What is a Massage Therapist?
As previously discussed, massage therapy 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 reduce stress and alleviate pain and tension in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that many of us relate to when researching therapeutic massage, and most Keene NH massage therapy schools offer it as their primary type of massage. However, there are many other forms of massage that programs may or may not 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
Practitioners 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 is generally the name of a male or female massage practitioner. However, these titles often carry a negative connotation among the general public and Keene NH professionals alike and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
The majority of Keene NH 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 Diploma or a Certificate 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 number of hours required for licensing. Another factor that can also influence the program length is whether classes are scheduled during the day or in the evening. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and are often transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Certificate or Degree, the training does not end there. The type and amount 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 Keene NH 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 conducted and controlled by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by most 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 your initial attempt, you can re-take it after thirty days but must pay an additional testing 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 earlier stated, 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 as well. Every 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.