How to Become a Professional Thai Massage Practitioner
Thai massage is a type of massage that, according to Natural Healers, combines meditation, stretching, accupressure, reflexology and energy work. Because of its strong ties to passive yoga techniques, people sometimes refer to this type of massage as Thai yoga massage or Thai bodywork. Although the path to a career as a professional thai massage practitioner is relatively simple, it still requires formal education and, like other health-care or medical careers, relies on licensure and certification for employment.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Get your high school diploma or GED if you do not already have it. You will need this credential in order to enroll in further education for Thai massage.
-
2
Enroll in a Thai massage program accredited by the International Thai Therapists Association (ITTA) National Board of Thai Massage, Yoga and Body Work (NTMYBCB). A list of the accredited programs appears on the NTMYBCB website.
-
-
3
Complete a minimum of 501 hours of Thai massage classes to graduate with your degree in Thai massage. Your coursework should include topics such as Thai massage theory, history, philosophy, herbology, techniques and clinical applications, according to NBTMYBE.
-
4
Register with NTMYBCB to take the Personal Competency Review Exam, or take an equivalent exam through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or International Message Association. Although certification exams are voluntary, it is considered standard practice to become certified, as certification demonstrates that you are at a level of Thai knowledge sufficient to practice on your own.
-
5
Apply for licensure in Thai massage with your state's licensing board. Laws and procedures on how to do this will vary by state, but generally you will need to apply with the board, wait for approval to take the licensing test, take and pass a review or test, and pay any associated fees.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Thai massage, like other forms of massage, can be physically demanding work. You will need to be able to manipulate others physically and will need to spend a lot of hours working with your hands. Exercise regularly and eat right to ease the strain on your body from these tasks. Never work through pain.
Through your training, get Thai massages yourself so you can learn by experience, not books, what your clients may experience through a Thai massage session. Do not always go to the same therapist. This will let you experience different approaches to Thai massage work.
References
- Photo Credit Massage to the palm of the hand as part of a Thai body massage. image by Deborah Benbrook from Fotolia.com
