What is a Massage Therapist?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healing that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manipulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and alleviate pain and tension in their patients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that most of us think of when discussing massage therapy, and most Aurora IL massage therapy schools teach it as their primary form of massage. But keep in mind, there are many other forms of massage that schools may or may not include within 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
Practitioners that work in therapeutic massage are properly referred to as massage therapists. On occasion you might hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these titles often carry a derogatory connotation among the general public and Aurora IL professionals alike and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
Most Aurora IL massage therapy programs require that the enrollee has earned 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. How long the programs are will also vary by State dependent on the training hours required for licensing. Another factor that may also influence the program length is whether classes are scheduled during the day or at night. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have earned your Certificate or Degree, the training does not end 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 ethics or HIPAA compliance.
Massage Therapy Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Aurora IL 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 find out from 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 30 days but must pay an additional testing fee. After obtaining your license, you will need 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 should move to another State, you will need to get licensed in that new State as well. Each State has different regulations for massage therapists, so it is not safe to assume that you will automatically qualify for licensing. Check with your new State before moving to confirm that you meet the requirements to legally practice there.