One of the fastest growing allied health professions, massage therapy is projected to grow faster than average, increasing 21 to 35 percent between 2002 and 2012 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Related professions, including physical therapy are growing as well with physical therapists holding approximately 137,000 jobs in 2002. There are over 203 accredited programs at physical therapy schools nationwide and acupuncture, oriental medicine, holistic/alternative health, chiropractics, personal training, and nutrition are just a few of the spa and wellness careers.
Individuals who are interested in different types of therapies that promote well-being and a higher quality of life are typically those who pursue a career in massage therapy. With over 100 different massage therapy techniques available today, it is hard to know where to start and getting an education as a massage therapist sets the groundwork for your future. Expanding from this training, it is possible to add new therapies to your practice and the following information will come in handy.
Qualification criteria for massage therapy training
Different entrance requirements apply based on the schools. However, a high school diploma is required for most schools and a post-secondary education is really useful.
The characteristics and qualities assessed are:
• Communication skills
• Capacity of empathy
• Trust and understanding
• Listening skills
• Sciences (anatomy, physiology)
• Psychology
• Humanities
• Business
Some educational facilities may waive certain entrance requirements if you are considering taking massage therapy part-time. Checking with the educational facilities in your area and comparing the entrance requirements before you apply will be a good thing to do prior to going ahead with the program.
Details of Massage Therapy Training
Offered both in private and community colleges in the United States, massage therapy is taught in private as well as community colleges. The more expensive and fast paced programs are usually offered in private colleges while community college programs are usually slower paced and less expensive. In addition, fees differ between schools and states and investigating the different options in your area will help in deciding what educational program best suits your individual needs.
The fees will differ from school to school and from different countries, states and provinces. The details of the curriculum covered for a massage therapy program are:
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Kinesiology
• Pathology
• Massage history and theory
• Massage techniques and practical
• Assessment (the study of regional orthopedic tests for client evaluation)
• Principles of treatment
• Nutrition
• Ethics
• Business
Offering supervised clinics which are available to the general public, many schools allow students the opportunity to work on a variety of clients and conditions.
Cost of Massage Therapy Training
The general tuition fee in 2006-2007 was around $2,500. Private massage therapy schools may cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 for a basic 500 hour course. Upon completion of the course, a license is required to be able to practice and requirements vary by region.