So, your muscles are aching, your bones are cracking like a box of Rice Krispies, and there is even a pop and a snap here or there, thrown in for good measure. You are exhausted, and you need help. Actually, what you need is a really good massage.

Tips for Choosing the Right Massage Therapist for You

What is a massage therapist? Northwestern Health Science University defines it as "Massage therapy is manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person's health and well-being".

Shop Around – Don't just choose the first massage therapist that you see on the internet. Visit a few therapists to review service offerings, availability and pricing before choosing one.

Be High Maintenance – Respectfully request what you want. If the therapist can not or will not meet your needs, move along. This one tip will save you so much time and money.

Look For Credentials – What certifications does this person have? A fly-by-night therapist or someone without experience and training probably won't have any credentials hanging on his or her wall.

Gender Preferences – It's not sexist to want a certain gender to perform massage therapy services. Massage therapy is supposed to be a relaxing experience. If you are not comfortable with the person intimately touching your body, you won't be relaxed and the entire experience will be awkward.

Know the Type of Massage You Are Going to Receive – There are many different types of massages. There are known as modalities. Ask before you leap. If you're unsure of the differences between certain types of massage, ask the professional to explain them to you.

Availability – When are you available to get massages? Are you a busy professional who works 60 hours a week and in need of evening hours? Or, do you run your business from home and need a traveling massage therapist? Review hours of availability and whether a premium is charged for in-home or off-hour services.

Ultimately, choose a massage therapist you're comfortable with and one who takes time to put your needs first.

CHAMBER MEMBERS MASSAGE THERAPISTS:

WOODHOUSE DAY SPA
SPAAAH SHOP AND DAY SPA
TRIMBLE SPA AND NATURAL HOT SPRING
LIFECYCLE THERAPEUTICS MASSAGE THERAPY

If you're helping your child save and prepare for college, or considering going back yourself, you may find yourself asking the question: is it really worth it? After all, the days of a guaranteed job with your diploma are gone, and college is exponentially more expensive than it used to be. These factors combine to make people considering getting a college degree wonder if potential return is worth the investment.

The Short Answer: Yes, It Is
Of course, higher isn't for everyone, but as Forbes contributor Troy Onink claims, college is still worth the money. This claim comes with a caveat, which is, some majors are definitely more worthwhile than others. That's why we're going to talk about fields of study that increase the return on investment (ROI) for prospective students. College has never been less affordable, but there are degree paths that will pay off more than others when it's all said and done.

Disclaimer: You Still Have to Work Hard
Take this list with a grain of salt, because no one is guaranteed to be more successful than anyone else simply because they chose to study a certain area. With that in mind, these are the majors that tend to lead to the biggest paydays (without going to graduate school for an advanced degree).

Engineering
Notice we didn't specify any specific type of engineering? That's because according to a Glassdoor study, they're all similarly high-paying, and it doesn't really matter if you're studying chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or any of the other areas.

Computer Science and IT
Although the technical fields have become more popular in recent years, entry-level jobs in those fields are some of the highest paying available. For other majors looking to add a skill to their resume, it's never a bad idea to learn how to code.

Statistics and Math
The math fields are highly sought after, mainly because so few people are interested and/or able to master the skills that these fields develop. Math degree programs tend to be some of the smallest at any college.

Sciences: Biology, Biotech, Physics, etc.
These are more fields of a highly technical nature, meaning that grads in these fields have a lot more demanded of them than other areas.

Business: Accounting, Finance, etc.
Because there are so many careers that demand basic business skills, business grads end up employed quickly after college and have access to more high-paying jobs.

If your child/you are considering a major not on this list, don't feel discouraged. The list doesn't take into account other major factors, such as the actual college in question, potential internships, and academic achievement. The basic idea to take away from this post is that: sure, what you study in college matters in terms of your employment and pay after college, but only without context. If you work hard, the ROI of going to college is what you make it.

If you're involved in the real estate market as an investor, agent, buyer, or seller, you likely already know that this is one industry that's in love with the latest technologies. From the latest apps to innovations in customer service, tech innovations have dramatically changed how Realtors do business.

Here's our picks for the top 7 tech trends for real estate agents in our community:

1. Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality, or VR, gives agents the power to create virtual tours of the properties they have for sale, giving prospective buyers an immersive experience that's second only to being there in person.
While VR technology is still a bit pricey for the average Realtor, experts predict this growing tech trend will be worth $2.6B by 2025. Sotheby's International Realty already uses VR to market high-end residential properties both here in the United States and abroad.

2. Augmented Reality
We all know that prospective home buyers want to picture what their furniture would look like in their new home, right? Thanks to Augmented Reality (AR) technologies, you can now superimpose a specific piece of furniture, a fixture, or accessory into any room, making it easy to see what a space could look like with some personal touches.

3. Smart Home Technologies
With the wide-spread adoption of 'smart', internet-connected devices like smart thermostats, smart alarms, and smart locks, look for old technologies like real estate lock boxes to disappear in favor of digital access codes and security apps.

4. Increased Mobile Growth
Use of internet-enabled mobile devices like smartphones and tablets continues to rise in the United States and beyond. According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly 60 percent of all residential buyers found their home through a search on their mobile device, which is why a mobile-friendly website is a must-have for every real estate agent.

5. Drone Photography
Drones give Realtors the power to take impressive high-definition photos and videos from heights of properties that are available for sale or lease. Look for more listings to include images that deliver a birds-eye view that was previously only available by hiring a specialized aerial photographer.

6. Social Media Engagement
Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram provide real estate agents with powerful tools they can use to market their business, connect with clients, and establish themselves as a local subject matter expert in our community.
And if you think managing all those online accounts is simply too time consuming, social media management platforms like Hootsuite and Agorapulse are designed to automate content delivery, track mentions and shares, and stamp out online trolls.

7. Chat Bots
Even the most energetic real estate agent needs to take a break - that's why chat bots - those little pop-up boxes are quickly become a feature on many brokerage websites.

Also known as virtual assistants, chat bots provide personable, 24/7 customer service that can help capture leads and even answer basic questions - perfect for all those late-night online home shoppers.