How To Become a Massage Therapist
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Massage therapists use their hands, arms and sometimes feet to help heal the aches and pains of others. Training for this job is time-intensive and requires hundreds of hours of work just to become certified, but the career is a rewarding one that is set to grow upwards of 20 percent over the next decade.
Anyone considering a career in massage therapy is not alone. This field, which employs just under 150,000 people in the United States , is set to grow much faster than the nationwide average. Massage therapists work in various settings, from spas and hotels to clinical doctor’s offices and hospitals. A massage therapy career offers a median salary of $46,910 per year and the ability to work for others or pursue business ownership.
What is a Massage Therapist?
A massage therapist is a type of physical therapist who uses touch to manipulate muscles and other soft tissues. The primary goal of massage therapy is to relieve pain and heal injuries in their clients. Other reasons a person may visit a massage therapist include stress relief, relaxation and general wellness.
What Does a Massage Therapist Do?
The daily work of massage therapists includes customer consultations. These conversations often include details such as existing symptoms or the client’s medical history. Many of these consultations include discussions about what clients hope to achieve and personalized treatments that can help.
They evaluate their clients’ bodies to find painful or tense areas. Therapists then use their hands, fingers, arms and sometimes even feet to manipulate the problem areas and provide relief.
Some massage therapists use lotions or oils to help in their work. Massage therapists have unique tables or chairs to help facilitate an effective massage.
As part of their training, many massage therapists choose to specialize in one or more types of massage therapy techniques , such as:
What Makes a Good Massage Therapist?
Massage therapy requires strong attention to detail and continual learning of new techniques, but those are far from the only characteristics that make practitioners successful.?
Massage therapists do best when they are compassionate and friendly. The personal, hands-on nature of massage therapy means client comfort is paramount. That means exercising discretion and professionalism in all aspects of the relationship, as well as establishing trust.
If clients have questions at any point during treatment, a great massage therapist will be able to answer them. They should be able to explain what they do and why during the treatment without prompting.
Guide to Becoming a Massage Therapist
What steps lead to a career in massage therapy? This field requires hundreds of hours of education and experience. Many states regulate the practice and require massage therapists to pursue licensing and certification.
Research the Profession and Define Clear Goals
Much like other careers, aspiring massage therapists need to plan what type of massage therapy they want to pursue. Because of the time commitment, massage therapists should not enter the field lightly. Even general massage therapists must study for hundreds of hours and get hands-on experience before obtaining their license.
Meet Age & Educational Requirements
Massage therapy programs often require a high school diploma before admission to training. Applicants must also be 18 years old or above at the time of program entry .
Complete a Massage Therapy Program
Massage therapy programs include both classroom and hands-on training . The classroom portion of study typically includes medical terminology, body mechanics, ethics and anatomy and physiology classes. Practical requirements for hands-on experience may vary by state, but most massage therapists achieve these via internships or working within the school’s massage clinic.
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Obtain a License or Certification
Most states regulate massage therapy in some way. In states with regulations, therapists must have a license or certification before they practice. Exams may be state-specific or they may be put forward by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards’ Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). The MBLEx is a 100-question exam that applicants must complete within two hours.
In addition to passing the exam, massage therapists may also need to pass background checks, purchase liability insurance and have CPR certification .?
Because each state’s licensing requirements may differ, industry experts and lobbyists recommend becoming familiar with them.?
Apply for a Business License (Optional)
Massage therapists who want to set their hours and operate their businesses must pursue a business license in their state. For those who want to work in a spa or other treatment location as an employee, a business license is unnecessary.
Continue Education and Expand Skills
Continuing education is a large part of success as a massage therapist. Many states mandate additional education to maintain a license. This continuing education allows therapists to learn new skills and techniques while keeping their license current. Continuing education requirements vary by state, but many online or in-person classes are available.
Tips for Finding a Job as a Massage Therapist
Finding work as a massage therapist is less challenging thanks to a positive job outlook, but how do new massage therapists find their first job?
Many massage therapy schools have job boards with hundreds of postings for open positions in spas, clinics, private companies and more available to students. Using the institution’s resources to network with potential employers is a great way to find work as a massage therapist. There are also countless professional associations and groups that new therapists can join .
Candidates should also differentiate themselves from others by obtaining certifications in as many skills as possible. This diversification allows them to apply for several jobs at once. It may also help massage therapists stand out in a pool of applicants.
Tips for Opening a Massage Practice
Massage therapists make for great entrepreneurs because of the flexibility the field offers. Some of the most popular tips for massage therapists who want to run their business include :
Final Thoughts on Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a rewarding career that offers the opportunity to truly change people’s lives. It is a time-intensive, hands-on job that requires excellent physical dexterity. With the benefits of flexible work environments, plenty of potential growth and the knowledge that massage therapists are improving the lives of others, this career is worth pursuing.
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How To Become a Massage Therapist
(Reporting by NPD)