Massage Therapy Careers
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What exactly is Massage Therapy?
Massage Therapy is the treatment and practice of manipulation to the soft body tissue. Massage Therapy is used to improve circulation, remove waste products from the muscles and to treat painful ailments.
It is also used to rehabilitate sports injuries, reduce stress and promote general health. A career in Massage Therapy can be very rewarding. Massage therapists help others recover from injuries, overcome chronic pain, reduce stress and feel better in general.
There are over 80 types of massage therapy available, some of the more popular ones include:
- Acupressure
- Aromatherapy Massage
- Hot Stone Massage
- Infant Massage
- Medical or Clinical Massage
- Prenatal/Pregnancy Massage
- Reflexology
- Scalp Massage
- Shiatsu
- Sports Massage
- Swedish Massage
- Thai Massage
Qualifications & Education:
Massage Therapy certification is mandatory in 38 states and in the District of Columbia. 32 of those states recognize the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) examinations. To become certified you must successfully complete an accredited training course and demonstrate your skills. You must also submit 200 hours of hands on experience and take the written ethics exam.
Salary & Job Prospects:
Massage Therapy is a flexible career choice with many therapists choosing to work part time and from their own homes. Massage therapists can earn anything from $35,000 to $65,000 depending on experience, qualifications and location.
As the demand for massage therapists is growing, the career prospects are excellent. This is partly due to the public's use of massage as part of their healthcare/ relaxation routine. Massage Therapy is also recommended by medical professionals to combat stress along with a number of other ailments.
Below is a list of some of the various types of allied health careers / professions: