| Though massage is often thought of as simple | | | | applied with the finger, palm and thumb to reflex |
| bodywork, it is actually quite diversified and is | | | | points on these areas of the body to release |
| branched into several massage modalities and | | | | stress, improve circulation and promote balance in |
| techniques. When you enroll in a massage therapy | | | | the body. |
| school, be sure to review the hands-on curriculum. | | | | While there are many more massage techniques |
| While a great number of massage therapy | | | | available, standard massage training will typically |
| schools offer practical training in Swedish | | | | cover fundamentals in anatomy; physiology, organ |
| massage, many schools offer massage training in | | | | and tissue studies, kinesiology, body and motion |
| numerous other varieties, including chair massage, | | | | mechanic studies, and, of course, practical |
| deep tissue massage and medical massage, to | | | | massage training. |
| name a few. | | | | As with most massage therapy schools, students |
| Some massage therapy schools prefer to provide | | | | who successfully complete their training are often |
| an array of massage techniques to better | | | | encouraged to take the national certification |
| accommodate the expanding field. For example, | | | | examination, which is given by the National |
| massage instruction can include deep tissue | | | | Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and |
| massage, which is unique bodywork used to | | | | Bodywork (NCBTMB). Prospective massage |
| release chronic muscular tension. The main | | | | therapists should review requirements for |
| difference between Swedish and deep tissue (as | | | | becoming Nationally Certified prior to enrollment, |
| the name implies) is that deep tissue massage is | | | | as this may vary from state to state. |
| administered with greater pressure at deeper | | | | Due to society's awareness of the beneficial |
| muscle layers than Swedish massage. | | | | health aspects of massage therapy and an |
| Another type of bodywork taught at some | | | | increased interest in alternative medicine and |
| massage therapy schools is sports massage. | | | | natural healing, massage therapy schools that |
| Sports massage is an integration of both deep | | | | provide hands-on training in assorted massage |
| tissue and Swedish massage, but is primarily used | | | | techniques are gaining headway in today's |
| to promote healing in athletic injuries. | | | | educational system. In addition, many graduates |
| Two modalities that are most often offered at | | | | will opt to continue their natural healing education, |
| massage therapy schools are acupressure and | | | | and specialize in a related field, such as |
| Shiatsu. Interestingly enough, both techniques are | | | | chiropractics or acupuncture. |
| based on acupuncture points (meridian channels), | | | | To learn more about Massage Therapy Schools, |
| whereby pressure is applied to these particular | | | | or even Online Massage Therapy Schools, we |
| points with finger, palm and thumb as opposed to | | | | invite you to visit our Natural Healing Directory to |
| acupuncture needling. The fundamental distinction | | | | find more in-depth information and resources. |
| between the two is that Shiatsu is the Japanese | | | | Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved by Media |
| edition, and acupressure is a generalized | | | | Positive Communications, Inc. |
| adaptation of the technique. | | | | DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW |
| Another form of bodywork that many massage | | | | and may or may not reflect specific practices, |
| therapy schools offer is reflexology. This specific | | | | courses and/or services associated with ANY |
| massage style is commonly applied to the feet to | | | | ONE particular school(s) that is or is not |
| stimulate reflex points that correspond to | | | | advertised on |
| particular body organs. However, reflexology is | | | | Notice to Publishers: Please feel free to use this |
| not just limited to the feet; it is also used on the | | | | article in your Ezine or on your Website; however, |
| ears and hands. Like acupressure, reflexology is | | | | ALL links must remain intact and active. |