Magazines

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pat Ward on December 17, 2009 at 12:16pm

What I would like to see more of are articles that talk about specific techiniques that can be used to alleviate specific imjuries or chronic conditions including the anatomy and physiology behind the techiniques, I would like more science based articles. The massage profession is trying to be taken seriously as a proven method to relieve specific problems so we all need to be well versed in the scientific aspects of massage. School can only take you so far, it is important to continue learning and growing into the profession at all times.Taking continuing ed courses and reading science based periodicals are ways we can continue to grow and learn, this in turn will help us increase our business because we can offer something other therapists may not be able to do. Word of mouth spread quickly if you are able to help relieve specific conditions effectively.

Permalink Reply by Liz on December 17, 2009 at 8:39pm

Julie - which kind of magazines are you referring to - those for the public or for massage professionals?

Permalink Reply by Julie Onofrio on December 17, 2009 at 10:24pm

For massage professionals....

Liz said:

Julie - which kind of magazines are you referring to - those for the public or for massage professionals?

Permalink Reply by Julie Onofrio on December 17, 2009 at 10:27pm

I actually think talking about techniques in an article is very dangerous and would like to see less of it. So many massage therapists think that it is all about finding and using the right technique - it isn't about that at all. You can't teach a technique in an article especially in a magazine article. If you know the anatomy you can apply what techniques you know to address whatever issues the clients are having. Maybe more in dept anatomy would help.



Pat Ward said:

What I would like to see more of are articles that talk about specific techiniques that can be used to alleviate specific imjuries or chronic conditions including the anatomy and physiology behind the techiniques, I would like more science based articles. The massage profession is trying to be taken seriously as a proven method to relieve specific problems so we all need to be well versed in the scientific aspects of massage. School can only take you so far, it is important to continue learning and growing into the profession at all times.Taking continuing ed courses and reading science based periodicals are ways we can continue to grow and learn, this in turn will help us increase our business because we can offer something other therapists may not be able to do. Word of mouth spread quickly if you are able to help relieve specific conditions effectively.

Permalink Reply by Joseph E. Muscolino on December 17, 2009 at 10:52pm

First, I get so confused by the order of the posts when there are replies to specific replies... etc. So, I will place this post here.

I am not a fan of specific techniques for specific conditions, IF what is meant by specific techniques is "named" "trademarked" techniques that are marketed to therapists. Please don't get me wrong, I think that most every technique has a lot of good to it, I just do not think that any one technique is the "one" way to go for a specific condition. Now if what is meant by specific techniques is something like CR stretching or deep tissue work, or something like this, then that is fine, as long as it is clear that any one of these techniques is one possible way amongst many to work a particular condition.
I fully agree with Pat's and Julie's statement about more anatomy and physiology... I strongly believe that if anatomy is known, then physiology can be figured out, then pathophysiology can be figured out, then assessment can be figured out, then treatment can be figured out. It just takes critical reasoning with a foundation in A and P.

Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on December 23, 2009 at 4:25pm

I agree Joseph. I get quite confused by the order of the posts.
As one of the "older" therapists (in years of age and years of practice), I am disconcerted by the way that many newer therapists are marketing their practices. They seem to have a "menu" of modalities that the cllients can choose from - sometmes with different prices for different modalties. That doesn't make sense to me at all. How can a client know that Myofascial Stretching or A.R.T will work best for them? It is up to the therapist to do an assessment and decide what is needed to relieve pain and increase function and use the modalities that are best suited to that goal. When I have a client on the table I will use any or all of the modalities I know (when appropriate) to help that client.

I am particularly disturbed about the number of clients phoning lately and asking for Deep Tissue Massage. How do they know (or how do I know) that deep tissue work is indicated for that client if I haven't even assessed them yet? There is the exceptional case when a client has had this type of work and knows it has been successful for them. Besides, the term "deep massage" is subjective. What feels "deep" to one client may be moderate pressure to another client.

Where I practice we do have extensive educatin in Anatomy, Physiology,Pathology and Assessments, so as long as therapists review and keep current in their knowledge, it is all critical thinking from there.

Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on December 23, 2009 at 5:13pm

I have written numerous articles for magazines, and I think most of them have substance and are not "fluff". Topics include:
Public Health:
Ethics - (1) therapeutic authority: (2) appropriate responses to inappropriate requests
Supporting clients with Breast Cancer
Interviews with massage therapists living with cancer
Interview with therapist who treats children with severe disabilities
Treatment and healing of a Leg Fracture (case study)
Treating a client with Acute Leukemia (Case study)

These are all in publications of the Ontario Massage Therapy Assocation and not available in the U.S.
I have just submitted an article for publication in another magazine. It's on Ethics - Informed consent.
I guess my only somewhat "fluffy" article was about a visit to Australia, with some information about theMT profession in that country.