What is a Massage Therapist?
As previously discussed, 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 tension and pain in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the kind of massage that most people relate to when researching therapeutic massage, and almost all Woodridge IL 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 within 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 therapeutic massage should be referred to as massage therapists. From time to time one may hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which refers to a male or female massage professional. However, these names generally carry a negative connotation among Woodridge IL professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
Almost all Woodridge 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 a few 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 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. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general studies requirements and are often transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have received your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the training doesn’t stop there. The type and amount of continuing education you are required 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 HIPPA compliance or ethics.
Massage Therapy Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Woodridge IL massage therapy school, you will then need to become licensed in the State where you will be practicing. The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), is an exam controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by most States as part of the licensing process. There are States that have additional tests or their own, so find out from your State before enrolling in a massage therapy program. If you fail the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can re-take it after 30 days but will be charged another 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 previously mentioned, 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 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 legally practice there.