Texas Massage Therapy Law Update

By Ben Crabtree, LMT, CNMT
In the most recent term of the Texas Legislature the legislators finally took positive action regarding the laws governing Massage Therapy in the state. Many Massage Therapists and Massage Therapy associations in Texas have been asking the legislature to increase the number training hours required for massage therapy licensure in the state. Prior to this legislation only 300 hours of training were required for massage therapy licensure in the State of Texas.

On June 17th, 2007 Texas Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 2644. The bill amended Texas Massage Therapy law in a very positive manner. Effective September 1, 2007, candidates for massage therapy licensure must now have completed a more comprehensive training program of at least 500 hours in length, a significant increase over the previously required 300 hours. The new 500 hour training programs will meet the following requirements:

1) 200 hours taught by a licensed massage therapy instructor and dedicated to the study of massage therapy techniques and theory and the practice of manipulation of soft tissue, with at least 125 hours dedicated to the study of Swedish massage therapy techniques;

2) 50 hours of anatomy;

3) 25 hours of physiology;

4) 50 hours of kinesiology;

5) 40 hours of pathology;

6) 20 hours of hydrotherapy;

7) 45 hours of massage therapy laws and rules, business practices, and professional ethics standards;

8) 20 hours of health, hygiene, first aid, universal precautions, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and

9) 50 hours in an internship program.

Additionally, the bill eliminated the practical (hands-on) examination requirement. The elimination of the 6-minute practical exam eliminates the requirement for all massage therapy licensure candidates to travel to Austin to take the exam. Therefore, all massage therapy licensure candidates may take the written licensure exam near home instead of having to travel to the state capitol.

As written, the new law's requirements do not affect any of the approximately 20,000 currently licensed massage therapists. The law also does not affect any massage therapy student pursuing a massage therapy training program provided the student was enrolled in the program before September 1, 2007.

The new requirements are meant to improve the quality of massage therapy provided in the State of Texas and to improve the professional image of Licensed Massage Therapists in the state. The new requirements also bring Texas' massage therapy regulations more in line with other states regulating massage therapy and with the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). So, it is likely that the new laws will improve license reciprocity, allowing Texas Licensed Massage Therapists to more easily relocate to other states and separately licensed municipalities.

About the author:
Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Massage Instructor, and Certified Neuromuscular Therapist in San Antonio, Texas. See his website at http://www.massagebyben.com or his blog at http://sanantoniomassage-therapy.com

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Your Personal Security and the Law

By David Tang
The sad truth is, you can be a victim of crime anywhere at any time - in big cities, small towns, or even in the kindest of rural communities. Rapes, kidnappings, murders are read about each and every day on the news. The recent abduction and murder of teenager Kelsey Smith has captivated the nation, leading us on a vengeance to want to fight crime even harder.

You cannot rely on chance alone. With the right kind of self defense and personal security products, such as stun guns, pepper spray rings, tasers, folding knives and more - you can help thwart even the worst of criminals.

In 2004, a staggering 94,635 rapes were reported by United States officials. In addition to the rapes, there were 401,326 robberies, 854,911 incidents of aggravated assault, and an estimated 38,000 car jackings. Seventy four percent of these crime victims were accosted with a weapon. Unfortunately, the majority of victims were not carrying any self defense or personal safety devices, ultimately leading the criminal to continue his/her attack without any substantial resistance from the victim.

The Self Defense Product for You

The right kind of personal security products can help you to feel safer in a world that can be quite scary at times. The decision to carry a weapon for self-defense is a very important one - and the range of choices available is seemingly endless. Self defense weapons and personal security devices that are available include guns, stun guns, folding knives, butterfly knives, pepper sprays, and more.

While there are some states that allow concealed firearms and other weapons, it is crucial for one to be extremely familiar with all of the applicable state and federal laws. Also, there are many upsides and downsides to several self defense weapons. A gun requires one to partake in a considerable amount of training and practice in order for it to be effective and safe. If one chooses to buy pepper spray, he or she must know that the product requires a true training commitment for it to be 100% effective.

Knives on the other hand, are one of the most natural self-defense products existing today. There is a range of different knives available, including butterfly knives, folding knives, pen knives, and more. As a civilization, we use a knife from the time at which we are about 6 years old (for cutting food of course), and are very familiar with the tool. In times of panic, a knife can be a great form of self defense for you when being accosted.

No matter where you go, or what you do, know that there is always some type of risk involved. But you do not have to be afraid. Be strong, be vigilant, and be safe with the right kind of personal security products!


About the author:

Nick Muntimuri founded Promark Safety in 2005. Promark Safety provides quality home security and personal security products, including mace spray, child safety, personal alarms, voice changers, safety lights, tasers, and more.


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How to Use Law of Attraction for Maximum Results

By Michael Lee
Law of attraction is a universal force that attracts to you whatever you focus your attention on most of the time. It allows you to actualize your feelings, emotions, and thoughts into their physical form.

The most successful people in the world have applied the law of attraction. Everyone has the attraction power within them, but this drawing force will not be unleashed unless you know how to use it.

Applying the law of attraction is not as easy as “asking, believing, and receiving.” To maximize its full capabilities, you have to do the following steps:

1. Visualize in your mind the very thing you desire to be, do, or have. Believe without a doubt that it is already happening in your life. Feel the happiness or satisfaction of having achieved your dream in your whole body, mind, heart, and soul. It is highly recommended that you create a vision board (a cardboard will do, with pictures of things that delight your heart). This will greatly boost your visual faculty.

2. Declare your intentions, believe that you are already receiving what you are asking for, and state your affirmations whenever you can. If you want to be a best-selling author, say, “I am a best-selling author!” many times throughout the day with belief and emotion. It is highly recommended to go to a place alone to focus on your self-talk.

At any time of the day when you are about to say something negative like “I can never do this!” or “I’m so dumb!” hold your tongue and say “Cancel! Cancel!” or “Delete! Delete!” It is important to keep your inner dialogue absolutely positive and void from pessimistic poisons.

3. Take inspired action! The universe helps those who help themselves. If you've been watching "My Name is Earl," you'll probably know what karma is. It states that if you do something good, an equally good thing will come back to you. And if you do something bad, an equally bad thing will come back to you. You reap what you sow. Therefore, if you just keep daydreaming and don’t do anything, the universe won’t do anything to help you either.

4. Receive openly. The law of attraction is more powerful if you open up and allow yourself to receive the abundance that the universe supplies to you. If you reject your blessings, you are stopping the flow of prosperity and decreasing your attracting force. Acknowledge even the smallest things in life. Remember to always say “Thank you.” Let the universe know how much you appreciate all the abundant gifts you are receiving. Show sincere gratitude, and the universe will respond appropriately by giving you more.

The law of attraction is working all the time, no exception. Understand it, know exactly how to unleash its power to the fullest, and start applying its principles to bring into reality everything you’ve always dreamed of. You have the power within you! May the law of attraction lead you to everlasting happiness, success, and fulfillment.

About the author:
Michael Lee has dramatically changed countless lives with his mind-altering self-help articles and advice. Get FREE access to his goldmine of self-improvement secrets at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/articlelist.html and unleash your true power now!

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New York Immigration Marriage Law?

By Karl Garcia
United States is through a lawful marriage to a U.S. citizen. As a result, the Immigration Service saw many sham or business marriages. To protect the agency and the country from fraudulent applications and marriages, Congress passed Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986.

Marriage Residence status

Marriage now results in conditional residence status unless it is more than two years old at the time of granting the immigrant status. Two year period is measured from the time residency is granted. Conditional residence status may be terminated if before the second anniversary of the grant of conditional residence, the new york Immigration Service determines:

1) marriage was judicially terminated, such as a divorce
2) marriage was entered into to gain an immigration benefit
3) the couple failed to petition (Form I-751)

The Immigration Service to remove conditions within 90 days prior to second anniversary of conditional residence or the couple failed to attend their interview, unless the noncitizen has filed Form I-751 seeking a waiver of the joint filing requirement. Conditional residence becomes permanent residence after second anniversary of status if it is not terminated for any of the above reasons.

Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments Act covers spouses

If the new york Immigration Service suspects that an alien has entered into a sham marriage, that alien is subject to removal from the United States. For that to happen, the marriage must be fraudulent at its inception or from the very beginning.

To determine whether the marriage was fraudulent at inception, the Immigration Service looks at several factors. The question that becomes relevant is: did the bride and groom intend to establish a life together? The government looks at the subjective state of mind. However objective factors are also considered. The conduct of parties before and after the marriage is relevant. To prove validity of the marriage, the couple must present evidence which may include, but is not limited to, insurance policies, property, leases, income tax, bank accounts, etc. Additionally, the couple must be consistent in its answers to the immigration officer.

About the author:
Bradford Brenstein is born in New York it is Immigration lawyer, US marriage visa, new york work visa, us immigration problems handle by new york maariage offices and Manhattan Offices.

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New Tax Law Benefits For Car Donation Tax Deduction

By Arturo Ronzon
The IRS has taken steps to take the guesswork and confusion associated with car donation tax deduction with a new law. When January 1, 2005 rolled around, you were able to deduct the full price that the charity of your choice receives for the sale of your car.

Many times people were hesitant to donate their car to a charity that so desperately needs the help simply because of the hassle involved in finding the fair market value of their vehicle if the vehicle was worth more than $500. Often the donator had to look up the car they were looking to donate in the infamous �Blue Book� to get an estimate for the fair market value in order to get the full benefits of a car donation tax deduction.

With the new law if your car sells for more than $500 at the auction where your car will be sold, the charity is obligated to send you a receipt that has your name and vehicle identification number or VIN of your car. They must also state that your donation was �arms length� which means that the person or organization you donated your car to is not related to you in any way whether it is your family or a business associate. They must also include the selling price of your car. This is the fair market value price. It is that simple. No more searching through records and books trying to find the right numbers to make your car donation tax deduction.

If the car you donate is sold for less than $500, it is up to you to determine the fair market value as long as the figure is below $500. The tax receipt that the charity is required to send you will be less detailed and will merely acknowledge your donation. The information included on the tax receipt will be your name, the date of the donation and a brief description of the vehicle.

The simplification of the laws concerning car donation tax deduction is good news for charities. As more people realize the good their car donation can do for others and the ease in which you can itemize your car donation tax deduction, they will be eager to help. Spread the word so that more people donate more cars to help even more people.

About the author:
Want to know more about Car Donation Tax Deduction?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.car-donation-land.info/article-2-Car-Donation-Tax-Deduction.html

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