What is Massage Therapy?
As mentioned in the introduction, therapeutic massage is an alternative form of medicine that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manipulates muscles, tissue and skin to reduce stress and alleviate pain and tension in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the kind of massage that many people relate to when discussing massage therapy, and the majority of Lodi NJ massage therapy schools teach it as their primary form of massage. However, there are many other types of massage that schools have the option to include within their syllabus. 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 should be referred to as massage therapists. On occasion one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which is generally the name of a male or female massage professional. Unfortunately, these titles typically carry a derogatory connotation among Lodi NJ professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapy Training Requirements
The majority of Lodi NJ massage therapy programs require enrolling students have a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can vary in length from several months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as 2 years to earn 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 have an effect on the length of the program is whether classes are offered during the daytime or at night. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and are often transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have received your Certificate or Degree, the education does not end there. The type and amount of continuing education you are required 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 Therapy Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Lodi NJ 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 controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is mandated by most States as part of the licensing process. There are States that 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 your initial attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but will be charged another 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 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 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 meet the requirements to practice legally there.