With the increasing focus on health, spas and wellness
centers have sprung up over the past few years, offering services ranging from
massages to facials and other treatments. Consequently, there is a growing need
for skilled massage therapists and the career prospects are rosy for graduates
of massage therapy schools.
Job
Description and Responsibilities of Graduates of Massage Therapy Schools
A qualified massage therapist applies therapeutic techniques
such as pressure and motion to a person's body. Massage can be used for many
reasons, including stress relief, injury healing, and pain management or just to
improve one's general well-being.
There are over eighty modalities of massage which entail the
use of different massage techniques and pressure. Some types of massage include:
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Swedish massage
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Aromatherapy massage
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Reflexology
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Acupressure
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Shiatsu
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Reiki
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Sports massage
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Deep Tissue Massage
Besides giving massages, other daily activities performed by
graduates of massage therapy schools include:
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Scheduling appointments
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Communicating with clients to ascertain their medical
history, specific needs and requests
-
Tailoring massages in response to the clients' information
Due to the strenuous nature of the job, massage school
graduates need to be physically fit. Working full time as a massage therapist
generally implies 17 or more hours of massage in a week. Massage therapists must
also be willing to work flexible hours and travel (if necessary) to accommodate
the busy schedules of clients.
It is crucial that graduates of massage therapy schools are
effective communicators. They must be able to interact with their clients by
explaining the massage and determining requests such as the amount of pressure
and preferred techniques to use, as well as specific areas to focus on and
avoid. Since a large number of massage therapists work independently, networking
is crucial in building a solid client base.
Career
Options After Massage
School
Approximately two-thirds of massage
therapists are self-employed, working as independent contractors or business
owners. The remaining one-third of massage school graduates find jobs in the
hospitality or medical sectors, such as at:
Through learning and mastering new
therapeutic techniques, you can easily expand your massage therapy practice.
Massage Therapy Schools Training & Certification
Enrolling in a massage school is the first step
towards becoming a qualified massage therapist. Scattered across the nation,
there are an estimated 1300 such massage therapy schools offering full- and
part-time postsecondary, college, and training programs. Some of the classes
offered by massage therapy schools include the study of the human body, motion
and kinesiology. In addition, students at massage therapy schools will receive
hands-on training in massage techniques.
Training standards and certification vary
according to state. Most states stipulate that graduates of massage therapy
schools may only practice if they have completed a formal education from an
accredited massage school and passed the examination conducted by the National
Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Before
sitting for the examination, candidates should ensure that they have graduated
from state-licensed massage therapy schools with a minimum of 500 hours of
training. The examination assesses the knowledge accrued by the candidates in
massage school training programs. Passing this examination forms part of the
state requirements for granting a license.
Some states require that massage therapists keep
abreast of their knowledge through continuing education and regular practice of
their work. By doing so, graduates of massage therapy schools can ensure renewal
of their credentials every four years. Be sure to check if your local
municipality has requirements beyond that mandated by national and state
authorities.
Massage
Therapy
Schools
Accreditation
Prior to enrolling in a massage school, you should ensure
that it is properly accredited institution offering a high standard of
education. Accreditation of a massage school is undertaken by several
independent bodies. These include:
-
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
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Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
-
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of
Technology (ACCSCT)
Massage
School
Graduates Earning Potential and Employment
Prospects
The median hourly earnings of massage therapists
were $15.36 in 2004, including gratuities. Gratuities are a significant factor
in the salary of massage therapy school graduates, as they comprise an estimated
15-20% of total earnings.
The employment prospects for graduates of massage
therapy schools are indeed optimistic. As people continue to take a deeper
interest in their health and wellness, massage is becoming an increasingly
popular relaxation medium. Massage therapy is also gaining acceptance in the
medical field as an alternative treatment to supplement traditional methods of
pain and stress relief.
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