What is Massage Therapy?
As previously discussed, massage therapy is a holistic form of medicine that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manipulates skin, muscles and tissue to diminish stress and eliminate tension and pain in their patients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most of us relate to when researching therapeutic massage, and most Collierville TN massage therapy schools offer it as their principal form of massage. However, there are many other forms of massage that schools have the option to 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
Practitioners that work in therapeutic massage should be referred to as massage therapists. On occasion 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 negative connotation among Collierville TN professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapy Education Requirements
Almost all Collierville TN massage therapy programs require enrolling students have a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can vary in length from several 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 vary by State based on the training hours required for licensing. An additional factor that can also have an effect on the program length is whether classes are offered during the daytime or in the evening. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has general education requirements and are often transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have received your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the training does not end 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 Therapist Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Collierville TN 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 most States as part of the licensing process. Some States have additional tests or their own, so check with your State before enrolling in a massage therapy program. If you fail the MBLEx in your initial attempt, you can re-take it after thirty days but must pay an additional testing 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 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. Every State has different regulations for massage therapists, so do not assume that you will automatically be qualified for licensing. Confirm with your new State prior to moving that you have satisfied the requirements to legally practice there.