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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Day 127 - More of a Good Thing

We had more shiatsu tonight, learning more anterior leg stuff and practicing our protocols. My partner got to practice our protocol and we were even able to fine tune it some more, even from last night's tuning.
We're gonna be rock-n-rollin. That's about all I got for tonight.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Day 126 - Flowing Like The Nile

Saturday afternoon's clinic seemed to be a bit slower than they have been. My guess is that many people were either out of town for Thanksgiving weekend or they were out Christmas shopping. Either way, there weren't as many clients this past weekend. Well, my Shiatsu partner and I got to practice shiatsu stuff on each other during a student exchange.
One of the clients I got to work on was a weight lifter, so his muscles just stuck out and said, "Hey! Massage me!" So I did.
Now, onto tonight's class. My partner and I have been working on our protocol and I gotta say - it flows like the Nile. We have certain moves that we have to do and we have been working on how to transition to the next move. It's been working out very well. I'll get it all typed up tonight or tomorrow and we'll be rockin' an' rollin'.
On another note, over the long weekend, I watched one of the things WGH had DVR'ed from last week: The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now. I have to say that I was inspired. So much so that yesterday morning, I did a 15 minute yoga routine and then took a 30 minute walk. This morning, I got up and did the same 15 minute yogo routine and took walks during each of my 15 minute breaks at work today. I'm not saying that I'm going to lose a bunch of weight, or any at all, but I know that I need to be way more physically active than I am now. With the exception of a few things I do for classes or clinic, I've been very sedentary and I'm really starting to feel the effects of that. So...I'm trying to find ways to at least incorporate some sort of activity into my routine.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Day 125 - Thanksnatomy

So this evening's class was one of the hardest to actually get to...mentally. It's the evening before Thanksgiving - turkey, dressing, mashed tators, and all that good stuff. I went to class anyway.
I'm pretty sure everybody who showed up for class was thinking the same thing: get this over with so I can go home and prepare for tomorrow.
We took our quiz (10 out of 10, baby!) and then after a break, learned more about the skeletal system.

I hope I can retain this information for recall later.
Or have to study.
EWWWW!
Well, off to dream about turkey, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, and dressing. Yum.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Day 124 - Musculoskeletal Pathology

In tonight's class, we studied some of the pathologies of the musculoskeletal systems. We also got our assignment for next class, in which we take "SOAP" notes on a client and then put a pathology on them (that they don't really have) and describe how we would change our SOAP notes based on that pathology.
SOAP notes are the typical way that people in a medical-type profession keep notes on clients/patients. It has nothing to do with hygiene and getting clean.
It stands for:
S - Subjective (what they say is the problem or what they are presenting with)
O - Objective (What the practitioner sees)
A - Assessment (what the practitioner does)
P - Plan (what the plan is for next time or in the mean time)
That's about all I have for tonight.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Day 123 - Extra Movin' and Groovin'

I do actually WANT to update after my shift in student clinic, but actually, I'm either too tired or too lazy. It could be either. During this past weekend, I worked the Saturday afternoon shift, where there aren't as many student therapists so we were all quite busy with taking clients. I actually worked with four clients and did no student exchanges during this shift.
Oddly enough, two of the clients asked me specifically to work on their abdomen, which is not something that I automatically included in the massages I have been giving. Another different thing is that I had all women for clients this time.
As far as class goes for tonight, I had shiatsu class in which we learned about the back and various meridians and points associated with it, including the energy path that runs along WGH's favorite place - the lamina groove. We also learned extra moves for the posterior side and all sorts of other stretches. I just practiced a couple of them on WGH. He's a good sport.
My partner and I have our final assignment/protocol started. Now, we just have to get it typed up and formatted with the right flow and that sort of thing. And practice it. Well, that will definitely take some time.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Day 122 - Getting a Clue with Shiatsu

Before I tell of all the exciting things that happened in class, I have to share a confirmation I received today on why I am going into this field.
While at the J-O-B, I noticed a co-worker in her office with the lights off, which was quite unusual. She explained that she had been experiencing one of the worst migraine headaches she's had - for the whole last week! She seemed very lethargic, too, which is pretty unusual for her. I told her that though I had learned some stuff that may help, I wouldn't want to "practice" on her. She said that she was going to the doctor and see if they can help.
After she returned from the doctor, she asked me to help her. Besides saying that she was experiencing stress and possibly not eating balanced meals, the doctor had found some knots in her trapezius muscles that may be causing the headache. I almost immediately found them and went to working them out, using some pincer techniques, friction, vibration, compressions, and good ol' petrissage. After about 10 minutes - 15 at the most - I felt I had done all I could in that "session" and wrapped up with her. She said that she felt better and more loose in the shoulders and after a little chat, she left the room. About 10 minutes later, she came bee-bopping back into the room with a much more energetic demeanor and said she was feeling better.
So, in case you're wondering, THAT'S why I'm putting myself through this grueling schedule. To help people feel better. I love that feeling!
Anyway, back to class. We discussed what a client's reaction may be to a shiatsu session, benefits to it, and a little bit more about Eastern Medicine and how it relates to shiatsu. I find it interesting that it seems to mix the physical work with the energy work. Of course, I could be wrong about all of that.
We got our "big" assignment, which is creating a protocol for a made up client. We also got to see protocols made up in previous classes, as well as see a little bit of demonstration of some "extra moves" that are to be used in the protocol. The extra moves seem to be very similar moves, if not the same, to Thai massage.
My understanding of Thai massage: do Yoga for your client and bend your client into a pretzel until screaming begins.
I could be wrong though. It's been known to happen on occasion.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Day 121 - Deja Vu Anatomy

Last week, we took our Anatomy I final exam which included the subject of muscle tissue, what it is, what kinds there are, and how muscles actually work. We had learned about sarcomeres, calcium's role, and what actins and myocins are.
In our first class of Anatomy II this evening, guess what? We reviewed muscle tissue, what it is, what kinds there are, and how muscles actually work, including sarcomeres, calcium's role, and what actins and myocins are.
Weird. Deja vu.
Last week, I ended up getting a 95% on the final exam, but wasn't really sure what all of the muscle stuff meant. Frankly, by the time we went over that last week, my brain had totally checked out. After tonight's review, I think I get it.
Yay!
As for the J-O-B, today was a strange day. Since the company had lost a contract back at the end of September, things have been rather slow. Well, today, TPTB executed multiple lay-offs. I was not one of the parties affected. I really want to add "unfortunately" to the end of that because in many ways, working 40 hours a week while doing this massage school program is hugely time consuming, physically and emotionally draining, and I never have time (or make the time) to clean the house.
But - I guess I have to help pay bills and make my contribution to society, so off to work I go.
Well, I mean, tomorrow, I will go to work. Tonight, I'm heading to bed.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Day 120 - Pathology - Kinda Like a Review

In last session's Anatomy class, we studied the Integument system (skin). In this session's Pathology class, we studied the Integument system - or more of what can possibly go wrong with the skin.
We learned about fungus on the skin, parasites on the skin, burns, frostbite, various STD's, and cancers that affect the skin. We got to pictures of examples of a good number of them. And I just gotta say - EWWWWWWW!!!!
All that to say that should I have you on my table and I say, "EWWWWWWW!" You might want to see your dermatologist.
Or if I just simply say, "I see this thing, and you may want to see your dermatologist." You might want to see your dermatologist.
Before these classes, I would not have called myself a germophobe. After all, I'm one of those people that pretty well thinks that we're too clean and too anti-bacterial. If you don't have some germs for your body's immune system to fight, it will just attack whatever foreign stuff it sees. Right?

Well, after serveral months of being classes, I started noticing that if I didn't wash my hands after a certain amount of time, or I was in a public place, touching railings or handles, I really had the desire to wash my hands. I especially noticed this feeling when I was in New York City a month ago.
Today, one of my co-workers at the J-O-B went home sick after making a technicolor offering to the toilet gods. After her departure, I got out the handy-dandy Clorox wipes, wiped down her desk, then sprayed everything around her desk that I could find with Clorox disinfectant spray. Then washed my hands twice, sprayed down everything in the restroom, washed my hands again, sprayed the door handles for good measure, and then washed my hands again.
When I arrived home after studying pathologies of the skin this evening, I washed my hands.
I think the classes are starting to affect me.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Day 119 - Shiatsu! God Bless You!

Class

Many moons ago when I worked at the old J-O-B, one of the neighbor companies in the office park was named "Otsuka." When my sister and I carpooled together, I asked her one time as we drove by the building, "What does that say?"
She replied, "Ott-soo-kaa."
So I responded, "God bless you," as if she had sneezed.
That's what the name sounded like to me.
A sneeze.
And that's what Shiatsu sounds like to me as well. However, unlike the Japanese pharmaceutical company, Shiatsu is a Japanese word that means "finger pressure," and we are studying this in class for the next five weeks. It's another modality, like acupressure, that is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. And you may remember how much fun I had with acupressure. I will say this, though. I can see me probably using this more than I will acupressure.
In tonight's class, we got a short lecture on what shiatsu is and then we got a demonstration of it. We also got to try a couple stretching things on our partner as well. In the next five weeks, we'll also be creating our own protocol to use on a client that my partner and I create. No, that is not a dangling modifier. We get to "create a client" with ailments and imbalances that can be helped by Shiatsu.
I think I'm looking forward to this class. At the very least, it will help me with my flexibility.
Things to remember for Shiatsu:

  1. Yoga mat or really big thick mat (a mattress would be great, but my be bulky to carry into class)
  2. Wash feet and change socks before going to school
  3. Wear loose, comfortable pants, preferably sweats. Hello Kitty pajama bottoms could be fun, too.
  4. Don't eat beans the day before or the day of Shiatsu class
  5. Make sure to take care of any rest room needs before practicing

Clinic

In other news, I had my fourth (and final for this session) student clinic shift this past Saturday. My first client wanted deep pressure, but not on his back. Nothing on his back. The next hour, I got to receive a student exchange. As much as giving is good experience for me, receiving from another student is also good to pick up other ideas and have reminders about strokes and speed and that sort of thing. In the third session, I performed a student exchange. For the fourth and final session of the day, I had a young lady client who enjoyed her massage so much, she tried to give me a tip. I told her that I couldn't accept cash, but even more important to me now is a student evaluation feedback form.
From this week until the end of student clinic, I will be taking the Saturday afternoon shift, which means I won't be getting home until about 7:00pm.
Short term sacrifice for my long term goal...

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Day 118 - Anatahuh?

After last night's shenanigans, I decided to take this afternoon off from the J-O-B and do some studying for tonight's final exam in Anatomy. I'd like to say that I was super-productive at the J-O-B, but I can't lie. I got some stuff done, but was too anxious about the exam to really be gung-ho about working.
Once I got home, I had some lunch, a spoonful of Nutella, and then proceeded to basically type out my own study guide in Power Point. It sounds silly, but it gave me the opportunity to go back and forth with all of my resources to get the information I need and try to put it in a logical fashion. I guess you could say that "it works for me."


After nearly three hours of doing that, I was pretty tired. After a spoonful of Nutella and setting the alarm on my cellphone, I laid down on the couch and looked at my Power Point study guide in presentation mode and kinda sorta fell asleep for a little bit.
When my alarm woke me up about a half hour later, I made some cawfie, got some dinner, enjoyed a spoonful of Nutella, got ready, and went to school, getting there almost 40 minutes early.
Several classmates were studying, so I joined in, chiming in when needed.
Our instructor was late due to traffic, giving us more time to study. When she arrived, we did a little review. During this time the education director came in and explained to us that for the next few weeks, there will be security at the school for our safety - due to a former student (our former classmate) who may not be reacting well to a situation. It didn't take a genius to figure out exactly why we were on lock-down last night.
We finally took the exam. I think I did pretty well. At least a 90%, but we didn't get our grades. There were only a few questions that I kinda guessed at, but all-in-all, I confidently went right to the answer.
After I finished, I signed out and got home at a decent hour. Now...where's the Nutella?

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Day 117 - On Lock-Down

In this evening's anatomy class, we reviewed some osteology (bone) and arthrology (joints) prior to our quiz, then took our quiz. I'm sure I did well.
While my classmates and I were relaxing and chatting in the student break room, the education director came in and informed us that due to a situation, we were on lock-down. No students could go outside as the doors were locked and there were police outside.
That was a little freaky.
Little?
Especially since most of my classmates and I had a theory about what the lock-down was all about...or who and why, despite administration's denials that it had nothing to do with a student.
During the next break while there were many students in the breakroom (which is full of windows), they told us to go back to our classrooms.
All the activity made it very difficult to be able to process the information on which the instructor was trying to lecture.
Tomorrow is the final exam. At this point, I'm a little freaked out about the whole lock-down thing and the exam. Maybe I need a mental health day from work. Or at least half a day.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Day 116 - Russian Final

I must have a memory shortage on the weekends because I neglected (forgot) to post anything about student clinic from this past Saturday. I had three clients and one student exchange, which gives me a total of seven actual real clients that I've given massages. Out of those seven, six have been men. What are the odds of that?
One of the men this past Saturday was a young man, I'd guess in his 20's, and he never had a massage before. Since he seemed athletic, I figured I'd practice some of my Russian Sports techniques on him. He seemed to like it and I was glad for the practice.
Speaking of Russian, we had our final exam (written and hands-on) tonight. 98 and 100%, respectively, thankyouverymuch.
Now...on to study for the anatomy final exam on Wednesday.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Day 115 - United Again

We had Russian tonight, combined with the other class again. We went over more stuff for the written and hands-on final, then practiced a 15 minute back protocol.
Then - oh glorious day - we went home a smidge early! I was home before 23:00! That's 11:00pm for those who don't read military time.
So I'm keeping this short so that I might be able to go to bed before 23:00.
It's a beautiful thing.
And a big deal.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Day 114 - Something Going On Up In This Joint

In last night's class, we studied Osteology bone. In tonight's class, we extended that study into Arthrology - the study of joints. I mean, bone just doesn't work as well without joints. Just ask anyone with degenerative disc disease. So, we learned what joints are made of, their function, and such.
We also tested the theory that yawning is contagious. I don't believe it was the subject matter, but our instructor yawned, then a student, and soon, the whole class seemed to be yawning at once.
It was magical.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Day 113 - Getting Under My Skin

I guess taking anatomy, physiology, and pathology are necessary evils in massage school, but this is really getting to me right now. I don't know if I'm having a 'don't care' attitude about it or if I'm having a hard time soaking in the information due to the pace or simple annoyance in the class.
We had to finish up the lecture on the integument system (skin) and such since we have been behind in the lectures, and then take the quiz. We then learned about bone and what it is.
I want to really learn this stuff, but I think the pace is a little too quick to be really learning it, especially for folks who have - you know - real full-time jobs and have no time to do homework or study.
Also, I have a pet peeve with the "text book." I've mentioned before about how the book has some information in it, but the rest is completed during the lecture.
When I was in elementary school, high school, and college, back when textbooks were chiseled into stone, the information was complete. We took notes based on the lecture, not to complete the textbook.
I guess it's done a little differently.
On another note, at my J-O-B, there is not a lot of actual work to be done and that's making me a little antsy because they just sent one of my fellow data entry co-workers to the Gaithersburg office for a project there. I'm hoping to find enough work to keep me busy so they don't decide to send me to G'burg. I'd love to see my friends in that office, but with my school schedule, it would cause major stress and hardship.
Six more months.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Day 112 - Take Your Time, Don't Be Russian

I must also apologize for not reporting on Clinic, Day 2, so I'll give a brief run-down. Or maybe not so brief.
It went much more smoothly than the first day and I was a lot less nervous. I had two clients, both men and wanted deeper work, and two student exchanges in which I gave massage. Previously, I had been a bit aprehesive about giving my "all" in deep tissue work to women with small frames, but I think have at least gotten over some of that. At least I know that I won't break them now. I practiced that on both my student exchanges.
My first client actually asked what was the difference between regular massage and Russian massage, and I was quite excited to tell him a little about it and even practice a little bit on him, incorporating some of what I'd learned so far.
One of the things that is highly stressed in massage class is to make sure we have good body mechanics to preserve our bodies and give us longevity. It's particularly important to the back. A massage therapist with good body mechanics may have sore hamstring and gluteal muscles, but not a sore back. I'm proud to report that after I had driven home after clinic, it wasn't my back that was sore. It was my hamstrings and glutes that were a little more stiff!
Yay for me!
On to tonight's class. We learned the rest of the segments in Russian after effleurage, wringing and petrissage: friction, vibration, and percussion.
No, it has nothing to do with bongos, The Beach Boys, or cowbells, unfortunately.
After a brief demo, we got to practice a little bit with all of the segments in the order they are performed. Since we had more lecture tonight, we'll get to practice a lot more on Thursday in class.