Massage Therapy Careers - Future Outlook
Massage therapy careers are growing fast due to the increased knowledge of massage therapy and its health benefits. Find out more about the career outlook of the massage therapy field.
Future Outlook Of Massage Therapy Careers
Are you interested in the healing benefits of massage therapy? Do you enjoy working with people to help promote overall health and reduce stress? Working in massage therapy may be an option for you.
Massage therapy is gaining more and more popularity because people are starting to understand the benefits of massage therapy. Massages can help benefit the health of others by:
- Treating painful ailments
- Decompressing overworked and tired muscles
- Reducing stress
- Rehabilitating sports injuries
Massage can also help alleviate daily stresses and allow people to reach a new level of relaxation in their lives. Due to the increased knowledge in the benefits of massage, there is a higher need for trained professionals.
Massage Therapy Careers
Massage Therapists
Massage therapists are generalists in the field of massage therapy. It is also a fast growing industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that job growth is expected to rise by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018. In 2008, the BLS reported there were 122,400 massage therapists employed in the U.S. and by 2018, the BLS projects 145,600 people will be employed as massage therapists. More and more salons are also offering massage services and need experienced staff to fill open positions.
More opportunities should be available for people who have the required training and education. Most states have license requirements to work as a professional massage therapist. In order to pass a licensing exam, you need the state-specific required hours to work as a massage therapist.
Fitness and Sports Massage Therapists
Athletes and fitness professionals are starting to incorporate massage therapy into their training programs. Sports massage therapy is growing in popularity as more athletes recognize the benefits to the body. Massage therapy programs from fitness and sports professionals can help:
- Prevent injury
- Boost performance
- Help restore injured muscles
- Help maintain the overall health of the body
Massage can help athletes manage pain from injuries as well as heal from injuries at a faster rate. The BLS reports that employment for sports and fitness massage therapists should increase by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018.
Medical and Health Care Massage Therapists
Medical and health care massage therapists careers are also on the rise due to an increase in the number of medical professionals who refer clients to massage therapy for treatment in many areas. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that 39 million American adults have discussed massage therapy as part of treatment with their doctors. The increasing elderly population is also seeking medical massage therapy now more than ever to help reduce health problems. Medical and health care massage therapists can assist clients in:
- Pain management
- Massage for cancer patients
- Parts of physical therapy
- Pregnancy massage
As doctors continue to refer clients to medical massage therapists, so too does the need for licensed professionals to fill open jobs. Employment of medical and health care massage therapists is expected to grow much faster than many other occupations. The BLS projects that from 2008 to 2018, jobs for trained professional therapists will increase by 19 percent.
Kathryn Vercillo
Kathryn Vercillo is a full time freelance writer / blogger with nearly ten years of writing experience. She has authored two books and contributed to many other print publications. Previously Kathryn worked as the editor-in-chief of a small literary arts magazine and as the manager of a writing company that linked businesses with freelancers. Areas she has researched extensively include personal finance, real estate, travel, life-work balance and health and fitness.
Massage Therapists - Dec 17, 2009 • Bureau of Labor Statistics
Fitness and Sports Massage • American Massage Therapy Association
Medical and Health Care-Related Settings • American Massage Therapy Association
2010 Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet - Feb 12, 2010 • American Massage Therapy Association
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