What is Massage Therapy?
As previously discussed, therapeutic massage 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 reduce stress and relieve pain and tension in their patients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the kind of massage that most of us relate to when discussing massage therapy, and almost all Whitehall PA massage therapy schools teach it as their primary type of massage. However, there are many other types of massage that programs may or may not include as part of their course of instruction. 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
Professionals that work in therapeutic massage should be 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 names often carry a derogatory connotation among Whitehall PA professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapy Education Requirements
The majority of Whitehall 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 Diploma or a Certificate to as long as two years to earn an Associate’s Degree. The lengths of the programs will also vary by State based on the number of hours required for licensing. Another factor that may also influence the program length is whether classes are scheduled during the daytime or at night. 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. Once you have received your Certificate or Degree, the education does not end there. The amount and type of continuing education you are required to complete will depend on the State where you are licensed. Some states have requirements for both number of hours and subjects covered, such as ethics or HIPAA compliance.
Massage Therapy Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Whitehall PA 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 an exam controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by the majority of States as a portion of the licensing process. There are States that have their own or additional exams, so find out from your State prior to enrolling in a massage therapy program. If you fail the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but will be charged another testing 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 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, you will need to get licensed in that new State also. Every 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 practice legally there.