What is a Massage Therapist?
As previously discussed, therapeutic massage is an alternative form of medicine that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manually stimulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and relieve pain and tension in their patients. Classic, or Swedish Massage, is the type of massage that most people relate to when researching massage therapy, and almost all Richland WA massage therapy schools teach it as their primary type of massage. However, there are many other forms of massage that schools have the option to include as part of their syllabus. Below 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 you might hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these terms generally carry a derogatory connotation among Richland WA professionals and the public at large and should be avoided.
Massage Therapist Training Requirements
The majority of Richland WA schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee has earned a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can vary in length from a few months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as two years for an Associate’s Degree. The lengths of the programs will also be State specific dependent on the training hours required for licensing. An additional factor that may also have an effect on the length of the program is whether classes are scheduled during the day or in the evening. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general studies requirements and the credits may be transferrable into a similar Bachelor’s Degree Program. Once you have received your Certificate or Degree, the training doesn’t stop there. The type and amount of continuing education you will need to complete will vary based on the State where you are licensed. Some states have requirements for both number of hours and subjects covered, such as HIPPA compliance or ethics.
Massage Therapy Licensing
After your graduation from an accredited Richland WA 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 a test controlled and administered 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 additional tests or their own, so check with your State before enrolling in a massage therapy school. If you do not pass the MBLEx in your initial attempt, you can re-take it after thirty days but must pay an additional exam fee. Once licensed, 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 should move to another State, licensing will be required for that new State as well. 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.