Author:  Selena Belisle, Owner/Instructor, CE Institute LLC, Miami FL 

Antiseptics: are germicides applied to living tissue and skin.  You can use an antiseptic on yourself (or others) to try to kill germs.

Disinfectants: are antimicrobials applied only to inanimate objects.  You can apply disinfectants to objects or surface areas to try to kill germs (you should always clean prior to disinfecting an object or area).  Disinfectants are not made to apply to a human body.  You should use gloves when handling disinfectants.

In general, antiseptics are used only on the skin and not for surface disinfection, and disinfectants are not used for skin antisepsis because they can injure skin and other tissues.

Author:  Selena Belisle, Owner/Instructor, CE Institute LLC, Miami FL 

Question: Is Prenatal Massage in the 1st Trimester (or any trimester) Safe?

Answer: YES, when performed by someone who is specially trained in Prenatal Massage

I hear this question a lot - is prenatal massage safe?  Or is massaging someone in their 1st trimester safe? The answer is yes it's safe, as long as the therapist is training to work with prenatal conditions.  There are some special contraindications with prenatal massage such as toxemia.  And there are some specialized positions, skills, strokes and equipment that can be used for prenatal massage clients too.  All of this requires specialized prenatal massage training, which can be easily provided in any board approved continuing education class.

So, why do so many people think that massage is not safe in the first trimester of pregnancy?  It is mostly because about 1/3 of pregnancies will miscarry, and about 80% of those miscarriages will happen in the first trimester - and there is regularly NO REASON WHATSOEVER to explain the miscarriage.  Miscarriages happen in both healthy and unhealthy women, active or sedentary women and so forth.  Unfortunately, a pregnant woman who has just miscarried could blame their massage appointment as a reason for why they miscarried.  But fortunately for massage therapists, common sense usually prevails when statistics are provided - which show that many pregnancies miscarry whether a woman has a massage, or not.

The safety of a prenatal massage should not be confused with employer or liability insurance requirements.  I teach prenatal massage and have been practicing prenatal massage in all trimesters for over 25 years now.  I have worked closely with Boston Hospital OBGYN Department Heads to provide prenatal massage to their pregnant clients.  But, when I worked at the Ritz Carlton in South Beach, FL, even I was not able to provide prenatal massage for celebrities, or any clients, during their 1st trimester at this hotel.  The spa manager told me that it was their liability insurance that would not cover a prenatal massage in the 1st trimester which created their policy to deny 1st trimester prenatal massage appointments - and not because the Ritz felt that a prenatal massage appointment would be unsafe with a trained and licensed therapist.  It is important to note that therapists should respect and follow whatever employment policies are provided to them - there are legal remedies to take if you feel your employer is being unfair in their policies, or you can simply find another job where their standards will match with own if you do not agree with what your current employer is telling you to do.  I liked my job at the Ritz Carlton so I followed their policies with prenatal massage as requested - even though I thought some were wrong - I understood they made this policy because of their insurance requirements.  Once I understood their reason for their decision (total transparency), I was okay in following it. This was a morality and ethical choice on my behalf to continue with the Ritz even when I thought their denial for 1st trimester prenatal massage appointments was wrong.  This was a personal choice that I decided to make, and any other therapist would have to make if they were in similar shoes. 

Back in the 1990s, I used to own a massage therapy center that employed over 40 Licensed Massage Therapists.  We often hired incredible therapists from a local school who taught that all prenatal massage was contraindicated (at least this is what their therapists told us when they continually refused prenatal massage training and clients).  So, I called the school and told them we would stop hiring their graduates if they continued providing such bad and erroneous information in their basic training.  And today, from what I understand, they no longer teach that pregnant women are contraindicated for massage.  Hopefully no school does.

Luckily, today, we have better information about the practice of massage therapy.  Massage has become professionally prevalent, and licensed massage therapists are being less associated with other elicit industries.  Our professionalism has helped establish the health benefits of our industry over the past 2 decades - which has helped people understand the benefits and qualities of prenatal massage.  Unfortunately, because of past teachings that were inaccurate, and because of bad insurance requirements and so forth, we have a lot of misinformation about what is safe (and what's not) with pregnant women and massage. 

I hope this BLOG post clears up some of the misinformation that is still being passed and provided today with prenatal massage.  Luckily, one of the reasons we have CE hour requirements for licensed professionals, is to gain updated information about our trade.  1st trimester prenatal massage is one of those updates that should be shared - it is safe when the client is not medically contraindicated - all massage modalities have some form of contraindication.  There are plentiful reasons why we have misinformation regarding this prenatal massage, but communication and education should get us all on the same page that prenatal massage is safe, including in the 1st trimester, when practiced by a trained prenatal massage therapist.

On a side-note - if you're not comfortable working with pregnant women, then you might not want to seek prenatal training or attempt to provide prenatal service.  Each therapist should pursue and practice whatever is in their hearts - because that is sincerely the best practice for all.  So, if you're not comfortable practicing on pregnant women, that's okay - but please do not tell others that prenatal massage practice is unsafe.  It is not.  Prenatal massage is one of the most wonderful relationships a therapist can share with a client, and it should not be prohibited for nefarious reasons.

Please click HERE to learn more about pregnancy massage and available prenatal massage CE classes at CE Institute LLC.

_________________

Author Selena Belisle is the Founder of CE Institute LLC in Miami FL.  She is a retired professional athlete and has been practicing massage therapy for over 30 years.  Selena is an approved CE Provider with NCBTMB & the Florida Board of Massage.  She now teaches full time for the Complementary and Alternative Health Care Industries. You can learn more about Selena’s training and CE classes at www.CeInstitute.com

Author:  Selena Belisle, Owner/Instructor, CE Institute LLC, Miami FL 

Question: Can Moderate or Deep Pressure be Applied in Lymphatic Drainage?

Answer: No, No, No, No, and HELL NO!!!!!

Lymphatic Drainage is typically considered a bodywork to reduce facial or body swelling through specialized skills, techniques and practices.  It is not the same as Swedish massage which would encourage strokes towards the heart to promote venous return.  In massage we promote blood circulation.  In lymphatic drainage, we teach you to work with something entirely different. 

While massage generally promotes strokes towards the heart, some lymphatic drainage strokes work away from the heart to promote a reduction in swelling.  Lymphatic drainage is different from almost any other form of massage or bodywork.  Lymphatic drainage requires specialized training, and should be sought in a live hands-on board approved CE class where an instructor can observe and provide feedback of your hands-on practice.

Some leading reasons why a client might want a specialized lymphatic drainage session is because they suffer from lymphedema - which is a permanent medical dysfunction of the lymphatic system.  They could also have swelling from an orthopedic or cosmetic surgery, sports strain, or swelling from oncology treatments such as radiation or a lymphadenectomy.  Lymphatic drainage is a wonderful modality to relieve swelling without pharmaceutical intervention.

In order to relieve swelling in the body via lymphatic drainage, we take extra interstitial fluid within the tissues and encourage this fluid to enter the lymphatic system.  The lymphatic capillaries that collect this fluid are miniscule.  In theory, if you apply too much pressure to these miniscule capillaries, they will simply collapse and not collect any fluid, until they reconstitute themselves. This is explained further in CE Institute's live lymphatic CE classes.

Lymphatic drainage strokes are designed to encourage extra interstitial fluid to be collected by these miniscule capillaries to promote true drainage of the tissues.  This excess fluid will then travel through larger and larger lymphatic vessels and ducts - and eventually make it's way back to the heart and cardiovascular system.

I believe the reason why some therapists are practicing deep tissue and misnaming it lymphatic drainage, is because there can be some tissue changes leading to some fluid drainage with a deep tissue massage.  That is because common problems such as stress, overuse, and misuse of the body, can lead to muscle tightness.  This muscle tightness will create excessive pressure on circulatory vessels which can obstruct overall general circulation.  So, when an effective deep tissue session is provided, these tight tissues relax and allow better "drainage" of the tissues via newly unrestricted circulatory vessels.  However, this deep tissue massage result should NOT be called lymphatic drainage - it's NOT.  Better fluid exchange within the tissues is a simple benefit of increased circulation with a good massage.  Deep tissue or moderate pressure massage should never be confused with the specialized skills and strokes developed to encourage the uptake of interstitial fluid into miniscule lymphatic capillaries for true lymphatic drainage. 

What's more important to note is that any deep tissue pressure applied to swelling is likely to produce more swelling and tissue damage.  That is because applying pressure to swollen and stretched tissues may further stretch or tear the swollen tissues.  That is why swelling is a general massage therapy contraindication; however, swelling IS indicated for lymphatic drainage (minus a few contraindications which you would learn in any of our live lymphatic CE classes). 

It's one thing to practice deep tissue massage and increase overall circulation as a result - but it could be extremely harmful to apply that same deep pressure on post-surgical swelling or a damaged lymphatic system and expect something positive to happen - you'll likely be sorely disappointed (or have a claim for malpractice).

There are some people who get lucky by claiming they are performing lymphatic drainage while trying to "force" bodily fluid/swelling out of surgical incisions, etc. That type of unthinkable, forceful, painful, swollen tissue manipulation could cause a greater amount of scar tissue, fibrosis and/or infection than the initial trauma or surgery itself.  Keep in mind, a client may appreciate a forceful physical temporary removal of swelling while on opioids.  And that type of client could unknowingly seek even more of the same when they become additionally swollen from improper care.  It's difficult for a client on opioids who has just had surgery and is being told that they are receiving "therapy" to understand that the "therapy" of forcibly working on swelling is hurting them - not helping!  We asks therapists to use some common sense in realizing that applying moderate to deep pressure to swollen tissues is NOT helping your client, or you.

To learn more, because there are so many more erroneous practices, you really need to take a board approved live CE class where you can have instructor interaction with questions, answers and scientific theory.  Try to take a course with an instructor who has clear scientific, evidence-based education of the lymphatic system itself and extensive practice in the modality of lymphatic drainage.  There are too many factors that go into the practice of lymphatic drainage which cannot be solely collected off from a blog, youtube or the internet in general. 

In summary to address the important question about pressure with lymphatic drainage in this blog, deep tissue, myofascial release and other moderate to deep pressure techniques are NOT, and will never will be, appropriate lymphatic drainage bodywork techniques - 24/7/never. 

Please click HERE to if you would like to learn more about lymphatic drainage and other available classes at CE Institute LLC.

________________

This lymphatic drainage post was written by CE Institute LLC Founder, Selena Belisle.  Selena initially studied Vodder-style Lymphatic Drainage in 1995 at the Massage Institute of New England in Cambridge, Massachusetts - – the same city where other schools such as MIT and Harvard University are located.

Selena has attended and studied in numerous lymphatic online and live classes (including initial lymphatic re-mapping research and studies in 2003).  She found her studies of lymphatic drainage to be “frustrating”, given the amount of conflicting and misinformation amongst instructors.  As such, Selena spent hundreds of additional hours sorting through research and published studies to create this evidence-based course where the efficacy of our teachings are 100% backed by scientific data.  You can view a more complete list of Selena’s accolades including her publications, training and experience by clicking HERE.

In addition to practicing lymphatic drainage for 25 years, Selena managed/owned an alternative health care practice for 10 years that serviced thousands, and employed over 40 massage therapists, 4 chiropractors and 4 acupuncturists in Quincy & Braintree, Massachusetts, until she sold in 2005.  Lymphatic Drainage was one of the many modalities offered in this large group practice.  The lymphatic drainage appointments that were practiced for over a decade at Selena's health clinic provided much relief for her clients, and was a wonderful healing alternative for customers who were contraindicated for regular massage. 

Selena is a also a retired professional athlete with 3 WAF World Championships.  She has competed in places like the Athens Olympic Stadium and has worked on scores other athletes, including a player from every single team in the NFL (and accolade not many have accomplished). She also earned a 2017 Award from Dana Farber & the Jimmy Fund for: “in recognition of extraordinary support of research and patient care at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, leading to breakthroughs against cancer”. She has worked as a volunteer at the Miami Cancer Institute in the infusion wings, and has spent decades working to help cancer and lymphedema patients.

Selena’s long history, experience, studies, practice and instruction of manual lymphatic drainage makes her one of the foremost leading instructors of the modality today.

Author:  Selena Belisle, Owner/Instructor, CE Institute LLC, Miami FL

Bacterial Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Cellulitis is much different than cellulite, which is a non-life threatening cosmetic condition.

In bacterial cellulitis, the affected skin appears swollen and red and is typically painful and warm to the touch.  Left untreated, the infection can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream and rapidly become life-threatening. It isn't usually spread from person to person. It is important to obtain an early diagnosis for cellulitis, because the condition can spread rapidly throughout the body.^liii

Cellulitis occurs when bacteria, most commonly streptococcus and staphylococcus, enter through a crack or break in the skin. The incidence of a more serious staphylococcus infection called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing.[i] Cellulitis is often treated through a simple course of antibiotics.

In this photo (below), this person has presented with staphylococcal orbital cellulitis. Note the periorbital swelling and erythema.  The symptoms associated with cellulitis can evolve and worsen due to systemic bacterial migration via the bloodstream, and include fever, malaise, and chills.[ii]

Bacterial cellulitis is not considered highly infectious because it is an infection of the deeper layers of the body (the dermis and subcutaneous tissue).  The epidermis provides a “protective covering” for this infection.

Personal service workers should use caution in working with someone who has bacterial cellulitis.  This is a medical condition that can spread rapidly throughout the body once someone has this infection.

Services such as waxing or body scrubs, which could compromise or break the epidermis and possibly lead to further infection are not advised until the bacterial cellulitis has been medically treated.  Further massage, spa or salon services that could increase blood circulation such as heat or body wraps should also be avoided.  Bacterial cellulitis can spread (and is made worse) through blood circulation.  Increasing a client’s circulation with bacterial cellulitis is ill-advised.

__________________

 Author Selena Belisle is the Founder of CE Institute LLC in Miami FL.  She is a retired professional athlete and has been practicing massage therapy for over 30 years.  Selena is an approved CE Provider with NCBTMB & the Florida Board of Massage.  She now teaches full time for the Complementary and Alternative Health Care Industries. You can learn more about Selena’s training and CE classes at www.CeInstitute.com

[i] Mayo Clinic Staff. “Cellulitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 10 Apr. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370762.

[ii]  Sellers, Dr. Thomas F. , Emory University.  “Public Health Image Library (PHIL).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Dec. 2017, phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=2843.

Author:  Selena Belisle, Owner/Instructor, CE Institute LLC, Miami FL

Here are Five Steps from the CDC on how to Properly Wash Your Hands [i]

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Here/below is a diagram that shows areas that are commonly missed when using hand sanitizer, and areas that should receive extra attention when handwashing:

Use Hand Sanitizer When You Cannot Wash with Soap and Water

You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.  

Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However:

• Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
• Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
• Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.

How to use hand sanitizer:

• Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
• Rub your hands together.
• Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. Use plentiful product – your hands should remain wet for at least 20 seconds until they are dry.

In addition to regular hand hygiene practices, during the COVID-19 pandemic, you should also clean hands:

• After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/screens, etc.
• Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because that’s how germs enter our bodies.

Sometimes massage therapists use their forearms and elbows in massage.  Any area of a therapist's body that is used during massage should be washed or sanitized before and after working on each client.

Hand hygiene is critical during this COVID-19 pandemic, where commonly spread respiratory droplets can cause serious disease.  Massage Therapists should take heed with more frequent hygiene habits to protect themselves, and to protect the health and safety of their clients as well.  The best method to prevent transmission of COVID-19 is to self-isolate and avoid contact with others, which would not allow for work as a massage therapist.  However, if you find yourself at work, or you must work, which is ill-advised, be sure to practice superior personal hygiene, take steps to improve your air quality at work and wear your PPE (personal protective equipment).  Please stay safe during these challenging times. 

Author Selena Belisle is the Founder of CE Institute LLC in Miami FL.  She is a retired professional athlete and has been practicing massage therapy for over 30 years.  Selena is an approved CE Provider with NCBTMB & the Florida Board of Massage.  She now teaches full time for the Complementary and Alternative Health Care Industries. You can learn more about Selena’s training and CE classes at www.CeInstitute.com

_______________

[i] “When and How to Wash Your Hands.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Apr. 2020, Found online: July 4, 2020, www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html.

By: Selena Belisle, Owner/Instructor CE Institute LLC, Miami FL

Fibromyalgia is a frequently debilitating and painful condition that can have "tender points" on the body. Tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. These points can elicit extreme pain when pressure is applied to them.

The American College of Rheumatology approved new revised diagnostic criteria in 2010 for fibromyalgia that eliminated the 1990 tender point testing criteria. The new 2010 diagnostic criteria uses the Widespread Pain Index, and symptom severity scale in place of tender point testing under the 1990 criteria.[i] The 2010 “Widespread Pain Index” (WPI) is shown here in this colorful picture of the body below:   

Despite the new 2010 WPI criteria testing, it’s still important to know where the “tender spots” are when working with fibromyalgia clients.  It is not recommended to place pressure or press directly into these tender point spots as this can be very painful for a fibromyalgia client. Also, avoid massaging any areas of lost sensation or numbness.  Massage therapists and personal care service providers should never work on an area where the client cannot feel because they cannot provide feedback about the pressure or work that is being done in the area.  Below is a 1990 fibromyalgia tender point chart:

Fibromyalgia can also cause disability, a lower quality of life and widespread pain all over the body beyond the “tender points”.  People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. This is called “abnormal pain perception processing”. Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million US adults, about 2% of the adult population. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but it can be effectively treated and managed.^l 

People with fibromyalgia can sometimes be GREAT candidates for relaxing spa & salon services!  They need it!

The CDC reports US adults with fibromyalgia may have complications such as:

• More hospitalizations. People with fibromyalgia are twice as likely to be hospitalized as someone without fibromyalgia.
• Lower quality of life, especially for women. A woman with fibromyalgia has 40% less physical function & 67% less mental health than a healthy woman.
• Higher rates of major depression. Adults with fibromyalgia are more than 3 times more likely to have major depression than adults without. Screening and treatment for depression is extremely important.
• Higher death rates from suicide and injuries. Death rates from suicide and injuries are higher among fibromyalgia patients, but overall mortality among adults with fibromyalgia is similar to the general population.
• Higher rates of other rheumatic conditions. Fibromyalgia often co-occurs with other types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ankylosing spondylitis.[ii]

Fibromyalgia is not a general contraindication for massage therapy or spa/salon service, unless the client is having a "flare-up" or has other medical issues that would create a contraindication.  Each client should be serviced on a case-by-case basis with their overall medical health considered prior to servicing the client. Some clients might receive massage during an acute flare-up, again on a case-by-case basis which should be supervised by a licensed physician. Always consult a physician regarding complex client medical conditions. Local contraindications for fibromyalgia include areas of lost sensation.  There are many CE Providers across the United States that teach in-depth classes on working with fibromyalgia.  It is advised to attend one of these specialized board-approved training classes for service providers who wish to work regularly with this condition.

_______________________

Author Selena Belisle is the Founder of CE Institute LLC in Miami FL.  She is a retired professional athlete and has been practicing massage therapy for over 30 years.  Selena is an approved CE Provider with NCBTMB & the Florida Board of Massage.  She now teaches full time for the Complementary and Alternative Health Care Industries. You can learn more about Selena’s training and CE classes at www.CeInstitute.com

[i] Wolfe, F; et al. (May 2010). "The American College of Rheumatology Preliminary Diagnostic Criteria for Fibromyalgia and Measurement of Symptom Severity" (PDF). Arthritis Care Res. 62 (5): 600–610. doi:10.1002/acr.20140. PMID 20461783

[ii] National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion | Division of Population Health. “Arthritis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  3 Apr. 2018, www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm.

By: Selena Belisle, Owner/Instructor CE Institute LLC, Miami FL

It is important for all work professionals to care for our environment.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a government office that is trusted to ensure that protection.

The EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment.  You can view more about the EPA and their work at their website: https://www.epa.gov/

The EPA works to ensure that:

• Americans have clean air, land and water;
• National efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information;
• Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress intended;
• Environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy;
• All parts of society—communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments—have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks;
• Contaminated lands and toxic sites are cleaned up by potentially responsible parties and revitalized; and
• Chemicals in the marketplace are reviewed for safety.

To accomplish these missions, the EPA commits to:

Develop and enforce regulations: When Congress writes an environmental law, we implement it by writing regulations. Often, we set national standards that states and tribes enforce through their own regulations. If they fail to meet the national standards, we can help them. We also enforce our regulations, and help companies understand the requirements.

Give grants: Nearly half of our budget goes into grants to state environmental programs, non-profits, educational institutions, and others. They use the money for a wide variety of projects, from scientific studies that help us make decisions to community cleanups. Overall, grants help us achieve our overall mission: protect human health and the environment.

Study environmental issues:  At laboratories located throughout the nation, we identify and try to solve environmental problems. To learn even more, we share information with other countries, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and other agencies.

Research:  The EPA does not protect the environment on our own.  The EPA works with businesses, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments through dozens of partnerships. A few examples include conserving water and energy, minimizing greenhouse gases, re-using solid waste, and getting a handle on pesticide risks. In return, we share information and publicly recognize our partners.

Teach people about the environment: Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility and starts with understanding the issues. The basics include reducing how much energy and materials you use, reusing what you can and recycling the rest. There's a lot more about that to learn!

What the EPA does not do

Some problems that seem like something we would handle are actually the responsibility of other federal, tribal, state or local agencies. It may be most appropriate for you to contact your city, county, or state environmental or health agency, or another federal agency, rather than EPA. For example:

• The Endangered Species Act is primarily managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• The Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management addresses the problem of nuclear waste.

__________________

This BLOG was written by Selena Belisle, the Founder of CE Institute LLC in Miami FL.  She is a retired professional athlete and has been practicing massage therapy for over 30 years.  Selena is an approved CE Provider with NCBTMB & the Florida Board of Massage.  She now teaches full time for the Complementary and Alternative Health Care Industries. You can learn more about Selena’s training and CE classes at www.CeInstitute.com

By: Selena Belisle, Owner/Instructor CE Institute LLC, Miami FL

The Florida State Worker’s Compensation Division is a government agency that oversees the execution of workers’ compensation.

The Florida State Workers’ Compensation Division’s GOAL is to actively ensure the self-execution of the workers' compensation system by:

• educating system participants of their rights and responsibilities
• leveraging data to deliver exceptional value
• holding participants accountable for fulfilling their obligations.[i]

You can contact the Florida State’s Workers’ Compensation Division directly at:

Phone:           850/413-1613

Fax:                850/413-1982

Email:            workers.compmedservice@myfloridacfo.com

Website:       www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/

Injured Worker Responsibilities

If you have an accident or are injured on the job you must:

• Tell your employer you have been injured, as soon as possible. The law requires that you report the accident or your knowledge of a job-related injury within 30 days of your knowledge of the accident or injury, or within 30 days of a doctor determining you are suffering from a work-related injury.
• When you do so, you must ask your employer what doctor you can see. You must see a doctor authorized by your employer or the insurance company.
• Your employer may tell you to call the insurance company handling your claim; the name and phone number should be on the “Broken Arm” poster that should be posted at your workplace.
• If it is an emergency and your employer is not available to tell you where to go for treatment, go to the nearest emergency room and let your employer know as soon as possible what has happened.
• After you or your employer report the injury to the insurance company, many companies will have an insurance claim adjuster call you within 24 hours to explain your rights and obligations.

If you receive a message and a number to call, you should call as soon as possible to find out what you need to do to get medical treatment.

• Within 3-5 business days after you or your employer report the accident, you should receive an informational brochure explaining your rights and obligations, and a Notification Letter explaining the services provided by the Employee Assistance Office of the Division of Workers’ Compensation. These forms may be part of a packet which may include some or all of the following:
• A copy of your accident report or “First Report of Injury or Illness,” which you should read to make sure it is correct;
• A fraud statement, which you must read, sign and return as soon as possible, or benefits may be temporarily withheld until you do so;
• A release of medical records for you to sign and return; and
• Medical mileage reimbursement forms that you should fill out, after seeking medical treatment, and send to your claims adjuster for reimbursement.

If you do not receive a call or the information packet from the insurance company, you can call the workers’ compensation hotline for assistance at 1-800-342-1741.

Your employer is required by law to report your injury to the insurance company within 7 days of when you report your accident or injury. If they do not do this, and they do not give you a phone number for the insurance company to call, you can call the workers’ compensation (WC) hotline for assistance at 1-800-342-1741.

The entire contents of this single Worker's Compensation BLOG Post was taken directly from the Florida State Workers’ Compensation Website in May 2018.  You should check with your worker's compensation plan, employer and/or Florida State’s Workers’ Compensation Division for any updates to rules or regulations regarding workers compensation.

______________________

This BLOG was written by Selena Belisle, the Founder of CE Institute LLC in Miami FL.  She is a retired professional athlete and has been practicing massage therapy for over 30 years.  Selena is an approved CE Provider with NCBTMB & the Florida Board of Massage.  She now teaches full time for the Complementary and Alternative Health Care Industries. You can learn more about Selena’s training and CE classes at www.CeInstitute.com

[i] “About the Division.” Frequently Asked Questions, Retrieved online: 17 May 2018, www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/contactUs.htm.

By: Selena Belisle, Owner/Instructor CE Institute LLC, Miami FL

Most massage therapy, spa or salon workplaces share a large amount of personal interaction which will require regular sanitation effort.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative health side-effects when chemical agents are used.  As such, this BLOG is to provide some basic information to help service providers and owners make the best decisions they can to keep their workspace healthy and clean:

Common Cleaner Chemicals and Known Side-effects

• Ammonia & bleach (sodium hypochlorite) cause asthma in workers who breathe too much at work. It can trigger asthma attacks in people who already have asthma. It can also irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
• Quaternary ammonium compounds (also known as QUATs, QACs, or QATs) are not volatile compounds, but using them as sprays can cause nose and throat irritation. Benzalkonium chloride is a severe eye irritant and causes and triggers asthma. Exposures to QUATs may cause allergic skin reactions. Use of QUATs has been associated with the growth of bacteria that are resistant to disinfection. Sometimes this resistance also transfers to antibiotics. In laboratory studies, QUATs were found to damage genetic material (genes).
• Triclosan is a suspected endocrine disruptor and may lead to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
• Phthalates are used in fragrances that are found in air fresheners and cleaning and sanitizing products. They are endocrine disruptors. Research indicates that phthalates increase the risk of allergies and asthma and can affect children's neurodevelopment and thyroid function. Studies show links between phthalates in mothers to abnormal genital development in boys. Phthalates have been found in human urine, blood, semen, amniotic fluid, and breast milk.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that vaporize at room temperature. Many VOCs that are released by cleaning supplies have been linked to chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, allergic reactions, and headaches.
  • Fragrances are mixtures of many chemicals, including VOCs. They can contain up to 3,000 separate ingredients. There is no requirement that fragrance ingredients be listed on the product label. Many of these chemicals:
    • can trigger asthma and allergies;
    • may be hazardous to humans.
  • Terpenes are chemicals found in pine, lemon, and orange oils that are used in many cleaning and disinfecting products as well as in fragrances. Terpenes react with ozone, especially on hot smoggy days, forming very small particles like those found in smog and haze that can irritate the lungs and may cause other health problems.
  • Formaldehyde, which:
    • causes cancer,
    • is a sensitizer that is linked to asthma and allergic reactions,
    • has damaged genes in lab tests,
    • is a central nervous system depressant (slows down brain activity),
    • may cause joint pain, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep.

Each year about 6 out of every 100 professional custodians are injured by the chemicals they use to clean, sanitize, and disinfect. Burns to the eyes and skin are the most common injuries, followed closely by breathing toxic mists or vapors. Many of these injuries are due to improper use of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting products. For example, many chemicals used for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting come in a concentrated form. To be used, they have to be correctly diluted with water:

• When diluting concentrated products unsafely, the user increases their exposure to the health hazards of the product. Humans are exposed by breathing the fumes of the concentrated product into the lungs or absorbing the liquid through the skin.
• If the wrong chemicals are mixed together, they can react to form a toxic gas and the health effects can be much worse. For example, when bleach is mixed with ammonia or quaternary ammonium compounds (found in some disinfectants), chloramine gas is created, which is highly toxic.
• If a chemical is too concentrated (the user doesn’t add the amount of water indicated on the product label), then the health effects of using that product are increased. They are increased for the person who is using the product. They are also increased for the people who occupy the indoor space where it is used.
• It is important to follow dilution instructions carefully to avoid harm to the person doing the diluting, as well as to the others in the same work areas. Personal protective equipment such as gloves and goggle, when indicated on the product label, should be worn while working with concentrated chemicals. Better yet, avoid using products that require personal protective equipment!

Because there have been so many cleaning solutions and sanitary products that have caused occupational injury, the EPA has formed a list of Safer Choice Products which can be viewed by clicking HERE .

We hope this information helps readers understand some of the hazards that can happen at work with sanitation efforts and using chemicals.  To learn more about massage therapy, spa and salon sanitation, please click HERE.