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Massage therapists are professionals who are in the business of helping people feel better by alleviating stress, relieving pain, and/or assisting them in the process of healing from injuries. They do this by manipulating the soft tissue muscles of the body in an effort to improve circulation and promote general healing of the muscles. Often referred to by the familiar term of "masseuse", a massage therapist has a high degree of personal interaction with his/her clients and is usually able to derive a great deal of satisfaction from being afforded the opportunity to help people.
The type of massage that a therapist offers can be clinical, therapeutic, or some combination of the two. There are literally dozens of types, or modalities, of massage that a therapist can give to his/her client. The varieties are distinguishable from each other by different massaging techniques. A few examples include:
Most therapists are familiar with several modalities and usually specialize in one or more of them. A typical massage is an hour long, but sometimes massage time lengths can vary. The exact nature of a massage will depend heavily on the client's needs and his/her physical condition. A therapist will use very different techniques for an elderly client than for a fairly well-conditioned athlete, and will treat an injured client very differently from one who is solely seeking relaxation.
Massage Therapist Responsibilities
Most massages require some combination of massage oils, lotions, or creams; although some are conducted without any of these things. Many therapists, particularly those who are self-employed, are responsible for providing their own lotions as well as other accessories (e.g., massage table, chair, sheets, and pillows). In most cases, clients will be at least partially undressed and covered in a sheet, blanket, or loose-fitting clothing when receiving a massage.
The process under which a massage therapist interacts with his/her client usually begins with an informal interview where the client's medical history and desired results from the massage are discussed. Based on this interview, the therapist is typically able to identify the particular techniques which would be most beneficial to the client and eliminate those which could be harmful. Very often, the therapist will adjust or alter his/her initial approach during the massage, as areas of particular discomfort are discovered.
The work environment for a massage therapist can vary widely due to the large number of different settings where this type of work can be performed. Many therapists work in private offices while some others travel to clients' homes or offices to do their work. In addition, therapists can also be found in one or more of the following venues:
The room where the therapist does his/her work is usually comfortable and dimly lit. It is not uncommon for calm, soothing background music to be playing. Although typical, these amenities are not always available to the therapist who must perform massages in a client's home or office. The job can be a physically demanding one, with plenty of repetitive motion and possible fatigue from standing for extended periods of time. Due to the physical nature of the work, a typical work week is about 25 hours in length. However, when peripheral duties not directly associated with massaging (e.g., travel, equipment set-up, billing, office work) are factored in, a typical work week may actually be as long as 40 hours.
The nature of the work can result in fatigue and can sometimes lead to injury, particularly if proper techniques are not used. This risk can be mitigated by the use of sound technique, proper spacing between massage sessions, and regular exercise. For many therapists, the drawbacks of the job are more than made up for by the benefits of interacting with people in a beneficial and helpful way.
Important qualities for massage therapists include strong communication skills and a friendly personality. The ability to make clients feel comfortable is extremely vital in this business. Trust and confidence between a therapist and his/her clientele are crucial aspects for success in the profession and are necessary for not only maintaining but expanding a client base.
Employment Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (USDL BLS) projects a faster than average growth rate in massage therapist jobs over the next several years, particularly for those seeking part-time work. Employment growth will be enhanced by an increased number of people becoming familiar with the benefits of massage therapy. It will be further enhanced by an increased interest in alternative medicine and holistic healing, as well as a general recognition by healthcare providers and medical insurance companies of massage therapy as a legitimate treatment and preventative measure for many types of injuries and illnesses. New openings for those skilled in massage therapy are projected to result from the increasing popularity of the technique in corporate workplaces as well as in nursing homes and in assisted living facilities.
Females in particular can look forward to especially promising job prospects. Presently, about 85% of all massage therapists are female, owing to a distinct preference for female therapists among a large number of clients of both sexes. Therapists who are just starting out in the business should expect their initial work in hotels, spas, hospitals, therapy centers, and other businesses to be part-time until they are able to build a client base of their own. Networking and word-of-mouth referrals are a huge part of building that base. Joining a local chapter of a professional association can also be very helpful towards forging strong contacts and furthering the likelihood of steady work.
Massage Therapist Schools, Certification, and Licensing
Educational requirements for massage therapists vary widely by state and locality. Hundreds of massage therapy schools and college programs are currently in place throughout the country; however, the licensing requirements of a particular jurisdiction in which a candidate wants to practice should be checked before making a decision on which school or program to pursue. Also, candidates who are interesting in a certain specialty should try to find a school that caters to that specialty.
In general, massage schools tend to be somewhat expensive; however, most offer some kind of financial assistance including federal student loans. Most of them require a high school diploma for admittance and many also require a personal interview. A large number of schools regularly arrange internships with local massage practices so that graduates can start out with a valuable amount of practical on-the-job experience under their belts.
Licensing requirements are also quite variable and depend on the state and also by particular localities within states. Most states regulate the profession in some fashion and those that do not usually contain municipalities which impose their own requirements for a business license. Licensure typically requires some combination of education, experience, and/or the ability to pass an exam. Presently, most states require a minimum of 500 or more hours of massage training.
Many jurisdictions recognize the exam-based national certification program offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), or both. The exams, which are given at test centers across the country, do not result in licensure, as their are other requirements for that (the requirements vary by state).
A very helpful credential for a massage therapist is membership in a professional massage therapy association. Memberships help therapists network and establish contacts in the industry, which in turn often leads to finding new clients. Many of these associations require that members graduate from a nationally credentialed training program, have a state license, and/or be nationally certified by the FSMTB or NCBTMB.
Resources for Massage Therapists
Major Employers of Massage Therapists
More than 60% of massage therapists are self-employed. Of those self-employed, most therapists own their own business as opposed to working as independent contractors. Therapists who do not work for themselves can find employment at spas, fitness centers, hotels, and recreational sports centers, or from physicians and chiropractors. Generally speaking, the greatest chances for employment are in metropolitan areas, although therapists are usually able to find jobs throughout the country.
Schools for Massage Therapists are listed in the column to the left.
The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Massage Therapists by major metro area.
The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Massage Therapists, along with salary data by industry.
The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.
These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).
Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.
We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Massage Therapists. These pages include maps focused on the particular state, among other details.
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