Massage therapy is a calling for Richmond, Illinois man

Photo: Evan Blossom(left) -  Earl Connor(right) – director for CSMT in McHenry County

Recently, Evan Blossom celebrated when he received his diploma in massage therapy from the Chicago School of Message in Crystal Lake.

Earl Connor, primary instructor for the McHenry College program of the school, said, “143 million people were given massages in 2004. This is up 50% from 10 years ago. This translates into about 12% of American adults who regularly receive massages. Massage therapy is the most unselfish of professions because it requires someone to give 60 minutes of nurturing touch to clients. It is a calling.”

As part of their service requirement, Blossom’s class performed massages at Fount Springs Nursing Home and the Women’s Residential Services in Lake County. The class performed over 17,500 hours of volunteer services as the completed graduation requirements. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national examination that will lead to Illinois licensure.

“As a child I would always play with the cats and get them to purr,” said Blossom. “They showed me what they liked and didn’t like. After high school. in the mid 70’s I took some massage classes along with dance classes with the Movement Arts Foundation in New York. My sister had migraines at that time and I was able to help her get rid of the pain using massage technique. She became a massage therapist 25 years ago.”

He became a professional ski instructor and toured the world to teach his craft. That is where he met his wife, Ginger, who was also a professional ski instructor. They were married by ski patrol at the top of Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico where they both worked. “We taught together on three continents, four countries, five languages, over 60 winters combined,” says Blossom. “I settled down in Richmond with Ginger. She imports ethnic art and crafts for sale including rugs, furniture, drums and many other interesting items.” Her business is located at 3016 Rt 173 and is called  “Ginger Blossom”.

Blossom is also currently a professional ski/snowboard instructor, trainer and race coach    at the Wilmot ski resort since 1994. His world class experience makes him a valuable asset at Wilmot.

Blossom decided to begin a career as a massage therapist when he found out that the Chicago School of Message Therapy holds classes in Crystal Lake.

“For years my students and colleagues encouraged me to write a book on skiing/snowboarding,” said Blossom. “The curriculum at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy was a missing piece of the puzzle. Massage therapy taught me how to hone my skiing skills. It also gave me a tremendous background about how the body works and moves and how to be centered and move from the core. The same skill of being centered is also helpful in performing any task from alpine skiing to shoveling snow to washing the dishes.”

Blossom said he intends to continue as a ski instructor. “The ski instruction and massage therapy dovetail into each other so well that I hope to be able to continue both. So much of skiing and snowboarding is based on how we move our body and relate to gravity, our surroundings and especially the other people on the slopes. The main cause of injuries is collisions and body strains.”

The future is bright for Blossom. He is looking forward to enriching the lives of many others using his massage therapy techniques.

Massage - How to live longer and enjoy life's pleasures with the benefits of massage therapy 
by Peter Cutland

In Sydney Australia, new massage techniques combined with technology are benefiting Peter Cutland's Wellness Support clients. A longer, more pleasurable life are the main benefits!

Massage is simple, non-intrusive therapy which restores, rehabilitates and revitalises your body and mind. Anyone of any age for almost any condition can 

use and benefit from massage. Massage therapy eases the pain and discomfort of injuries, strains, accidents and illness to allow the body's natural healing processes to work most effectively. It enhances your vitality and sense of well -being.

There are different forms of massage therapy, each requiring a very sound knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology.

Therapeutic Massage is defined as the mobilisation of soft tissue to restore balance to the body. It can be stimulating or soothing, depending on the type of techniques applied. Done by a qualified practitioner, it is a relaxing, safe and effective way to restore balance and harmony to the mind and body.

Remedial Massage is the use of massage and diagnostic techniques to treat a wide variety of conditions. Remedial massage is beneficial to the nervous, circulatory and muscular systems of the body, giving relief to chronic pain, musculo-skeletal problems, general relaxation and treatment of injuries.

Aromatherapy Massage is the treatment by the application of Essential Oils to enhance the positive effects achieved by its own specialised form of massage. This method of amalgamation of movements developed in China, India, Persia and France. The Oils are the concentrated 'essences' of plants and act to mediate all the activities of plant life and also work spectacularly for us.

Chinese " Acu-pressure Massage" is the manual therapy aspect of Chinese medicine. It works with the power and sensitivity of human touch to stimulate specific potent and healing areas of the body via energy meridian - Acu-point-system. It can be effectively applied to revitalise the body's own recuperative power to most functional or structural disorders.

How does massage work? Massage therapy assists in restoring the normal functioning of your muscle, nerve, circulatory, skin, connective tissue, digestive, and lymphatic systems, enabling your body and mind to heal itself. Massage by a skilled therapist works because it:

1. Releases muscular spasm and tension 2. Stimulates local blood supply 3. Increases nutrient supply to your body tissues 4. Reduces fluid retention and swelling 5. Helps elimination of bodily toxic waste 6. Enhances the efficient functioning of your skin 7. Re-organises the connective tissue system. 8. Increases flexibility 9. Increases mobility 10. Improves sense of wellbeing

How will you benefit from massage? The benefits of massage are universal. You may experience: · Reduced stress and tension · Improved circulation · Less aches and pains · Greater muscle relaxation · Reduced risk of injury · Improved muscular performance · Increased freedom of movement and co-ordination · A healthier body and mind

How Can I Make The Best Use of Massage In Sydney Australia?

You may use massage to help in the healing and managing of: · Stress and stress related illness · Back pain · Headaches · Getting fit and healthy · Sports injuries · Sinus · Insomnia · Emotional trauma · Over-use injuries and much, much more.

Gentle massage affects the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural 'feel good' chemicals, to help induce relaxation and a sense of well-being, to relieve pain and reduce levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline. It helps reverse the damaging effects of stress by slowing heart rate, respiration and metabolism and lowering raised blood pressure.

Stronger massage stimulates blood circulation to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and helps the lymphatic system to flush away waste products. It eases tense and knotted muscles and stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility.

Regular massage reduces the residual tension you carry about with you. This frees you from increasing stiffness and limitation so that you are better able to cope with physical and emotional demands. You can work with your massage therapist to either overcome or prevent injury and illness. Sydney clients may contact Peter on 02 9686 4884 or email him at info@wellnesssupport.com.au


About the Author

Peter is the current owner of Wellness Support Network http://www.wellnesssupport.com.au  based in Sydney Australia. His qualifications include: * Diploma of Remedial and Therapeutic Massage * Myofascial Release Techniques * Sports Massage * Lymphatic Drainage * Hopi Earcandling * Government Accredited Martial Arts Instructor (Level 1) * Member of Australian Traditional Medicine Society

Contact Peter at info@wellnesssupport.com.au