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