What is a Massage Therapist?
As previously discussed, massage therapy is an alternative form of medicine that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to diminish stress and alleviate tension and pain in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the type of massage that most people think of when researching therapeutic massage, and most Holtsville NY massage therapy schools offer it as their primary type of massage. However, there are many other forms of massage that programs may or may not 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 female or a male massage professional. Unfortunately, these names often have a derogatory connotation among the general public and Holtsville NY professionals alike and are better avoided.
Massage Therapy Education Requirements
Most Holtsville NY 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 two years to earn an Associate’s Degree. The lengths of the programs 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 offered during the day or in the evening. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has general studies requirements and are often transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have received your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the training does not end there. The type and amount of continuing education you will need 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 ethics or HIPAA compliance.
Massage Therapy Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Holtsville NY 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 conducted and controlled by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by the majority of States as a portion of the licensing process. Some States have additional tests or their own, so find out from your State before enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you fail the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but will be charged another exam fee. After obtaining your license, you will need to maintain it in most states, which means complying with renewal requirements and paying a renewal fee. As previously stated, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed. And if you decide to move to a different 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 practice legally there.