What is Massage Therapy?
As mentioned in the introduction, therapeutic massage is an alternative form of healthcare that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and relieve tension and pain in their patients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the kind of massage that most of us think of when researching therapeutic massage, and the majority of Los Altos CA massage therapy schools teach it as their primary type of massage. But keep in mind, there are numerous other types of massage that schools have the option to include as part of their course of instruction. 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 massage therapy should be referred to as massage therapists. On occasion you might hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these names often have a derogatory connotation among Los Altos CA professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
Almost all Los Altos CA 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 Diploma or a Certificate to as long as 2 years for an Associate’s Degree. How long the programs are will also vary by State dependent on the number of hours required for licensing. Another factor that can also influence the length of the program is whether classes are offered during the daytime or at night. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have received your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the education doesn’t stop there. The type and amount of continuing education you will need to complete will depend on the State where you are licensed. Some states require both a certain number of hours of continuing education as well as specific education in subjects, such as ethics or HIPAA compliance.
Massage Therapist Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Los Altos CA 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 conducted and controlled 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 program. If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can re-take it after thirty days but will be charged another testing fee. After obtaining your license, you will be required to renew it in most states, which means complying with renewal requirements and paying a renewal fee. As earlier stated, completion of a specific number of continuing education hours are usually required as a prerequisite for renewal. And if you decide to move to a different State, licensing will be required for that new State also. Each State regulates massage therapy differently, 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.