ALT-1 How to become a Massage Therapist
You've got that magic touch...when it comes to giving back rubs, that is. And maybe you're thinking about a new career. Why not massage therapy? There's more to massage than just making people feel good - massage can smooth knotted muscles, relieve pain and speed recovery from injuries. And with the rise in popularity of professional massages (getting and giving), you can find work in an amazing array of settings - from hospitals and hospice wards to cruise ships and health spas. Work for someone else, or, if you want to put in the effort, start your own practice. But don't start imagining yourself in exotic locales just yet - there's more to learning how to become a massage therapist than knowing a few basic strokes. For instance:
1. Get a realistic picture of what it's like to be a professional massage therapist.
Massage therapy can be a rewarding field, and it's empowering to know that you could be helping people improve their health. But you'll work hard, at least when you're starting out. Giving massages for hours a day is physical labor (professional associations consider you a "full time" therapist if your actual massage time is somewhere around 20 hours a week.) You will literally throw your body into it - and your hands and your back can take a beating. If you don't use proper technique, you could injure yourself. Also, you may want to speak with a few massage therapists and ask them what the job is like - the good, the bad and the ugly.
2. Take an inventory of your temperament.
Sometimes you'll have to work with cranky, upset clients. Customers who are coiled springs of stress or have been in pain for a long time aren't at their most cheerful. So you should enjoy working with people. If you think you can handle this, and have a high school diploma, then you're ready to take the next step.
3. Find your school.
Don't apply to anything less than a good, accredited school of massage therapy. Make sure they're professional, because pretty much any outfit can put up a shingle and call themselves a massage school. So don't write that check until you've checked their credentials with a professional massage association like The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB.)
4. Hit the books.
Sharpen up those study skills. You'll be taking rigorous classes in anatomy, physiology and massage theory. After all, you'll be working on human bodies, so you must become intimate with the language of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and how they're all connected. Maybe you don't need to learn as much about human anatomy and health as a doctor would. But your future clients may have various health conditions like injuries or arthritis, and you will have to know how to use massage techniques to either help them or avoid hurting them further.
5. Watch that posture!
In school you will learn how to protect yourself against the rigors of performing hours of massage a day. Pay attention to your alignment and strengthen your core muscles to help prevent injury.
6. Learn all the right moves.
Your class schedule will include massage technique. And you'll practice. Over and over again. You'll practice on each other; you'll practice on members of the community. Many of these "guinea pigs" schedule appointments at massage schools in exchange for greatly reduced fees. You will be taught the basic strokes and styles, such as Swedish, sports and deep pressure massage. A good school will encourage you to put your own "spin" on them as you get more experience.
7. Get the proper credentials.
When you've successfully completed a program of accredited training in anatomy, physiology, massage theory, hands-on practice, (and possibly, some elective classes) you're ready to apply for professional credentials. That means a license or national certification, or both, depending on the state (and sometimes the city) in which you want to work. This is vital, because it's illegal for you to practice massage therapy without some form of professional certification. To get a license (in states that require them), you have to pay a fee and prove that you've taken a minimum number of hours of training. The required hours can vary tremendously. For example, in Massachusetts, it's 500 hours, but in New York, you'll need 1000 hours to apply for a license. Some states also require you to purchase liability insurance through a professional massage association - and join that association first.
States (and some cities) that don't require a license will ask for national certification. This means taking an exam in addition to proving you have the necessary hours of training.
8. Join a professional association.
While the certification or licensing process is mandatory, it's highly recommended that you join a professional massage association, likeAMTA, orNCBTMB, or both, depending on the certification laws in your city or state. Membership gives you professional credibility. An association can also help you find positions and keep you informed about the field. To join, most associations have similar requirements: pay an initial fee, plus chapter dues (how much depends on where you live), and keep up on your continuing education.
9. Don't even think about blowing off those training classes.
It's important for your clientele that you have the latest massage techniques in your professional "tool box." Learning new types of massage after you start working also reduces the possibility that you'll get bored with the same old strokes or even suffer from burnout.
10. But first, you'll have to get a job!
For massage therapy, there is no internship requirement. So once you've learned how to become a massage therapist, taken the right training, passed the right tests and paid the right fees, you can - with the support of those professional associations - start that job search. Good luck!
