CE INSTITUTE LLC BLOG

Massage therapy is a wonderful nonpharmacological modality to help manage pain.  There is growing recognition of this fact, including at The U.S. Joint Commission which is responsible for certifying and accrediting over 22,000 healthcare ORGANIZATIONS and PROGRAMS. 

On May 5, 2017, they issued the Joint Commission’s Pain Standards: Origins and Evolution which you can view by clicking HERE.

In The Joint Commission report's report, they stated that both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies have a role in the management of pain. This was their list of examples of nonpharmacologic pain management strategies: "physical modalities (for example, acupuncture therapy, chiropractic therapy, osteopathic manipulative treatment, massage therapy, and physical therapy), relaxation therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy; Pharmacologic strategies: nonopioid, opioid, and adjuvant analgesics.”

This is just another affirmation that massage therapy is a non pharmacological apporach for pain management.

To learn more about massage modalities, please visit and register for training with us at:  https://ceinstitute.com/  Please keep in mind that our courses are primarily for licensed healthcare professionals, however lay people are also welcome to attend most courses in an observer capacity to learn more about massage therapy and the many modalities practied by massage therapists.

#bodyworker #cupping #cuppingmassage #orthopediccupping #massage #massagetherapy #massagetherapist #LMT #bodywork #painrelief #MFR #myofascialrelease #neuromusculartherapy #painmanagement #pain #nonpharmacological #prenatalmassage #hotstonemassagetherapy #aromatherapymassage #ayurvedicmassage #shirodhara #oncologymassage #oncology #geriatricmassage #triggerpointtherapy #tp #reflexology #sportsmassage 

Ablative lasers vaporize the top layers of damaged skin. They are usually more aggressive than nonablative lasers that leave the skin intact.

An article in the Seminars in Plastic Surgery reports:  “Although ablative lasers result in far more down time and a more difficult recovery process, they remain the lasers that produce the most dramatic outcomes.”[i]

Skin must be whole and intact to provide most hands-on bodywork, including MLD.  

Because ablative laser treatment destroys the outer layer of skin, bodywork and all hands-on services including massage and MLD are contraindicated until the skin has healed.

Practicing MLD is a wonderful nonpharmacological benefit for clients  who have pain or swelling; however, practitioners should be thoroughly trained in all treatment precautions and contraindications prior to practicing.  To learn more, please register for manual lymphatic drainage training with us at:  https://ceinstitute.com/collections/lymphatics

#orthopedics #orthopedicsurgery #MLD #manuallymphaticdrainage #lymphaticdrainage #bodywork #bodyworker #massage #massagetherapist #mt #LMT #lymphedema #postsurgical #cosmeticsurgery #plasticsurgery #swelling #edema #chronicswelling #incisiondrainage #pressotherapy

[i] Preissig, Jason, et al. “Current Laser Resurfacing Technologies: A Review That Delves beneath the Surface.” Seminars in Plastic Surgery, Thieme Medical Publishers, Aug. 2012, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3580982/#:~:text=Ablative%20lasers%20vaporize%20tissue%20and,produce%20the%20most%20dramatic%20outcomes.

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is used to reduce swelling, which can result in pain relief, increased range of motion, physical function restoration and more.  It is often performed post-surgery to help prevent secondary injury and increase healing times and outcomes.  The two most common post-surgical MLD treatment requests are for cosmetic and orthopedic surgeries.

MLD practitioners must have post-surgical MLD training when working with post-surgical clients.  They must also communicate with the surgeon to ascertain each MLD client's specific requirements for their post-surgical treatment and healing processes.  The following are some suggested questions a MLD practitioner can ask a surgeon when providing post-surgical MLD.

Practitioners can request this information in the form of a treatment prescription if desired.  It is always best to request treatment directions in writing:

1. Would an increase of circulation be harmful to this client?
2. When can I start MLD appointments for this client?
3. Does the client have any surgical drains, implants, injectables or joint replacements?
4. Does the client have any areas I should not touch? If yes, where?
5. Can I work around the client’s stitches and if yes, how far of a distance should be maintained between my hand and the client‘s stitches (Practitioners can add: I will use only the weight of my hand to manipulate the skin to create drainage).
6. Do you want me to wear gloves when working on the client’s skin, or are well sanitized hands acceptable? Follow-up: If I must wear gloves, when would it be acceptable to use well sanitized bare hands?
7. Is there anything that could happen with the client where or when I should not administer MLD? (Practitioner can add: I do not work with active bleeding, fevers or any sign of infection).
8. How long of an appointment and how frequently can MLD be provided?
9. Are there any special directions that should be followed or considerations to be made?
10. Practitioners should add any other questions that seem appropriate and useful.

Practicing MLD is a wonderful nonpharmacological benefit for clients seeking a reduction of swelling and pain after surgical procedures.  To learn more, please register for training with us at:  https://ceinstitute.com/collections/lymphatics

 #orthopedics #orthopedicsurgery #MLD #manuallymphaticdrainage #lymphaticdrainage #bodywork #bodyworker #massage #massagetherapist #mt #LMT #lymphedema #postsurgical #cosmeticsurgery #plasticsurgery #swelling #edema #chronicswelling #incisiondrainage #pressotherapy

For years, we have taught our MLD stretching, stroking and v-flushing strokes to be applied in retrograde, from distal to proximal on the arms and legs.  Some of our students questioned this because of training they received elsewhere, where they were trained that taught all MLD strokes are to be applied from proximal to distal which is different than how we teach at CE Institute LLC. 

We allow students to apply MLD strokes in whichever direction they feel is appropriate, whether it be distal to proximal or proximal to distal, as long as they are working towards the regional nodes of the area.  And we will continue our distal to proximal MLD strokes because of the recent published science that supports this successful retrograde practice:

In the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Publishing: September 2021 - Volume 148 - Issue 3 - p 425e-436e doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000008252, there was an article published called:  Retrograde Manual Lymphatic Drainage following Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer to Distal Recipient Sites for Extremity Lymphedema: A Retrospective Study and Literature Review

In this article, they stated that after a vascularized node transfer procedure:  "standard retrograde manual lymphatic drainage significantly improved circumferential reduction rates and Lymphedema-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire scores."

We have found this and so much more research to build supportsour MLD teachings and practice.  We said we'd post updates for our training on our social media whenever possible, as new information develops.  This information was only published a couple months ago, and we hope you enjoy the knowledge that working distally to proximally with MLD strokes can be effective!  To learn about this and more, please register for one of our MLD classes at:  https://ceinstitute.com/collections/lymphatics

Past CE Institute LLC MLD students!  Make sure you are following us on social media and check your emails for refresher classes and dates that are periodically sent, when available!

#MLD #manuallymphaticdrainage #lymphaticdrainage #bodywork #bodyworker #massage #massagetherapist #mt #LMT #lymphedema #postsurgical #cosmeticsurgery #plasticsurgery #swelling #edema #chronicswelling #incisiondrainage #pressotherapy

Columbus State University CSU Libraries has picked up our Hot Stone Safety Cover Story from the May 20221 Massage Magazine Issue.  We're flattered!

If you missed the cover story, you can view the article below or click HERE to review in Massage Magazine!

#hotstone #hotstonemassage #bodywork #massage #massagetherapist #lmt #massagetherapy #stonemassage #bodywork #bodyworker #INFECTIONprevention #HEAT #MASSAGEtherapy #MASSAGEtherapists #CLIENTrelations #SKINcare #BURNS #scalds #PATIENT-centeredcare #COMMUNICATION #PATIENTsafety #hotstonebath #stoneheater #stonemassgeheater #hotstoneheater #health

Adding essential oils to your massage, bodywork, cosmetology, PT, OT and almost any other medical or beauty practice could provide enhanced therapeutic benefits for your clients.

In this video below, we'll review one published study that shows aromatherapy massage effectiveness for nurses working in a surgical center.  These nurses received six aromatherapy massages each, for the better.

To obtain professional aromatherapy training, please visit us and register at: https://ceinstitute.com/collections/aromatherapy

#aromatherapy #aromatherapist #massage #massagetherapy #massagebusiness #massagetherapist #bodywork #bodyworker #essentialoil #essentialoiluse  #inhalation #aromatherapyinhalation #essentialoilinhalation #aromatherapymassage

Below, we review a recent scientific research study in 5-minutes which shows that chamomile essential oil can provide an effective means of pain relief. The study was conducted a women who had just given birth via cesarean section.  Aromatherapy is a wonderful, nonpharmacological practice which when used properly, can provide many physiological and psychological benefits.

To obtain professional aromatherapy training, please visit us and register at: https://ceinstitute.com/collections/aromatherapy

#aromatherapy #aromatherapist #massage #massagetherapy #massagebusiness #massagetherapist #bodywork #bodyworker #essentialoil #essentialoiluse #chamomile #chamomileessentialoil #pregnancy #childbirth #cesareansection #cesarean #inhalation #aromatherapyinhalation #essentialoilinhalation #aromatherapymassage

Toxemia of pregnancy is a serious health complication which is contraindicated for prenatal massage. It is characterized by medical symptoms such as high blood pressure, proteins/toxins in the blood, swelling, etc. 

We do not feel it is healthy to increase circulation with harmful toxins in the bloodstream, which can adversely affect the pregnant client's vision and other vital organs.  It is not possible to provide true massage therapy service without increasing circulation which automatically occurs when a practitioner compresses and releases the soft tissue of the body.

To learn prenatal massage, please visit and register at: https://ceinstitute.com/collections/prenatal

#prenatalmassage #pregnancy #prenatal #massage #massagetherapy #massagetherapist #bodywork #bodyworker #eclampsia #preeclampsia #toxemiaofpregnancy #massagecontraindication 

Learn how to adjust your table or add bolstering to accommodate prenatal clients who are experiencing acid reflux or heartburn. 

Many pregnant women will experience heartburn and acid reflux during pregnancy, as fetal development expands upwards and outwards, which physically pushes the stomach superiorly into the esophagus.  The relaxin hormone further relaxes the esophagus sphincter valve which allows the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, which is exasperated by lying flat in the side-lying position during prenatal massage.

To learn prenatal massage, please visit and register at: https://ceinstitute.com/collections/prenatal

#prenatalmassage #pregnancy #prenatal #massage #massagetherapy #massagetherapist #bodywork #bodyworker #heartburn #relaxin #relaxinhormone #sidelying #sidelyingmassage #acidreflux