What is Massage Therapy?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is an alternative form of medicine that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manipulates skin, muscles and tissue to diminish stress and alleviate pain and tension in their patients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that most people relate to when researching therapeutic massage, and almost all Shawnee KS massage therapy schools offer it as their primary type of massage. But keep in mind, there are many other forms of massage that schools have the option to include within their course of instruction. 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
Professionals that work in massage therapy are properly referred to as massage therapists. From time to time one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. Unfortunately, these titles typically have a derogatory connotation among the general public and Shawnee KS professionals alike and are better avoided.
Massage Therapist Training Requirements
The majority of Shawnee KS massage therapy programs require enrolling students have a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can range in length from several months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as two years to earn 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 can also influence the program length 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 similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have received your Certificate or Degree, the training doesn’t stop 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 HIPPA compliance or ethics.
Massage Therapist Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Shawnee KS 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 an exam 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. Some States have additional tests or their own, so check with your State before enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can re-take it after thirty days but must pay an additional exam fee. After obtaining your license, you will be required 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 decide to move to a different State, licensing will be required for 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.