Massage therapist is a person who treats his/her clients by making use of touch for manipulating the soft tissue muscles of the client’s body. With their touches, the massage therapists across the globe are:
- Relieving pain
- Help rehabilitating injuries
- Improving circulation
- Relieving stress
- Increasing relaxation
- Aiding in the general wellbeing of the clients
The work environment of the massage therapists would range from private and public settings like:
- Private offices
- Physician’s offices and clinics
- Spas
- Hospitals
- Fitness centers
- Chiropractic offices
- Health clubs
- Hotels
- Sports teams and other events
- Resorts
- Salons
- Cruise ships
Most of the massage therapists, particularly those who are self-employed, will provide their own:
- Table
- Chair
- Sheets
- Pillows
- Body lotions
- Oils
Job Description:
As a massage therapist, you will have to perform the following tasks:
- Speaking with your clients about:
- Symptoms
- Medical history
- Desired results
- Evaluating your clients for the purpose of locating painful/tensed areas of the body
- Manipulating muscles and any other soft tissues of the client’s body
- Providing your clients with the needed guidance on the following aspects:
- Stretching
- Strengthening
- Overall relaxation
- How to improve the posture
- Documenting your clients’ condition as well as progress
How to Become a Massage Therapist?
Educational Requirements:
Most typically, massage therapists would complete a post-secondary educational program which includes a minimum of 500 hours of study. However, the standards and/or requirements would vary from one state to another.
In order to get enrolled in a post-secondary educational program, you must hold a high school diploma or any equivalent degree. And, these post-secondary programs would cover subjects like:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Kinesiology – study of motion and body mechanics
- Pathology
- Business management
- Ethics
Licensing and Certification:
In the United States, in those states which have massage therapy regulations, the candidates must obtain a license or certification after having graduated from an approved program but prior start practicing as a massage therapist. This would require you to pass either a state exam or any of the two nationally recognized exams, which are:
- Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
- National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
As a massage therapist, you must also pass a background check and become certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Job Outlook and Opportunities:
The number of massage therapist jobs in the year 2012 was found to be 132,800. The job opportunities for massage therapists are estimated to increase by 23% from the year 2012 to 2022. This rate is much faster than the median for all the occupations.
Pay:
According to the ‘Bureau of Labor Statistics’ of the ‘United States Department of Labor’, the median annual pay for a massage therapist was found to be $35,970 per year in May 2012 which equals to the hourly pay of $17.29.
Summary:
Average Pay : $35,970
Education : Postsecondary non-degree award
Number of Jobs, 2012 : 132,800
Employment Growth from 2012 to 2022 : 23%
On-the-job training : None
Work Experience : None