What is Massage Therapy?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healthcare that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manipulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and alleviate tension and pain in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most of us relate to when discussing therapeutic massage, and most Garden City NY massage therapy schools offer it as their principal type of massage. However, there are many other forms of massage that schools may or may not include as part of their syllabus. Below 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. From time to time one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which is generally the name of a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these titles often carry a negative connotation among Garden City NY professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapist Training Requirements
The majority of Garden City NY massage therapy programs 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 for an Associate’s Degree. The lengths of the programs will also be State specific dependent on the number of hours required for licensing. An additional factor that may also influence the length of the program is whether classes are offered during the daytime or in the evening. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have earned your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, 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 Therapist Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Garden City NY 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 a test controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is mandated by the majority of States as a portion of the licensing process. Some States have their own or additional exams, so find out from your State before 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 previously mentioned, completion of a specific number of continuing education hours are usually required as a prerequisite for renewal. And if you decide to move to a different State, you will need to get licensed in that new State also. Each State regulates massage therapy differently, so do not assume that you will automatically be qualified for licensing. Check with your new State before moving to confirm that you have satisfied the requirements to practice legally there.