What is a Massage Therapist?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healthcare that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to diminish stress and alleviate pain and tension in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that most people think of when discussing therapeutic massage, and most Brookline MA massage therapy schools teach it as their primary form of massage. But keep in mind, there are numerous other forms of massage that programs may or may not include as part of 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
Practitioners that work in therapeutic massage are properly referred to as massage therapists. From time to time you might hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which refers to a male or female massage practitioner. However, these titles often have a negative connotation among Brookline MA professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
Almost all Brookline MA schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can vary in length from several months for a Diploma or a Certificate to as long as 2 years for an Associate’s Degree. The lengths of the programs will also vary by State dependent on the number of hours required for licensing. An additional factor that can also influence the length of the program is whether classes are scheduled during the day or in the evening. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has general studies requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Certificate or Degree, the training does not end there. The amount and type of continuing education you are required to complete will vary based 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 Therapy Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Brookline MA 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 mandated by most States as a portion of the licensing process. Some States have additional tests or their own, so find out from your State before enrolling in a massage therapy program. If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but will be charged another testing 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 previously stated, 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 as well. Every 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 have satisfied the requirements to practice legally there.