What is a Massage Therapist?
As previously discussed, massage therapy is an alternative form of healing that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and alleviate pain and tension in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most people think of when discussing therapeutic massage, and almost all La Porte IN massage therapy schools offer it as their principal type of massage. However, there are numerous other types of massage that programs have the option to include within 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
Professionals that work in massage therapy should be 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 terms often carry a derogatory connotation among the general public and La Porte IN professionals alike and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
Almost all La Porte IN schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can range in length from a few months for a Diploma or a Certificate to as long as two years to earn 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 influence the length of the program is whether classes are offered during the day or at night. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has general education requirements and are often transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have received your Certificate or Degree, 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 HIPPA compliance or ethics.
Massage Therapy Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited La Porte IN 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 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 their own or additional exams, so find out from 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 thirty days but must pay an additional exam fee. After obtaining your license, you will be required to maintain it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. As previously mentioned, 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 as well. Every State regulates massage therapy differently, 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.