What is a Massage Therapist?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is an alternative form of healing that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and eliminate pain and tension in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the type of massage that most of us relate to when researching therapeutic massage, and most Shaker Heights OH massage therapy schools offer it as their primary type of massage. However, there are numerous other forms of massage that programs have the option to include as part of their syllabus. Following 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 you might hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which is generally the name of a male or female massage practitioner. However, these names often carry a derogatory connotation among Shaker Heights OH professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Training Requirements
Most Shaker Heights OH 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 Diploma or a Certificate to as long as 2 years to earn an Associate’s Degree. How long the programs are will also vary by State dependent on the number of 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 day or at night. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and are often transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have earned 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 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
After your graduation from an accredited Shaker Heights OH 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 school. If you fail the MBLEx in your initial attempt, you can re-take it after 30 days but must pay an additional exam fee. Once licensed, you will be required 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 decide to move to a different State, you will need to get licensed in that new State as well. Every State has different regulations for massage therapists, so it is not safe to assume that you will automatically qualify for licensing. Confirm with your new State prior to moving that you meet the requirements to legally practice there.