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To
be a successful Massage Therapist you should:
- Understand massage is both an art and a science of
healing.
- Be skillful in the use of hands to apply pressure.
- Possess the ability to stand for long periods of time.
- Have a sincere desire to improve the health and well-being
of humanity.
- Have the commitment, time, and energy to train for
the profession.
- Recognize the need for ongoing education to be a competent
practitioner.
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| What
type of education and/or training do I need?
The training program curriculum should cover such subjects
as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, theory and practice
of massage therapy, hands-on practice under faculty supervision,
ethics, and business practices.
Many schools offer a supervised student clinic that is
open to the public and gives students the opportunity
to work with a variety of people. Training programs may
tend to emphasize certain styles of massage, so it is
useful to find out if a school teaches a style with which
you feel comfortable.
Connecticut requires 500 hours at a school approved by
COMTA (Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation) or
U.S. Department of Education. |
| Do
I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is required in the State of Connecticut. Prequisite:
Connecticut requires passage of the National Certification
Examination of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as one
of the criteria for licensure. |
| Where
can I get more information? American Massage
Therapy Association
820 Davis Street, Suite 100
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-0123 www.amtamassage.org
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
820 Davis Street, Suite 100
Evanston, IL 60201-4444
(847) 869-5039 www.comta.org
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage
and Bodywork
8201 Greensboro Drive
Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 610-9015 www.ncbtmb.com |
| What
is the salary for this career? $26,728 and
Higher (Source: Connecticut Department of Labor) |
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What
will my job be like? "Massage therapy
is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual
techniques and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the
intention of positively affecting the health and well-being
of the client." - American Massage Therapy Association
definition of massage therapy
Practitioners' specialization may include type of application,
clientele, and technique. Massage therapy has a broad
number of applications. Its range includes relaxation,
stress reduction, health promotion, pain management, and
injury recovery. Practitioners may choose to focus on
one of these areas. The majority of massage therapists
use several techniques in their work and may place the
emphasis of their practice on something other than technique.
Massage Therapists may choose to specialize in:
- Swedish - a gentle, relaxing massage
- Pressure point therapy - for certain conditions for
injuries
- Sports massage - focus on muscle groups
- Medical and hospital-based massage
- Corporate and on-site chair massage
- Relaxation and stress reduction massage
- Massage for personal growth and wellness
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| Where
could I work? Massage therapists may work
as self-employed practitioners, as salaried or commissioned
employees, or as independent contractors. Many massage
therapists have portable equipment and can visit a person's
home/office.
Other workplace settings:
- Chiropractors Offices Corporations
- Hair Salons Health Clubs and Fitness Centers
- Holistic Health Centers Hospitals
- Hotels, Cruise Ships, Spas and Resorts
- Medical Clinics Nursing Homes
- On-site (chair massage in offices, airports, public
events, etc.)
- Sports teams and events (amateur and professional)
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| What
is the future of this career? The field of
massage therapy is growing rapidly in response to the
public's expanding interest in forms of health care that
promote well-being and a higher quality of life. Consequently,
massage therapy has the attributes of an emerging profession
undergoing relatively fast-paced change. |
Where
can I get the education and/or training?
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, Inc., Newington
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, Inc., Westport
- Galen Institute School of Massage Therapy, Wethersfield
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