What is Therapeutic Massage?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is an alternative form of healthcare that provides relief from pain and helps people function better. The massage therapist manipulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and alleviate tension and pain in their patients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that many of us think of when researching massage therapy, and most Little Elm TX massage therapy schools offer it as their primary type of massage. But keep in mind, there are numerous other types of massage that schools have the option to include within their course of instruction. Following are just a few 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 masseuse or a masseur, which is generally the name of a male or female massage professional. Unfortunately, these terms often have a negative connotation among Little Elm TX professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
Most Little Elm TX schools offering massage therapy 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 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 scheduled during the daytime or in the evening. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and are often transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. After you have earned your Degree, Diploma or Certificate, the training does not end there. The amount and type 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 Therapy Licensing
Once you have graduated from an accredited Little Elm TX massage therapy program, you will then need to become licensed in the State where you will be practicing. The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), is an exam conducted and controlled by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by the majority of States as part 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 do not pass the MBLEx in your initial attempt, you can re-take it after 30 days but must pay an additional exam fee. After obtaining your license, you will be required to renew it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. 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 also. Every State regulates massage therapy differently, 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 practice legally there.