Author: Julie Onofrio

  • Palpation Skills for Massage Therapists

    ELAP recommendations:  Subject: Palpation and Movement Topic: Orientation to Palpation and Movement Learning Outcomes Conditions: Having completed 4 hours of instruction on an orientation to palpation and movement, the learner is expected to: Demonstrate knowledge of the key terms and concepts related to the development of palpation skills and the basics of human movement on…

  • Transference for Massage Therapists

    Transference is one of the most important concepts to understand for a massage therapist but the least understood and talked about. It is usually covered in a few hour workshop in massage school. Transference is a very complex phenomenon that comes from the psychology profession. The reason that it is so important to understand is…

  • Learning to Touch for massage therapists

    Learning to touch for massage therapists is usually one of the most basic level classes in massage school.  How you touch others and the quality of your touch along with your own history of touch will influence your success as a massage therapist.  Being a massage therapist is much more than just doing a massage. …

  • Massage Peer Supervision

    Peer Supervision defined by Webster is to oversee, direct or manage. The term supervision makes me think of a supervisor in a business setting who just sits back and tells me what to do. The type of supervision I am talking about comes from other medical professions such as psychology, social work and nursing. The…

  • Swedish Massage Strokes

    Stroke Purpose/Uses Mechanical effect Reflexive effect Contraindications LIGHT EFFLEURAGE Gliding, Fanning, Tree branching, shingling etc. Transitioning Spreading oil Evaluating tissue  Relaxes muscles (parasympathetic nervous system) Relieves pain (Gate control theory, endorphins)  Increases arterial and capillary circulation  Increases vasodilation (slowing heart rate and blood pressure)  Hyperesthesia  Marked or pitted edema  Gross swelling Open wounds distal to…