What is a Massage Therapist?
As previously discussed, therapeutic massage is an alternative form of medicine 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 patients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that many of us relate to when researching massage therapy, and almost all Muscatine IA massage therapy schools teach it as their primary type of massage. However, there are many other forms of massage that programs may or may not 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. From time to time one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a male or female massage practitioner. Unfortunately, these terms often carry a derogatory connotation among Muscatine IA professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapy Training Requirements
The majority of Muscatine IA schools offering massage therapy require enrolling students have a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can vary in length from a few months for a Certificate or a Diploma 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. Another factor that can also influence the length of the program is whether classes are scheduled during the daytime or at night. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has general education requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Certificate or Degree, the education does not end there. The type and amount of continuing education you are required 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
Once you have graduated from an accredited Muscatine IA 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 the majority of States as part of the licensing process. There are States that have additional tests or their own, so find out from your State prior to enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you fail the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but must pay an additional exam 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, completion of a specific number of continuing education hours are usually required as a prerequisite for renewal. And if you decide to move to a different State, you will need to get licensed in that new State also. Each State has different regulations for massage therapists, so do not assume that you will automatically be qualified for licensing. Check with your new State before moving to confirm that you meet the requirements to practice legally there.