What is Massage Therapy?
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 diminish stress and relieve pain and tension in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the type of massage that many people think of when researching massage therapy, and most Voorhees NJ massage therapy schools teach it as their principal form of massage. However, there are many other forms of massage that schools may or may not include within 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 are properly referred to as massage therapists. From time to time one may hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these titles often have a negative connotation among the general public and Voorhees NJ professionals alike and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Training Requirements
Almost all Voorhees NJ schools offering massage therapy require enrolling students have a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can vary in length from a few months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as two years to earn an Associate’s Degree. How long the programs are will also be State specific based on the training hours required for licensing. An additional factor that may also influence the length of the program is whether classes are scheduled during the daytime or in the evening. 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 earned your Certificate or Degree, the training 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 Therapist Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Voorhees 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 required by the majority of States as part of the licensing process. Some States 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 the first attempt, you can re-take it after 30 days but must pay an additional testing fee. Once licensed, you will need to renew it in most states, which means complying with renewal requirements and paying a renewal fee. As earlier mentioned, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed. And if you should move to another State, you will need to get licensed in that new State as well. 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 meet the requirements to legally practice there.