Massage Therapist

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