Massage Therapy Programs: Career Training Opportunities Today

>Trager therapy, Thai massage, reflexology,
"Successful graduates may be eligible to take anpolarity therapy, prenatal massage, myofascial
exam through the NCBTMB (National Certificationrelease therapy, canine/equine massage, chair
Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) tomassage, Tuina, Lomi Lomi, Structural Integration,
become nationally certified.  Requirements forand Zero Balancing, among several others.
taking this exam include a minimum of 500 hoursSuccessful graduates may be eligible to take an
training from one of a number of accredited,exam through the NCBTMB (National Certification
state-approved massage therapy programs."Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) to
Find Massage Therapy Programs in the Unitedbecome nationally certified.  Requirements for
States and Canada. Presently, students havetaking this exam include a minimum of 500 hours
many diverse massage therapy programs fromtraining from one of a number of accredited,
which to choose.  According to the U.S. Bureaustate-approved massage therapy programs.
of Labor Statistics, there are about 1,300Health insurance companies are beginning to cover
massage therapy programs throughout the Unitednatural healthcare treatments provided by
States alone. qualified massage therapists.  This, along with the
In typical massage therapy programs, trainingfact that massage therapy is gaining in popularity,
begins with anatomy, physiology, pathology,are some of many excellent reasons why
kinesiology, range of motion, business and ethics. prospective students may wish to enroll in any
Because there is such a wide variety of massageone of several massage therapy programs to
techniques, massage institutes and schools oftenachieve gainful and rewarding employment as
differ in instructional methods.  For example, baseprofessional massage therapists.
training in massage therapy programs usuallyIf you (or someone you know) are interested
includes practical instruction in Swedish massage,in finding massage therapy programs, let
deep tissue massage and sports massage. professional training within fast-growing industries
However, several healing arts schools offerlike massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture,
expanded variations of these techniques withoriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you
additional training in other natural healing modalities.started! Explore career school programs near you.
While most massage therapy programs range*Occupational Resources: BLS (U.S. Bureau of
from 300-500 hours, a number of these coursesLabor Statistics)
exceed 1,000 training hours. Students who preferMassage Therapy Programs: Career Training
to examine unique massage methods find thatOpportunities Today
elective and focalized training is available.  For© Copyright 2007
instance, were you aware that there are over 60The CollegeBound Network
styles of massage therapy?  In addition toAll Rights Reserved
traditional bodywork therapies like sports, deepNOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of
tissue and Swedish massage, students can enrollcharge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright
in massage therapy programs that provideand Author Resource Box are included; and ALL
training in specific modalities like acupressure,Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.