High School
Since massage therapists need to know more than just technical skills, many practitioners use the basic knowledge learned in high school as a foundation to build a solid career in the field. During your high school years, you should take fundamental science courses, such as chemistry, anatomy, and biology. These classes will give you a basic understanding of the human body and prepare you for the health and anatomy classes you will take while completing your postsecondary education. English, psychology, and other classes relating to communications and human development will also be useful as the successful massage therapist is able to express his or her ideas with clients as well as understand the clients' reactions to the therapy. If you think you might wish to run your own massage therapy business someday, computer and business courses are essential. Finally, do not neglect your own physical well-being. Take physical education and health courses to strengthen your body and your understanding of your own conditioning.
Postsecondary Training
The best way to become a successful massage therapist is to attend an accredited massage therapy school after you have finished high school. There are more than 265 state-accredited massage schools located throughout the United States. A good percentage of these schools are accredited or approved by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), a major accrediting agency for massage therapy programs and an affiliate of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). COMTA-accredited and approved schools must provide at least 600 hours of classroom instruction. Studies should include such courses as anatomy, physiology, theory and practice of massage therapy, and ethics. In addition, students should receive supervised hands-on experience. Most programs offer students the opportunity to participate at clinics, such as those providing massage services at hospices, hospitals, and shelters, or at school clinics that are open to the general public.
Massage therapy training programs typically take about a year to complete. Students can specialize in particular disciplines, such as infant massage or rehabilitative massage. Basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must also be learned. When choosing a school, you should pay close attention to the philosophy and curricula of the program, since a wide range of program options exists. Also, keep in mind that licensure requirements for massage therapists vary by state. For example, some state medical boards require students to have completed more than 500 hours of instruction before they can be recognized as massage therapists, while others require 1,000 hours. Part of your process for choosing a school, therefore, should include making sure that the school's curriculum will allow you to meet your state's requirements.
Other Education or Training
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that 90 percent of massage therapists participate in continuing education activities. Both the AMTA and Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals offer online and onsite continuing education opportunities on topics such as effective business practices, ethics, and massage techniques. Contact these organizations for more information.
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