Clearing the air about Massage Therapy

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Hi all, this is my first discussion, but after looking at several about massage therapy, I had no doubt what it should be about. I am a licensed massage therapist and have been for 6 years. In most states now (you would have to check LLR in yours) therapists are required to take about 500 hours of education, pass a national certification board exam, and pass a background check by the state in order to be licensed. My program was actually 750 hours because we took college level anatomy and got extensive training in Deep Tissue Massage. So let me start with a free pet peeves: If you are seeing a licensed therapist, you should be able to see that license easily, if not, turn around and leave. If you are seeing or referring to a licensed massage therapist, PLEASE don't refer to them as a masseuse or masseur. These terms carry very negative connotations with them or things we don't do. If you are going to the office of a licensed massage therapist, do NOT call it a massage parlor. Again, that implies something we don't do. Please, call it my office or my clinic. Please stop with the perverted phone calls. And last, don't snicker when I tell you what I do. I am a licensed medical professional and I act as such, don't assume I do anything else. Now the WONDERFUL things about massage!! Massage is not only great for the body, but also for the mind and spirit. It has many benefits such as: stress and tension release relaxation of tight muscles improved circulation improved lymph flow which improves your immune system increased metabolism if done regularly and often, reduce cellulite relieve the pain of TMJ help prevent prevent sports injuries relieve discomforts of pregnancy relieve low back pain, sometimes ridding the need for surgery serves as a preventative method to keep from getting so stressed and tense again and so much more I have worked on so many people who have had this stress building up their entire lives and they come to me and want it to be gone in one session. Please, understand, we are not miracle workers, it doesn't work like that. Something that has built up over that many years is going to take a few sessions to work it out. We have to re-educate your muscles. And a few helpful things you can do at home: Lots and lots of water to flush out toxins Get a tennis ball to use around your shoulder blades and on your hips (more detail contact me) NEVER use a dry heating pad. Always make sure you have a moist wash cloth between you and the heating pad. And you can never go wrong with ice for something that hurts. Well that is by no means all there is to know, I am sure there is still much more stigma out there I haven't covered and I would love to answer any and all questions to clear the air about this centuries old method of healing.