What is a Massage Therapist?
As previously discussed, massage therapy is an alternative form of healthcare that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manipulates muscles, tissue and skin to reduce stress and alleviate pain and tension in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the type of massage that many of us relate to when researching therapeutic massage, and most Fair Lawn NJ massage therapy schools teach it as their principal form of massage. However, there are many other forms of massage that programs may or may not include as part of their course of instruction. Following 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 massage therapy are properly referred to as massage therapists. On occasion you might hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which refers to a male or female massage practitioner. Unfortunately, these terms often have a negative connotation among the general public and Fair Lawn NJ professionals alike and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
Almost all Fair Lawn NJ schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can vary in length from a few months for a Diploma or a Certificate to as long as 2 years to earn an Associate’s Degree. How long the programs are will also be State specific dependent on the training hours required for licensing. An additional factor that may also have an effect on the length of the program is whether classes are scheduled during the daytime or at night. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general studies requirements and are often transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Certificate or Degree, the training doesn’t stop there. The type and amount of continuing education you are required to complete will depend 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 HIPPA compliance or ethics.
Massage Therapy Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Fair Lawn NJ 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 required by most States as part of the licensing process. There are States that have their own or additional exams, 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 be required 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. Each State has different regulations for massage therapists, so do not assume that you will automatically be qualified for licensing. Confirm with your new State prior to moving that you have satisfied the requirements to legally practice there.