Massage Therapists

With growing popularity and an incredible impact on the world of health care, it's no surprise that massage therapy is also one of the fastest growing careers, with more and more young people pursuing lives as massage therapists.

Using a technique of deep muscle massage, massage therapists have become a resource to treat all sorts of maladies from stress and anxiety to spinal problems and even torn muscles. Continuously growing in recognition in the medical field, massage therapy has become more and more widely recommended by physicians as part of a healing regime or even just a healthy lifestyle. Insurance companies also acknowledge the importance of massage, with many companies specifically adding massage therapy or chiropractic treatment to their coverage.

Originating as early as 2700 BC, massage is thought to be the oldest form of medical treatment practiced on the human body. From Greece and Rome, to the ancient Far East, many techniques and varieties of massage therapy have entered into the world of massage today. Egyptian tombs show images of royalty being massaged, and traditional Indian physicians employed a variety of massage techniques, aromatherapy, and oil treatments.

Perhaps the most significant development in massage therapy – at least the foundation of western massage – came from Sweden. Swedish massage, originally introduced in the 19th century, took the ancient techniques employed in traditional China, India, Greece, and Rome, and combined them, creating the first comprehensive massage technique. From there, massage spread throughout Europe, and was well on its way to becoming the break through in health that we are experiencing today.

People seek massage therapy as a means to treat problematic injuries, not only in the back, but also the thighs, shoulders, neck, arms, legs, and even ovaries. There is a large field of specialty massage therapists with a variety of strengths, and finding the right masseuse can make all the difference between a life-time injury and a fast recovery. Massage therapy is also a means to deal with stress or anxiety; the massaging of the muscles releases negative emotions and allows the body to relax, cleansing itself of stress, tension, and negativity. A good massage therapist can read deeply into the muscles of a client to determine where, what, and why problems exist in the body and mind.

Like a symphony, the human body produces beautiful work only when all its parts are in complete accord. This is one of the focuses of massage therapy – to unify each “instrument” or function of the body, working through knots and out-of-tune muscles to help the body achieve perfect harmony.

According to the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association), massage therapy has been scientifically proven to treat or cure many illnesses and muscle problems, as well as boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, soothing joint and muscle pain, combating depression and withdrawal symptoms, lowering stress and anxiety levels, and rehabilitating patients with serious injuries.

Massage therapists employ a variety of techniques to treat different symptoms and conditions. Today, there are over 100 different widely recognized techniques used world wide, with each one displaying its own particular effects and treatment. When looking to attend massage therapy schools or become a massage therapist, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of various techniques and their applications.

One of the most powerful massage techniques is deep tissue massage, a form of intense massage that aims to break up scar tissue and release connective tissue in the body. This technique relieves chronic tension as well as offering a release for the body, allowing greater flexibility, improved posture, and naturalized harmony between body and mind. Another form of therapy is ART, or Active Release Therapy, more often used on athletes or serious sports injuries. The massage therapist uses his or her hands to locate the area of injury, easing muscles and tendons back into natural positions in the problem areas. This type of therapy is particularly effective when the injury or problem is in a certain area to be pinpointed and treated. La Stone Therapy, a fast-growing technique in the world of massage, uses smooth stones at varying temperatures to adjust and release muscle tension, unifying the body and smoothing connections between muscles. Massage therapists employ numerous other techniques, including Neuromuscular therapy, Swedish massage, Thai massage, Rolfing, Shiatsu, and Acupressure.

Before considering a career in massage therapy, it is recommended that potential students receive several massages, in order to gain a foundational understanding of the effects and techniques of the art. Students should also shadow or interview several massage therapists, and consider the emotional, physical, and psychological demands and responsibilities of the profession.
Many students studying massage will begin with an overview, or one of the more commonly used techniques, and then expand their repertoire as they clarify what area of massage they wish to focus on. Learning basic massage techniques is also an essential foundation for all sorts of bodywork – including energy work, chiropractic care, and physical therapy.

It is extremely important when entering the field of massage therapy to study and consider what massage technique you wish to focus on, whether Swedish massage, deep-tissue, sports therapy, energy work, or any one of hundreds of other choices. Over half the massage therapists who complete training quit within a year, because they did not research or feel confident enough in their particular technique.

Once you have gained an elementary understanding of massage therapy, its origins, its fields, its techniques, and its treatments, it is time to consider a massage therapy school. There are hundreds of choices to think about – because of the huge growth of massage therapy over the last few years, many schools of thought as well as training have arisen. It is important to carefully consider your values and goals in the field of massage therapy, and to choose a school that suits your particular need.

When choosing a school, consider first what techniques they teach, and then research these techniques to see if they fit your own desired field of study. You should also decide whether you wish to be a full-time or part-time student – not all schools offer both, and this is a choice that can make a dramatic difference in your experience. Because of the intensity of massage training, it is often wise to take it slowly and take your time in selecting and perfecting your field – students who go to school half-time give themselves more time to make sure they know what they are doing.

101massage, a website devoted to educating consumers as well as potential massage therapists, offers an unbiased comprehensive list of massage therapy schools as well as descriptions of various techniques. When you do find a school that seems to suit your taste, spend some time on campus – talk to trainers, interview a graduate, and “feel out” the place where you may very well begin a career that will change your life.

As the fastest growing field of natural health care, massage therapy has attracted a huge new following of people wanting to become massage therapists. Although there are thousands of such students, there are also so many massage techniques that the varieties of specialization abound. Massage therapists may specialize in anything from hot and cold stones to sports therapy, and the choice of technique will open doors to prospective clients that need what you have to offer.

Massage careers can be challenging as well as rewarding; the field is so complex and so full of depth that the key to success is finding your niche – your specialization in the world of bodywork. Once this niche is found, however, massage therapists can expect work that is both fulfilling and rewarding.

The income of massage therapists varies widely, depending on location, type of practice, clientele, areas of specialty, and level of experience. In a city, massage therapists generally charge $60 to $70 an hour, while rural masseuses may make as little as half that. This income also depends on whether or not you own your own practice; while your hourly rates will be significantly higher, overhead costs are also higher. It is possible, however, to build a successful practice in under a year, and many massage therapists earn salaries upwards of $60,000, even working part-time.

Another option for massage therapists attempting to establish a clientele is to work out of the home or make house calls, cutting back on costs by needing only equipment and no rent or housing overhead. This can be an excellent option; once you have established a solid clientele base, your options will continue to expand.

There are several options for graduating massage school students considering massage careers. One possibility is to work for a multidisciplinary clinic, teaming up with other natural or holistic health care providers. This sort of co-op offers the security of a referenced clientele, as well as dramatically reduced costs of building or running a business. You may also choose to work in a nursing home or hospital, where massage therapy is becoming an increasingly used therapy. This can be challenging as well as rewarding, because sick and elderly clients are often subjected involuntarily to their situation and may be unreceptive to massage techniques. Rehabilitation facilities are a little easier to work with, and you have the pleasure of seeing distinct, dramatic improvements in your patients on a daily basis.

Spas, health clubs, or holistic centers may also offer a promising venue for the aspiring massage therapist. One advantage of these facilities is that clientele are often motivated to a high standard of health care and are very receptive to massage as a healing art as well as a science. Sports teams or professional athletes also may hire a professional masseuse, which is an attractive and generally high-paying position.

If you are the entrepreneurial type, you may also be ready to take the step of opening your own massage clinic. Whether run out of your home or an office, this gives you complete control over your image, clientele, and techniques; owning your own clinic allows you to truly pursue your passions in the field of massage. Expenses can be high, however, and it may be a good idea to keep a plan B while in the initial phases of establishment.

In order to become a massage therapist, most schools offer curriculum with foundations in many fields. Massage therapy is both art and science, a delicate combination that requires perfect balance between education and intuition. Massage training requires a deep and comprehensive understanding of human anatomy – not just the names and locations of the muscles, but their range of motion, insertion points, their purposes, and connections in relation to the rest of the body.

Massage therapy schools also offer basic understanding of physiology (the study of functions and vital organ processes and systems), Pathology (the study of disease), Kinesiology (the study of movement), Nutrition, massage history, and theory – not to mention, of course, therapy and assessment techniques as well as ethics and business. This extensive education is intended to give the massage therapist a deep, connected understanding of the human body – and how to treat it.

At the end of the day, however, becoming a successful massage therapist is about more than just the science – it is the art of healing. You must be able to not only know the muscles, but also to feel them; how they connect, what they do, what will happen if you press this tendon or pinch this nerve. With this foundation of education and intuition, the field of massage therapy will continue to impact our society – changing the way we think, move, feel, and live through a new and powerful form of health care.