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Archive-name: backrubs/faq Last-modified: 12 February 1995 * * * * ***************************************************************** * * * This document will very likely be split into a six postings * * before its next posting to news.answers. If you are * * reading this in an archive after 21 March 1995 then you * * have an out-of-date copy and should inform whoever is * * responsible for maintaining the archive. * * * * The most recent news.answers version is always available * * from rtfm.mit.edu (see question 5.2.2). * * * ***************************************************************** * * * * Some questions come up time and time again in alt.backrubs. Often the questions are interesting and the answers are not immediately obvious. However, each time one of these questions appears, much bandwidth and reader time is wasted on repetitive responses. This article, which is posted every two weeks, is an attempt to answer the most common questions, so that discussion can move on to more interesting topics. Your suggestions for changes to this article are welcome. Please see section 6 (entitled Administrivia and Acknowledgements) for information about whom to contact and what changes are planned. Subject: List of Categories The questions answered here are divided into several categories: Section 1 General Questions Section 2 Basics of Massage Section 3 Novice Questions Section 4 Professional Massage Section 5 Other Sources of Information Section 6 Administrivia and Acknowledgements Each section begins with `Subject:' on a line of its own. Users with suitably equipped newsreaders can automatically skip to the start of the next section, e.g. trn will display the start of the section when you press ^G (control-G). Of course if your newsreader doesn't do this automatically, you can still use a search command to find the next section. Subject: List of Questions Here is the detailed list of questions: Section 1: General Questions 1.1) What is alt.backrubs about? 1.2) What is massage? What is bodywork and how do they differ? 1.3) What are some examples of massage and bodywork techniques? 1.4) What must I know about anonymous posts? 1.5) What does this acronym stand for? 1.6) Help! I'm new to this whole Usenet/'net thing Section 2: Basics of Massage 2.1) How can I learn about massage? 2.2) Is massage a sexual technique? 2.3) Could I hurt anyone if I do something wrong? Section 3: Novice Questions 3.1) How should I start? 3.2) Where can I find people to give/receive massages? [See also 4.3] 3.3) What can I do about ticklishness? 3.4) What oil should I use? 3.5) How can I get oils? 3.6) Is there anything I can do about my tired hands? Section 4: Professional Massage 4.1) What about licencing? 4.2) Professional issues (massage table suppliers, organizations, etc.) 4.3) Finding a professional massage Section 5: Other Network Sources of Information 5.1) Other Frequent Postings to alt.backrubs 5.1.1) The backrubs exchange 5.1.2) The alt.backrubs archive 5.2) Other Network Resources 5.2.1) Newsgroups, mailing lists and gateways 5.2.2) Frequent postings to other newsgroups 5.2.3) Other archives and collections 5.2.4) Major lists of Internet and Usenet resources 5.2.5) Miscellaneous resources Section 6: Administrivia 6.1) Whom should I flame for anything I don't like about this FAQL? 6.2) What is on the To Do list? 6.3) Recent changes to this list 6.4) Acknowledgements To find the answer to question 3.2 search for a line beginning with `Q3.2)', there will be only one. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: 1 -- General Information Q1.1) What is the alt.backrubs newsgroup about? This newsgroup functions primarily as a place for discussion of massage techniques and principles, and issues related to massage including bodywork therapies, e.g. Rolfing. Although you'd be wasting energy by posting messages seeking sexual partners here, there have been some interesting discussions about areas of overlap between massage and sex. See the archive for collections of such postings. Details about the archive appear in question 5.1.2. Question 5.2 has a list of other network resources, e.g. newsgroups, with related material. ------------------------------ Q1.2) What is massage? What is bodywork and how do the two differ? Massage includes a number of disciplines which share the use of pressure, friction and strain upon the muscles and joints of the body for therapeutic or affectionate physical responses. In the book _Massage: A Career at your fingertips_ Martin Ashley identifies several types of massage: massage for preventative general health, massage for relaxation, pampering or `beautification'; sports massage, massage for pain relief, rehabilitative massage (for recovery from physcial injury); massage as an adjunct to medical or chiropractic treatment; and massage for personal psychological transformation. The term `bodywork' is often used to refer to therapies that are often combined and confused with massage, e.g. Shiatsu, Trager, Rolfing, Polarity and Reflexology. Some of these therapies are described briefly in question 1.3, there are postings about all of them in the archive (see question 5.1.2). Q1.3) What are some examples of massage and bodywork? a) Swedish massage (which is a proper name, not a reference to Sweden) refers to a collection of techniques designed primarily to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. The lymph system and veins (which carry blood back to the heart) both rely on muscle action, rather than heart pump pressure, to operate. Many believe it is safe to apply light pressure in the opposite direction. Friction is reduced by oil, or lacking that baby powder. Some practitioners claim benefits from vegetable rather than mineral oil while others disagree. (See question 3.4 about oil and the `oil.vs.powder' file in the archive; the archive is the subject of question 5.1.2) Swedish massage can relax muscles, increase circulation, remove metabolic waste products, help the recipient obtain a feeling of connectedness, a better awareness of their body and the way they use and position it. b) Shiatsu, on the other hand, is a system based on the body's energy meridians. Shiatsu massages are normally done fully clothed and involve pressing points on the body and stretching and opening of the energy meridians. Shiatsu is somewhat related to acupuncture, which is a form of anaesthesia and therapy used in Chinese hospitals for surgery. Its proponents view it as a form of treatment alternative to medicine or surgery. (Toru Namikoshi's Complete Book of Shiatsu Therapy -- published by Japan Pubns., Inc. with ISBN 0-87040-461-x in 1981 -- claims to be the definitive work; Zen Shiatsu by Shizuto Masunaga & Wataru Ohashi, also published by Japan Publications Inc, ISBN 0 87040 394 X is also recommended in the archive.) c) This subsection, about Reflexology, is largely based on notes provided by Reflexology expert and author Kevin Kunz. He notes that there are significant differences between foot massage and Reflexology. Any errors are the fault of the FAQL maintainer and no one else. Reflexology is based on the belief that there are places on the feet (and hands) that correspond to parts of the body, e.g. internal organs and joints. Manipulating those parts of the feet (or hands) can have direct effects on corresponding parts of the body. Some proponents claim the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses of these organs by appropriate reflexological treatment. I haven't seen a convincing explanation of why this is supposed to work but many people cite Reflexology as an excellent technique for holistic assessment and adjunct to other therapies. Although Reflexology is often discussed as part of Zone Therapy although this isn't completely accurate. The archive contains some discussion and references to books about Reflexology. According to Reflexology teacher Terry Norman <tnt@onramp.net>: a currently accepted theory in the West is that Reflexology works by way of the neuro-reflex points found in the feet & hands. When organs don't function normally the neural signals along the network change patterns. Such changes can be detected and monitored through the reflex points. Chemistry at these points sometimes changes as well -- hard painful spots (said to be uric acid crystals) may form at points that relate to the organ, or area of the body, to which the reflex point corresponds. Occasionally, when rubbing or pressing firmly on these spots you can feel them "pop" or burst apart -- they feel grainy or gritty like sand or sugar. After the spots disappear, the area begins to become less tender and the organ to which the reflex point relates also functions better. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the points on the hands & feet correspond to the channels & collaterals. TCM has charts dating back thousands of years illustrating the same points on these areas as modern day Foot & Hand Reflexology charts. I believe that the "true" system is some convergence of both systems. Although, I think that what has been called "Reflexology", or "Zone Therapy" is nothing more than a re-discovering of the wheel you might say. d) By mixing scents with the oil, various pleasing moods can be created. Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant substances for health and beauty treatment. It is often combined with massage since oils can be used to carry fragrances while also allowing more pressure to be applied to muscles. Its proponents claim that health benefits are associated with specific choices of scent. For example, clary sage can be used to combat depression. (See questions 5.2.2 and 5.1.2 for other sources of information about Aromatherapy.) e) Erotic massage is really a sexual foreplay technique, rather than a form of massage. Massage focuses on muscles, whereas erotic massage focuses primarily on skin. It's been said that 95% of erotic (or sensual) massage is the same as other massage. There is nonetheless some information specifically about erotic massage in the archive. f) There are many more types of massage than the few dealt with here. If you are interested in learning about a specific type that is not mentioned here, look for a file about it in the archive or read one of the books recommended in this FAQL (see question 2.1) or in the book file in the archive (see question 5.1.2). ------------------------------ Q1.4) Anonymous Posts There isn't a lot of tolerance for anonymous posting in alt.backrubs. This intolerance is often expressed by people not following up or responding to anonymous posts. If there is some reason you must post using an anonymous service you will find people more co-operative if you give your real name and e-mail address as well as explaining why you must use the service. In case you must remain anonymous you are advised to mention the reason in your post. ------------------------------ Q1.5) Acronyms Acronyms peculiar to alt.backrubs: AMBP = Associated Bodyworkers and Massages Professionals AMTA = American Massage Therapy Association AOBTA = American Oriental Body Therapy Association LITA = Look In The alt.backrubs Archive MT = Massage Therapist (Massage Technician, in some places) NCETMB = USA National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork NCBTMB = USA National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork RMT = Registered MT (usually abbreviated to MT) Other acronyms and abbreviations you should be familiar with: ETLA = Extended TLA, i.e. a four letter acronym FAQ = Frequently Asked Question (this is also the traditional acronym for a list of FAQs) FAQL = Frequently Asked Question List FTP = File Transfer Protocol GMT = Greenwich Mean Time ISBN = International Standard Book Number TLA = Three Letter Acronym URL = Universal Resource Locator, a computer network address standard developed in conjunction with the World Wide Web USA = United States of America WAIS = Wide Area Information Servers (a type of automated index of documents available via the Internet) WWW = World Wide Web (a global network of hypermedia documents connected by links implemented using the Internet) :-) = An emoticon often used to express humorous intent or happiness, also used to abate a strong statement so as not to offend :) = ditto (but less formal) ------------------------------ Q1.6) Help! I'm new to this whole Usenet/'net thing The following two newsgroups contain some excellent introductory postings: news.announce.newusers and news.newusers.questions. Whoever is providing you with access to Usenet should be able to give you some basic introduction or instruction. This isn't because they are necessarily nice, but because if they don't at least attempt to tell you the basics then they can't blame you when you do something awful. If they haven't offered you any advice or instruction then ask someone responsible for some pointers to useful information. I advise you not to ask another newcomer -- that is a great way to propagate misconceptions. There are many introductory books about the global Internet and Usenet. If you learn well from books then you might consider buying one or borrowing it from a library. Some books are available for free, others are available for sampling online as an enticement to get you to buy them. For a fuller discussion of such books see a) the misc.books.technical newsgroup, b) the Unofficial Internet Book List at the rtfm.mit.edu FTP site (filename `book-list' in the directory `pub/usenet/news.answers/internet-services'). See question 5.2.2 for more information about the rtfm.mit.edu FTP site. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: 2 -- Basics of Massage Q2.1) How can I learn about massage? _The Massage Book_ by George Downing (and illustrated by Anne Kent Rush) is highly and frequently recommended. It has been co-published by Bodyworks and Random House with ISBN 0-394-70770-2 (paper) since 1972. The trade edition is reported to have ISBN 0-394-48241-7 but I didn't find it in _Books In Print_. _The Massage Book_ is not one of the many coffee table books on massage. The alt.backrubs archive (see question 5.1.2) contains a lot of advice for novice and experienced massagers. The archive category `Getting Started' contains basic advice about massage techniques. The archive also contains suggestions for other books, videos and some magazine articles. ------------------------------ Q2.2) Is massage a sexual technique? It can be, but it need not be. Massage operates in a continuum between physical therapy or say Shiatsu, which is exclusively muscle focused and is highly non-erotic, to Swedish massage, which is muscle focused and includes affectionate but not erotic touch, to erotic massage which is a sexual technique. Most people's response to a good (Swedish) massage is to fall asleep, not to get aroused. If a massage is focused on relaxing muscle groups, it will not be an erotic experience. The donor will get a major workout and the receiver will be very relaxed. If a massage is focused on touching skin it will be an affectionate experience and a highly intimate and emotional one -- but not an erotic one. If a body rub is primarily focused on touching skin, especially if that focus includes erogenous zones, it will be an erotic experience. There are some very nice strokes which are used only in sexual contexts, they are quite distinct from the strokes used in other kinds of massage. Some of them are described in the archive. One of the hallmarks of a dysfunctional family (one which perpetuates a culture of addiction and dependence) is a deep confusion between affectionate and erotic touch combined with a strong yearning for, yet fear of, emotional intimacy. People who have this confusion are likely to experience any kind of touch as erotic or to use affectionate touch as a surrogate for forbidden erotic touch. These same people are likely to view all nudity as sexual, or more properly, to consider touch, nudity and sex, as surrogates for the intimacy vacuum associated with the culture. This forms the subtext for some of the threads that appear periodically in the newsgroup. Because most massage, like most body therapies, is hindered by clothing, and involves touch, this newsgroup periodically attracts the attention of some of these unfortunates. You will avoid unpleasant misunderstandings if you are clear in your own mind on what you want, and if you are able to clearly discern between a prospective masseur/masseuse/ massee :-) and a prospective sexual partner, or someone with a voyeuristic interest in the pseudo-intimacy of nudity. There is lots about this in the archive (see question 5.1.2 for information about the archive). ------------------------------ Q2.3) Might I hurt someone if I do something wrong? There are some things to be careful of. Read a good book, to learn all you need to know. In general, be careful of organs, joints (including vertebrae), and veins. Avoid applying heavy pressure to the kneecap, back of the knee, the abdomen and the front of the neck. There is a right direction (toward the heart) and a wrong direction to apply pressure. (Veins have valves that act to prevent the backflow of blood returning to the heart. You don't want to blow those valves!) Read the `toward.heart' file in the archive (see question 5.1.2) if you are interested in the discussion of why certain massage techniques do not go towards the heart. Similarly, the abdomen should be massaged in a clockwise direction because of the way the intestines are laid out. Obviously: avoid broken bones, acute inflammations, etc., and use caution if the recipient has a medical problem, including infections. Cancer and plebitis have been mentioned as conditions incompatible with massage. Beyond that, you're responsible for getting your own expert therapeutic, medical, legal, etc. advice :-) The `warning' file in the archive contains some of the more dire warnings posted to the newsgroup. The `toward.heart' file in the archive contains some more information about the direction to apply pressure in. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: 3 -- Novice Questions Q3.1) How should I start? Practice. Practising bad technique will have a bad effect, practising good technique will have a good effect, so do some reading first. Read about technique often as you are starting out to help you correct yourself. Do not restrict yourself to too few recipients. You will learn much more from giving one massage each to 20 people than you will by giving 20 massages to one person. Even if there is a primary recipient you have in mind, the quality of that one person's experience will be severely limited if your experience is limited to that one person. Receiving a massage can also be a learning experience. You may better understand variations of touch, pressure, etc. as well as learning new techniques and strokes from others. Caroline Knight adds: you can learn a lot by applying strokes to yourself. As you massage another person, be aware of the effects that your touch is having both on the person you're touching and on yourself. Temporarily put aside anything else you might have going on, and focus your attention on the massage. What are your fingers conveying about the tension and texture of the recipients muscles? Be aware of how both of you are breathing. Use your body weight to gently and smoothly apply pressure, instead of muscling the pressure. Learning to give a good massage is only partly about learning technique. A lot of what you need to learn is about being present in your body and present in the current moment. You can learn a lot about superficial anatomy just paying attention to what your fingers are feeling. Question 3.6 is about tired hands, a common affliction among newcomers to massage. ------------------------------ Q3.2) Where can I find people to give (or receive) massages? Among people that share an interest in massage and among people who trust you. (See question 2.2 about sexual massage.) A list of people willing to exchange backrubs has been set up. See question 5.1.1, about the exchange, for more information. Question 4.3 is about how to distinguish between a proficient, professional MT and someone who just calls themself a MT, before you pay for their services. ------------------------------ Q3.3) What can I do about ticklishness? Ticklishness arises from hypersensitivity. Sometimes, but not always, this is due to nervousness or discomfort with being touched, or with being unclothed. (See question 2.2 about sexual massage, above.) This can be dealt with by massaging first less threatening areas. The back is perhaps the least threatening area to massage, followed by (in most cases) the limbs, neck and head (including the face). By the time you reach more sensitive areas, i.e. legs, chest and abdomen, they will have relaxed from the effects of the massage. They will also have had a chance to develop a level of comfort with you that they feel safe. Note this assumes that your attitude and approach to massage are consistent with such feelings. Increased pressure will also reduce ticklishness, particularly if their sensitivity is physiological rather than emotional. lonnie@meaddata.com recommended: The easiest solution is to have the person receiving the backrub place their hands on or near the hands of the person giving the backrub... After several times of using this technique the recipient will no longer need to touch the masseuse. ------------------------------ Q3.4) What oil should I use? There is lots of material in the archive (see question 5.1.2) about massage oils. Please, read it before posting something like `Hey, I use oil for my massages. Has anyone else tried this yet?'. Mineral oil and some vegetable oils are thick. If liberally slopped on they will both tend to clog pores. Some people have skin especially prone to inflammation from this. On the other hand many massage lotions have a mineral oil base. When applied sparingly, as for deep tissue work, they don't usually cause problems. There are also a number of lighter weight vegetable oil blends available. They go on easily and produce a much thinner oil film. They also spill a lot faster if you get careless with the cap open. Vegetable oils can go rancid (in the bottle, on clothes, on sheets, etc.) which mineral oils don't. Some massage schools use mineral oil exclusively because of this -- rancid rugs and sheets are not appealing. Also, mineral oils are hypoallergenic. A convenient squeeze dispenser bottle (i.e., one having a narrow spout with a small opening) can be found in many stores (you might try at a camp outfitting store, a pharmacy or even a cosmetics outlet). Refrigerating oil when not in use and keeping bottles full also helps. If you refrigerate the oil then you might want to warm the bottle of oil in a hot water bath before using it. Some people have allergies to specific vegetable oils. Some people feel that vegetable oils are in some way more natural than mineral oils. Oils containing vitamin E may have a better shelf life, since it's an antioxidant. ------------------------------ Q3.5) How do I get oils? You don't need special oils, but they can be a nice touch. Make sure you remember to rub the oil between your hands to warm it, never pour it directly on the person you are massaging as it is uncomfortable and distracting. The file `oils.sources', in the archive (see question 5.1.2) contains lists of places you can order ready-made oils from. It also contains information about making your own oils. If you are just starting out, John Cole recommends trying safflower oil. It is a light, odourless vegetable oil available from most grocery stores. Caroline Knight wrote: `I'm still using grape seed oil as my base as recommended by someone from alt.backrubs ages ago!' ------------------------------ Q3.6) Is there anything I can do about my tired hands? Many people use their hands too much for massage. If you need to apply lots of pressure (see the `deep.back' and `knots' files in the archive, which is the subject of question 5.1.2) you should lean into the massage and let your weight provide much of the pressure. The `weak.arms' file in the archive is also of interest. Don't be afraid to use other parts of your body than just your hands for variety. I've had great success using my forearms and wrists. The palms and heel of the hand are commonly used for certain light and deep strokes respectively. Some people like to use their feet but must be very careful not to apply too much pressure. The variety of strokes and pressure that can be achieved by using other parts of the body can be a blessing to both the recipient and giver. The `with.feet' file in the archive contains some discussion of these points. You can prevent your hands from getting tired by strengthening them through regular exercise (see the `finger.excer' file in the archive). The archive contains information about massages you or others can give to your aching hands too (see `finger.excer', `hand&neck', `wrist.pain' to start). --------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: 4 -- Professional Massage Q4.1) What about licencing? Licencing is, of course, only relevant if you are looking to charge for giving massages. The restrictions and regulations differ from state to state in the USA and province to province in Canada. If you have information about regulation in other countries, please post it to the newsgroup. Some jurisdictions have no restrictions, some provide two-tier regulation (distinguishing between so-called technicians or bodyworkers and therapists), some just want to make sure massage is not being used as a cover for prostitution. Some even require a level of training level equivalent to what a physical therapist would have. More information, and much discussion, is available in the archive (see the category about certification; information about the archive appears in question 5.1.2). ------------------------------ Q4.2) Professional issues The alt.backrubs newsgroup has had many discussions of issues related to massage as a profession and tools and techniques for massage professionals. Copies of many posts on these topics are available in the alt.backrubs archive (see question 5.1.2). For example, the archive contains information about massage tables, professional organizations, exams and draping standards. ------------------------------ Q4.3) Finding a professional massage In many jurisdictions, people may advertise as giving massage when do not provide a good massage. Some provide substandard services and others provide sexual services under the guise of massage. Many people post to alt.backrubs seeking advice about how to tell where they can get a skilled massage before they have paid for the services. If all you care about is whether you are going to get a professional massage or sexual services then ask. Be aware however that if they are using massage as a cover for sexual services then they probably won't answer direct questions about whether or not they offer sexual services. Many of the suggestions in this answer come from the `finding.a.MT' file in the archive. Someone suggested some questions that might help you detect what services unknown massagers really provide and how skilled they are in the type of massage you want (see question 1.2). You could ask about their professional education, e.g. how many hours of training have they had (this varies from about 250 to 2000), which massage school did they attend, what their favourite course was and what types of massage they prefer. It has also been suggested that you ask whether the prospective masseur offers such services as `relief massage' (often a codeword for masturbation). You might also ask what professional organizations they belong to as members of the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) and ABMP (Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals) are strictly forbidden from sexual involvement with their clients. Not all professional MTs belong to either of these organizations -- you can read some of the arguments in the archive if you're really interested. Once you're satisfied that you have found an above board MT you should try to find out if they will be suitable for the type of treatment you want. Be clear about what your needs are and tell the MT. Perhaps you want massage for relaxation or you have a specific area that needs attention, for example. A good MT will help you pinpoint what it is you want from the session, often just by talking about it with you. If you are at all uncomfortable with the thought of being unclothed, then discuss draping with the MT before the massage begins. Absolutely no professional MT will demand a client remove any clothing that the client is not comfortable removing regardless of what impact this will have on the massage. Please note however that just because a MT graduated from a professional school they aren't necessarily going to give you a great massage. It has been said many times in alt.backrubs that some MTs have the technical knowledge of what to do but lack the sensitivity to detect what clients really need. Corrina Perrone writes that, in her experience, it almost always takes at least two years of practice after graduation for MTs to a develop a truly professional calibre of massage. Much information about what you should expect as a massage client is available in the archive file `what.to.expect'. In addition, Corrina Perrone <corrina@cs.colorado.edu> recommends: if you still have doubts about the qualifications ask direct questions about the types of bodywork they do -- and expect some technical answers [like those in question 1.3, above]. Ask them to describe these techniques, and how they use them in a session. You'll get a lot of `it depends' answers, but a good therapist will be able to give you an example, such as, `I warm the muscle tissue up using mostly Swedish massage strokes, and then use deep tissue techniques to work out tightness. If there is limited movement, I might use NMT [neuromuscular massage therapy] work on the muscle attachments, and some Trager techniques to integrate the work.' Find out how long they have been in practice. If you are screening the therapists by phone, look for qualities that indicate they would be a good person with whom to work. Do they listen to what you are saying and respond to it? Do they ask questions about your needs? Do they impress you as professional? Do you feel like you are being listened to, or do you feel like you are getting a lecture in physiology? Are you comfortable with a male therapist or do you prefer a female? Take a little while and think about this strategically -- there is something you want from the bodywork, and you are picking the best partner to help you achieve that goal. If you aren't comfortable with the MT touching you the treatment isn't going to help you regardless what techniques they use. Be sure to tell them if something makes you uncomfortable, and feel free to ask questions about anything they do. You should feel respected and honoured, and the session should provide opportunities for you to relax and get back in touch with yourself. Remember, any MT needs to know if you are seeing another practitioner in order to make sure the massage won't interfere. A lot of people don't know, for instance, that even if they are on chronic illness drugs, if they continue to receive bodywork regularly, their medication prescriptions usually will need to be decreased. Other typical advice is to get a referral from a trusted friend, physician or other health care professional, local massage school, health food store or Chamber of Commerce. Steve Brooks <XFWB90A@prodigy.com> suggested (in article <3eco5n$1a0m@usenetp1.news.prodigy.com>) that `major hotel chains that cater to Japanese tourists [...] should be able to refer you to reputable [J]apanese style massage therapists.' How you're supposed to locate such hotels is left as an exercise to the reader. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: 5 -- Other Network Sources of Information Q5.1) Other Frequent Postings to alt.backrubs Q5.1.1) The backrubs exchange The new backrubs exchange programme is a list of people from around the globe willing to exchange backrubs. The list maintainer has written that the list will be posted on or about the first of every month. There are two files in the archive (see question 5.1.2) about the backrubs exchange programme: the announcement, `exchange.prog', and the most current update, `exchange.update'. If you want to be added to the list: please read the announcement before sending mail to Paul Selkirk <paul@ftp.com>. The archive also contains information about other exchanges held in Chicago (`exchange.chicago') and Seattle (`exchange.seattle'). There was once another backrubs exchange programme but it disappeared without a trace long ago. Paul Selkirk is the third person to maintain the new list. ------------------------------ Q5.1.2) The alt.backrubs archive There is an FTP-accessible archive of alt.backrubs postings organized by topic. Full details can be found in the archive announcement (posted to the newsgroup every 10 days and archived at the rtfm.mit.edu FTP site, see question 5.2.2). Essential details about the archive follow. Copies of the alt.backrubs archive are kept at two anonymous FTP sites: a main site and a mirror site. The main site is ftp.csd.UWO.ca, which has IP address 129.100.11.252. Please connect during off-peak hours (between 7pm and 7am Eastern time), the server is 5 hours behind GMT during standard time (it is in Ontario, Canada). The files are in the directory `pub/news/alt.backrubs'. The archive is mirrored at the sunsite.unc.edu anonymous FTP site which has IP address 198.86.40.81. The sunsite copy of the archive is in directory `pub/academic/medicine/alternative-healthcare/massage-therapy/alt.backrubs'. The archive is cross-referenced and crudely indexed. You can read the details in both the archive announcement and the archive's `00README' file. The files are in mailbox format (so you can read them as ordinary text files or use any standard mail reader to treat them as a list of mail messages). Most of the files in the archive have been encoded by the standard Unix compress program. The compressed files all have `.Z' at the end of their names. The ftp.csd.uwo.ca FTP site provides a method to uncompress files as they are being sent. For information about the special transfer features (including automatic uncompress) at ftp.csd.uwo.ca read the file ~ftp/pub/README at that site -- the file is only at that site because it is not part of the alt.backrubs archive. If you want to transfer the compressed versions of the files to your site for decoding, the transfer must be in binary form and you'll need some kind of uncompress to decode the files (the GNU unzip, `gunzip', works fine). The file `00README' in the archive contains information about where you can obtain an uncompress program. It is the only file in the archive that is not compressed or solely for indexing. The archive is maintained by J. Blustein <jamie@uwo.ca>. ------------------------------ Q5.2) Other Network Resources Please note that this list is almost certainly not complete and none of the materials listed here are maintained by the person responsible for this document. If you have any corrections or possible additions to this list please send mail to the FAQL maintainer. Q5.2.1) Newsgroups, mailing lists and gateways a) The misc.health.alternative newsgroup sometimes carries discussions of the same or similar topics to those discussed in alt.backrubs. Its charter includes discussions of Aromatherapy for example. The charter can be found in the `control.messages' file in the archive (see question 5.1.2). Sunsite (see question 5.2.3) has collections of many postings to the newsgroup. b) According to a report that appears in the archive's `group.split' file, the pdax.services.massage newsgroup is for the discussion of professional massage by professionals. (The archive is the subject of question 5.1.2.) The pdax newsgroup hierarchy has a small distribution so most people can't read it. Repostings of significant postings from that newsgroup to alt.backrubs would probably be appreciated. c) The alt.med.fibromyalgia newsgroup is a gated version of the FIBROM-L mailing list. Jim McIntosh <jim@american.edu> wrote in article <94179.153614JIM@auvm.american.edu>: >FIBROM-L is a discussion forum for the disease/syndrome known as >fibromyalgia / fibrositis. It is an opportunity for patients, family and >friends of patients, physicians and researchers, and other interested >persons to discuss this condition. That article is in the archive's `fibromyalgia' file. d) The tuite mailing-list is `[t]o discuss the theories of traditional chinese medicine as it relates to the martial arts. Pressure points, KO's, revivals, massage techniques will all be discussed.' [This is according to the 18 Dec 1994 version of the Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists list, see question 5.2.4 c)] To have your address added to the list send mail to owner-tuite@virginia.edu with the line: "subscribe [address]" in the body. e) In article <stevenkCwwo3x.3rv@netcom.com> stevenk@netcom.com (Steven Katz) wrote: >There is an electronic mailing list for discussion of aromatherapy. To >join the mailing list or to request more information about the mailing >list, send e-mail to aromatherapy-l-request@netcom.com. That article is in the archive's `oil.scents' file. f) You might be able to have specific questions about herbs (for use with oils), Aromatherapy, etc. answered in the alt.folklore.herbs newsgroup. It would be nice if summaries of information thus obtained were posted to alt.backrubs. g) The alt.aromatherapy newsgroup doesn't exist in many parts of the Usenet because of the way it was made. My site didn't even receive the message that the group had been created! (See the `control.messages' file in the archive.) Discussions of Aromatherapy also occur in the mailing list and in other newsgroups listed above. A collection of postings to the newsgroup is available from Sunsite (see question 5.2.3). h) The SOREHAND mailing-list is `for the discussion of Typing injuries, Repetitive Stress Injuries/Disorder, Cumulative Trauma Disorder, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, etc.' [according to the Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists list, see question 5.2.4 c)] To have your address added to the list send mail to listserv@ucsfvm.ucsf.edu with the line: subscribe sorehand your-name in the body. ------------------------------ Q5.2.2) Frequent postings to other newsgroups This list does not include the entire subject line for most of these posts since they appear in many parts. The notation `[etc.]' appears at the point where the subject lines were truncated to help you use the rest to search for the postings. The Archive-name can be used to find the files at the rtfm.mit.edu FTP site. Files are stored in directories corresponding to the newsgroups they are posted in (pub/usenet-by-group/ and pub/usenet-by-hierarchy/) and archive-name (pub/usenet-by-group/news.answers/). Archive-names that end with `*' are directories that contain the multi-part postings. For example, the alt.backrubs archive announcement (which has Archive-name `backrubs/archive', Subject `[alt.backrubs] FTP archive site' and is posted to the following newsgroups: alt.backrubs, alt.answers and news.answers) is stored in the following files at the rtfm.mit.edu site: pub/usenet-by-group/news.answers/backrubs/archive pub/usenet-by-group/alt.answers/backrubs/archive pub/usenet-by-hierarchy/news/answers/backrubs/archive pub/usenet-by-hierarchy/alt/answers/backrubs/archive pub/usenet-by-group/alt.backrubs/[alt.backrubs]_FTP_archive_site pub/usenet-by-hierarchy/alt/backrubs/[alt.backrubs]_FTP_archive_site It is a single part posting. If you can't use FTP but can send and receive mail, you can use a mail server to retrieve the files. To learn about the news.answers mail server send an e-mail message to <mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu> with the word help on a line of its own in the body (not the Subject) of the message. There is some information about other FTP mail servers in the alt.backrubs archive announcement. Hypertext versions of many of the FAQLs stored at the rtfm.mit.edu site are available for browsing within the world wide web (WWW) at URL `http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/'. N.B.: this doesn't mean these hypertext versions are necessarily as good as, or better than, the posted versions. a) Subject: Stretching and Flexibility FAQ [etc.] Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts, misc.fitness, rec.arts.dance, alt.arts.ballet, rec.sport.misc, alt.answers, rec.answers, misc.answers, news.answers Archive-name: stretching/* FTP-site: cs.huji.ac.il:/pub/doc/faq/rec/martial.arts WWW: http://archie.ac.il:8001/papers/rma/stretching_toc.html NB: The archive's self massage file has information about stretching. b) Subject: FAQ: Typing Injuries [etc.] Newsgroups: sci.med, sci.med.occupational, comp.human-factors, comp.answers, sci.answers, news.answers Archive-name: typing-injury-faq/* c) Subject: How to find the right place to post (FAQ) Newsgroups: news.announce.newusers, news.groups.questions, news.groups.reviews, news.groups, news.newusers.questions, alt.config, alt.answers, news.answers Summary: This article gives some general hints to help you find an appropriate place to post on a given topic, and gives pointers to some available resources. A few other new-user topics are also addressed, mostly through pointers to other FAQs. Archive-name: finding-groups/general ------------------------------ Q5.2.3) Other archives and collections a) Sunsite Alternative Healthcare Collection Lots of information about network resources for `alternative healthcare' as well as about Sun microsystems computing products, sustainable agriculture and `alternative energy'. Sunsite maintains archives for many mailing lists and newsgroups. There is far too much at Sunsite to list here. Mail: send mail to info@sunsite.unc.edu to automatically receive a help file (about 500 lines long). Telnet: sunsite.unc.edu Connect with telnet to use: a WWW browser, WAIS, or a gopher client FTP: sunSITE.unc.edu directory pub/academic/medicine/alternative-healthcare WWW: http://sunsite.unc.edu/ gopher://sunsite.unc.edu Gopher Bookmark (medicine): Type=1 Name=medicine [...] Path=1/../.pub/academic/medicine Host=president.oit.unc.edu Port=70 b) Internet/Bitnet Health Sciences Resources FTP: ftp2.cc.ukans.edu : file pub/hmatrix/medlst* (see note below) ftp.sura.net : file pub/nic/medical-resources.* (see note below) Lee Hancock <Le07144@Ukanvm.cc.ukans.edu> has compiled an extensive list of network resources about health. It is available in ZIPped form for FTP from ftp2.cc.ukans.edu in the pub/hmatrix directory with filename medlstXX.zip, where the XX portion is the month of the latest update. A non-compressed version is also available at medlstXX.txt. The ftp.sura.net FTP site may also have a copy of the file in the pub/nic directory with filename medical.resources.XX-XX where the XX-XX portion are the version identifier assigned by the FTP administration at SURANet. At the time of this writing the most recent version is 3-26-94 and the filename is `medical.resources.3-94'. c) Alternative Health World WWW: http://sailfish.peregrine.com/wb/ww/m(90,160) In article <3aajl0$cf2@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu> ebert@mail.utexas.edu (Priscilla L. Ebert) wrote: >This is a new place -- under development. Participation is encouraged. [...] >Think of it as a layered concept, ie: > > Alternative Health World > \/ > Food World Body Therapies Mind Therapies > \/ \/ \/ >Vegetarian Delights Rolfing Massage Reichian > \/ \/ \/ \/ > Vegie Recipes practitioners practitioners > >Read the Web World instructions, > consider the topic area, > understand how you can be a part, > then participate! > >email to me questions, comments, etc. d) Internet Resources on Alternative Medicine FTP: ftp.clark.net file pub/journalism/altmed.txt John Makulowich <makulow@trainer.com> has written a short (229 lines) list of references to network resources about alternative medicine. e) Where is the archive for newsgroup X? WWW: http://starbase.neosoft.com/~claird/news.lists/newsgroup_archives.html Cameron Laird <claird@neosoft.com> maintains a WWW document that includes a list of Usenet archives. The address above is new as of 4 February 1995. ------------------------------ Q5.2.4) Major lists of Internet and Usenet resources This section lists only the most modern, major and general lists of network resources. It serves as a catch-all for anything that was missed above. Be sure to also read about the news.groups.questions newsgroup in question 5.2.5 and the `How to find the right place to post' FAQL in question 5.2.2. a) Subject: Updated Internet Services List Newsgroups: alt.internet.services, comp.misc, biz.comp.services, alt.bbs.internet,news.answers Archive-name: internet-services/list FTP-Site: ftp.csd.uwm.edu:/pub/inet.services.txt Gopher: gopher.csd.uwm.edu (select Remote Information Services...) Mail: bbslist@aug3.augsburg.edu (Auto-replies with lists) WWW: http://www.uwm.edu/Mirror/inet.services.html Note: compiled by Scott Yanoff b) Subject: List of Periodic Informational Postings, [etc.] Newsgroups: news.lists, news.answers Archive-name: periodic-postings/* c) Subject: Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists, Part [etc.] Newsgroups: news.lists, news.answers Archive-name: mail/mailing-lists/* ------------------------------ Q5.2.5) Miscellaneous resources a) In article <Cn0uDy.Bo2@uunet.uu.net> tale@uunet.uu.net (David C Lawrence) wrote: > The unmoderated group news.groups.questions is an appropriate place to > ask (and answer) questions about newsgroups, such as which topics are > discussed where, and how to start, find or create groups or mailing > lists for specific interests. See also about the `How to find the right place to post' FAQL in question 5.2.2. b) The archive file fidonet.echo (see question 5.2.2 for information about the archive) contains some information about a FidoNet echo named BODYWORK. I don't know anything about it beyond what is in the archive. If you can help expand this entry please send mail to the FAQL maintainer at Internet address <jamie@uwo.ca>. (Mail to the address in the archive bounced.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: 6 -- Administrivia Q6.1) Whom should I flame for anything I don't like about this FAQL? /dev/null, of course. Any additions or suggestions or discussion can be posted to the newsgroup, or mailed to the FAQL maintainer <jamie@uwo.ca>. The maintainer is not a massage professional. All mail about the FAQL will be acknowledged within five days of receipt (usually on the day of receipt). If you haven't received a notice of receipt within a week then something is wrong. ------------------------------ Q6.2) To Do This FAQL is still under construction. I am preparing a new multi-part version to replace this singel part version. I think the length (nearly 1000 lines) of the current version makes it more difficult to use. What follows is a list of questions to be added or changed: - I think the part about massaging towards the heart needs to be rewritten, but I'm not qualified to do it - some paragraphs that summarize all the advice about oils in all the various files about massage oil in the archive - something about diagnosing problems over the 'net (why it's not a great idea and what information will be needed to get basic advice). - A definition of rolfing would be a welcome addition to question 1.2 - There have been many recent questions about licencing requirements recently. I think a question about this could be answered in the FAQL but it might take a while for me to write it. Don't hesitate to write it yourself and then submit it. If you would like to volunteer :) to write some or all of the answers please contact the FAQL maintainer <jamie@uwo.ca>. The file `faql.to-add' in the archive (see question 5.1.2) contains postings that I would like to have incorporated into the FAQL. ------------------------------ Q6.3) Recent changes to this FAQL Since 6 February 1995 Removed someone's name from question 4.3 at their request. Added the huge notice to the top of the doc because some archive sites (you know who you are) don't bother to coordinate their file updates with regulated archives. This version is mostly frozen while I apply all changes to the new multi-post version. ------------------------------ Q6.4) Acknowledgements Many parts of this FAQL are almost identical to those posted by amw@math.columbia.edu (Winkler) on 3 Dec 1992 (see the `faql.all' file in the archive). Winkler deserves a lot of credit for the work he did. The introductory portion of this article have been adapted from the same section in the comp.lang.c FAQL (message-ID <1994Jan01.0300.scs.0001@eskimo.com> posted on 1 Jan 1994) which is copyright 1988, 1990-1993 by Steve Summit. The FAQL is posted by J. Blustein <jamie@uwo.ca>. The following (in alphabetical order by surname) are collaborating to edit and amend the FAQL: Bill Arnett <Bill_Arnett@mindlink.bc.ca>, Corrina Perrone <corrina@cs.colorado.edu>, John Cole <barkis@av8r.dwc.edu>, julian collier <jcollier@nyx.cs.du.edu>, Keith Grant <keg@strathspey.llnl.gov> and Lawrence Warnock <Massage@ix.netcom.com>. Please send mail about this FAQL to jamie@uwo.ca, not to the other members of the `alt.backrubs team'. A A Adams <aaa@scs.leeds.ac.uk>, John Cole, Keith Grant, Caroline Knight <cdfk@hplb.hpl.hp.com>, Kevin Kunz <FootC@aol.com>, Lawrence F. London, Jr. <london@sunSITE.unc.edu> and Terry Norman <tnt@onramp.net> made suggestions that are incorporated into this FAQL. -- Jamie Blustein <jamie@uwo.ca> No trees were destroyed to create this post.