 2003, Mysti began studying at the Personal Training Institute in Chicago. In 2004, Mysti completed her personal training (NSCA) certification. Between her dance injury and experience as a personal train, Mysti decided to  add a therapeutic and healing dimension to her work by becoming a licensed massage therapist in 2005 through the Soma Institute of Clinical Massage Therapy.

While rehabbing, dancing and strength training,  Pilates had been an core element of Mysti’s personal fitness routine. In2009, Mysti became certified through the Body Arts and Science program as a comprehensively certified Pilates Instructor. For Mysti, the Pilates certification has added analytical and intuitive tools to help her clients gain strength, eliminate pain, and fine tune body alignment, finding focus in their sessions which carries over into their daily lives.

You can try out a massage session with Mysti at Whole Foods Lincoln Park every Tuesday from 4pm to 8pm. But come in soon because with skills like these, Mysti tends to book up fast!

Related articles by Zemanta
Enhanced by Zemanta

Read Full Post »

Legal issues for Massage and Chiropractic

Posted in Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , on May 21, 2010| 40 Comments »

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

Back Muscles and Spine

Massage therapists and and chiropractors have had a symbiotic relationship over the years.  Chiropractors hire massage therapists and massage therapists often refer clients to chiropractors and/or rent space from chiropractors. I used to teach the Business class at one of the local massage schools, and, as a business owner myself, I have to keep up on laws and regulations regarding massage…and chiropractic.  Unfortunately a recent law has put the chiropractic profession a bit at odds with massage therapists. To enlighten clients and other massage therapists, I am going to break down some of the current laws regulating massage and chiropractic are in Illinois.

The Law Regulating Massage Therapists in Illinois

The State of Illinois began requiring massage therapists to obtain a state License for Massage in January, 2005. This law requires massage therapists to complete schooling of at least 500 hours, take and pass the National Certification Exam and pay a fee every two years. In Illinois, Massage Therapist’s are also required to take 24 hours of continuing education credits every two years. This licensing act was an attempt to further legitimize massage therapy (and make it clear massage is not prostitution) and give massage therapists  a uniform standard of education and ethics to follow. Prior to this law, each municipality regulated massage according to their own guidelines. Some cities had stringent regulations, others had none. The state law helped eliminate this confusing patchwork of regulations and put massage therapy under one set of rules, the Massage  Licensing Act.

The Massage Licensing Act requires licensees to be fingerprinted as part of the license application process. This is required to help protect the public from sexual predators and other people with a history of sexual violations. The law also requires massage therapists to have taken and passed courses including kineseology and anatomy and physiology. This means that licensed massage therapists know how your muscles attach, work and can be injured–and how to reduce muscle tension and “knots” in your muscle tissue.

The Law Regulating Use of Unlicensed Persons to Perform Massage In Chiropractic Offices

However, the State of Illinois then passed an act, 22S ILCS 60/Medical Practice effective January, 2010, that allows Chiropractors to hire unlicensed, and potentially untrained staff to give clients “therapeutic” massages at the Chiropractor’s office. Chiropractors may have lobbied for this bill saying that they did not want to have to wait for students to pass their licensing exam before they could work for chiropractors. However, there is no shortage of Licensed Massage Therapists in Illinois (According to the ABMP, there are currently about 8,000 Licensed Massage Therapists in Illinois). And chiropractors can directly bill insurance companies for massage services, while independent massage therapists cannot for most insurance companies in Illinois. Ironically, according to a representative I spoke to at Blue Cross Blue Shield, even with a high-end Blue Cross insurance plan, only chiropractors are allowed to perform the massage, not massage therapists, in order for the insurance company to reimburse for the massage.

Unfortunately, this paves the way for chiropractors to now hire unlicensed, potentially unqualified people to give clients their massages and then in some cases, the chiropractor may bill the insurance company for those massages even if the chiropractor does not perform the massages. Thus untrained employees can be allowed to provide direct patient care to patients with medical conditions. Untrained people can injure you while doing massage work because they haven’t had the 500-hour massage school training (which includes not only training on proper massage techniques, but also anatomy, kinesiology and physiology. And ask a massage therapist: most chiropractors do not stand over massage therapists as they work, monitoring their massage performance–chiropractors are usually working on other patients. In some offices, chiropractors work in one room while the massage therapist works behind closed doors in another room.

License Massage Therapists may lose work to unlicensed people because the chiropractor can hire someone else to do the same work for less pay. In addition, Public Act 096-0618, does not afford the public protections from sexual predators or require unlicensed massage therapists to be finger printed or background checked! It is not clear  how this new law protects the public or can be said to be for the public good.

Note: Reimbursement requirements depend on your particular insurance plan.

As a client, what can you do to protect yourself and make sure your massage therapist is qualified and licensed?

1. Check the State of Illinois Division of Professional Regulation website to look up your Massage Therapist by name and see if he or she has a valid state Massage Therapist license here.

2. If you receive massage from someone at a chiropractor’s office, ask the chiropractor if the massage therapist is licensed. If not, ask for a massage therapist that is licensed by the state and has completed all required training and testing.

3. If your insurance company has been paying a portion or all of your massage bills at the chiropractor, check with the insurance company to find out the exact requirements for reimbursement. Does your insurance company require the chiropractor to personally perform your massage or can they have someone in their office perform the actual massage for reimbursement?

If the insurance company requires the chiropractor to perform the massage, and your chiropractor charged your insurance company for performing massages then he/she delegated the massage to a staff member that is not a Licensed Chiropractor, your chiropractor could run into trouble with the insurance company. If the insurance company ever found out, you may also be in trouble too. You may have to pay back the insurance company for your massages and you may also be accused of committing insurance fraud. But, if it’s a great deal for you and the chiropractor to have the insurance company pay for your massage, who would ever tell the insurance company? Well, a disgruntled employee of the chiropractor’s office for one.  Or a spouse divorcing one of the chiropractor’s patients could be a whistle blower. Anyone with a bone to pick with the chiropractor. (Bad pun intended.)  Ask yourself if saving a few dollars is worth the legal risk.

4. Note that using a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account (HSA) for to pay a massage therapist directly for your massages IS legal IF the massage is considered therapeutic. For example, if you have been diagnosed by a doctor or chiropractor with plantar facitis or a low back or cervical disorder that requires massage, that would be a therapeutic massage. Or, if you have fibromyalgia or a repetitive injury such as a thoracic outlet syndrome, massage to help with these conditions would be considered therapeutic. Check with your Flex Spending or HSA account administrator for details of your specific plan. To be an expense for medical care, the expense has to be primarily for the prevention or alleviation of a physical or mental defect or illness.  Check the U.S. Government’s rules for “qualifying medical expenses” here.

For example, a Cigna plan allows you to use a FSA or HSA funds to pay for massages if they are used to treat a physical defect or illness. Cigna Plan – Fees paid for massages are not reimbursable unless to treat a physical defect or illness. Physician’s diagnosis letter required.”

I don’t want to scare anyone out of getting a massage at your chiropractor by any means!  Most chiropractors are law abiding and follow insurance company guidelines. I work closely with several chiropractors and I refer clients to them often. But knowing the law and abiding by it may save you from problems and legal issues down the road.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Read Full Post »

The Amendment to Chicago’s Massage Establishment Act was Defeated Today!!!

Posted in Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , , , on April 14, 2010| 1 Comment »

Thank You
Image by jaredchapman via Flickr

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

Thanks to the overwhelmingly negative reaction of massage therapists and the public, including those of you on this blog that wrote or emailed your alderman, today Chicago City Council defeated the proposed amendment to the Massage Establishment Act.

Link to Chicago Tribune  article about today’s vote here.

Thank you so very very much for taking the time to make your concerns heard. The AMTA and the ABMP are continuing to work with our aldermen to address the issue of massage “parlors” without causing harm to legitimate massage therapy businesses.

Thanks you, thank you, thank you!

Now back to wellness, stress management, nutrition, fitness and ergonomic topics!

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Read Full Post »

Massage Yourself with the Miracle Ball Method

Posted in Massage Therapy, tagged , , , , on March 7, 2010| 4 Comments »

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

My mother gave me the Miracle Ball Method for Christmas last year.  I have to say, they do work to release tension in specific muscle areas also known as Trigger Points. Chiropractors have told me to use tennis balls for self massage and you can use Miracle Balls the same way. Basically, you lay on the floor, place a Miracle Ball under your back in the area that is tight and then rock back and forth on the ball until it “massages” your muscles.

Tennis balls are harder and if you need a firmer “touch” you may want to use the tennis balls. But I found the larger size and “squishiness” of the Miracle Balls made them more comfortable to use and I could lay on them longer.  Andrew, one of my massage therapists at the Working Well Massage chair stations, uses golf balls to massage his back, but he is a lot tougher than I am!

The key to using tennis balls, or Miracle Balls, is to place them on areas of your muscles only–not on bone and definitely not directly on your spine.

Chrissie and Dan, Amazon reviewrs, Demonstrate Micracle Ball placement

If you are under a doctor’s care for muscle or spinal problems, consult your doctor before using tennis or miracle balls or any other exercise!

Seniors and those with excess body weight may have a hard time using these balls according to Amazon reviewers. And of course, there is no substitute for human touch and a real massage. But in a pinch, I find the Miracle Balls a nice quick self massage tool.

Read what Amazon Reviewers say about Miracle Balls

• When I first saw this set of 2 small, blue-green balls, I really wondered whether they were any good. Decided to take a chance, and I am sure glad I did. Propped myself over these 2 semi-inflated balls on the floor and it was sheer bliss as my own body weight sank upon them.

The set consists of 2 approximately 4 inch (11 cm) diameter therapy balls (re-inflatable) and a pocket-sized 296 page insruction book packed in a transparent casing. The balls are approx. a half-inch (1 cm) thick each, and are not as thin-skinned as might be imagined. The book says that the balls are built tough, and are good for up to 300 pounds, and I believe the claim is sustainable.

In my opinion, these 2 little balls are fantastic value for money for what they are capable of, and you would be surprised how nice it feels once you prop your tired body over them at the end of a long day. Although these are therapy balls, you may also want to use them as I frequently do – a simple and ‘fun’ way of giving your body a much needed self-massage, merely by placing them at strategic locations beneath your body and resting over them.

By the way, I am not one of Ms. Elaine Petrone’s student, since I am writing from half a world away. But, I am definitely her fan now after being convinced by these 2 little ‘Miracle’ balls! Go http://www.elainepetrone.com for more info.

My advice: considering their low price, get them while they are available, as these little balls are ‘hot’ – they were all sold out on Amazon.com until recently.

• I am a licensed Massage therapist in Hawaii. I stumbled upon Elaine’s book and started using it for my neck & back pain. I was pleasantly surprised at how deep my muscles and spine could be worked while I did two simple things Breath and Relax. Although breathing and relaxing is simple it becomes more difficult the longer the balls are in one position and works deeper into the muscles. At that point I choose either to move positions or focus on relaxing further and deeper breathing to let the ball(s) work deeper.

I’ve recommended the product to clients to use in-between massage treatment however discipline to use the balls is a stumbling block for many. I have found if a client uses the balls prior to a massage treatment, generally don’t have to work the muscles as deeply because they have already begun to relax. Deep tissue client get much better result than just a massage alone.

I’m buying more to give away and sell in my practice because when used correctly on it’s own can be a healing resouce for many patients who are disiplined to use this self treatment.

• Just a suggestion on this product: start out easing into it. Too much too fast will put you in pain, but with starting gently for a very short time you can find relief. It really has been helpful with sciatic pain using one or two balls in the lower back/sacariliac area. I’ve wanted something like these balls for a long time as I sensed that putting pressure on a spot by lying on a ball could help. They do work. Worth the price.

• If you have serious pain or injury, like sciatica, consult your doctor and see a chiropractor. However, if you have nagging back pain that you know is brought on by tight joints and muscles, stress, or exercise, I would definitely give the Miracle Balls a try.

Order Miracle Balls from Amazon for about $12.00  here.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »