How to Train for a Career in Massage Therapy
Being a massage therapist can be a lucrative career---more health care professionals are referring their patients to massage therapists for therapeutic massage. Whether a person is recovering from illness or injury, or looking to reduce stress, massage therapy offers individuals a number of healthful benefits. More athletes are now turning to massage therapy as well. The American Massage Therapy Association estimates that the industry brought in between $16 billion and $20 billion dollars in 2009. However, massage therapists must meet several requirements before being qualified to practice.
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Instructions
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Research the education required to become a massage therapist. Although standards vary by state and sometimes by cities, in most cases trainees must demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. You must also understand the basic structure of the human body and how it works. Training programs generally cover the areas of business, ethics, proper body mechanics, and the study of the body's organ systems, in addition to actually practicing massage techniques.
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Decide whether you want to specialize in a certain area of massage. Varieties include Reiki, Swedish massage, therapeutic/sports massage and reflexology. Find a school that focuses on what you want to concentrate on. Comprehensive massage therapy training programs include both academic classwork and opportunities to receive supervised, hands-on experience. In addition to core courses related directly to massage, students may be required to complete courses in psychology, business, nutrition and ethics, depending on the specific program you choose.
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Enroll in an accredited massage therapy program. According to 2009 statistics from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, there are approximately 1,500 massage training programs and schools located throughout the U.S. Attending an accredited school is important if you plan to take the National Certification Exam once you complete the program. Programs in massage therapy can take anywhere from one to two years to complete. Minimum educational requirements often are set by the state in which you live.
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Get certified in CPR. Many programs stipulate that students must be certified in CPR during the time of enrollment.
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Consider becoming certified. National certification is not required by all states, but it can help you. Although not all massage therapists who complete a program choose to become certified, it is one way to show clientele that you practice high standards of ethics and professionalism. Some states even require that you take and pass the exam before you can practice as a massage therapist. Completion of an accredited massage therapy program makes you eligible to take the National Certification Exam in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Passing the exam will qualify you to become licensed in states, which regulate massage therapy.
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Check with the state in which you want to practice---some states have additional requirements for licensure. Check with your state's licensing board for more information. Inquire about the licensing requirements in both your local area and state. Even though some states do not have any licensing requirements, your municipality or county might.
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Join a professional organization, such as the American Massage Therapy Association. Many industry-specific professional organizations now allow students in the field to become members. The benefits of joining a professional organization include the opportunity to network on a regular basis, which allows you to make new contacts in the field. You also gain access to exclusive members-only resources and develop new skills by attending professional workshops, conferences and seminars.
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Tips & Warnings
Most states require that licensed massage therapists have a minimum of 500 hours of massage training.
Once you become certified, you will need to renew your certification every four years by earning continuing education credits. Conditions for recertification as established by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork require that a certified massage therapist must perform a minimum of 200 hours of massage therapy throughout those four years.
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- Photo Credit massage therapist at work image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
