Directory of Massage Therapy Schools & Programs
Learn the healing power of touch in massage therapy schools.
Earn Your Degree in Massage Therapy
Are you a people person who always seems able to put others immediately at ease? Are you interested in a job that empowers you to work for yourself and/or work part-time should you so choose, not to mention boasts faster-than-average projected employment growth? If so, you may want to concentrate your education on massage therapy studies. Massage therapists use touch to manipulate the soft tissues of the body, promoting health, rehabilitating injuries, and reducing stress for their clients. Over eighty different types of massage--called modalities--are currently practiced, and massage therapists typically specialize in a few of these.
Massage Therapy Studies
As of 2009, 42 states and the District of Columbia observe laws that regulate massage therapy, and most of these laws require massage therapists to: a) earn degrees from recognized institutions, and b) pass examinations and become licensed. Massage therapy programs vary significantly by locale, but most take 500 hours or more to complete. Coursework may include instruction in: anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, motion and body mechanics, business management and ethics as well as hands-on massage techniques.
Certain schools focus on a limited number of modalities, whereas others attempt to teach a broader range of skills. Consult your state board's massage directory to get acquainted with the specifics.
Great Careers in Massage Therapy
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost half of all massage therapists work only part-time (although when travel time is included, the weekly total often qualifies as full-time employment). Some massage therapists work for themselves, whereas others are independent contractors or find regular employment at spas, studios, hospitals, etc.
Karin Hansen
Karin Hansen holds a degree in English from San Francisco State University.
Massage Therapists • Bureau of Labor Statistics
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