What is Massage Therapy?
As mentioned in the introduction, therapeutic massage is an alternative form of medicine that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates muscles, tissue and skin to reduce stress and alleviate tension and pain in their patients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the kind of massage that many people relate to when discussing therapeutic massage, and the majority of Newark CA massage therapy schools offer it as their primary form of massage. But keep in mind, there are numerous other forms of massage that schools have the option to include as part of their syllabus. 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 refers to a female or a male massage professional. However, these names typically have a derogatory connotation among Newark CA professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
The majority of Newark CA schools offering massage therapy require enrolling students have a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can range 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 be State specific dependent on the training hours required for licensing. An additional factor that can also influence the program length is whether classes are offered during the daytime or at night. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has general education requirements and are often transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Certificate or Degree, the education doesn’t stop there. The type and amount 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 HIPPA compliance or ethics.
Massage Therapist Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Newark 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 an exam controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is mandated by the majority of States as part of the licensing process. There are States that have their own or additional exams, so find out from your State before enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can take it again after thirty days but must pay an additional exam fee. Once licensed, you will be required to maintain it in most states, which means complying with renewal requirements and paying a renewal fee. As previously mentioned, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed. And if you should move to another State, you will need to get licensed in that new State as well. Every State regulates massage therapy differently, so it is not safe to assume that you will automatically qualify for licensing. Confirm with your new State prior to moving that you meet the requirements to practice legally there.