What is Massage Therapy?
As previously discussed, therapeutic massage is an alternative form of medicine that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and relieve tension and pain in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most people think of when discussing therapeutic massage, and almost all Valencia CA massage therapy schools teach 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 course of instruction. Below 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. From time to time you might hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which is generally the name of a female or a male massage professional. However, these names typically have a derogatory connotation among Valencia CA professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Training Requirements
Almost all Valencia 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 Diploma or a Certificate to as long as 2 years to earn an Associate’s Degree. How long the programs are will also vary by State dependent on the training hours required for licensing. An additional factor that can also influence the program length is whether classes are scheduled during the day or at night. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have received your Certificate or Degree, the training 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 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 Valencia CA 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 a test conducted and controlled 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 additional tests or their own, so check with your State prior to enrolling in a massage therapy program. If you fail the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can re-take it after thirty days but must pay an additional exam fee. Once licensed, you will be required to maintain it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. As previously mentioned, completion of a specific number of continuing education hours are usually required as a prerequisite for renewal. And if you should move to another 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. Confirm with your new State prior to moving that you meet the requirements to practice legally there.