There are many different exciting and rewarding massage careers available to new and existing massage therapists.  A massage therapist can choose to work in any environment they want while making their own hours.  Massage therapy is one of the very few careers that allow someone to make their own hours.  A massage therapist can choose to work independently and out of their home.   A  massage therapist can also choose to work and travel to a client’s home or office. Many massage therapists have a large base from traveling to their clients, as many people don’t have the time to schedule a massage at their place of work. 

Career Opportunities

If working on your own isn’t for you, there are many different corporate opportunities available to you.  You can choose to work at a salon and spa, a massage therapy clinic, wellness clinic, chiropractic office or even a destination vacation spot.    Massage therapists can also be found in most all major hotel chains, cruise lines, movie sets or even sports therapy rehabilitation clinics.  A massage therapist can also choose to get into teaching or selling massage therapy equipment and products.  You can choose to become a certified massage therapist instructor and teach in-house at a college or school.  You may also choose to be an independent teacher and offer classes at promotional events or corporate gatherings.   A massage therapist can also choose to sell massage therapy equipment or products.  Many opportunities are available with the companies who produce the massage tables, lotions and equipment the massage therapist uses.  You can choose to be in outside sales rep for major producer of the massage therapy equipment or you can choose to manage the sales massage therapy reps.  There are many different options.  It’s always vital for the massage therapist to network and check with their local job massage career listings online or on site.  There are exclusive web based sites available just for massage therapists, it’s essential to post your resume out there to explore new local opportunities and promotions.   

Chiropractic Massage Tables

Chiropractic massage tables are used to provide a therapeutic massage on the patient’s spine.  There are several examples of chiropractic massage tables used within the industry.  Depending on the patient’s condition, chiropractic massage tables are typically beneficial in improving existing conditions.  The physician will conduct a health examination with the patient prior to treatment to determine the appropriate chiropractic massage table for treatment.   

Types

The chiropractic massage table is a basic stationary table where patients receive hands-on massages.  Some patients don’t like hands on massages. For that reason, a chiropractic water massage table is more suitable because patients don’t have to be touched or remove clothing.  Chiropractic water massage tables combine heat, massage and water to provide a therapeutic experience.  The water jet massage provides a fully clothed, dry massage.  Physicians may also use a Chiropractic Motorized Massage Table to knead out knots or sooth tender muscles.  The table includes rolling bars that travel along the upper and lower part of the body.  Researchers say that the rollers separate and lift various parts of the spine.  Rollers elevate the back to increase the intensity of pressure during the massage session.  Although many people find this massage beneficial, others say that the bars on the table are painful and tend to be too harsh in some areas of the body.  Depending on the existing health condition, some individuals may experience severe pain when the rollers move along the spine.  Those who don’t like Chiropractic Motorized Massage Table may prefer the chiropractic water massage table as it is gentler on tender or achy muscles.    

Corvita Institute

The Corvita Institute is located in several different cities, including Chicago, IL, and is nationally recognized as an accredited institution.  Each location is accredited by the state it operates in and acknowledged by the U.S Department of Education.  Massage Therapy courses at Corvita focus on theory and practice, communication and ethics, and real life clinical experience.  Instructors use text books and technology to create a positive learning environment that prepares students for the National Certification Exam and future careers.  Instructors at Corvita are the most experienced in the massage therapy field, including those who own practices, write articles and books, and give presentations at national conferences.  After graduation, the faculty assists students with job placement in cities, spas, and resorts all across the nation.  Graduates receive quality education from Corvita Institute that provides them with the knowledge they need to succeed in the massage industry.

Soma Institute

The Soma Institute is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Body Work (NCBTMB).  Upon graduation, students are qualified to apply for state licensing and national certification by the NCBTMB.  The Soma Institute provides quality classroom education and first-hand training that gives students the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.  Graduates are high in demand and have a 97% job placement rate.  Many graduates have gone to work in prestigious areas in Chicago such as the Joffrey Ballet and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.  The massage therapy program is designed to teach students massage techniques, anatomy, physiology, ethics, theory and other topics that are useful in the industry.  The Soma Institute offers a Clinical Massage Therapy diploma program and a Master Clinical Massage therapy program.     

First Institute

Located in Crystal Lake Illinois, First Institute is devoted to providing advanced skills and job placement assistance to graduates.  First Institute was created in 1982 in response to an increasing job market that required a level of skills for certain professions.  Classes are designed to integrate theory and practice to help students integrate into the work force after graduation.  With millions of people becoming more health conscious across the nation, the demand for massage therapists continues to grow.  Students will take courses in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Sports Massage, Aromatherapy, and Chair Massage.  First Institute provides all students with the newest massage techniques so they can give them the best education possible.   

Wellness and Massage Training Institute

The Massage Therapy Program at WMTI assists each student to become prepared at entering the work force after graduation.  The program is designed to produce confident and self-motivated massage therapists that can interact with a variety of clients.  Students will complete 556 hours of massage therapy techniques in classes and clinicals.  Some of the courses include anatomy, physiology, massage techniques, and business ethics.  People choose WMTI because of their positive reputation, the experienced faculty, and the flexible schedule options.  This program is also offered at Joliet Junior College and College of Dupage, two junior colleges that are partnered with WMTI.   Graduates of WMTI may find employment in hospitals, spas, health clubs, and rehabilitation facilities. 

With a growing number of healthcare professionals referring patients to massage therapists for many different health issues and with the educational standards now requiring state licensure, the profession is growing and therefore the job outlook for current students and therapists is estimated to continue to grow over the next several years and beyond.

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 118,000 massage therapists employed in 2006. It is estimated that from 2006 to 2016, that number will increase by 20%. As the profession continues to grow, more opportunities in more areas of healthcare will become available for therapists. Although massage therapy is well known and becoming more rapidly accepted by both healthcare practitioners and health insurance companies, it is recommended that a graduate begin their massage career as a part-time job before committing to full-time hours. The reason for this being that a successful therapist builds a wide referral base within a community to achieve the salary that they desire. Positive feedback and recommendations from previous clients as well as referrals from other healthcare providers are the best forms of advertising for a therapist.  However, these forms of advertising take time and generally require the therapist to have some other type of employment in order to financially survive in the beginning months or years as a massage therapist.

References Cited in this Article

www.bls.gov

www.edinformatics.com

It is a well known fact that choosing a career in massage therapy means choosing a career of intense physical demands. The hours may be long and the massage techniques requested, even if a relaxation massage, put many demands on a therapist’s body. If done improperly, a therapist will enjoy only a short-lived career with long-lasting body aches and pains. If done correctly, body mechanics will help a massage therapist provide beneficial massage for clients while at the same time extending their career.

Tips for Longevity

When questioned regarding secrets to career longevity and staying in good health while staying so physically active for so many hours per day, many successful career massage therapists reported several of the same things. These included eating well, getting plenty of sleep at night, taking rests between massage sessions, do not overbook your day with too many clients, keeping your body at a healthy weight, retaining a passion for the work you do, practicing great communication with clients and other healthcare professionals with which you may have a referral system, receiving massage services for yourself from other therapists, using proper massage tools and equipment, and most importantly, proper body mechanics. Above all else, body mechanics will dictate the longevity of a massage therapists career. If practiced during each and every massage session, proper body mechanics throughout a massage therapist’s career is the key to longevity.

References Cited in this Article

www.massagemag.com

Massages during pregnancy are extremely beneficial to the mother and baby.  They help to relax and improve the mothers overall circulation as well as help her with the labor later on.  Pregnancy massage is entirely different than a regular massage in the mother doesn’t lie directly on her stomach.  The massage is done while the mother lies on her back or side.  Certain massage techniques cannot be performed, otherwise this can actually induce labor and cause a women to start having contractions.  It’s vital that you only receive a pregnancy massage from someone who is specifically trained on how to administer a massage for a pregnant women. It ensures the massage is done properly and safely for the mother and baby.  A regular massage can cause more harm to the body, and a women should not receive a regular deep tissue massage while they are pregnant otherwise it can cause serious risks during the pregnancy.  Typically pillows will also be used to support the women’s legs.  The legs are elevated to help with the circulation process during the entire massage.  Extra pillows may be added or removed during the entire massage.  This helps the massage therapist work on different targeted areas, and the elevation also helps the women stay comfy during the entire massage.

Pregnancy Massage Misconceptions

Some misconceptions about pregnancy massage are that it can cause premature labor or even a miscarriage.  This is in fact incorrect.  A true pregnancy massage doesn’t induce labor nor cause any issues for the women during or after the massage.  It truly helps the women with the labor pains as well as the fatigue.  The only way that a women may be at risk is if they receive a massage without letting the massage therapist know they are pregnant, as the regular deep tissue and Swedish massage can cause harm to the women.   The amount of pressure that is used is harsher and more concentrated.  This can cause discomfort and complications during the pregnancy.  It’s important to always inform your massage therapist if you are pregnant so they can ensure they only use specific techniques.

If you have the desire to learn massage therapy, you don’t necessarily need to commit to a massage therapy program to become a licensed massage therapist. For those who would like the basic knowledge and techniques without the actual career, there are online courses as well as instructional videos to teach people the how-to’s of basic massage therapy. Typically, these options will offer general knowledge of human anatomy as well as relaxation techniques and safety information.

Online Courses

Online courses are also available for massage therapy students and licensed massage therapists. Continuing education credits can be taken online.  However, states vary regarding their requirements and acceptance of online education, so it is important to research what is appropriate within a state for continuing education. No matter what the reason for learning massage therapy, there are many resources including websites, books and videos available to offer a wide variety of information at varying levels of education for someone wishing to provide massage. Whether wanting to learn massage therapy as a career or just basic techniques to offer someone the gift of relaxation on their birthday, there are plenty of resources available for both.

References Cited in this Article

www.learn-massage-online.com

www.ezinearticles.com

Obtaining a Massage Therapy License and Degree

As of 2009, 42 states regulate the practice of massage therapy by requiring massage therapists to complete education courses and pass a national or state certification exam.  Massage therapy programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and online institutions.  Many of these programs offer courses that cover anatomy and kinesiology, as well as business and ethics courses.  It is important that students check their state regulations, as some states require completion from an accredited school in order to practice massage therapy.  After education requirements are complete, students may apply for their Massage Therapy License.

State Requirements

State boards usually require students to complete anywhere from 330 – 1000 training and education hours to become licensed or certified.  In order for some massage therapists to practice massage, many states require certification from specific organizations such as National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).  Some states require that massage therapist continue their education by participating in training sessions.  Some individuals may have to complete a certain amount of training hours each year in a certain amount of time, to keep their license.  Also, individuals who obtain their NCTMB certification will be required to continue their education by attending training courses on a yearly basis.       

About Swedish Massages

Swedish Massage

The Swedish massage, also known as massage therapy,is the most common type of massage in the United States.  Massage therapists will use oil or lotion and apply it to the necessary areas of the client’s body.  They will then knead the client’s back and use circular motions on the muscles to relieve tension and soreness.  It is recommended for first time clients to try the Swedish massage as it is very gentle and relaxing.  Typically, people seek the Swedish massage to relieve back pain, stress, muscle spasms, and headaches.  Research has shown that massage therapy actually enhances immune system function.  Massags typically last 40-90 minutes and begin after the massage therapist performs a brief consultation on health history.  It is recommended that clients do not eat a heavy meal before the massage, and should arrive ten minutes early to complete required paperwork.

About Thai Massage

The Thai massage is not your typical massage because it aligns different energies within the body while the therapist applies pressure to specific points on the body.  Instead of lying down, the therapist will move the client in different positions to stretch out  their muscles. The therapist will actually use their feet, hands, knees and legs to move their client into a variety of positions.  Many people say it is similar to a yoga work out, without doing any of the work.  This massage is more energizing than a typical massage and improves the body’s range of motion.  During a Thai massage, clients are asked to leave their clothes on because no oils are used.  A typical massage session is between 60 to 120 minutes.  Because Thai massage requires more movement and rigorous activity than others, it is not recommended for people prone to blood clots, pregnant women, or those with open wounds or infectious diseases.