Ligaments connect bones to other bones and their function is to prevent dislocations or hypermobility (excessive movement) within a joint. If a ligament is coarse and not pliable because of a sedentary lifestyle or an overall lack of mobility it can drastically limit a person’s range of motion and impede function. Frictioning techniques were designed to allow massage therapists to spread the ligaments fibers in order to regain that pliability and proper function.

A joint capsule surrounds the ends of bones that articulate with each other. The function of a joint capsule is to house synovial fluid which functions as a lubricant and reduces friction between the bones. Passive movements performed by a therapist causes movement within the joint capsule which allows synovial fluid to perform its function and increase in volume. This has been shown to be a positive prevention method to forms of arthritis and a condition called adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) where the joint capsule becomes severely inflamed and tense.

Fascia is connective tissue that connects almost every type of tissues in the body to all other tissues. Fascia helps us integrate muscles to other surrounding muscles allowing for fluid movements; it also is responsible for encapsulating all of our organs allowing them to suspend and function in their locations. Where massage therapists excel in the treatment of fascia is the impact they have on repositioning this tissue to correct posture- this allows for the proper function of the muscular, skeletal, vascular, and neurological systems.

A massage therapist’s treatment of all of the body’s tissues allows for the peak performance of the human body as a whole without limiting the roles of practitioners.

My first conscious encounter with energy work was a series of Reiki session performed separately by various practitioners. My interest was peaked immediately during my first session and 7 years later it has yet to dissipate. Through interaction with energy bodyworkers and research I was able to ascertain hundreds of pieces of evidence from Western diagnostic explanations of traditionally “abstract” Eastern practices.

We often forget that the human body is a machine, like a car. A car requires an energy source (fuel), performs a function (drives), and produces a waste byproduct (exhaust emissions). The human body is electric. If properly concentrated our bodies could use the electricity we harness to illuminate a 40 watt light bulb. Every element on and around our planet is comprised of ions; ions are electrically charged fragments of molecules. Positive ions are the make-up of carbon monoxide, plastics, synthetics, and waste. Negative ions are the building blocks of pure water, untarnished vegetation, metals, and the cleanest air. Basically, negative ions are the building blocks of life and positive ions are their counterpart. Like the cables connecting all of the components of a computer, we have channels of electricity transporting these ions throughout our body as our energy source.

When one human being places their hands on another person there is a transfer of energy (ions) between the two. A properly focused therapist can act as a conduit for energy channels to be opened. This is not unlike acupuncture when a metal needle is placed along a meridian (energy channel) and acts as an antenna. Energy bodywork is nothing more than focused intent and when performed by a highly skilled practitioner, the internal benefits can supersede the effects of Western procedures or medications without the side effects. Massage therapists, whether they intend to or not, act as a link from their client to the energy that innervates and surrounds us.

My wife and I sat down to “hammer out the numbers”. It was my position to advocate for this venture and I asked her to play devil’s advocate to keep my rational thought in check. What all of our number-crunching conversations came down to was the answer to a simple question:

At this point a solid percentage of you are gasping with comments like “Massage isn’t about money!” or “How greedy! A therapist’s job is to heal.” For those of you who are independently wealthy and are in the field of massage and bodywork to offer your gifts pro bono… God bless. The majority of the massage therapists aren’t approaching their craft as a hobby; this is a career. I believe that if most therapists would practice for free if we could but that is a luxury beyond my means.

So, the results from the numbers game pointed towards a trip to Beijing. Allow me to use some arbitrary financial estimates to illustrate my point. Assume the entire trip (including time lost from not working) for two weeks would cost $5,000. An education in Tuina would have to prove fruitful enough to create a revenue stream to earn back at least $5,001. It did. Here’s how.

The training was in June 2005 at the sports hospital inside the Olympic Training Center in Beijing, China. The instructors were 4th and 5th generation doctors born and bred for the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I knew that Tuina was obscure enough in the West to be an enticing and unique modality to market. As fond as I am of Shiatsu, Thai, Reiki, and neuromuscular therapy, there is an abundance of these courses offered and professionals who “specialize” in those fields. Tuina along with fire cupping training sparked an array of opportunities that I capitalized on. These are the 4 areas of investment return I engaged in:

1. I was employed by a school in Illinois and was then able to teach 8 hour “Alternative Therapy” classes for 2 years.

2. I submitted my application for and became approved to teach an 8 hour continuing education class through the NCBTMB. I have taught this class 6 times to a total of 84 practitioners.

3. Adding Tuina to my repertoire has provided me with techniques that have benefitted certain clients’ conditions where traditional massage techniques have either failed or shown minimal results.

4. I formed an LLC and created an instructional DVD based off of sports Tuina that has now sold over 900 copies.

Ideally, we would all seek out continuing education classes that we have a passion for without the “Almighty Dollar” as a factor but that is not a practical option for most of us. Choose CE’s that are performed by a reputable practitioner and plan out a timeline

model of financial factors. Financial success now will allow for charitable success in the future.

There is no one treatment modality to cure all orthopedic or systemic conditions. Bodywork, medication, chiropractic adjustment, nutrition, and surgical procedures all have a place in the wellness field. However, with any pathology, all low-risk, inexpensive, and natural treatment method should be exhausted before dramatic/permanent methods are used.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be caused by a number of factors including: inflammation, trauma, or a dislocated carpal bone. Identical effects to CTS can be also caused by a compression of the nerve by musculature at the elbow. The most common cause is overuse of the flexor muscles in your forearm. Muscles and tendons increase in size if they contract excessively. If the tendons are too large as they cross the wrist, they compress on the median nerve which specifically travels to the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger.

Our vascular (blood) system is responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients to all of the body’s cells, tissues, muscles, and organs. The lymphatic system is an amazing network of vessels that transport metabolites (waste byproducts) to lymph nodes where the potentially harmful substances can be processed and removed. These systems are intended to function constantly, however, with modern society’s increase in obesity and especially sedentary lifestyles, these systems function at very slow rates for many people.

The societal norms of desk jobs, computer use, escalators, and commuting via car, bus, and train prevent our bodies from moving the way we designed function throughout the day. Poor diet, bad posture, lack of sleep, stress, and environmental factors also contribute to our internal toxic state. Massage therapy can be a powerful tool used to combat these physiological effects most of us aren’t even aware of under our own skin.

Massage therapy is not a complete substitute for a proper diet and exercise. An appropriately applied massage is a beneficial compliment to a healthy lifestyle; it should feel good both on and under your skin.