| For anyone wanting to get into the field of | | | | non-credit courses, or by being mentored by a |
| massage, there is an ever growing range of | | | | masseuse. If you are going to be charging fees |
| choice in the type and style of therapy work you | | | | for your massage services, however, then you |
| could do. Being a massage therapist can be a | | | | will need to become certified and insured. In fact, |
| lucrative career, but the choice of course is | | | | to work in a clinic environment it is required. How |
| important in offering the therapist the widest | | | | then, do you find a good massage course that |
| number of career options. There are now so | | | | not only teaches you how to give an effective |
| many different types of massage that you could | | | | massage, but also provides you with recognized |
| specialise in, it makes choosing a course almost | | | | certification? |
| more difficult, so good research is crucial in | | | | The first thing that you will need to do is check |
| deciding your career path. | | | | the rules and regulations for massage certification |
| Your first task then, is to decide exactly what | | | | in the state in which you live. Though most |
| type of therapist you would like to be. Would you | | | | regulations will be similar from area to area, it is |
| like to work closely with the medical field as a | | | | best to know the details of where you live. Also, |
| physical therapist, helping those who have been | | | | external vocational examining bodies should be |
| injured due to accidents, and even this can be | | | | able to give you a list of schools that can provide |
| broken down to such categories as sports | | | | you with the type of training that should suit your |
| injuries, work injuries, etc. Though being a physical | | | | goals and needs. After obtaining a list of schools |
| therapist does involve knowing many types of | | | | that you feel would fit your needs, start |
| massage, it also entails knowing other forms of | | | | narrowing down your choices by such factors as |
| therapy as well, so training should be detailed and | | | | location, expense, length of training before |
| in-depth. A training course in massage therapy as | | | | certification can be accomplished, and possibly |
| part of a physical therapy course should be done | | | | even graduate placement record. Check |
| at an accredited school; one that will eventually | | | | references, and make sure that all schools that |
| lead you to certification in many areas and be a | | | | you are interested in attending are themselves |
| stepping stone for working closely with the | | | | board certified. |
| medical profession. | | | | Never discount the advantage of having a mentor |
| What if you are just interested in massage | | | | in the field, and if you possibly can, try to |
| therapy in and of itself? Is certification still | | | | network with different types of massage |
| necessary? If you are simply interested in learning | | | | therapists so that you can get a feel for different |
| the techniques of giving a good massage, then | | | | types of techniques. Experience and diversity are |
| certification is probably not necessary, and you | | | | key factors when it comes to attracting and |
| may be able to learn through books, videos, | | | | maintaining loyal clients once you go into business. |