What is Therapeutic Massage?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy 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 reduce stress and relieve tension and pain in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the type of massage that most of us relate to when discussing therapeutic massage, and the majority of Nashua NH massage therapy schools offer it as their principal type of massage. But keep in mind, there are many other forms of massage that programs have the option to include as part of their syllabus. 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
Professionals that work in therapeutic massage should be referred to as massage therapists. From time to time you might hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which is generally the name of a male or female massage professional. However, these names typically have a negative connotation among the general public and Nashua NH professionals alike and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
The majority of Nashua NH massage therapy programs 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. The lengths of the programs will also vary by State based on the number of hours required for licensing. An additional factor that can also have an effect on the program length is whether classes are scheduled during the day or at night. In addition, 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 training doesn’t stop 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 ethics or HIPAA compliance.
Massage Therapist Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Nashua NH massage therapy program, you will then need to become licensed in the State where you will be practicing. The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), is a test controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by the majority of States as part of the licensing process. There are States that have additional tests or their own, 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 re-take it after 30 days but must pay an additional 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 mentioned, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed. And if you should move to another State, licensing will be required for that new State as well. Each State regulates massage therapy differently, 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 legally practice there.