A Massage Therapy Career
by Sam Hirschberg
How to Enjoy a Massage Therapy Career
There are more massage professionals enjoying a massage therapy career today than ever before. The massage therapy industry is growing rapidly causing more people to look into the industry for career options. With an average of 60,000 massage therapy graduates each year, there are currently about 300,000 massage therapists, many of which are enjoying a full-time or part-time massage therapy career today.
What is Causing Growth in the Massage Therapy Industry?
There are many factors causing growth in the massage therapy industry. The bottom line is that more people are paying for a massage therapy professional today than ever before. Experts believe that as people’s lives get busier and daily work schedules become more hectic, massage can offer many healing benefits. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is showing an increase of physicians, chiropractors and allied health care professionals referring patients to a certified or licensed* massage therapist.
Massage therapy provides relief to people of all ages—from infants to seniors—and from all walks of life—from the weekend warrior or competitive athlete to the home gardener or overstressed, overworked executive. Therapeutic massage is a service that is showing to become more and more valuable, causing people to look to a massage therapist to help them relax and live a better quality of life.
A Career in Massage Therapy
A professional in the career of massage therapy will address a variety of health conditions, the most prevalent being stress-related tension. Massage has been proven beneficial in treating cancer-related fatigue, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, low back pain, immunity suppression, spinal cord injury, autism, post-operative care, age-related disorders, infertility, eating disorders, smoking cessation and depression, just to name a few.
Here is Why a Massage Therapy Career Helps People:
Massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. A Massage Therapy professional can benefit people’s lives through massage, causing many physiological effects, such as:
- Increasing circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
- Stimulating the lymph system, the body’s natural defense, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.
- Relaxing and softening injured and overused muscles.
- Reducing spasms and cramping.
- Increasing joint flexibility.
- Reducing recovery time for strenuous workouts and eliminating subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.
How to Get Started in a Massage Therapy Career
Once you have decided to pursue a career in massage therapy, you will find that there are basically four ways to get started:
- You will want to complete a training program that will qualify you to practice in the location you choose.
- You will want to get certified or licensed by successfully completing an exam*.
- If you want to practice in an area where massage therapy is regulated, you will need to meet the requirements of your state or municipality by obtaining a license or other credential. Check with your state to see if massage therapy is regulated in your area**. Choosing a school is very important. Choosing the wrong school can mean that if you want to move to another state, you may have to begin your massage therapy career education over again.
- You could stop into any elements therapeutic massage facility to check out their opportunities for you to begin a massage therapy career. Their professional staff will be happy to help you get started. To find a location go here.
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To view the elements therapeutic massage home page, please click here.
* Currently, 38 states regulate massage therapists as reported by the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP).
** For a listing of State Boards and Requirements, go here.
Additional information can be found at the 2004 Massage Therapy Consumer Fact Sheet, American Massage Therapy Association
