Bamboo isn't just for panda bears anymore.  The latest in luxury involves the sturdy plant and the steady hands of someone trained at massage school.  Essentially, a bamboo massage involves taking hollowed out bamboo shoots that are warmed and is rolled across the client.  The masseuse can put as much, or as little pressure, on the shoot as necessary.

These shoots are predominately used for back, neck, hand, and foot massages and it is done by kneading the muscles, much like what could be done with hands.  This type of massage is also thought to help tensions melt away from the warmth of the bamboo, boost circulation and lymphatic drainage. 

Would you want to do this?

Not all those in massage careers are human!  There's a massage therapy technique from Russia and parts of Israel that snakes do most of the work.  One spa owner in Israel believes large, powerful snakes are a great way to get the knots and kinks out of someone's back.  According to an about.com article, "Ada Barak, owner of a spa in northern Israel, figured out several years ago that heavy king and corn snakes produce a relaxing kneading sensation."

Since Ada's discovery that snakes make good massage therapists, brave clients in Russia have also opted for the serpent massage.  Not extreme enough for you?  Some people enjoy getting the snake massage on their faces!

Would you try this?

People in massage therapy careers will assist clients that have all kinds of pain and problems.  From sports injuries to sore necks, massage therapists help others to feel their very best.  As expectant mothers, or any mother, will tell you, the pressure felt in the last month of pregnancy is somthing they want relief from. For that reason, some massage therapists have found massage techniques that help to induce labor and have the baby here sooner.

• Inside Heel – Press on this spot on the foot to alleviate pain. The right spot should be tender and soft to the touch.
• Arch of the Foot - This spot, which is also very tender, is located in the arch of the foot just in front of your heel. You don’t want to apply so much tender that this is painful, but as you go you can apply more pressure.  This point is also effective during labor to help alleviate contractions.
• Between the Big and Second Toes - This point is about one finger-width below the space between your big toe and your second toe.
• Thumb Point – This point is possibly the most effective because pushing here releases oxytocin, the natural hormone in your body which is responsible for uterine contractions.  Coincidently, it also makes you happier which will benefit you when you’re in labor. Press firmly on the center of the thumb for at least three minutes. Then, switch to your other thumb.

Do you have any other tips?

Massage is all about relaxing, feeling better, and recharging.  By engaging all of your senses, you're more likely to relax and become immersed in the massage itself.  For this reason, many people working in massage careers choose to use scented lotions to help their clients feel more relaxed and enjoy their experience more. But do these scents "make the massage?"  Here are some pros and cons to help you choose whether or not to work with smells.

On the one hand, the aroma may help make the experience more relaxing for the client.  Some scents, like lavender, are designed to boost calm and serenity.  It can also help clients to get in the mood and be more open to the massage experience.  If you choose a massage oil that is fragrance free, you can feel confident that no customer will be uncomfortable because of allergies or sensitivity to smells.

Also, where you work will depend on whether or not you choose to use scents.  If you work in a health club or physical therapy center, then typically you wouldn't choose to work with scented body lotions or oils.

What do you prefer?

Entering a career field where you are not part of the majority can be stressful for anyone.  Women contractors and plumbers feel this stigma as do male teachers and fashion designers.  The same holds true for men in massage therapy careers.  Traditionally, the massage industry is comprised of females for several reasons. Often times, women prefer female massage therapists because they don't like strange men touching them.  In a similar vein, men recieving massages don't usually like to be touched by other men.

For these reasons, women tend to fare better then men in this industry.  With that in mind, men can succeed as massage therapists and overcome this stigma.  First of all, thanks to the equal opportunity act, men who want to go into this industry cannot be denied a job based on their gender.  Also, employers have an obligation to help them practice as a massage therapist because clients cannot purposely exclude them. 

In order to book more jobs, it may behoove male massage therapists to meet their clients beforehand so the client is more comfortable.

What do you think about this stigma?

When it comes to massage careers, there are a variety of massage types to choose from.  Deep tissue massage, Sweedish massage, and foot massages all require different techniques and practices.  Hot stone massages are no different.  Read these tips from eHow to learn how best to give a hot stone massage.

• Clean your stones thoroughly before each use. Products such as Odoban will deodorize and disinfect the stones. Hospitals and massage professionals use these frequently.
• Place the stones in a crock pot on a low setting, making sure the lid is off. Heat them for 30 minutes before using them. Check them frequently, making sure they are not burning.  Then have your client lie face down on a mat or massage table. Allow them to adjust the area as they see fit, for comfort. Drape their legs with a sheet to create a barrier between their skin and the stones.
• Put a rock on the upper left leg, mid hamstring, back of knee and calf. Next, use a larger stone to massage the right leg, working your technique towards the heart area. After finishing the right leg, place several unused rocks on this leg (same positions as the left), and then remove the rocks from the left leg. Repeat the procedure (massaging the left leg) with a larger hot stone.
• Drape your client's lower back and gluteal area with a fresh sheet. Cover the lower back with rocks (to heat the muscles) and begin to massage the gluteal area with a large hot stone.Continue by draping the entire back, placing stones on the shoulders, traps and neck. Remove the stones from your client's lower back and massage the area with several large stones.
• Remove the stones from the upper back and neck and begin massaging the area. Once you have completed your massage, have your client turn over on the table.
• Cover both legs and place stones on the upper, mid and lower thighs. Insert several thin stones in between the toes of both feet.
• Massage the upper arms using hot stones to glide over the entire area. Drape and place stones on both pecs once you have finished massaging the arms.Remove stones from the left leg and foot, following with massage and stone gliding. Repeat the procedure with the right leg and foot.
• Complete the hot stone massage by removing stones from the pecs, following with a nice massage to the area.

Would you do this?

After a hard workout or a particularly strenuous day of working outside, you find yourself reaching for that bottle of Advil to soothe your sore muscles.  While that may work, so does a good massage.  Instead of reaching for your favorite over the counter pain killer, you could be reaching for the phone and calling your trusted massage therapist for a session.  Fox News was able to find out some information about massage and muscles that may surprise you.

In a study, male volunteers did a physically taxing workout and then be seperated into two groups.  One group took painkillers and rested.  The other recieved massages.  Afterwards, both groups got a small muscle biopsy so the scientsts could see if there were any differences.  What they found was those who recieved massages healed better.

"Vigorous exercise causes mini tears in muscles, which leads to inflammation. But those who received massage had reduced levels of cytokines, which play a role in inflammation…(Also) Those subjects who had massage were also better able to make new mitochondria, which are the energy-producing units in the cells, promoting faster recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage," quoted the article.

Does this surprise you?

Massages are not only good for relaxing you, but they help ease pain and take the person recieving the massage to a relaxing place.  When your body is undergoing significant changes, like it does during pregnancy, you may be in discomfort and want a massage. For massage therapists looking to give prenatal massages, often times a specific certification is needed.  Because you are not only responsible for the well being of the patient but also for her baby, this certification is vital.  Even so, here are some tips to giving a pregnancy massage.

1. Get a chair and a pillow. Have the pregnant woman straddle a chair and place a pillow between her belly and the back of the chair.
2. Pour some unscented lotion or oil on your hands. Rub your hands together to warm up the oil or lotion a bit, or place the bottle or tube in a glass of hot water for a few minutes to warm it up.
3. Place your hands on her back. Use one hand on each side of the spine and work away from the spine. Glide your hands in circular motions while gently applying pressure. Work your way from the bottom of her back to her shoulders. Do this several times.
4. Massage each arm. Start either at her hands or upper arms and rub the entire arm. Knead the muscles in the arm gently but firmly. Don't forget to massage the fingers too. Massage up and down each arm several times.
5. Recline on couch. Make sure the mom-to-be is comfortable and then start with one foot. Gently but firmly, rub the foot and continue up the leg to the outside of the hip. Lightly knead the lower and upper leg muscles and then using a gliding motion from the ankle all the way up the leg. Repeat with the other leg and foot. As before, massage several times on each leg and foot.

Would you do this?