Quantum Metta School of Massage

How to Choose a Massage Table

When choosing your massage table...ask yourself the following questions...

How often are you going to use your massage table? If you'll have light usage then you might find that a cheaper, less substantial model, would be ok for your use. If you're planning to use the table more often, then it's probably worth investing in a more substantial and very likely more costly model.

Where are you going to use the massage table? In your home only? Is it going to be set up in a room and not likely to be moved around much? Then maybe a heavier, non-folding table will fit the bill. Or even - budget allowing - a hydraulic table. If the room has other uses and you need to set up your table, then set it down again on a regular basis, then a folding table is the one for you.

Will you be visiting clients in their homes? You'll  need to ensure that you're able to lift the table in and out of your car fairly easily; and also carry it in and out of your clients' homes (and sometimes up and down stairs) with relative ease. You can buy lightweight tables (around 6/7kg) which are really easy to transport, yet sturdy too. Though they're more costly than heavier tables.

    

If you're working in a health club, clinic or spa...do they have massage tables already? So do you need to buy one of your own at all?

When choosing a table, we'd recommend the minimum requirements you'll need are...easily adjustable height legs (so you can adjust the height up or down to suit how you work and to suit the frame of your individual clients); a face cradle (so you're able to step around to the side of the face cradle - which is attached to one end - and maintain good postural alignment; it also makes your table longer for taller clients).

Generally massage tables are 24/26 inches wide and 72 inches long (excluding the face cradle). Some tables have a facehole set in the table itself instead of a face cradle. This means that taller clients will have their feet dangling off the end which may compromise their comfort. It also means that you might compromise your posture.

Wider tables are available which will be more comfortable for clients with larger frames. The downside is they are also heavier so less portable and could be more challenging to the therapist's posture as you'll need to lean further across the table than usual.

Some massage tables have adjustable back rests which are great for clients unable to lie down, or if you practice another therapy such as reflexology. Some tables come with leg and/or arm extensions and arm slings. All these will make the table heavier to carry around.

Happy massaging - Doreen and Dympna

What is Chi? Part 2

Human chi is generally known as 'Normal', 'Upright' or 'True Chi'. Within that there are different categories of Chi. So let's have a look at them.

1) Pre-natal Chi is also known as heaven, original or inherited chi. It's the chi that we are born with and we inherit it from our parents through our genes. It is thought that the amount of Pre-natal chi we are born with can't be increased during a lifetime, though as we use chi/energy it can be supplemented by practising meditation and other forms of spiritual development, including Chi Kung . Pre-natal chi is stored in the Kidneys.

2) Post-natal Chi  is received through breathing (aka Natural Air Chi) and by eating (also known as Grain Chi). This combination of air and food, forms 'Nutritive Chi' which is then circulated throughout our bodies via energy channels known as meridians.

The combination of Pre-natal and Post-natal Chi can be further categorised in 5 areas...

1) Organ Chi which is responsible for the healthy and balanced functioning of the organs.

2) Channel/Meridian Chi which is responsible for transporting Chi through the channels/meridians.

3) Nourishing/Nutritive Chi which transforms and creates blood from food, and also moves with blood to help nourish the tissues of the body.

4) Guardian/Protective Chi acts as our immune system. It acts as a barrier between the body and external pathogens (or what's known as External Pernicious Influences!). It flows within the chest and abdominal cavities and warms the organs, and also flows between the skin and muscles and regulates the opening and closing of pores, and protects and moistens skin, hair and nails.

5) Ancestral/Chest Chi gathers in the chest forming a 'sea fo Chi'. It travels up to the throat area and down to the abdomen. This Chi is responsible for breathing, speaking, regulating heart beat and can also strengthen the body.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine illness is a result of the Chi being out of balance, the flow being disrupted or blocked in some way. Illness can also be a result of deficiencies and imbalance in the organs of the body. There are many patterns of disharmony and the following are the two major ones associated with Chi...

1) Deficient Chi: this happens when there is a lack of Chi and it leads to an inability to carry out the normal functioning of Chi within the body. For example, when the whole body is deficient in Chi this could lead to lethargy and a lack of motivation. Collapsed Chi is a type o Deficient Chi where the lack of chi causes organs to prolapse. For example, prolapsed uterus or haemorrhoids.

2) Stagnant Chi: this happens when the chi doesn't flow smoothly. This can also lead to impairment of an organ. For example, dysmenorrhea could be a result of stagnant chi (blood) affecting the uterus. Rebellious chi is a type of Stagnant Chi where the Chi flows in the wrong direction. For example, stomach chi should flow downwards; if it rebels and goes up it could result in vomiting and nausea.

Various interventions are used to rebalance, unlock and promote the free flow of Chi again. These include Chi Kung, massage, nutrition, herbal remedies, martial arts and acupuncture.

Happy Chi - Doreen and Dympna

 

What is Chi? Part 1

"Without sound, without substance, dependent on nothing, unchanging, all pervading, unfailing. One may think of it as the mother all things under Heaven." Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu

The concept of chi...chi  has roots in the traditional culture of China. According to Jwing-Ming Yang, how Chi is defined varies depending upon the individual's background and experience. Chi is often described as an electrical energy, magnetic energy, sensations of heat/cold/tingling. Jwing-Ming Yang says that 'anyone who has carefully researched Chi would not define it by any of those narrow definitions'!

Other sources define Chi as: energy flow, air, breath, gas, vitality, steam coming off rice, the substance that sustains all living beings, the energy that keeps us alive, the basic life force of all three levels of human existence...body, energy and mind, the dynamic polar field in which all energy moves and from which all power springs. In addition Ted Kaptchuk explains 'we can perhaps think of Qi (chi) as matter on the verge of becoming energy, or energy at the point of materializing'. One of my Chi Kung teachers says that that is a classic Western view of chi, but traditionally chi is much more inherent within us. 

Categories of Chi...there appears to be 2 broad categories of Chi: Heaven Chi and Earth Chi. Heaven Chi is made up of things such as sunlight and moonlight, and it controls and influences Earth Chi. The earth's magnetic field and lines, and the underground heat make up Earth Chi. Within Earth Chi is Human Chi, and also within Earth Chi all  living things (animals and plants) have their own Chi. These are all constantly looking for balance and therein lies the dynamic of yin and yang.

We'll explore the categories within Human Chi in a later blog...so watch this space :-)

Happy Chi - Doreen and Dympna

Networking4Therapists Evening - 23 November

23 November will be the next Networking4Therapists evening. Always enjoyable and with a good crowd of complementary therapists.

We're lucky to have author Celia Johnson as the speaker for this event. Celia will be talking on 'Keeping your busines buoyant during tough times'.

Celia is co-author of 'How to be a Successful Therapist'. She has been a professinal musician, nurse, and for the last twenty years, a massage therapist. Her time in nursing sparked an interest in complementary therapies and she trained and qualified firstly in Reflex Zone Therapy, then Massage, and Reiki to the level of Master Practitioner.

Her articles have been published in professional journals such as Postive Health, Massage and Health Review and the International Journal of Theatre Nursing and online for Holisticpro.com. She has given talks on local radio and the BBC.

As well as running a thriving private practice, Celia gives talks and workshops on business skills and also First Aid training. Her wisdom and friendly inclusive approach make her a much sought after speaker and teacher.

Here are 9 good reasons to come along on 23 November...

1. Hear and meet Celia Johnson (her latest book on 'How to Create a Successful Busines' will be available at the event)

2. Meet other complementary therapists and develop personal and business friendships

3. Exchange ideas with others that will be good for them, good for you, good for your business

4. Have the opportunity to participate in the Two Minute Tell...put your business card in a bucket, if yours is one of 3 pulled out, you can speak to the whole audience for 2 minutes on anything you want

5. Take part in speednetworking - a great way of meeting the most people in the shortest time

6. Relax into slownetworking - a chance to mingle and have more indepth connection with some of those you met in the speednetworking

7. Be inspired and have a great time

8. Being a complementary therapist can sometimes be isolating; Networking4Therapists aims to build bridges to expand your networks and resources

and...

9. There's always houmous!!

www.networking4therapists.com to book your place.

Happy networking - Doreen and Dympna

The Power of Focus in Massage Therapy

You know the old saying 'you get what you focus on'? You know the question ...'is the glass half full or half empty?' Or how about 'Don't think of a flying pink elephant'? See you did, didn't you? You get what you focus on.

Let's assume that we can only hold one thought at a time. So therefore we can only focus on one thing at a time. Yes...you can flit from one thing to another, often in a fairly random unconscious way...AND it's still only one thought at a time.

This is really good news in our work as massage therapists. Of course, it's a given that our focus and intention is always that clients feel better after a treatment. We wish them well. Add to that a deliberate and CONSCIOUS focus on the healing potential of the client, and it multiplies the possibilities for them. We can enhance this further and create opportunities to make health-ful and happy choices within our treatments.

Here are 5 things you can focus on in your practice to enhance the health and wellbeing of your clients...

1) Focus on you! Look after yourself first. Work from a constantly replenished source, rather than an increasingly depleted source. Be a beacon of health for your clients - inspire them. Walk the talk. Clients would rather see a happy healthy therapist. Wouldn't you?

2) Focus on the client's wellbeing not their problems. In most clients, much more of them is well than not! Even if they have a major pathology going on...see them getting better and improving moment by moment. Of course, we take details of their medical history and then we focus on what can help them. If anything is going to change, you have to change the direction of your focus and think differently in the present.

3) Focus on using language therapeutically by choosing to use positive or neutral language. So during the consultation, rather than asking 'Do you suffer from any back problems?' say 'Do you have any back conditions?'. Sounds different doesn't it?

4) Focus on the use of positive expectation and suggestion throughout the treatment. Instead of saying 'Wow your muscles are really tight' say 'yes your muscles are getting looser'. Aim to soothe the 'hotspot' rather than reinforcing it. On a subliminal level, when clients go into the relaxation mode induced by massage, it's better to have 'improvements' suggested to them, rather than 'that's really tight and tense' which keeps them nearer to where they were when they came in.

5) Focus on what makes it feel better and encourage more of that. If that stretch is helpful do that, or those shoulder mobilisations, or that chi kung class...then do that. Stuff that improves how the client feels in the moment raises their potential for wellness. Of course, you may know this and we'll say it anyway...use aftercare to further develop the 'this will continue to help you feel better' focus...do remember to give a LITTLE bit of aftercare so it's manageable for the client. Give them a long list, and they're likely to do none of it. It may feel like too much to do...so less is often more.

Happy focusing - Dympna and Doreen

10 Good Reasons to Attend CAMexpo, 24/25 Oct, Earls Ct

Just 4 weeks to go to this year's CAMexpo at Earls Court, London. www.camexpo.co.uk

Here are ten good reasons to come along...

1) CAMexpo is the UK's only dedicated trade exhibition for the CAM sector and we'll be exhibiting there again this year. It's aimed at complementary health practitioners, students and retailers.

2) It's a wonderful opportunity to discover what's new in the field of complementary health.

3) There's a wide range of workshops you can attend. We're running 2 workshops on Thai Yoga Massage. So if you're a massage therapist you'll learn traditional Thai Yoga Massage techniques that can easily be incorporated into your current massage work.

4) On our stand (number 2712) there'll be a FREE prize draw. We're giving away 6 one day workshops with Quantum Metta School of Massage. www.quantummetta.co.uk

5) There are a number of free talks that you can attend.

6) There'll be loads of interesting stands to wander around.

7) This is an ideal environment to network with fellow practitioners/students.

8) There'll be a number of stands offering treatments to try out.

9) There's a special offer on tickets at the moment...buy one get one free www.camexpo.co.uk.

and...

10) We'd love to see you!

Happy days - Doreen and Dympna

 

Organic Fortnight 5-20 September 2009

This month sees 'Organic Fortnight' from 5- 20 September. It's not just about food either. It's a nationwide campaign promoting everything organic...food, beauty products, clothes...all with an eye on being environmentally friendly.

There'll be a number of events all over the country with the aim of raising awareness about why organic is a healthy choice for us and the planet.

See www.soilassociation.org for more info.

Happy organics - Dympna and Doreen

Did You Know?

Did you know that there are over 17000 touch receptors in the entire hand?

And...did you know that if we never trim our nails by the time we're 80 years old they'd be around 5 metres long. Pretty tricky to massage with eh?

Happy pondering - Doreen and Dympna

10 Good Reasons To Have A Massage

1.  Massage helps reduce stress, nervous tension and anxiety.

2.  Massage gets rid of any tension and tightness in your muscles.

3.  Massage helps still and quieten your mind.

4.  Massage helps your skin look and feel healthier.

5.  Massage increases local blood circulation.

6.  Massage accelerates muscle recovery after excercise.

7.  Massage helps reduce pain.

8.  Massage helps the lymphatic system and encourages the elimination of waste products.

9.  Massage balances the autonomic nervous system by 'switching on' the parasympathetic nervous system (that's the bit that helps with stress).

10. Massage helps promote sleep.

This should have been '100 Good Reasons To....' - another time :-)

Happy massages - Doreen and Dympna

Something To Ponder - Facts About The Body

A baby has 300 bones at birth. By the time he or she matures as an adult, some have become fused together and they only 206 remain.

The human heart beats around 35 million times a year. That's a lot!

Happy pondering - Doreen and Dympna

If Time Flies, Be The Pilot

Time, something to ponder on as one second changes to the next, one minute to the next, one hour to the next, one day to the next, one month to the next and one year to the next. Where does all this time go to. It certainly seems to fly by.  

Remember when we were children at school? Time was marked by half-terms, holidays, home-time. The school day seemed so long; what would it be like to have a working day as long as that? Holidays seemed to last forever, often all we had to do was play.

Is it just as we grow older that we have more to do and often have to focus on many things at once, that time seems to speed up for us? Is it just perception or is there a scientific reason for it? What about people who don't have a lot to do? Do their days seem longer and does time pass more slowly for them?

If time flashes past for you, experiment with a bit of tv detox (yes, switch it off!), the evenings suddenly seem longer...hooray...gained 3 more hours already. Experiment with getting up earlier in the morning (easier now it's lighter and the weather's warmer)...hooray...1 or 2 more hours. Can we decide to have a whole hour off for lunch, instead of working through, again?

And, it is as if, even though we still have 24 hours in the day, we can do or just be more in those 24 hours.

What could you do with 4 or 5 more hours a day?

"If time flies, be the pilot." Nigel Risner

Happy hours - Doreen and Dympna