By: Selena Belisle, Founder/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.

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

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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.

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

Infestation Control

I am writing this blog post from South Florida aka Hurricane Alley.  It is hot, humid and a perfect place for bugs!  Infestation is the presence of an unusually large number of insects, parasites, rodents, pests, etc. - in one place, typically so large that it could cause damage or disease.

While most of us would love to call a professional to eliminate this problem, sometimes our budget or wallet does not allow us to make this call.  As such, here may be some handy tips to help minimize an infestation at your massage therapy practice, spa or salon:

Some of the best ways to prevent against infestation is to eliminate food sources.  Empty trash regularly and use thick plastic or metal garbage cans (with tight lids).  Keep trash cans at least one foot off the floor. Seal any gaps or holes where pests could gain access in the workplace.  The CDC recommends[i] to seal gaps and holes with “steel wood” then caulk around the steel wood.  Just be sure that you do not block access to vital air supply, ventilation, water drainage or other important access areas for your practice. A licensed rodent control professional can help with this process.  If you apply your own sealant, consider areas such as:

• Inside, under, and behind work stations, mirrors, cabinets and appliances
• Inside closets near the floor corners
• Around windows or doors
• Around the pipes under sinks and washing machines
• In laundry room floor drains
• Around the pipes going to hot water heaters and furnaces
• Around floor vents and dryer vents
• Inside the attic or basement
• Between the floor and wall juncture
• Around holes for electrical and other utility lines

It is not recommended to work on or seal your own workspace without consulting a trained professional in this field.  Being clean and sealing up are some of the best ways to prevent an infestation. There are also numerous pesticides and chemical solutions which are now always human or pet friendly.  You can consult your local hardware store for more about pesticides or rodent issues. We hope this info helps you get you on your way to get rid of bugs!

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

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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] “Rodents.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 July 2010, www.cdc.gov/rodents/prevent_infestations/seal_up.html.

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

Nail Hygiene Tips for Massage Therapists & Personal Care Service Providers[i]

Appropriate hand hygiene includes diligent cleaning and trimming of fingernails.  Fingernails can harbor dirt and germs that can contribute to the spread of infection. Fingernails should be kept short, and if there is room to scrape underneath the fingernail, then it should be cleaned frequently with soap and water.  Longer fingernails can harbor more dirt and bacteria than short nails, thus a larger chance of harboring harmful germs which could contribute to the spread of infection.

Before clipping or grooming nails, all equipment (for example, nail clippers and files) should be properly cleaned. Sterilizing equipment before use is especially important when nail tools are shared among a number of people, as is common in commercial nail salons.

Infections of the fingernails are often characterized by swelling of the surrounding skin, pain in the surrounding area, or thickening of the nail. In some cases, these infections may be serious and need to be treated by a physician.

To help prevent the spread of germs and nail infections:

• Keep nails short and trim them often.
• Scrub the underside of nails with soap and water (or a nail brush) every time you wash your hands.
• Clean any personal nail grooming tools before use.
• Ensure nail salons sterilize tools prior to use if you have them trimmed at a nail salon.
• Avoid biting or chewing nails.
• Avoid cutting cuticles, as they act as barriers to prevent infection.
• Never rip or bite a hangnail. Instead, clip it with a clean, sanitized nail trimmer.

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

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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] National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. “Water, Sanitation & Environmentally-Related Hygiene.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  30 Dec. 2009, www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/hand/nail_hygiene.html.

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

When working in the spa, salon or massage therapy industry, you may find yourself in close continuous contact with other people. As such, it is important to learn about pathology and the different types of germs that may enter your workspace or be transmitted through your daily practices. 

Infectious diseases are caused by germs (also called microbes or microorganisms).  Germs can get into our bodies and reproduce, causing symptoms that make us feel sick. Germs can spread by leaving one person and entering another which is why some sometimes infectious diseases are also called communicable or contagious disease. Germs that cause disease are also called pathogens.  How to eliminate germs are covered in some of our other BLOGs here at CE Institute LLC.

Here is some basic information about the most common 4 types of germs and how they can spread from one person to another.  The 4 types of germs that we will review in this BLOG for massage therapists and personal care services providers are virus, bacteria fungi and protozoa:

1. Viruses

Viruses are the most common cause of illness. They are very small. Viruses can’t live on surfaces for very long. The common cold is a group of symptoms caused by 200 different viruses. There are always more cold viruses that they haven’t had yet identified. Viruses also cause intestinal and respiratory flu. Antibiotics kill bacteria but cannot kill viruses! Antibiotics should not be used to treat illnesses caused by viruses because they cannot eliminate a virus. Luckily, we get better from most viral illnesses without medical treatment.  

2. Bacteria

Bacteria are more complex than viruses. They can live and reproduce independently. Some can survive on surfaces for a long time, feeding off dirt or food and water. Most are harmless or even beneficial to us. They help us to digest food as well as prevent infections caused by harmful bacteria. Common bacterial infections include some ear infections, some cases of diarrhea, strep throat, and urinary tract infections. Bacteria can also cause more serious infections such as tuberculosis, whooping cough, staph infections and the less often but very serious bacterial pneumonia or bacterial meningitis.

3. Fungi

Fungi includes yeasts and molds and they are everywhere. They can survive on surfaces for long periods. Fungi can cause common skin infections such as:

• thrush
• ringworm
• athlete's foot
• scalp infections, i.e. tinea capitis
• nail infections
• many many many different types of infections

Fungal infections are bothersome and can sometimes take months to go away, but they don’t cause serious illness in people with healthy immune systems. They regularly do not spread and cause infection in the rest of the body in healthy people.

Mold can be found anywhere there is constant moisture, like salons, spas or bathrooms. You cannot “catch” mold from another person. Mold can cause irritations of the eye, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and can trigger asthma. It can produce an allergic reaction in some people. The best way to control mold indoors is to get rid of moisture seeing mold thrives in a damp environment.

4. Protozoa

Protozoa are microscopic germs – some are considered “good”, some are “bad”.  They are one-celled organisms that can be free-living or parasitic in nature[i]. They are able to multiply in humans, which contributes to their survival.  Protozoa can also create serious infections in humans from one single organism.

How Bodily Fluid Germs are Spread

1. Direct Contact is when body fluids are directly transferred from one person to another. Examples of direct contact are touching and kissing. An animal bite is another example.

2. Droplets is when secretions fly out of noses and mouths (when we sneeze, cough, spit, drool, slobber, or vomit) into the air and then land on a hard surface or are inhaled by another person - which is how COVID-19 is thought to spread today.

• Droplets can fly only a short distance (such as a sneeze). If these human droplets land on another’s eye, nose, or mouth they can spread disease.
• Germs can also be spread when we touch droplets (from another person) that land on a surface like a table and then touch our own eyes, mouth, or nose before washing their hands.
• Most of the germs that can be spread by direct contact can also be spread by droplets.
• Germs that can spread by droplets are more contagious than germs that require direct contact. When an infection can spread between people that are only near each other, the infection is more contagious. Diseases caused by viruses and bacteria can be spread this way.
• Fungi and parasites are not transmitted by droplets.

Germs can live longer on stainless steel, plastic, and similar hard surfaces than they do on fabric and other soft surfaces. Germs also live longer when the surface is wet and dirty. Food and water on a surface provide germs with all they need to survive and multiply! When droplets land on a hard surface like a table or a doorknob, the viruses in those droplets can live several hours or more. Bacteria can live for even longer.

To recap, there are a number of ways that these germs can be transmitted from one person to another. Contaminated work surfaces, inadequate cleaning, dirty hands or work equipment and coughing or sneezing without covering your mouth are popular methods for the spread of germs.  As such, it is important to not work when you are sick and practice good hand hygiene plus effective cleaning and disinfection practices to prevent the spread of germs.  Frequent and extra sanitation efforts should be made in high-traffic areas to minimize the growth and/or spread of these tiny microbes.  It is our duty as service providers to be aware of what germs are, and how they spread, so that we know what may be lingering around our office.  Please click HERE to view our Sanitation BLOG where you can find information about how to eliminate germs in the workplace.

To learn more, you can also register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

________________________

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] “Parasites”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 April 2016, https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/about.html

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

CE Institute LLC Owner/Instructor Selena Belisle of Miami FL contributes to Massage Magazine's article on Geriatric Massage Therapy (screenshot below).  Seniors can enjoy massage too! You can view the article in full on massage magazine at: https://www.massagemag.com/older-americans-senior-massage-88322/

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

CE Institute LLC founder Selena Belisle describes the value of selling retail products in your spa or massage therapy practice, as well as some key questions and goals in how to chose the right product manufacturer for your business.

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

Please click the following link to see the article in full on Massage Magazine's website: https://www.massagemag.com/massage-supplies-109315/

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

Skin Integrity is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for all bodyworkers and massage therapists.  According to the CDC, functions of the skin include:

• Protection
• Waterproofing
• Tactile Sensation
• Water Preservation
• Shock Absorption
• Calorie Reservation
• Vitamin D Synthesis
• Temperature Control
• Lubrication

Occupational skin diseases are the second most common type of occupational disease.  Occupational skin conditions include:  

• Irritant contact dermatitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Skin cancers
• Skin infections
• Skin injuries
• Other misc. skin diseases

ALL of the skin conditions listed above affect our natural protection barrier.  Causes of occupational skin disease includes:

• Biological Agents: parasites, microorganisms, etc.
• Chemical Agents: cleaners, etc. 
• Physical Agents: extreme temperatures, etc.
• Mechanical Trauma: includes friction, pressure, abrasions, lacerations and contusions (scrapes, cuts and bruises).

ALL of the agents listed above plus mechanical trauma can compromise skin integrity.  Skin integrity is one of our first and best protection barriers against infection, germs and disease.  As bodyworkers and massage therapists, we share frequent and constant contact with other people.  As such, it is extremely important to take care of our skin, which includes regularly inspecting it, keeping it clean plus moisturized to preserve healthy intact skin which will provide a constant barrier to foreign invaders, infection and possible/eventual disease. 

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

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

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1 “Skin Exposures and Effects.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 July 2013, Found online July 5, 2020, www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/skin.

By Desiree Collazo, Ayurvedic Therapies Program Director at CE Institute LLC, Miami FL

Ayurveda is a 5,000+ year old natural medicinal system born in India. In the ayurvedic system, each individual should attain four primary objectives of human life, which are called Purusartha.  The four principles of life in Vedic Science are:

1. Dharma: code of conduct, doing the right things, which are good for the well-being of the individual as well as for society. Respecting each stage of life.
2. Artha: to acquire wealth for the means of livelihood.
3. Kama: satisfaction of worldly desires, passion, enjoyment of life, the experience of the sensory organs, etc.
4. Moksha: attainment of enlightenment, liberation or Self Realization.

Health is the foundation (Mulam) to achieve the four principles of life (Ayus). We teach more about achieve these four principles plus overall ayurvedic health and lifestyle in our Ayurvedic Bodywork Classes.  Please click HERE to learn more about about the available Ayurvedic Classes taught by Desi at CE Institute LLC, Miami FL.