CE INSTITUTE LLC BLOG

Most massage appointments can be improved with a hot towel service.

First, massage therapists should immerse a couple drops of essential oil with hot water in a bowl of clean sink to create an aromatherapy water bath.  For sports massage, consider adding a few drops of juniper and lavender essential oil for an aromatherapy immersion.  Add hand towels to the aromatherapy water bath and squeeze excess water from the towels. Insert the towels into a hot towel cabi to keep them hot.

If a client wants hot towel compress treatment or their back, apply the three to four towels to the client’s back before their back massage (and after if desired). Apply one towel at a time to the back and renew the heat with a fresh hot towel (removing the cold towel) repeatedly, as demonstrated in the training video. Repeatedly compress the wet hot towel into the client's soft tissue as shown in the training video. BE SURE TO AIR OUT the hot towel prior to applying to skin, to make sure the client is not burned with a towel that is too hot for them. Repeatedly check in with the client to ensure the temperature is comfortable with the hot towel, where-ever it is applied.

It's great practice to save at least one hot towel for the feet. Wipe off any massage oils or lotions while you’re on the feet so the floor will feel less slippery when the client dismounts the table.

 #aromatherapy #aromatherapycompress #sportscompress #aromatherapymassage #sportsmassage #lmt #massage #massagetherapist #massagetherapy

To facilitate a steamed scrub, a practitioner would perform their body scrub as usual, but add steam to the area that is being scrubbed with a facial steamer (those are the spa machines that stand about 3 to 5 feet high on wheels and blow steam from the steamer arm).

Keep the steamer arm about 14 to 18 inches from skin/scrub area. If the skin becomes red, the steamer may be too close to the skin or the scrubbing is too hard (especially with sensitive skins). Watch the skin for redness and adjust accordingly.

Move the steamer and steamer arm around to the different areas of the body being scrubbed, as shown in the training video.

Remember, that the steam time may not last longer than 10 to 20 minutes, so turn the steamer off while not scrubbing to ensure there is enough steam for the full body.

Steamed scrubs are particularly fabulous for athletes, and other clients who might spend long periods of time in the sun.  Athletes who spend many hours training might find their skin in less than ideal condition, so a steamed scrub service not only removes dead skin and can help moisturize the skin, but they will also benefit from the thermal therapy and soft tissue manipulation as well.

Some steamers have an area where aromatherapy or essential oils can be added. If you can add aromatherapy to your steamer, you should chose something that's ideal for the client's needs.  Our basic aromatherapy training provides common uses of over 25 different essential oils, and is great information when selecting different aromatic essences for clients benefit.  We suggest using a mint-family essential oil with sports treatments to refresh and energize the air.

When adding this service to your service menu, suggested treatment names include:

• Full Body Car Wash
• Sports Steam and Scrub
• Athletic Body Polish
• Full Body Refresh and Renew
• Full Body Facial (when adding full body moisturizing treatment after the full body scrub and scrub removal)

It is suggested to upcharge an additional $20+ to add steam to a full body scrub service. There is no extra time added to the scrub appointment, and minimal expense between distilled water and electricity to run the steamer.

You can learn more about how to perform this service in our Aromatherapy and Master Therapy Tools & Microtreatments training classes at CE Institute LLC.

 #aromatherapy #aromatherapyscrub #steamedscrub #bodyscrub #fullbodyscrub #sports #sportsmassage #health #medical #cosmetology #esthetics #skincare #massage #massagetherapy #lmt #massagetherapist 

The practice of Hawaiian medicine was provided through story telling from one generation to the next.  As an isolated population, the Hawaiian people did not have text books and note charting for a great period of time.  Instead, they used story telling, song and dance to share information and keep an educated existence.

A Lomi Goal is to Bring Out ALOHA Principles.  Aloha principles are Feelings of:  Peace, Tranquility, Love, Humility, Kindness, Gratitude, Compassion, etc.  The word Aloha has many translations and meanings in the Hawaiian language. 

In tradition with Hawaiian practice, we have developed an Alohatherapy Lomi Lomi Facial Massage that tells a story of a life in Hawaii, with manual strokes on the face. Part of lomilomi massage is to to change your speed to become one with nature and the universe. One way you achieve this is by allowing your lomi lomi massage strokes to take on new meanings and purpose, as demonstrated here in this Alohatherapy facial training video: 

 #alohatherapy #lomilomi #lomilomimassage #hawaii #hawaiianculture #lomilomi  #massagetherapy #lmt #mt #massage #massagetherapist

Massage therapists use their hands - a LOT. As such, your hands are your most valuable tools when working as a licensed massage practitioner. 

In this training video, we will show a neuromuscular technique, that is also used to release fascial adhesions as part of myofascial release. It is also an active release technique also known as "ART". There is active movement on the behalf of the client, and the practitioner will then apply pressure and movement with their own fist to manipulate the underlying soft tissue.

At CE Institute LLC, we also call this technique strumping.  We are STRipping soft tissues while a joint is PUMPING, moving back and forth through its normal range of motion.

This technique can be provided to both forearm flexors and extensors. It is an invaluable tool and technique for massage therapists to apply to themselves as part of self-care, and it is also valuable therapy for clients who excessively use their hands as well, whether through sports competition, work, daily activities and more! 

#DeepTissueMassage #Post-SurgicalBodywork #myofascialrelease #myofascia #myofasciabodywork #sportsmassage #advanced massage #strumping #generalmassage #massagetherapy #lmt #mt #massage #massagetherapist

Reciprocal inhibition is the automatic antagonist alpha motor neurone inhibition which is evoked by contraction of the agonist muscle1.

The "natural" actional of reciprocal inhibition allows an opposing muscle to relax when its antagonist is contracted.

Knowing techniques to relieve muscle cramps, especially during sports massage, is a valuable skill for sports massage therapists.  Muscle cramping usually occurs in athletes when they are competing in heat, unable to adequately hydrate, and overusing their muscles, especially in repetitive exercise such as running, bicycling and other sports. 

In this training video, you can view an instructor demonstration of how reciprocal inhibition is practiced for both the quadricep and hamstring muscles of the upper thigh: 

#musclecramping #reciprocalinhibition #sportsmassage #athlete #cramp #musclecramp #relievecramp #massagetherapy #lmt #mt #massage #massagetherapist

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8299401/#:~:text=Reciprocal%20inhibition%20is%20the%20automatic,the%20control%20of%20voluntary%20movements.

According to the Mayo Clinic, plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes (plantar fascia).

Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move, the pain normally decreases, but it might return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting.

The cause of plantar fasciitis is poorly understood. It is more common in runners and in people who are overweight.

At one point of time, plantar fasciitis was known as policeman's heel, because police who walked and stood all day were commonly effected. 

Massage therapists should not manipulate acute or swollen plantar fasciitis.  Pressing into swollen or acutely torn soft tissue could further tear the tissue.  

Scar tissue often develops during the healing process of plantar fasciitis.  It is essential to attempt to "break-down" and thin the scar tissue to prevent further tears.  This advanced hands-on massage therapy practice training video with plantar fasciitis is a helpful and beneficial practice to attempt to break-down scar tissue that develops after tearing and swelling, when the client enters their chronic or sub-acute phase of plantar fasciitis.

Corporate chair and onsite massage has moved to new types of offices, including poker tables for poker professionals and other gaming amateurs and experts in a casino. Enter massage.

Spending long hours at a casino table or slot machine can be "bad for the back". Luckily, massage therapists can now work in many casinos, and provide massage therapy services to casino patrons and staff.

In this chair massage training video, licensed massage therapist Kelley Stead of Winning Hands will share the basics of casino chair massage is offered in professional setting:

#casinomasasge #casino #pokermassage #chairmassage #onsitemassage #corporatemassage #painrelief #backmassage #massagetherapy #lmt #mt #massage #massagetherapist

Onsite chair massage is known to boost employee morale, attendance and productivity as well as relieve pain and stress. It is the perfect wellness perk to offer in turbulent times, especially at work. Studies have found that employee attendance was greater during days when massage was offered at the office.  Onsite chair massage is also much less expensive than some of the other benefits that employers have been recently providing to keep their staff happy.

Some massage recipients may be seeking chair massage at work for low back pain, however, working the low back can be difficult sometimes when providing services in a corporate chair.

In this training video, we will demonstrate knee knocking, which works the clients hips, and is provided while the massage therapist is standing behind the client. Knee knocking is an efficient method to work on the lower back, while preserving a massage therapist's body mechanics to make the physical work - easier for the therapists.

Keep in mind that practitioners work at their own risk, and any training that we offer to practitioners does not guarantee perfection nor will it eliminate risk of injury to the practitioner or client.  Please attend and complete CE Institute LLC's regular chair massage training in any of our regular classes to help improve your practical outcomes by registering for any one of these chair massage classes: https://ceinstitute.com/collections/chair-massage-event-work

#lowbackmassage #chairmassage #onsitemassage #corporatemassage #painrelief #backmassage #massagetherapy #lmt #mt #massage #massagetherapist

J-stroking is one of the earliest, and most basics strokes of myofascial release. Alphabet stroking was created by CE Institute LLC founder Selena Belisle, and was born and enhanced from the practice of J-stroking.

In this myofascial release instructor demonstration training video, you'll view how both J-stroking and alphabet stroking are applied to the skin and underlying soft tissues.

Myofascial release j-stroking and alphabet stroking are part of the superficial warm-up techniques that are applied prior to deeper work.

 #jstroking #j-stroking #stretching #painrelief #medical #healthcare #myofascialrelease #generalmassage #massagetherapy #lmt #mt #massage #massagetherapist