What is a Massage Therapist?
As previously discussed, therapeutic massage is a holistic form of healthcare that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and alleviate tension and pain in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that most of us relate to when discussing massage therapy, and almost all Center IN massage therapy schools teach 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. Following 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 one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which is generally the name of a male or female massage practitioner. Unfortunately, these titles often have a negative connotation among Center IN professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapist Training Requirements
Almost all Center IN massage therapy programs require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can vary in length from a few months for a Certificate or a Diploma 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 may also have an effect on the program length is whether classes are offered during the day or in the evening. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and are often transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the education doesn’t stop there. The amount and type of continuing education you will need 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
After your graduation from an accredited Center IN massage therapy school, 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 a portion of the licensing process. There are States that have their own or additional exams, so check with your State prior to enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you fail the MBLEx in your initial attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but will be charged another testing fee. After obtaining your license, you will be required to renew it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. As earlier 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 as well. 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 meet the requirements to legally practice there.