Massage Therapy as a Career Option

As a career option, massage therapy may be comparatively new. Nevertheless, lots of people are finding massage therapy as an attractive career choice. Massage therapists generally work independently and help in securing the health and fitness of others. If you would like to get massage therapy training, it would do well to get a clear picture of what the idea entails.

– The arena of massage therapy careers is one completely dominated by women. American Massager Therapy Association’s statistics reveal that about 85% of therapists with a massage therapy license are women. Male presence is restricted just to the remaining 15%.

– A massage therapy session can be at a massage parlor, at a spa or a club, at the therapist’s home, or at the patient’s home itself. About 44% of therapists who have a massage therapy license go to wherever the client wishes to have the massage therapy session, while 39% conduct the sessions in their own office. The number of therapists who work in a spa or a salon amount to 22% and the number of those providing massage from a health care clinic to 21%. Then there are others who work together with other massage therapy specialists in an office and their number comes to about 17%. The smallest percentage is those who perform massage therapy in a health club and they come to about 9%.

– The main attraction of massage therapy careers is its flexibility. It can be made a full time occupation or a part time one. The larger percentage of those who conduct massage therapy operations are part timers in that they constitute 62% of all, while the remaining 38% have massage therapy as a full time occupation. A full time career as a massage therapist entails a minimum of 17 hours work per week.

– As a career option massage therapy is not bad. There are enough institutes today for taking massage therapy classes, and in USA alone there are more than 1000 centers that provide massage therapy training. You can train in any one of these schools to become a massage therapist.

– There are three steps to becoming a full-fledged massage therapy professional. First is applying to a proper massage therapy training center. Admission is not likely to be difficult as all that is required for enrolment is a high school degree. After you complete the course, you have to become a nationally certified therapist. To become eligible for full-fledged employment as a massage therapy professional, you have also got to get a massage therapy license or a permit from the state in which you hope to practice.

– People start opting for massage therapy careers at different ages, and age is generally not a bar. The average age of a massage therapist in the American Massage Therapy Association is 44 and their ages range from 35 to 54.

Hope this article was helpful for those looking for massage therapy training and hoping to take massage therapy classes, with the aim of becoming a full time massage therapy professional. Massage therapy careers are not a bad option.

How Can Amniocentesis Help You And Your Fetus?

In the uterus, within the amniotic sac, your child is growing surrounded by a fluid which protects it from the mother’s movements. This liquid is known as amniotic fluid, and testing it can tell you whether something is wrong with your baby. Doctors insert a long needle through the abdomen to draw out some of this fluid, which they test to gain information on the fetus.

This test is known as the Amniotic Fluid Test (AFT), and takes about two weeks to give proper results. Also known as ‘amnio’, this test is undertaken at 4 to 5 months. It involves examination of the amniotic fluid for any genetic abnormalities, uterine infections, Rh (rhesus) sensitization and other complications which the baby may have. The AFT is also used to check the health of the baby.

The amniotic fluid normally contains cells and skin which has peeled off from the gestating fetus, which form the essence of the test. Usually, a very small amount of this fluid is taken, since the fetus requires it for protection.

Amniotic fluid contains markers that when tested, can determine if the fetus has Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder, and the AFT combined with an ultrasound, is usually up to ninety nine percent precise in diagnosing it.

Sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease are examples of other genetic discrepancies that can be detected in the developing fetus through the AFT. Most expectant mothers will prefer to do this check to determine whether the baby they are carrying has any of these conditions, even though only a very small percentage actually do.

Amniocentesis is also used to perform checks on the fetus for Spina bifina, which is a neural disorder that can cause crippling later in life. Of all the women who choose to undertake amniocentesis, less that five percent discover a problem with the fetus. Amniocentesis offers the expectant mother a chance to remove the fetus if any genetic condition is found. AFT also enables the parent to discover the sex of the child, although an easier and more convenient method of doing this is via an ultrasound.

Older women who have chosen to get pregnant will find their fetuses more susceptible to the conditions above. Of course, no single test can prove any of these conditions definitively, so it is always better to use the AFT along with ultrasounds and other diagnostic measures to determine conclusively.

Women achieve some sort of peace after assuring themselves that their baby has no genetic conditions. Apart from this, amniocentesis is also helpful in that many in-utero deficiencies can be resolved before they become bigger concerns.

There are no invasive tests that are zero risk, and Amniotic Fluid Tests are no exception. In rare cases, AFTs can cause miscarriages, especially if the needle used to extract the fluid pierces the fetus. Also, this test has a one in thousand chance of creating some sort of uterine infection.

Some women may also have some pain after the AFT process, with at least one percent getting a mild form of spotting and leakage of fluids. Steer clear of any sort of strain on the body after this procedure to minimize the likelihood of any harm to the health of the baby.

Baby Gifts That Make First Birthday Memories

There is hardly anything more memorable or documented in a baby’s life than his first birthday. This time goes by so fast and represents a multitude of milestones that baby and parents have reached and surpassed, that it’s almost as exciting as the day he was born.

Mom and dad feel as though they blinked and missed leaps and bounds of advancement and growth, and enjoy watching personalities and habits develop in their babies. The first birthday is the ideal opportunity to celebrate these and the trials of mom and dad during the year, and will be remembered by everyone.

Finding a perfect baby’s first birthday gift may seem like a daunting task: it must be memorable, meaningful and meet the momentous occasion with purpose. Any old t-shirt simply won’t do. However, you can turn these everyday gifts into something special by adding the image of many birthday balloons and cake, packaged in a special box depicting a smiling child.

Saving money is an important habit to form, and little piggy banks in original shapes also create a treasured first birthday gift. When made of pewter, they are timeless and withstanding to a multitude of pressures. Motorcycles and sports cars are actually made with moveable tires, so these can also be used as toys before baby gets his first paycheck.

After the first year, toddlers love to explore and try to do everything on their own. A step stool will enable them to reach the toys up above, or as the just-right-sized seat. A great option is the step stool/chair combination that can be personalized so he knows it’s just for him. At 12″ high and 12 ½” wide, the stool combo is also 6 ½” deep with a 5 ½” seat – ideal for baby’s bottom, and is also easy to store and hide under the crib.

Do mom and dad take baby to the gym when it’s time to exercise? Give a first birthday gift that makes baby feel like he’s truly part of it all, like a personalized duffel bag or backpack. Choose a theme that fits baby’s personality, whether it be sports, flowers, butterflies or princess tiaras. These are made of canvas material and are lined, so they’re easy to clean when the unavoidable messes end up in baby’s bag.

Little ones always enjoy a good stuffed animal; they are soft and comfy for bedtime, safe and free of dangerous corners or splintering material, and easy to transport for any day on the town. Skipper the Cowboy Dog and his partner Bojo are perfect plush toys for a first birthday gift. They’ll keep baby busy for hours, and even become his favorites.

If baby always wants to go with mom or dad to work, consider a baby gift that includes a briefcase with a toy calculator and cell phone. He can talk to his friends or associates about important business matters, or begin doing his clients’ taxes at the earliest age possible.

Pewter photo frames with a teddy bear logo create the perfect first birthday gift that can store the tons of photos mom and dad have been taking at the event. First birthdays are never to be forgotten with an original baby gift that helps to create those wonderful memories!

How to Find a Good Massage Therapist

Massage therapy is a great healer and a feel good agent. It provides benefits galore to the body and the mind. It tends to the needs of the body by reducing muscle tension and improving circulation. And it tends to the needs of the mind by reducing tension and anxiety and giving a sense of relaxation. Benefits of massage therapy are especially seen in healing the damages to ligaments, tendons, and muscles, resulting from wear and tear or due to injury. However, to get the optimum benefits from massage therapy, it is important that the massage should be done by a therapist quite skilled in the profession. The best therapist is required to help the body to heal well and ensure that the patient gets his money’s worth.

Before zeroing in on a good therapist, you should study and analyze well the different types of massage therapy. The requirements of a person who wants to undergo massage therapy for anxiety is a little different from the one who wants a sports massage therapy. First you should be completely sure of the type of massage therapy you need, and then you should search for a therapist who has got expertise in that specific type of massage.

When you are going to a massage therapist for the first time, you should query whether he has got experience in the specific type of massage therapy that you require, whether it be trigger point massage therapy or shiatsu massage therapy. If he does not have, you have to widen your search till you find someone who has real expertise in the required type of massage therapy. It may take some time to get one, but you cannot compromise on that.

Another matter, that should weigh your considerations while selecting a therapist, is his possession of a valid massage therapy license. There are agencies that issue a massage therapy license after testing a therapist. So, it is preferable to opt for one who has got a license. Of course, a license need not be the sole deciding criterion for choosing a therapist. But other things being equal, it is better to opt for a therapist who has a massage therapy license, than one who does not have it.

As in the case of most other things, a massage therapist can also be chosen on personal recommendation. It will always be fruitful to go on the recommendation of those who have undergone, or are currently taking massage therapy sessions. They will have first hand knowledge about skilled massage therapists and their recommendations can always be relied upon.

You are strongly advised to be a bit cautious about choosing the right therapist for you. There are too many in the profession and it is a bit difficult to decide who are genuine, or who are more suited to your needs. You opt to go for massage therapy because you have special requirements for a massage, be it massage therapy for anxiety, or medical massage therapy, or whatever. So continue searching till you get a massage therapist who is fully suited to your requirements.

Baby Gifts That Make Bath Time Fun

Bathing babies is perhaps one of the most common activities that new parents both enjoy and schedule time for. During the first three months of life, every baby is given sponge baths in the tub or even the kitchen sink. As they grow and progress to bigger baths, more supplies like shampoo and toys are needed for mom and dad to clean and occupy their new baby.

Bath time items are one of the best baby gifts a mother could wish for, and there are several unique and original items to choose from. Just like us, babies are cold when they first leave the tub; that’s why they’re chattering away! Find a soft robe for baby to be wrapped in when he is done with his bath, or give mom a baby gift set that includes a matching one for her!

Baby spa gift sets create wonderful miniature versions of what mom and dad love, too. Tiny slippers come in pink, blue or white, and washcloths are also coordinated. These are available with a variety of designs and themes, from frogs and lily pads to sailboats.

A turtle hat also creates an ideal baby gift set with matching slippers, washcloths and hoodie towels. Little floating turtle toys give baby something to do in the bath, and the tiny embossed turtles on the clothing and washing items give mom and dad something to photograph afterward.

Soap is always a necessity requested on a baby gift registry, but there are many more variations available to make it a little more interesting. “Little Ducky” baby wash is covered with a fun little ducky design, and is formulated with the scent of soothing English herbs. Special formulations are safe for sensitive skin, and even makes baby smell good, too.

Another great baby gift set is the bath time beach ball made of soft terrycloth. This gives baby a new toy to play with, and the coordinating washcloth and hooded towel make baby comfy and warm after bath time.

Are the parents-to-be dog lovers? If so, pass that love on to baby with a puppy puppet bath toy with a matching hoodie towel. Not only will it keep him warm and dry after bath time, but mom and dad will love seeing him in it as well!

If you want to focus on high-quality bath towels, consider a 3-piece terrycloth set that is so soft you’ll wish they made them for you, too. Available in a baseball theme, a hoodie towel, robe and bib allow for feeding after bath time as well.

Baby bath time gift sets are always appreciated, practical and made to last. Accompany your baby gift or birthday gift with a set of plush toys to play with after bath time and before bed. These make a great compliment to the towels, robes and slippers included in the many available bath time sets, and may also be found to carry out the nursery theme throughout the baby’s entire day!

Creating Unique Baby Shower Favors

Everyone loves a good baby shower. They are always a fun and exciting celebration welcoming a new life in the world, and should be remembered always. If you’re the lucky gal that gets to plan and throw the baby shower, finding a wonderful keepsake baby shower favor is perhaps the best job of all. Everyone will love a creative gift as a memento of this special occasion.

Humor is always well-appreciated amongst any group. A funny baby shower favor should also be practical, much like the “She’ll Soon See Her Feet Again” pedicure set with a pair of sandals. Pink and black designs are both feminine and appeal to any taste.

Cheese graters packaged with a pretty bow and see-through container will also bring a roar of laughter with the message “World’s Gratest Mom.” Every guest will use the gift in her kitchen, and even place it as a decorative item on her shelf.

Useful kitchen gadgets are always appreciated, including such shower favors as teapot timers. They can be both decorative and practical, and accompanied by a fun message stating “Baby is Brewing.” Everyone will hoot and holler over the witty gift tag that goes home with each and every guest.

Salt and pepper shakers may also be customized to create a functional kitchen tool as a baby shower favor. These are shaped like little baby chicks, and packaged in a box proclaiming they are “About to Hatch.” They can either be stored for safekeeping as a special memento, or used for their intended purpose while cooking and eating.

If you’d like to give a shower favor that is also a great baby gift, consider a mini-piggy bank for saving coins and bills. This “Li’l Saver” baby shower gift comes packaged with a black and white dotted bow, and is easily used by all of your guests after returning home.

Everyone also loves a great scented candle packaged in a pretty votive holder. These will provide hours of soothing light and pleasant aromas, and can also become a personalized baby shower gift. Etch or paint the holder with the baby’s initials or name for all the guests to remember this special occasion!

Baby showers always require food, and sometimes a full meal if you so desire. If this is the case, make part of your décor a take-home baby shower favor such as the placecards and holders. Little lamb holders claiming they are celebrating the “baaby” create a unique theme, are practical and fun, and are wonderful mementos of your special party.

Any one of these ideas presents a great way to package and give special baby shower favors that can also double as ideal baby shower gifts for the baby and mother-to-be. Creating these unique presents is perhaps the most fun of the entire shower planning process, so throw caution to the wind and never hesitate to try something new and memorable.

Massage Oils and Their Uses

Massage therapy techniques vary substantially, based upon the problem that is to be addressed, and the massage tools and massage equipment used by the therapist. A masseur may also use different massage oils while performing a massage. It would be ideal that the patient knows about these different massage therapy techniques as well as the different massage oils that may be used by the therapist. This article has been put together for that.

One of the most common massage oils is sweet almond oil. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamins and minerals and soothes and protects the skin. It is an odorless oil, with a yellow color. Whichever the form of massage therapy, it becomes easier for the therapist to work his way across the body when oil is used. When a therapist blends different massage oils, he uses sweet almond oils as a base.

An equally popular oil for oil massage is apricot kernel oil. This is also rich in vitamins and minerals and nourishes the skin. This massage oil is considered to be especially good for face, and so many masseurs use it for facial massage. One inhibiting factor in its use is its cost. Because of that, many massage therapists minimize the use of apricot kernel oil, using it in combination with other oils. Because it is a rich massage oil, some therapists use it at least for face.

Yet another good massage oil is avocado pear oil. This is rich in vitamin D and especially good for dry skin and extra sensitive skin. This massage oil can penetrate deep into the skin. Massage therapists normally blend it with other massage oils while doing massage therapy. The generally used ratio is about 10% of avocado pear oil in a mixture.

Calendula is also a much valued massage oil. While the three massage oils mentioned above are rich in vitamins and other nutrients, and nourishes the skin, calendula has got medicinal properties as well. It is a healing agent and anti-inflammatory agent so that it is effective in healing wounds, treating varicose veins, and removing scar tissue. Massage therapists use this also as part of their blend of massage oils. The normal percentage of calendula oil in a mixture will be 10%, exactly like avocado pear oil.

Evening primrose oil is yet another oil used in massage therapy. This too is medicinal in nature and is said to be effective in lessening the symptoms of heart disease and multiple sclerosis. Evening primrose oil nourishes the skin like other massage oils and therapists invariably make it a part of the massage oil blends they use. It is extra useful for women in that it can minimize pre-menstrual tensions.

There are yet other massage oils that therapists use, based on their cost and local availability. None of these massage oils contain potential allergens and so the risk factor from their usage is comparatively low. However, those with sensitive skin, or those allergic to certain smells, can tell the therapist in advance of their preferences. That would ensure that their massage therapy session does not become a fiasco due to the smell of the massage oil.

What Is A Midwife And How Can Midwifery Help When Giving Birth?

Since time immemorial, the process of childbirth was sacrosanct between the expectant mother and her midwife. The role of the midwife was to assist in childbirth, and was often undertaken by the older women of the community who had given birth themselves and had a lot of experience in the process. These women offered comfort to the expectant mother, as well as the medical skills that came from experience. And when required, they stepped in with an extra pair of hands to perform whatever was required.

As medical know-how grew in the 1800s with plenty of people learning obstetrics, the age of the midwife slowly began to die out, until midwives were only found in the smallest of villages in the United States. However, in the last few decades, midwifery has once again caught on, and many women today actually prefer to have midwives with them during childbirth. The only difference is that today, midwives tend to be licensed nurses who have a lot of traditional, time-honored knowledge and experience of childbirth.

In the past, childbirth almost always happened in the home. Today, no mother will even think of having her child delivered at home! Women want to have midwives, but they also want to deliver in the hospital. This is why midwifery in today’s world retains little of its original purpose.

Most births that occur are normal, in which case the midwife becomes a comforter who is there to pat the expectant mother’s hand and assure her that everything is going perfectly. She offers a sense of reassurance and comfort with her mere presence. However, the work of the midwife does not stop at the delivery table.

Midwives perform much the same function as obstetricians, only at lower rates. They are on hand for any prenatal troubles and advice, and are present through most of the labor and delivery. Most obstetricians are too busy to be with the expectant mother through the entire process, whilst the midwife can dedicate all her time to the expectant mother. This is especially important for a first-time mother, who will naturally be uncomfortable and scared of the natural childbirth process. Having an expert on hand matters a lot.

Midwives, due to their vast experience, have excellent knowledge of all the complications that can occur during childbirth: breech births, preclampsia and so on, and are mentally equipped to deal with them. They also have a good working relationship with an obstetrician which will serve to comfort the expectant mother. Many midwives also perform blood pressure checks, as well as checks for levels of iron in the blood and the like. This is done to ensure the health of the mother before birth, and consequently, that of the baby.

Midwives aren’t hard to come by. You can simply get a recommendation from a friend who has had a good experience with one, or you can contact the American College of Nurse Midwives in Washington, DC. Their website is http://acnm.org/ is the best place to get your midwife!

Nutritional Matters For A Healthy Pregnancy

A pregnant mother will always want to ensure that she does the right things for her baby’s health. This means proper nutrition for herself, since what she eats is what her baby gets!

According to medical experts, pregnant women need to increase their daily calorie intake by about three hundred calories only. A higher amount will lead to the mother gaining extra weight, which is unhealthy for both mother and child. Cravings are a natural part of pregnancy, but always ensure that you do not over-indulge! A bagel with low-fat cream cheese or an additional tuna sandwich is all the extra you need!

Protein is an essential requirement for a pregnant mother, which is why some of the extra calories you consume must come from foods rich in protein. Pregnant women require sixty grams of protein every day, which is 10 grams more than women who are not pregnant do. Examples of food rich in protein include dried beans, nuts, cheese, fish, chicken or lean meats. These extra ten grams can also come from about one and a half ounces of meat.

Women need to have stronger bones during the pregnancy as well as for birth. This is why the calcium requirement for women is increased in pregnancy. Women generally tend to get only 75% of the amount they require, so an increase of calcium intake in essential for them. Some of the best sources of calcium are milk, cheese and yogurt, which can be lean to avoid calorie intake whilst fulfilling the calcium requirement. Other good sources of calcium are green and leafy vegetables.

Moderate increases in the intake of vitamins and mineral salts are also encouraged for pregnant women. Vitamin D needs to be taken daily, since it increases the absorption of calcium in the blood.

Pregnant women find their blood volume increasing gradually over the course of the pregnancy, so extra iron is another major requirement! The recommended amount is 30 mg/day, which is twice the amount required by non-pregnant women. Sources of iron are red meats, fish and poultry. Some cereals are also enriched with extra iron, as are some types of bread.

Eggs are good for pregnant women too. Consumption of vitamin C alongside eggs aids in increasing their effectiveness.

An essential vitamin for fetal growth and development is folic acid. A multivitamin containing about six hundred micrograms of folic acids is recommended per day for pregnant women. Any more than this increases the risk of neural defects such as spina bifida. If you’re not comfortable taking the pill, eat plenty of dark green leafy vegetables, peanuts, citrus fruits and whole grains, all of which are a natural source of folates.

All the nutrients that pregnant women need are available in vegetarian diets, but getting them in the forms required is difficult. Also, pregnant vegetarians have to monitor the amounts they eat to obtain the required nutrient levels. But then again, this is a common part of being vegetarian!

Pregnant women should talk to their doctors about all the dietary changes they need to make early in the pregnancy. Your physician will ask you for a total update on what your diet is like, before they can give you the right advice about all the nutritional aspects of pregnancy. Don’t go for the myths and old wives tales concerning nutrition for yourself and your baby. Go to the experts and get expert advice!

Baby Blankets Can Be an Original Shower Gift

Receiving an invitation to a baby shower can be an exciting thing. However, choosing the perfect baby shower gift for the mom-to-be can also present a stressful situation. Baby blankets still remain both popular and practical, and many modern designs and fashionable fabrics make this gift a great choice.

You may be wondering how in the world a baby blanket can become an original baby gift. Even after all the years that we’ve used them to keep our babies warm, there are multiple new ideas implemented into the newest blankets available.

One popular new design for the baby blanket is the “Pigs In a Blanket”. What’s more is that it provides two gifts in one, and is presented in an original and decorative box. You know how all the women will gawk at virtually any pretty container! This one boasts vintage styling with a welcoming “Open me!” bow.

Once the excited and expectant mother opens the box, she will find a soft baby blanket that is able to be personalized with a special message or the initials of her coming baby. The blanket is even tied around a stuffed pig that presents a safe and comfy favorite for baby’s naptime. This pig is fashioned out of the most resistant and durable fabrics that are still soft and loveable, so will remain in one piece through years of wear and tear.

Also included with the “Pigs In a Blanket” gift is the popular “This Little Piggy” storybook rhyme printed on the back. If that wasn’t enough cuteness to float your boat, consider the dancing piglets portrayed on the front.

Another original blanket gift is the JoJo Giraffe toy that arrives in a special decorative box with a coordinating blanket. The giraffe stands nearly two feet tall, and is one of the most original baby shower gifts available. JoJo stands wrapped around a unique baby gift box, and will become the ideal toy for the baby in the coming months.

Personalized baby gifts are the best way to make a lasting impression, and JoJo’s blanket can easily be embossed with the baby’s name, initials and even birthdate. This blanket is made of a gender-neutral and soft yellow fabric that is the perfect baby gift set when the sex is unknown! The blanket is also large enough to be used as a crib cover during baby’s earliest months.

You’ll also be able to find great baby shower gifts in unique baby blankets that stand alone, too. Maddie’s Meadow is the perfect baby gift that is a brightly-colored blanket adorned with butterflies and flowers. The accompanying keepsake box coordinates with the pattern, utilizing a vision of spring grass and lofty, cloudy skies. This baby gift may also be personalized around the edge of the soft blanket.

If you’re looking for a baby gift set with multiple practical items, take a look at the 9-piece layette set. It contains several blankets and toys, a set of booties, and a matching set of three gift boxes. These items will transition over the next several years, finding use for baby and mom when they need it most.

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