What is Therapeutic Massage?
As mentioned in the introduction, therapeutic massage is an alternative form of healing that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and alleviate tension and pain in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the type of massage that most of us relate to when researching massage therapy, and the majority of Hendersonville TN massage therapy schools teach it as their primary type of massage. But keep in mind, there are many other forms of massage that schools may or may not 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
Professionals that work in massage therapy should be referred to as massage therapists. From time to time you might hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which is generally the name of a female or a male massage professional. However, these names often carry a derogatory connotation among Hendersonville TN professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
The majority of Hendersonville TN massage therapy programs require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can range in length from a few months for a Diploma or a Certificate to as long as 2 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. An additional factor that can also influence the program length is whether classes are scheduled during the daytime or at night. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general studies requirements and are often transferrable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Certificate or Degree, the education doesn’t stop 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 Therapist Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Hendersonville TN 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 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 before 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 exam fee. After obtaining your license, you will need to renew it in most states, which means complying with renewal requirements and paying a renewal fee. As previously mentioned, 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. Every State regulates massage therapy differently, so do not assume that you will automatically be qualified for licensing. Check with your new State before moving to confirm that you meet the requirements to legally practice there.