| So you've decided you want to try a career in | | | | to consider when deciding where to do your |
| massage therapy, but you aren't quite sure | | | | studies. Many colleges offer tuition assistance, |
| where to start. Massage therapy has become | | | | student loans and grants to those who qualify. |
| much more than simply having your spouse lie on | | | | More than schooling, you will run into additional |
| the bed as you give their back a rub while you're | | | | costs with a massage table and/or chair, sheets, |
| secretly hoping they fall asleep quickly. There are | | | | towels, oils and lotions along with your textbooks |
| many benefits to massage therapy and different | | | | and other learning materials. |
| types of massage techniques that will help or | | | | Massage therapy isn't something you have to be |
| hinder specific conditions. How are you going to | | | | in college for four years to accomplish, but the |
| know which type of massage your client needs? | | | | cost can be pricey all the same so it's important |
| There are many things to learn about massage | | | | to be sure this is a career path you feel really fits |
| therapy and what better place to learn those | | | | your personality and lifestyle. It is important to be |
| things than in school? | | | | personable yet professional, courteous and |
| There are hundreds of schools in over 30 states | | | | consistent. If you have a germ phobia or feel a |
| that offer programs in massage therapy. An | | | | little shy about touching strangers it's probably isn't |
| education in massage therapy is much more than | | | | going to be a good career choice for you. You'll |
| just learning where to rub and how much | | | | also need to be understanding, empathetic, and a |
| pressure to apply. Your curriculum will cover | | | | good listener to follow this career path. You will be |
| anatomy, (the study of the human body), | | | | assessed on all of these areas upon beginning |
| physiology, (the functions of organs and their | | | | your massage therapy education. |
| systems), kinesiology, (the study of movement), | | | | Another thing you need to consider when |
| pathology, (the study of disease), massage | | | | choosing your school is licensure. Most states |
| history and theory; massage techniques and | | | | have massage therapy regulations and require |
| practice, assessment, (the study of regional | | | | you to pass an examination in order to obtain |
| orthopedic test for client evaluation), principles of | | | | your license. It's important to be certain the |
| treatment, nutrition, ethics and business. More | | | | school you choose has been approved by an |
| than 50% of massage therapists work for | | | | accreditation agency. The reason this is important |
| themselves so knowing how to manage your | | | | in a school is to ensure the school you choose has |
| business is very important to ensure repeat | | | | the high standards that are generally required to |
| clientele. | | | | make sure their students are prepared for their |
| Becoming a certified massage therapist typically | | | | licensing examinations. If you are serious about |
| takes 600-800 hours of schooling and the cost of | | | | this career choice, once you find your school and |
| tuition will vary from school to school. Highly | | | | get enrolled you could be enjoying your new life |
| accredited schools will obviously cost more than | | | | as a massage therapist in no time at all! |
| your local community college. These are all things | | | | |