What is Massage Therapy?
As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healthcare that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manipulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and alleviate tension and pain in their clients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most people think of when researching therapeutic massage, and almost all Tyler TX massage therapy schools teach it as their principal form 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. On occasion you might hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which refers to a male or female massage practitioner. Unfortunately, these names often carry a derogatory connotation among the general public and Tyler TX professionals alike and are better avoided.
Massage Therapist Education Requirements
Almost all Tyler TX massage therapy programs require enrolling students have a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can vary in length from a few months for a Diploma or a Certificate to as long as 2 years for an Associate’s Degree. The lengths of the programs will also vary by State dependent on the training hours required for licensing. An additional factor that can also influence the length of the program is whether classes are scheduled during the day or at night. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has 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 training doesn’t stop 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 Tyler TX 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 conducted and controlled by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by most 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 school. If you fail the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can re-take it after thirty days but must pay an additional testing fee. After obtaining your license, you will be required to renew it in most states, which means complying with renewal requirements and paying a renewal fee. As earlier stated, completion of a specific number of continuing education hours are usually required as a prerequisite for renewal. And if you should move to another State, licensing will be required for 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.