What is a Massage Therapist?
As mentioned in the introduction, therapeutic massage 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 eliminate tension and pain in their patients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that many of us think of when discussing massage therapy, and the majority of New Iberia LA massage therapy schools teach it as their principal type of massage. However, there are many other forms of massage that programs have the option to include as part of their syllabus. Below are just a few 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 you might hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which refers to a female or a male massage professional. Unfortunately, these titles generally carry a negative connotation among the general public and New Iberia LA professionals alike and are better avoided.
Massage Therapy Education Requirements
Almost all New Iberia LA schools offering massage therapy require enrolling students have a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can range 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 have an effect on 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 similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. After 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 vary based 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
Once you have graduated from an accredited New Iberia LA 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 part of the licensing process. Some States have additional tests or their own, so check with your State prior to enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can take it again after thirty days but must pay an additional exam fee. After obtaining your license, you will need to renew it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. As previously 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 also. Each State regulates massage therapy differently, 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.