How Do I Become A Massage Therapist?
What Does It Take To Become A Massage Therapist?
Massage therapists use their hands to manipulate the body’s soft tissue muscles. Massage therapists may use their skills to treat painful ailments, decompress tired muscles, reduce stress, rehabilitate athletes who have suffered from injuries, and to promote overall health.
Massage therapists are able to specialize in over 80 different types of massage. Popular massage therapy specialisms include reflexology and sports massage. The majority of massage therapists specialize in providing several different types of massage.
What Are The Requirements To Become A Massage Therapist?
The majority of US states require practicing massage therapists to have completed a formal education program and successfully pass an exam. It’s part of their career development that will stay with you for your entire career. Education programs for massage therapists are typically require around 500 hours of study to complete. A high school diploma is usually needed for admission. Massage therapy programs cover subjects such as physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, business management, ethics and hands-on massage techniques. Training programs may teach students one or two forms of massage or many concentrate on a wide range of massage types. Full-time and part-time massage therapy education programs are available to those who wish to become a massage therapist.
Massage therapy programs differ in terms of accreditation. Generally, massage therapy education programs approved by the state. However, they may also be accredited by one or more independent accrediting agencies. In the states that regulate the work of massage therapists, graduation from an accredited school or training program is required. Some states require therapists to engage in continuing education.
In states possessing massage therapy regulations, therapists must acquire a license following graduating from a massage therapy training program and before practicing massage. Prospective therapists must usually sit an examination to gain their license. Periodic renewal of their licensure may be required.
Where Can I Get Training to Become A Massage Therapist?
You can start you search for Massage Therapy training at the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), they have a load of good info on training programs for Massage Therapy. Some states have minimum requirements. Checking with a local community college may lead you to certified training programs in massage therapy. Also, asking around to the massage therapist in your area will show you the right path as well.
Strong communication skills, a friendly and empathetic personality, and an interest in working with people from a range of different backgrounds are essential qualities for a massage therapist. Massage therapists must be able to make clients feel at ease.
Massage therapists work in private and public settings. They may work in private offices and studios, hospitals, nursing and rehabilitation centers, fitness centers, specialist sports medicine clinics, airports, and shopping malls. Some massage therapists travel to clients’ own homes or offices to offer their services. It is not uncommon for a full-time massage therapist to divide their working hours amongst several settings. Working conditions for massage therapists depend on the location and the needs of their clients.
Where Can I Find Massage Therapy Jobs?
Around half of all massage therapists are self-employed. Many people use massage therapy to provide a secondary source of income. While massage therapy jobs can be found throughout the country, jobs are concentrated in metropolitan areas, in addition to resort and destination locales. Some places run a Salon type business where you hire in at a percentage of the fee. Check around in your local area for such Salons.
As massage is physically demanding, it is essential for massage therapists to use the proper technique or run the risk of becoming injured. Repetitive-motion issues and fatigue from standing for long time periods are common. Due to the physical nature of the massage therapy work and the time required for rest in between sessions, massage therapists may work less than 40 hours a week. The majority of therapists work 15 to 30 hours a week. Travel time, time required to set up equipment and time to complete business functions add to the number of hours a massage therapist works.
Around 48 percent of massage therapists work part-time, with 19 percent working variable schedules. Hourly wages for a trained massage therapist average $16.78. Yearly earnings can vary significantly for therapists, depending on their schedule.
Jobs for massage therapists are expected to increase in the coming years as more people come to realise the benefits of massage therapy. Prospects for therapists able to network to increase their client base will find that their prospects are good. Therapists who choose to join a professional association can also help themselves to build strong contacts and to hence increase their likelihood of obtaining steady work.
How Much Money Does A Massage Therapist Make?
Well, it really depends on your area. Obviously if you live in a Metro area and work in an area with wealthy clients, then you’ll make more money than if you lived out in a small rural town surrounded by poor farmers! On average, a part time therapist working only a few hours per week could bring in $10,000 on the low end. Some part timers in more affluent areas may make $30,000 or more! Full time Massage Therapist can bring down quite a bit of money if they work with more affluent clients. Some have been known to bring down six figures. But for the average therapist in the average town working full time, I’d say the average would be in the $40,000 to $60,000 per year if you have a good client base.
Learning how to become a Massage Therapist isn’t hard, but will require some time and attention from you. It can be a really rewarding career for the right person.
