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Assage, like any new field you’re just getting into, can be a little confusing at first. There are so many resources you could use, so many directions you could search in. This appendix lists just a few of the many tools that could help you, but youTl find more than enough here to keep you busy for a long time.
Massage Books
There are lots of informative books on massage specialties. So, if you really feel the need to own another book besides this one, don’t worry, you won’t hurt my feelings. In fact, here are some suggestions:
Capellini, Steve, The Royal Treatment: How You Can Take Home the Pleasures of the Great Luxury Spas. New York, New York, Dell, 1997.
Claire, Thomas, Bodywork: What Type of Massage to Get — and How To Make the Most of It, William Morrow, New York, 1995.
Ford, Clyde, Compassionate Touch. NY: Simon and Schuster, 1993.
Knaster, Mirka, Discovering the Body’s Wisdom, Bantam, New York, 1996.
Krieger, Dolores, Accepting Your Power to Heal: The Personal Practice of Therapeutic Touch, Santa Fe, Bear & Co., 1993.
Miller, Erica, Day Spa Operations. Albany, Milady, 1995.
Montagu, Ashley, Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin, Harper & Row, New York, 1971…..
Nelson, Dawn, Compassionate Touch: Hands-On Caregiving for the Elderly the III and the Dying, New York, Talman Company, 1993.
Pierpont, Margaret, The Spa Life at Home, Longstreet Press, Atlanta, 1997.
Thomas, Zach, Healing Touch: The Church’s Forgotten Language. Louisville, KY, Westminster/John Knox Press, 1994.
Massage Magazines
In the U. S., there are three main magazines read by massage therapists. All of them include tons of information to help you get "plugged into" the massage world.
Massage Magazine: 1315 West Mallon, Dept. 50, Spokane, WA 99201-2038, 800-533-4263, ext. 50.
Massage Therapy Journal: 820 Davis Street, Suite 100, Evanston, IL 60201-4444, 847-864-0123.
Massage & Bodywork Quarterly: 28677 Buffalo Park Road, Evergreen, CO 80439-7347, 303-674-8478.
Massage on the Web
Given the velocity of change on the Internet, I can’t absolutely guarantee that all of the following links will be completely current. However, you can rest assured that they will provide you with mega-amounts of information, more than you could possibly digest in one lifetime. So log on, start surfing, and prepare to launch into the World Wide Web of massage.
General sites
Www. dharmanet. org/TBI/webring. html: This massage "Web ring" is a good place to start because it links together many sites all focused on massage therapy, and you can travel from place to place, always remaining within the ring. Note: Especially helpful if you have a Web site on the subject of massage that you want to promote.
Www. qwl . com/mtwc/guide/techni ques. html: This site is known as "Massage Therapy Web Central," and you’ll be able to find tons of links here for massage.
Www.Carpaltunnelmassage. com: Check here for insight into massage moves that can help with repetitive stress pain in the wrist.
Www. babymassage. com: This is a site with a video available for instruction in (surprise!) baby massage.
Www.Childbirth. org: Here you’ll find everything you could possibly want to learn about childbirth, including baby massage and massage for pregnant people.
Www. day break-mas sage. com: This is thee site for people interested in offering massage to seniors (also called geriatric massage). They offer training and certification.
Www. i nnerpeacemusi c. com: This is thee site for Stephen Halpern, a musician who has devoted his career to providing healing through sound. Many massage pros choose his music to accompany their massage.
Www. hometown. aol. com/ESMSatHome/school s. html: Check here for links to many horse massage schools.
Www. NCBTMB. com: The site for National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). This organization offers certification for massage pros in every state of the U. S..
Massage therapist locator sites
Massagetherapynetwork. com: This site links therapists with customers and vice versa.
Www.Althealthsearch. com: This is a good place to find a practitioner in your area. It covers a lot of territory with over 180,000 listings.
Www. massagenetwork. com: Look here for tons of info from around the world, locating therapists, etc.
Www.Massageresource. com: Travel to this Web site first if you’re seeking therapists, schools, info, etc.
Www. massagetherapyhomepage. com/di rectory. html: This page will help you find a school or therapist anywhere in the world.
Massage products
Www. pressureposi ti ve. com: This site has several massage products for sale, such as the "Backknobber" and others.
Www. bodybal anci ng. com: This is the home site for the Body Balancer tool.
Www. mtswa rehouse. com: Here’s a site for discounted massage tables of many makes and models.
Www. monmouth. com/~bestof nature: This company bills themselves as a "massage supply superstore." The site definitely has a large number of products.
Www. rel axtheback. com: These are the ergonomic experts with a large chain of retail stores featuring back-friendly furniture, tools, and some massage items.
Www. wi 1 dsyde. com/ kamamai n. htm: This page on the Wild Syde Web site lists a sizable selection of edible massage oils, including the infamous "cappuccino" flavor.
Www.Massagetools. com: This is the Web site for the manufacturer of the Thumper vibrating massage device.
Www. mass agema tte rs. com: A massage entrepreneur in the Atlanta area offers this special site featuring just a few well-chosen, high quality massage items.
Heating retreat and spa resources
Www. spas. about. com: This may be the most comprehensive source of information about spas on the Web. Your experience here will be lead by a spa guide, Julie Register, who has spent many hours researching and cataloguing information as well as forging useful connections with many professionals in the spa industry.
Http://209.41.63.136/spa/spa. htm: Check here for travel and related information about the original town of Spa in Belgium.
Www.Spawish. com: This is the 1-800-FLOWERS of the spa world. Get in touch with Spa Wish to order a gift certificate good at hundreds of day spas across the U. S.. Also, check out the coupon in the back of this book.
Www.Spadiscoveries. com: This is the International Spa of the Month Club Web site. This outfit will send you new spa products from top resorts every month.
Www. spamagazi ne. com: This is the Web site for Spa Magazine.
Www. spaf i nders. com: This is the place to go when you’re searching for spa vacations.
Equipment and Supplies
The following is a list of companies that make equipment for use by massage pros or the public, as well as some retail outlets where you can go to purchase massage items.
Living Earth Crafts: 600 East Todd Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407, 800-358-8292, Www.1i v ingearthcrafts. com
Living Earth Crafts offers portable, stationary, and spa tables, plus oils, books, T shirts, videos, massage tools, and more.
Golden Ratio Woodworks: 2896 Hwy. 89 South, Emigrant, Montana 59027, 800-345-1129 or 406-333-4578, Www. goldenratio. com
Golden Ratio offers a full line of tables, chairs, and allied products. They also made the extremely cool Massage For Dummies Massage chair featured in some of the photos in this book!
The Body Balancer: Body Balancing Ltd., P. O. Box 51977, Palo Alto, CA 94303, 800437-7004
This is where you can order the Body Balancer, featured in Chapter 10.
Natura Essentials: 2845 Harriet Ave South, Minneapolis 55408, 888-606-0055,
Www. naturaessenti al s. com
This company features an incredible collection of some of the finest aromatherapy products you can find anywhere, including candles, essential oils, diffusers, and more.
Trigger Point Co.: P. O. Box 391171, Anza, CA 92539, 800-763-2430.
This company manufactures the popular Thera Cane self-massage tool.
Educating Hands Bookstore: 120 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33130 305-285-0651 or 800-999-6991, Www. educatinghands. com
This store-in-a-school near downtown Miami offers a great selection of books, videos, tables, chairs, massage muscle-builders, and accessories.
Downeast School of Massage Bookstore: 99 Moose Meadow Lane, Waldoboro, ME 04572, 207-832-553, Www. midcoast. com/~dsm
This stores offers lots of books, study aids, charts, videos, models, music, lotions, oils, and accessories including the Thermophore moist heat pack.
Best of Nature: 176 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740, 800-228-6457 or 732-728-0004, www. bes tof n a t u r e. c om
Billing themselves as "the largest massage supply superstore," Best of Nature offers tables, chairs, sheets, oils, accessories, creams, and more.
Inner Peace Linens: P. O. Box 940, Walpole, NH 03608-0940, 800-949 7650,
What’s the use of lying on an expensive padded massage table if it’s covered with a cheap sheet? Contact Inner Peace for 100-percent cotton flannel massage table linens.
Massage Oils and Creams
Take it from me: if you’re going to apply long firm massage strokes to the hairy leg of an Italian man, you’d better use some kind of lubricant, or you’re going to have one angry Italian on your hands. You can find massage oils and creams at many health food stores and specialty shops, but in this section I’ve listed a few top-of-the-line products that the pros use.
Biotone: 4757 Old Cliffs Rd., San Diego, CA 92120, 800-445-6457 or 619-582-0027, www. bi otone. com
This is a popular massage cream and oil manufacturer.
Heritage Products: Box 444, Virginia Beach, VA 23458, 800-TO-CAYCE,
Heritage produces the Edgar Cayce Aura Glow oil, the formula for which was inspired by the renowned healer.
Pure Pro Massage Oils: 955 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 232, Cambridge, MA 02139, 781-933-8638, 877-373-5298, Www.rel axu. com
These nice folks will send you a free catalogue if you ask for one nicely.
Tara Spa Therapy: P. O. Box 222639, Carmel, CA 93922, 800-552-0779 or 831-648-1932
Tara Spa Therapy carries Bindi Body Oil (my favorite). They also have a line of ayurvedic products, and much more.
Catalogues
These catalogues specialize in all kinds of products that are good for you and your body. Some also offer unique items like meditation pillows, prayer bells and such.
Harmony: 800-869-3446
This catalogue offers "products in harmony with the earth," and all the models look clean cut and happy.
Basic Massage Lines: 1207 W. Kingshighway, Paragould, AR 72450, 800-643-4751,Www. bmlmassage. com
Like the name says, this company carries basic massage lines for pros and amateurs alike, offering one-stop shopping.
Inner Balance: 800-482-3608
This catalogue offers "natural solutions for health," and it has a number of massage related items.
Best of Nature: 176 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740, 800-228-6457 or 732-728-0004, www. bestof nature. com
This is a no-frills massage, spa, aromatherapy, and body care product catalogue, mostly for the pros.
Self-Care: 2000 Powell Street, Suite 1350, Emeryville, CA 94608-1858, 800-345-3371, Www. selfcare. com
Called "America’s foremost specialty catalog of products for healthy living," this company carries large selection of health and wellness related products.
Explorations: 800-720-2114
A little bit on the "mystical" side, this catalogue offers great stuff for energy awakening, spirituality, relaxation, etc.
Organizations and Associations
Check out the organizations and associations listed here if you would like some information or you just want to chat with someone who knows what they’re talking about.
American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA): 820 Davis Street, Suite 100, Evanston, IL 60201-4444, 847-864-0123, www. amt amass age. org
American Oriental Bodywork Therapy Association (AOBA): Laurel Oak Corporate Center, Ste 408, 1010 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd., Voorhees, NJ 08043, 609-782-1616, Www. healthy. net/aobta
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP): 28677 Buffalo Park Road, Evergreen, CO 80439-7347, 800-458-2267 or 303-674-8478, www. abmp. com
International Massage Association (IMA): 3000 Connecticut Ave. NW, #308, Washington, DC 20008, 202-387-6555, Internationalmassage. com
International Institute of Reflexology: 5650 First Avenue North, Saint Petersburg, FL 33733-2642, 727-343-4811, www. ref 1 exol ogy-usa. net
International Spa Association (ISPA): International Spa & Fitness Association (ISPA), 546 East Main Street, Lexington, KY, 40508, 888-651-4772, 606-2264326,
International Sports Massage Federation: P. O. Box 25983, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9610,949-642-0735
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102-3810, 703-610-9015,
National Association of Bodywork in Religious Services (NABRS): 337
Tranquil Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28209
Touch Research Institute: Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami School of Medicine, P. O. Box 016820 (Dept. – 820), 1601 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL33101, 305-243-6781, Www. mi ami. edu/touch-research
Get in touch with these organizations if you’re searching for information, schools, and therapists in the U. K., France, Italy, and Australia.
Australia: Massage Australia, P. O. Box 38, Wentworth Falls NSW 2782 Australia, teL 02 4757 3050 or 61 2 4757 3050, Www. massageaus .com. au
The U. K.: The Institute for Complementary Medicine, P. O. Box 194, London SE16 1QZ, tel. 00 44 171 237-5165
Italy: Federazione Nazionale dei Collegi dei Massofisioterapisti (F. N.C. M.), Via Aosta 16, Trento, 38100 Rome, Italy, tel. 03 94 61 915 499 Www. geoci ties. com/CapeCanaveral / Lab/2521
France: French Federation of Masseurs Kinesitherapeutes (FFMKR), 24 rue des Petits Hotels, 75010, Paris, France, tel. 01 44 83 46 00
Massage Specialties and Trainings
There are so many massage specialties and trainings out there that an entire book could be written just trying to explain all the different kinds. And in fact several books on that very topic have been written. This appendix is not here to confuse you about the subject, but rather to help if you’re seriously interested in massage and bodywork as either a practitioner or a recipient and you’d like to start looking into some of the specialties that are available.
With each listing, you’ll find contact numbers for trainings offered. These are by no means the only trainings available, but they represent some of the best. Also, if you’re looking for a practitioner in a particular specialty, many of the training centers have lists of qualified people.
Note that some of the Web sites listed are not directly affiliated with the training centers but contain much relevant information.
Ayurveda
Many practitioners in the West are now offering massage and other treatments based upon this 5,000 year old system of natural healing from India.
Ayurvedic Institute: 11311 Menaul NE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87112, 505)291-9698, Www. ayurveda. com
Baby Massage
You don’t have to be a massage pro in order to massage your own baby. Different types of classes are offered for therapists and novices.
Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators: P. O. Box 382724, Cambridge, MA 02238, 888-222-5223 or (617)441-2500, www. al ace. org
Cinnabar School: P. O. Box 34326, Westbrook, Calgary, AB, Canada T3C 3W0, 403-246-6720, www. baby mas sage. com
Kate Jordan Seminars: 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite 2162, La Jolla, CA 92037, 760-436-0418, Pregmassage@aol .com
Nurturing the Mother: 8703 Rollingwood Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, 919-929-4253
Chair massage
To learn how to give effective massage using the specially built massage chairs available today, contact these providers.
TouchPro Chair Massage Workshops: 800-999-5026
Seated Massage Experience: Touch 4 Productions, P. O. Box 260395, Tampa, FL33685-0395, 800-868-2448 or 813-249-2911, www. seatedmassage. com
Connective tissue massage
These therapies usually "dig in deep" to re-pattern the way your body is held together by its basic glue, or connective tissues. They’re great for changing poor postural habits, increasing energy, and improving physical function.
The Anatomy Trains by Tom Myers: 20 Roundabout Way, Scarboro, ME, 888-546-3747
The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration (RoMng): P. O. Box 1868, Boulder, CO 80302, 800-530-8875 or 303-449-5903, Www. rolf. org
Guild for Structural Integration (Rolfing): P. O. Box 1559, Boulder, CO 80306, 800-447-0150, www. rol fgui 1 d. org
Aston-Patterning: P. O. Box 3568, Incline Village, NV 89450, 702-831-8228,
Www. astonpatterni ng. com
Hellerwork: 406 Berry Street, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067, 800-392-3900,
Energy ufork
Energy work Is massage and bodywork that focuses on treating the invisible pathways of energy running in the human body. This energy has different names in different cultures. In Asia, it’s known as Chi, ki And other names. The following types of massage and bodywork deal primarily with this energy, affecting the entire body through that process.
Jin Shin Jyutsu: 8719 E. San Alberto, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, 602-998-9331,
American Polarity Therapy Association: 2888 Bluff Street, #149, Boulder, CO 80301, 303-545-2080, Www. PolarityTherapy. org
The Reiki Alliance: P. O. Box 41, Cataldo, ID 83810, 208-682-3535, www.
Rei kicentrum. nl/reiki4a11
Shiatsu: Ohashi Institute, 12 W. 27th Street, New York, NY 10001-6903, 800-810-4190, Www. ohashi .com
Healing Tao: 1205 O’Neill Hwy, Dunmore, PA 18512, 717-3484310, www.
Therapeutic Touch: Nurse Healers & Professional Associates, 175 Fifth Ave, Suite 3399, New York, NY 10010, www. therapeuti ctouch. com
Freedom of movement massage
These techniques have been developed by people in the performing arts, sports, the medical professions, and other backgrounds. All of them open the body/mind to higher levels of freedom and expression, creating improved wellbeing at the same time.
The Alexander Technique: North America Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, P. O. Box 517, Urbana, IL 61801, 800473-0620, Www. alexandertechni que. com
Feldenkrais: The Feldenkrais Guild, P. O. Box 489, Albany, OR 97321-0143, 800-775-2118, www. Fel denkrai s. com
Pilates: Physical Mind Institute, 1807 Second Street #28129, Santa Fe, NM 87505, 800-505-1990 or (505)988-1990, www. themethod. com
Pilates Institute: Sydney City Lvl 2, George Street, Sydney NSW Australia 2000, tel 02 9267 8223, www. pi 1 ates. net
Trager: The Trager Institute, 21 Locust, Mill Valley, CA 94941-2806, 415-388-2688, Www. trager. com
Geriatric massage
If you would like to help senior citizens in a profoundly important and simple way/reaching out to them through massage is an excellent choice, and taking the training offered here is a good way to begin.
Daybreak Geriatric Massage Project: 216 Pleasant Hill Ave. N., Sebastopol, CA 95472, 707-829-2798, www. d ay b re a k – ma s s a ge. c om
Horse massage
I know it may be hard for you to believe, but it’s true: There are courses for people who want to learn how to massage horses, which is actually quite a big business these days.
Equissage: P. O. Box 447, Round Hill, VA 20142, 540-338-1917, www.
Don Doran’s Equine Sports Massage: 14735 SW 71 Avenue Road, Ocala, FL 34473-5102, 352-347-3747
Jack Meagher Institute of Sports Therapy: Equine Sports Massage, P. O. Box 1244, Concord, MA 01742, 413-772-1815
Mind/body/emotion massage
These methods work in a very profound way to help people uncover and deal with emotions and memories that might cause painful conditions.
The Rosen Method: The Rosen Method Center, 825 Bancroft Way, Berkley, CA 94710, 510-845-6606, www. men. org/b/ rosen/def aul t. html
Rosen Method Center Southwest: P. O. Box 344, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
505-982-7149, Www. men. org/b/rosen/swrc. html
The Rubenfeld Synergy Center: 115 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10011,
212-254-5100, Www. hometown. aol. comXrubenfeld\synergy\index. html
Pain relief massage
Although every style of massage can potentially help reduce pain, there are certain styles that specialize in pain reduction and reversal of trauma. The following a just a few of them.
The Bodywork Research Institute: 123 E. 8th Street, Suite 121, Frederick, MD 21701, 301-698-0932, trains people in massage techniques to relieve the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Craniosacral Therapy: Upledger Institute, 11211 Prosperity Farms Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-3487, 800-233-5880, www. upl edger. com
Hoshino Therapy Clinic: Center for Biotherapeutics, 430 South Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33146, 305-666-2243
Neuromuscular Therapy Seminars: 1121 Prosperity Farms Road, #D-325, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-3487, 800-311-9204 or 561-622-4334,
Reflexology
International Institute of Reflexology: P. O. Box 12642, St. Petersburg, FL, 33733-2642, 727-343-4811, www. ref 1 exology-usa. net
Spa therapy training
This category is for those people who would like to specialize in giving massage, hydrotherapy, and other treatments in the spa setting, as well as spa owners and managers.
The Bramham Institute & Spa: 1014 N. Olive Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, 800-575-0518, Www. spamastery. com
Thai massage
Many people make the pilgrimage to Thailand every year to learn the techniques of this traditional system, which includes a lot of stretching and moves similar to Shiatsu.
Institute of Thai Massage: 17/7 Morakot Road, Hah Yaek Santitham, Chiang Mai 50300 Thailand, tel. (66-53) 218632, www. i nf othai. com/i tm
Water massage
Some very interesting types of massage can be done in the water. The buoyancy helps to free people of chronic pain and ease certain fears.
Watsu: Massage School at Harbin Hot Springs P. O. Box 570, Middletown, CA 95461, 707-987-3801, www. w a b a. e d u
Aquassage: 800-957-4808, Www. massagetherapynetwork. com
A college degree in massage
If you want a college degree and a massage license, how about going to school where you can get both at the same time? At the New Center College, you’ll earn an Associate of Occupational Studies (A. O.S.) degree with a major in Massage Therapy, the first of its kind in the United States.
The New Center College for Wholistic Health Education and Research: 6801 Jericho Tpk., Syosset, New York 11791-4413, 516-364-0808, ext.126, www.