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

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

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.


Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

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!

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com