What is Therapeutic Massage?
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 manually stimulates muscles, tissue and skin to reduce stress and eliminate pain and tension in their patients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that most of us relate to when researching massage therapy, and the majority of Manchester NH massage therapy schools offer it as their primary type of massage. However, there are many other types of massage that schools may or may not 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
Practitioners that work in massage therapy should be referred to as massage therapists. On occasion you might hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a male or female massage professional. However, these terms generally carry a derogatory connotation among Manchester NH professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Training Requirements
The majority of Manchester NH 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 two years for an Associate’s Degree. How long the programs are 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 offered during the day or at night. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general studies requirements and are often transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have received your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the education 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 have requirements for both number of hours and subjects covered, such as HIPPA compliance or ethics.
Massage Therapy Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Manchester NH massage therapy program, 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 the majority of States as part 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 your initial attempt, you can take it again 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 paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. 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, you will need to get licensed in that new State also. Each State has different regulations for massage therapists, so it is not safe to assume that you will automatically qualify for licensing. Check with your new State before moving to confirm that you have satisfied the requirements to practice legally there.