What is a Massage Therapist?
As previously discussed, massage therapy is a holistic form of medicine that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates muscles, tissue and skin to reduce stress and alleviate pain and tension in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most people think of when researching therapeutic massage, and almost all Bessemer AL massage therapy schools offer it as their principal form of massage. But keep in mind, there are many other types of massage that programs may or may not include within their syllabus. Below are some of the more popular 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. On occasion one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these titles generally have a negative connotation among Bessemer AL professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
The majority of Bessemer AL schools offering massage therapy require enrolling students have a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can vary in length from a few months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as 2 years to earn 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 can also have an effect on the length of the program is whether classes are scheduled during the day or in the evening. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general studies requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the training does not end there. The amount and type of continuing education you will need to complete will vary based on the State where you are licensed. Some states have requirements for both number of hours and subjects covered, such as ethics or HIPAA compliance.
Massage Therapist Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Bessemer AL massage therapy program, you will then need to become licensed in the State where you will be practicing. The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), is a test controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by most States as part of the licensing process. There are States that have additional tests or their own, so check with your State before enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you fail the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can re-take it after 30 days but must pay an additional testing fee. After obtaining your license, you will need to renew it in most states, which means complying with renewal requirements and paying a renewal fee. As earlier mentioned, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed. And if you should move to another State, licensing will be required for that new State as well. Every State has different regulations for massage therapists, so it is not safe to assume that you will automatically qualify for licensing. Confirm with your new State prior to moving that you have satisfied the requirements to legally practice there.