What is Massage Therapy?
As mentioned in the introduction, therapeutic massage is a holistic form of medicine that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to diminish stress and alleviate pain and tension in their patients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that many people think of when discussing therapeutic massage, and the majority of Bensalem PA massage therapy schools teach it as their primary type of massage. However, there are numerous other types of massage that schools have the option to include within 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 therapeutic massage are properly referred to as massage therapists. From time to time one may hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which is generally the name of a male or female massage professional. Unfortunately, these terms typically have a negative connotation among Bensalem PA professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapy Training Requirements
Most Bensalem PA schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can range in length from a few months for a Certificate or a Diploma 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 number of hours required for licensing. Another factor that can also influence the program length is whether classes are offered during the daytime or in the evening. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have received your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the education doesn’t stop there. The amount and type of continuing education you will need to complete will vary based 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 Bensalem PA massage therapy school, 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 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 their own or additional exams, 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 take it again after 30 days but must pay an additional testing fee. After obtaining your license, you will be required to maintain it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. As earlier 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 as well. Each State regulates massage therapy differently, so it is not safe to assume that you will automatically qualify for licensing. Confirm with your new State prior to moving that you have satisfied the requirements to legally practice there.