As much as we love school here at SpaBeautySchools.com, we totally sympathize with every student who has their stressful moments. That’s where a massage therapist comes in. And if you’re studying to be a massage therapist, then you’ll know just the right place to visit when it comes time for your very own massage.

When I think of a spa school I immediately associate it with massage, even though there is such a wide variety of spa schools out there. And there are even more specific specialties, which is great for those who want to branch out. Some of these include hot stone massage, acupressure, and chair massage. You may even become involved with working on a cruise line and choosing between western and eastern massage.

Massage therapy is a helping profession for sure. And there are so many education options within this spa career. You can earn an associate or bachelor’s degree and then specialize with a certification. You can also attend a spa school and pursue your education even further. The options are endless and with more education you’re sure to have even more opportunities for massage therapy jobs (and even higher salaries). In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the field of massage therapy will grow by 19 percent through the year 2018. That’s certainly faster than the average. In May 2008, it was estimated that the highest 10 percent of massage therapist earned more than $33.47.

So what are you waiting for? Go get a massage to ease your stress or tension from school or work and consider the career of a massage therapist. You may be next…

Research a career today!

-Amanda Fornecker

After doing a presentation recently on Meniere’s Disease, I found out a few interesting tidbits regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Meniere’s Disease is a disorder of the inner ear, whose cause is unknown. Symptoms include tinnitus (a ringing in the ears), hearing loss, vertigo, and aural fullness (a sensation that you have cotton in your ears). There is no cure for Meniere’s Disease, but there are some treatments that may help alleviate these bothersome symptoms. Some include the use of ototoxic drugs (which can really only be used in patients who have a severe hearing loss, as these drugs tend to worsen hearing and cause permanent damage); others have begun to turn to alternative medicine methods, like CAM.

Meniere’s Disease patients who seek CAM treatment for relief have found significant betterment of their symptoms. CAM includes treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, naturopathy, hypnosis, and many other treatments. A CAM practitioner is one who is skilled in alternative medicine practices and treatments. They have received their licensure after completing a prescribed course of CAM school study and can legally practice on clients. Some CAM practitioners may specialize in a particular type of CAM treatment, but all have a pretty generalized knowledge of the scope of the field.

The benefits of CAM treatment on Meniere’s Disease patients are becoming more widely studied, as many patients are willing to try this natural method in order to alleviate their symptoms. Although it’s not a specific cure, CAM could be a helpful way for these patients to cope with their disease, which can actually cause an increase in demand for CAM practitioners.

Read up on some holistic health stories here.

-Amanda Fornecker

Sometimes we realize that although we love the work we do, there needs to be some sort of change. This change can be for the betterment of ourselves, our families, or even the people we work with. Debra Bebell knew something was missing in her field. After working as a critical care nurse for more than 25 years, she decided to extend her knowledge and do something where she could really help her patients even more than she had before. She enrolled in a three-year program in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Similarly, Tess Hahn found that after working for years in nursing and recommending acupuncture for patients as a last resort, she wanted to be the one to give this successful treatment to patients. She enrolled in an acupuncture college, completed her degree, and worked in China to experience firsthand Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has been working in acupuncture since 1981 and continues to learn, with her latest endeavor being understanding acupuncture for cosmetic restoration.

Read these powerful stories of women who evolved within their careers to a Traditional Chinese Medicine wellness career:
Seeing the Whole Person: Oriental Medicine Practitioner Spotlight
This Acupuncturist Has What it Takes to Make a Difference

-Amanda Fornecker

The East vs. West debacle has always been widely debated throughout history. And it still holds true today. New Yorkers enjoy the quick pace of their city, while Californians enjoy being laid back surfers. But that’s not the only East/West debate. In fact, there are two types of massage techniques that have their base within Eastern medicine and Western medicine. When considering a career in massage, which should you pick? Different massage therapy schools base their own curriculum on these different techniques. It’s something important to consider. With which method can you see yourself siding and working in day by day?

Western massage focuses on the digestive and nervous systems. Common types of Western massage include Swedish massage and myofascial release. The main focus is to create a sense of relaxation and muscle tension relief.

Eastern massage deals with balancing the body and its parts. Massage therapists use more vigorous techniques to treat patients. Tui Na and Shiatsu are forms of Eastern massage.

Read more about these types of massage therapy here, get started on your massage therapy career, and prepare to help others feel better soon.

-Amanda Fornecker