Welcome to massage therapy Guide
Massage Therapy Association Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
You may also listen to this article by using the following controls.
How To Choose Among The Best Massage Therapy Schools
from:As massage therapy has grown in demand, the number of massage therapy schools and colleges offering massage therapy programs has increased to meet that demand; not all massage therapy schools
are created equally, though, and so students entering the field of massage therapy need to take care to choose a quality program inclusive of all certification and regulatory requirements for the areas they hope to work in.
First Things First—Research The Field
Before delving very far into the search for good massage therapy schools, students should first take some time to learn about the field of massage therapy, the opportunities within the field, and the demands of the job.
It is essential to consider what type of massage therapy and/or position is preferable before choosing a school because some schools focus on certain modalities or applications of massage therapy; for instance, some massage therapy schools are geared more toward sports massage, while others might be more suited to serving certain populations such as geriatrics or pediatrics, and still others might focus more on massage as a physical therapy or medical treatment. Choosing a school with a specialization is greatly beneficial for students with strong intentions of operating within that specialty, but choosing a school with too narrow a focus can limit employment options down the road for a student who is less sure of his or her employment goals.
Research Local Regulatory Requirements
Massage therapy is treated differently by various locales and states; unfortunately, there is no one national regulation governing licensure or massage therapy schools. Regulations in one state may be quite lax, while others may be very strict. It is imperative that a student get adequate training to meet requirements for licensure in the area where he or she intends to practice. Choosing a local program usually means that local requirements will be met, but a more rigorous curriculum will insure flexibility across regions.
Some Final Tips
The factors mentioned above are the more important matters to consider when choosing massage therapy schools; to help narrow the choices once the bases have been covered, the following tips are useful.
• Collect and compare information on several massage therapy schools
• Talk to students and look over the curriculum to determine if the program seems a good match
• Learn about the school's philosophy—is it a match?
• Determine program accreditation and/or the necessity of it
• Review class-times and options to see if it is feasible to fulfill program time and schedule obligations
• Consider proximity to work and home
• Research staff credentials
• Find out what post-graduation services are offered, such as job placement, continuing education, etc.
• See what financing and student aid options are offered
• Compare program costs—remember to consider all fees and book costs in addition to base tuition
Massage Therapy Association News
Pleasant Hill to require state certification for massage therapists - San Jose Mercury News
Pleasant Hill to require state certification for massage therapists San Jose Mercury News Applicants for the city permit must pass a criminal-background check and provide proof of training, certification from a national therapeutic massage organization or membership in a professional massage association. Massage therapists who hold a city ... |
Growing Body Of Research Shows Massage Therapy Effective For Prevalent Health ... - Sacramento Bee
Growing Body Of Research Shows Massage Therapy Effective For Prevalent Health ... Sacramento Bee By American Massage Therapy Association EVANSTON, Ill., May 21, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- A growing body of evidence shows massage therapy can be effective for a variety of prevalent health conditions, including the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee, ... AMTA Promotes Massage Research to Media and Consumers Massage therapy effective for knee osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain and ... |
Growing Body Of Research Shows Massage Therapy Effective For Prevalent Health ... - PR Newswire (press release)
 American News Report | Growing Body Of Research Shows Massage Therapy Effective For Prevalent Health ... PR Newswire (press release) Massage is rapidly becoming recognized as an important part of health and wellness, and research compiled by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) indicates some of what takes place in the body during massage therapy. Research(1) supported by ... Studies Show Massage Relieves Chronic Pain |
AMTA's Health Care Relationships 2012: An Update of the Association's ... - Massage Magazine
AMTA's Health Care Relationships 2012: An Update of the Association's ... Massage Magazine AMTA expects the results of the collaboration and analysis to help lay the groundwork for further major studies on massage therapy in hospitals and other medical facilities. The association also is extending its relationships with other major centers ... |
Two Paths To Wellness Workshops - Long Island Exchange
Two Paths To Wellness Workshops Long Island Exchange With a commitment to a holistic approach to health and healing, Carol helps others by using various therapeutic modalities such as reiki, AMMA Asian Bodywork and reflexology. She is a member of both the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and ... |
Leadership Summit in Chicago addresses Concerns of the Profession - Massage Magazine
Leadership Summit in Chicago addresses Concerns of the Profession Massage Magazine Organizations represented were Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE); American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA); Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP); Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA); Federation of State ... |
Massage Envy Spa® Announces One Millionth Facial - MarketWatch (press release)
Massage Envy Spa® Announces One Millionth Facial MarketWatch (press release) In 2007, the company launched the Massage Envy Spa concept to offer affordable healthy skin care beyond traditional massage therapy and established an exclusive partnership with global skincare leader Murad. Massage Envy Spa customers now benefit from ... |