What is a Massage Therapist?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of medicine that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manipulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and alleviate pain and tension in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the kind of massage that many people think of when discussing massage therapy, and the majority of Jeffersontown KY massage therapy schools teach it as their principal type of massage. But keep in mind, there are many other types of massage that programs have the option to include as part of their syllabus. 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 therapeutic massage should be referred to as massage therapists. On occasion one may hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which is generally the name of a male or female massage professional. However, these names often have a derogatory connotation among the general public and Jeffersontown KY professionals alike and should be avoided.
Massage Therapy Education Requirements
Most Jeffersontown KY massage therapy programs require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can vary in length from several months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as 2 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 may also influence the program length is whether classes are offered during the daytime or in the evening. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have received your Certificate or Degree, the training 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 have requirements for both number of hours and subjects covered, such as HIPPA compliance or ethics.
Massage Therapist Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Jeffersontown KY 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 a test conducted and controlled by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is mandated by most States as a portion 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 program. If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can re-take it after 30 days but will be charged another exam 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 mentioned, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed. And if you decide to move to a different State, you will need to get licensed in that new State also. Every 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 have satisfied the requirements to practice legally there.