How Do I Choose the Best Massage Therapy Education or School?

If you are considering a career in massage therapy, you need to make sure that you are going to purse the best education possible. This choice will set the stage for years to come, so choose your school wisely. After all, the best massage therapy education won’t be cheap or easy, but it will set you up for future success as a massage professional if you decide to go for it.

Here are some quick tips on how to choose the best education possible:

1. Get to know the massage therapy regulations in your state or province concerning the practice of massage therapy. Does the school in which you are interested comply with the standards? Is the college or education program recognized by these regulatory bodies?

2. How successful are previous graduates? Do they own their own businesses, or are they working in the type of field in which you’re interested? For example, sports, rehabilitation, spa etc. Keep in mind that someone’s ambition is not dependent on the school where they went, but a good educational foundation will help set a therapist up for success.

3. How interested are potential employers in the school’s graduates? For example, how many students have jobs before graduation, and where are the jobs located? (hint: graduates who are going to well-established and reputable clinics are an indication of the quality of the massage training program.)

4. Is there a job board at the school? What types of employers are actively seeking the graduates?

5. Are the students and graduates generally happy with the program?

6. Do students have the opportunity to treat members of the public at a student clinic, and do they have opportunities to network with professionals in the industry?

7. What do current massage therapists think of the program you want to pursue? No school is perfect, but if you get an overall thumbs up for the program then it will in all likelihood be worth your while.

There are several great options for massage therapy education, so sometimes it may just come down to how a college “feels” to you. If you get good feedback from students and professionals alike, and the school “feels” right to you, you can be quite confident that you are pursuing the best massage therapy education for your needs.

© Copyright 2009
www.whymassagetherapy.com
All Rights Reserved.

A Massage Therapy Career – What’s Your Motivation?

I remember the days before I began my massage therapy career. After getting a treatment, I used to float out of the clinic, eternally grateful to my therapist for holding my migraine headaches at bay for another two weeks. Yes, even before I began massage school, I wore rose colored glasses and thought that when I became a therapist, I would save the world, one treatment and one client at a time.

Then school began, and the reality of what I was undertaking hit me. Since I had left a great career in high tech with equally great benefits, gone was the hefty paycheck, and the “love and fluff” of only ever being on the receiving end of a massage. It was really hard, being in class for 7 hours a day and then going home to study some more. And the detail, my God, the detail – how many nights did I dream of that darn Kreb’s cycle, and of muscle origins and insertions (and not of Brad Pitt, either!). Then came the task of learning the hands-on aspect of the profession, the subtle nuances of giving a great treatment (the subtlety and greatness of which didn’t even happen for me until after I graduated. I had the treatment part down quite well, however.) I lived and breathed massage therapy as most of us do, and loved every minute of it.

In hindsight I realize that while I had the most altruistic motivation when I started my massage therapy education, eventually the reality hit home that this was actually (gulp) a career. I would have to pay rent and bills with the earnings of this endeavor, and with that reality came a little less altruism. After all, not only did I have to pay my living expenses, I would also have to pay student loans and eventually a car payment once my vehicle had finally had it. Wow. I hadn’t really thought of that.

So, what’s your motivation for a career in massage therapy? Are you in it purely for financial gain, or is it altruistic? If it’s for financial gain, you might want to consider another career path, for several reasons, not the least of which is the human cost of looking at clients like a cash machine. If it’s about helping others, can you see beyond the client to see the business side of the profession? Do you really think that you can save the world, one client at a time, or do you have a bit more realistic vision of how the profession will play out in your life. Let me just say that to be altruistic is great, but it will in all likelihood change during the course of massage therapy college, when you realize that there are limitations to what massage therapy can do for others. In fact, I noticed this decrease in idealism not only in myself, but also former students, and it is well explained and quantified in an article published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

During my second year of college, my chiropractor told me something that sticks with me to this day. She said “You will help about 80% of your clients to some degree. There will be 10% who are completely better from your treatments, and 10% whom you won’t help at all. Don’t let that last 10% discourage you from your work. You will still make a positive difference in so many lives.” What a brilliant woman she is! (and she was so right).

Before you take the plunge into a massage therapy career, take the time to examine your motivation and learn as much as you can. And, if you decide to go for it, don’t let the fact that your motivation might change upset or discourage you, you will still be true to your inner saint and help countless people with your skills.

If you are ready to start your Massage Therapy career, click HERE to Find a School, or look on the menu bar at the top of the page. Good luck!!!!

© Copyright 2009
www.whymassagetherapy.com
All Rights Reserved.

A Massage Therapy Career – What to Know or Do Before You Take the Plunge

Some points to consider before you embark on a Massage Therapy career.

Massage therapy is an interesting, rewarding and fun career. It is also growing considerably in North America – according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the profession is forecast to grow faster than average (20%!) between 2006 and 2016.

If you are interested in a massage therapy career, this is great news. I would suggest, however, that before you embark on a new career path and undertake the commitment necessary to become a massage therapist, you consider what the profession is really all about.

1. My first piece of advice is to get a massage!

It never ceases to amaze me how many people love the idea of becoming a massage therapist, yet have never had a massage treatment from a professional. Getting a either a relaxation or therapeutic massage is a great opportunity to know what it’s like to be a client, as well as to establish a rapport with a professional in the industry. I would advise that you go for a massage therapy treatment in the type of setting where you think you’d like to work …

2. Speak with several massage therapists currently in the industry.

You will find massage therapists in spas, sports facilities and medical clinics. You may also find them working out of their own home, or perhaps the massage therapist you know will have a mobile service, and go house to house visiting clients. Tell them that you are considering a career in Massage Therapy, and as them for the input. Also ask them to be honest, and discuss a “typical day”, as well as the pros and cons of the profession, everything from work environment to pay rates, and how they fit into the organizations in which they work. Once again, because everyone has a different experience of the profession, speak with several people to get a general idea of what life is like as a massage therapist.

3. Experience different types of massage

From relaxation and therapeutic massage to different modalities under the “massage therapy umbrella”, you have several excellent options, try as many as you can before you make your final decision on whether or not to pursue a massage therapy career. After your basic education is done, it is good to know that you have options where you can specialize as your experience grows.

4. Ask your new massage therapist friends where they went to school, and what their experience was like.

As professional therapists, they will be able to guide you where to go for the education you will require, as well as discuss the licensing requirements for the state or province where you want to practice and live. The massage therapy school you attend is your foundation and will set the stage for years to come, so choose wisely.

5. Don’t let the romance of massage therapy as a healing art mislead you!

To be successful in Massage Therapy, it must be treated like a business, albeit a caring one. You will have bills to pay, so don’t be misled by thinking that the money you charge per treatment is money that goes directly into your pocket. Once again, talk to massage therapists to get a reality check on the business aspect of the profession, it could save you a lot of heartache.

For more information on the realities of the profession, check out the main site, under Massage Therapy Careers. Taking the time to learn about the massage therapy profession before you commit your time, money and energy is effort well spent.

© Copyright 2008-2009
Jodi Forsythe
www.whymassagetherapy.com
All Rights Reserved.