I hope everyone has an amazing holiday season. I have the next two weeks off from nursing school and will be working with my clients.
Enzo
massage therapist
Thanksgiving holiday schedule
This may come as a surprise to anyone not in the business of massage, but the week of Thanksgiving tends to be my busiest week of the year. Naturally, I begin my clinical rotations for nursing school this very week, but aside from that my schedule is pretty open as follows:
- Monday, November 23: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Tuesday, November 24: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday: November 25: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Thursday: November 26: Spending the holiday with my family
- Friday, November 27: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Saturday, November 28: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Sunday, November 29th: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Taking wellness to the next level
I’ve decided to take my passion of helping others to the next level, so I joined the nursing program earlier this year at CNI College to pursue my dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. The 20-month, 130-unit program is fast-paced yet exciting, and I love every day that I learn more about the human body.
I’m still working as a full-time massage therapist. However, will not focus on utilizing my skills as a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM) at this time.
I hope you invite me to share your journey towards total wellness.
Enzo Frazier
Massage therapist
Personal Trainer
Massage FIXX: I graduated!
I completed my 900-hour, 11-month advanced massage therapy course through CNI College and wanted to take a moment to rave about the school and their staff. I thought I knew everything there was to know about providing professional massage to my clients, but this extensive massage course really impressed (and challenged) me. I learned so much about anatomy, business practices, industry trends, professionalism and ethics. It not only drilled the basics (Swedish, Deep-Tissue, Sports and Chair) but also taught spa services such as hot stone, aromatherapy, body scrubs and mud treatments as well as more specialized modalities such as Trigger-Point, Infant Massage, Reflexology, Pregnancy Massage, Shiatsu, and Elderly Massage.
I recommend CNI College here in Orange County, CA to anyone looking to become a well-trained massage professional. Check out the school’s website here
Enzo
Massage FIXX: New Massage Laws in CA
The rules involving California’s voluntary certification of massage professionals and the regulations of the business throughout the state are changing due to California’s AB 1147, which is not predicted to be vetoed and therefore should become law on October 15, 2014 and effective on January 1, 2015. I’ve included a link to the entire bill here for those of you interested in the details, but let me summarize it in simple text:
- 500 hours of formal training at an accredited school and the successful passing of a test will be required to become a Certified Massage Therapist (CMT). Currently, no test is required.
- The former 250-hour Certified Massage Practitioner (CMP) is being phased out.
- Cities will be stripped of much of their power to enforce special regulations and will be limited to enforcing zoning, business licensing and health and safety concerns. In other words, cities such as Whittier will no longer be permitted to require massage professionals working in their city to register as adult entertainers.
- The current Board of Directors will be disbanded and replaced with 13 new individuals (only two of which will be massage professionals) by September 15, 2015
- The rules for determining school accreditation will be much more specific and strict.
What the bill does not clarify is when the new tests will be required, or whether certification will remain voluntary. Many people are unaware that we massage professionals are not currently required to be certified. The bill also fails to mention anything about creating a licensing board to enable the future status of Licensed Massage Therapist. While I see people with LMT listed on their business cards all the time, there is currently no such thing as a Licensed Massage Therapist in California (maybe they are referring to their drivers’ license?)
Personally, I like the direction California is going because it legitimizes the business of massage therapy. What do you think of AB 1147?
Enzo
Community FIXX: Nurturing To Remember Event
I am honored to have been able to assist at a third annual “Nurturing to Remember” event, which helps women heal from the grief of losing a baby.
The event was held this past Monday at the Pacific Edge Hotel right on the sand of Laguna Beach. It was hosted by Forever Footprints, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit that organizes the OC Walk to Remember each year in memory of children who were lost to miscarriage, stillbirth and sudden infant death.
Five of us students from CNI College’s Massage Therapy program offered free massages during the seven-hour event to offer comfort from the stress these women are experiencing. I expected a very somber event, yet was impressed at the strength of the women I met and their ability to move forward past their pain and loss.
Enzo
Travel-FIXX – Palm Springs
My trusty massage table and I are heading to Palm Springs for the weekend to work with a few clients, catch up with some great friends and enjoy a midnight swim. Have a great weekend
Massage FIXX: Deep-Tissue Massage
Deep tissue is a form of Swedish massage, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain in order to reach the sub-layer of muscles and the fascia. The massage therapist uses their fingertips, knuckles, elbows and even tools and stones to physically break down adhesions (known as “knots”) to relieve pain and restore normal range of motion.
At certain points during the massage, most people experience some discomfort and pain during deep tissue work and it is important to tell the massage therapist when things hurt and if any soreness or pain you experience is outside your comfort range. There is often some stiffness or pain after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a day or so.
The client is generally nude during a Swedish massage and the therapist only uncovers the part of the body being worked on at that time, a technique called draping. Your comfort is the most important part of the massage, so you are welcome to wear undergarments or even shorts if you prefer not to be nude. Continue reading
Massage FIXX: Swedish massage
Swedish technique is the most basic of Western massage modalities and what most massage clients experience in a spa. Swedish is a relaxing, full-body massage in which your therapist uses their hands and forearms to provide long, soothing effleurage (French word meaning “to glide”) strokes to relax and warm the superficial layers of your muscles and fascia.
The client is generally nude during a Swedish massage and the therapist only uncovers the part of the body being worked on at that time, a technique called draping. Your comfort is the most important part of the massage, so you are welcome to wear undergarments or even shorts if you prefer not to be nude.
A common misconception is that Swedish has to be a light touch and that it will not help relieve tension or knots, but a surprisingly deep pressure can be applied during these gliding strokes for those preferring deeper work.
While Swedish tends to be the starting point for deeper massage work such as Trigger-Point therapy and Deep-Tissue Massage, a full session of Swedish massage is an amazing way to relax your body as well as your mind.
Thank you for allowing me to share your journey towards total wellness.
Enzo (about Enzo)
Massage FIXX: The True Benefit Of Massage
While most people get a massage to lower stress or reduce muscle aches, therapeutic massage can also:
- Decrease anxiety and fatigue
- Improve the quality of sleep
- Enhance the immune system by stimulating lymph flow
- Improve range of motion
- Ease medication dependence
- Help athletes prepare for and recover from strenuous workouts
- Nourish and improve the skin
- Improve circulation
- Release endorphins that work as the body’s natural painkiller
- Lower blood pressue
- Reduce scar tissue and stretch marks
- Ease spasms and cramping
- Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling
- Relieve migraine pain
I’ve witnessed variations of each of the above-listed benefits first-hand during my 16 years working as a therapeutic massage therapist. However, the most profound benefit — in my opinion — is the simplist of all: Massage makes my clients happier. The science geek in me understands this is a partially the result of increased oxytocin and decreased Adrenocorticotropin hormones and suggests you read an amazing research paper by on the subject (click here for the research paper), yet the holistic healer in me suggests you simply get a massage and see for yourself: It really works.
Enzo
BodyFIXX Total Wellness 