What is a Massage Therapist?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healthcare that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and eliminate pain and tension in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most people think of when researching massage therapy, and most Bonita Springs FL massage therapy schools offer it as their primary type of massage. However, there are many other types of massage that programs have the option to include as part of their course of instruction. 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
Practitioners that work in therapeutic massage are properly referred to as massage therapists. From time to time you might hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which is generally the name of a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these titles typically carry a negative connotation among Bonita Springs FL professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Training Requirements
Most Bonita Springs FL massage therapy programs require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can vary in length from a few months for a Diploma or a Certificate to as long as two years to earn an Associate’s Degree. How long the programs are will also vary by State based on the number of hours required for licensing. Another factor that can also have an effect on the program length is whether classes are offered during the daytime or at night. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and are often transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once 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 have requirements for both number of hours and subjects covered, such as ethics or HIPAA compliance.
Massage Therapist Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Bonita Springs FL 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 conducted and controlled by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by the majority of States as a portion of the licensing process. There are States that have their own or additional exams, so check with your State before enrolling in a massage therapy program. If you do not pass the MBLEx in your initial attempt, you can take it again after thirty days but will be charged another exam fee. Once licensed, you will be required to renew it in most states, which means complying with renewal requirements and paying a renewal fee. As earlier stated, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed. And if you decide to move to a different State, licensing will be required for that new State also. Each State has different regulations for massage therapists, so it is not safe to assume that you will automatically qualify for licensing. Confirm with your new State prior to moving that you have satisfied the requirements to legally practice there.