What is Massage Therapy?
As previously discussed, therapeutic massage is a holistic form of medicine that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manipulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and alleviate tension and pain in their patients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the type of massage that most of us relate to when discussing therapeutic massage, and almost all Albertville AL massage therapy schools teach it as their primary form of massage. However, there are numerous other types of massage that programs have the option to include within their syllabus. Following are just a few examples.
- Neuromuscular Therapy Massage
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Sports Massage
- Shiatsu Massage
- Thai Massage
- Hot Stone Massage
- Pregnancy Massage
Practitioners that work in therapeutic massage are properly referred to as massage therapists. From time to time one may hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these names typically carry a negative connotation among Albertville AL professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapy Training Requirements
Almost all Albertville AL schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can range in length from several months for a Diploma or a Certificate to as long as two years for an Associate’s Degree. The lengths of the programs will also vary by State based on the number of hours required for licensing. Another factor that may also have an effect on the length of the program is whether classes are scheduled during the day or in the evening. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have received your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the training doesn’t stop there. The amount and type of continuing education you are required to complete will depend on the State where you are licensed. Some states have requirements for both number of hours and subjects covered, such as HIPPA compliance or ethics.
Massage Therapist Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Albertville AL massage therapy school, the next step is to obtain your license in the State where you will be practicing. The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), is an exam controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by the majority of States as part of the licensing process. There are States that have their own or additional exams, so check with your State prior to enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can re-take it after thirty days but must pay an additional testing fee. After obtaining your license, you will be required to renew it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. As previously stated, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed. And if you decide to move to a different State, licensing will be required for that new State as well. Every State has different regulations for massage therapists, so do not assume that you will automatically be qualified for licensing. Check with your new State before moving to confirm that you have satisfied the requirements to legally practice there.