What is Massage Therapy?
As mentioned in the introduction, therapeutic massage is an alternative form of healing that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and eliminate pain and tension in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that most people think of when discussing massage therapy, and almost all Monterey CA massage therapy schools teach it as their principal type of massage. But keep in mind, there are many other types of massage that schools may or may not include within their course of instruction. Following 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 should be referred to as massage therapists. From time to time one may hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which is generally the name of a female or a male massage practitioner. Unfortunately, these terms often have a derogatory connotation among Monterey CA professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
The majority of Monterey CA massage therapy programs require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can vary in length from several months for a Certificate or a Diploma 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 may also have an effect on the program length is whether classes are offered during the daytime or in the evening. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has general studies requirements and are often transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Certificate or Degree, the education does not end there. The type and amount of continuing education you will need 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 Therapy Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Monterey CA massage therapy program, the next step is to obtain your license 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 prior to enrolling in a massage therapy program. If you fail the MBLEx in your initial attempt, you can re-take it after 30 days but will be charged another testing fee. After obtaining your license, you will need to renew it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. 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, you will need to get licensed in 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 practice legally there.