A Guide To Massage Therapist Licenses And Certifications
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Becoming a massage therapist involves training, as well as a state license in most cases. Aspiring massage therapists may also choose to earn a certification in addition to their license. In this article, we explore what massage therapist licenses and certifications are and provide a list of several types of massage therapist certifications to consider for your professional development.
Skills And Qualities Of A Massage Therapist
Youll need to be a good listener to make sure youre meeting your clients needs and treating them for what they came to see you about. Its also important for all types of complementary therapists to be able to set boundaries.
This can be key to keeping your appointments running on time, as some clients may want to stay and chat like youre close friends. Striking the perfect balance between warm yet professional is important.
When starting out as a self-employed massage therapist, you have to be organised with your business admin, including:
On The Subject Of Feet Getting Yours Taken Care Of Could Actually Change Everything
The feet are our foundation, but they’re also very malleable able to conform and adapt to the way we stand and the way we move. This can cause problems if we’re always bearing weight on one part of the feet or wearing certain shoes, since your muscles will try to compensate. If these muscles’ functions are thrown off for long enough, they can create a chain reaction in other muscles farther up the body. So if you have back pain, you might wanna get your feet taken care of at the same time, just in case.
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How To Get The Job
Prepare for a Job Search The first step is to find out your states requirements for massage therapists. Commit to your training so that you can pass your MBLEx as soon as possible. Make sure to add your qualifications to your resume.
Network As you begin your practice, it is important to network with other professionals. People will gladly refer you to others as you demonstrate your ability to relieve stress and pain.
Apply for Jobs If you are looking for a job as an employee , check the top job boards. Most of them allow you to search by your profession. You can begin applying once your training is complete.
Health Benefits Of Massage Therapy
People use massage therapy for pain, muscle injuries, and supportive therapy for some health conditions. The overall benefits of massage may include:
- Faster healing from soft tissue injuries
- Reduces pregnancy pain and swelling
- Relieves constipation
Research supports massage therapy for back, neck, and shoulder pain. However, most studies show that it is most useful for acute pain and less effective at treating chronic pain.
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Choose From A Variety Of Work Environments
Afraid of getting stuck in a work environment you dont like? If so, thats one more reason to take a close look at the massage therapy profession. Massage therapists have a wide array of work options. For example, in addition to owning and operating your own practice, you can work in:
- Various kinds of clinics and hospitals, including integrative healthcare clinics
- Senior care facilities
- Fitness centers and sports facilities
- Spas, hotels, or cruise ships
- Office and corporate environments
- Franchise massage establishments
The following graphic illustrates the wide variety of workplaces where you can find massage therapists:
And dont forget this: When it comes to workplace stress, massage therapists generally enjoy lower-stress environments, no matter where they practice.
Whats The Best Way To Set Up A Consultation Or An Appointment With A Massage Therapist During The Covid
Ask your massage therapist if they offer consultations over a video chat or phone call. If they do, ask them any questions you have about the upcoming appointment. For example, ask what precautions theyre taking to keep both parties safe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You might also want to ask if they offer gift cards that can be used at a later time, remote services or even virtual lessons for you or members in your household.
Also, ask how they plan to handle payments, and whether you can pay through an online or digital method instead of with physical cash or credit cards.
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Massage Therapy: What You Should Know
Kathi Valeii is a freelance writer covering the intersections of health, parenting, and social justice.
Cultures around the world have used massage since ancient times. It is one of the oldest techniques humans have used to treat pain. Today, massage therapy treats stress, anxiety, and certain health conditions.
There are many different types of massage therapy, each with its own unique approach and benefits. During massage therapy, a massage therapist will use their hands, fingers, elbows, forearms, or a massage device to manipulate your bodys soft tissues . The process releases tension and may relieve some symptoms and heal muscle injuries.
This article explains massage therapy benefits, types, side effects, and cost.
Jon Feingersh Photography Inc. / Getty Images
Benefits Of Sports Massage Therapy
There are several benefits to sports massage therapy, including:
- Helps program sleep and relaxation
- Increases the athletes range of motion
- Improves soft tissue function
- Helps athlete recover from injuries
- Helps with the routine stress from competing and training
- Improves the athletes overall performance
- Helps athletes monitor their muscle tone
- Improves blood pressure and heart rate
- Helps decrease fatigue and stiffness
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Where Do Massage Therapists Work
Massage therapists work in a variety of health and wellness settings, including spas, fitness centers and hotels or resorts. If they have experience working with clients in injury rehabilitation, they may work with physical or occupational therapists as part of a client’s rehabilitation plan.
In addition to these types of settings, massage therapists may also open their own practices. Therapists who choose to run their own practice may be required to meet certain criteria, depending on where they practice.
Related:
Indeed Salaries, this data being subject to change frequently.
Massage therapy may offer a more substantial income in areas where there is a high demand for natural health and wellness services. While some states have higher salary averages than the national average, some local areas in these states may offer even more.
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Should You Feel Pain Or Any Soreness During A Massage
Some massages such as a deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, Rolfing soft-tissue manipulation, or acupressure can leave you feeling slightly sore afterward. These massages rely on the therapist working deeper into the tissues, which helps release toxins that can lead to minor soreness for one to two days. However, the pain should be minimal and go away within about three days.
If you have prolonged pain for up to a week — especially if the pain increases rather than decreasing over time — then that’s a sign that this therapist may have created a misalignment in your body. You should see a chiropractor to correct any postural damage done. You can file a complaint with them, or you can also report them to the Better Business Bureau for malpractice.
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Take A Sunset Stroll At Tybee Island
For one of the most romantic spots in Savannah, Georgia, you cant go wrong with Tybee Island. With plenty ofactivities to keep you busy both on and off the coast, this barrier island located 18 miles away from downtown is a great place to spend an entire afternoon playing or a quiet evening walking hand-in-hand down the beach as you watch the sunset over the Atlantic.
During daylight hours, check out the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum and Fort Screven gun batteries. Feeling adventurous? Explore the waters together from kayaks, jet skis, or even take a dolphin tour! For your evening stroll, dont miss out on the great views from the pier at South Beach.
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Medical And Therapeutic Use
The main professionals that provide therapeutic massage are massage therapists, athletic trainers, physical therapists and practitioners of many traditional Chinese and other eastern medicines. Massage practitioners work in a variety of medical settings and may travel to private residences or businesses.Contraindications to massage include deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders or taking blood thinners such as warfarin, damaged blood vessels, weakened bones from cancer, osteoporosis, or fractures, and fever.
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Which Massage Styles Are Best
You may have noticed that different massage styles are popular at different times. And you may have wondered whether each was just part of a passing fad or the latest, greatest massage technique? Even more important is how can you tell whether the latest style will actually help you?
Styles used in massage therapy range from long, smooth strokes to short, percussive strokes. Some massage therapists use oils and lotions others do not. Most massage therapists have clients unclothe for a massage, but some do not. A massage can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours.
Before you can decide which massage style is best for you, you need to ask yourself a question. Do you simply want a massage for relaxation and stress control? Or do you need symptom relief or help with a certain health condition? Before booking a massage, let the therapist know what you’re looking for and ask which style the therapist uses. Many use more than one style. Or the therapist may customize your massage, depending on your age, condition, or any special needs or goals you have.
What follows is a list of some of the more popular massage therapy styles. The first four are especially popular.
The Credentials Youll Need To Do The Job
Most massage therapy programs award a diploma, certificate, or similar technical degree upon completion, which typically meets the education requirements for state board licensing when its required, though you can pursue an associates or bachelors degree in massage. Some schools take it one step further and achieve an endorsement from a massage school accrediting body, such as the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation .
No matter which type of program you choose, McNeil says it should have a solid focus on anatomy and physiology, especially if you want to focus on modalities that are more medicinal and therapeutic.
With the right training, massage students can position themselves as medical providers and build a reputation within the medical community.
If you live in the District of Columbia or one of the 46 states that regulate massage therapy professionals, youll have to meet your states requirements for licensing. This typically includes completing a minimum number of education hours and passing a national exam like the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination .
Once licensed, you can earn board certification through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork , a designation that indicates youve achieved a level of professional knowledge and expertise beyond basic competencies. You can also prove that youve mastered an area of specialization by earning a certificate in one of boards eight specialty areas of massage.
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Masseuse Vs Massage Therapist
Maximum people use both the terms masseuse and massage therapists without knowing the meaning of these terms. These words have some specific meaning and definitions which are different from each other. Now you may have the question that what is the exact difference between a masseuse and a massage therapist?
However, to know the differences between these terms, you need to know Masseuse Vs Massage Therapist. The primary difference between masseuse and massage therapists is that the first one is a woman while the second one can be a man or a woman. There are also some other differences which I have mentioned below. To learn more, you can read the following segments of this article.
What Kind Of Massage Training Have You Had
You’ll experience a big difference between a massage from a student at the local community college versus a student who went to one of the nation’s top institutions of healing arts. The longer they went to school and the more varieties of massage they’ve studied, the more you can expect a higher-quality treatment from them.
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Tips For A Successful Massage
Its important to remember that not every massage therapist is the same. Like psychotherapists, sometimes it takes a few attempts to find the massage therapist thats right for you. Not everyone likes the same type of style and pressure, so it makes sense to prefer working with some therapists over others.
Kristie Garduno, owner of Clients Kneaded Mobile Massage, suggests getting a recommendation from a friend or coworker if youre looking for a new therapist as well as reading plenty of online reviews. But above all, she suggests finding a therapist that hears you.
As long as the therapist pays attention, he/she can adjust every other variable, she explains. And of course, also find a therapist that you feel comfortable with. Massage is all about relaxing, so if you cannot get comfortable enough to relax, the time is wasted.
Once you find a massage therapist you like, stick with them, Lisson says.
My best advice for making massage a part of your wellness routine is to develop a relationship with a licensed/certified therapist that you can trust, she adds. Always seeing a different therapist increases your chances of getting a massage from a therapist with bad intentions.
Is Being A Massage Therapist A Good Career Choice
Being a massage therapist has a number of career advantages. Theres a growing demand for massage therapists. Also, compared to other professions, you have a lot more freedom to create your own career path. Plus, you can enjoy a low-stress work environment where youll have the rewarding experience of helping improve the health and well-being of others.
Lets take a closer look at the advantages of being a massage therapist.
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How Much Do You Tip A Massage Therapist
In the United States and parts of Canada, most people leave a tip of up to 20 percent. However, you wouldn’t tip if your massage is at an all-inclusive spa where they automatically include a tip for their services on the total bill.
If you’re in doubt about the tipping practices at your location, then you can always call ahead and ask the receptionist if they include a tip automatically in the bill, or if it’s not expected.
What Conditions Does Massage Treat
Massage can be used aloneor in combination with traditional medical treatments. The following are someof the conditions that benefit from massage:
- Neck, shoulder, back, knee, and elbow pain
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
The list goes on and on, and research shows that massage therapy is an effective treatment for reducing chronic and acute pain. It helps speed up recovery from injuries, thus reducing the need for surgeries and medications in the long-term. These reasons are why massage therapy is becoming more common. Therapeutic massage also alters your biochemistry, which is how it improves the immune system and boosts the hormones responsible for putting you in a good mood.
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Whats The Massage Therapy School Like
The best way to find out what a massage therapy program is like is by visiting the school. If its not possible to attend in person, check out the programs virtual events.
You may also want to speak with current students to see how accessible and responsive faculty are to answer questions and provide extra support to help you succeed.
Savannah Ga Massage Therapist Specializing In Multiple Modalities
Massage therapy has different modalities. You can opt for one that works for you. They include:
- Deep tissuemassage
- Massage parties
- On-site chairmassages
Individuals can schedulea session. If you are a business owner or manager and you want to treat youremployees, an on-site chair massage event is always great for boosting morale.
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Top Skills For A Massage Therapist
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we’ve found all of the skills you’ll need so even if you don’t have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 19.6% of massage therapists listed individual needs on their resume, but soft skills such as communication skills and empathy are important as well.
- Individual Needs, 19.6%
How Can I Find Out If A Massage Therapist Is Considered An Essential Covid
The definition of an essential COVID-19 service provider varies from state to state and city to city. To see which businesses are considered essential in your area, visit the official government website of your state or city.
You can also read CISAs publication on identifying critical workers to find out more information on a national level. However, not all jurisdictions follow CISAs definitions of critical infrastructure.
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