Obtaining a massage degree offers someone the opportunity to work in a variety of different fields. A massage degree enables someone to work in places such as massage clinics, doctor’s offices, hospitals or health clubs. Each massage degree will focus on different aspects of massage, it’s fundamental that each student research and learn about what is offered at each school before deciding where to obtain their massage degree. Typically, a massage degree takes about one year for completion and encompasses an internship of some sort. These internships can range from oncology departments in hospitals to patients recovering from trauma situations such as amputees and gun-shot victims. Some massage schools will focus on healing approaches and incorporate massage to relieve sinus health issues along with asthma health issues. Other massage degrees will focus more on sports rehabilitation massage and sports therapy massages. It is very essential for the student to assess what areas they would like to specialize in before receiving the massage degree. Massage degrees will assist students with learning about the human body and structure, holistic natural approaches and various massage techniques.
Massage degrees will also incorporate how to effectively communicate with your clientele throughout the massage as this is just as important as maintaining proper etiquette and professionalism throughout the process. Massage degrees will also teach students on how to run their own massage business, and what to expect monetary wise for start up costs and on-going licensure costs. Once a massage therapist has his or her degree it’s also important that they keep up to date their continuing education hours. This is different with each state where the license was issued. If a massage therapist isn’t sure what they need, it is vital that the student check with their state board to ensure they have met their continuing education hours for that year. If the continuing education hours are not met, that massage therapist can lose his or her licensure and may be required to re-take the practical and written portion of the massage therapy examination within their state.
Massage Courses
The courses that a massage student must take are the following: anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, hydrotherapy, clinical application, and sports rehabilitation. There are two different schools of thought when it comes to massage therapy training: those that are more holistic and those that are clinically orientated.
Holistic Schools
The holistic type schools practice Reiki, cranial-sacral technique, energy work, hot stones, and spa applications.
Clinical School
A clinical orientated school will teach assessment, orthopedic testing, range of motion testing, and application of cross friction massage, trigger point release, muscle stripping, and cryotherapy to sports-related injuries and injury prevention.
Jobs
Upon completion of a massage degree there are a host of jobs that can be sought at various locations such as: spas, cruise ships, physical therapy centers, chiropractic offices, gyms and fitness centers, private practice, and health and fitness fairs in the community.
Benefits
Massage helps to promote relaxation and rejuvenation while ridding the body of toxins and waste products. Massage is performed in the direction of the heart through a technique called Effluerage which promotes better circulation to the entire body. A massage degree is an exciting and rewarding profession to enter into-reap the benefits!
