| Massage has been around for centuries, but recently, | | | | core requirement of study common to all students, plus |
| more and more people seem to be interested in | | | | electives in different types of massage therapy. This |
| massage and other alternative health practices. With | | | | approach may take the longest, but because it is a |
| this increased interest, comes increased demand for | | | | community college, may be the least expensive of the |
| licensed massage therapists. This has created a surge | | | | three options. |
| in enrollments at massage therapy schools. There are | | | | There are also special seminars that are given around |
| many options for massage therapy schools. In my part | | | | the country for specialized areas of massage or for |
| of the country, I checked the phone book under | | | | specific massage treatments. These are typically |
| "massage therapy schools" and found many different | | | | geared toward the experienced massage therapist |
| options. | | | | and build upon their already existing knowledge and |
| The first option is the dedicated massage therapy | | | | experience. |
| school that only teaches the art of massage. They | | | | If you are interested in massage therapy school, you |
| typically have classroom training on health and general | | | | can easily hop online to check out a variety of options. |
| physiology and then a requirement for a large number | | | | There are virtually schools all over the country. You |
| of lab hours actually performing massage. These are | | | | can also acquire about the pay rates for massage |
| usually located in large urban areas. | | | | specialists. Although it will vary from spa to spa, they |
| The second type of massage therapy school is at a | | | | can provide an average. My spa charges $65 for a |
| local massage therapy office. The office where I get | | | | one-hour massage. The spa keeps a portion and the |
| my massage has 6 different therapists on staff. There | | | | massage therapist keeps the rest. Or, you can try to |
| is also an instructor. Classes are offered throughout | | | | go out on your own and open your own massage |
| the week during the day and evening. Clients become | | | | therapy office. A new approach is to work as a |
| practice patients for these massage therapists in | | | | freelance massage therapist for a local gym. Many |
| training. | | | | local fitness centers now offer massage as one of |
| The last option I found for massage therapy school | | | | their services. This is a good way to gain experience |
| was my local community college. Here, you have a | | | | and to build a good reputation as a massage therapist. |