What Are The Prerequisites Needed To Become A Massage Therapist
Most states require a high school diploma or GED to accept enrollment on to a licensed massage therapists training course. The course normally lasts for one year you will be required to attend all the theoretic classes. These classes will include learning human anatomy, understanding medical nomenclature .
Most courses offer hands-on training that will pay you dividends when you are licensed and on your own. Many licensed therapist move on from working in clinics and become self-employed entrepreneurs. And likewise, should take courses to understand the requirements and procedures of running a massage business.
Less Toxic Work Environment
Today, many people deal with problems due to chemical sensitivities to cleaners and perfumes. In a massage therapy setting, you may have less exposure to toxic chemicals. You can choose your cleaning products, and you wont have to deal with many employees and the multiple smells they bring into the office.
Professional Massage Therapy Associations & Groups
Building a massage business depends on professionals making connections. One way massage therapists can make connections with their peers, as well as possible clients, is by joining professional associations. Below are some of the groups that can help massage therapists succeed throughout their career.
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Why Choose Massage Therapy As A Career
Read about a students decision to study massage therapy and her experience at ACMT Annas Story
Help People Feel Better More people have recognized the value of massage therapy as an option for health care. It provides relaxation, manages pain, and treats a wide spectrum of conditions. Being able to provide relief to clients is extremely rewarding.
Flexible Work Hours Massage therapy is a family and lifestyle friendly career due to the flexible work schedule. Whether working for a clinic or starting a new business, massage therapists can find balance between life and work. Work where you want, when you want, as much or as little as you want!
ACMT Career Success Rate ACMT alumni have a 98% rate of employment up to and beyond 3 years post graduation. The massage therapy field is growing and employment is stable.
Opportunities for Growth Becoming a Registered Massage Therapist is just the beginning. Many graduates go on to study and practice in modalities such as Manual Osteopathic Therapy, Acupuncture, and Nutrition, just to name a few. There are numerous learning opportunities for Registered Massage Therapists and new modalities are always available .
Youll be financially stable. Massage Therapists earn an average of $80,000 per year. Make massage therapy a full-time career or use it to earn extra money on the side.
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Get Prepared For State Certification
However, not all states require this level of training before applying for licensureâit’s up to each state’s requirements whether or not LMTs need additional training beyond what was taught during their initial school training sessions.
Many people considering becoming LMTs grapple with whether or not these extra hoops are worth jumping through since there is no guarantee that they’ll be able to find employment after completing them anywayâbut we advise everyone who wants such credentials should pursue them because professional recognition will make landing jobs easier than without it!
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Skills That Can Transfer To Other Fields
While you would not pursue a massage degree without the goal of becoming a massage therapist, life has a way of changing. Sometimes, you will want to change your career path, and learning massage therapy will give you skills that can transfer to other areas of life. Your knowledge of the human body, kinesiology, physiology, and anatomy can open the door to other career paths if you decide to pursue new interests.
Booming Industry And Opportunities
Fraser Institute initiated three series of surveys on the public attitudes and use of alternative healthcare practices and products. Between the second and third surveys, the amount Canadians spent increased by $800 million and massage therapy was the most common type of therapy they used over their lifetime. There can be no doubt that people are recognizing the value of, and taking an active role in, preventing future health issues and illness, and massage therapy is one of the fastest growing professions.
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Massage Therapists Are In High Demand
Additionally, massage therapists are in high demand! The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that massage therapists should expect to see a 34% job growth rate through 2030. That means that more and more jobs will open up!
Of course, at some point, a licensed massage therapist can also open their own massage therapy establishment by applying for licensing through the Florida Board of Massage Therapy. There are many ways to grow your career in this field!
How Long Is Massage Therapy School
Massage therapist school typically requires at least 500 hours of education for graduation. Some schools will have longer programs so that you can meet minimum state licensing requirements. You may be able to complete massage therapy school in as few as nine months. If you attend a part-time program or program where you design your own schedule, the program could take longer.
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Massage Therapy Is Good For The Therapist
Transitioning from an immobile desk job to being a massage therapist offers many practitioners a chance to be more physically active. They stand up during therapy and also engage their entire bodies in the process. This type of work helps practitioners tone their own muscles and stay strong.
What’s more, providing massage therapy can offer the practitioner a chance to have a less stressful occupation in a relaxed setting. Often, the setting will include meditative elements, such as aromatherapy, candles, mood lighting and relaxing music.
Why Become A Sports Massage Therapist
Before we explore all the benefits of training as an SMT specialist, its important to look at why wed choose to pursue a career in this industry.
Firstly, becoming a sports massage therapist is a great way to expand your skills, and your knowledge of health and fitness.
As youll be spending most of your time delivering sports massages, this is a hands-on role thats as challenging as it is rewarding. While the roles of a sports massage therapist are hugely varied, the core ideas revolve around:
- Testing joints for pain and motion range
- Providing pre-event and post-event massages
- Advising on diet, lifestyle, and nutrition
- Conducting client fitness assessments
- Liaising with healthcare professionals, trainers, and coaches
Naturally, one of the biggest advantages of being a sports massage therapist is how rewarding it can be to help your clients, and the job satisfaction this can bring.
Furthermore, its a perfect addition to any existing fitness qualifications you have. If youve already completed a Level 2 Fitness Instructor Course or Level 3 Personal Trainer Course, its clear you have a passion for helping people better themselves.
Youll be caring for the physical and mental states of clients, providing relief on their journey to recovery, as well as helping others prevent injuries before they occur.
If all of this is of interest to you, continue reading to find out more about the advantages of being a sports massage therapist!
Start a Career in Sports Massage Therapy
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Five Reasons To Become A Massage Therapist In 2014
the1. Class Time: start your career as a massage therapist2. Career Ready:
- Medical Massage Therapist
- Hot Stone Massage Therapist
- Hydrotherapy Massage Therapist
3. Flexible Hours: 4. Diverse Working Environments: 5. Relaxation: *Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Massage Therapists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm .
A Purpose Driven Life
Theres a Chinese saying: If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.
Do you find yourself wishing for a purpose driven life? Do you want a career that fits your lifestyle? What gives you meaning in life?
Western culture values speed, technology, and consumer cravings. Still, many of us yearn for deeper meaning. We want to feel like our lives mean something. We want to know we make a positive difference.
Several studies have shown ways helping others can boost our sense of happiness. Having a sense of meaning in life appears to nurture us. Studies link having a sense of meaning to good health, healthy behaviors, longer lives, and improved quality of life. Other studies show having a sense of life purpose tied with lower rates of mental illness, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder .
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Is Massage Therapy A Good Career
A career as a massage therapist is rewarding in many ways. Not only will your skills be in high demand, but you will also have a hand in helping people recover from injuries, release stress, and feel better overall. The field also offers solid income potential. As you think about pursuing a massage degree, here are 20 reasons why it is a good choice:
Youll Have A Great Working Environment
Most people associate their working environment with pressure and stress. As a massage therapist, one of your primary concerns is making your working environment into an atmosphere where people can relax and release tension.
Qualified massage therapists spend every day working in an environment specifically designed to reduce stress, so if you are sick of the pressure of your current career, or if you just want to work in a more laid-back atmosphere, then now is the time to enroll in our massage therapy school.
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Can I Study Massage Therapy Online
There are massage therapist school online options, but they dont include the hands-on training youd get from an in-person school. Since massage therapy is a hands-on practice, many massage therapy students prefer being able to get real-time feedback on massage therapy techniques from an experienced instructor.
Also, consider that depending on your states licensing requirements, you may be required to attend an accredited massage therapy school. Not all online massage therapy schools are accredited. That means you could waste time and money attending one if your goal is to become a licensed massage therapist.
You Made Someones Day
As a general rule, Massage Therapists try to keep in mind that we never know whats going on in a clients life. Some people who come may have had a death in their family, just got divorced, had their boss yell at them or maybe they are the boss and had to fire someone. Other people may be in chronic daily pain and had a meltdown right before they came in because it hurts so much.
Whatever is going on in their lives, we do not always know and this could be a highlight for their day or week. Whether you Massage 1 person a day or 6 people, as long as you do your job, you know those people are going home that day feeling less stressed, in less pain and a bit happier.
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The Massage Therapy Profession Has A Bright Future
Is it easy to get a job as a massage therapist? Learning any discipline and becoming a professional at it takes dedication and hard work. But if youre wondering about the job prospects for massage therapists, you should know the future is promising to say the least.
For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 21% job growth rate between 2019 to 2029 for massage therapists. To put that in perspective, thats more than five times the average growth rate for all occupations.
The demand will only increase as the general population continues to ageand as more people discover the benefits of noninvasive healthcare approaches such as massage therapy.
There is also a growing body of research demonstrating how massage therapy can, for example, reduce stress, manage pain, and improve sleep quality. In addition, statistics show that more and more healthcare professionals such as chiropractors, medical doctors, and physical therapists are recommending massage therapy to their patients.
What Qualifications Do You Need To Be A Massage Therapist
Generally speaking, the basic steps to becoming a massage therapist involve:
- Completing coursework and hands-on massage training through a massage certification program.
- Passing a licensing examination.
- Applying for a license in the state or jurisdiction where you intend to practice.
Once youve gained these credentials, continuing education courses may be required to maintain your licensure.
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Working With Your Hands
If you love working with your hands, this is definitely the career for you! You learn how to manipulate and lengthen soft tissue to help provide relief from pain. We get to work with our hands, and while leveraging our body weight, apply pressure to perform the techniques we need to use. At the end of the day, your body feels tired the way it should and as a result, I find it helps me sleep better at night bonus!
How Long Does It Take To Become A Massage Therapist
The length of time it takes to become a massage therapist will depend on the type of massage therapy program you attend and the credential you want to achieve. For example, a certificate program can take anywhere from six to 12 months, while an associate degree can take around two years.
What do you see yourself doing as a practicing massage therapist? There are several different types of massage therapy credentials, which is why its important to consider your long-term career goals before choosing a specific massage therapy program.
If, for instance, you think you may be interested in helping people with specific health conditions, such as migraines, carpal tunnel, and piriformis syndrome, then youll benefit from acquiring the appropriate credentials upfront, rather than attendingand paying forcontinuing education courses later.
At NWHSU, for example, your options include the following:
Part-time schedule options are also available.
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Talk To Therapists Who Are Already In The Business
Talk to the therapists in your area. If you’re interested in becoming a massage therapist, talk to some of them and ask about the certification process. Also ask about their experience with their school or training facilityâespecially if there’s one nearby. Theyâll be the first to tell you about the rise of opportunity theyâve witnessed.
What Do I Need To Become A Sports Massage Therapist
The first thing you need to do before experiencing all the advantages of being a sports massage therapist is to get qualified! To do this, you will need to complete a Level 3 qualification in Sports Massage Therapy.
As this is an entry-level course, you dont need any previous education, experience, or qualifications to enrol. However, if youre already qualified as a Level 3 Personal Trainer, or have completed a Level 2 Gym Instructor Course, youll have an advantage.
This doesnt mean youll necessarily be a better sports massage therapist as someone who isnt already qualified, but you will already be familiar with some of the content that will be covered on the course.
Having studied these fitness courses means youll already have a grasp of subjects like anatomy and physiology, which are also components of the sports massage therapy course.
A great addition to the sports massage therapy course is a taping and strapping course. It provides more information on how best to provide for clients as well as more tailored details on posture and improving athletic performance.
However, this course requires students to be qualified as a Level 2 Gym Instructor, which is why it may be beneficial to complete personal training courses first.
When choosing a course provider to complete your studies with, you should ensure your sports massage therapy course is regulated by an awarding body approved by Ofqual, such as Active IQ and Focus Awards.
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Work In A Field With A Long History
Bodywork is one of the oldest forms of healing and wellness. The techniques used in modern practice are rooted in deep history, and they work very well to treat a range of conditions. Because of the long history, many modern-day physicians are embracing massage and even recommending it for their own patients.
Determine Your Work Environment
A massage therapist can choose from a variety of work environments. Many massage therapists work at clinics or spas alongside other massage therapists or professionals in related fields, such as estheticians and spa attendants. A massage therapist who works independently may run their own studio or travel to their clients’ homes. Other possible work environments for massage therapists include:
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Fitness centers
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You Have A Flexible Career
One of the best things about qualifying as a massage therapist is how reliable your daily working routine can be. If you are sick of the 9-5, then massage therapy may well be the right career choice for you.
Massage therapists have a wide range of options when it comes to places where they can find employment. Many massage therapists work freelance or for themselves, setting their own working hours and fitting their career around their personal lives in a way that just isnt possible with other careers.