What is Therapeutic Massage?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healing that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to diminish stress and relieve pain and tension in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the type of massage that most people relate to when researching massage therapy, and almost all Wheat Ridge CO massage therapy schools teach it as their principal form of massage. However, there are many other types of massage that programs may or may not include as part of 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
Professionals that work in massage therapy are properly referred to as massage therapists. On occasion one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which is generally the name of a male or female massage professional. Unfortunately, these names often carry a negative connotation among Wheat Ridge CO professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapy Training Requirements
The majority of Wheat Ridge CO schools offering massage therapy require enrolling students have a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can range in length from several months for a Diploma or a Certificate to as long as two years for an Associate’s Degree. The lengths of the programs will also be State specific dependent on the training hours required for licensing. An additional factor that can also have an effect on the length of the program is whether classes are offered during the day or in the evening. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has general education requirements and are often transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have received your Certificate or Degree, the education does not end there. The amount and type 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 ethics or HIPAA compliance.
Massage Therapy Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Wheat Ridge CO 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 mandated by most States as a portion of the licensing process. There are States that have additional tests or their own, so find out from your State prior to enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but must pay an additional testing 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, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed. And if you decide to move to a different State, you will need to get licensed in that new State also. Each 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 legally practice there.