Are you interested in becoming a massage therapist but not sure if it is a good career? Massage therapists are professionals in the healing arts. They enjoy helping clients relax and reduce pain. They use their intensive training to deliver customized treatments to clients. While many massage therapists offer standalone treatments, some work as part of holistic and integrative wellness teams. So, is becoming a massage therapist a good career?

Is Becoming a Massage Therapist a Good Career?

Is massage therapy a good career? The job outlook for massage therapists is robust. According to the , employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 20% through 2031.

The increased demand for trained and licensed massage therapists is due to the increase in demand for holistic medicine. As interest in integrative medicine grows, people are increasingly seeking out noninvasive, holistic options for dealing with pain and injuries. Additionally, growing awareness about the importance of self-care for mental health has many people seeking options for unplugging from the stress of daily life. Massage therapy has been linked to lower stress levels, decreased anxiety, and reduced irritability. Ordinary people all over the country consider their massage therapists essential for wellness and relaxation.

What Does a Massage Therapist Do?

A massage therapist is a licensed professional capable of delivering both relaxation-based and therapeutic techniques. Massage therapists assess and treat the body’s joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and soft tissue. The primary job duty of a massage therapist is to apply manual pressure and stimulation. They can do this using their education focused on anatomy, physiology, reflexology, and the intricacies of recognized treatment techniques. Services offered by licensed massage therapists can be used for:

• Improving circulation.
• Promoting relaxation.
• Treating injury-related pain.
• Treating chronic pain.
• Promoting overall health.
• Promoting mood and mental health.

Massage therapists listen to their clients to get an understanding of what they need. Using input from each client to determine a patient’s wellness goals, you can design a custom plan that utilizes the best technique and scheduling frequency to produce results. You can also follow up with clients, help to monitor progress, and provide suggestions for supporting the musculoskeletal system.

Where Do Massage Therapists Work?

As a massage therapist, you can work in a variety of settings. You can work at spas, wellness centers, and massage offices. Some are affiliated with hospitals and care centers. It’s also possible to work for resorts and cruise brands as a massage therapist. In some cases, licensed professionals prefer to work independently because they enjoy the freedom to travel from client to client. Opportunities also exist for event-based massage work at shopping malls, festivals, corporate events, and casinos. It’s also possible to get a job working for sports teams and athletes. Professional and elite athletes are increasingly using massage therapists to help with muscle recovery to achieve enhanced performance and injury prevention. Many college and professional teams and leagues employ on-staff massage therapists.

How Does Someone Become a Massage Therapist?

Massage therapy is a tightly regulated industry. You must become a licensed professional in order to legally work in this field. The only way to earn licensing is by graduating from a massage therapy program at a vocational school. While programs require a minimum number of classroom hours to obtain a diploma or degree, a massage therapy program is an intensive experience designed to equip you to be successful. In fact, you will become an expert at the human body, reflexes, and muscle groups.

After successfully graduating from a program, you must pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) administered by the Completing a degree or diploma program isn’t just a requirement. The reality is that a massage therapy program is necessary to pass the state board exams. These thorough exams will cover all of the technical, ethical, and hygienic requirements that massage therapists must be familiar with before they can begin seeing clients.

What Do You Learn During a Massage Therapy Program?

A massage therapy diploma program consists of a well-planned sequence of courses designed to help you grow in skill and expertise. While these programs are intensive, they are designed to help you learn at a reasonable pace, digest the course materials being covered, and learn how to apply your “book” knowledge in practical settings. Each course prepares you for the next phase of information and training.

A massage therapy school curriculum covers scientific and technical information, manual skills, and mastery of the business knowledge needed to successfully work as a massage therapist. You are led by instructors with real-world experience in a variety of settings. Of course, the highlight of any massage therapy program is the intensive training that you receive in respected massage therapy techniques. You will learn how to administer forms of massage therapy that have been developed around the world. The list of key topics covered during in-class program coursework includes:

• Swedish Massage.
• Deep Tissue Massage.
• Neuromuscular Therapy.
• Chair Massage.
• Sports Massage.
• Anatomy and Physiology.
• Business and Success Techniques.

Training in these areas will help equip you to walk into employment situations with the skills employers are looking for. In addition, you will be empowered to help your clients discover approaches to healing and wellness that allow them to enjoy health, comfort, and vitality. In fact, you will have the ability to use your in-depth training to help clients discover healing solutions based on their symptoms, health backgrounds, and other core diagnostic factors.

What Happens After Graduation From Massage Therapy School?

Graduation day is an exciting day because you will know that you are about to walk into a career with limitless potential. There is also a sense of excitement in the air because you have chosen a profession that offers rare levels of satisfaction, personal freedom, and room for growth.

Upon graduation, you are qualified to begin applying to entry-level positions at spa franchises, and medical centers. Many students discover that they have a specific preference that they’d like to pick as a specialty. Choosing a specialty can be a great way to enjoy a niche career with a steady roster of repeat clients. Clinical massage, medical massage, sports massage, and prenatal massage are just some of the specialties that you can pivot toward while building a career. Of course, being a generalist can be a great way to enjoy a career that’s full of variety.

Who Can Become a Massage Therapist?

This occupation is open to anyone willing to put in the time and work needed to graduate from a massage therapy program. Many people come to this career after spending years working in corporate settings, education, and other fields. They are drawn to the healing arts because they are seeking a career that gives them a sense of purpose and connection. They also like the fact that a diploma or degree provides access to a sustainable career in a growing field. Also, many people know from a young age that they don’t want work in an office. They crave the satisfaction of a career with many different options for growth.

There’s no need to have a specific background to enroll in a vocational program. No prerequisite courses are required before enrolling.

How Does Someone Begin a Massage Therapy Career?

A career in this expanding field begins with a diploma or degree from a massage therapy program. A great way to start the journey is by enrolling in a massage therapy program offered by Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ College. While the decision to become a massage therapist requires dedication, you will have the guidance and support of your instructors throughout the educational journeys.

Interested in learning more about starting a massage therapy career? Upon graduation, students will receive diplomas and be qualified to seek entry-level positions as clinical, medical, or deep tissue massage therapists in wellness clinics and centers, spa environments including resorts and franchises, and self-employment.

Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ College also offers a degree program in for students attending the Lilburn, GA campus. The Associate of Science Degree in Massage and Spa Operations is designed to provide you with the additional knowledge and practical skills to transition into positions of leadership within the spa environment or to better function as a proprietor of your own massage business. The program includes core curriculum courses specific to the practice of massage as well as courses to be used in the administration of a practice.

to learn more about how you can become a massage therapist today.

One of the most gratifying careers that falls into this category is massage therapy. Not only do you get to make others feel better but you’re able to see the difference in their mind and body with your healing hands.

How Massage Therapy Helps Others

Between July 2016 and July 2017 over 59 million US adults had a massage at least once, according to the . There is an increased demand for massage therapy from highly trained and compassionate massage therapists.

This is due to the fact that massage therapy works to help others in a variety of ways including:

• Helps alleviate anxiety
• Relieves lower back pain
• Soothes tension headaches
• Helps reduce depression symptoms
• Restores restful sleep
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves circulation
• Provides physical relaxation
• Helps with range of motion and flexibility
• Enhances vitality and energy
• Helps with aching muscles
• Release of nerve compression

There are a number of diseases and disorders that are relieved such as osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Along with treating symptoms of diseases and disorders, there are also areas of help with specific pains such as carpal tunnel, scoliosis, whiplash and sciatica.

Osteoarthritis – caused by the inflammation, breakdown and loss of cartilage in the joints. According to the , Osteoarthritis affects 27 million Americans. There is no cure, but treatment can help control pain and swelling allowing the patient to stay mobile and active.

Gout – a form of inflammatory arthritis that can develop from high levels of uric acid in the blood. According to the , the acid forms crystals in the joints that can poke the patient causing severe pain, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling. Gout occurs in over 8 million American adults.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joints, mistakenly thinking that the joints are a foreign body. This can cause swelling and pain in the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. According to the , 1.5 million people in the US have rheumatoid arthritis.

Carpal Tunnel – a numbness and tingling in the hand and arm caused by a pinched median nerve in the wrist. A patient that is at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome may have hereditary factors, use their hand repetitively, put their hand or wrist in an improper position or have one or more health problems including diabetes. Carpal tunnel affects more than 3 million people in the US each year.

Scoliosis – a sideways curvature of the spine. Although the main cause is unknown, it is a symptom of cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Scoliosis affects over 3 million people in the US each year.

Whiplash – a neck injury that occurs when a person’s head suddenly moves backward and then forward. Most cases of whiplash are caused by car accidents, when a person is rear-ended. Other activities that may also cause whiplash are bungee jumping, skiing or riding horses. Neck pain is usually associated with whiplash, plus neck stiffness, reduced range of motion, back pain and headaches.

Sciatica – pain that radiates down the sciatic nerve down to the lower back, through the hips and buttocks to the legs. Sciatica can be caused by a herniated disk or bone spur. The symptoms include inflammation, pain and numbness in the legs. Sciatica affects over 3 million people in the US each year.

Emotional and Physiological Benefits

Massage therapy isn’t just for helping those in pain, it works just as well for emotional and physiological needs. Just a few of the areas covered include lower stress levels, mood improvement, reduced fatigue, reduced anger, and a reduction in anxiety and depression. This is why so many get regular massages as part of their health and relaxation choices – it does so much for their psyche as well as their physical bodies.

Reduce Stress

Many clients come to the massage therapist to reduce the stress in their lives through massage. The massage therapist must create a comfortable atmosphere that allows a client to relax and let stress go. Through physical contact, the massage therapist will allow endorphins into the brain causing a reduction of stress and overall calming experience. Similar to yoga or meditation, the massage therapist can create a stress-free environment for the client to reduce their stress level while being massaged.

A Good Listener

Another aspect of helping others through massage therapy is that the massage therapist develops the skills to listen to others. While some clients wish to experience their massage with peace and quiet or appropriate background music, others will feel the need to talk to the massage therapist and listening skills will continue to develop. It is the perfect environment for some people to feel comfortable enough to share things, which helps them relax even further.

A Need to Heal

There is one thing that most massage therapists have in common – the ability to heal others. Massage therapy is an ideal career for helping others and doing it in a non-invasive way, that makes the client feel good.

Massage Types

There are many different types of massage such as Swedish massage, deep massage, sports massage, hot stone massage and trigger point massage.

Each one of these massage types help in specific ways that vary depending on what the individual needs. The best part is that the massage therapist gets to suggest the right one for their clients and cater to their distinct areas of concern.

For instance, the massage therapist may have a client that simply wants more relaxation and can suggest a Swedish massage; but a client who has been injured while running would benefit from a sports massage. It’s all about helping others obtain the kind of alternative medicine that makes them feel better while helping relieve pain and heal better.

A Creative Workplace

This is where the massage therapist’s own creativity comes in – they get to tailor their care as well as make their work area an extension of their own personality with the oils they choose, the lighting, music, and scents. Not only does the client benefit from the environment, the massage therapist is also working in the same type of atmosphere and reaps the rewards of a relaxing ambiance.

By being able to customize the type of techniques and modalities that they learn, it also makes their workday more creative and less repetitive – and best of all, the massage therapist is helping others.

The Rewards are Many

Along with the passion in helping others, the rewards of a career in massage therapy are numerous. Once you gain enough experience and can set out on your own, you have the freedom of choosing your own work space, setting your own hours, and choosing your own style for your workplace.

Even if you are newly graduated and work for someone else, you typically have choices in some of the elements of your workspace such as choosing your favorite scent or a specific oil that is part of a package.

There is a diverse range of workplaces that a massage therapist can use their gift such as hotels, beauty and health spas, resorts, cruise ships, health clubs, at large companies and wellness centers. It’s the best of both worlds with massage therapy, helping others while being in your own relaxing atmosphere.

Interested in learning more about a career in massage therapy? Ready to become a massage therapist? Upon graduation, students will receive diplomas and be qualified to seek entry-level positions as clinical, medical, or deep tissue massage therapists in wellness clinics and centers, spa environments including resorts and franchises, and self-employment.

to learn more about how you can become a massage therapist today.

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