Massage therapy is 2,500 year-old therapeutic practice that promotes healing, soothes hurt muscles, and prevents further injuries. Perfected by the Egyptians, Eastern Indians, Greek, Chinese and Japanese for hundreds of years before recorded history, massage therapy is one of the most popular alternative treatments currently performed. Massage therapists are unique individuals who practice a craft that is both art and science.
The reputation of massage therapy has grown with the respect given to the practice by the medical community. Patients who want to forgo drugs and surgery are increasingly turning to massage therapists for their healing techniques. With the rate of employment for massage therapists expected to grow 20% to 35% in the next 7 years, beginning training now is both practical and perceptive. It’s possible to become a certified, practicing massage therapist in 12-months or less with the proper preparation.
Choosing a School
The first step in becoming a massage therapist is education. There are presently hundreds of massage therapy programs to choose from, but deciding on the correct program for you depends on a number of different variables. You must settle on what capacity you would like to work as a massage therapist after graduation before making an informed decision.
Massage therapists enjoy a large amount of flexibility in their choice of employment. You may want to start your own business or work in a spa or gymnasium. Therapists can practice their trade either medicinally or recreationally, depending on their education level. Different skills should be learned if you want to work with the elderly versus the pregnant or the general public. Many massage therapists specialize in a certain type of massage or cater to a particular clientele, such as athletes. Massage therapy programs offer a wide array of courses in all different kinds of massage, called modalities, along with basic coursework.
Speaking with teachers and students at different massage therapy schools will give you a good picture of what kind of training you will receive and what career paths will be available to you after completing the program. Touring the campus will also give you a chance to check out what kind of facilities the school offers and the kind of environment you’ll be studying in. To find out about financial aid options, schedule an appointment with an admissions officer. They can help you design an aid package that will see you through your education.
Other important topics to cover when choosing is a program is whether or not the school assists graduates with job placement and what kind of certification the program culminates with. You should also investigate if the program will prepare you to receive your massage therapist license and certification after completing the coursework. Most States regulate practicing massage therapists in the same way they do other medical professionals; it is therefore very important that you attend a program that will train you to fulfill both state and national requirements if you want to begin work as a massage therapist immediately after graduation.
Classes & Training Time
The number of hours you spend training as a massage therapist is the key to a successful career. Most States have a minimum number of hours complete to becoming a licensed massage therapists, which can range from 300 to 1,000 depending on the area. National certification requires at least 500 hours of training. Investigate the pre-requisites for the locale in which you wish to practice before enrolling in a program. Many schools offer massage therapy courses that are designed to fulfill the requirements for a particular city or state.
As a massage therapy student, you will be trained in the basic functions of the human body. Through the study of anatomy and physiology, you will become familiar with the structure and composition of the muscular system. Another course you may take will focus on kinesiology, the study of physical movement. Pharmacology is also an important subject for massage therapists. Recognizing the effects of prescription medication on bodily function and learning to adjust your massage techniques accordingly will be beneficial should you choose to work with the elderly or the injured. Historical and theoretical examinations of massage will supplement your understanding of the functions of the healing art. A course in professional ethics to establish the legal boundaries of the intimate craft of massage is also usually required for students.
Learning how to perform the many different types of massage currently practiced will be an essential part of your coursework. Along with basic chair massage, modalities taught may include Swedish Massage, Shiatsu, deep tissue massage, acupressure, and sports massage. It may be possible to specialize in one or more of these modalities through your studies, depending on what goals you have set for yourself. Participating in an externship, supervised massage experience in a clinic or office, will give you the chance to perfect your skills while logging more training hours. Your school might also have a student clinic or community center where you can further hone your technique.
Many holistic medicine schools that offer massage therapy programs also offer courses in emerging spa technologies, such as hydrotherapy, reflexology, and aromatherapy. The skills taught in these classes are excellent ways to augment your massage therapy experience and enhance your resume. The hours earned in these courses might also count towards your total training time.
The time it takes to complete your massage therapy training will vary based on your specialization and class schedule. With a full-time course load, it is possible to become a certified massage therapist in 12 months. Many schools also offer night and online courses for students with daytime commitments. Depending on what program you attend, your final credential may be a general diploma or a certificate indicating mastery of a certain modality of massage.
Certification
National certification is not required in all States, but is a prestigious credential for a massage therapists to have and may be necessary to obtain a practicing license in a particular location. There are two avenues to becoming nationally certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworks (NCBTMB), the administrating organization for certification. You may choose to take the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM). Both tests are multiple choice and cover subjects you will encounter during training. To be eligible for national certification, you must complete at least 500 hours of coursework. Certification must be renewed every 4 years through continuing education and 200 hours of therapeutic massage performed each year.
Licensing
Becoming a licensed massage therapist differs from being nationally certified in that it is approved on the State level. You may need to acquire a license from the State before you are allowed to practice massage therapy in the area. Though some States might require national certification for a license, others may only ask that you graduate from a State accredited school or submit a training log for review. To practice certain types of massage, such as reflexology, you might not need a license at all. It’s essential for newly trained massage therapists to research the law before launching a practice; it will save you a headache in the long run.
Fortunately, the somewhat complicated licensing protocol is in the process of becoming more streamlined. A new exam proctored by the Federation of Massage State Boards might soon be considered an acceptable credential across the board. Check with your local State regulatory council to get a break down of the legal requirements for massage therapists in the area you wish to practice. If you plan on launching your own business after becoming professional massage therapist, you may need to obtain a business license from the State as well.
Launching a Career
Starting your career as a massage therapist can be exciting and lucrative. Your earnings may be low at first, but eventually might exceed the yearly pay of the average medical worker. Depending on your specialization and certification, many career paths will be open to you. In the past it was common for massage therapists to work on their own. Now there are a growing number of massage therapist positions in many industries. You might decide to work for a high end spa or a local gym. Other institutions that hire massage therapists include hospitals, nursing centers, shopping malls, and even airports. With proper credentials and skill set, anything is possible.
Many schools offer massage therapy students the opportunity to shape and plan their future careers while they are still in school. Check out the resources available to you, which can include career placement services and experienced counselors with connections in the industry. Some programs require massage therapy students to enroll in career management courses as part of their core class list. These classes will teach you valuable skills such as interview preparation and resume formatting. You may also learn about marketing, advertising, building a client base, and self-management. Any combination of these information classes will prepare you to begin a successful career as a massage therapist immediately after completing training.