The Practitioners' Circle

Reiki on the road . . .

2011-12-15T22:41:00.001-05:00

Reiki practitioners often find themselves traveling to their clients.

A reclining chair like this one by Ace is a good option. It is light weight to carry but will hold a person up to 223 pounds. It is easy to get in and out of and reclines smoothly. Also easy to clean.

Specifications:

"MAC SPORTS" ANTI-GRAVITY CHAIR WITH PULL OUT TRAY
Open dimensions: 63.74"L x 36.98"W x 29.3"H
Folded dimension: 34"L x 27"W x 5.51"H
Weight capacity: 225 lbs.

Combine this chair with a folding stool like this one.

You will be able to do your work in a person's home or at a health fair with relative ease.

Looking for new music . . .

2010-01-31T13:46:00.009-05:00

Reiki: Hands of Light by Georg Deuter
Click here to listen to samples of this CD

To buy on Amazon: Reiki: Hands of Light

A biography of Deuter
by Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide

Like many artists in the contemporary instrumental realm, Deuter mixes acoustic and electronic instruments, ethnic influences, and sounds from nature -- only he's been doing it since the early '70s. Born in the German village of Falkenhagen, Deuter learned flute and taught himself to play guitar but was discouraged from pursuing music as a career. The trauma of a nearly fatal auto accident in 1970, however, motivated him to pursue his dreams. His first recording, D, was released on Kuckuck in 1971. Over the years, Deuter's spiritual search has taken him around the world, most notably to India, where he lived on an ashram, studied Indian music, and recorded several albums. In the mid '80s he moved to the US, eventually settling in Santa Fe, NM. Deuter's style is characterized by gentle melodies and joyful rhythms that render his music accessible even as he presents an intriguing blend of Eastern and Western styles.

A new year, a new point of view

2010-01-01T14:06:00.005-05:00

The Transformative Power of Trauma

From Damaged Goods to an Empowered Life
Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, April/May 2001. Copyright since 2001. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.

By Sonia Osorio

. . . "All I could think of was death," she recalls. "I felt myself becoming weaker and giving in to the illness, so I forced myself to return to work. There I asked a co-worker, whom I knew had had cancer: 'What do you do when every day that you wake up, you think that you're going to die?' And he said: 'You're going to die anyway.' And, it struck me: That's so true. It's not important when you die, but rather how you live. It's like breathing, it's all part of something very natural, so just live your life how you want to be living it right now." . . .

click here for complete article

Hand Sanitizer Pros and Cons

2009-12-17T17:40:00.002-05:00

In an article on using hand sanitizer in a massage practice Nicole Cutler, L.Ac. wrote:

Hand sanitizer dispensers can be found everywhere, from elementary school cafeterias to cruise ships. Despite its dominance of many infection control programs, massage therapists are still advised to clean their hands the old-fashioned way.

If you make your own hand sanitizer she suggests "a minimum of 60 percent alcohol concentration to be effective."

Click here for whole article.

A Walk Between Worlds: Truth is beauty, the Q'ero

2009-11-21T12:55:00.004-05:00

by Denise Kinch
Photograph by Travis Huggett

"A book that took her nearly 18 years to write, contains 200 full-color professional photographs documenting her time with the Q’ero, and with Don Manuel. This book was written to honor his dying request — sharing the truth of the Q’ero, their history and the ir traditions; clearing up the myths and misconceptions that are so prevalent today among students of his tradition."

Denise A. Kinch, director of the Pachamama Healing Center, an energy healer, teacher and medicine person has devoted over 20 years to develop effective training and healing techniques. Through her workshops and classes and journeys to Peru, her goal is to support and heal the community that surrounds us.

Click here for an interview with Denise Kinch

Click here to buy this beautiful book.

The health care debate . . .

2009-08-09T07:14:00.003-04:00

Earlier this year the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences held a Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public

Click here for a video from the summit

From the article Washington Lovefest by Woodson Merrell, M.D.

Integrative medicine is an approach to medical practice that emphasizes the partnership between doctor and patient, and utilizes an evidence basis to determine the best of indigenous medicine, complementary/alternative practices and conventional therapies individualized to each person’s needs. Integrative doctors (of which there are now hundreds in the U.S. and twice as many being trained by integrative programs at more than 30 top medical schools) look at the whole person, not just the disease, and we consider the emotional, spiritual, dietary, environmental and lifestyle influences that affect health and healing.

Click here for the complete article

Resources including a PowerPoint presentation by Ellen Stovall, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.
-Hippocrates 460-377 B.C.

Master Thai Massage Therapist - Winnie Cain

2009-07-25T13:17:00.004-04:00

Elizabeth O’Shea, a Yoga teacher in Marblehead, is sponsoring

Master Thai Massage Therapist, Winnie Cain
from Scottsdale AZ

who will teach a 30 hour
Thai Yoga Seminar
September 21 - 25th
(CEU credits available)

If you are interested, please visit Elizabeth O’Shea's website elizabethyoga.com for more information.

Limited space available.

A new year . . . a look at the business side

2009-02-08T09:03:00.005-05:00

There are always new things to learn. Each client is an unofficial ceu. In addition to the techniques learned - the business side is equally important. Without income we will have to go do something else!

The following article from FutureLMT is a review of many of the important elements needed to be successful in the massage business.

5 Things I Wish They Had Taught Me in Massage School
by Nancy Elizabeth Green

Here’s what seemed to be on most people’s minds.

1. The truth about wages.
This was the number-one issue for every massage therapist I talked with. I think massage schools sometimes exaggerate how much money a massage therapist can really make.

Here’s an idea about what several massage therapists were told:

* "You’ll make at least $60 per massage."
* "Clients will be knocking at your door."
* "Be sure to know other massage therapists, so you can refer your overflow to them."
* "Most spas pay their massage therapists 40 to 50 percent of the treatment price."

Here’s the reality. . . . Yes, being a massage therapist isn’t about the money. But it’s a big part of it.

2. Marketing: Getting and keeping clients . . .

I don’t know any massage therapists who say they have too many personal clients. In fact, this topic seems to be a big concern for many massage therapists, including those who have been practicing for several years . . .

3. Lotions, creams and oils . . .

4. Negotiating prices . . .

How much should you charge for your services . . .

5. When to cut the strings and start your own business . . .

For the entire article

Thank you, Ms. Green, for sharing your insight.

What to expect during a massage . . .

2008-12-28T13:11:00.002-05:00

The National Institutes of Health offers a tutorial for those who have questions on massage, its benefits and what is done during a session.

Massage tutorial - What to expect
National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health

The best of the holidays . . .

2008-11-25T20:30:00.001-05:00

There will be no piles of wrapping paper and ribbons - just good food, lots of fun and love of family and friends.

The gift is in the gathering.

A change of seasons . . .

2008-11-10T09:22:00.004-05:00

Sleeping or not enough sleep are topics on the minds on many this year. Getting enough restful sleep in very important to maintaining homeostasis by aiding the immune system and keeping the emotions in balance. Click here for a few use tips

Image by imapix

Why recommend other massage therapists & Reiki practitioners?

2008-10-27T10:17:00.000-04:00

Each client's needs are different.
Each therapist or practitioner offers different techniques.
Each therapist or practitioner responds to each client differently.

So that leaves us with questions: What does the client want from a session? What is best for this client today? Can I offer a session that will benefit this client today? If the answers are in the affirmative, you are all set.

Could we choose to make appointments with everyone who asks? Yes.

Should we make appointments with everyone who asks? Maybe not. As one of my instructors said often, "It depends."

The decision is based on the needs of the client. If I believe a client would benefit from a session with a different therapist or practitioner, I do not hesitate to refer the person to someone who offers that modality.

"Aren't you turning away customers?" you might ask. That is not how I see it. My goal is to help people find a path to wellness. Each person's path is different. If my practice is part of that journey, I am grateful.

And . . . yes, the business side is very important. Without financial success we will not be available to any clients. There is a growing need for relaxation and stress reduction in many lives therefore a growing population of potential clients. It takes a plan and effort to expand our circles of influence. Including our fellow therapists and practitioners is a positive way.

You will see a list of therapists and practitioners on this blog.

This post was inspired by an article by Michael Angier on his blog at SuccessNet called Why Would I Promote a Competitor? And Should YOU? It has nothing to do directly with the healing arts but reiterates the important concept of "an abundant marketplace" which fits right in with how we see our chosen professions.

Jessica Paskalis opens new office

2008-08-26T08:01:00.007-04:00

Physical Therapist
Craniosacral Therapist
Early Childhood Development

AS A DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY MY FOCUS IS TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY CONSULTATION AND TREATMENT TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE MOBILITY, FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH, ENDURANCE AND OVERALL HEALTH. TREATMENT CAN ADDRESS CHRONIC OR ACUTE MUSCLE, JOINT, HEADACHE AND BACK PAIN.
I SPECIALIZE IN ADULT AND PEDIATRIC CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.

JPT - Jessica Paskalis Physical Therapy
839 Central Avenue
Dover, NH
603-373-1773
Email

Good Stretch? Bad Stretch

2008-08-06T14:40:00.012-04:00

by Brad Walker, a leading stretching and sports injury consultant with nearly 20 years experience in the health and fitness industry.

How to decide for yourself.

Over the last few months our email server has been flooded with concerns about which stretches are good and which stretches are bad. In all cases someone has told the inquirer that they shouldn't do this stretch or that stretch, or that this is a good stretch and this is a bad stretch.

Some people have even seen stretches on our web site and emailed me to say (out of genuine concern) that this is a bad stretch because their coach, trainer or friend told them so.

So, are there only good stretches and bad stretches? Is there no middle ground? And if there are only good and bad stretches, how do you decide which ones are good and which ones are bad?

Let's put an end to the confusion once and for all...

There is no such thing as a good or bad stretch!
Just as there are no good or bad exercises, there are no good or bad stretches; only what is appropriate for the specific requirements of the individual. So a stretch that is perfectly okay for me, may not be okay for you or someone else.

Let me give you an example. You wouldn't ask someone with a shoulder injury to do push-ups or freestyle swimming, but that doesn't mean that these are bad exercises. Now, consider the same scenario from a stretching point of view. You wouldn't ask that same person to do shoulder stretches, would you? But that doesn't mean that all shoulder stretches are bad.

You see, the stretch itself isn't good or bad, it's the way it's performed and who it's performed on that makes it effective and safe, or ineffective and harmful. To place a particular stretch into a category of "Good" or "Bad" is foolish and dangerous. To label a stretch as "Good" gives people the impression that they can do that stretch whenever and however they want and it won't cause them any problems.

The specific requirements of the individual are what's important!
Remember, stretches are neither good nor bad. Just like a motor vehicle, it's what you do with it that makes it good or bad. However, when choosing a stretch there are a number of precautions and "checks" you need to perform before giving that stretch the okay.

Make a general review of the individual.
Are they healthy and physically active, or have they been leading a sedentary lifestyle for the past 5 years? Are they a professional athlete? Are they recovering from a serious injury? Do they have aches, pains or muscle and joint stiffness in any area of their body?
Make a specific review of the area, or muscle group to be stretched.
Are the muscles healthy? Is there any damage to the joints, ligaments, tendons, etc.? Has the area been injured recently, or is it still recovering from an injury?

If the muscle group being stretched isn't 100% healthy avoid stretching this area altogether. Work on recovery and rehabilitation before moving onto specific stretching exercises. If however, the individual is healthy and the area to be stretched is free from injury, then apply the following to all stretches.

Warm up prior to stretching.
Warming up prior to stretching does a number of beneficial things, but primarily its purpose is to prepare the body and mind for more strenuous activity. One of the ways it achieves this is by helping to increase the body's core temperature while also increasing the body's muscle temperature. By increasing muscle temperature you are helping to make the muscles loose, supple and pliable. This is essential to ensure the maximum benefit is gained from your stretching.
Stretch gently and slowly. (Avoid bouncing)
Stretching slowly and gently helps to relax your muscles, which in turn makes stretching more pleasurable and beneficial. This will also help to avoid muscle tears and strains that can be caused by rapid, jerky movements.
Stretch ONLY to the point of tension.
Stretching is NOT an activity that was meant to be painful; it should be pleasurable, relaxing and very beneficial. Although many people believe that to get the most from their stretching they need to be in constant pain. This is one of the greatest mistakes you can make when stretching.
Breathe slowly and easily while stretching.
Many people unconsciously hold their breath while stretching. This causes tension in your muscles, which in turn makes it very difficult to stretch. To avoid this, remember to breathe slowly and deeply during your stretching. This helps to relax your muscles, promotes blood flow and increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles.

An example
Let's take a look at one of the most controversial stretches ever performed and see how the above would be applied.

The stretch to the right causes many a person to go into complete melt-down. It has a reputation as a dangerous, bad stretch and should be avoided at all costs. Even just thinking about this stretch may cause injury.

So why is it that at every Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships you see sprinters doing this stretch before their events? Let's apply the above checks to find out.

Firstly, consider the person performing the stretch. Are they healthy, fit and physically active? If not, this isn't a stretch they should be doing. Are they elderly, over weight and unfit? Are they young and still growing? Do they lead a sedentary lifestyle? If so, they should avoid this stretch!

This first consideration alone would prohibit 50% of the population from doing this stretch.

Secondly, review the area to be stretched. This stretch obviously puts a large strain on the muscles of the hamstrings and lower back. So if your hamstrings or lower back aren't 100% healthy, don't do this stretch.

This second consideration would probably rule out another 25%, which means this stretch is only suitable for about 25% of the population. Or, the well trained, physically fit, injury free athlete.

Then apply the four precautions above and the well trained, physically fit, injury free athlete can perform this stretch safely and effectively.

Remember, the stretch itself isn't good or bad. It's the way it's performed and who it's performed on that makes it effective and safe, or ineffective and harmful.

Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports injury and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective.

For an easy-to-use, quick reference guide of 135 clear photographs of every possible stretching exercise, for every major muscle group in your body, get a copy of The Stretching Handbook. You'll also learn the benefits of flexibility; the rules for safe stretching; and how to stretch properly.

Click here to learn more about The Stretching Handbook.

Copyright © 2008 The Stretching Institute™
Article by Brad Walker. Brad is a leading stretching and sports injury consultant with nearly 20 years experience
in the health and fitness industry. For more free articles on stretching, flexibility and sports injury, subscribe to
The Stretching & Sports Injury Report by visiting The Stretching Institute.

Staying on top . . .

2008-08-06T08:18:00.004-04:00

Jessica Hupp of Organicasm has complied a very useful reminder list of 69 Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy Level

Here are a few I especially like:

Practice deep breathing:
Schedule down time
Spend your energy wisely
Stay organized
Act like you have energy

Postitive energy . . .

2008-07-20T08:04:00.005-04:00

The Penny Bear Company is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization established to provide opportunities for people of all ages to work together with their hands and hearts for a common purpose . . . to share messages of love, hope, and healing through charitable outreach projects in local communities and beyond.

Penny Wigglesworth of Marblehead started Penny Bear after her own near-death experience following an allergic reaction to a bee sting. Each bear which wears a head band and lovely hand knit sweater with a penny sewn behind an embroidered heart. Irresistible! They are given to a individuals and families in crisis.

For more information and how you can become involved, click here: Penny Bear Company

Creating the tone . . .

2008-07-19T07:09:00.000-04:00

As in all things, each client has personal preferences. Music is no exceptions. For example, one of my clients loves classical music and dislikes spa music. Another loves Enya. There are many wonderful collections available: classical music, sounds of nature (waves on the shore being a popular one here!), pan flute, drumming, folk.

Examples:

At a crossroads . . .

2008-07-15T07:45:00.006-04:00

Daily living takes a lot of time and energy.

Find a way to take time out to assess where you are. For some that may be a walk to a quiet spot where you can be by yourself for a while, for others a vacation far away from home base. Be prepared with pen and paper. The objective is to evaluate where you are now, where you want to be and how to get there. A great way to 'get it on paper' is to create a Life List (see How to Make a Life List at wholeliving.com) and here is a link to the easy-to-use life-list worksheet. Include everything! The process will take several sessions. The form your Life List takes is completely up to you; lists of words, phrases or long paragraphs. It does not matter. Solidifying your ideas by writing them down, re-reading and fine tuning will help give you direction.

The second part can be writing a resume as if you were applying for your dream job. There are most likely disparate goals in your list but, since they all represent you and your life, they are related. Find the threads that connect the important aspects. Know that at each stage in life your goals shift. For example as a student, employee, spouse, parent, grandparent or retiree, ones outlook and requirements evolve. There are many sites on the internet to help you write a resume. Here is an example at Job.com: The Resume Version Myth by Alesia Benedict , CPRW, JCTC , President and CEO of GetInterviews.com

You could also think of this process as a Business Plan. Much of the work was done in writing your Life List and your resume. The Small Business Administration has great ideas on starting a business. The same principles apply in developing a plan for the rest of your life. It is never too last to start. Small Business Planner, Manage your business from start to finish

Does this all seem to be too much work? Maybe.

Are you worth the investment in time and thought? Absolutely!

Remember the adage - If you do not have a plan, you plan to fail.

Write as if your life depended on the outcome - because it does!

Compassion - a building block

2008-07-06T06:40:00.001-04:00

Compassion is a profound and positive human emotion prompted by the pain of others. More vigorous than empathy, the feeling commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism. In ethical terms, the various expressions down the ages of the so-called Golden Rule embody by implication the principle of compassion: Do to others as you would have done to you. Ranked a great virtue in numerous philosophies, compassion is considered in all the major religious traditions as among the greatest of virtues.

Wikipedia

Each of these books, altho' not new, gives one a window into another world.

Wild Swans : Three Daughters of China

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books

A 1000 Splendid Suns

Reflexology - more than a hand massage!

2008-06-24T08:09:00.010-04:00

Reflexology, done on hands, feet and ears, is based on the concept that there are areas on all that refer to other parts of the body. Modern reflexology began with Dr. William H. Fitzgerald, a practicing physician at Boston City Hospital, in his book Zone Therapy, or Relieving Pain at Home.

The "maps" created in the 1030's by Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist in the office of Dr. Joe Shelby Riley, are the basis of Reflexology today. Each area of the hands corresponds to a part of the body, an organ or a gland through the nervous system as you can see in the illustration below.

The benefits of Reflexology

Reduces stress & tension
Promotes relaxation
Improves blood circulation
Promotes the unblocking of nerve impulses
Helps body come to a state of homeostasis

A session, done fully clothed either in a reclining position or on a massage table, can be received by most everyone. There are few contraindications.

To schedule a session on Cape Ann: Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, or Essex, call Suzanne Brown, 617.678.1075.

Reflexology map by Barbara and Kevin Kunz.

Life List? Who knew?

2008-03-12T14:40:00.006-04:00

Not me!

The exercise described in the last post was a new idea for me back in 1990's. I did not know about journalling. Writing had always been a struggle because I did not spell well. Yet it felt like the right direction and who was going to try to read my scribbles except myself anyway! No one. As I wrote the process became easier and easier. The ideas flowed on to the page. A direction developed. Integrate my design education and marketing experience, a desire to work with women, my love of plants and gardening and wish to share what I have learned. A little vague but a direction.

I was introduced to Reiki by a dear friend who understood the need for healing in my life. Little did I know at the time this was one of the steps along the way.

I took an office job while the ideas percolated. A community support organization helped me layout step-by-step the way to an intensive webmaster class. That done I was on my way, armed with my new vocabulary. The second big step came as an opportunity to purchase a piece of land with a tiny stone house and greenhouse. It was a dream come true. Beautiful native plants everywhere. Lots of room to garden and lots of stone to move about. The final piece of my puzzle evolved slowly. I was still working pretty much alone. With Reiki 2 completed and a desire to help others benefit from this gentle technique I went back to school and became a therapeutic massage therapist. The herbs from my garden are becoming more and more a part of my practice and my life.

I am now working with an ever expanding circle of wonderful practitioners and design clients.

So today as I read the new issue of Body+Soul April 2008, and came across What's on Your life List? I was thrilled to see that I was on the right path. Love it! Just love it! Must start another List for the next few years!

I have no idea how my life would have evolved if I had not believed that change was possible. I have been given so much. Education, love, emotional support, friendship, material support, opportunities I would never have imagined. Yes, even hard blows. There was a time I might have remained stuck in a negative place. Once I took responsibility for moving ahead, for breaking through the fear of stepping out - I have been on a roll! I am grateful for it all.

That's not to say once in a while the doubt returns but each time it makes a shorter visit.

Starting over . . .

2008-03-07T09:42:00.005-05:00

There are a few times in life when you can start over, do what you want. Sometimes we do not recognize the opportunity.

A number of years ago my life was completely turned upside down. I took several months to write down everything I had ever wanted to do and still found fascinating - because my previous life was gone. It lead me back to school to learn a new language, HTML. That was the first step. Since then I have returned to school and become a Reiki Practitioner and a Massage Therapist. And the final piece to my puzzle - I was able to purchase a property that was once an herb farm. Does it appear that I have been going this way and that? To some maybe but for me it has been tied directly to the three things that I found in my original wish list; work in the design field, work with a group of women and to grow wonderful plants. They are all on track - not as I first thought they would line up, but as each has unfolded. My passions are my work. And I love it. I continued to review my goals.

Just know you can do it, that people will help when you need help altho' the help may come from unexpected quarters. Give the process a chance to evolve.

Food for thought as we start a new year

2008-01-08T09:24:00.002-05:00

"When we forgive someone, we are not condoning their actions, but are released from perpetuating the energetic pattern that has caused us pain".
~Author Unknown

Plantar Faciitis

2007-12-02T17:06:00.001-05:00

I have been presented with several people with Plantar Faciitis recently. There is an interesting article at MassageMag.com on the pathology, assessment & evaluation, treatment and massage. Below is the beginning on the segment on massage.

"Massage techniques"

"Massage techniques are quite helpful for plantar fasciitis. Longitudinal stripping methods applied to the bottom surface of the foot will help reduce tension in the intrinsic flexor muscles. It will also maintain better tone in those tissues. Some practitioners advocate performing most of the longitudinal stripping methods toward the calcaneus in order not to create additional tensile stress on the plantar fascia."

"Deep transverse friction may be used directly on the plantar fascia to stimulate fibroblast activity and tissue healing from chronic overuse. However, caution should be used in applying friction massage near the attachment on the calcaneus because of the possibility of a bone spur. Since the practitioner will not know whether a bone spur is present, it is best to assume that one might be there. The client’s pain will generally be a good guide as to how much pressure may be used with various massage techniques. Pressure that is too painful for the client should not be used."

for the complete article

Just Relax!

2007-12-02T16:11:00.001-05:00

Especially at this time of the year - daylight hours drastically reduced, family gatherings over the holidays, pressure to buy gifts - there are lots of things that can trigger stress. Here is an article by Frederic Luskin Ph.D. published in Parade Magazine: September 24, 2006 on stress and how to take the upper hand.

"Stress is your body’s normal response to a threat of any kind, and the “danger” does not have to be huge: It can be running late for a meeting or having an argument with a friend or colleague. Even if the danger is small, our bodies release chemicals that have a galvanizing effect on every cell. Many Americans today—facing long hours at work, financial pressures and problems with spouses and children— constantly are under stress. Even childhood is not as simple as it once was, and adolescents have a full vocabulary of stress."

By Frederic Luskin Ph.D.

Published - Parade Magazine: September 24, 2006

for complete article