Massage Therapy Training & Programs

Massage Therapy is fast becoming on of the most exciting and sought-after careers.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of employment for Massage Therapist is above the national average, and is expected to increase 20 percent from 2006 to 2016.  Massage Therapy is a great option if you are looking for:

• A career that is focused on helping others,
• A job that offers opportunity for part-time work, full-time work, or entrepreneurial goals, and
• A skill that is valued in the medical profession, as well as in the increasingly popular areas of holistic medicine and alternative healing treatments.

There are many schools available to fit a variety of schedules, allowing students to pursue a certificate in massage therapy in both traditional and nontraditional ways.  There are several accredited online massage therapy programs, offering working adults the opportunity to train for a new career in massage therapy at a pace that works best for their busy lives.  There are also on-site programs at career training and vocational schools for those students who prefer to take classes in a more traditional way.  Due to the hands-on requirement of learning massage therapy, even the online courses require that the student take some courses on location.  In addition, the number of training hours required to obtain a certificate varies from state to state, so the length of programs will also vary, depending on where you live. 

The courses you can expect to take in a massage therapy program range from Anatomy (the parts of the human body) and Physiology (the functions of the parts of the human body) to human nutrition and client evaluation.  Many courses also offer important classes in business due to the fact that a large number of massage therapists own their own business or operate as a self-employed entrepreneur.  Although many schools share a core curriculum of the type of classes offered, programs can vary widely and focus on different aspects of massage therapy.  For example, if your interest in massage therapy stems from a fascination and belief in holistic healing, or the connection between the mind and body in matters related to health and wellness, there are massage schools that cater specifically to this type of study.  Such schools (or massage institutes, as they are more commonly called) are often well known for their innovative techniques and practices, and can offer a program catered to your specific interests in the field of massage therapy. 

In addition, there are over eighty different modalities (areas of focus) related to massage therapy, allowing students to specialize in one or more of these disciplines.  For example, Swedish Massage is the most common form of massage, and what is generally requested by the majority of clients.  There is also deep tissue massage that focuses on clients who suffer from severe ailments and pains, as well a sports massage that deals primarily with athletes.  Choosing a modality, or focus, for your study is an important step in defining your eventual career in the massage field, and therefore, should be a main consideration when choosing a school.

If you are thinking of taking the step toward earning your massage therapy certificate, there has never been a better time to enter into this exciting and fast-growing discipline.  Knowing that your work helps others to live better lives is reward enough—but as the demand and salaries of massage therapist is steadily growing, it can be a double reward that will keep you happy with your career choice for years to come.