How To Start Your Career as Massage Therapist
Massage therapy is widely used and practiced in the United States. Medical research has recently proven the health benefits of massage therapy. Starting a career in massage therapy begins with attending an accredited massage therapy school. Licensed massage therapists are not only in great demand today, but the demand is projected to grow in coming years. Completing a comprehensive degree program that covers Swedish massage as well as Asian bodywork through an accredited massage therapy school is your first step in receiving a required state license and/or national certification.
Begin by researching massage therapy schools in your area. You can find a list of massage schools in your state that are approved and accredited by searching on the internet. Whether you want to specialize in medical massage therapy, Asian massage therapy, sports massage therapy or want to work in a relaxed environment of a spa, finding the suitable massage therapy school is essential to achieving your goal. The demand for massage therapy is growing as more medical practitioners recommend it and more consumers want it, making it a great career choice.
While researching the right massage therapy school, it is important to review the curriculum, techniques taught, the reputation of the faculty and how long the school has been teaching massage therapy. The curriculum at massage therapy school should include learning health science, channels and points, along with various massage therapy techniques as well as clinical practice where the students treat real patients. A good massage therapy school may also offer courses such as yoga, tai-chi, or other physical arts.
The next step requires becoming licensed or certified, depending on which state in which you live. Over 40 states and the District of Columbia require a license to practice massage therapy. Other states accept the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) board exam. You must check the regulations for your state and then sit for and pass the proper exam before being allowed to practice.
Employment opportunities are many and you can easily start your own business or work in spas, resorts, health centers, with sports teams, and hospitals to name a few. With the growing demand for trained professionals in this field, over 30 000 massage therapy jobs are expected to be available by 2014 in the United States alone.
The benefits of a career in massage therapy include a schedule with flexible hours in a relaxed environment, or in a medical setting assisting doctors and patients. Becoming a massage therapist is a respected career that provides personal satisfaction derived from truly helping people. It is also a good entry into the growing field of health care.
New York College of Health Professions has been a leader in providing world-class holistic health and wellness education for 30 years. It offers an advanced 72 credit Associate degree program in Massage Therapy and a Bachelors degree program in Advanced Asian Bodywork through its massage therapy school. It was the first school in New York State approved to offer college degrees in massage therapy. Its main campus is on Long Island with multiple additional locations in New York City.
For more information about the accredited holistic healing degree programs offered by the College, log on to http://www.nycollege.edu.
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