You Need Massage Therapy Liability Insurance

October 31st, 2011

Massage Magazine Insurance GroupCongratulations!  Your dream has become a reality.  You’ve passed your massage exam and obtained your massage therapist license.  You’re now a Licensed Massage Therapist!  Or maybe you’re just about there, and you can almost taste it.  But before you even touch your first patient, there is one thing you need to do first: acquire massage therapist liability insurance.

Why do you need massage therapist liability coverage?  Remember that you, like other health professionals, could be named in a lawsuit and risk losing your license if a client brings charges against you.  In today’s day and age, you can serve a hot cup of coffee to someone at a drive-thru window and bring a multi-million dollar lawsuit to your employer if that customer spills it.  Now imagine working on the bodies of many people of varying mental, emotional, ethical and physical levels of health, and what kind of claims could potentially result against your employer, or against you as an individual business owner.  These are the realities.  Is not being protected worth the risk?

Insurance is something that just about everyone has to think about these days – insurance for your vehicles, your identity, your belongings, your business, your life, and your health.  You can even get insurance for your pets.  And if you’re a celebrity, you might insure your legs, your arms, or even your rear end! Massage therapist liability insurance is an essential part of your career as a professional massage therapist.  It will protect you and bring you peace of mind.  In some states, it might also be required by law.

What kind of coverage should a massage therapist get?  Coverage can include your equipment, your identity, and liability coverage of up to $2 million.  Most companies offer professional liability, general liability, and product coverage.  Professional liability will cover you in malpractice cases.  General liability protects you in events where a client is injured but not due to malpractice, such as a client falling while in your care.  Product coverage is designated for instances where clients experience an adverse reaction from a lotion, oil, or other product you have used.

You might also wonder if massage therapist liability insurance will cover all modalities.  Some companies, such as Massage Liability Insurance Group, offer coverage for over 300 modalities.  Massage Liability Insurance Group provides coverage for massage therapists, yoga instructors, cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, animal massage therapists, reflexologists, and dance instructors.  A massage liability insurance professional can best help you determine what kind of coverage you need.

Your next question might be, “How much is this going to cost?”  Prices can range from $150 to $200 a year for massage liability insurance.  In order to be sure you’re choosing a plan that’s right for you, you should do your research.  Know what kind of coverage you need.  Be sure to check with your state to see what type of coverage is required by law.  Also, check with a variety of companies to see what is available, and check to see who offers discounts.  If you are a Massage Prep customer, you can receive a discount of up to $90 off the regularly priced $159 annual cost of massage therapist liability insurance from Massage Liability Insurance Group.  By opting out of massage therapy liability insurance, you’re assuming the risk.  A safer choose is to let the risk fall on the shoulders of a good insurance company.

Contact Massage Liability Insurance Group now for more information on the type of insurance you need by calling 1-800-222-1110 or emailing info@massageliabilityinsurancegroup.com.  For more information on available discounts, click here:
Massage Liability Insurance Group Discount for Professionals or here: Massage Liability Insurance Group Discount for Students.

For more information Massage Prep, the leading online massage exam preparation guide in the industry, click here: massageprep.com.

You have been trained to bring peace and relaxation to the bodies and minds of your clients.  But you can’t give away what you don’t have.  Get smart.  Get massage therapist insurance.  And get peace and relaxation, and pass it on.

Are You Taking Your Massage Exam Soon?

October 12th, 2011

Are you taking the MBLEx, the NCETM, or the NCETMB exam soon?  You might be if you just graduated from an accredited massage therapy school and live in one of the 46 states that regulate massage therapy.

Massage therapy is a growing industry and can be an extremely successful career choice.  Becoming a massage therapy requires dedication, time, and a passion for helping others.  Those interested in becoming a massage therapist must attend school, pass comprehensive exams, and sometimes participate in an apprenticeship program.

The three major exams recognized by states as a valid testing tool for qualified massage therapists are the MBLEX, the NCETM, and the NCETMB exam.  Therefore passing at least one of these exams is a crucial step toward obtaining your massage license.  Many states require at least 500 hours of massage therapy schooling in addition to passing the MBLEX, the NCETM, or the NCETMB massage exam.

The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) is developed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards on behalf of its Member Boards. To ensure the examination reflects current practice, a Job Task Analysis Survey was developed with contributions by over 50 content experts under the guidance of 15 testing and psychometric experts. The Job Task Analysis was further validated by input from 7,646 massage, bodywork and somatic professionals representing every state in the USA. The MBLEx is administered through Pearson VUE at high-security test centers across the United States.

Both the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) and the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCETMB) are developed by The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.  The NCBTMB is an independent, private, nonprofit organization that was founded in 1992 to establish a certification program and uphold a national standard of excellence.  NCBTMB’s exam programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).  Their exams are created using professional testing standards ensuring validity and accuracy.

Passing the MBLEx, the NCETM, or the NCETMB is not easy for everyone.  In fact, the NCETMB is known as the most difficult of the three because of its heavy emphasis on Oriental Modalities.  If you feel like you might need extra help passing your exam, enrolling in an online MBLEx, NCETM, or NCETMB preparation program like Massage Prep can help.  Massage Prep is a comprehensive online study aid that contains over 2,000 practice test questions, 26 interactive study guides, 28 exams including 3 simulations exam mimicking the major massage exams, and 30 animated muscle guides.  Massage Prep guarantees you will pass your massage exam after completing their program or they will refund your money.  For more information on how Massage Prep can help you, contact them at www.massageprep.com.

Relieve Patients from Their Chronic Pain with Massage

October 6th, 2011

Are you interested in providing natural pain relief for clients’ chronic arthritis or lower back pain?  Massage therapy might be the career you.  Millions of people are suffering from chronic pain but are looking for solutions that do not involve taking more pills.  Often they look to massage for an answer.

Here are the top ten ailments massage therapy can help alleviate.  Remember that massage is not a cure for any of the below listed health problems and clients should always consult their physician prior to receiving any massage treatments.  For some clients, massage is not suitable.

1.       Arthritis: Some studies have shown that massage can improve grip strength for those with arthritis as well as reduce pain in joints.

2.       Fibromyalgia: According to research, regular massage sessions have resulted in pain relief, and reduced anxiety and depression in patients with fibromyalgia.  An added benefit is relaxation, which can help restore normal sleep patterns.

3.       Migraines: Migraine sufferers have found relief from pain in the face, neck, and head when they received therapeutic massage.

4.       Lower back pain: Anything from carting around children to lifting objects incorrectly can tweak your back.  Massage therapy is a great way to relax muscles and reduce the lactic acid that builds up in muscles which can cause pain.

5.       Shoulder pain (Rotator Cuff): Throwing a football is great exercise, but regularly exhausting your shoulder can cause chronic pain.  Massage has been shown to offer relief of chronic shoulder pain.

6.       Pain after a stroke: Suffering a stroke is devastating, but the pain that follows can make recovery miserable for some patients.  Therapeutic massage can help alleviate the pain associated with suffering from a stroke.

7.       Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: All that emailing can cause pain in the hands and fingers.  The crippling pain of carpal tunnel syndrome can make it difficult to even button a blouse or pick up a small object.  Massage of the hands and arms can be relief.

8.       Muscle injuries: Torn ligaments and other muscle injuries, often the results of playing sports, can be terribly painful.  An experienced massage therapist can help.

9.       Bursitis (Tennis Elbow): Even non-tennis players can develop bursitis in the elbow, shoulder, or other parts of the body.  This painful affliction can be eased with regular massage.

10.   Gout: A build up of lactic acid, usually in the foot or big toe, can be very painful.  Massage therapy has been shown to provide relief for gout sufferers.

Client Privacy is Key in Massage

September 28th, 2011

Massage Full DrapeOne of the most important factors of your service to your clients is respecting their privacy.  Massage therapy often involves a client in repose on a massage table with little clothing on.  A properly draped sheet allows the therapist access to the client while still giving the client dignity and privacy by keeping the body parts not being massaged covered.

Therefore proper draping technique is absolutely essential in order to provide the best service possible.  Keep in mind, respect of your client’s privacy starts before they even take off their shoes.

Allow clients to undress to their comfort; this might mean they keep on undergarments or, in some case, even their shirt.  Never force a client to remove any clothing they do not feeling comfortable doing so.  However, you should educate your client that a barrier of cloth (for example a sock) between their body part and your hands will hinder the massage process and full benefits will not be recognized.

Allow the client to undress alone, with the door closed, making sure to give him or her plenty of time to get situated on the massage table.  Knock before entering to ensure they are ready for you.  Upon entering, ask if they are comfortable.  Adjust the draping as needed to cover all exposed skin from the top of the chest down (with their arms out).

As you move from each section of the body, gently uncover each portion of the body that you are working on only.  As you work on regions of the body like the thigh or the chest, especially on women, be aware of your client’s anxiety or comfort level.  For example, if you feel them tensing up, you might be touching them too closely to the breast or the groin for their comfort.

Remember also to take special care with the drape when you client turns over, making sure to assist them by holding the drape so it doesn’t slide of the table as they turn and allowing them to hold a drape, sheet, or even a pillow to their chest for extra privacy if needed.

Market Yourself with Your Attitude

September 20th, 2011

Many massage therapists work for themselves, sometimes from home, but sometimes from their own massage therapy offices.  Whether you visit clients in their home or have them come to you, marketing your business is a must.

Even for those of you working for someone else, obtaining new clients and keeping existing ones is a common goal of all massage therapists.  Attitude is everything when it comes to retaining and growing your client base.

Keep in mind that potential clients are everywhere around you.  When you go shopping, out to eat, or to the movies, the person sitting next to you could be a potential client or even an existing one.  Keeping a great attitude is vital to keeping your appointment book full.

Massage is as much about skill as it is about emotion.  Therefore, the attitude you exhibit to your clients will make a huge difference in their massage experience.  If your actions cause them to be tense or uncomfortable, their experience will be tainted and they might not come back or recommend you to their friends and family.

While out in public, try to keep a smile on your face and avoid becoming involved in unsavory activities.  While performing a massage, remain calm; putting all ill feelings or upsetting emotions aside no matter what is going on in your person life.  This might mean that if you are having a very rough day, you might need to cancel some appointments rather than risk exposing your clients to your bad attitude that day.  However, it is best for you, and for your clients, to keep negative emotions as far away from the serene environment of the massage office as possible.

Take a few minutes for yourself every morning to relax, breath, mediate, and start your day off with a great attitude.  You never know if your next client is right around the corner just waiting to see your smile.

Sports Massage Therapy Career

August 12th, 2011

Sports MassageMassage therapists today are in high demand but not just in the typical fields you might think.  While many massage therapists work in spas, hotels, medical offices, or even own their own business, some massage therapists find rewarding careers in the sports arena.  It might not be the most likely place to find a licensed massage therapist, but working with athletes is a great way to showcase your skills while helping not just individuals but entire teams of people.

Nothing brings on fatigued muscles, tendon injuries, stiff or sore muscles and ligaments, and even stress like the competitive drive of professional sports.  Even minor league and semi-professional organizations employ massage therapists to treat their athletes.

If your dream is to become a massage therapist and you also happen to be a sports fan, working for a team might be the ideal position for you!  Although working in this particular field of massage therapy might require extra training or schooling, like any massage therapy job, you will have to pass your state’s massage exam in order to receive your license to practice massage therapy.

Utilizing programs like MassagePrep can greatly increase your chances of passing your massage exam on the very first try after you have completed your schooling.  Unlike some programs, MassagePrep even offers a money-back guarantee that you will pass on your first attempt or you’ll be given a full refund. 

MassagePrep offers over 3,000 practice questions that are nearly identical to the very questions you will need to answer in order to pass your massage therapy exam.  Additionally, the MassagePrep program contains muscle guides, fully narrated study guides, animated tutorials, and timed simulation exams.  Created by a team of licensed massage therapists, MassagePrep is the premier online massage therapy study guide program. 

You can use your skills and passion for massage to help athletes on professional or college-level sports teams.  The first step is completing your training; the next step is studying and passing your massage therapy exam with MassagePrep.

Massage Therapy and Gout

August 8th, 2011

Gout InflammationHave you noticed how many “gout” remedy commercials have been on TV lately?  Gout is on the rise and according to an article on Web MD,  gout incidence in the U.S. more than doubled from the 1960s to 1990s and now affects 8.3 million people in the US.

Gout causes severe pain and swelling in the joints caused by a build-up of uric acid.  This is sometimes caused by obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and blood fat issues — and may increase risk of heart attack and diabetes.   The researchers in this article cite that to help prevent gout, risk factors such as alcolohol intake, obesity, and high blood pressure can be monitored and changed.  Daily exercise and limited intake of red meat and sugary beverages are also recommended.

Massage Magazine further cites an article from the website of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine that states, “While at present, there are no cures for gout, massage can help to control the symptoms of gout and aid sufferers in maintaining a normal lifestyle whenever they experience a gout flare-up.”

Massage Therapists should be aware that their clients may be suffering from symptoms of gout or rheumatoid arthritis and that both of these diseases cause the patient to be more sensitive in the joints.  For gout sufferers, these symptons generally present in the extremeties such as the metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe.

Massage improves the circulation of blood to gout affected jounts and the surrounding muscular tissue but often, deep tissue massage is too painful for most gout sufferers.  It is thought that massage may break up the uric acid crystals that cause joint pain.  Patients with gout should work with their doctors to ensure that the appropriate changes in diet and exercise are taking place to reduce gout flare-ups.

Massage Therapy as a Career for You

August 4th, 2011

Most people assume massages are only for relaxation and enjoyment.  Indeed, those are excellent purposes for massage, but did you know that massage therapists can use their skills to assist people who suffer from chronic backaches, headaches, stress, and even constipation?  If you are looking for a career focused on helping others, massage therapy might be for you!

So how do you become a massage therapist?  First, you must attend an accredited massage therapy school.  Then you must pass one of the three major massage therapy exams: the NCETM, NCETMB , or the MBLEx.  These rigorous exams set the standard for massage therapy and you cannot become licensed without passing one or more of them depending on the state you live in.

Although your schooling will surely provide you the training to pass these exams, a massage therapy school’s purpose is to teach you the fundamentals of massage.  Therefore some of the nuances of NCETM, NCETMB , or the MBLEx might be missed. 

Study programs like Massage Prep are ideal for ensuring you pass your massage exam because the focus of the program is solely to educate you on exactly what each exam will cover. 

Created by a team of experienced massage therapists, Massage Prep was designed to meet the rigorous standards of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.  Integrated within a user-friendly website (www.MassagePrep.com), all features of Massage Prep are available 24/7 so students can study at their own pace.

Massage Prep is current, focused, and provides fully animated and narrated study guides, practice and timed final simulation exams, muscle and skeletal programs as well as the ability to track your progress within the program.  All with a money-back guarantee.

The Most Important Part of Every Massage Session

June 29th, 2011

Massage ExamMost clients think the actual massage is the most important part of their visit to their massage therapist.  But professionals in the massage therapy industry know the most important part of the visit is the interview or intake process held at the beginning of each session.  Why is this so important?  Because it establishes why the client is there, what their ailments or complaints are, and the best course of action the massage therapist should take to treat their client. 

If there was one simple form of massage therapy or if anyone could perform healing massage without injury, everyone would be doing it.  The truth is, professionals in the field of massage have studied and trained for hundreds, if not thousands of hours, pouring over anatomy, massage techniques, massage history, and benefits of massage in order to best treat their clients.  In addition to studying, schooling, and sometimes an apprenticeship, massage therapists also have to pass rigorous massage therapy exams like the NCETMB, the NCETM, and the MBLEx.   Each massage therapy exam covers every aspect of massage therapy that you need to know to be successful in your career, including the proper procedures during a client intake.

For example, it is important to interview each client thoroughly at the beginning of the very first session.  It is critical that the massage therapist determines if the client’s needs can be met by him or her, or if the client is suffering from something that is outside the therapist’s scope of practice.  For example, the therapist might discover or suspect a client is suffering from depression or severe muscle trauma.  These and other types of ailments should be referred to a physician. 

The initial interview is also a time to establish the client’s specific needs and to begin building a trusting relationship with him or her.  Clients might ask for a specific type of massage they have heard about from a friend or on television.  This is an opportunity for the massage therapist to ask questions about the client’s difficulties or concerns.  It is also a time to demonstrate your knowledge by explaining which techniques might be recommended for the problems the client describes.

Another important factor of the interview process is to record each session and the information discovered in the client’s record.  It is critical to the client’s care to refer to the record each and every visit to understand if progress is being made, if treatment or technique needs to be altered, or if new problems are being discovered. 

Questions about the above and other features of the intake interview are on the NCETMB, the NCETM, and the MBLEx exams.  If you’re not 100% confident in your intake interviewing knowledge, turn to an online study guide like MassagePrep.  This program offers narrated study guides, over 3000 practice questions, simulated final exams, plus much more in addition to a money-back guarantee.

Stay Involved After Your Massage Test

June 24th, 2011

After your Massage TestPassing your massage exam and securing a job are two very important aspects of your massage career.  But there are other areas of the massage therapy field that should not be neglected.  Here are a few points you should consider as you move ahead in your career.
Continuing Education
Continuing education is vital to the successful massage therapist.  You must stay abreast of the current trends in the massage industry.  Participating in conventions and events will help you stay current and ensure you will be able to maintain your credentials as a massage therapist.  Older techniques and massage-related information should not be neglected either.  There are staples within the massage therapy field that will never change, like the history of massage therapy, tried and true massage techniques, and the numerous benefits of massage.  These items are tested over and over again in each massage exam and should be ingrained in a massage therapist’s brain.  Should you need a refresher course on information related to the massage exam in your state, using a massage study guide program like MassagePrep is ideal.  Both current and historical content can be found at MassagePrep.com.  Should you need to retake an exam for recertification purposes, they even offer a money back guarantee. 

Being Involved in the Testing Process
Did you know that organizations like NCBTMB are continually searching for candidates to help them with the massage test creation process?  It’s true.  Professionals in the field of massage are constantly being sought for their expertise.  They are interviewed and often participate in workshops where actual test questions are written.  Contact your state board of massage therapy or organizations like NCBTMB directly to find out how you can be part of the team.

Serving on Massage Therapy Boards
Nearly every state has a board that provides guidance regarding the massage therapy practices conducted in that state.  These boards are crucial to public safety and regulation pertaining to massage therapy.  Often these boards seeks experienced and new candidates willing to serve the community and their fellow massage therapists by participating in meetings and workshops, suggesting regulation on massage therapy, and creating standards in the field of massage therapy.  Additionally, organizations like FSMTB are looking for applicants who are willing to serve on their boards and set standards for both the exams and the industry as a whole. 

Volunteering Your Services
One of the most rewarding aspects of your career can be offering your services to those who cannot afford it.  Contact your neighborhood assisted living facility or Hospice to see if they require the skills and knowledge of a volunteer massage therapist.  Providing comfort to someone who needs it most will give you the joy and appreciate what a career in massage therapy is all about.