What is Massage Therapy?
As previously discussed, massage therapy is an alternative form of healing that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and relieve tension and pain in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most of us think of when discussing massage therapy, and the majority of Torrington CT massage therapy schools teach it as their principal form of massage. However, there are numerous other forms of massage that schools may or may not 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. 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 practitioner. However, these terms typically carry a derogatory connotation among the general public and Torrington CT professionals alike and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
Almost all Torrington CT schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can vary in length from several months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as 2 years to earn 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 have an effect on the length of the program is whether classes are scheduled during the day or in the evening. 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 Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the training doesn’t stop there. The amount and type of continuing education you are required 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
Once you have graduated from an accredited Torrington CT 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 the majority of States as part of the licensing process. Some States have their own or additional exams, so check with your State before enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you do not pass the MBLEx in your initial attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but must pay an additional testing fee. After obtaining your license, you will need to maintain it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. As previously stated, 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, you will need to get licensed in that new State also. Every 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 practice legally there.