| Massage therapy has come a long way in the | | | | their views and opinions. |
| last thirty years. No longer relegated to the | | | | |
| extremely wealthy, massage is now considered | | | | Developing Your Career as a Massage Therapist |
| an important part of overall wellbeing. Many | | | | |
| large corporations are even offering massage | | | | There are many jobs available to recent |
| therapy to their employees because it's been | | | | massage school graduates in many diverse |
| found to increase morale and decrease sick | | | | industries. Massage therapy is a profession |
| time. Physical therapists, chiropractors, and | | | | on the rise. With substantial massage therapy |
| physicians now often prescribe massage | | | | career choices and opportunities to work in |
| therapy to treat specific conditions. A | | | | public or private practice, aspiring massage |
| career as a massage therapist presents | | | | therapists face a bright future. Employment |
| unlimited opportunities-you can work for a | | | | opportunities for massage therapists are |
| spa, a chiropractor's practice, or even be | | | | expected to grow at a faster-than-average |
| hired on at a major company. But first, you | | | | rate. Through 2012, massage therapists are |
| need to receive the proper training. | | | | likely to see a 20% to 35% increase in job |
| | | | opportunities |
| The time required to become a massage | | | | |
| therapist varies. You will need the minimum | | | | Massage therapists are hired to work in a |
| training to get started and enough education | | | | number of private and public settings: |
| to master the discipline. You will also need | | | | |
| to consider the educational requirements, if | | | | - Airports |
| any, of the states and/or cities where you | | | | |
| intend to practice. Thirty-seven states in | | | | - Fitness Centers |
| the US have licensing laws, and many | | | | |
| localities also have licensing laws that | | | | - Hospitals |
| apply within the city. | | | | |
| | | | - Nursing Homes |
| If you live in a state that regulates massage | | | | |
| licensing laws, the state requirements set | | | | - Private Offices |
| your minimum education. Legal minimums can | | | | |
| range from 330 to 1,000 contact hours, and | | | | - Shopping Malls |
| programs can take from a few weeks to two | | | | |
| years, depending on how the program is | | | | - Sports Medicine Facilities |
| structured. Be sure to check the requirements | | | | |
| for your area. | | | | - Studios |
| | | | |
| If your location has no governmental | | | | Developing a rewarding massage therapy career |
| regulation, it is still important to get the | | | | can take anywhere from a few months to a few |
| proper training before starting your | | | | years. Most successful massage therapists |
| practice. This will enable you to go further, | | | | reach a good practice level within two years, |
| so consider your long-term goals when you | | | | though some take longer. Your practice will |
| decide on the education you need. | | | | thrive if you focus on these important |
| | | | elements: |
| Training and Education | | | | |
| | | | - Strive for quality work with each client |
| Massage therapy is the fastest growing | | | | |
| segment of natural health care, due largely | | | | - Get involved in the community you practice |
| to the growth in public demand for | | | | in - become genuinely involved |
| alternative approaches to health. But there | | | | |
| are over 100 different massage therapy | | | | - Understand your ambition and goals |
| techniques available today, and it's hard to | | | | |
| know where one should start. If you are | | | | - Maintain positive energy levels |
| uncertain of the type of bodywork you want to | | | | |
| pursue, getting an education as a massage | | | | - Develop effective marketing and networking |
| therapist first is a great way to begin and | | | | efforts |
| to set the groundwork for your future career. | | | | |
| You can easily expand from your massage | | | | - Value your local reputation - word of mouth |
| therapy training, and add new therapies to | | | | can increase your clientele |
| your practice in the future. | | | | |
| | | | - Have a warm and friendly personality |
| When choosing a school, there are many | | | | |
| important factors to consider: | | | | Salaries for Massage Therapists |
| | | | |
| - Because massage therapy is not regulated | | | | Massage salaries can be varied depending a |
| the same everywhere, choose a school located | | | | person's industry experience, practice |
| in the area you wish to practice | | | | location or business proprietorship. Massage |
| | | | therapists earn a competitive annual income |
| - Be sure the school is recognized by the | | | | when compared to other health care support |
| organization you will be licensed or | | | | workers. Today's massage therapist*: |
| registered through | | | | |
| | | | - Charges an average of $58 for one hour of |
| - Check if the school has been approved by a | | | | massage |
| credible accreditation agency | | | | |
| | | | - Earns an average wage of $39 an hour |
| - Consider if you want full or part-time | | | | |
| studies | | | | - Earns an average annual income of $29,250 |
| | | | by providing 15 hours of massage per week |
| - Check to see if the school offers open | | | | |
| houses or short introductory courses | | | | *Statistics based on the US Department of |
| | | | Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004-2005 |
| - Interview or contact some graduates to get | | | | Occupational Outlook Handbook. |