| What do the words "massage therapy" suggest to | | | | number of spas and massage clinic franchises will |
| you? Perhaps you imagine a sun-splashed California | | | | continue to grow. As the population ages but people |
| resort with tanned starlets getting rubdowns from | | | | live longer and stay active, more and more people will |
| hunky guys. Maybe you think of battered athletes | | | | require the services of trained massage therapists. |
| receiving therapeutic massage from their trainers in the | | | | How do you enter this growing career area? Not just |
| locker room, or tired executives getting rejuvenated at | | | | anyone can be a professional massage therapist. Most |
| a day spa in the corporate headquarters. | | | | states and the District of Columbia have laws |
| Massage therapy is all of these and more. Since | | | | regulating massage therapy. Many states require that |
| ancient times people have used massage therapy to | | | | massage therapists pass the National Certification |
| relax tired and overworked muscles, reduce stress, | | | | Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork |
| treat sports injuries, and feel better. Lasting benefits of | | | | (NCETMB). The exam is administered by the National |
| massage therapy include improved circulation and the | | | | Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and |
| elimination of waste products from muscles. Many | | | | Bodywork (NCBTMB), and there are several eligibility |
| people have a massage therapist whom they see on | | | | requirements. In some states, candidates must have |
| a regular basis. | | | | completed a state-approved training course, or |
| There are over 80 different types, or modalities, of | | | | demonstrate training experience. |
| massage. These modalities include Swedish massage, | | | | If you want to prepare for a career as a massage |
| Shiatsu, reflexology, neuromuscular massage, sports | | | | therapist, getting the right training can be a big help. A |
| massage, and many more. Each one is different. For | | | | reputable college directory website such as |
| example, Shiatsu massage, also called acupressure, is | | | | Education-For-Careers provides free information about |
| a finger-pressure technique that unblocks energy flow | | | | licensed massage therapy schools. Their programs |
| in the body. Reflexology is the use of pressure applied | | | | often cover subjects such as the study of organs and |
| to the feet in order to influence other parts of the | | | | tissues, physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, business, |
| body and the internal organs. Aromatherapy uses | | | | ethics, and the study of motion and body mechanics. |
| scented oils to enhance the massage experience. | | | | Of course, most also provide students with experience |
| Most professional massage therapists know and use | | | | in the hands-on practice of massage techniques. |
| more than one modality. | | | | Getting started is easy. If you enjoy using your hands |
| Massage therapists work in a wide variety of settings, | | | | to help people feel better and live happier lives, then |
| including private practices, sports medicine facilities, | | | | you should explore the career opportunities in |
| corporations, cruise ships, day spas, and fitness | | | | massage therapy. You can get free information by |
| centers. Many massage therapists make house calls | | | | logging onto a reputable college directory website. |
| or travel to serve their clients. While many work on a | | | | Simply enter the search terms that are appropriate for |
| regular schedule, this is a career with a high degree of | | | | you, such as "massage therapy California." You'll be |
| flexibility. | | | | presented with the leading massage career schools |
| Career prospects. According to the U.S. Bureau of | | | | that meet your criteria. In minutes you can compare |
| Labor Statistics, in the current decade from 2008 to | | | | programs, financial aid options, and flexible schedules. |
| 2018 employment for massage therapists is expected | | | | Then just click on the schools you like in order to get |
| to increase 19 percent, faster than the average for all | | | | more free information from the schools themselves. It |
| occupations. In the years ahead it is expected that the | | | | only takes a few minutes to get your training started! |