What is Massage Therapy?
As previously discussed, massage therapy is an alternative form of healing that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates muscles, tissue and skin to diminish stress and relieve tension and pain in their clients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the kind of massage that most of us think of when researching massage therapy, and the majority of Chantilly VA massage therapy schools offer it as their primary type of massage. However, there are numerous other forms 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
Practitioners that work in therapeutic massage are properly referred to as massage therapists. On occasion one may hear them called a masseur or a masseuse, which is generally the name of a female or a male massage professional. However, these titles often have a derogatory connotation among Chantilly VA professionals and the public at large and are better avoided.
Massage Therapy Training Requirements
Most Chantilly VA schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or a GED to qualify. Programs can vary in length from several 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 number of hours required for licensing. Another factor that can also have an effect on the program length is whether classes are offered during the daytime or at night. In addition, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy often has general education 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 are required 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
After your graduation from an accredited Chantilly VA 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 the majority of States as a portion of the licensing process. There are States that have additional tests or their own, so check with 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 thirty days but will be charged another testing fee. Once licensed, you will be required to maintain it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements. 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 as well. Each 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.